Armstrong & Getty On Demand — "A Jackassavist!"

Date: February 5, 2026
Hosts: Jack Armstrong & Joe Getty
Podcast: iHeartPodcasts

Episode Overview

This episode centers around major headlines of the day—most notably the disappearance and apparent kidnapping of Nancy Guthrie (mother of NBC’s Savannah Guthrie). Jack and Joe dissect the media circus around the case, the rise of AI-fueled misinformation, and the culture of “trolls” and speculation in today’s news. Additionally, they riff on the decline of legacy media, cable news theatrics, international affairs, and a handful of lighter topics for comic relief.

Major Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Nancy Guthrie Kidnapping Case

• Media Sensationalism & Speculation

  • The hosts criticize cable news’ readiness to speculate on suspect identities with little evidence. They single out Ashley Banfield for floating the idea that the victim’s son or son-in-law could be involved, calling it reckless and “evil.”
  • “The cops don’t go around naming suspects and releasing it like that. That’s not usually the way it works. […] That’s just out of line.” (Joe Getty, 05:43)

• Trolls and Misinformation

  • Listeners are cautioned to be skeptical of purported ransom notes and leads—many are set up by “trolls” seeking attention or money.
  • “There is no human so discredited as a liar and a cheat and a bum that they can’t land an analyst job on CNN.” (Jack Armstrong, 02:06)
  • “People who are too stupid and sad and lazy to build things break things for their satisfaction. And this is a form of breaking something.” (Jack Armstrong, 03:34)

• AI's Role in the Case

  • The discussion highlights concerns regarding digitally doctored “proof of life” videos and how AI is making evidence harder to verify.
  • “They’re asking for proof of life. Anybody can make anything now.” (Katie, 05:02)

• Sound Bite: Savannah Guthrie's Plea (20:29)

  • The hosts play a portion of the family’s video statement directed at the kidnapper, raising concerns about her fragile health and the need for credible contact:

  “Our mom is our heart and our home. She is 84... She is without any medicine. She needs it to survive and she needs it not to suffer. …We need to know without a doubt that she is alive and that you have her.” (Savannah Guthrie, 20:29)

• Broader Reflections

  • The episode draws connections to the history of sensational media, comparing current trends to the tabloid “Penny Dreadfuls” of Victorian England (24:59). The hosts lament how modern news is quick to indulge in lurid speculation, while real local and international news coverage shrinks.

2. The Media’s Decline & Cable News Theatrics

• Critique of TV Analysts

  • Armstrong & Getty mock the notion of cable networks trotting out “amateur hour” ex-cops and “body language experts” to pad out coverage.
  • “I think I could do the, what do you want me to be, a body language expert or a retired homicide detective?” (Joe Getty, 09:02)

• Fox News Commentary

  • They jab at figures like Nancy Grace and Fox’s tendency to dig for sensational angles:
    “Hey, Fox, the bottom of the barrel’s got to be down here somewhere. We’re getting close, huh?” (Jack Armstrong, 09:34)

• The Washington Post Layoffs

  • In-depth discussion about The Washington Post cutting a third of its newsroom, eliminating sports, books, and foreign bureaus—signaling the declining health of serious journalism.
  • “No more sports section. …The book section, sports section, The Post Reports podcast… And then they’ve severely scaled back all their metro local coverage. International coverage, foreign bureaus closed, foreign correspondence. No more.” (Joe Getty, 27:50)

3. International Affairs & Security

• China & The US–China ‘Divorce’

  • They touch on mounting tensions and the implications for international order as the US and China become increasingly adversarial.
  • “The way we’ve been forever coupled, the uncoupling of China and the United States and then all the countries that have to pick a side…” (Joe Getty, 14:52)

• NATO Wargames

  • Noting pessimistic outcomes for NATO in European war simulations if Russia invaded the Baltics.
  • “Didn’t go well for NATO. Not well at all.” (Jack Armstrong, 11:05)

4. Miscellaneous & Lighter Topics

• Pizza Hut Closures

  • A brief nostalgic riff about the decline of traditional Pizza Hut quality (11:31-12:01): “There’s a pizza that over the years has gone from pretty darn good to I don’t… I don’t want to get sued.” (Joe Getty, 11:36)

• Super Bowl and Olympic Betting

  • Teasing wacky betting props and fun facts about the length of the national anthem (30:26–30:37).

5. Notable Quotes and Banter

• “There are people who are malevolent. They are, they have checked out of any deserved, deserving human company or compassion. They’re evil.” (Jack Armstrong, 06:32)
• “We’re used to believing the news until whenever, 15, 20 years ago. Now there’s crap all over the place. But lots of people still go on the Internet, turn on their TV, they see it on a screen. …It’s a video, it’s a guy on a video talking. It’s gotta be true, right?” (Joe Getty, 23:50)
• “What immediately took off, what people, the masses of people, wanted to read was lurid crap.” (Jack Armstrong, 25:24)

Section Timestamps

• [00:52] — Episode theme: News overload, Super Bowl, the Guthrie kidnapping
• [01:00–06:32] — The Guthrie kidnapping, media speculation, and “troll” behavior
• [05:02] — Noted concern: AI-enabled fake videos and misinformation
• [09:21–12:01] — Criticism of news analysis, TV experts; Pizza Hut discussion
• [13:27–15:16] — Headlines: Guthrie disappearance, ICE in Minneapolis, US-Russia nuclear pact, US-China relations, Iranian protests, TikTok, Washington Post layoffs
• [17:30–22:43] — More on the Guthrie family’s video, skepticism over ransom letter, grim prognosis for case resolution
• [23:15–25:33] — Parallels between past and present media sensationalism; resurgence of “lurid crime” coverage
• [27:37–29:33] — Washington Post severe cutbacks; repercussions for local/international coverage
• [30:43–32:03] — Freedom-loving quote, mailbag roundup, fan/“hater” emails
• [34:01–34:16] — AI’s future (joking about self-driving cars)
• [34:48–34:55] — Suggestion to popularize “journavist” (journalist-activist)
• [35:13–35:39] — Episode wrap-up and reminder to subscribe

Tone & Style

The episode maintains Armstrong & Getty’s characteristic blend of biting sarcasm, skepticism, and gallows humor—even on serious topics. The hosts alternate between outrage at media behavior, dark humor about human nature, and nostalgia for a more trustworthy press.

For Listeners

• Expect both sharp media criticism and a willingness to laugh at the absurdity of modern news.
• The episode offers context and caution about how news is consumed and shaped today—especially in crisis situations.
• Listeners get a mix of up-to-date headlines, irreverent commentary, and lighter diversions to soften the intensity.

Memorable Moment

“There are two kinds of people in this world. Avoid them both.”
— Freedom-loving quote of the day (Jack Armstrong quoting Arthur Schopenhauer, 31:05)

For a deep dive into media skepticism, true crime spectacle, and classic Armstrong & Getty banter, this episode delivers both substance and snark.