09-30-25 - Entertainment Drill - TUE - Astrologer Pairs Zodiac Signs w/Halloween Movies - Half Robot Axl Rose Character Debuts In New Graphic Novel

Summary

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Holmberg’s Morning Sickness (98KUPD)

Episode Summary: 09-30-25 – Entertainment Drill, Zodiac vs. Halloween Movies & Robot Axl Rose

Date: September 30, 2025
Hosts: John Holmberg, Michelle, Billy

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Episode Overview

Today’s episode of Holmberg’s Morning Sickness is packed with the show’s signature sarcasm and off-the-cuff banter as the team dives into the Entertainment Drill. Highlights include an astrologer’s viral pairing of Zodiac signs and Halloween movies, hype over “Merc Mania” (Phoenix Mercury playoff fever), and the announcement of a bizarre new Axl Rose graphic novel character. The hosts sprinkle the segment with playful jabs, personal stories, and plenty of pop culture sarcasm, keeping the energy lively and irreverent.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. WNBA Playoffs: "Merc Mania"

• Segment: [01:54]–[04:29]
• The hosts riff on the city’s excitement over the Phoenix Mercury (“Merc Mania”) in the WNBA playoffs, joking about the city’s supposed devotion and crazed fans.
• John jokes about the chaos if the Merc lose:

  “All the road rage is going to go through the roof. So you have to stop it. John. That's not funny, man.” — [04:04]

• Michelle: “I'm going to the viewing party tonight.” [03:30]
• Joking tone: The hype is mostly tongue-in-cheek, with the group lampooning both the “mania” and their own lack of detailed knowledge about playoff seeding.

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2. Entertainment Drill – Zodiac Signs & Halloween Movies

• Segment: [05:04]–[06:48]

• Michelle introduces a viral list pairing zodiac signs with Halloween movies:

  • Leo? Halloweentown (Disney Channel) – “You're Halloween Town. The Disney Channel classic.” [05:33]
    • John reacts playfully: “Want to watch that together? No, Leo's. We'll put lion costumes on.” [05:38]
  • Scorpio? Halloween
    • John: “They get Halloween because they're all bipolar.” [05:46]
  • Aquarius? The Nightmare Before Christmas
    • John appreciates the live performance by the Phoenix Symphony.
  • Aries? Friday the 13th
  • Gemini? Hocus Pocus
  • Capricorn? The Addams Family
  • Pisces? Casper (“the dead kid”)
  • Cancer? It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown – John: “That's one of my favorites.” [07:05]

• John’s observation on 'Nightmare Before Christmas':

  “Some people lose it over that. I think it’s good... it's more girl good than guy good. But when that symphony's playing live, man, was that cool.” [06:18]

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3. Pop Culture Weirdness – Robot Axl Rose

• Segment: [07:08]–[08:08]
• Michelle brings in news of a graphic novel: “Axl Rose is a Half human, half robot in a new cyberpunk graphic novel series. It’s called ‘Axl Rose Appetite for Destruction.’” [07:08]
  • John quips: “But he looks like Ma Fratelli now...” [07:18]
  • Setting: “A neon drenched paradise city, where humans and robots are meant to coexist. Axel, the half mute, half human, half robot, lives on the fringes, finds solace in music.” [07:21–07:45]
  • Michelle: “You can preorder it for 39.99.” [08:03]
• Hosts riff on the odd premise, lounges in alleys, and Axl’s robot stylings with characteristically dry humor.

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4. Concert Anecdotes & "Serial Farter" on Tour

• Segment: [08:16]–[09:01]
• The hosts jump to personal tales, tying in a story where John worried about smelling at a ballgame.
• Michelle: “Haim is on tour... fans reported rancid air... now people are wondering if a serial farter is following them around on tour.” [08:44]
  • John immediately jokes: “It's a Haim show. Have you seen those girls? Do they shave?” [09:01]

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5. New TV Shows – “Chad Powers” and “On Brand with Jimmy F.”

• Segment: [09:07]–[10:43]
• Michelle plugs On Brand with Jimmy F. and the Chad Powers series.
• John’s skepticism of the Chad Powers TV idea (from Eli Manning’s viral bit), echoing the “Ted Lasso” origin story:

  "It just seems stretchy. We'll see." [10:20]

• Discussion of actor Glenn Powell’s likability and filmography.

