Holmberg’s Morning Sickness – Arizona

Episode: 02-09-26 – Jay Emails In Angry That We Think Only Hillbillies Wear Budweiser Shirts – New Term Vague Posting – John Explains How He Struck Out Once In A Big Way

Date: February 9, 2026
Host: John Holmberg, with Brady Bogen, Bret Vesely, and Dick Toledo

Overview

This episode blends the usual irreverent observational comedy, pop culture commentary, and listener emails with a tongue-in-cheek analysis of “hillbilly culture” as depicted through Budweiser shirts, patriotism, and viral Super Bowl commercials. The crew banter about social stereotypes, new internet slang, Super Bowl halftime history, and share plenty of personal anecdotes—including John’s story about a cringe-worthy strikeout with a woman from his past. Notable moments include riffing on race, regional style, and internet “vagueposting,” making for an uproarious and sometimes unvarnished look at American life.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Listener Email: Budweiser Shirts & Hillbilly Stereotypes

[03:25 - 06:19]

• Listener Jay emails, upset about the implication that only "hillbillies" or "white trash" wear Budweiser or patriotic shirts depicting eagles and horses.
• John unpacks the trope, riffing on the odds that anyone but "fat white guys" in Alabama are likely to sport such shirts.
  • “Most people with a horse on their shirt and an eagle's riding a horse... Overweight white people. And that's fine. I think it's redneck awesome.” – John [04:37]
  • “If I saw a fat dude who had a horse with an eagle riding it on his shirt, I could pretty much describe it...” – John [04:46]
• John tempers claims of stereotyping, acknowledging outliers but standing by averages:
  • “If you can't hear the example... averages have outliers on either end.” – John [04:28]
• Patriotism and style: Brief discussion on how different groups express patriotism and how marketing targets certain demographics.

2. Super Bowl Commercials & Cultural Impact

[06:20 - 10:17]

• Panel reflects on the emotional impact of Budweiser Clydesdale commercials, especially the recent one featuring a horse and an eagle.
  • “When the eagle spreads its wings… it's a Pegasus now. And then the eagle shoots off his back. I'm like, ‘ah, yeehaw.’ I literally think I yelled yeehaw.” – Brett [10:01]
• John observes that the imagery hits his "inner white in a big way," and would have failed if marketed toward non-white audiences.
  • “It's the reason why Billy Dee Williams did Colt 45 and not horses and eagles.” – John [05:19]

3. Social Media & New Terms: Vagueposting

[14:20 - 15:24]

• Byron introduces "vagueposting"—sharing intentionally vague social media posts to get attention.
  • Example: “Worst day ever. Don't ask.”
• The group mocks the attention-grabbing aspect, recommending:
  • “Pack it in your ass. That's a new one.” – Brett [15:24]
• “You're the worst therapist I've ever been to.” – Byron [15:27]

4. Personal Anecdote: John’s Big Strikeout

[19:52 - 22:52]

• John shares a painfully awkward story about trying (and failing) to hook up with a younger woman named Elizabeth.
  • Age difference, mixed signals, and extreme awkwardness with parents.
  • The follow-up: a decade later, they reconnect, and she launches into a racist tirade in public.
    • “She goes, 'It's good except for the N words.' And I'm like, oh my God, shut up, we're in public! Like, oh my God, she's a racist… like a real bad one.” – John [21:06]
  • John jokes about the attraction outweighing (for a moment) his horror at her racism.

5. Trending Stories & Viral Videos

[22:52 - 26:40]

• Commentary on a slew of viral videos—ranging from dropping dry ice into the ocean (possibly AI-generated), boating accidents, dangerous construction site pranks, and skiing fails.
  • “They bomb the sea with a dry ice bomb. Now this has to be AI because the camera's following it and then goes back multiple angles. How did you fall for this?” – Brett [23:14]
• Olympic-level ski fail:
  • “Here we go. 1, 2, 3, 4 back flips. And then he tries to go for a fifth, and it's too late, and he lands directly on his back.” – Brett [26:00]

6. Other Notable Bits

• Grand Theft Auto 6 Delay: Brief whining about video game delays and console releases. [17:00 - 18:12]
• Promo Gimmicks: Angry Orchard’s promo—mail your ex’s junk for swag; Natty Light’s “lawnmower lingerie.” [18:12 - 19:47]
  • “You're telling me Mexicans are doing that? No. That's a white guy thing.” – Brett [19:35]
• Stereotype Humor: Joking about engineers always having “itty bitty Mexicans” to crawl into small spaces. [28:18 - 31:26]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On stereotyping patriot wear:
  • “I know black people and Latinos can be patriotic towards hillbilly stuff too, but the majority of people are fat whites that like that.” – Brett [07:33]
• On vagueposting:
  • “Pack it in your ass. That's a great response to 'I'm having a bad day. Don't ask.'” – Brett [15:24]
  • “You're the worst therapist I've ever been to.” – Byron [15:27]
• On reconnecting with the one who got away:
  • “She looked even better. She had some bolt ons, which she didn’t need… she says to me, ‘So what have you been up to?’ … and then just launches into a racist rant.” – John [21:06]
• On internet viral stunt skepticism:
  • “They bomb the sea with a dry ice bomb. This has to be AI… How did you fall for this?” – Brett [23:14]
• Making fun of new product:
  • “You get a free case of Natty Light, and you've dressed up your lawnmower in lingerie. You're telling me Mexicans are doing that? No. That's a white guy thing.” – Brett [19:35]

Segment Timestamps

• Stereotypes & Budweiser shirts: [03:25 - 06:19]
• Budweiser Clydesdale ad / inner redneck: [06:20 - 10:17]
• Super Bowl halftime show trivia & John’s failed romance: [12:25 - 15:06 and 19:52 - 22:52]
• Vagueposting & social media baiting: [14:20 - 15:24]
• Viral video roundup: [22:52 - 26:40]
• Engineer stereotypes & ‘IBMs’: [28:18 - 31:26]

Final Thoughts

Irreverently riffing on American culture, Holmberg and crew keep things light but unfiltered, poking fun at regional quirks, race, and social trends. The episode’s highlight comes from the blend of observational humor, awkward real-life confessions, and their penchant for seeing the absurd in everyday situations. Their take on “vagueposting,” Budweiser shirt culture, and John’s legendary fail all deliver on HMS’s promise to “entertain, question and disturb”—with a heavy dash of Arizona snark.