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Dancing With Cats!

Armstrong & Getty On Demand

Thu Sep 18 2025

Summary

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.

For more information, links, and merchandise, visit armstrongandgetty.com.

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Transcript

Thane Rosenbaum (0:00)

This is an iHeart podcast.

Jack Armstrong (0:06)

Broadcasting live from the Abraham Lincoln Radio Studio at.

Announcer (0:10)

The George Washington Broadcast Center. Jack Armstrong and Joe Getty.

Thane Rosenbaum (0:14)

Armstrong and Getty.

Jack Armstrong (0:16)

And now, here's Armstrong and Getty. So this hour, in case you haven't heard, what Jimmy Kimmel actually said on Monday night, we'll play that for you. There's some great writing by Mark Halperin today about laying out all the different angles of the whole thing. Maybe you'd like to actually hear what the FCC chair said that kicked this whole thing off. So we'll cover that story pretty thoroughly a little bit later in the hour. We want to welcome to the Armstrong and Getty Show. Nope, not yet. You're waving your arm, Michael, you can just tell me on the microphone, what seems to be the problem? Nothing. Well, Hanson was talking to him on the phone.

Thane Rosenbaum (0:56)

Yeah, I tried again.

Jack Armstrong (0:57)

I'm trying to. Okay, well, that's weird. So Anson was talking to him on the phone in a different room. You can't talk to him on the phone here. All right, we'll figure it out. Can you turn Katie's microphone on if you get a chance? Thank you.

Joe Getty (1:09)

I'm being censored. Misogyny.

Jack Armstrong (1:11)

Yes. You've been silenced for things you said about Charlie Kirk.

Joe Getty (1:15)

No, no, no, no, no, no. Maybe things I said about Jimmy Kimmel.

Jack Armstrong (1:18)

Yeah, no kidding. So the long and short of the take on Jimmy Kimmel for us is I just saw a piece somebody else wrote. They stole. They stole my idea. There are, like, five different reasons Jimmy Kimmel is not on the air last night or tonight. Part of it is the FCC pressure, but part of it is the ratings. Part of it is the merger that's going on. Part of it is the unique political moment that is Charlie Kirk being assassinated and people being very sensitive to it. You got to mix all of those things in. Part of it is the expense of his show and how much revenue it was bringing in, or not all of those things factor in. Like, if he had big ratings and. 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. But I still do not like the FCC commissioner threatening licenses and everything over content that is. That is no good and no road to go down. So I need to either go on with this Jimmy Kimmel stuff, or do we think we're going to have our guest? Do we know. I'll make a decision one way or the other. I was told we're going to have Him. We're gonna have him. Oh, well, I guess now I'll do a little soft shoe dance until we get to our guest.

Jack Armstrong (19:30)

Anything you don't know here. You sometimes offend people. I hear about it on the socials. Do you think that you should then be held to the same standard that you're asking for? That if someone says that you you're offensive, that you're not doing civic discourse, that CNN should kick you off? I'm not worried about you and that happening to you in the present regime, but I am worried about other people in this bill. Two things we're not we don't fall under the same statutory regime. A B I expect to get fired every day. This is a tough business. And if I were Jimmy Kimmel, I mean I'm surprised that a guy who once wore blackface and caused large breasted women to jump on trampolines lasted this long in the media business. To begin with. He was long past his sell date. And the fact that he couldn't realize that and was going down this road of partisan hackery being unfunny and demonizing. That's a conversation on CNN yesterday with Scott Jennings, usually the lone Republican who says some exciting stuff now and then about getting canceled or booted off the air. And they were reacting to Jimmy Kimmel's show being indefinitely suspended. Is he off forever? Will he be back soon? I don't know. But ABC Disney made the decision to yank him because of some things he said on Monday night. I know, I know, I know, I know, the FCC stuff. I'll get into the details of all this in a second. I'm just trying to set this up before I get into the weeds. How about the whole. We'll play the whole long clip. I don't even know if I've heard the whole this is a minute worth of what he said Monday night. That really became the focal point. We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it. In between the finger pointing, there was grieving. On Friday, the White House flew the flags at half staff which got some criticism. But on a human level, you can see how hard the President is taking this.

Jack Armstrong (22:48)

