Holmberg’s Morning Sickness – Arizona

Episode: 01-01-26 – FULL SHOW – FRIDAY

Date: January 2, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of Holmberg’s Morning Sickness on 98 KUPD delivers its signature blend of off-the-cuff humor, irreverent pop culture commentary, and interactive radio antics. The hosts—John Holmberg, Brady Bogan, Bret Vesely, and Dick Toledo—roll through a packed show featuring celebrity interviews (Eugene Levy, James Cameron, Lemmy Kilmister, “Hugh Jackman”), outlandish call-ins, spirited games, and the legendary “Guadalupe Squares.” True to form, the hosts entertain by challenging social conventions, skewering the week’s news, and bantering through segments that range from interviews to community news, from rants about gender reveals to judging local pie contests.

Key Segments & Discussions

1. Eugene Levy Interview

(01:47–09:52)

Discussion Points:

• Classic SCTV Comedy Bits: John Holmberg’s “fanboy” tribute opens the chat; he quizzes Levy on obscure SCTV characters like Phil’s Nails and Al Peck, sparking nostalgic banter about the subtleties and challenges of physical comedy on sketch TV.
  • “Anybody who can pick out, you know, Phil's Nails from the batch of stuff we did over seven years is one of the true fans.” – Eugene Levy (03:00)
• Behind-the-Scenes on ‘Splash’ with Daryl Hannah: Holmberg reminisces about Levy’s role, joking about ‘missed opportunities’ in iconic scenes, with Levy dishing about on-set moments and his “crush” on Hannah.
  • “She spent an entire day in that tank. Got to hand it to her … not like she could get out and go to the bathroom.” – Eugene Levy (04:50)
• Favorite Films: Levy highlights ‘A Mighty Wind,’ ‘Waiting for Guffman,’ and ‘American Pie,’ crediting the semi-improvisational writing process.
  • “All the films that I did with Chris Guest…we wrote a very detailed outline…We just didn’t tell people how to say them.” – Eugene Levy (05:57)
• ‘Best in Show’ – Two Left Feet Story: The character’s physical gag was born from riffing with Christopher Guest.
  • “This guy’s kind of clumsy…he’s got two left feet. And we both at the same time kind of looked up at each other… No, no, no, we can’t go there…because it doesn’t make sense. He wouldn’t have two left feet…Because it’s not funny. It’s hilarious.” – Eugene Levy (06:33)
• ‘American Reunion’ & Cast Chaos: Levy discusses cast “going off the deep end” and returning for a new film, with tongue-in-cheek talk about his own supposed bad behavior.
  • “I go off in a way that…even the tabloids can’t write about it. They’re just going, this is too much. Nobody will believe…” – Eugene Levy (08:09)
  • Humor around Jim's Dad hooking up with Stifler’s mom.
    • “Jim’s dad got to hook up with Stifler’s mom. …I opened the door and there’s Stifler’s mom. And I’m going, that is brilliant.” – Eugene Levy (09:32)

2. James Cameron Interview

(10:19–16:12)

Discussion Points:

• ‘Avatar’ Hype & World-Building: Cameron details the years-long process (“in a bunker for four years”), the immersive fantasy world, and the technological leap with IMAX3D.
  • “For four years, making this world…you got big flying creatures, people like to ride on them, it’s like the Swiss family IMAX3D.” – James Cameron (11:32)
• Plot Deep Dive: The hosts probe the story’s concept: avatars allow disabled humans to “enter” alien bodies on Pandora, where they experience love and cultural integration.
  • “Our guy Jake…gets to run and live and breathe as an avatar, and eventually even falls in love and integrates into the indigenous culture of this planet…” – James Cameron (12:05)
• Avatar Sex? The hosts prod for prurient details.
  • “Is there Avatar sex?” / “We dissolve very demurely at the appropriate moment.” – James Cameron (12:55)
• Cameron’s Work Ethic & Aging: Jokes about his only addiction being moviemaking, not marijuana.
  • “I don't have time for addictions other than my moviemaking addiction.” – James Cameron (13:17)
• Comparisons to Star Wars & Creating Universes: Cameron suggests ‘Avatar’ will fill a void for a new immersive world in the absence of major post-2000 sci-fi/fantasy sagas.
  • “There hasn’t been anything recently that’s new and fresh, that you can plunge into deeply.” – James Cameron (13:54)
• ‘Titanic’ for Guys: Holmberg playfully pitches an abridged “just the boat crash and Kate Winslet nude” cut.
  • “Release…Titanic where it’s just the boat crash. Put it on DVD as just that.” – John Holmberg (14:39)
  • “I want it to be called Gytanic…” – John Holmberg (15:15)

