Mt. Rushmore Podcast

You think that there are no more interesting topics left for us to cover? Wham! We're already three moves ahead of you. That's because we're talking about chess players - both real and fictional - with chess aficionado Scott Vinci. CHECK AND MATE! SHOW NOTES Bobby Fischer (Scott's Choice) Chewbacca (Richard and Michael's Choice) Magnus Carlsen (Scott's Choice) Woody Boyd from "Cheers" (Richard and Michael's Choice) Beth Harmon from "The Queen's Gambit" (Scott's Choice) Deep Blue (Richard and Michael's Choice) Chess Boxing Champion Matt Thomas (Scott's Choice) Professor Charles Xavier (Richard and Michael's Choice)

Some of your favorite songs aren't even real. I mean, they are real songs, but just not from real bands. Instead, they were created to be part of a fictional world in film and TV. This week we're looking at our top tunes from bands that don't really exist...except in our hearts. SHOW NOTES "The Cantina Song" from "Star Wars" (Michael's Choice) "Big Bottom" from "This Is Spinal Tap" (Richard's Choice) "A Kiss at the End of the Rainbow" from "A Mighty Wind" (Michael's Choice) "I Must Be In Love" from "The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash" (Richard's Choice) "Free Love Freeway" from "The Office UK" (Michael's Choice) "That Thing You Do" from "That Thing You Do" (Richard's Choice) "Un Poco Loco" from "Coco" (Michael's Choice) "Sugar, Sugar" from "The Archie Show" (Richard's Choice)

When you think of a cult, we all know what you think about (and for legal reasons, we can't name names). But on this week's podcast we're opening up the definition of what exactly is a cult. Helping us to break it all down are Tom and Steph Clark of the I'm a Rescue podcast. SHOW NOTES Scientology (Tom and Steph's Choice) Mindhead from "Bowfinger" (Richard and Michael's Choice) Multi-Level Marketing (Tom and Steph's Choice) Raelism (Richard and Michael's Choice) The Catholic Church (Tom and Steph's Choice) Crossfit (Richard and Michael's Choice) The Girl Scouts (Tom and Steph's Choice) Movementarians from "The Simpsons" (Richard and Michael's Choice)

Let me bcc you in on a little secret: this week's episode is all about email! It's something that we use all the time, but we don't think about until something goes wrong. Do you remember a time before email? We do - barely! It's also episode 250 for us, which is a great time to say thank you to all of our listener(s) out there. Here's (god willing) hoping to 250 more.

This week we're talking magic in movies. No, not that David Copperfield crap. We mean wizards and sorceresses and all that cool stuff. And we're joined by professional bon vivant Christian Fitzharris, who uses his multitalented knowledge to basically wipe the floor with Richard and Michael. SHOW NOTES The Matrix (Christian's Choice) The Necronomicon (Richard and Michael's Choice) The Craft (Joint Choice) The Ninth Gate (Christian's Choice) Harry Potter's "Expelliarmus" spell (Richard and Michael's Choice) Dr. Strange (Christian's Choice) Yen Sid's Hat from Fantasia (Richard and Michael's Choice)

On this week's episode, the boys attempt to put this disaster of a year (2020, not the season) behind them and look ahead to some things that might make 2021 not suck quite so much. SHOW NOTES Meeting Co-Workers (Richard's Choice) Recording the Podcast In Person (Joint Choice) Going to the Library (Michael's Choice) Not Thinking About Politics (Joint Choice) Travel (Richard's Choice) Rain in Los Angeles (Michael's Choice)

There are some things that will rope you in every time. It could be a movie, or a favorite food choice, or any number of other things. They aren't necessarily guilty choices - they can be things that are legitimately great - but they are things that have an unusual hold on you every time you encounter them. SHOW NOTES Shitty Philly Cheesesteaks (Michael's Choice) Mint Chip Ice Cream (Richard's Choice) Frontmen of Bands With Weird Voices (Michael's Choice) Non-Pschyedelic Bands That Put Out a Pschydelic Song (Richard's Choice) Disneyland (Michael's Choice) Dodger Dogs (Richard's Choice) Michael's Kid (Michael's Choice) The "Enemy of My Enemy Is My Friend" Trope (Richard's Choice)

