Podcast Summary: Holmberg's Morning Sickness - Arizona

Episode: 01-06-26 - Hot Releases - The Pitt S2, Coldwater S1, His And Hers, Beast Games S2, Best Medicine, Hulu, Black Label Soc, Alien Ant Farm, Megadeth

Date: January 6, 2026
Hosts: John Holmberg, Brady Bogen, Bret Vesely, Dick Toledo

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode of Holmberg's Morning Sickness is the first “Hot Releases” roundup of 2026, where the team dives into the newest TV, movie, and music releases. The crew banters through their takes on upcoming shows, streaming picks, new movie debuts, and hot tracks, blending pop culture insight with their signature irreverent humor.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Sports Franchises & Arizona Teams (01:16 – 03:58)

• John Holmberg launches into a sharply funny critique of local sports franchises, particularly the Cardinals and Coyotes, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness, reputation management, and not inflating a rivalry where there is none.

• He references an old Jerry Jones quote to highlight the lack of a true rivalry between the Cowboys and Cardinals.

  “The worst insult you can give a man is you’re bad at your job. You’re just terrible at what you do… Irrelevant in success is awful. And that’s what they are.”
  — John Holmberg (02:10)

Hot Releases - TV & Streaming

The Pitt Season 2 - HBO Max (05:37 – 06:39)

• Based in a Pittsburgh trauma center, the Emmy-winning medical drama returns, focusing on intense 24-hour shifts during July 4th.

• Brady reveals he binge-watched the first season, while John admits he’s “slow” watching but enjoying it.

  “It’s basically 24 in the hospital… Each episode’s an hour. It’s really good.”
  — John Holmberg (06:21)

Cold Water - Paramount Plus (06:39 – 07:33)

• A British thriller starring Andrew Lincoln, about relocation, trauma, and unsettling rural mysteries.

  “The bald guy is Spud from Trainspotting… He’s got the greatest Scottish accent of all time. He barely ever closes his mouth.”
  — John Holmberg (07:04)

11.22.63 - Netflix (07:37 – 08:47)

• Stephen King adaptation: a time-travel drama to prevent JFK’s assassination. James Franco stars.

  “A time traveler gets thrown in the day before Kennedy’s assassination. Stephen King’s in on it.”
  — John Holmberg (08:04)

His and Hers - Netflix (08:49 – 09:55)

• Starring Tessa Thompson and Jon Bernthal.

• Married reporter and detective find themselves investigating (and suspecting each other for) the same crime.

  “They’re trying to solve the same crime. Of which they both think the other is the suspect.”
  — Brady (09:28)

People We Meet on Vacation - Netflix (09:55 – 10:32)

• Romantic comedy about best friends questioning if they’re meant to be a couple.
• Molly Shannon and Alan Ruck appear.

Blossom - Netflix (10:39 – 10:58)

• The original Blossom sitcom is back for streaming.

Variety Releases (10:58 – 14:28)

Beast Games Season 2 - Prime (10:58 – 11:45)

• Mr. Beast hosts a game show with huge cash prizes and competitive, Gladiator-esque challenges.

  “Last year’s winner won a million. And everybody else gets like cuts of different things depending on the contest.”
  — Brady (11:11)

Night Manager Season 2 - Prime (11:50 – 12:37)

• Hugh Laurie returns. Brooding action-drama with intrigue and arms smuggling.

Best Medicine - Fox/Hulu (12:41 – 13:13)

• Quirky medical drama about a surgeon returning to work in his small-town childhood home.

  “This is a show called Northern Exposure, years ago. Exact same idea.”
  — John Holmberg (13:01)

Primate - In Theaters (13:13 – 14:28)

• A darkly comic film about a woman raising a chimpanzee… until it starts attacking people.

• Several jokes about animal violence and cinematic killer primates.

  “He becomes not just an angry primate, but like one that uses knives.”
  — John Holmberg (14:06)

• Cinemark’s popcorn “Lowe’s bucket” promo sidetrack.

Music Releases & Notable Tracks

Black Label Society – “Broken and Blind” (17:04 – 19:17)

• New Zakk Wylde-led release; the band is touring, coming to Arizona.
• The crew agrees BLS is reliably “good, though scary” music.

