Podcast Summary: Holmberg's Morning Sickness

Episode Title: 09-24-25 – Entertainment Drill – WED – FOX Plans To Bring Back New Version Of Baywatch For 2026 Season – Record Deal For Songwriter Who Uses AI For The Music
Air Date: September 24, 2025
Hosts: John Holmberg, Brady Bogen, Bret Vesely, Dick Toledo

Episode Overview

In this episode's Entertainment Drill segment, the HMS crew dives into news around FOX’s announced revival of Baywatch, unpacking why the iconic show may not translate to modern sensibilities. The discussion evolves into a nostalgic look back at the original series, its cast, and cultural imprint. The episode also covers the headline-making signing of a songwriter leveraging AI to produce music—a first-of-its-kind multi-million dollar record deal. The crew’s trademark banter is on full display, blending irreverence and pop culture commentary.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. FOX Announces New Baywatch Series (05:03–07:32)

• Brady shares FOX’s plan to revive Baywatch for the 2026-2027 season.
  • Brady: “Fox is reviving Baywatch.” (05:03)
• John Holmberg is skeptical and lampoons the idea, arguing that the show’s premise won’t work in today’s media climate.
  • John: “You cannot objectify women that way.” (05:22)
  • John: “It’s gonna suck. You can’t do it. The whole point of Baywatch wasn’t the stories, cans. It was breasts and butts and a lot of them. And bouncing and jogging in slow motion. You can’t do that to women now. Can’t do it.” (05:28)
• The crew jokes about the original Baywatch cast and its legacy:
  • John reminisces about Nicole Eggert, Pam Anderson, Carmen Electra, and the tactic of casting Playboy models in later seasons.
  • Bret and John try to recall lesser-remembered cast members—Angelica Bridges, Gina Lee Nolin, Donna D’Errico, Tracy Bingham, Brandy Roderick, and Brooke Burns.
• Discussion shifts to Baywatch Nights and its failed attempt at being a detective show—largely because it “didn’t focus enough on slow motion bouncing around” (06:15).

Memorable Quote

• John: “The only reason the rescues were exciting was the run to the water.” (13:12)
• John: “If you can’t swim and you’re an adult, I mean, I don’t need that televised.” (13:21)

2. Corporate Scandal at a Coldplay Concert (08:11–10:05)

• Brady brings up the recent Jumbotron scandal at a Coldplay concert involving ex-astronomer CEO Andy Byron and Kristen Cabot.
• The source insists it was a platonic friendship, but the crew debates the optics of “hugging your boss at a concert like that.”
  • John: “Holding her from behind is a little more than just friends.” (08:50)
  • John: “I’ve held you from behind. It doesn’t mean I’m diving in. Not at a Coldplay concert.” (08:58)
• The group reflects on media and public overreaction to photos, referencing the famous Brad Pitt/Jennifer Aniston awards show moment and reminding listeners not to judge by a single snapshot.

3. Dancing with the Stars Update: Corey Feldman (10:05–11:35)

• Brady notes that Corey Feldman was eliminated from Dancing with the Stars the previous night (10:08).
• The crew jokes about Feldman’s self-described credentials as a “professional dancer,” referencing his stage show.

4. Record Deal: AI Songwriter and the Future of Music (11:35–13:00)

• Brady reports on a $3 million record deal signed by an AI artist, Xanya Monet, whose music is created by songwriter Talisha Jones using AI.
  • “The song that I heard was, ‘How Was I Supposed To Know?’ It has 5 million streams across YouTube and Spotify.” (11:51)
• John weighs in on the implications for the music industry:
  • “You cannot trademark a voice. You just can’t.” (12:15)
  • “That’s the world we’re in right now… Until somebody wrecks it or fixes it. That’s the future. We’ve got to embrace the AI. You can’t quit. You can’t keep pushing it back. It’s going to take over, especially with music.” (12:20)
  • He references Metallica’s resistance to digital disruption and suggests artists must learn to use AI as a tool rather than fight it.

5. Nostalgic Baywatch Deep Dive & Women Aging in Hollywood (06:11–10:05, 13:00–14:17)

• The conversation repeatedly harks back to the physical appeal of the Baywatch cast, with playful debate about which stars aged “like milk,” and who has “aged right” (e.g., Donna D’Errico).
• The crew googles current photos of cast members, prompting banter and gentle ribbing over changing appearances and the superficial standards set by the original show.
  • John: “Angelica Bridges is the one I’m thinking of. She’s 54 now… Let’s find out. Angelica Bridges, aging status. See if Brett’s theory holds true.” (09:59)
• John consistently circles back to the impossibility of recapturing the original Baywatch magic without objectification, concluding that the new series probably won’t appeal for rescue-drama alone.

Notable Quotes

• On reviving Baywatch:
  • John: “It was breasts and butts and a lot of them. And bouncing and jogging in slow motion. You can’t do that to women now.” (05:28)
• On entertainment nostalgia:
  • John: “The only reason the rescues were exciting was the run to the water.” (13:12)
• On the AI music revolution:
  • John: “You cannot trademark a voice. You just can’t. So good luck with that… We’ve got to embrace the AI. You can’t quit. You can’t keep pushing it back. It’s going to take over, especially with music.” (12:15–12:20)
• On ‘just friends’ at the Jumbotron:
  • John: “Holding her from behind is a little more than just friends.” (08:50)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Baywatch Revival & Critique: 05:03–07:32, 13:00–14:17
• Coldplay Concert Scandal: 08:11–10:05
• Corey Feldman Eliminated from DWTS: 10:05–11:35
• AI Songwriter Gets $3M Deal: 11:35–13:00

Tone & Style

True to HMS tradition, the conversation is irreverent, candid, and often tongue-in-cheek. The hosts are unafraid to poke fun at pop culture—while also calling out the broader societal shifts that make a show like Baywatch nearly impossible to reboot faithfully. John’s perspective is especially prominent, with unsparing commentary that never veers into meanness, but always maintains the show’s signature edge.

For listeners seeking pop culture news, media nostalgia, and humorous hot takes—this episode delivers with trademark HMS energy.