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• On the WNBA playoff stir:

  "That's the most exciting two words in women's sports: Game 5."
  — John [02:22]

• On Zodiac movie matches:

  “They get Halloween because they're all bipolar.”
  — John (on Scorpios) [05:46]

• On live soundtrack performances:

  “But when that symphony's playing live, man, was that cool. It was really neat to watch.”
  — John [06:18]

• On the Axl Rose graphic novel:

  “But he looks like Ma Fratelli now, it's not...”
  — John [07:18]

• On the viral concert smell:

  "Now people are wondering if a serial farter is following them around on tour."
  — Michelle [08:52]

• Capping off the episode with classic HMS irreverence:

  "Thank God it was an unemployed maid. Said no one ever."
  — John [11:06]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Merc Mania / WNBA Playoff talk: [01:54] – [04:29]
• Entertainment Drill, Zodiac x Halloween movies: [05:04] – [06:48]
• Axl Rose Graphic Novel: [07:08] – [08:08]
• Concert Anecdotes & “Serial Farter” on Tour: [08:16] – [09:01]
• Chad Powers / New TV discussion: [09:07] – [10:43]

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Tone & Style Recap

• Language: Casual, playful, teasing, sarcastic.
• Vibe: Irreverent, pop culture-savvy, sometimes self-deprecating.

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Summary

This episode encapsulates what HMS fans love: snappy, funny pop culture chatter interwoven with local sports enthusiasm and inside jokes, all delivered with the crew’s trademark mock-seriousness. Notable highlights include the hilarious critique of Mercury “mania,” a zodiac-Halloween movie mashup, and a rundown of a cyberpunk Axl Rose. Fast-moving and snarky, the hour offers plenty for new and returning listeners eager for a pop culture fix with an Arizona twist.

Transcript

[Billy]

You're listening to the HMS Podcast, brought to you by MMP guns.com your most trusted online marketplace for firearms, ammunition, and accessories.

[John Holmer]

It's John Holmer here from the morning sickness, and it's time to talk again about my friends at Trajan Wealth. I always talk to you about the will and trust, the estate plan that I put together with Kent at Trajan Wealth. Kent was unbelievable. And, man, you want to make sure medical power of attorney and power of attorney are established, because if something bad happens and you don't have anybody speaking for you, somebody you don't know will keep control of your life even when you're not in control. All you have to do is get it done. Today at Trajan Wealth. 480-990-3300. Trajan wealth legal services are offered through trades in the State Law Firm LLC. Still streaming Homberg's Morning Sickness online at 98kupd.com and we're ready. I. The whole show's over. I mean, we're just gonna do this and get the hell out of here because, I mean, there's nothing more we can do. Nothing more magical than what happened already. Magic, Brett. We made magic.

[Billy]

Billy wants to know if it was her name, Michelle, or was it Consuelo from here?

[John Holmer]

A lot of people say that. Don't do that. This guy said. Funniest part of that whole thing is that she immediately said she didn't know who you were. Like, okay, let's not get too crazy about that. Should have played the lasers and stuff.

[Billy]

She might have knew you then.

[John Holmer]

Would have been. Would have been fantastic had she said, oh, I love it. I listen all. No, she didn't have a clue. It's humbling, but also, it's a city of 5 million people. The odds of. Well, that's pretty high, actually, if you look at the ratings, but still.

[Michelle]

Michelle, how was your day? I think I was in a trivia contest.

[John Holmer]

It wasn't real. It was. If you run into Michelle today, that was real. Man, I've already forgotten the guy's name. Mr. Tibbets.

[Michelle]

Nate.

[John Holmer]

Nate. There it is. Good job. It's time for the entertainment drill. While we all kind of settle from that Merc Mania. Catch it. Do they have a game tonight? The Fever and the Aces.

[Billy]

I'll look it up.

[John Holmer]

Yeah, look up, make sure, because, I mean, people are on the edge of their seat wanting to know when that starts.

[Michelle]

Right? That's good. We've already done the Merc Mania. Yeah, we're done.

[John Holmer]

Oh, I'm not doing that again.

[Michelle]

Oh.

[Billy]

Tonight's the tiebreaker with the Fever and.

[John Holmer]

The Aces going to game five. Most excited. That's the most exciting phrase. The most exciting two words in women's sports. Game 5.

[Billy]

Game 1 starts on Friday 7 in men's sports.

[John Holmer]

Friday, 7 o'. Clock. Be there. Is it here or there? Doesn't seem to.

[Michelle]

Who's the. It's got to be on the road. You think why if it's a higher seed though.

[John Holmer]

We don't know.

[Michelle]

I don't know.

[Billy]

And then that might be it. Maybe the Fever or the Aces are either higher or lower than Mercury.