Every band has the occasional clunker of a show - a gig where the audience was downright hostile, the playing was terrible or the energy just wasn't there. But it takes a truly awful set of circumstances for a gig to go from "bad" to "outright disaster." And this week we're joined by someone who knows a thing or two about the subject. Our guest is author and journalist Jon Niccum of WorstGig.com. He's documented countless tales of misery from the road from some of the biggest names in music. Listen as he shares these stories and relives his own personal worst gig moment. SHOW NOTES Joe Satriani vs. the Malaysian Army (Jon's Choice) The Clash at the US Festival (Richard and Michael's Choice) Graham Nash and David Crosby (Jon's Choice) Cat Power Canceling (Richard and Michael's Choice) The Cowboy Junkies at an Industry Showcase (Jon's Choice) Jefferson Airplane at the Altamont Free Concert (Richard and Michael's Choice) Ian MacKaye vs. the Polish Skinheads (Jon's Choice) The Station Fire (Richard and Michael's

Listen, we all love Christmas, but even the most hardcore enthusiasts have to admit that it can be a little bit weird sometimes. This week we're diving head-first into the oddities of the holidays with a very knowledgable guest: Craig Brewer, aka Craig Kringle of the Weird Christmas website and podcast. Make sure you check him out at www.weridchristmas.com for great stories, bizarre holiday cards and more. SHOW NOTES Christmas mushrooms (Craig's Choice) Christmas songs by current bands (Michael and Richard's Choice) Strange Christmas cards (Craig's Choice) Sinterklaus (Michael and Richard's Choice) Poop (Craig's Choice) Individual family traditions (Michael and Richard's Choice) Santa Claus the Movie (Craig's Choice) Buying a car for your spouse (Michael and Richard's Choice)

Come on down...and check out the fabulous episode up for bid! The Price Is Right has been a staple of weekday afternoon programming for almost 50 years. The tradition of yelling at your TV because some ding dong doesn't know the price of a box of Rice-A-Roni has been passed down from housewives to kids pretending to be sick for generations. Much of the excitement found in the show comes down to the variety of games that contestants play in order to win their prizes. This week we're looking at some of the most iconic games in the history of the show. And as always, make sure you spay and neuter your pets.

Kitsch is like pornography: you know it when you see it. Sometimes it ventures into camp, and sometimes it can be enjoyed unironically. No matter what flavor it comes in, you have to admit that a little bit of kitsch can be a lot of fun. SHOW NOTES "Edward Scissorhands" (Michael's Choice) Keane Paintings (Richard's Choice) "Rock Lobster" (Michael's Choice) Lava Lamps (Richard's Choice) The Color Pink (Michael's Choice) 1970s Variety Shows (Richard's Choice) The Shirley Temple (Michael's Choice) Esquivel (Richard's Choice)

Do you ever listen to the show and talk back to us when we make a choice you love or hate? Now, imagine having that experience, but we can actually hear you! That's what happened when our friends Paddy Culham and Anderson Dahdouh muscled their way into our recording session and played Peanut Gallery. The topic they are interrupting? Some of the most famous books that never actually were written, because they only exist in movies. These are works of fiction that are truly fiction. SHOW NOTES "The Princess Bride" (Joint Choice) "Misery's Return" from "Misery" (Joint Choice) "Handbook for the Recently Deceased" from "Beetlejuice" (Michael's Choice) "Death and Taxes" from "Stranger Than Fiction" (Richard's Choice) "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" (Michael's Choice) "Old Custer" from "The Royal Tenenbaums" (Richard's Choice)

If you like hearing tales of sad sacks with horrible luck, then you just happen to...well, be in luck. This week we're discussing all sorts of bad luck, from real life to pop culture. So watch out for broken mirrors and get out of the way of that black cat before you throw this bad boy on! SHOW NOTES Tsutomu Yamaguchi (Michael's Choice) Melanie Martinez (Richard's Choice) Clayton Kershaw (Michael's Choice) "The Cooler" (Richard's Choice) The Black Cat (Michael's Choice) Kostus Mitsotaukus (Richard's Choice) Ed Rooney from "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" (MIchael's Choice) "Superstition" by Stevie Wonder (Richard's Choice)

