Podcast Summary: Holmberg's Morning Sickness – "The Island Of Dead Celebs Listener Conspiracy Theory – BO"

Date: February 18, 2026
Host(s): John Holmberg, Brady Bogen, Bret Vesely, Dick Toledo
Listeners/Callers: Paul, Tim, Chris
Station: 98 KUPD, Arizona

Episode Overview

The episode centers around a humorous and satirical discussion inspired by a listener's conspiracy theory that famous musicians and celebrities aren't actually dead, but instead are living secretly on an exotic island together. The hosts engage callers, riff on the outlandish idea, and continually escalate the absurdity by imagining the logistics and resident list of this so-called "Island of Dead Celebrities."

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introduction of the Listener Conspiracy Theory

• [01:10] Caller “Paul” introduces the idea that stars like Tupac and Biggie are alive and hiding on a tropical island, continuing to make music away from the public eye.
• Holmberg and the team immediately recognize the entertaining potential and gently mock the concept, framing it as a tabloid fantasy.

Notable Quote:

"I can almost guarantee that people like Tupac and Biggie... are probably on some tropical island with their money and still popping out music left and right." – Paul (01:31)

2. Debating the Feasibility and Logic of the “Dead Celebs Island”

• [02:05] Holmberg asks why stars would need an island and not just hide somewhere less conspicuous, like in the U.S.
• Paul asserts that these celebrities’ fame is too big for any normal place; hence the need for an isolated location.
• The crew jokes about who else might be there: Elvis, Waylon Jennings, Aaliyah, and more.
• Paul shares an irrelevant anecdote about having met Waylon Jennings’ mother-in-law at the airport, which further derails his credibility.

Notable Exchange:

A: "Why wouldn't it just be, like, Florida or Georgia or something?" (02:36)
D: "Everybody knows them around in this area... Montana, Canada, there's some up there in that area." (02:41)

• Holmberg calls out Paul's loose logic, branding it "the rantings of a lunatic."

3. Taking the Concept to Comedy Heights

• The hosts and show regulars embrace the idea full-tilt:
  • Imagining odd jobs for deceased celebrities: Rock Hudson running a resort, Bruce and Brandon Lee with a dry cleaning business, Payne Stewart playing golf.
  • A recurring joke of John Denver constantly flying a plane around the island.

Memorable Montage:

"It's the most star studded island of late superstars ever. You want dry cleaning, you fight for it." – John Holmberg (05:01)

• They riff on life at the island: Mama Cass’s Chicken Shack, John Denver’s sky banners, and Nicole Brown Simpson being alive on the island.

4. Callers Join the Farce

• [06:16] “Tim” continues the fiction, saying Elvis started the island and Jim Morrison’s arrival led things to go "to hell."
• The hosts joke about Elvis being a barber in Memphis and how some conspiracy theorists genuinely believe such stories.
• The difference between how the public treats the deaths of celebrities versus ordinary people is examined humorously.

Notable Quote:

"Everybody who's got the conspiracy theory, especially about Elvis, who was like 85, if he's still alive, he's a barber somewhere in Memphis, and nobody can pick up on it." – John Holmberg (06:47)

5. “Celebrity Only” Entrance Policy

• [11:56] Caller "Chris" asks about which other celebrities could “run businesses” on the Island, e.g., JFK Jr. teaching scuba, Sonny Bono running a ski resort.
• Discussion of the “application process” for entry: must be a celebrity, Pauly Shore not allowed despite his career being "dead."

Notable Quote:

"You gotta fake your own death. But first you must be a celebrity, because as we know, only celebrities fake their death." – John Holmberg (12:16)
"Pauly Shore is famous by default. It's an accident. So he's not allowed on the island." – John Holmberg (12:27)

6. Satirizing Conspiracy Theories and Public Fascination

• The hosts note the uniquely American fixation with believing celebrities somehow cheat death, referencing how nobody suspects their own grandma of faking her death.
• They expand on how television fantasy may fuel these beliefs.

Discussion Point:

"I don't understand the theory that people think celebrities never die. They go to this mysterious island. ... If grandma dies, nobody ever goes, I think Grandma faked it. She's on an island somewhere." – John Holmberg (10:51)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• "Anything is possible in the day and age anymore. If somebody says, hey, I can make you die for $50,000, anybody could do it." – Paul (02:11)
• "It's dead Fantasy Island. I love this. Tupac and Biggie just sitting on the beach sipping Mai Tais. Ain't it great being dead?" – John Holmberg (05:14)
• "Biggie, Biggie, Biggie, can't you see? Why is this island so funny to me?" – John Holmberg (09:09)
• "It's just our fantasy TV has screwed us all up... No one ever said, Lincoln's not dead. Lincoln's out there on the island." – John Holmberg (11:12)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 01:10 – 02:54: Introduction of Paul’s conspiracy theory & initial debate
• 04:00 – 05:24: Hosts riff on celebrity jobs and daily island life
• 06:16 – 07:25: “Tim” calls in; hosts discuss celebrity afterlife logistics
• 11:56 – 12:39: “Chris” calls in; expansion of island mythos and entry requirements
• 10:51 – 11:20: Commentary on society's obsession with celebrity conspiracies

Episode Tone & Takeaways

The episode is a mix of playful skepticism, satire, and improvisational comedy. Holmberg and his crew delight in pushing the "celebrity island" theory to absurd extremes, highlighting the silliness of conspiracy thinking—especially as it relates to celebrity deaths—while also poking fun at public gullibility and the enduring allure of urban legends.

For listeners:
The episode is a lighthearted deconstruction of how celebrity deaths are mythologized, featuring rapid-fire jokes, creative scenarios, and listener participation. It's an energetic piece that satirizes both conspiracy theories and the sometimes bizarre relationship between fans and fame.