07-28-25 - Trying To Figure Out All The Celebrity Death Triads And Why We Weren't In The Mix For Best Show w/PHX Magazine

Summary

Holmberg's Morning Sickness - Arizona
Episode Summary: July 28, 2025
Title: Trying To Figure Out All The Celebrity Death Triads And Why We Weren't In The Mix For Best Show w/PHX Magazine

---

Introduction

In this episode of Holmberg's Morning Sickness (HMS), hosted by John Holmberg alongside co-hosts Brady Bogen, Bret Vesely, and Dick Toledo, the team delves into the intriguing phenomenon of celebrity death triads. Additionally, they discuss the recent accolade from PHX Magazine naming HMS as Arizona's best morning radio show, exploring their mixed feelings about the recognition.

Celebrity Death Triads Discussion

The conversation begins with an examination of recent celebrity passings, attempting to categorize them into triads—a concept where three related deaths occur within a similar timeframe, often sparking public intrigue and speculation.

• Hulk Hogan and Chuck Mangione
  Brett mentions the passing of Chuck Mangione, a notable figure, shortly after discussing Hulk Hogan’s death.

  • Unknown Speaker [01:30]: “And Chuck Mangione. On Thursday, he passed.”

• Additional Celebrities
  The hosts attempt to identify other celebrities who have recently died, such as Theo van Gogh from Golden Earring and Michael Madsen from Bad Company, among others. The discussion highlights the challenge in determining whether these deaths form a significant triad.

  • Unknown Speaker [03:00]: “Our Water Drive means nothing.”
  • John [05:01]: “So that would be Michael, Theo, Azie, Ozzy and Hulk.”

• Criteria for Triads
  The team debates the strength and relevance of each potential triad, considering the fame and impact of the deceased. They discuss whether the inclusion of less universally known figures like the founder of Golden Earring warrants their presence in a triad.

  • Unknown Speaker [03:37]: “I know two songs. Radar Love and Twilight Zone.”
  • Unknown Speaker [04:07]: “But not kind of a weak one to really even worry.”

• Historical Context of Triads
  Reflecting on past instances, the hosts recall events where multiple high-profile deaths occurred in close succession, enhancing the perceived pattern of triads.

  • Unknown Speaker [05:38]: “There's no stronger one ever in the history.”
  • Unknown Speaker [05:37]: “It's got a res, I would think.”

• Conclusion on Triads
  While acknowledging the pattern, the hosts remain uncertain whether the current series of deaths firmly establishes a triad, emphasizing the subjective nature of such groupings.

  • Unknown Speaker [05:21]: “And it was like a week earlier, Ed McMahon died.”
  • Unknown Speaker [05:38]: “Yeah.”

PHX Magazine's Best Show Award

Transitioning from the topic of celebrity deaths, the discussion shifts to PHX Magazine's recent accolade naming HMS as Arizona's "Radio Personality of the Year." The hosts express a blend of pride and frustration regarding the recognition.

• Initial Reaction
  The team reflects on their surprise and mixed feelings about receiving the award, questioning its impact and the magazine's recognition.

  • Brett [06:59]: “They haven't called it back.”
  • Unknown Speaker [07:01]: “No, no. Yeah, they're proud of it.”

• Perception of the Award
  While acknowledging the honor, the hosts express skepticism about the award's significance, suggesting it may not align with their own views of success and recognition.

  • Unknown Speaker [07:36]: “Our water drive means nothing.”
  • Unknown Speaker [07:40]: “What are we doing this for?”

• Internal Dynamics and Recognition
  The hosts discuss internal dynamics within their team and the radio station, highlighting past instances where awards and recognitions were met with similar ambivalence.

  • Unknown Speaker [08:00]: “They have two. They got the editor's choice.”
  • Unknown Speaker [08:07]: “Well, why did she put us on there?”

• Comparisons with Peers
  The conversation includes comparisons with other radio personalities and their respective recognitions, questioning the criteria and transparency of the awarding process.

  • Unknown Speaker [09:16]: “And Mel was on the air.”
  • Unknown Speaker [09:52]: “She was wearing a cowboy. That's all I've ever done.”

