08-19-25 - Entertainment Drill - TUE - Mental Floss' List Of The Most Famous People In 1985 - Ent Weekly List Of Best High School Movies Of All Time

Summary

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Holmberg's Morning Sickness - Entertainment Drill Summary

Episode: 08-19-25

Date: August 19, 2025
Main Hosts: John Holmberg, Brady Bogen, Bret Vesely, Dick Toledo

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Episode Overview

This episode of Holmberg's Morning Sickness focuses on a lively Entertainment Drill covering two pop culture nostalgia lists: Mental Floss’ compilation of the most famous people of 1985, and Entertainment Weekly’s ranking of the best high school movies of all time. The hosts blend their trademark humor and sarcasm with genuine pop culture debate, including riffs about workplace security, run-ins with visitors, and breakfast struggles.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Security Snafu at the Studio

Timestamps: 00:00–04:21

• John describes an unsettling incident: an unfamiliar visitor being led straight into the studio by a staff member, highlighting studio security failings.
• The hosts joke about potential threats, self-defense, and mock-bravado responses.
• John pushes their sponsor, ReactDefense.com, as the solution to "crazy people getting walked directly to you."
  • “If anybody out there is interested in killing us, just walk to the front door and say, I'd like to see the morning show. They'll walk you right into the studio, no questions.” – John Holmberg [01:13]
• Humorous dialogue about Brady being targeted for kidney removal and makeshift on-air security plans.

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2. Mental Floss: Most Famous People of 1985

Timestamps: 04:21–06:46

• Brady introduces a nostalgia list of celebrities who defined 1985.
  • Michael J. Fox tops the list, riding high on the release of “Back to the Future.”
    • “That was the number one movie in 1985.” – John Holmberg [04:27]
  • Other guesses and names thrown out: Michael Jackson (not on the '85 list, as 'Thriller' was primarily 1984), Michael Jordan (rookie season fame), Madonna, Boy George, Rock Hudson, Chevy Chase, Joan Rivers, Phil Collins.
  • Discussion on Chevy Chase’s prolific year, noting four major films in 1985, including “Fletch” and “European Vacation.”
  • John unpacks Joan Rivers’ historical significance—her move from Carson’s guest host to launching Fox’s late-night experiment, and the fallout from Johnny Carson’s legendary grudge.
    • “She was the first show in the Fox network. And then she went on and Johnny Carson said, anybody that does that show will never be on the Tonight Show… so much so the show failed and her husband killed himself, which is crazy.” – John Holmberg [06:01]
• Side note on Rock Hudson as an '85 celebrity (and the subtle quips about his historical relevance).

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3. Entertainment Weekly: Best High School Movies of All Time

Timestamps: 06:46–08:24

• Brady shares Entertainment Weekly’s top 10 high school movies.
  • Immediate agreement that "Breakfast Club" and "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" should top the chart.
    • “Breakfast Club’s the one.” – John Holmberg [06:52]
  • The official top 10 as mentioned:
    1. The Breakfast Club
    2. Fast Times at Ridgemont High
    3. Dazed and Confused
    4. Rebel Without a Cause
    5. Heathers
    6. American Graffiti
    7. Clueless
    8. Pretty in Pink
    9. Election
    10. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
  • John expresses surprise that “American Pie” didn’t make the top 15.
    • “That should be up there.” – John Holmberg [07:12]
  • Additional riffing on classics (“Pretty in Pink wasn’t good. And neither was [Heathers].” – John Holmberg [07:41]) and a tangent on “Giant,” mistaking it for a high school flick.

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4. Pop Culture Odds & Ends

Timestamps: 08:24–09:41

• Discussion on a Jonas Brothers x Hanson live performance of “MMMbop,” noting that the long-hyped collaboration finally occurred.
  • “If it still mattered to anybody. I’ve always thought the idea of the Tommy Lee Jonas Brothers is just so… all six really brilliant.” – John Holmberg [08:38]
• Fred Durst clips: Brady mentions viral footage of Limp Bizkit’s Fred Durst swatting a drone at a concert.
  • John parallels this back to their studio intruder incident for comedic effect.