[John Holmer]

Pretty up there. Now that they knocked off the links. I think that they were a higher seat. I don't know.

[Michelle]

I thought they were no.

[John Holmer]

1.

[Michelle]

They're an underdog going point.

[John Holmer]

They were, but now they're the favorites.

[Billy]

That's why. Because Mercury was fourth overall. The Aces are second and the Fever are sixth. So I guess it just depends on.

[John Holmer]

So if the Fever win game here Friday. Yeah. If they lose. Off to go off to Vegas. That's Merc Madness. And we're all. We're all over it.

[Michelle]

It's crazy.

[John Holmer]

What's going on with the wnba. Whole city's abuzz. Look. They just painted the entire National Guard Mercury orange.

[Michelle]

I'm going to the viewing party tonight.

[John Holmer]

Are you gonna. There isn't one. But. Oh, for the game. The. Are they doing that?

[Michelle]

I think so.

[John Holmer]

Title nine. Where's that happening? Okay.

[Michelle]

I know that's happening there for sure.

[John Holmer]

For sure. Yeah. It's gonna be a big, big one. Anyway. Entertainment Drills. Brought to you by our [e-mail] the home of tactical black self defense training. And you can fend off just about anything but nervous tummy because right now I need a tums. But they can help you out with anything. Get you in shape while you're out there running around every day in and amongst the crowd of lunatics. And with this merc madness that's going on, emotions are running high. You don't know who's going to go crazy if the Merc lose. All the road rage is going to go through the roof. So you have to stop it. John. That's not funny, man.

[Michelle]

Get out.

[John Holmer]

Get out. Making a mockery of Merc Mania. I will not have anyone make Merck Mania mockery. Take your giggle somewhere else, John. This is not a show for laughter.

[Michelle]

That's a nervous laugh.

[John Holmer]

I won't have an audience of people giggling. He just might be excited. Game 5 tonight just might be too. On Edge with Merc Mania Madness. Anyway, you want to get out there and keep your eyes open because the Merc Mania's gotcha. And you see those people that a bunch of look like they've got some sort of a disorder or something. They're Merc Mania eyes. And you don't want those lunatics coming at you without any sort of preparation or planning. Make sure you know what you're up to. Become a sheepdog. Stop being a sheep and get in great shape while you do it. Learn about you. Reactdefense.com it's the home of tactical Black Brady Entertainment.

[Michelle]

You'll love this. An astrologer paired each zodiac sign with a Halloween movie.

[John Holmer]

Say again?

[Michelle]

An astrologer paired each zodiac sign with a Halloween movie. Okay, so in other words, this is the movie that matches not one of.

[John Holmer]

The Halloween's 1 through 6. Like a movie that is typically.

[Michelle]

You'll see.

[John Holmer]

Okay. Hotel Transylvania and stuff like that. Okay. That's probably Pisces.

[Michelle]

You're Leo, right?

[John Holmer]

Yes, sir.

[Michelle]

You're Halloween Town. The Disney Channel classic.

[Billy]

Man, I'm home.

[John Holmer]

We're Halloween 10 together. Want to watch that together? No, Leo's. We'll put lion costumes on.

[Billy]

Who gets the good ones?

[Michelle]

One the Scorpio.

[John Holmer]

They get Halloween because they're all bipolar.

[Michelle]

Aries. Friday the 13th.

[John Holmer]

What's yours? Aquarius.

[Michelle]

The Nightmare Before Christmas.

[John Holmer]

That's a good one. Jack Skeleton.

[Michelle]

Capricorns. Get the Adams family.

[John Holmer]

That was a neat thing. I went to a while ago. The Exorcist on there is that movie.

[Michelle]

The.

[John Holmer]

That wasn't Halloween theme.

[Michelle]

It's horror.

[Billy]

I mean I just consider all the most of them.

[Michelle]

Gemini's Hocus Pocus.

[John Holmer]

Yeah, this is very Halloween based. I went to go see A Nightmare Before Christmas at the Phoenix Symphony and the symphony played the sound, the soundtrack as the movie played. So it was just the. It was the movie without kind of cool. It was awesome. It was. And I've never really been as big a fan of that movie as some people. Some people lose it over that. I think it's good, but it's. It's a little bit dopey. It's more girl good than it is guy good. But it's tolerable. But when that symphony's playing live, man, was that cool. It was really neat to watch.

[Michelle]

Pisces gets Casper the Dead Kid. Yeah, the live action Casper. I think that's about cancer. That it's a Great Pumpkin. Charlie Brown.