Coheed and Cambria – “One Last Miracle” (19:17 – 19:42)

• New music, discussed alongside the band’s consistency and their quirky Christmas-themed video.

Alien Ant Farm – “Bad Attitude” (19:46 – 20:38)

• Mesa’s own band returns.
• The gang riffs on their local ties and one-hit wonder legacy. John claims he’s their new drummer (jokingly).

POD, Youngblood with Smashing Pumpkins, & Covers (21:03 – 22:45)

• POD performs a cover, leading to recollections of a contentious interview.
• Youngblood and Smashing Pumpkins collaborate on a “Zombie” cover, sparking discussion on the best covers and Billy Corgan's personality.

Megadeth – “Let There Be Shred” (23:28 – 24:28)

• Dave Mustaine’s instrumental prowess is praised, though there’s joking confusion about the band members and video clips.

AI Soul Covers Segment (24:34 – 28:48)

• John raves about “AI soul covers” as “better than the originals,” cueing up several tracks:

  • Soundgarden’s “Fell on Black Days” with an AI soul twist
  • Smashing Pumpkins’ “Cherub Rock” reimagined
  • Carmen Mayas’ “Any Hole Baby” rendered as 70’s love song via AI

  “AI’s just better than this is best... Look, I’m fun with music and toys and porn and—”
  — John Holmberg (26:48)

• The gang marvels at AI’s creative and sometimes NSFW flourishes.

Novelty Song: “Your Blank is Dripping All Over My Face” (29:12 – 29:27)

• Cheeky, risqué, with audience reactions ranging from laughter to mock-shame.

“N Word or F Word” Game (29:31 – 31:09)

• Iconic segment returns; today’s track: Ice-T’s “I’m Your Pusher”.

  “Brady’s the first one here. One and Oh, Brady for 2026. He’s in the lead.”
  — John Holmberg (31:08)

Listener Anecdotes & Banter

• Listener Sean Phils claims he once kissed “Six” from Blossom at an Arizona bar (16:07–17:05). The team’s skepticism and jokes about the encounter contribute to the lively atmosphere.

  “We’ll believe you, but pics or we don’t necessarily think it happened.”
  — John Holmberg (17:04)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Arizona sports:
  “You’re irrelevant. That’s like... the worst insult you can have—being irrelevant in success.”
  — John Holmberg (02:10)

• On The Pitt:
  “It’s basically 24 in the hospital... It’s really good.”
  — John Holmberg (06:21)

• On “His and Hers”:
  “They’re trying to solve the same crime. Of which they both think the other is the suspect.”
  — Brady (09:28)

• On AI Covers:
  “AI’s just better than this is best... I’m fun with music and toys and porn and—”
  — John Holmberg (26:48)

• Popcorn at the movies:
  “It makes tons of sense to me to have five gallons—right?—get something.”
  — John Holmberg (14:44)

• Blossom listener story:
  “What’s she kissing Sean Phil’s for? Did she have to stand up on a chair to kiss her? She’s an adult-sized person.”
  — John Holmberg (17:05)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 01:16–03:58 — Sports Franchise Rant & Reputation
• 05:37–14:28 — TV & Movie Hot Releases Breakdown
• 14:31–14:59 — Popcorn/Lowe’s Bucket Tangent
• 17:04–24:28 — Music Releases, Covers, and AI Discussion
• 24:34–28:48 — AI Soul Covers Listening Session
• 29:31–31:09 — “N Word or F Word” Game: Ice-T Edition
• 16:07, 17:04 — Blossom Listener Kiss Story

Flow & Tone

• The episode moves at a brisk pace, with each host adding quips, reactions, and pop culture references. There's a playful mix of dry wit, sarcasm, and genuine entertainment value.
• John Holmberg leads with biting commentary and imaginative segues; Brady is quick with banter and trivia; Bret and Toledo chime in with reactions, keeping the mood fun and inclusive for listeners seeking both information and laughs.

For More:

Listen live and stream previous episodes at 98KUPD.com.