Episode Overview

Podcast: Holmberg's Morning Sickness — Arizona
Date: September 26, 2025
Guest: Jonathan Kite (Comedian, Impressionist)
Hosts: John Holmberg, Brady Bogen, Bret Vesely, Dick Toledo
Theme:
A comedic, free-wheeling in-studio interview with Jonathan Kite—best known for his impressions and comedic work—centered on his last-minute gig at the Desert Ridge Improv, viral comedy videos, the art (and controversy) of impressions, filming challenges at public locations, and unique pop culture experiences.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Jonathan Kite’s Impressions and Comedic Risk-taking

• Reveal of Damon Wayans Jr. Impression:

  • The segment opens with Holmberg faux-introducing Damon Wayans Jr., only to reveal it was Kite performing an impression.
    • (01:19) Holmberg: “What you just heard for the last 30 minutes was a marvelous impression of Damon Wayans Jr...The only person in the world doing a Damon Wayans Jr. is Jonathan Kite, everybody. And that was incredible.”
  • Kite: “I’ll be doing his act all weekend.” (01:44)
  • They riff on the risk and layers of comedy impressions, hinting at famous controversies (e.g., blackface) and comedic boundaries.

• Discussion on Blackface, Satire, and Sensitivities:

  • The conversation satirizes old comedic traditions, referencing blackface to expose changing cultural lines.
    • Kite (ironically): “I said make America blackface again.” (02:06)
    • Holmberg: “That’s my hat...We could all just loosen up a little bit and allow us to be blacken up, man. I think that’s what’s causing all of this political stuff.” (02:14)
  • Humor persists with self-awareness, poking fun at past costumes and misunderstandings about race in comedy.

2. Viral Video Concepts & Challenges Filming in Public

• Anthony Bourdain Impression Series:

  • Kite discusses his popular YouTube series impersonating Anthony Bourdain, reviewing locations in Bourdain’s signature style.
    • Kite: “We just did. We dropped In-N-Out yesterday… for October I’m doing Spirit Halloween.” (04:04)
  • The group marvels at Kite’s attention to detail and comedic insight.
    • Kite, as Bourdain: “The holy grail of drive thrus where X marks the spot and everything’s anointed with scripture turning each meal into divine dining. Disagree and the faithful will excommunicate you in the comment section because here slander is sacrilicious. Let’s eat.” (05:12)
  • Memorable Moment: Discussion of In-N-Out cups with Bible verses, the subtle quirks found in fast food, and how these fuel comedy.

• Filming at Chuck E. Cheese:

  • Practical hurdles are discussed—getting thrown out while trying to film with a child present for authenticity.
    • Kite: “We went to Chuck E. Cheese and we did bring a child...People, when you’re filming, will involve themselves in it and then sort of try to penalize you for it.” (05:39–06:39)
  • Stories about animatronics, picky parents concerned about cameras, and last-ditch successful filming (“like Indiana Jones’s hat under the door”). (06:42)

• Other Locations:

  • Highlights positive, nostalgic experiences at Red Lobster, Rainforest Cafe, and the last Blockbuster in Bend, Oregon.
    • Kite: “We called them ahead of time. They couldn’t have been nicer hosts.” (07:19)
    • (07:32) Even on weekdays, Blockbuster was “packed, packed, really packed.”

3. Pop Culture Tangents and Absurdist What-ifs

• Blockbuster Themed Experiences:

  • Running gag about a “September 11th–themed Blockbuster,” where every movie is interrupted by breaking news of tragedies, lampooning the intrusion of real-world events into escapism.
    • Kite: “It’s a 9/11 watching reenactor...Some—and you just have to watch until it interrupts. You might be able to make it all the way through.” (08:06–08:27)
  • The riff continues with other events ("Kennedy assassination," "JonBenet Ramsey"), intensifying the absurdity and satirical edge.

• Random Pop Culture References:

  • Holmberg and Kite riff on old movies, classic TV, and the dietary habits of Judy Garland from The Wizard of Oz.
    • Kite: “Judy Garland was on a strict diet of coffee and cigarettes.” (09:52)
  • Discussion of immersive experiences, like seeing The Wizard of Oz at the Las Vegas Sphere with interactive effects (wind, leaves, apples), noting ticket prices and audience reactions.
    • Kite: “They're making $2 million a day...It was amazing.” (10:02—10:56)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Impressions Meta-comedy
  • (01:49) Kite: “You can’t tell if I’m Jimmy Kimmel or doing Carl Malone or Jimmy Fallon doing Chris Rock or every American pre-1920.”
• On Cultural Sensitivity and Comedy:
  • (02:06) Kite (satirical): “I said make America black face again.”
• Filming Mishaps:
  • (06:42) Kite: “It was like Indiana Jones’s hat under the door…We’d just finished taping, but it was just—we just got it in.”
• The Last Blockbuster:
  • (07:32) Kite: “Packed, packed, really packed...It feels like 1995. You walk back in time. Interesting. Yeah. It’s like a time capsule, truly.”
• Mocking News Interruptions in Blockbuster:
  • (08:42) Holmberg/Kite: “Love the idea. Accomplished. All the videos are interrupted by a horrible news story. Doesn’t have to just be 9/11...wait, the Kennedy assassination.”
• Immersive Cinema Experience:
  • (10:02) Kite: “They're making $2 million a day...It was amazing.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 01:19–01:59 — Damon Wayans Jr. impression reveal and discussion on comedic impersonations
• 02:00–03:17 — Satire about blackface and pushing boundaries in comedy
• 04:02–05:07 — Anthony Bourdain impression videos and the religious quirks of In-N-Out
• 05:39–06:42 — Filming at Chuck E. Cheese: animatronics, parents, and getting kicked out
• 07:15–07:56 — Visiting the last Blockbuster and nostalgia as comedic fodder
• 08:06–08:55 — Absurd runs on Blockbuster “news break” interruptions
• 09:25–09:57 — Seeing The Wizard of Oz at Las Vegas Sphere & classic movie riffing
• 10:02–10:57 — Sphere ticket prices, show experience, and conclusion

Tone & Style

• The conversation is rapid, playful, and irreverent, with layered jokes about pop culture, comedy as an art form, and satire on contemporary sensitivities.
• Kite complements Holmberg's quick-witted style, pushing boundaries but keeping the energy upbeat and performative.

Conclusion

This episode spotlights Jonathan Kite’s comedic skill, particularly his impressions and his knack for finding the absurd in everyday pop culture experiences. The hosts and Kite blend edgy satire with nostalgia, providing listeners with a behind-the-scenes view on making viral comedy and the challenges of pushing boundaries in 2025. The pace is quick, and the conversation feels like a comedy green room—loose, sharp, sometimes risky, always engaging.