Armstrong & Getty On Demand

Episode: "Dancing With Cats!" | September 18, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of Armstrong & Getty On Demand tackles two main topics swirling in current events and digital culture: the controversy around Jimmy Kimmel’s recent suspension—exploring the complex web of FCC pressure, political sensitivities, and ratings—and the ongoing legal and political drama over TikTok’s existence and ownership in the United States. The show brings in CBS News legal analyst Thane Rosenbaum as a guest to clarify some of the legal tangles. There’s also a lighter running bit involving email scams and "Ukrainian girlfriends" that adds some comedic relief.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Jimmy Kimmel Suspension: What’s Really Going On?

[00:16, 25:12, 30:12]

• Complex Causes: The hosts clarify that the suspension isn’t due to just one factor. There’s FCC pressure, but also plummeting ratings, expensive production costs, affiliate pushback, and broader culture war dynamics.
  • “If he had big ratings and was making lots of money, he could have said what he said and survived it. So you need kind of all the elements to end up where it ended up.” (Jack Armstrong, [01:18])
• Government Overreach Concern: Jack strongly objects to FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr’s public threats toward ABC’s license over Kimmel’s content, calling it “a 100% violation of the First Amendment.” ([24:24])
  • “That is the government infringing on free speech to pressure these various organizations that they could lose their license if they’re airing Jimmy Kimmel or at least threatening it.” ([24:24])
• Past vs. Present in Late-Night: A Johnny Carson clip demonstrates how previous generations viewed late-night television as entertainment, not a vehicle for political or cultural influence. Jack and Joe argue this cultural shift both fueled resentment and made the current shake-up inevitable. ([30:41])
• Notable Quotes:
  • “Kimmel is a smug ass hat.” (Jack Armstrong, [30:12])
  • “For decades, the left held the megaphone…this is a different time.” (Reading Mark Halperin, [26:07])
  • “That’s a real danger. Once you start [getting self-important], you could sway people. And I don’t think you should as an entertainer.” (Johnny Carson, [30:41])

2. Tick Tok in America: Legal, Political, and Algorithmic Drama

[04:52 – 13:55, Guest: Thane Rosenbaum]

• Ongoing Uncertainty: U.S. legal action continues to threaten TikTok’s operation due to data privacy and national security concerns. The show details how American and Chinese interests are struggling to find a compromise.
  • “This is now the fourth attempt to stave off forcing TikTok to end operations in the United States.” (Thane Rosenbaum, [05:09])
• Business and Security Crossroads: The discussion reveals how TikTok isn’t just cat videos—it’s crucial to many small businesses and also serves as the top news source for young Americans.
  • “There are in fact small businesses all over the United States that depend on TikTok as their main marketing technique.” (Thane Rosenbaum, [06:30])
• Algorithm: The Big X-Factor: Whether the app stays the same, with the same algorithm, is still in question. If it changes, “you can call it TikTok but it’s not the same thing.” (Jack Armstrong, [11:46])
• Manipulation Concerns: Rosenbaum points out TikTok’s power to shape news consumption, raising the stakes for national security and freedom of information.
  • “It’s even worse than that…most young people get their news from TikTok…algorithms that can easily be manipulated are tailor making a newsfeed…” (Thane Rosenbaum, [09:24])
• First Amendment and Regulation: If TikTok becomes an American company, the government’s hands may be tied: “Social media companies are protected…the government can’t interfere with their First Amendment rights.” (Rosenbaum, [10:44])
• Notable Moments:
  • Jack humorously asks the guest if he uses TikTok or ChatGPT, and Rosenbaum demurs, identifying as “a writer by trade,” not visually oriented ([08:44], [13:21]).

3. Email Scams and ‘Ukrainian Girlfriend’ Saga

[15:12, 34:17, 36:32]

• Running Bit: Jack shares his ongoing interaction with a scammer/bot impersonating a Ukrainian woman professing her love and attempting to bait him into clicking links.
  • “At the encouragement of Michael and Katie, yesterday I responded to her…” (Jack Armstrong, [15:12])
  • “Sometimes she’s a long haired blonde, sometimes she’s a short haired brunette. All my kisses for you, Jack…” (Jack Armstrong, [16:30])
• Turning the Tables: Inspired by his producer, Jack considers reversing the scam by asking the “girlfriend” for money himself, adding a comedic twist to the cautionary tale ([36:32]).
• Cautionary Emphasis: The story underscores the prevalence of phishing and relationship scams, mixing humor with real warnings.
  • “I do wonder how the bot or the hacker or whoever it is is going to respond when I ask them for money.” ([38:07])

4. Media and Free Speech — Broad Reflections

[25:12 – 32:46]

• Culture Wars in Media: The hosts and Halperin’s analysis both contend that television can no longer simply serve one cultural group and expect survival.
  • “The culture war is no longer a one way battle. For decades, the left held the megaphone. ...This is a different time.” (Reading Mark Halperin, [26:07])
• Risks of Precedent: Armstrong cautions that FCC pressure now could embolden future administrations to target right-wing or talk radio under the guise of social responsibility.
  • “The reason I hate the idea of the FCC leaning on any ABC affiliates…It’s not always going to be Trump or a Republican president.” ([28:44])
• Audience Fragmentation: Ratings and ad revenue realities are forcing media companies to recognize that alienating half the country is no longer sustainable.

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On TikTok’s Algorithm:
  • “From what I understand from people who love TikTok, it’s all about that amazing algorithm that can predict what you want to be entertained by.” — Jack Armstrong, [11:46]
• On Manipulation Risks:
  • “If they were just watching videos of people dancing with their cats, that would be one thing…what we’re really learning, which is really distressing…most young people get their news from TikTok.” — Thane Rosenbaum, [09:24]
• On Jimmy Kimmel’s Suspension:
  • “Kimmel is a smug ass hat.” — Jack Armstrong, [30:12]
  • “As much social and political change as [Charlie] Kirk manifested in life, more upheaval is clearly being caused by his death.” — Quoting Mark Halperin, [29:49]
• On Fake Ukrainian Girlfriends:
  • “She sends these pictures of beautiful young women, but they’re all different. They’re not the same person. Which is kind of funny.” — Jack Armstrong, [16:30]
  • “I should ask her for money first…That’s the winner right there.” — Jack Armstrong & Joe Getty, [36:32]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Introduction and Tech Issues – [00:00 – 01:09]
• Kimmel Suspension Set-Up – [01:18 – 02:31]
• TikTok Deep Dive (w/ Thane Rosenbaum) – [04:52 – 13:55]
• “Dancing With Cats” & TikTok Algorithm – [08:09 – 12:02]
• Scam Emails & “Ukrainian Girlfriend” Saga – [15:12 – 18:09], [34:17 – 37:08]
• Kimmel’s Monday Night Clip & FCC Threats – [21:22 – 24:24]
• Halperin’s Analysis on Culture & TV – [26:07 – 29:49]
• Johnny Carson Clip & Late Night Reflections – [30:41 – 32:22]
• Final Thoughts (Show Wrap-Up & More Scammer Fun) – [37:12 – 39:09]

Tone & Language

The episode features Armstrong & Getty’s trademark mix of skeptical humor, cultural critique, and open debate. Jack is sharp and sometimes acerbic, while Joe often adds a note of dry wit and world-weariness.

Overall Takeaway:
Listeners get an entertaining but in-depth look at cultural schisms in late-night TV and social media, government overreach vs. corporate self-interest, the quirky world of online scams, and the changing fabric of American media consumption.

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