Holmberg's Morning Sickness - Arizona Episode: May 1, 2025 Title: Tempe Tavern Is Now Selling TShirts That Say 'Our 9/11' On The Back And People Can't Take A Joke Anymore Or Allow Things They Don't Think Are Funny

Overview In this compelling episode of Holmberg's Morning Sickness on Arizona's #1 Morning Radio Show, hosts John Holmberg, Brady Bogen, Bret Vesely, and Dick Toledo delve into a controversial local incident involving the Tempe Tavern. The tavern, recently raided for serving 162 underage patrons, responded by releasing T-shirts emblazoned with the phrase "Our 9/11" on the back. This move sparked intense debate among the hosts about the boundaries of humor, free speech, and societal sensitivity.

1. The Tempe Tavern Raid and Immediate Aftermath The episode kicks off with John Holmberg recounting the recent raid at Tempe Tavern, where authorities issued 162 citations for underage drinking. Holmberg expresses his disbelief and frustration, questioning how the establishment managed to remain operational despite the significant violation.

Notable Quote:

• John Holmberg (02:29): "The two days ago, I spent 30 minutes talking about how stupid the youth were for the raid at the Tempe Tavern. 162 citations and arrests for underage drinking at the Tempe Tavern. And like, what the hell happened to the youth of America?"

2. Tempe Tavern's "Our 9/11" T-Shirts: A Bold Statement Holmberg discusses the tavern's response to the raid—the creation and sale of T-shirts that feature the provocative slogan "Our 9/11." He finds the move both audacious and humorous, highlighting it as an example of outrageous marketing that pushes societal norms.

Notable Quote:

• John Holmberg (02:28): "Tempe Tavern's getting...they're selling T shirts now. For now, that's a tavern strong. And on the back it says hour 9/11. I'm laughing my ass off at this. That's great."

3. The Debate Over Offensive Humor The conversation shifts to a heated debate about whether comparing the tavern's incident to the tragic events of September 11, 2001, is appropriate. Holmberg argues that humor often involves making absurd comparisons and that offense is subjective.

Notable Quotes:

• John Holmberg (03:15): "You're not the arbiter of funny to anyone. No one is. What's funny to you may not be funny to me, but when it's not funny to you, it doesn't mean you have a right to squash it."
• Holmberg (04:10): "They have a right to tell jokes you don't like. And they can sell T shirts that say 'Our 9/11.'"

4. Personal Anecdotes and Host Banter Brett Vesley shares a personal story about his son being aware of the Tempe Tavern situation, adding a relatable dimension to the discussion. The hosts engage in playful banter, emphasizing the generational gap in perceptions of humor and propriety.

Notable Quote:

• Brett Vesley (05:40): "My idiot kid knows about this."

5. The Role of the Media and Public Reaction Holmberg criticizes how the media amplifies outrage over such incidents, suggesting that a lack of humorlessness contributes to societal tension. He posits that modern audiences are less tolerant of jokes, leading to swift public backlash.

Notable Quote:

• John Holmberg (08:30): "But people are saying, how dare you Compare this to 9/11...I'm like, what stick is up your ass, you humorless C word that makes it so you can't recognize."

6. Exploring the Limits of Free Speech in Comedy The hosts delve deeper into the ethics of comedy, debating where the line should be drawn between free expression and respect for traumatic events. They discuss historical references and how certain tragedies have been contextualized in humor over time.

Notable Quote:

• John Holmberg (11:14): "Tragedy plus time equals funny. That's the formula for hilarious. And, yeah, there's certain things you're just like, all right, don't you know it's going to be hard to make cancer and age, but it can be done."

7. Mock Scenarios and Hypotheticals To illustrate their points, the hosts create hypothetical situations where other tragic events are used in humor, questioning public reactions to each scenario. This segment highlights the subjective nature of humor and offense.

Notable Quote:

• John Holmberg (13:09): "But the people. If you have a friend at all, we need to start dismissing, canceling those people, not the other way around. We need to start movements against people who have sticks in their asses."

8. Reaction and Backlash from the Community The episode touches on emails and listener feedback criticizing Holmberg's stance, illustrating the real-world implications of the discussion. Holmberg defends his position, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a sense of humor despite disagreements.

Notable Quote:

• John Holmberg (25:30): "Like, you don't show clips of a comedy club on a news show and think it's equal. You can't take that out of context, put it on a news show and say, can you believe this?"

9. Conclusion: The Future of Comedy and Free Expression In wrapping up, the hosts reiterate their belief in the necessity of humor, even when it treads on sensitive topics. They advocate for personal responsibility in interpreting and reacting to jokes, rather than seeking to censor or cancel individuals.

Notable Quote:

• John Holmberg (28:18): "But you weren't going there in the first place. They have a right to tell jokes you don't like. And they can sell T shirts that say 'Our 9/11.' And guess what? It doesn't kill more people than Al Qaeda. It doesn't do anything."

Final Thoughts This episode of Holmberg's Morning Sickness offers a thought-provoking exploration of the delicate balance between humor and offense. Through lively debate and personal anecdotes, the hosts challenge listeners to reconsider their perceptions of what constitutes acceptable comedy and the role of free speech in everyday interactions. Whether you agree or disagree with their viewpoints, the discussion underscores the evolving landscape of humor in modern society.