Episode Overview

In this segment of Holmberg's Morning Sickness (09-23-25), John Holmberg and his co-hosts tackle the latest in entertainment news and celebrity intrigue while injecting their signature irreverence and banter. The main entertainment drill focuses on Ben Affleck’s love life—including rumors about Ana de Armas—and branches into late-night television returns, apocalypse predictions, a new Barbie honoring Venus Williams, and some sharp commentary on the week's weirder moments in pop culture.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Rapture Predictions & Pumpkin Spice Season

• The team pokes fun at failed end-of-the-world predictions.
• Holmberg humorously blames the proliferation of “rapture” scares on the pumpkin spice craze, tying seasonal predictions to fall hysteria.
  • Holmberg: “I blame pumpkin spice. Seems like once people start sucking that down, some weird, odd predictions start happening.” (01:47)

Notable Quotes:

• John Holmberg (on rapture predictions):
  “Nobody ever predicts the end of the world is going to be April ever. It's always September or October. Don't get it.” (01:51)
• Brady (on the aftermath for rapture believers):
  “Looking for a job now.” (05:35)

2. Jimmy Kimmel’s Return & Broadcast Affiliate Politics

• Discussion on Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night TV return and ongoing broadcast negotiations.
  • Sinclair Broadcasting is cautious, leaning right and not fully backing Kimmel’s resumption.
  • Holmberg speculates on how affiliate networks might monetize Kimmel content online, regardless of broadcast constraints.
  • Holmberg: “Kimmel's gonna have some huge numbers with or without these affiliates. It's the Internet... they'd say we're not going to air it on our broadcast. But you can check it out at blah blah blah.com.” (04:30–04:55)

3. Ben Affleck and Ana de Armas Rumors

• Brady brings up Ben Affleck’s rumored pursuit of Ana de Armas after Jennifer Lopez.
  • The hosts riff on Affleck’s romantic comedy of errors and inject humor over Tom Cruise’s supposed involvement.
  • Brady: “He's sniffing around Ana De Armas.” (05:49)
  • Holmberg: “Affleck would wipe the floors with Tom Cruise if it was a battle for Anon De Armas.” (06:04)

Notable/Memorable Exchange:

• John Holmberg (on Tom Cruise): “What’s he gonna do about it? Get on a soapbox and try to punch him?” (05:57)
• Brady:
  “He just said, you know what, you gotta respect boundaries, bro.” (06:00)

4. ‘Blonde’ (Ana de Armas as Marilyn Monroe) Commentary

• Holmberg reviews Ana de Armas’s Netflix movie “Blonde”.
  • He describes the film as uncomfortable and more tragic than erotic, calling out the director’s overuse of explicit scenes as depressing rather than alluring.
  • Holmberg: “It's sort of to the point of being so sad that even the sex scenes are not sexy.” (06:36)

Notable Quotes:

• John Holmberg:
  “She looks amazing, but it's just depressing. And they, like, rape her over and over.” (06:48)
  “It's like the director was having fun with the fact that Anna said, sure, I'll take my clothes off anytime you say, go, go. And he said, go. A lot.” (07:03)

5. Mattel's New Barbie: Venus Williams

• Mattel releases a Venus Williams Barbie as part of its “Role Model” line.
  • The hosts celebrate the choice as an admirable move but rib the doll’s design:
  • Holmberg: “Oh, they didn’t give her Barbie hips, that’s for sure. They kind of made her boxy... she's got the thin legs.” (07:33)
• Brady notes Venus’s recent weight loss, possibly on GLP-1 meds.
• Both agree Venus Williams is a worthy role model for the Barbie brand.

6. Lighthearted Closing & Upcoming Segment Tease

• Holmberg teases the next host, Larry, noting with affectionate sarcasm his need for praise and framing him as the day’s “role model.”
  • Holmberg: “That's all Larry wants is your love. And he's willing to give it back in droves if you help.” (08:14)
• Show closes with typical banter, affirming their sign-off routines.

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment/Topic | |-----------|--------------| | 01:41 | Rapture predictions and skepticism | | 03:54 | Entertainment Drill intro | | 04:05 | Kimmel’s affiliate drama | | 05:02 | “Breaking news” from Brady on rapture (Europe still exists) | | 05:38 | Ben Affleck, Jennifer Lopez, and Ana de Armas rumors | | 06:27 | Holmberg’s take on Ana de Armas in “Blonde” | | 07:18 | Venus Williams Barbie release | | 08:14 | Show tease for Larry (“role model”) and wrap-up |

Tone & Style

• The segment is filled with satirical humor, quick-witted digs, and a conversational, irreverent approach.
• The co-hosts rely on real-time headlines, each other’s personal updates, and pop-culture fodder to keep the pace brisk and the tone edgy.
• Holmberg’s skepticism and playful cynicism set the tone for celebrity gossip and broader social trends.

Conclusion

This episode’s “Entertainment Drill” is equal parts celebrity rundown and satirical social commentary. The highlight is the humorous take on Ben Affleck’s tangled love life—particularly the rumors swirling around Ana de Armas—spiraling into digs at Tom Cruise, dark humor about end-of-the-world prophecies, and supportive but wry remarks on Venus Williams’s Barbie. True to form, Holmberg and his crew offer both laughs and cultural critique for morning listeners eager for more than just headlines.