[John Holmer]

Yeah, right. That's one of my favorites.

[Michelle]

Axl Rose is a Half human, half robot. And a new cyberpunk graphic novel series. It's called Axl Rose Appetite for Destruction.

[John Holmer]

Wow.

[Billy]

Original title.

[John Holmer]

But he looks like Ma Fratelli. Now it's not.

[Michelle]

And it's set in a neon drenched paradise city.

[John Holmer]

Oh, take me down to that city that you mentioned.

[Michelle]

And it's this. Paradise cities where humans and robots are meant to coexist. Axel, the half mute, half human, half robot. He lives on the fringes. Finds solace in the music.

[John Holmer]

Oh.

[Michelle]

Of a black alley lounge singer. Back alley.

[John Holmer]

All right. Speaking of west side. Not just any old alley lounge thing.

[Michelle]

It's black alley.

[John Holmer]

He's a black alley lounge thing.

[Michelle]

It's available. You can pre order it for 39.99.

[John Holmer]

Just sings. Sings in the back alleys. Black back alley lounge singer. Are there lounges in alleys now? I don't even.

[Michelle]

This might. You might relate to this. What was the concert you went to and your. You were worried about the smell? Oh, it was the ball game. The baseball game. You went to the baseball game and you were worried about if you smell.

[John Holmer]

Oh, if I stunk. Yeah. Just a week ago. Yeah. I thought you meant to smell like there was a gas leak, but no. If I smelled there was a body odor stink in the area, and I kept smelling myself. Like, is it me? But it wasn't.

[Michelle]

Haim is on tour. The band?

[John Holmer]

Yeah.

[Michelle]

And fans are reported. They reported rancid air that smelled throughout the country.

[John Holmer]

They're fans.

[Michelle]

Dallas.

[John Holmer]

Yeah.

[Michelle]

Austin, New York City, Seattle, Milwaukee. Now people are wondering if a serial farter is following them around on tour.

[John Holmer]

Okay. It just smells like somebody's crapped themselves. It's a Haim show. Have you seen those girls? Do they shave?

[Michelle]

No, I haven't. The series premiere of On Brand with Jimmy F. Tonight, I saw that. The other one is the Chad Powers. On who?

[John Holmer]

I don't think you can milk that. Like, there's a certain aspect of that. If you've ever seen the Eli Manning thing that he did, that was Chad Powers to start. It's very funny. And then to make it a show, Mayfield. He did that. Oh, did Baker do one? I didn't see that.

[Michelle]

It's really good.

[John Holmer]

I love the Eli Manning one, but he was.

[Michelle]

His last name was Swazi Swayze.

[John Holmer]

Oh, okay. Well, I've not seen that. But the one that they made the big hit out of is Ted Lasso. Because originally that was Ted Lasso was just a commercial of an American soccer coach didn't know anything about British soccer, and they made a Whole show out of it. So I think that they're kind of hoping that lightning strikes twice with Chad Powers because that was an Internet sensation, and I just don't think anybody would buy it. Like, the makeup's too over the top, you know, but they have to give it heart and have to make him constantly put. It's like Mrs. Doubtfire. How often can you put that face on perfectly and take it off without anybody seeing any of the problems? It just seems stretchy. We'll see.

[Michelle]

Maybe curious.

[John Holmer]

Yeah, It'll be interesting. I like that Glenn. What's his name Guy. I like him. I don't even know what he's been in, but he just seems likable. What has he been in?

[Michelle]

He was. Wasn't he in the Maverick Top Gun?

[John Holmer]

Oh, yeah, yeah, he was in that.

[Michelle]

He's been in a few things.

[John Holmer]

You're like, oh, yeah, you're this and you're. He's been in a ton of movies.

[Michelle]

Yeah.

[John Holmer]

All right, let's get the heck out of here, shall we? We're all done. Larry's not gonna dick around with the phones today. And we broke him for a reason. Maybe that's why they broke him. Breathe a sigh. Relief, boys. We're off. We're off the hook. Never doing that again. I didn't expect anyone to answer. That's why I thought the whole contest was easy.

[Michelle]

Thank God it was a maid.

[John Holmer]

Thank God it was an unemployed maid. Said no one ever usually that. Is that that ant in jeopardy? That would be to who on the west side did you just get pregnant? Oh, thank God it was an unemployed maid. That's it. We're done. Larry McFeely's coming up next. You guys have yourselves a great Tuesday. We'll see you tomorrow in the morning sickness. Hello, Arizona's most powerful rock radio station. He said fully erect.