Podcast Summary: Good Guys - "Our Dream Dinner Dates!"

Release Date: December 5, 2024

Hosted by actor and writer Josh Peck alongside entrepreneur and social media icon Ben Soffer, the "Good Guys" podcast delves into a variety of engaging topics with humor and insightful commentary. In the episode titled "Our Dream Dinner Dates!", released on December 5, 2024, Josh and Ben explore everything from movie critiques to personal anecdotes about celebrity talents, dining preferences, and more. Below is a detailed summary capturing the key discussions, notable quotes, and the overall flow of the conversation.

1. Wicked vs. Barbie: A Cinematic Showdown

Timestamps: 00:15 – 05:25

Josh Peck opens the episode by discussing his and Ben’s recent experiences watching the movies "Wicked" and "Barbie." Ben expresses profound admiration for "Wicked," describing it as "the movie of his lifetime" and contrasting it sharply with his dislike for "Barbie."

• Ben Soffer (00:35): “This was the movie of my lifetime. I've never, ever, ever had a more transformational experience.”

• Josh Peck (01:11): “Preach on it, brother.”

Ben highlights the marketing budgets of both films—$150 million for "Barbie" and $160 million for "Wicked"—and argues that while "Barbie" was overly pushed, "Wicked" delivered a compelling message without being forced.

• Ben Soffer (01:55): “Wicked was so fucking good. And it was the exact message that I think Barbie was trying to convey without shoving it down our throats.”

Josh praises the discussion, adding thoughts about the board composition of Mattel, the company behind Barbie, and its impact on the film's social commentary.

2. Spotlight on Celebrity Talents: Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo

Timestamps: 09:20 – 12:56

The conversation shifts to the impressive talents of Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo. Josh shares personal anecdotes about Ariana, including a story from his wife about Ariana's dedication to her singing.

• Josh Peck (09:31): “His voice is a generational talent, like a gift from God.”

Ben acknowledges Ariana's massive following, citing her 380 million Instagram followers, and praises Cynthia Erivo's performance in "Wicked."

• Ben Soffer (10:37): “Cynthia Erivo. I wasn't turned on. Now I'm turned on. I understand her.”

Josh adds his admiration for Ariana, emphasizing her vocal prowess and star quality.

3. First Date Dilemmas: Fast Food vs. Coffee Shops

Timestamps: 20:01 – 23:42

Josh introduces humorous segments about unconventional excuses for relationship hiccups, segueing into a discussion about the top fast-food restaurants for first dates. According to a survey by DatingNews.com, Chick-fil-A emerged as the favorite spot, chosen by over 16% of daters.

• Josh Peck (21:15): “That's what I'm telling my wife… the New York Post says, don't let the cold weather keep you from heating up in the bedroom.”

Ben criticizes the choice of Chick-fil-A for first dates, arguing that establishments with waitstaff like Applebee’s or Chili’s are more appropriate.

• Ben Soffer (22:10): “A first date at Chick Fil A you couldn't even spring for, like, somewhere you can sit with a waiter.”

Josh counters by suggesting alternative venues like Starbucks for their ambiance and cost-effectiveness.

• Josh Peck (23:01): “You bring up a wonderful point. I think Starbucks is a far better first date than Chick Fil A.”

4. Starbucks Experience: Mobile Orders and Tipping Etiquette

Timestamps: 23:42 – 27:47

The hosts delve into their experiences with Starbucks’ mobile ordering system. Ben praises the convenience but expresses concern over the workload it places on baristas, urging listeners to tip generously.

• Ben Soffer (24:52): “These people, they're working overtime. So all I gotta say, I hope that you're tipping your baristas.”

Josh shares his personal tipping habits, emphasizing the importance of supporting hardworking staff.

• Josh Peck (25:02): “I tip through mobile. I always give $2.”

They also discuss the Starbucks rewards program, with Ben revealing his impressive accumulation of 1,400 stars, though he admits he rarely cashes them in.

5. Lizzo's Weight Loss and the Art of Angles in Photography

Timestamps: 27:47 – 29:26

A brief discussion about Lizzo’s recent weight loss sparks a conversation about how angles in photography can dramatically alter appearances. Olivia adds insight into how posed versus unposed photos can create significant differences in perceived weight.

• Olivia (29:00): “Angles are everything. It's all in the angle.”

