Episode Overview
Podcast: Holmberg's Morning Sickness – Arizona
Episode: 02-24-26 – Hot Releases: Paradise S2, Scrubs Reboot, Bridgerton S4 Pt2, Rob Zombie, Bruno Mars, Gorillaz
Date: February 24, 2026
Hosts: John Holmberg, Brady Bogen, Bret Vesely, Dick Toledo
This episode of "Hot Releases" is all about the latest TV shows, movies, and music dropping in the week of February 24, 2026. The crew delivers their classic quick-witted quips and snarky commentary while previewing what's new on streaming platforms and in stores, including the highly anticipated returns of “Paradise”, “Scrubs,” and “Bridgerton.” They also cover new albums from Rob Zombie, Bruno Mars, and singles from the Gorillaz, Puddle of Mudd, and more, plus the latest in AI-generated music. Expect plenty of banter, roasts, and playful debates throughout.
Key Discussion Points
[03:32] TV Show Hot Releases
-
Monarch: Legacy of Monsters (Apple TV)
- Described as a Godzilla-adjacent series (“pretty Godzilla,” 04:12).
- Stars Kurt Russell, whom they amusingly praise for looking “great” at 75.
- John on the show’s production value: “I'm not interested. It looks cheap.” (04:36)
-
Paradise Season 2 (Hulu/Disney+)
- Post-apocalyptic thriller.
- The crew point out it moves beyond the bunker into above-ground territory in season 2.
- John cautiously recommends it: “I promise it's not terrible. Be okay now.” (05:03)
-
Scrubs Reboot (ABC/Hulu)
- Set to premiere Wednesday.
- Jokes about cast’s agelessness: “They all look exactly alike. That’s the good news.” (05:56)
- John: “Zach Braff is slowly morphing into Jon Stewart and Ray Romano's baby.” (06:02)
- Tangent about Zach Braff’s directing work on “Shrinking.”
-
Bridgerton Season 4, Part 2 (Netflix)
- Split seasons (“money grab” per the hosts).
- The group riff about volunteering to be a mistress (06:27):
“‘Being a mistress is the last thing I would ever want’ — D: ‘No one volunteers to be a mistress. I'll do it!’”
-
Survivor Season 50
- Quick mention, jokes about high seasons — “season 5 million.” (06:51)
- The show is running retrospectives on all previous winners.
- Brief discussion about attempts to get on “Survivor” and “The Amazing Race.”
-
The Gray House (Prime Video)
- Historical Civil War drama about women operating on the Underground Railroad.
- John sarcastically underplays the ‘hidden’ aspect:
“I’ve heard whispers of this Civil War, but never any details, really.” (08:11)
[08:28] Movie Releases
- Scream 7 (Friday)
- Briefly acknowledge it’s another sequel; “You know what you’re getting.”
- John jokes: “Is that set in the Civil War? I’m not sure what time period.” (08:52)
- Epic: Elvis Presley in Concert
- Put together by Baz Luhrmann, combines footage and interviews of Elvis.
- Jokes ensue about Elvis AI and stage antics:
“He just pulls a gun out and starts shooting at the audience, and Brady goes, ‘Is that real?’” (08:58) - John: “We'd have heard of this.” (09:03)
- Lighthearted roast about off-air moments with Elvis impersonations.
[11:51] Music Hot Releases
- Rob Zombie – “The Great Satan” (Album)
- “Heathen Days” played as a sample.
- John: “New Zombie, full album. How fast till he says—” (12:10)
- General consensus: classic Zombie.
- Bruno Mars – (New Album)
- Sample: “I Just Might.” John isn’t a fan: “I don’t like this one. I'm not a big fan of ‘I Just Might.’ It burns quick.” (12:57)
- Excitement about a concert but jokes about ticket prices.
- Gorillaz – “Orange County” (Single)
- Hosts expect it to be “strange and eclectic”—and it is.