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5. Office Breakfast & Awkwardness

Timestamps: 09:41–10:18

• Brady jokes about office staff waiting in the hallway for breakfast while the hosts keep broadcasting: “They know there's a little omelet brought breakfast.” – Brady [09:41]
• Further jokes about health, diet, and body metaphors: “He seems to think there’s going to be a control, alt, delete, and his body will be just fine on Tuesday.” – John Holmberg [09:44]
• Episode wraps as hosts address the awkward office standoff and prep for Larry’s arrival.

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• On studio security failings:
  “You gotta be smarter than that. And sometimes you're surrounded by dumb people. Dumb people can sometimes lead crazy right to you.”
  – John Holmberg [03:07]

• On 1985 celebrity pop culture:
  “Michael Jordan was finishing his rookie season, was already well on his way, becoming one of the biggest athletes in the world.”
  – Brady [04:50]

• On Joan Rivers' Fox show fallout:
  “Johnny Carson said, anybody that does that show will never be on the Tonight Show. So... so much so the show failed and her husband killed himself, which is crazy.”
  – John Holmberg [06:01]

• On high school movie rankings:
  “That should be up there.” (reacting to 'American Pie' missing from the top 15)
  – John Holmberg [07:19]

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Timestamps for Major Segments

• 00:00–04:21 – Studio security anecdotes and ReactDefense pitch
• 04:21–06:46 – 1985’s most famous people list (Mental Floss)
• 06:46–08:24 – Entertainment Weekly’s top high school movie rankings and host reactions
• 08:24–09:41 – Jonas Brothers x Hanson, Fred Durst drone incident
• 09:41–10:18 – Office awkwardness, breakfast and episode close

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Tone & Style

The episode is typical of Holmberg’s Morning Sickness—irreverent, unscripted, and riff-heavy. The hosts blend genuine pop nostalgia with jabs at workplace mishaps and each other. The humorously skeptical, sarcastic tone prevails throughout, especially when poking fun at the lists and the studio’s security shortcomings.

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Summary Provided for Listeners Who Missed the Episode or Want a Quick Refresh. Skip ads and intros—jump right into the pop culture banter!

Transcript

[John Holmberg]

You're listening to the HMS podcast brought to you by MMP Guns.com, your most trusted online marketplace for firearms, ammunition and accessories. It's John Holmberg here for the amazing people at the Core Institute. A very close friend of mine had his knee surgery at the Core. He's not going to be back on the court immediately, but in a few months time he will be. He's got some rehab in front of him and that's all you need to worry about. Get to work and get feeling better. Get rid of the pain. You've been living with the Core Institute celebrating 20 years because they've been changing people's lives for 20 years and you don't last that long unless you're great. Stop living with your pain and say yes to the things you love to do. Again. Go to the Core institute dot com. Morning sickness. You've been deceived by an agent of Satan himself. He's evil. Sitting right here. Come on. No, no, he's not. He's not evil. He's just a bit rude. Larry's gonna come in here in a minute, but we got to get through the entertainment drill first. So let's do that. It's time for the entertainment drill. It's brought to you by our [e-mail] that is the home of tactical black self defense training. Getting out there, Defend yourself. You know, it turns out we need tactical black more than we thought because we have a meeting today with the guys from game day. Men's Health, right? Yeah, but that's after the show. One of our crack staff just popped up with someone who doesn't know us and we don't know them. I've seen him before, I think. Walks him right into the studio and says, you have a visitor. So if anybody out there is interested in killing us, just walk to the front door and say, I'd like to see the morning show. They'll walk you right into the studio, no questions. I mean, I know Brady's on the precipice of having to deal with this, but I'm not. I don't need to get shot in the middle of a show. You know, bring people right up to the. I'd like to see the President. Follow me. We have a visitor. That was he thinking. Well, anyway, this is why it's essential to have a little self defense training. And he looked like a normal fella and I had a feeling he was even surprised that he got led right to the room. It's not where meetings happen. He Looked as uncomfortable as we were. I don't know why this guy's parade me around, but I kept my eyes on his hands just in case he decided to draw on us. Uh, and you know, we had a plan there. Reactdefense.com makes you spatially aware, situationally aware. And I don't know why. You taking that employee with you today. I think I'm taking them with me to wherever you leave people. Yeah. Come on in here with your gun just tucked in your waistband. I'd like to see the morning show for kupd. Follow me. You got any questions? You don't want to pat me down? No. Just follow me. I'll take you right to them.