3. Lemmy Kilmister (“Motorhead”) In-Studio Hijinks

(20:18–34:40)

Discussion Points:

• Rock Star Persona Parody: Lemmy leans into his wild legend with trademark gruffness, self-deprecating health humor, and outrageous punchlines.
  • “Why are you wearing short shorts and cowboy boots?” / “Because there’s Arizona. It’s very hot outside.” – Lemmy Kilmister (21:14)
  • “My mole eats snakes. Take that, snakes.” – Lemmy Kilmister (21:59)
• Audience Interaction & Lyric Games: Lemmy quizzes listeners on Motorhead and other classic rock lyrics, riffs on sexual and personal questions, and jokingly gives away show tickets.
  • “If you like to gamble, I tell you I'm your man / Win some, lose some, go.” (24:49)
  • Running joke about “BJ’s” vs. “Bee Gees.”
• Uncensored, Raucous Exchanges: Classic radio chaos—innuendo, banter with fans, and Motorhead ticket giveaways, blending Led Zeppelin to Queen to Kiss references.

4. ‘Hugh Jackman’ (“X-Men” Parody) Call-In & Superhero Quiz

(34:40–44:40)

Discussion Points:

• Over-the-Top ‘Gay Wolverine’ Routine: Hugh Jackman’s flamboyantly camp persona, replete with theater/‘X-Men’ in-jokes, runs through a call-in segment.
  • “Wolverine’s new outfit has ruffles and like my knee boots...” – “Hugh Jackman” (35:42)
  • “Wolverine’s got a vagina. It was a marvelous day. Filming that there was fun.” (36:06)
• Fan Engagement: Listeners call in for superhero trivia, with hosts riffing on pop culture and bending line between superhero fact and gonzo comedy.
  • “This massive hunk of a villain had a cool vest and no shirt …fought Batman…” / “Bane. Bane is right.” (44:33)

5. Rants & Social Commentary: Gender Reveals, Bears, & Walls

(46:45–98:58)

Discussion Points:

• Homebrew Inventions & Drone Rants: John pitches thumb-sized heat-seeking missiles for home drone takedown, blending fake engineering with real pet peeves on technology and safety.
  • “…a little smart missile about the size of your thumb…taking down kids’ stupid drones.” – John Holmberg (46:45)
• Gender Reveal Parties Skewered: Extended lampooning of gender reveals, “princess parties,” and obligatory male attendance.
  • “If you’re happy about either answer, then what’s the big reveal for?” – John Holmberg (50:00)
  • “Men need to say no to those. That’s like co-ed baby showers…No, the answer is no, you won’t go.” (52:03)
• Border Wall & Nature: Holmberg reverses his stance on southern border walls after hearing that they reduce animal crossings by 91%, arguing sarcastically that the wall’s effectiveness is finally proven if it confuses bears and deer.
  • “If the animals can’t figure out a way under and over, neither can the illegals.” – John Holmberg (88:51)
  • “Now all they did to me was just announce this. This wall is somewhat impenetrable. If a bear…can’t figure out how to get over the wall, it’s effective.” (92:13)
  • “…congratulations to those bears. You’re citizens now.” (98:58)

6. Pie/Tasting Contest Recap

(63:03–71:28)

Discussion Points:

• Judging Philosophy: Brady Bogan is grilled over his lax judging at a pie contest; the crew insists that a real judge must be honest, critical, and publicly shame the worst entry for everyone’s improvement.
  • “Worst place is a thing. And somebody needs to know not to enter next year, or to try harder.” – John Holmberg (65:10)

7. Brady Report – News Oddities & Social Commentary

(72:33–85:08)

Discussion Points:

• Controversial Topics: Surveys on blackface, Starbucks apron colors, and the worst Halloween candies.
• Weird News: Mom in Japan scammed by a “Russian cosmonaut” space lover; dirtiest man in Iran dies after bathing for the first time in 60 years.