- John: “I mean, you kind of know. Yep. It's gonna be strange and eclectic.” (13:49)
- Bret: “This is what I think plays in Brady’s brain all day.” (14:12)
- Dust Bolt – “Super Gal”
- Lively riffing on the band's sound and relevance.
- Puddle of Mudd – “Rain”
- Hosts tease about longevity of the band:
John: “How's he still alive?” (15:26) - Snark at the slow build of the track, “Get to it, Wes. All right.” (15:57)
- Dismissal: “I'm not overly excited.” (16:32)
- Hosts tease about longevity of the band:
- Marilyn Manson AI Song by TPF Track Pulse Factory
- Hosts express the AI version is actually better than recent real Manson.
John: “Fake Marilyn Manson. Just so much better than the real one.” (16:58) - “I bow to you, AI.” (17:42)
- Hosts express the AI version is actually better than recent real Manson.
[17:44] AI-Generated Music
- “Finish All Over My Face” by Anita Mandalay
- The group delight in the irreverence and stupidity of the AI pop effort:
John: “Oh God, it's getting dumber. How are we getting dumber with all this information?” (17:55)
- The group delight in the irreverence and stupidity of the AI pop effort:
- “Stop Bitching” (AI song, artist unnamed)
- Joke about guessing the original genre or artist and playing “N Word or F Word,” referencing long-running show bits.
- Snoop Dogg – “Slide Off”
- The group speculates on the “tone” of Snoop’s lyrics in the new track—“soft, friendly N word,” “kind F word,” and then “angry N word” (20:12).
- More banter on Snoop as a marketable, friendly artist now.
Notable Quotes & Moments with Timestamps
- [04:36] John (on Kurt Russell in "Monarch: Legacy of Monsters"):
“I'm not interested. It looks cheap. Oh my God. He does look better than gold.” - [05:56] John (on “Scrubs” reboot):
“They all look exactly alike. That’s the good news. Zach Braff is slowly morphing into Jon Stewart and Ray Romano’s baby.” - [08:11] John (on “The Gray House”):
“I’ve heard whispers of this Civil War, but never any details, really.” - [08:58] John (about AI-ed Elvis on Instagram):
“He just pulls a gun out and he starts shooting at the audience, and Brady goes, ‘Is that real?’” - [12:57] John (on new Bruno Mars album):
“I Just Might. I don't like this one. I'm not a big fan of I Just Might. It's catchy, but it's—it burns quick.” - [14:12] Bret (on new Gorillaz):
“This is what I think plays in Brady's brain all day.” - [15:26] John (on Puddle of Mudd):
“How's he still alive?” - [16:58] John (on AI-generated Marilyn Manson):
“Fake Marilyn Manson. Just so much better than the real one.” - [17:42] John:
“I bow to you, AI.” - [17:55] John (on AI pop):
“Oh God, it's getting dumber. How are we getting dumber with all this information?”
Segment Timestamps
- TV/Streaming Releases: 03:32 – 08:28
- Movie Releases: 08:28 – 11:45
- Music Hot Releases: 11:51 – 17:44
- AI-Generated Music Bits: 17:44 – 20:45
Additional Highlights
- The hosts' playful skepticism about streaming show gimmicks—split seasons, reboots.
- Ongoing humor at the expense of washed-up or aging rock stars.
- Classic “HMS” bits like “N Word or F Word” continue, even with new releases (“New Snoop. I'm gonna say soft, friendly N word…” 19:56).
- Running jokes about AI music outshining actual artists and the absurdity of song titles.
Summary
This “Hot Releases” episode is packed with dry humor, irreverence, and a bonanza of new entertainment for every taste. The team’s banter keeps things lively as they skewer Hollywood’s reliance on reboots, marvel at musical longevity (or lack thereof), and gleefully mock the advance of AI-generated content—sometimes finding it superior to the real thing. If you want a whirlwind rundown of what’s new in TV, movies, and rock this week—plus plenty of laughs—this episode delivers.