[Brady]

I've got a knife for Holmberg.

[John Holmberg]

Okay. Follow me. Follow me. I'm gonna shove it in his heart. Follow me. I know where his heart is. I know where his heart is. Tart's usually right in the middle of him. I know where he is. So this works. What the hell just happened anyway? You gotta be smarter than that. And sometimes you're surrounded by dumb people. Dumb people can sometimes lead crazy right to you.

[Brady]

I'm here to remove Brady's kidney. Hey.

[John Holmberg]

What we should. Follow me. Follow me. I know where Brady's kidneys are. I know where the trash is too. This is going to be easy. Hey, by the way, better idea to bring the person we don't know that wasn't vetted at all at the door and have him block the only egress in the entire room. Thank you. When you work with idiots and we do, they might lead a killer right to you. What would you do if that happened? It almost did to us. Thank God he was a normal fella. I'm just saying you never know who's going to pop in. And now that the cats out of the bag. Now you go to reactdefense.com to prepare for exactly this kind of thing. In case your stations. Marcus walks a guy right into your life. And it's not Marcus Meng. He would have never done that. Now a he wouldn't have talked to anyone in the front lobby as if he owed them something. Move. Move. I'm here to see the move. Okay. Sorry about that. I'm going to kill him too. React defense.com. i just had to mentally start to use it before I realized this guy wasn't a threat. Sorry. I'm a little rattled. Go to reactdefense.com check it out for yourselves. And be part of this. You never know. It's the home of tactical black Brady Entertainment.

[Brady]

Mental floss. Just put out a list of the most famous people of 1985.

[John Holmberg]

Right on time. 40 years. I mean, it's. Michael J. Fox is number one. That was the number one movie in 1985. J.

[Brady]

Fox was in.

[John Holmberg]

Michael Jackson. Michael Jackson for sure. Madonna.

[Brady]

Michael Jackson was not.

[John Holmberg]

He was 84. Thriller was 84. Yeah. But still bled over. Yeah, that's what I'm saying. Michael McDonald.

[Brady]

Michael.

[John Holmberg]

Yeah. Michael Jordan. But that was brand new.

[Brady]

Michael Jordan was finishing his rookie season, was already well on his way, becoming one of the biggest athletes in the world.

[John Holmberg]

Yeah. Madonna is not on there.

[Brady]

Madonna is.

[John Holmberg]

Yeah.

[Brady]

And Sean Penn.

[John Holmberg]

I would also assume in 85, we're talking about Culture Club a little bit. Maybe Boy George is on the Pete Rose. That's what I meant. Brady. Sorry. Confused. Always confused.

[Brady]

Those two, the only ones. I'm sorry, the only one close to your Boy George would be Rock Hudson. He was on the list 40 years ago.

[John Holmberg]

That was a homosexual reference.

[Brady]

Chevy Chase.

[John Holmberg]

Chevy Chase. The vacation movies.

[Brady]

Four movies out in 85.

[John Holmberg]

What did he do?

[Brady]

Fletch?

[John Holmberg]

Wow.

[Brady]

European vacation, which was 85. Yeah.

[John Holmberg]

That was earlier than that.

[Brady]

Joan Rivers.

[John Holmberg]

And Joan Rivers, who left the tonight show in 85 to start Fox Broadcasting Company with the Joan River Show. The Late show, they called it.

[Brady]

Yep. How long that last?

[John Holmberg]

Year and a half. And then it failed miserably.

[Brady]

Take over for her.

[John Holmberg]

No, Arsenio wasn't on Fox.

[Brady]

And Phil Collins just came out with no jacket required.