Conduct that has taken place by Jimmy Kimmel, it appears to be some of the sickest conduct possible, frankly, when you see stuff like this, I mean, look, we can do this the easy way or the hard way. These companies can find ways to change conduct, to take action, frankly, on Kimmel or, you know, there's going to be additional work for the FCC ahead, a very reasonable, minimal step that can be taken. I mean, obviously there's calls for Kim will be fired. I think, you know, you could certainly see a path forward for suspension over this. And again, you know, the FCC is going to have remedies that we could look at. Yeah. So you got the commissioner of the FCC threatening pretty plainly, it seems to me, of sort of fines or taking a look at your license if you're a broadcaster, if you're airing these kinds of shows. I mean, that seems pretty clear to me that he was threatening and that is 100% violation of the First Amendment, which is Congress shall, you know, pass no law or not infringe on free speech. 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. That's just one element of it. The other element of it is Kimmel's ratings, like all late night ratings, have gone down, down, down, down. He had made the decision a long time ago is I'm gonna pick one side and demonize the other side. So he cut out half of America. There are a lot of ABC stations in red America, lots of them whose audience have no interest in watching that show. And the people who own it in that town know it. That that shows just a dead spot for them because nobody in their audience in where they live is going to watch the dang thing. And, and they've been airing into all these years. We'll get to the, the new reality here in just a second. But so those, some of those stations said we're going to drop Kimmel. They're. They've got their own viewers to deal with. And then there's part of a deal, merger buyout thingy that's happening with ABC and a bunch of affiliates and all that sort of thing that can get hung up if the FCC jumps in. There's just a whole bunch of elements here. I understand some of my favorite conservative pundits are only concerned about the fcc, what the FCC commissioner said, because you're getting to free speech territory. And I understand that too. I just think it's worth pointing out that there's a bunch of elements involved. I think if Kimmel's ratings were good, even if he said these outlandish things, he would have been safe. His ratings are not good. Um, oh, and by the way, that thing he, he's saying is ridiculous, that the, the guy's clearly maga. MAG is trying to make it seem like this guy isn't maga, this shooter, he's clearly not maga. I mean, that's just a nuts position. I don't think you should get booed off the air for having a nuts position. But that's a nuts position again, unless your owner thinks you should get boot off. These are completely different things. Whether the government's telling you should leave or your owner thinks, you know what, I don't think this is good for our audience anymore. Yeah, those are different things.

Jack Armstrong (26:07)

So Mark Halpern wrote a really long piece about this, and I just picked out some parts of it. The complaint from the Left is that it's very straightforward. A comedian is out because politics collide with, with television. But that completely elides a second reality. For years, broadcast networks shoved a one sided cultural sermon, and that's what it was, a sermon into living rooms and told the other half of the country to smile through it. ABC ran two daily hours the View and Kimmel that treated Trump with unrelieved hostility and insultingly treated Trump voters as a punchline. If you're looking for reasons, tens of millions migrated into the former president's camp. That steady, that steady contempt is perhaps as good an exhibit A as you will find. That's just a reality. In my opinion. They are clueless. The culture war is no longer a one way battle. For decades, the left held the megaphone. Late night awards shows, prestige dramas. Oh, that's right, all your dramas that have been on for years, that were always so far left, whether you're watching, you know, not Landing or Dynasty or whatever it was over the years. I always had this left bent to them. Streaming algorithms. The rights tools were talk radio and a few corners of cable news. But this is a different time. It requires an entertainment industry that remembers it is a business, not a ballot initiative or a propaganda operation. You want the broadest audience in a fractured country? Try something radical. Respect them not with forced neutrality or melee both sides scripts, but with a simple rule. No nightly contempt for the people who pay the bills. If Disney wants to keep Kimmel at Cannes, it just has to own the choice and carry the cost. If it wants to win back affiliates and viewers, it might ask why the mock the Rubes format feels tired at best and hostile at most outside of your coastal zip codes. And then finally, this. The Mouse House Topper. That's what he calls Iger. The guy who runs Disney, abc, more than most Hollywood liberals, knows what time it is willing to outrage many of his own employees and constituents to try to stay one step ahead of the new reality. We are watching something unprecedented set in motion by both Trump's reelection and the assassination of Charlie Kirk. It is possible Kimmel will return to the air, and he certainly won't leave the metaphoric stage without a fight. But we have not seen the last of this whirlwind. As much social and political change as Kirk manifested in life, more upheaval is clearly being caused by his death. That is Mark Halpern writing to the point that. And he, and he does have paragraphs in there about the FCC leaning on these stations, which is a part of the mix, but there's no getting around the fact that though the era of the left owning all of the culture, institutions and being able to, you know, talk to us the way they talk to us and we had to put up with it, it's just over. Audiences have got other things to do, they're gonna boycott. There's all kinds of different things that can happen now. The reason I hate, and I'll say it for the fifth time, but I think it's important enough. The reason I hate the idea of the FCC leaning on any ABC affiliates for carrying Kimmel is because it's not always going to be Trump or a Republican president. There's going to be a Democrat president, Gavin Newsom. You could absolutely picture Gavin Newsom putting in an FCC commissioner that comes out and says talk radio is causing division in this country. The latest violence, and there will always be some violence to spread, to point to the latest violence is a direct result of out of control right wing talk radio. And we're going to take a long look at the licenses of these stations who air shows like. And they'll name a whole bunch of them, maybe even including Armstrong and Getty. And I don't want to live in that world either. So that, that I think is the totality of the whole story. Kimmel is a smug ass hat.

Summary

Armstrong & Getty On Demand

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

Episode Overview

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

For more information, links, and merchandise, visit armstrongandgetty.com.