Mt. Rushmore Podcast

Ziggy Stardust! The Thin White Duke! Aladdin Sane! Dude singing with Bing Crosby! No matter what phase David Bowie went through in his career, they were never boring. Well, except for Tin Machine, but otherwise… This week we take a look back at the career of rock and roll’s great chameleon and choose the most iconic and interesting phases of his career. So let’s dance and celebrate our favorite Star, man, and all of the changes he went through. SHOW NOTES Joint Choice Ziggy Stardust "Ziggy Stardust": How Bowie Created the Alter Ego That Changed Rock - Rolling Stone The Day David Bowie Abruptly Retired Ziggy Stardust - Ultimate Classic Rock Michael’s Choices Jareth the Goblin King (from “Labyrinth”) "Labyrinth": A Goblin King and a Sexual Dream - Consequence of Sound We Love Villains: The Strange Appeal of Jareth from "Labyrinth" - Smart Bitches, Trashy Books Earthling (1990s era) David Bowie's "Earthling" is 20 Years Old Today - Salon David Bowie Albums from Worst to Best: "Earthling" - Stereogum B

How you doin'? If you love TV catchphrases, then come on down! And if you don't, you can sit on it, Potsie! One man who will not be kissing any grits is our friend Chapen, who suggested the topic and agreed to come on the show and make some choices against the team of Richard and Michael (aka Michard or Manfield). We think you'll give Two Thumbs Up to this podcast. When it comes to great TV catchphrases, these are Dy-no-mite! (And if you don't think so, you can bite our shiny metal asses.) SHOW NOTES Joint Pick "What'choo Talkin' 'Bout, Willis?" - Diff'rent Strokes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Le6qeMe7-vM Chapen's Picks "Kiss my grits!" - Alice https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pN2cfA45mUI "D'oh!" - The Simpsons https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnaeIAEp2pU   "And knowing is half the battle!" - G.I. Joe https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-z0ymeb9EQ Michael & Richard's Picks "Don't Have a Cow, Man" - The Simpsons https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m78gYyTrG7Y "That's What She Said" - Wayne's World/The Office htt

We're smart and sensible people who don't believe in wacky conspiracy theories. But then again, there are a few that make us think...maybe? This week, we tackle the subject of conspiracy theories we can't dismiss completely even if we don't actually believe them. Unless, of course, that's what we WANT you to believe, and this whole podcast contains hidden messages to the Illuminati, the Elders of Zion and the Reverse Vampires secretly controlled by the Rand Corporation plotting our next stage of worldwide control. WAKE UP SHEEPLE! PS - We didn't plan for Episode 51 to be about Conspiracy Theories (like Area 51). It just kind of happened. OR DID IT? SHOW NOTES Joint Choice: JFK Assassination Theories Who Killed JFK? - The Week Killing Conspiracy - Slate Michael's Choices: Area 51 How Area 51 Works - How Stuff Works Area 51 - Dark Government James Comey/Hillary Clinton Letter The Domestic Conspiracy That Gave Trump the Election Is In Plain Sight - Huffington Post The NSA Has Blackmailed the FBI's Comey

We've hit the big 50 and to celebrate we're getting super-hyper-mega-meta. The whole concept of our podcast revolves around the iconic nature of Mt. Rushmore. Just say the name and you automatically understand what it looks like and what it stands for. So it's little wonder why it has served as a backdrop and been spoofed in so many different places. Join Michael, Richard and Jeff as they check out some fictional uses of Mt. Rushmore before chiselling one of their own. SHOW NOTES Joint Choices The Chase Scene from "North by Northwest" Hitchcock's "North by Northwest" - PBS.org 13 Monumental Facts About "North by Northwest" - Mental Floss' "Superman II" Overlooked Movies: "Superman II" The Lester Cut - Scene Stealers "Team America World Police" Mount Rushmore - Team America World Police Wikia Michael's Choice The Washington Nationals Presidents' Race Racing Presidents - Nationals.com Presidents' Race Standings - Let Teddy Win Richard's Choice Mt. Richmore from "Richie Rich" Mount Richmore Minature

Remember back when we spent every waking moment worried that the Soviet Union would invade the United States or decide to launch a nuclear attack since those dirty Commies couldn't handle being on the same planet with BLAZING AMERICAN FREEDOM? Man, it sure is good that we don't have to worry about THAT anymore! We look back at the past - or prepare for the future - by remembering some pieces of pop culture that showed just how frightened or confused we were about the Soviets through the 1980s. So slam some vodka, put on a fuzzy hat and get ready for a pre-Perestroika madness. And remember: in Russia podcast downloads YOU! SHOW NOTES Joint Pick Ivan Drago, "Rocky IV" Michael's Picks Yakov Smirnoff Can Yakov Smirnoff, the King of the Cold War Comedy, Make a Comeback? - The Guardian "Worker and Parasite" cartoon from "The Simpsons" Superman: Red Son The Soviet Superman: Red Son - Today I Found Out Richard's Picks "Russians" by Sting Sting: "Russians" - The Pop History Dig WWF Wrestler Nikolai Volkoff (o