[John Holmberg]

Joan Rivers was Johnny Carson's permanent guest host and did Monday nights and then got her chance to do a her own show. When Fox started its own network. She was the first show in the Fox network. And then she went on and Johnny Carson said, anybody that does that show will never be on the Tonight Show. So celebrities were like, not a good idea. So there were some people that would go on that. And Johnny just ruined her. So much so the show failed and her husband killed himself, which is crazy. And then Arsenio guest hosted. There was another guy named Clint Holmes that would guest host after she left. It turned into nothing. Then they got married with Children and the Simpsons and all that. And. Or Tracy Ullman took off as a network. But that was the very first show. That was 85. Right.

[Brady]

Entertainment Weekly just ranked the 50 best high school movies of all time.

[John Holmberg]

That's easy, too. That would be Fast Times or Breakfast Club. Breakfast Club's the one.

[Brady]

I'm thinking one and two.

[John Holmberg]

Okay. Fast Times.

[Brady]

Breakfast Club was number one. Fast Times number two.

[John Holmberg]

Then teen movies after that like all era. 80s era. Is that what you said?

[Brady]

No, just of all time.

[John Holmberg]

American Pie. Yeah, that should be up there.

[Brady]

American Pie was not in the top 15.

[John Holmberg]

Kidding. That should be up there.

[Brady]

Number 10, Ferris Bueller's Day Off.

[John Holmberg]

Yeah, it's a good one.

[Brady]

Number nine, Election.

[John Holmberg]

Great movie, actually. Very funny. Surprisingly funny.

[Brady]

Sixteen Candles number eight, Pretty Pink. Clueless number seven. American Graffiti number six.

[John Holmberg]

Pretty in Pink wasn't good.

[Brady]

Heather's number five.

[John Holmberg]

And neither was that, though.

[Brady]

Rebel Without a Cause. Number four.

[John Holmberg]

Trying to think of James Dean. I kept thinking Giant, but that isn't about a teenager. Rebel Without a Cause. Giant, about giants. About. Wow. Jesus. That's an oil or something in Texas. Three hour movie about. Yeah, I tried to watch marital affairs and just. Time passes. 50 years. It's amazing.

[Brady]

Number three was dazed and Confused.

[John Holmberg]

Yeah, but it's long. Giant is a long movie. Cinematically, one of the most amazing achievements. And film. But it's just forever. You got to be so patient to watch.

[Brady]

Took 20 years, but this iconic collab happened.

[John Holmberg]

Okay.

[Brady]

The Jonas Brothers and Hansen performed bop. Finally, they did Virginia beach on Friday night.

[John Holmberg]

If it still mattered to anybody. I've. I've always thought the idea of the Tommy Lee Jonas Brothers is just so all six really brilliant. Yeah. Just somebody lay it. I mean, we had Trump. I was doing it with Frank for a while when I was doing the Tommy Lee Jones impression, but it doesn't. Nobody cares.

[Brady]

I don't know if you got. Did you get the video of Fred Durst swatting a drone out of the way. They were doing a concert in Turkey.

[John Holmberg]

Somebody drunk. Too close. Close enough to hit it.

[Brady]

Yeah.

[John Holmberg]

With the microphone or with his hands. Oh, it's right on top of his face. Nice. Yeah. I would do the same thing. Called it in and guess what it was our Marcus from our staff brought the drone right up to our faces. It's the same thing. And now Joe's doing it. For Christ's sake. There could be a killer amongst them. You don't know what you're bringing us. This is insanity. Anyway, there's a bunch of people now in the hallway that need to talk to us. I think we're gonna get killed, boys. I think it's all over. So that's it for us. Yeah. The game day. Men's health. People are standing outside and it's very awkward.

[Brady]

Drooling. They know there's a little omelet brought breakfast.

[John Holmberg]

And the longer I. Longer. Calm down. You're not getting any. So long. He seems to think there's going to be a control, alt, delete, and his body will be just fine on Tuesday.

[Brady]

He definitely feels. I can load up as soon as the one's gone. I'm good. It's like removing a virus. Let's go.

[John Holmberg]

We're done here. The longer I let this go, the more awkward it is. If they're standing in the hall and we're standing here staring at them. Brady doesn't get his breakfast. Larry's coming up next. You guys have yourselves a fantastic Tuesday. We'll see you tomorrow in the morning. Singing solo. It's not weird.

[Brady]

It's pretty cool, actually. No membership fees.

[John Holmberg]

I've heard enough of this.