Josh and Ben commend Lizzo’s appearance changes while maintaining respect for her.

• Josh Peck (28:35): “She's a generational talent, like a gift from God.”

6. Jay Leno's Recent Incident: Theories and Speculations

Timestamps: 39:03 – 43:31

The hosts discuss Jay Leno’s recent accident, where he reportedly fell at a Hampton Inn, leading to speculations about the cause. While Josh shares factual information about Leno’s career and recent activities, Ben humorously theorizes various reasons behind the mishap.

• Ben Soffer (39:03): “Why was he in the Hampton Inn? ... Maybe he was meeting somebody and things got a little ugly.”

Josh provides context about Leno’s dedication to his craft, noting his continuous performances despite his age.

• Josh Peck (40:21): “He was in over his head. When he was young, he's like, I'm gonna wanna do this. I want the consistent money.”

Both agree that Jay Leno remains a resilient and dedicated figure in entertainment.

7. Listener’s Question: Crafting the Perfect Dinner Party

Timestamps: 45:15 – 48:42

The episode features a listener message from Kelsey, inquiring about the hosts' ideas for a perfect dinner party, inspired by Ina Garten's insights. Josh and Ben share their contrasting visions:

• Josh Peck (46:31):

  • Music: “Absolutely jazz standards. John Coltrane, Miles Davis.”
  • Cocktail: “Some sort of mule... mint mojito spritzer.”
  • Guests: “Ben and his beautiful wife, Clania. The wonderful Olivia and Ethan. And maybe the couple from 'Little People, Big World.'”
  • Dinner: “Smash, thin chicken cutlets served in the Israeli style with a lemon spritz. Arugula salad, fresh parmesan, balsamic on top. Light pasta dish. Ice cream cake.”

• Ben Soffer (46:31):

  • Music: “Meatloaf.”
  • Cocktail: “Eating meatloaf... listening to meatloaf.”
  • Guests: “Dine with meatloaf himself.”
  • Dinner: “Meatloaf three ways.”

Their playful disparity highlights their unique personalities and preferences, adding humor and warmth to the segment.

8. "What Are You Nuts?" Segment: Gripes and Rants

Timestamps: 48:48 – 51:47

In the weekly segment "What Are You Nuts?", Josh and Ben air their frustrations with everyday products and practices:

• All Clad Cookware Sets:
  • Ben Soffer (48:58): “I'm getting a seven piece set. Four pieces are lids. This is insanity. That is a four piece set with lids, not a seven piece set. What are you, nuts?”
  • Josh Peck (50:05): “Good for you.”

Despite the frustration, Ben expresses enthusiasm for his All Clad purchase.

• Ben Soffer (50:27): “Amazing. I can't wait. Ooh, I can't wait. All Clad.”

• Raw Milk Debate:

  • Josh Peck (50:34): “Raw milk has bird flu... We created ultra pasteurization. That’s a little nuts.”
  • Ben Soffer (51:32): “Pasteurization is good. Cleaning is good. Get a net. You don't want to not take out any of the flies? You're just going to choke on a fly.”

Both hosts agree on the importance of pasteurization and maintaining cleanliness, dismissing the raw milk craze as unnecessary and risky.

Conclusion

The "Our Dream Dinner Dates!" episode of the "Good Guys" podcast blends humor, personal stories, and candid discussions on a range of topics. From dissecting movie quality and celebrity talents to sharing personal dining preferences and airing everyday frustrations, Josh Peck and Ben Soffer create an engaging and relatable listening experience. Their dynamic interaction, peppered with notable quotes and humorous exchanges, offers listeners both entertainment and thoughtful insights.

Notable Quotes:

• Ben Soffer (01:55): “Wicked was so fucking good. And it was the exact message that I think Barbie was trying to convey without shoving it down our throats.”

• Josh Peck (09:31): “His voice is a generational talent, like a gift from God.”

• Ben Soffer (24:52): “These people, they're working overtime. So all I gotta say, I hope that you're tipping your baristas.”

• Josh Peck (46:31): “The drink would be some sort of mule... a delicious mint mojito spritzer.”

• Ben Soffer (50:05): “A four piece set with lids, not a seven piece set. What are you, nuts?”

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the essence of the episode, ensuring that both regular listeners and newcomers can grasp the key discussions and enjoy the vibrant chemistry between Josh and Ben.