Once in a Blue Moon we get an idea for an episode that gets us All Shook Up. That's the case this week as It's Now Or Never for us to take a look at Fake Elvises (Elvii?) - whether they are impersonators, fictional portrayals or something else entirely. Elvis is pop culture and the different types of faux Elvises amplify the many different ways he can be viewed. Jeff, as always, is the King of this episode, as he chooses from Richard and Michael's picks. So Don't Be Cruel - give this episode a listen. Michael's Choices Andy Kaufman as the Foreign Man as Elvis https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r59AWfhwpPg El Vez My LA to Z: El Vez - Los Angeles Magazine https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Knin4CLq4us Elvis Trooper Elvis Has Left the Death Star - SWBookZone.com Elvis Herselvis The Weirdest Elvis Impersonator: All Hail the Drag King... - Elvis Presley Talk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5JVIliB5AI Richard's Choices Thai Elvis Best Thai Elvis - LA Weekly https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uUmR_7A6Nk Bruce

An article of clothing can define a person - and that's definitely true when it comes to jackets. Some of the most iconic looks in pop culture history are closely tied to the jacket a person is wearing. Think about Marlon Brando in "The Wild Ones" or Joey Ramone on every Ramones album cover ever and you think about their leather jacket. It's a very broad topic, which is evident as Michael and Richard take very difference approaches with their choices. Will Jeff be able to wade through it all to decide a winner and who has to wear the Jacket of Shame? (Note: not a real thing.) SHOW NOTES Michael's Choices Michael Jackson's Red "Beat It" Jacket The Bride's Yellow Motorcycle Jacket from "Kill Bill Vol. 1" Fonzie's Leather Jacket from "Happy Days" Members' Only burgundy jacket Richard's Choices Leather Jacket Jean Jacket Letterman Jacket Starter Jacket Jeff's "Host" Choice James Dean's red jacket from "Rebel Without a Cause"

Hollywood releases roughly 248,000 movies every year, and about 10 of them are any good. It might seem that literally any movie will be released as soon as the first scene is shot, but that isn't the case at all. Many movies are planned - or even start filming - yet never make their way to America's multiplexes. So let's celebrate the cinematic masterpieces/disasters that never saw the light of day. Michael, Richard and Jeff are ready to roll action, and we're hoping the studio isn't asking for major rewrites. JOINT PICK "The Man Who Killed Don Quixote" "Terry Gilliam's 'The Man Who Killed Don Quixote' Delayed Again" - Slash Film MICHAEL'S PICKS Jodorowsky's "Dune" "Inside the Greatest Sci-Fi Movie Never Made" - The Verge "Beetlejuice 2: Beetlejuice Goes Hawaiian" "'Beetlejuice Goes Hawaiian: The Sequel That Almost Was" - Blumhouse.com "Superman Lives" "10 Things We Learned From the 'Death of Superman Lives' Q&A" - Paste RICHARD'S PICKS "The Day the Clown Cried" "'The Day the Clown Cr

Not too long ago, we discussed all of the many annoying things that can happen when you go to a "rock & roll" concert. But yet we still keep going to shows! That's because when things go just right and everything clicks it can truly be magic. This week, we discuss some of the best concerts we've ever been to - for a variety of reasons. SHOW NOTES Michael's Choices The Cure - Festivalgelande (Wiessen, Austria) - July 19, 1998 Death Cab for Cutie - The Showbox (Seattle) - November 21-22, 2003 The Drums - El Rey Theatre (Los Angeles) - March 15, 2012 St. Vincent & David Byrne - Greek Theatre (Los Angeles) - October 13, 2012 Richard's Choices Rush - Selland Arena (Fresno) - January 25, 1992 Mighty Mighty Bosstones - Cadillac Club (Fresno) - April 20, 1993 Poorfest 2 - Whiskey a Go-Go (Los Angeles) - November 18, 1993 Buck Owens - Buck Owens' Crystal Palace - February 2005 (est.)

