Podcast Summary: Holmberg's Morning Sickness – Entertainment Drill – 09-29-25

Date: September 29, 2025
Hosts: John Holmberg, Brady Bogen, Bret Vesely, Dick Toledo
Podcast: Holmberg's Morning Sickness (98KUPD, Arizona)
Main Topic: Entertainment news with a focus on the Riyadh Comedy Festival and other entertainment headlines

Episode Overview

In this episode, the HMS crew brings their irreverent and unscripted comedic take on the latest entertainment news. The main focus is the controversial launch of the Riyadh Comedy Festival in Saudi Arabia, featuring major stand-up acts—some performing, some declining—and plenty of ensuing debate over the ethics of performing there. The hosts also touch on pop concerts canceled due to sporting events, comedic roles in upcoming golf movies, and lighter entertainment headlines, always maintaining the show's trademark blend of wit, sarcasm, and locally-flavored commentary.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Jonas Brothers Concert Cancellation

• [00:51–03:50]

  • The Jonas Brothers canceled their Phoenix concert to accommodate the Mercury (WNBA team) in the finals. The crew jokes about why major events can't be set up and torn down overnight, referencing a recent boxing match and NFL game at the same stadium in Las Vegas.

  • John Holmberg sarcastically notes the unreasonable complexity:

    “Canelo Alvarez fought Terence Crawford on a Saturday night at, like, 11 at night. And the Raiders played there the next day, same place. ...You can't get that done in a day. They built a gondola for that fight that hung down almost to the ground.” – John ([03:00])

  • Multiple bits riff on a fictional "Tommy Lee Jonas," the lost Jonas Brother, mocking pop culture and boy bands:

    “I'm Tommy Lee Jonas, the third Jonas brother no one ever talks about.” – Bret ([01:37]) “I'd go to that concert. I'd follow them all over the world.” – John ([01:49])

2. Owen & Luke Wilson’s Competing Golf Comedies

• [07:05–07:50]
  • Entertainment Drill segment kicks off with news about both Wilson brothers starring as golfers in separate streaming comedies.
    • Owen is cast in Stick (Apple TV), while Luke has joined a Netflix comedy with Will Ferrell.
    • Holmberg finds the premise amusing in a characteristically dry way:

      “You sold me. I'm completely sold at the comedy there. Yeah, that's gonna be the beef, he says. So Luke beats Will twice in what, 55-plus golf.” – John ([07:38])

3. Riyadh Comedy Festival Controversy

• [07:53–09:56]

  • The crew unpacks the ethical debate around big-name comedians performing in Saudi Arabia for significant paydays.

  • Notables like Dave Chappelle, Bill Burr, Louis CK, and Pete Davidson performed; Shane Gillis turned it down, while Tim Dillon pulled out last minute.

    • Marc Maron’s critique:

      “How do you promote that? From the folks that brought you 9/11, two weeks of laughter in the desert.” ([08:14])

    • John’s take on going for the money:

      “If Saudi Arabia offered me enough money, I'd go over there and do a show. ...If the whole government isn't trying to stop Saudi Arabia from everything, what am I going to do if they want to give me a few million dollars?” – John ([09:25], [09:37])

    • The hosts note broader U.S. acceptance of Saudi investments in sports and entertainment:

      “You got the soccer league, they got... WWE is running shows there and including WrestleMania 43 in 2027.” – Dick ([09:56])

  • Notable Quotes:

    • “So what if they have slaves? They're paying me enough to look the other way.” – attributed as a joke about Jonathan Kite’s comments ([09:17])
    • “The joke about Tim Dillon is he never pulls out. And he's also gay. The last place he needs to do comedy is Saudi Arabia.” – John ([09:07])

4. Other Entertainment News Highlights

• [10:05–11:03]
  • Tina Turner Statue:
    • A 10-foot statue is unveiled in Brownsville, TN, with 2 feet attributed to her hair.

      “Look at that hairdo on that statue. That's amazing.” – John ([10:27])

  • Snoop Dogg Returns to NBC’s Winter Olympics Coverage:
    • Sklar Brothers' behind-the-scenes scoop: Snoop and Kevin Hart are back for the 2026 coverage.
    • The crew finds it both surprising and entertaining, with Holmberg expressing mild bemusement.

Memorable & Notable Quotes

• On the Comic Ethics of Riyadh Festival:

  “How do you promote that from the folks that brought you 9/11, two weeks of laughter in the desert.”
  — Marc Maron, quoted by Dick ([08:14])

• On Accepting a Saudi Gig:

  “If Saudi Arabia offered me enough money, I'd go over there and do a show.”
  — John Holmberg ([09:25])

• On the Jonas Brothers Cancellation:

  “You can't get that done in a day. They built a gondola for that fight that hung down almost to the ground.”
  — John Holmberg ([03:00])

• On Pop Culture Crossover:

  “I'm Tommy Lee Jonas, the third Jonas brother no one ever talks about.”
  — Bret Vesely ([01:37])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:51–03:50: Jonas Brothers concert cancellation, arena/set-up logistics, Tommy Lee Jonas riff
• 07:05–07:50: Wilson brothers’ golf comedies news and banter
• 07:53–09:56: Riyadh Comedy Festival details and controversy, comedian reactions
• 10:05–10:57: Tina Turner statue, Snoop Dogg’s Olympic coverage return

Tone, Style & Takeaways

The episode is fast-paced and irreverent, mixing entertainment news with relentless sarcasm and improv bits. The group tackles serious undercurrents (ethics of performing in Saudi Arabia) with humor, often working in pointed social or political commentary, but always returns to their familiar banter and laughter. Listeners will be informed but mostly entertained, with the show prioritizing comedy above all.

For more Arizona-flavored comedy and off-the-cuff celebrity banter, tune in weekdays 5:30a–10a on 98KUPD or check the podcast feed.