• Final Thoughts on the Award
  Concluding the segment, the hosts reiterate their appreciation for the acknowledgment while maintaining a critical perspective on its broader significance and the internal politics of recognition.

  • Unknown Speaker [10:05]: “We're probably not invited.”
  • Unknown Speaker [10:26]: “I tell you. Nothing.”

Conclusion

Throughout the episode, Holmberg's Morning Sickness provides a candid and humorous exploration of both the concept of celebrity death triads and the complexities surrounding industry recognition. By intertwining these discussions with personal anecdotes and team dynamics, the show offers listeners an engaging and multifaceted perspective on contemporary issues within the entertainment and radio landscapes.

---

Notable Quotes:

• Unknown Speaker [03:24]: “He was the founder of it.”
• Unknown Speaker [05:37]: “...there's no stronger one ever in the history. In the history of.”
• Unknown Speaker [07:36]: “Our water drive means nothing.”
• Unknown Speaker [09:52]: “She was wearing a cowboy. That's all I've ever done.”

---

Timestamp Reference:

• Celebrity Death Triads: 01:08 - 10:20
• PHX Magazine Award Discussion: 06:19 - 10:20

Note: Advertisements, promotional segments, and non-content discussions were excluded from this summary to focus on the core topics of the episode.

Transcript

[Brett]

You're listening to the HMS Podcast, brought to you by mmpguns.com, your most trusted online marketplace for firearms, ammunition, and accessories.

[John]

Planning a summer getaway? The App Store has everything you need to elevate your travels and outdoor experiences. Start with ChatGPT to plan the perfect itinerary, from destination recommendations to unique activities. Learn the local lingo with Duolingo and organize your trip with Tripsy, your all in one travel planner for nature lovers. Alltrails is your personal guide to hikes and secret spots. Impress your friends with night sky by identifying constellations and track every step of your adventure. With Strava, turn your journey into a cinematic story with relief, because that epic mountain view deserves a soundtrack. And for those long flights or spotty connections, don't worry. Download offline games like Farm Heroes, Saga, Wordscapes, or Retro bowl before you go from planning to exploring. The App Store has apps and games to make your summer unforgettable. Download them today and let the adventures begin.

[Unknown]

You thought that was funny? You were laughing like a hyena when he said it. What the hell is wrong with you? Somebody just emailed me and said, hey, how come you're not talking about the death of Hulk Hogan? Cause it's Thursday. We already did that. We were here on Thursday. You missed it. But there was a. There was a lot of Hulk Hogan talk.

[Brett]

And Chuck Mangione.

[Unknown]

And Chuck Mangione. On Thursday, he passed. We had our free. And my dream for this was that Lou Ferrigno would pass as well. And we get a double Hulking over the weekend, but that did not occur. So all the people that we're talking about now, we've got twos. We got the three that were Malcolm, Jamal, Warner, Ozzy, and Hulk. And then Chuck died. And I don't know if he falls into a new three.

[Brett]

No, because who was. There was somebody.

[Unknown]

There was a guy from Golden Earring. Theo Guy.

[Brett]

Golden Ear.

[Unknown]

Oh, there was, yeah.

[Brett]

Who was the guy that died right before Theo, like, a couple weeks ago.

[Unknown]

It's a big name semi. Well, it's. Connie Francis passed away a few days prior to that. But again, celebrity. We may not know her anymore. I don't know who died. I'm gonna look, but then we're still short one. So then Hulk would be in with Chuck.

Well, there was a rumor that Phil Collins was in hospice.

It's not good.

And he had hip or knee surgery.

You saw what I saw. Which was Clint Eastwood holding up that cake at 95. That cake is winning. That that is. It might be a nothing bunt cake. It's like a tiny hand, but it is beating every muscle in Clint's body into the earth. He does not look at it. You.

Yeah, there's a lot of traits that you see with Clint Eastwood. You don't see that anymore.

He's gone.

Like, you can barely. I didn't know that was Clint. Right?

No, because it's his corpse. It's just still wandering around.

[Brett]

Jimmy Swaggart.

[Unknown]

He was.

[Brett]

Oh, yeah, he was a little bit earlier in the month, but he died this month.

[Unknown]

All right. I do like the three clean, though. We just kind of erased the weeks before and just go, Malcolm, Ozzy, Hulk, Chuck. Okay. You love the. I say Chuck starts a new three.