8. Email Advice: Breaking up with Pregnant Partners

(103:29–113:10)

Discussion Points:

• Listener Dilemmas: An email from “GH” threatens to break up with his pregnant girlfriend. The hosts discuss hormonal chaos (“pregnancy is a curable disease…but it lingers for at least 18-20 years”), sharing personal and darkly comedic advice.
  • “You gotta stay put for the next couple months and make this right. If she breaks up with you, that's okay, but you can't dump her at four months. You can't.” – John Holmberg (109:43)
  • “If you’re trained like Robert Fisher was, what kind of balls did that wife have to start making him think, you know, I could blow this whole thing up and leave and no one would ever know…” (112:30)

9. Guadalupe Squares (Show’s Signature Game Segment)

(130:54–149:08; multiple segments)

Overview:

• Celebrity Impression Squares: Iconic impersonations by the hosts—Triumph the Insult Comic Dog, Ronald Reagan, Bryant Gumbel, Chris Rock, Smeagol/Gollum, “Black Lady Brady,” Tom Carvel, George W. Bush—and hilarious pop-culture crossovers.
• Player Banter: Contestants call in to pick squares and answer trivia, while the hosts riff on stereotypes, inject chaos into the game, and undermine each other's answers.
  • “This is wonderful show for me to poop on.” – Triumph the Insult Comic Dog (131:30)
• Notable Gags: Callbacks to earlier segments (bad pies), relentless teasing, and side commentary, with the game serving as a lightning round for the show’s comedic DNA.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Eugene Levy on SCTV fans: “Anybody who can pick out Phil’s Nails from the batch of stuff we did over seven years is one of the true fans.” (03:00)
• James Cameron on creative addiction: “I don't have time for addictions other than my moviemaking addiction.” (13:17)
• Holmberg on gender reveals: “Men need to say no to those. …The answer is no, you won’t go.” (52:03)
• John Holmberg on border wall: “If the animals can’t figure out a way under and over, neither can the illegals.” (88:51)
• On breaking up with a pregnant girlfriend: “Pregnancy is a disease and it’s curable, but it lingers for at least 18–20 years.” (110:39)
• Triumph the Insult Comic Dog: “This is wonderful show for me to poop on.” (131:30)

Key Timestamps

• 01:47 — Eugene Levy interview begins
• 10:19 — James Cameron interview starts (‘Avatar’ & ‘Titanic’ banter)
• 20:18 — Lemmy Kilmister Motorhead mayhem (rock star parody)
• 34:40 — ‘Hugh Jackman’ phones in (camp superhero Q&A)
• 46:45 — John’s invention rant, gender reveals, and anti-drone fantasy
• 63:03 — Pie contest controversy and judging etiquette
• 72:33 — Bracing news tidbits and social commentary
• 88:51 — Suitably nuts border wall animal migration discussion
• 103:29 — Listener email: “Breaking up with a pregnant girlfriend” and Robert Fisher plot
• 130:54 — Final “Guadalupe Squares”: celebrity impressions, trivia, and anarchy

Summary/Tone

The episode is a full-force example of Holmberg’s Morning Sickness—irreverent, quick-witted, and uninhibited, mixing familiar pop culture with local Arizona flavor. The show is always ready to upend sacred cows, tackle current events with caustic wit, and engage the audience through games and interactive segments. Impression comedy, random trivia, and outrageous asides define the on-air style, while interviews with big names are played for both fandom and farce. The show retains a “radio family” feel, with regular hosts roasting each other, the news, and the quirks of Arizona life.

For listeners new and old, this episode is a rollercoaster of genuine laughs, smartassery, and relentless energy—anchored by memorable interviews and the signature mayhem of the “Guadalupe Squares.”