Holmberg's Morning Sickness - Arizona Episode: January 14, 2025 Host: John Holmberg with Brady Bogen, Bret Vesely, and Dick Toledo Release Date: January 14, 2025

1. Comedy Scene Highlights

John Holmberg kicks off the episode by promoting the local comedy scene in Arizona. He provides detailed information about upcoming shows at various venues:

• Tempe Improv: Featuring Paul Versey on Thursday and Beth Stelling from Friday through Sunday.
• Desert Ridge Improv: Showcasing Sarah Weinschenk on Thursday and Joe DeRosa on Friday and Saturday.
• Stand Up Live Downtown: Hosting Lil Rel from Friday to Sunday.

Holmberg encourages listeners to purchase tickets through the respective websites: standuplive.com, desertridgeimprov.com, and tempeimprov.com.

2. Jefferson’s Email: Complaints About a Girl from New Hampshire

A significant portion of the episode revolves around a listener named Jefferson Spagnolo sharing his experiences with a girl from Buffalo (initially mentioned as New Hampshire) who moved to Arizona and eventually decided to move back. The conversation is lively and filled with humorous banter:

• Jefferson's Tale: Jefferson narrates how the girl consistently complained about Arizona, leading to tensions at work and ultimately her decision to return to Buffalo. Brett humorously advises, “Never hire anyone who hasn't lived here for at least three years” (05:03).

• Group Banter: The team, including Brady, Dick Toledo, and Alex, engage in a back-and-forth discussion, mocking the girl's inability to adapt and her constant reminiscence about Buffalo. Brady remarks, “This is different than Buffalo, right?” (03:12), to which Brett retorts, “She was cute, actually. She got Arizona clean and then moved back to Buffalo” (04:08).

• Humorous Exaggerations: The hosts exaggerate the girl's issues with Arizona, portraying her as someone who never adjusted and ultimately moved back in frustration. Brett quips, “If I heard another word about Buffalo, when” (04:45), emphasizing the recurring theme of her dissatisfaction.

Notable Quote:

Brett (05:40): “Never hire anyone who hasn't lived here for at least three years. You gotta remember that whatever grand television show they watched that led them here is a mirage.”

3. Origins of "Highbrow" and "Lowbrow" from Phrenology

The discussion transitions to the etymology of the terms "highbrow" and "lowbrow," tracing their origins to phrenology—a now-discredited field that purported to measure intelligence based on skull shape.

• Phrenology Insights: Dick Toledo shares, “The words highbrow and lowbrow came from phrenology, which is an old pseudoscience that measured people's intelligence by the shape of their head” (07:02).

• Modern Implications: The hosts debate the relevance of these terms today, with Brett sarcastically stating, “People with low eyebrows are dumb” (07:15), highlighting how superficial judgments persist.

• Humorous Takes: The conversation includes jokes about exaggerated physical features related to these terms, such as “protruding mandibles” and “Neanderthal eyes,” further underscoring the outdated nature of phrenology-based stereotypes.

Notable Quote:

Dick Toledo (07:02): “The words highbrow and lowbrow came from phrenology, which is an old pseudoscience that measured people's intelligence by the shape of their head.”

4. Gen Z’s Aversion to Menial Home Tasks

A survey discussed reveals that Generation Z exhibits a significant reluctance to engage in basic home maintenance tasks.

• Survey Findings: Dick Toledo reports, “One in five people between the ages of 18 and 27 claimed they couldn't change a light bulb and would just hire someone else to do it, especially if it was a ceiling light” (12:53).

• Economic Impact: The survey indicates that Gen Z spends over $1,500 annually on hiring professionals for tasks that previous generations handled themselves, a stark contrast to Boomers' self-sufficiency.

• Hosts' Reactions: Brett and Alex express disbelief and frustration over the reliance on professionals for simple tasks, with Brett humorously sharing his own struggles with LED patio lights (13:18).

Notable Quote:

Dick Toledo (12:53): “The survey found that Gen Zers are spending more than $1,500 a year on average, calling in pros to do basic jobs that they could probably do themselves. That's five times what Boomers spend on stuff like that.”

5. Best and Worst States to Raise a Family

The hosts delve into a discussion about the WalletHub's survey on the best and worst states to raise a family, highlighting Arizona's unfavorable ranking.

• Arizona’s Ranking: Arizona is highlighted as one of the worst states, securing the 48th position in education but ranking 10th in family fun (16:22). This juxtaposition sparks debate among the hosts.

• Top Performing States: The top ten states include Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York, Illinois, Wisconsin, Maine, and Connecticut, though the hosts humorously dismiss some of these as less desirable places.

• Impact on Residents: Brett laments, “We're in bad shape” (16:32), emphasizing the challenges families face in Arizona compared to other states.

Notable Quote:

Dick Toledo (16:27): “Number one was Massachusetts, then Minnesota, then North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York, Illinois, Wisconsin, Maine, Connecticut. That's the top 10.”

6. Listener-Submitted Videos Review

In the latter part of the episode, the hosts review listener-submitted videos featuring graphic and bizarre content.

• Violent and Graphic Content: Brett and John Holmberg react to videos depicting severe self-injury and chaotic scenarios. For instance, a video shows someone injuring themselves over a toilet, prompting Brett to exclaim, “Oh, my God. Just sliced themselves wide open from the mid” (21:01).

• Humorous Critique: Despite the graphic nature, the hosts maintain their comedic tone, providing over-the-top and humorous commentary on the absurdity of the situations.

• Viral Incidents: Another video reviewed features rioting in downtown Phoenix, where a participant is hosed down, leading Brett to mock the excessive use of water: “Look at all that water that you guys could have used on fires that we're just hosing people off with” (19:39).

Notable Quote:

Brett (21:02): “It looks like a hot dog in a microwave split in half. At least they were decent enough to bleed over the toilet.”

7. Closing Remarks and Final Thoughts

As the episode wraps up, the hosts continue their humorous discussions, touching upon topics like the latest TV shows and societal changes. Brett expresses nostalgia for the days when TV provided common ground for conversations, lamenting the current lack of shared experiences among peers.

Brett states, “We don’t have commonalities anymore. TV did this. The effect” (11:27), highlighting concerns about societal disconnects in the digital age.

Conclusion

This episode of Holmberg's Morning Sickness offers a blend of humor, social commentary, and interactive segments that engage listeners through relatable topics and comedic insights. From local comedy promotions to in-depth discussions on generational differences and societal trends, the hosts deliver an entertaining and thought-provoking morning show experience.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Brett (05:40): “Never hire anyone who hasn't lived here for at least three years. You gotta remember that whatever grand television show they watched that led them here is a mirage.”

• Dick Toledo (07:02): “The words highbrow and lowbrow came from phrenology, which is an old pseudoscience that measured people's intelligence by the shape of their head.”

• Dick Toledo (12:53): “The survey found that Gen Zers are spending more than $1,500 a year on average, calling in pros to do basic jobs that they could probably do themselves. That's five times what Boomers spend on stuff like that.”

• Dick Toledo (16:27): “Number one was Massachusetts, then Minnesota, then North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York, Illinois, Wisconsin, Maine, Connecticut. That's the top 10.”

• Brett (21:02): “It looks like a hot dog in a microwave split in half. At least they were decent enough to bleed over the toilet.”

Tune In or Listen Online: Holmberg's Morning Sickness airs weekdays from 5:30 AM to 10:00 AM on 98 KUPD (97.9 FM), available via the 98KUPD app or the website www.98kupd.com.