Podcast Summary: Holmberg's Morning Sickness – 09-19-25

Overview

This episode of Holmberg’s Morning Sickness centers on a heartfelt and comedic attempt to lift the spirits of the Falcone family, who recently lost their patriarch. Host John Holmberg, with his co-hosts Brady Bogen, Bret Vesely, and Dick Toledo, balances sympathy with irreverent humor, responding to a request from listener Kevin Falcone: “my father just died. I told my wife to turn you on because I need a laugh” [06:50]. The show offers quirky stories, awkwardly dark jokes, and a special round of “fireside chats,” all in an effort to honor Kevin’s wishes and find laughter in grief.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Reflections on 9/11 and Personal Loss

• Holmberg recalls the recent 9/11 stair climb and the somber events of the prior week, reflecting on the passage of time since 9/11 and paralleling how some listeners’ kids view it as distant, similar to how his own generation sees JFK’s assassination or WWII.

  “Twenty-four years later, we’re coming up on a quarter century, having had 9/11 in our history… That’s a long time when you start looking at it in that kind of scope.” — John [04:23]

• Kevin Falcone's email sets the episode's emotional tone, asking John for a shoutout (and some laughs) to help the family cope with loss.

  “It’s my job to make you laugh the day your dad dies. … When Brady’s dad died, he didn’t go, ‘Hey Torp’s gone, got any good jokes?’” — John [06:50]

• The challenge of finding levity in loss: John recalls being asked to speak humorously at a funeral, highlighting the uneasy line between comedy and mourning.

  “I know fun is in funeral, but … his last cogent phrase to me before he passed away was: ‘You’re the clever one. Figure it out.’” — John [07:30]

Ballpark Antics and the Dirtiest Joke Attempt

• Baseball suite story: John and Brady recount a humorous outing to a baseball game. They’re joined unexpectedly in a suite by a high-spirited young woman, whose “dark, dark humor” sets the table for the show’s attempted jokes.

  “Brady and I… decided to go. Well, I got a call from Doug Hopkins… TV’s Doug Hopkins, who says, ‘Hey, I just got a suite. You guys wanna come?’” — John [10:20]

The Infamous Priest Joke

• A moment of comic confusion unfolds when the woman in the suite tells a misremembered version of a notorious joke:
  • “What’s the difference between a priest and a mosquito? The priest waits till you’re twelve to…on your face.” — Unknown woman [13:40]
  • The group realizes she meant the pimple version, launching some morbid wordplay in honor of the Falcones.

  “Sarah, you should turn the radio off… That’s the best I’ve got today. I’m sorry for your loss, but…priest, pimple, on your face. Remember it this day.” — John [16:00]

Fireside Chats: Callers Try to Make the Falcones Laugh

The show opens its lines for listeners to contribute their best (and worst) jokes for the grieving family. John and the crew vet jokes live, sometimes aborting calls as they veer into inappropriate territory.

Notable (and Not-So-Notable) Calls

• Scott’s Marooned-Buddies Joke [24:15]

  • Scott: “There’s a German guy, an American guy, and a Japanese guy on a boat…they get marooned…”
  • John: “We know this joke. This isn’t an old one. This one has a bad payoff.”
  • Scott pivots to another bit but is unceremoniously cut off as jokes fall flat.

• Desiree’s Setup [26:10]

  • Desiree: “A black guy walks into a bar…”
  • John: [cuts off, wary of where it’s going] “You don’t know that one? No, I guess we’ll tell you off the air.”

• Jacob’s Failed Save [27:20]

  • Jacob: “Why are black people so…” — John and the others intervene before he can finish, concerned about broadcast standards.

• Michael’s Superhero Joke [28:32]

  • Michael: “Superman and Green Lantern are flying around… see Wonder Woman in a field, butt naked…”
  • John: (interrupts, semi-panicked) “Oh no…is this safe?”
  • Laughter as the show acknowledges how quickly these calls can derail.

• An actually safe joke from an email:

  “What’s the difference between me and cancer? My dad beat me.” — Unattributed [29:45]

  • John: “That’s what we’re looking for here!”

• Brett’s favorite:

  “Why is parking a car like dating? All the good ones are taken, so you stick it in a disabled one and hope nobody finds out.” [32:33]

Host Reactions to the Chaos

• The hosts express mild exasperation and amusement at how challenging it is to keep the crowd (and callers) within FCC guidelines, and at the limits of what’s funny or appropriate amidst tragedy.

  “We thought we had a moment… The Falcone family is in turmoil. Terrible. Oh my God.” — John, laughing and groaning [30:10]

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• “I’m glad Kevin’s dad’s not here to hear this.” — John [29:50]
• “Sarah, I highly recommend you don’t leave the radio on for the Falcones today and just mourn…” — John [09:40]
• “Knock, knock. Who’s there? Not Kevin’s dad.” [16:50] — A dark but requested bit, making even Kevin laugh.
• “We’re a community—everybody wants to try to make the Falcone family laugh as you’ve asked for.” — John [22:23]

Listener Responses

• Kevin’s Feedback: Despite the dark and rough humor, Kevin writes in, appreciative of the attempt.

  “He already texted back—the knock-knock joke made my wife gasp and me laugh.” — John quoting Kevin [18:05] “You know me better than you think because those jokes always get me—the Brett ones…” [34:10]

Notable Timestamps

• 04:23 — John reflects on 9/11’s legacy and the stair climb.
• 06:50 — Kevin’s email sets up the day’s emotional challenge.
• 10:20 – 17:00 — Ballpark story and failed joke telling in the suite.
• 16:50 — Knock knock, “Not Kevin’s dad” joke.
• 22:23 — Listeners encouraged to call in for the fireside chat.
• 24:15 – 30:30 — Callers’ jokes and the hosts’ “live editing.”
• 32:33 — “Parking a car like dating” joke.
• 34:10 — Kevin’s appreciative final response.

Tone & Style

The episode is marked by irreverence, quick-fire banter, and an underlying sincerity. Holmberg and crew openly struggle to navigate the task of offering comedic relief in the face of death, vacillating between gallows humor and genuine compassion for Kevin and his family. The tone is bold, often “pushing it,” but always with a wink toward the difficulty of their assignment.

For listeners: This episode captures the unique role that comedy and community can play in coping with loss—brash, a little uncomfortable, but underscored by genuine care for their listeners.