Let's face it: 2016's been a nightmare. We're sure it's just a coincidence that the worst year in recent memory happened at the same time we launched the first year of the podcast. Hopefully, we were able to provide you with a little light entertainment to give you a few hours of respite from the never ending drum beat of suck that this year became. It's a VERY SPECIAL EPISODE this week as we look back at our personal Rushmores of things that happened in the show over the past 12 months (roughly). Take a listen to find out if your favorite moment made the cut.  

There's no joy like waking up on Christmas morning to find out that Santa had brought you the perfect present; similarly, nothing is more disappointing than getting Go-Bots when all of your other friends got kick-ass Transformers, or being told that Santa "ran out" of Cabbage Patch Kids so you'll have to settle for a Raggedy Ann. With Christmas right around the corner, we look back at some of the hottest Must Have Christmas Toys of All-Time. Jeff's made a list, he's checking it twice...and yeah, Michael and Richard have been both naughty and nice. Joint Pick Cabbage Patch Kids "Black Friday Origins: The 1983 Cabbage Patch Kids Riots" - Rediscover the 80s Michael's Picks Tickle Me Elmo "How Tickle Me Elmo Caused Holiday Hysteria Back in 1996" - Uproxx Hatchimals "Hatchimals Are the Catch of the Season" - USA Today Red Ryder BB Gun "Red Ryder BB Gun" - Time Magazine Richard's Picks Transformers "Black Friday Origins: The Transformers and GoBots Craze of 1984" - Rediscover the 80s Pet Rocks "How D

Sure, everyone remembers R2-D2 and C3PO, but what about the lost souls of the Star Wars universe? OK, they are droids, so technically they don't have souls, but they are still important, damn it!  Richard knows next to nothing about the world of secondary Star Wars droids. Which makes him the perfect judge as Michael and Jeff showcase their nerdery and argue about the merits of some of the lesser but still important robots in the Star Wars world. SHOW NOTES Jeff's Choices Gonk Droid GNK Power Droid - Wookiepedia 5D6-RA-7 Protocol Droid 5D6-RA-7 - Wookiepedia 2-1B Medical Droid 2-1B - Wookiepedia Treadwell WED Treadwell Repair Droid - Wookiepedia Michael's Choices Mouse Droid MSE-6-Series Repair Droid - Wookiepedia IG-88 IG-88 - Wookiepedia BT-16 Spider Droid BT-16 Perimeter Droid - Wookiepedia WA7 (FLO) Waitress Droid FLO - Wookiepedia

A TV show doesn't have to have a memorable theme song to be known as great - but it sure helps. The right theme song makes an immediate connection with the show. From the first notes of the song, you know what to expect and, over time, it creates a Pavlovian reaction as you instinctively are ready to watch. SHOW NOTES Michael's Choices Gilligan's Island "The Gilligan's Island Theme" - Hash House Harrier Songbook Olympic Fanfare and Theme "The Fascinating Origin of the Olympic Anthem" - Variety X-Files "How the 'X Files' Composer Made TV's Creepiest Theme Song, Partially By Accident" - Motherboard Married...With Children "19 Fun Facts About 'Married...With Children'" - Mental Floss Richard's Choices Sanford and Son "Sanford and Son Theme (The Streetbeater)" - Song Facts Hawaii Five-O "Is Hawaii Five-O the Most Enduring Theme Song Ever?" - Entertainment Weekly ABC'S Wide World of Sports "The Award Winning Composer Behind the 'Wide World of Sports' Theme and Other 'Songs of Our

Holy switcheroo, Batman! Usually, it's Michael and Richard debating the merits of their choices for a certain topic with Jeff serving as judge. But not this week as Jeff has some HOT TAKES that demand to be heard - even if the subjects aren't. In an unprecedented move, Jeff and Michael switch places. Now it's Richard vs. Jeff giving their Rushmore of Nonverbal Sidekicks. Who will win? Only Michael knows for sure. SHOW NOTES Joint Choice: Harpo Marx (Marx Brothers) "Harpo Marx - 10 Things You Might Not Know" - The Telegraph "The Silent Marx Brother" - Neatorama.com Jeff's Choices: Groot (Guardians of the Galaxy) "Vin Diesel Isn't Just Saying 'I Am Groot' in 'Guardians of the Galaxy'" - Radio Times "Vin Diesel Said 'I Am Groot' Over a Thousand Times for 'Guardians of the Galaxy'" - ComicBook.com R2-D2 (Star Wars) "Why Do We Love R2-D2 and Not C-3P0?" - Smithsonian Magazine "R2-D2's Sound Design Secrets" - Synthtopia Snoopy (Peanuts) "The Snoopy 'Bleah' Collection" - Mike Lynch Cartoons "The Sound

