Podcast Summary

Podcast: Holmberg's Morning Sickness – Arizona
Episode: 10-01-25 – Entertainment Drill – WED – Charlie Hunnam Plays Ed Gein In Netflix Movie And Visited His Grave Prompting Serial Killer Discussion
Date: October 1, 2025
Hosts: John Holmberg, Brady Bogen, Bret Vesely, Dick Toledo

Episode Overview

This episode of Holmberg’s Morning Sickness centers on an eclectic and lively discussion originating from the news that Charlie Hunnam is set to play the notorious serial killer Ed Gein in an upcoming Netflix movie. The team dives into discussions about method acting, the cultural impact of serial killers in media, debates over what it would take to endure WNBA games, and trends in entertainment (including the rise of AI actors). True to the show’s mix of irreverent banter and pop culture commentary, the conversation moves rapidly between humor, skepticism, and genuine fascination.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The WNBA Game Hypothetical (01:24–03:59, 14:09–16:58)

• Would the hosts attend a WNBA game?

  • Holmberg jokes about what it would take for someone to take him to a WNBA game, emphasizing the perceived boredom and low stakes of the event for him personally.
  • Memorable Quote:

    “I’d say 75. I’d go to a W… 75 grand, okay. And I’d be quiet about it… at 50 grand, I’d be biting my lip, going, I got to say something.” — John Holmberg (03:13)

• Debate over suffering through bad events for a date or for money:

  • The group wonders whether enduring a WNBA game is worse than sitting through a child’s recital for romantic motives, consensus being the recital is easier and even more fun as you can make fun of the other kids.
  • Memorable Exchange:

    “Clearly the daughter’s recital is the easiest thing to sit through.” — John Holmberg (14:06)
    “With a WNBA fan, you have to act like you like that game the whole time.” — John Holmberg (14:34)

  • Humorous aside about never being asked by a female WNBA fan on a date, and poking fun at how rare or "untenable" such a scenario is.

2. Charlie Hunnam as Ed Gein & Method Acting (07:36–08:44, 10:13–11:38, 13:26)

• News Item: Charlie Hunnam is playing Ed Gein in a Netflix movie and, for closure, visited Gein’s grave after filming.
• The hosts riff on how actors sometimes struggle to let go of dark characters, referencing other actors like Austin Butler staying "stuck" in an Elvis persona.
  • Memorable Quote:

    “That’s such actor bull. Nobody’s ever played Hitler and… still, two years later, [is] talking like Hitler… It’s tough to stop being Elvis. Real easy to stop being Ed Gein.” — John Holmberg (08:08)

• They reflect on the cultural transition in horror and crime media—from Dracula and Frankenstein to real-life serial killers like Gein, whose crimes inspired Psycho, Silence of the Lambs, and Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
• Hosts openly admit fascination with serial killers, particularly Ed Kemper.
  • Memorable Quotes:

    “Ed Kemper… you’d be friends with him. Absolutely. Thought he’s the seven-foot dude at the office… and that dude cut his mother’s vocal cords out because he was tired of hearing her talk.” — John Holmberg (11:09)

3. Entertainment News Round-Up (12:09–13:26)

• AI Actress – Tilly Norwood:

  • The team discusses SAG-AFTRA’s opposition to “Tilly Norwood,” an AI-generated actress with a $3 million contract.
  • Memorable Quote:

    “She’s going to be the future of acting. It’s weird. She’s doing interviews and acting and all this. This is the future of cinema… Don’t fight it. Figure out a way to make money by it.”— John Holmberg (12:39)

• Sentencing Update (mysterious figure):

  • Brief mention of an unnamed individual facing sentencing (possibly a current celebrity case), with debate over time served.

• Taylor Swift Record:

  • Taylor Swift has become the only female artist to sell 100 million albums, making her 6th best-selling artist ever, just behind The Beatles and Garth Brooks.
  • Notable Stat Drop:

    “She is now sixth of all time, behind the Beatles, 183 million; Garth Brooks, 162 million; Elvis, 146 million; Eagles, 120; Led Zeppelin, 112.” — Brady Bogen (13:38)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

The Comedy of Suffering (WNBA/Recital)

• “If you were trying to get a little… with a WNBA fan, you have to act like you like that game the whole time.” — John Holmberg (14:34)
• “Children’s recital is a lot easier to sit there than a WNBA game. A lot easier and a lot cheaper… and you get to make fun of the other kids.” — John Holmberg (16:03)

Dark Fascination with Criminals

• “We were addicted to the whole serial killer thing. Still kind of am. I’m fascinated by it because I can’t wrap my head around how a human brain goes there.” — John Holmberg (10:28)
• “Ed Kemper was smart, engaging, never showed any signs of lunacy… and that dude cut his mother’s vocal cords out because he was tired of hearing her talk.” — John Holmberg (11:09)

On AI Overtaking Acting

• “This is the future of cinema. Don’t fight it. Figure out a way to make money by it.” — John Holmberg (12:38)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• WNBA Game / Suffering for Money Discussion: 01:24–03:59; 14:09–16:58
• Entertainment/Serial Killer Fascination: 07:36–08:44; 10:13–11:38; 13:26
• AI Actress Controversy: 12:09–12:57
• Taylor Swift Record Milestone: 13:28–13:54

Tone & Style

The episode is irreverent, fast-paced, and blends dark humor with genuine curiosity about pop culture and criminal psychology. Holmberg leads the conversation, often taking the role of skeptic or provocateur, while the rest of the crew chimes in with their perspectives, hypothetical scenarios, and light teasing.

For listeners who missed this episode:
You’ll hear the team riff on pop culture news and laugh at each other’s expense, all while offering pointed and sometimes surprisingly deep takes on why certain subjects (like serial killers or bad sporting events) capture our cultural attention. The banter is sharp, sometimes absurd, and always rooted in the chemistry between the hosts.