[Brett]

I think so, yeah. This golden earring guy count?

[Unknown]

Nah, I kind of. But not kind of a weak one to really even worry. But it does count. But at the same time. Was he the singer?

He was the founder of it.

[Brett]

Who? Oh, yeah, yeah.

[Unknown]

Okay. She was the singer. I know. Chuck was the truck here. Yeah. I don't know.

And then, like, who's the other founder? I don't know.

Of Golden Earrings. I know that guy.

[Brett]

I know two songs. Radar Love and Twilight Zone.

[Unknown]

Good songs, though.

[Brett]

Oh, yeah.

[Unknown]

I guess he counts. It's a smaller. It's much weaker than the Twilight Zone.

[Brett]

School nearing.

[Unknown]

Yeah, Theo. And it was like a comeback. Theo, Ozzy Hulk is a great three pack. Chuck, dude from Golden Earring and someone else. Come on, that's.

[Brett]

And then Mike Avad pipes in. Mick Ralph, guitar player from Bad Company.

[Unknown]

Okay, we'll throw that in there, but that's no good. No offense, but that guy doesn't get.

[Brett]

Golden Earring actually trumps that one.

[Unknown]

All right, there's our. We got to start a fresh musician. Okay, so you got Chuck that dude and then golden earring guy. That's a bad three. I can't even name to Mick Ralph.

Small three. It's a small track.

It's a baby three.

[Brett]

Cletus from the Dukes of Hazzard, too.

[Unknown]

Oh, that's the one you're thinking of. Yeah, Cletus died.

How many? How long?

But I don't know his real name.

I'm gonna put Cletus in.

[Brett]

That was June 27th. It was a minute ago. Rich or Rick Hurst.

[Unknown]

That doesn't count either. He's in his own category.

[Brett]

Cooter die too.

[Unknown]

Is Cooter gone?

[Brett]

I think maybe not.

[Unknown]

Ben Cooter Jones. Is that his name? No, I think Cooter's still alive.

[Brett]

Celebrity deaths of 2025.

[Unknown]

The only ones dead from that show are Uncle Jesse and Boss. Oh, no. James Best.

[Brett]

Oh, that. That's when I was thinking Michael Madsen.

[Unknown]

Oh, that's right.

[Brett]

So that would be Michael, Theo, Azie, Ozzy and Hulk.

[Unknown]

Chuck, golden earring Guy. Seems not fair.

[Brett]

We missing one.

[Unknown]

Yeah, the dude from Bad Company.

Yeah. McGrath. All right, Madsen, Theo, Ozzy. Good three.

[Brett]

Yeah.

[Unknown]

Hulk really brings the marquee power up to the next three. Because Chuck being. And then the opening act sucks. Golden earring Guy. If we don't know your name, can you be in a 3? 3 power. That's 3. Gotta know the name, right? It's got a res, I would think.

[Brett]

Yeah.

[Unknown]

There's no stronger one ever in the history. In the history of. And it was all in the same one. One was the same day. But you had Billy Mays, the dude who did all the infomercials. He dropped dead. And then the next day, if I remember right, it was Farah, Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson on the same day. And it was like a week earlier, Ed McMahon died. These triads get strong in July. Maybe get another one. I don't know. We got a. What would Brady do in just moments while we figure out this important stuff again, why Phoenix magazine looks at anyone else for Radio Personality of the Earth beyond me.

They've been doing it for years.

Tripp even just came in right now a few seconds ago. Did you tell anyone you work for Hubbard Radio while you were in Las Vegas? We certainly don't want you to admit that, ever. We like the ratings. We're not a big fan of you. Oh, thanks. Okay, so if you just keep that up but not really show your face or tell anyone. Yeah, I get it. I get that. That makes sense. Brand liability to your own brand. I get it. Might as well keep me around. And not to sound bitter and sad about it all, but it is a little bitter and sad. Literally. Early this year, I was named man of the Year by an organization. Right. I got a trophy.

They haven't called it back.