For 38 episodes, we've heard Michael and Richard do battle against in other in trying to come up with the perfect Mt. Rushmore for many topics. Now something unthinkable has happened. Like Hulk Hogan and the Macho Man, the Superpowers have teamed up to fight a common enemy - Disney Channel producer/minor Kansas City celebrity Scott Jones, a noted expert in all things Lego. Except the topic isn't Legos! In fact, it's every other type of building toy. Will Michael and Richard's tag team be enough to construct a win, or will it fall apart? Listen to find out. SHOW NOTES Joint Pick: Lincoln Logs Vintage Lincoln Logs - Collector's Weekly Michael & Richard's Picks: K'NEX The World's Largest K'NEX Ball Contraption Was Built From Over 126,000 Pieces - Gizmodo BRIO Train Tracks Vintage BRIO Train Collecting - ToysPeriod.com Marble Runs This Marble Race Is More Thrilling Than It Has Any Right To Be - Deadspin Scott's Picks: Wooden Blocks Alphabet Blocks - National Toy Hall of Fame Pixelblocks Pixelbl

Happy Thanksgiving! Unless you're Canadian, then Happy About a Month After Thanksgiving! As a bonus treat to get you ready for Turkey Day, Michael, Richard and Jeff discuss their favorite Thanksgiving traditions. Fill up your plate with plenty of aural fixings and get ready to stuff your ears with podcast goodness.

One of the things we often remember about our favorite games is the Power-Ups. These are the moments when something truly special happens. Suddenly, you have the upper hand, whether you are fighting masked ninjas or trying to kick your friend's ass in NBA Jam.  This week we put our quarters on the machine and take our turn going over some of the best Power-Ups of arcade and console games. A special shout out to Richard's RBI Baseball nerds for suggesting this topic and coming up with some great choices. SHOW NOTES Joint Pick: Power Pellets (Pac-Man) "On Fire" (NBA Jam) Michael's Picks: Magic Mushroom (Super Mario Bros.) Spirit Orbs (Altered Beast) Richard's Picks: MEAT (Gauntlet) Steroids (Duke Nukem)

Are you stuck in a rut? Feeling trapped by life? Well, it's better than being stuck in a well or trapped in a cave. Cleithrophobia is the "fear of being trapped" and honestly, it doesn't seem like it's that unreasonable. Having to hack off your own arm to free yourself from a massive boulder? Doesn't sound like a lot of fun. This week we shine our searchlight on real and fictional people who have been trapped - both in a physical space or somewhere more metaphysical. SHOW NOTES Michael's Choices Baby Jessica "Baby Jessica Rescued from a Well As the World Watches" - History.com "Baby Jessica: 25 Years Later" - Texas Magazine The Donner Party "10 Things You Should Know About the Donner Party" - History.com "The Donner Party" - PBS' The American Experience Paul Sheldon from "Misery" "The Gruesome Inside Story of Misery's Terrifying Ankle-Bashing Scene" - Yahoo "The Blunt Reason Misery Had To Change Its Most Gruesome Scene" - Cinema Blend Winnie-the-Pooh "Winnie-the-Pooh and the Honey Tree" - The Disne

Boy, hasn’t this Presidential election been a blast! Wait, no, scratch that – it’s been a living hell. We might wish that it was fictional and it might seem like a bad dream, but it’s happening. So let’s blow off some steam and remind ourselves about some of the best Fictional Elections in history! This week, Michael and Richard debate the relevant issues of the day (i.e. whose Rushmore is better) while Jeff moderates and tries to keep the lies separated from the half-truths. A big tip of the straw hat to Jennifer Skornik for suggesting the topic!

He goes by many names. Satan. The Devil. Lucifer. Beelzebub. The Father of Lies. Mr. Scratch. The Parking Lot Attendant Who Makes You Pay Full Price When You Lose Your Ticket Even Though You Just Run Into Ross For Five Minutes. And there are just as many pop culture representations of him as there are names, likely because the entertainment industry lies clutched in his grip. Or because writers are lazy. Michael, Richard and Jeff take a trip to the dark side and reveal some of the most iconic pop culture Devils as we get ready for Halloween. SHOW NOTES Michael's Picks Saturday Night Live "Devil Can't Write No Love Song" Sketch "Oh God, You Devil" Lucifer Morningstar Character Bio at Comic Vine https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFO9p1uN8Qs John Milton from "The Devil's Advocate" "Did You Forget How Insane 'The Devil's Advocate' Was?" - i09 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGR4SFOimlk Richard's Picks Saturday Night Live "The People's Court" Sketch Ray Wise from "Reaper" Ray Wise "Reaper" Reunion Interview h