Content Warning: The following summary includes discussions that involve sensitive topics such as racism, white supremacy, and offensive language. Reader discretion is advised.
Holmberg's Morning Sickness - Arizona
Episode: July 8, 2025
Title: People Are Calling New Superman Movie Racist After James Gunn Said It's An Immigrant Story And Somehow The Flooded Texas Summer Camp Is Now Racist Too
Host: John Holmberg
Co-Hosts: Brady Bogen, Bret Vesely, Dick Toledo
Platform: 98 KUPD | Hubbard Radio
Introduction and Sponsor Messages (00:00 - 01:43)
The episode begins with promotional segments from MMP Guns and Valley Chevy, highlighting their products and services. John Holmberg briefly addresses technical issues and introduces the co-hosts.
Main Discussion: Superman as an Immigrant Story (01:43 - 24:50)
Key Topics:
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James Gunn's Statement: The hosts discuss director James Gunn’s claim that the new Superman movie is an immigrant story. They explore the backlash labeling the film as racist.
- John Holmberg (02:05): "Superman was an immigrant, but the most awesome immigrant ever."
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Perception of Immigrant Narratives: The conversation delves into how the portrayal of Superman as an immigrant has sparked debates, with Holmberg arguing that labeling it as racist is unnecessary.
- John Holmberg (02:31): "It's brilliant, if brilliant advertising. It's so smart. And we fall for it every time."
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Impact on Society: Holmberg expresses concerns about the broader implications of framing superheroes as immigrants, suggesting potential job losses and societal changes.
- John Holmberg (03:32): "Superman, in moderation, you don't want to flood across the border. Superman. We'll lose our jobs and we'll lose our white ladies."
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Comparisons to Other Media: The hosts compare the Superman narrative to other media portrayals, including references to "Brightburn" and potential LGBTQ+ themes in Superman films.
- John Holmberg (32:14): "Superman is my least favorite of all the superheroes because he's just. He messes stuff up more than he does good."
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Public Reaction: They critique the media's focus on racial aspects of the film, arguing that it distracts from other serious issues like the flooded Texas summer camp.
- John Holmberg (37:46): "Yesterday, I was watching the. It was on the news, for God's sake. Like, all night. It was on MSNBC and CNN and fox all covered that."
Secondary Topic: Flooded Texas Summer Camp (24:50 - 41:21)
Key Topics:
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Flooding Incident: The hosts discuss a tragic incident involving a flooded summer camp in Texas, where numerous lives were lost. They critique media coverage that labels the camp as racist.
- John Holmberg (08:51): "It's a tragic story. And we turned it into. It's a racist white supremacist camp."
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Summer Camps and Socioeconomic Factors: The conversation shifts to the general nature of summer camps, often perceived as predominantly white and affluent, questioning the validity of labeling them as racist without substantial evidence.
- John Holmberg (09:20): "It was a wealthy person's camp somehow, and it was mostly little white kids."
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Personal Anecdotes: Holmberg shares personal experiences related to summer camps, emphasizing the arbitrary nature of sending children away and questioning the motivations behind such actions.
- John Holmberg (11:04): "I've never said that. Look, the Simpsons episode where they sent them to camp and Homer's hair grew back and they were happy and it was like they were thrilled that life was..."
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Critique of Media Narratives: The hosts express skepticism toward media narratives that swiftly attribute social issues to racism without thorough investigation.
- John Holmberg (12:30): "But this camp that's in Texas, it's just. My God. It's just a tragic story. And we turned it into. It's a racist white supremacist camp."
Additional Discussions and Closing Remarks (41:21 - End)
Key Topics:
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Superman in Pop Culture: Further discussions on Superman's portrayal in various media, including critiques of character development and storyline coherence.
- John Holmberg (35:13): "We worry about it being an immigrant story and getting upset about it. And you two are talking about it this way. Go yourselves, America."
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Closing Thoughts: The episode wraps up with light-hearted banter among the hosts, reflecting on the intense discussions and expressing a desire to move past the contentious topics.
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John Holmberg (42:12): "It's 98 KUPD. Wake up."
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Brady Bogen (42:15): "Hey, it's not weird. It's pretty cool, actually."
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Notable Quotes:
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On Superman as an Immigrant:
- John Holmberg (02:31): "It's brilliant, if brilliant advertising. It's so smart. And we fall for it every time."
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On Media Focus:
- John Holmberg (37:46): "It's goddamn Superman. It doesn't matter. No, it does too."
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On Flooded Camps and Racism:
- John Holmberg (08:51): "It's a tragic story. And we turned it into. It's a racist white supremacist camp."
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On Summer Camps:
- John Holmberg (11:04): "I've never said that. Look, the Simpsons episode where they sent them to camp and Homer's hair grew back and they were happy and it was like they were thrilled that life was..."
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On Superman's Impact:
- John Holmberg (26:36): "Superman. We'll lose our jobs and we'll lose our white ladies."
Conclusion
In this episode of Holmberg's Morning Sickness, the hosts engage in a provocative discussion about the new Superman movie being labeled racist due to its portrayal as an immigrant story. They critically analyze media narratives, societal reactions, and the broader implications of framing popular culture through the lens of race and immigration. Additionally, the hosts touch upon a tragic incident involving a flooded Texas summer camp, questioning the validity of its racial characterization by the media. Throughout the episode, a blend of humor, personal anecdotes, and contentious viewpoints create a dynamic and engaging conversation for listeners.
Note: This summary aims to objectively capture the key points and discussions from the podcast episode. The views expressed by the hosts do not reflect endorsement or agreement.