No, no. Yeah, they're proud of it. Like Name Man. Like all the work you've done for the pets. The Arizona Pet Project would like to name you our person of the Year. I've got the trophy. Nary an email. Mo Wins Phoenix magazine's Call in contest for Radio Personality Year. The email from Susan Hitler was that it's the greatest thing that's ever happened in this building. Did you read it? This is bigger than anything that's Ever happened here ever. No, it's not. Yeah, so I guess that's a bigger guess.

[Brett]

Our water drive means nothing.

[Unknown]

Where's that email?

[Brett]

Yeah.

[Unknown]

What are we doing this for? The greatest thing I have ever seen is when an outdated publication has named a midday girl the best. We will make hay in sales.

You gotta remember, she used to run that magazine, too.

Was that hers?

Yeah, she was the. Was she sales mag.

Well, why did she put us on there? Hey, I was named man of the Year a couple weeks ago. Nobody gives a about that. Shut up. She was named Personality of all times. We don't even acknowledge you work for the company. Just keep being first, okay? I'm prouder. I like Mo. It's not Mo's fault that everybody overreacted to her stupid award. We've won that before. Remember when we made Ian Campfield Morning show of the. That was Phoenix magazine, too. Yes. And we had people call in to name because they nominated Ian Campfield to be the morning show personality in the Valley.

And Mel was on the air.

She was doing mornings.

Yeah.

Telling people Ian was the midday guy. You're the morning show of the year. We don't want the votes. And we tried to get that guy from kfyi.

[Brett]

Yeah, yeah.

[Unknown]

And I think he did.

He went.

[Brett]

I think he was like, second place. He didn't win.

[Unknown]

Is he still around?

[Brett]

I can't remember his name.

[Unknown]

James something. If I remember, maybe he got the.

Vote, but not the pick because they have two. They got the editor's choice. Right. Or something like that.

And then I don't know, he's. No, that's the other. That's new. That. That guy, KFYI is the Beyonce of conservative talk radio because he wears a cowboy hat and he's black and like, nobody sees it coming. And then he just starts talking about James T. Harris. That's the man. Yeah, that's. That's the radio personality. Like, he should win that every year. That dude's giving away trips to Ireland stuff. Look at his hat. That's a bad man right there. I don't even know what he talks about, but he's. He. Look, he had to watch Beyonce pull this and go, I've been at this 20 years. What do you.

[Brett]

Ain't that a.

[Unknown]

Put a hat on. Mel Blunt of the Steelers is like, so what? She's wearing a cowboy. That's all I've ever done. I don't want to hear that. Anyway, congratulations to Mo down the hall. And evidently there's going to be a party and all that stuff. Yeah.

[Brett]

We're probably not invited.

[Unknown]

No, we're not allowed to go to anything. They hate us. They've made it wildly clear in the last year that this is not for we are. Not to mention that we work here anymore. And I don't. Trust me, I don't. I'm not promoting them either.

I walked down the hallway earlier and Susan go, how was John's weekend in Vegas? I know nothing.

I tell you. Nothing. I walked down the hall and she goes, papers, papers. Where's your real id? The one with the star on it.

[Brett]

She walked by Bogan.

[Unknown]

Bogan. Anyway, it's an odd time to work here. They. They don't want us to work here. Maybe they have to kind of have us around because I just don't like how honest we are, I guess. Speaking of, Brady's gonna solve all your problems that's coming up in just seconds. What would Brady do? Is right around the corner. If you've got any quick ones real fast, [e-mail] see if we can get you slid in there. Meanwhile, I've got a couple in my hands. We're all right. But just in case you got something crazy, it's 98 kupi. What would Brady do's next? Arizona's most powerful, powerful rock RA station.

[Brett]

It's Brett and John for Action Ride Shop in their brand new location on the northwest corner of power Road and McDowell in Mesa.

[Unknown]

The new location is your east valley full line bike shop with brands like Pivot, Ibis, Santa Cruz and Rocky Mountain Giant, Norco. And of course Action Ride shop has the best wrenches in town to keep that bike on the trail or the road. Plus being so close to the Hawes trailhead, they have a huge rental fleet with gravel bikes, mountain bikes and E bikes.

[Brett]

Action Ride shop now with two locations. The brand new Shop of Power and McDowell and the OG on Gilbert Road in Southern. Check them out at actionrideshop.

[Unknown]

Com.