While this week's election (which might bleed into next week, and the week after...) is fresh on everyone's minds, let's not forget that not all voting is political. This week we're looking at the range of other things that you can vote on. From comedian's fates to new action figures, we want you to cast your vote for this podcast! SHOW NOTES "Survivor" (Richard's Choice) Boaty McBoatface (Michael's Choice) MLB All-Star Game (Richard's Choice) Baseball Hall of Fame (Michael's Choice) Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (Richard's Choice) Jason Todd/Robin's Death (Michael's Choice) Andy Kaufman on "Saturday Night Live" (Richard's Choice) "Masters of the Universe" Figure Contest (Michael's Choice)

Halloween. Beloved by all. You know, except when it feels like it's more tricks than treats. This episode the lads break down the more exasperating aspects of one of the tentpole holidays in our country.      Joint Picks: Un-clever costumes, Pumpkin Carving Michael's Picks: Spider Web Decorations, Office Costuming Richard's Picks: His Ruined Childhood, The Walk Home

When you think of a film composers, you probably think of...well, you 100 percent think of John Williams. But not all great film scores are created by respected classical music composers. Every once in a while, some rock 'n' roll hooligan busts in and shakes things up. This week we're looking at members of rock bands who turned into respected film composers. Joining us is Ryan Pak of the Soundtrack Your Life podcast, who provides some deep insights into some of your favorite film scorers. SHOW NOTES Trent Reznor (Joint Choice) Daft Punk (Richard and Michael's Choice) Danny Elfman (Joint Choice) Mark Mothersbaugh (Joint Choice) Jonny Greenwood (Ryan's Choice)

Girls rock! We all know this, so let's celebrate some amazing female rockers. Joining us this week to help Jeff with the judging is Miki Black, musician, model and all-around badass. SHOW NOTES St. Vincent (Joint Choice) Siouxie Sioux (Michael's Choice) Exene Cervenka (Richard's Choice) Karen O (Michael's Choice) Chrissie Hynde (Richard's Choice) Sharon Van Etten (Michael's Choice) Joan Jett (Richard's Choice)

It's almost Halloween, and chances are that you've had next to no time to put any thought into a costume. Sure, maybe you aren't going to a party or going trick or treating this year, but that doesn't mean you can't have fun getting dressed up at home. And do we have a last-minute costume for you... Yes, just take some scissors to a bedsheet and viola, you're all set. I'm not sure anyone has ever done this in real life, but people sure have on TV and film. This week we're discussing this strange phenomenon with comedian PJ Baio, who schools us on the history of the bedsheet ghost. SHOW NOTES Michael Myers from "Halloween" (PJ's Choice) Charlie Brown (Michael and Richard's Choice) "A Ghost Story" (PJ's Choice) The Playmobil Ghost (Michael and Richard's Choice) Boo Berry (PJ's Choice) The Maitlands from "Beetlejuice" (Michael and Richard's Choice) Zero and Oogie Boogie from "Nightmare Before Christmas" (PJ's Choice) E.T. (Michael and Richard's Choice)

We promise that you'll love this episode. Then, after thinking about it, you'll hate it! That's the catch this week as we're all about things that we've done complete 180s on - in pop culture and in life. SHOW NOTES Comic Book Art (Michael's Choice) The Designated Hitter Rule (Richard's Choice) Cheating in Sports (Michael's Choice) Sam Kinison (Richard's Choice) Watching Shitty Movies (Michael's Choice) ABBA (Richard's Choice) Seeing People (Michael's Choice) Adults Consuming "Kid's" Entertainment (Richard's Choice)

This Halloween is definitely going to be different, but that doesn't mean that we can't have our very own socially distanced Halloween party right here on the show. Joining our little shindig is Dawn Geerlings from ClassicHorrorShop.com, discussing a topic near and dear to her heart: new classic horror characters. move over, Dracula and the Werewolf. It's time for some new...blood to turn on the frights. SHOW NOTES Wednesday Addams (Dawn's Choice) Freddy Kruger (Joint Choice) Brundefly (Richard and Michael's Choice) Ash Williams (Dawn's Choice) Michael Myers (Richard and Michael's Choice) Shorty (Dawn's Choice) Samara (Richard and Michael's Choice)