Holmberg’s Morning Sickness – Entertainment Drill – 01-28-26

Main Theme:
This episode of the Entertainment Drill blends signature irreverent banter with oddball news, entertainment stories, and offbeat facts. The crew—John Holmberg, Brady Bogen, Bret Vesely, and Dick Toledo—riff on unexpected music gestures, a macabre film remake, Super Bowl memorabilia, surprising celebrity connections, and the quirks of modern automotive technology.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Neil Young’s Unlikely Gift to Greenland (02:21)

• The show begins with a tongue-in-cheek take on Neil Young making his music catalog accessible to everyone in Greenland as a “gift” to alleviate their “stress” from US President Trump.
• Memorable Quotes:
  • Brady (02:42): “Greenland, we’re so sorry. This is the worst thing that could happen.”
  • Co-host (02:50): “It’s a Trojan horse. Neil Young songs at the ready, screaming at you—‘calm you down, she’s a cinnamon girl’—just attacked.”
• The hosts riff on how this could be a punishment rather than a gift, conflating Greenlanders, the Dutch, and poor renditions of Neil Young’s singing.

2. “Faces of Death” Gets a Modern Remake (03:30)

• Talk turns to the new trailer for the Faces of Death remake, starring Dacre Montgomery, Barbie Ferreira, and Charlie XCX.
• Hosts reminisce about the original’s infamous scenes (notably the monkey brain sequence) and its underground, hard-to-find reputation as teens.
• Notable Exchange:
  • Brady (04:36): “I was 17 and I’m crying because that monkey scene disturbed me. I was upset.”

3. Super Bowl XX Memorabilia: Mike Ditka’s Sweater Vest Up for Auction (04:42)

• On the 40th anniversary of Super Bowl XX, Ditka’s original game-worn vest is up for auction, sitting at $82,000.
• The show discusses its authenticity, including Ditka’s personal letter of authenticity.
• Co-host (05:00): “The vest comes with a signed letter from Ditka... current bid’s $82,000. Little rich, Brett.”
• Bret Vesely (05:18): “Yeah, I was like, I’m out.”

4. “Happy Days” Connection to the Heimlich Maneuver (05:37)

• Anson Williams (Potsie from Happy Days) is revealed to be second cousins with Dr. Henry Heimlich.
• Potsie apparently used his Hollywood contacts to get Dr. Heimlich and his maneuver on the Merv Griffin Show, educating millions.
• Brady (06:07): “If it weren’t for Potsie, it would have taken longer for people to learn it.”
• Co-host (06:11): “The creators and cast of Happy Days have helped save more lives than any other program in history.”
• Also, Anson Williams invented ‘alert drops’ for driver drowsiness in 2018, but it’s discontinued.

5. Driver Assistance Features: Is It Called Blues Cruise or Blue Cruise? (06:43)

• The group debates the name and features of Ford/Lincoln driver assistance technology.
• Co-host (07:02): “On the Ford and Lincoln, they got a thing called Blues Cruise... lane departure.”
• Brady (07:10): “And it’s called Blues Cruise?”
• Co-host (07:12): “Yeah.”
• Banter ensues about whether “Blues Cruise” is the real name—with Brady doubting the authenticity and suggesting it sounds made up.
• Ultimate discovery: It’s actually called “Blue Cruise,” and is Ford’s hands-free highway driving system, not “Blues” Cruise.
• Memorable Exchange:
  • Brady (08:15): “Believe that. Just don’t think it’s called Blues Cruise. I think you’ve come up with that.”
  • Co-host (10:16): “No, s just Blue Cruise.”
  • Brady (10:17): “Blue Cruise is hands-free highway driving…”

6. BTS Comeback Tour Sold Out (08:45)

• North American and European dates for BTS’s comeback tour are sold out.
• Humorous confusion follows about the meaning of “comeback” for the K-pop group, now returning from mandatory Korean military service.
• Bret Vesely (08:54): “I didn’t know they were gone.”
• Brady (09:02): “They got forced into the military for a couple years... I still struggle thinking there’s a lot of American girls into Korean boys. Things have changed.”

7. NFL, Super Bowl, and the 49ers’ Training Facility (09:41)

• The Seahawks and Patriots are both avoiding the 49ers’ facility due to a weird substation near the facility, believed to be causing tendon tears.

8. Wrapping the “Blue Cruise” Debate (10:16–11:19)

• The team confirms “Blue Cruise” is the correct name for Ford’s driver-assist, not “Blues Cruise.”
• There’s good-natured teasing about the co-host’s confusion and why Ford chose “Blue.”
• Brady (10:56): “I just expected that dog to help me solve crimes. Is there an Asian version of Blue’s Clues?”
• Sarcastic aside about “lazy” drivers relying too much on automation.
• Brady (11:17): “How lazy are you? These hands of mine need to be on my lap. I wish this car did it itself. But if it makes you stare out the window, just drive.”

9. Listener Email on Media Integrity (11:32)

• Holmberg reads an email accusing him of being “controlled.”
• He responds with a brief reflection on media bias and encourages listeners to question what they’re told and not jump to conclusions.
• Brady (11:59): “Just because you believe one side doesn’t mean the other is wrong and vice versa. So I choose to be the giant panda I’ve become.”

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Brady (02:42): “Greenland, we’re so sorry. This is the worst thing that could happen.”
• Brady (04:36): “I was 17 and I’m crying because that monkey scene disturbed me. I was upset.”
• Co-host (06:11): “The creators and cast of Happy Days have helped save more lives than any other program in history.”
• Brady (08:15): "Believe that. Just don’t think it’s called Blues Cruise. I think you’ve come up with that.”
• Brady (09:02): “I still struggle thinking there’s a lot of American girls into Korean boys... Things have changed.”
• Brady (11:17): "How lazy are you? These hands of mine need to be on my lap. I wish this car did it itself."
• Brady (11:59): “Just because you believe one side doesn’t mean the other is wrong and vice versa. So I choose to be the giant panda I’ve become.”

Key Timestamps

• 02:21 – Neil Young’s gift to Greenland and riff on his musical style.
• 03:30 – Faces of Death remake and macabre nostalgia.
• 04:42 – Mike Ditka’s Super Bowl XX vest up for auction.
• 05:37 – Anson Williams’ family link to Dr. Heimlich and Happy Days lifeguarding America.
• 06:43 – The “Blue Cruise”/“Blues Cruise” naming confusion and features of driver assist.
• 08:45 – BTS comeback tour and shifting cultural tastes.
• 09:41 – NFL training facility superstitions and injuries.
• 10:16 – Resolving the “Blue Cruise” debate; jokes about automation and laziness.
• 11:32 – Host’s response to listener critique on media integrity.

Tone & Style

• Fast-paced, sarcastic, and irreverent.
• Banter between co-hosts adds to the comic, skeptical, and occasionally absurd tone.
• Entertaining blend of pop-culture news, local color, and trenchant skepticism.

This episode offers a smorgasbord of strange facts, sports nostalgia, and comedic group dynamics—all in the signature irreverent style that defines Holmberg’s Morning Sickness. Perfect for listeners who like their morning show with a side of skepticism and a lot of laughs.