Podcast Summary: Holmberg's Morning Sickness – Entertainment Drill THU w/ Dale Hellestrae

Episode Date: October 9, 2025
Main Theme:
A snappy morning show episode centering on celebrity culture, tipping stories, and a humorous yet heartfelt update on Dolly Parton's health—all delivered in the naturally teasing, irreverent banter of John Holmberg, Dale Hellestrae, and their crew.

Episode Overview

This edition of the Entertainment Drill brings together John Holmberg, Dale Hellestrae, Chris, and others for a classic roundtable of laughs and celebrity tales. The episode’s highlights include an insider discussion about celebrities and tipping etiquette, ribbing between Dale and John about their personal lives and golf games, and a recurring update on Dolly Parton’s well-being, spun with hallmark sarcasm and affection.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Host Banter & Golf Course Comedy [00:41–03:20]

• John and Dale kick off with their usual friendly antagonism, recalling playful banter during golf—often at Dale's expense.
• Memorable moment: John jokes about Dale’s son-in-law, Scott, having seen Dale’s daughter naked more than Dale has, using this irreverent material to psych Dale out during his golf shots.
  • Quote: “Hey Dale, do you ever think of the fact that Scott...he's your daughter naked more than you do?” – John [02:44]
  • Dale’s Response: “That is a little bit far. Too far. Funny, but it is far.” [03:03]

2. Celebrity Tipping Stories [04:23–07:28]

• Buzzfeed’s annual celebrity tipping survey is discussed, prompting stories about generous and stingy stars.
  • Elvis Presley: Was famous for massive tips, leaving a $5,000 gratuity, which John converts to “like $25,000” by today’s standards [05:00].
  • Bruce Willis: Known for tipping $100 per drink—“friendly, low maintenance.” [05:16]
  • Jennifer Lopez: Reportedly rude and never tips a penny according to multiple servers [05:38].
  • Scotty Pippen: Nicknamed “No Tippin' Pippin” for his notorious stinginess [06:52].
  • Charles Barkley: Appreciated for his generous tipping, sometimes compensating even for accidentally destructive nights.
    • Quote: “Barclay used to hand money out like crazy...even that night he left a nice tip.” – John [07:04]

3. Dolly Parton Health Update [07:28–11:27]

• Dale shares an update to dispel rumors swirling about Dolly Parton’s alleged serious illness.
  • Dolly, 79, appeared in a video looking healthy, assuring fans she’s “not dying” regardless of what her sister Frida has implied.
  • John and Dale riff on the colorful ‘hill people’ culture in which Dolly was raised, playfully exaggerating their “wizard and home remedy” solutions.
    • Quote: “She's down in the holler. We've rubbed all sorts of lizard guts all over and now we need help from wizards.” – John [08:06]
  • John proposes Dolly’s famous assets, specifically her breast implants, belong in the Smithsonian after she passes, as a symbol of Americana.
    • Quote: “Do you agree with me that her breast implants when she dies needs to be in the Smithsonian? She's part of Americana. That's what she leads with.” – John [09:18]
    • Dale agrees: “Well, they are what she's known for...she's used them to her advantage.” [09:30]
  • The discussion closes with a salute to “old, old country” music’s hard-living history compared to today’s pop-country.
    • Quote: “I like George Jones that he may finish the song or shoot a band member. That was when country was fun. That was when country was rock and roll.” – John [09:48]

4. Reflections on Family, Faith, and Mortality [11:27–11:43]

• The hosts riff further on the “prayer request” culture, with a tongue-in-cheek view on calls for heavenly intervention.
  • Dale and John admit they probably wouldn’t be the first to request prayers for each other.
  • Quote: “You wouldn't pray for me, Dale?” “No.” “The sky wizard wouldn't help me.” “No.” – [11:35–11:40]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “It was awesome. So every time Dale had an important shot, I'd be like, Scott, let me smell your fingers.” – John [03:03]
• “Bruce Willis was another good one. So he tipped me 100 bucks for every drink I served him.” – Chris [05:14]
• “That was the place. I think [Barkley] ended up throwing somebody through a window. But even that night, he left a nice tip.” – John [07:12]
• “Dolly post a video from the set of an upcoming Granole Opry commercial...I want to put everybody's mind at ease. John, you can sleep well tonight. And I appreciate your prayers because I'm a person of faith.” – Dale impersonating Dolly/relating the update [08:34]
• “Do you agree with me that her breast implants when she dies, needs to be in the Smithsonian?” – John [09:18]
• “That's when country was fun. That was when country was rock and roll.” – John [09:48]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Friendly Banter/Golf Jokes: 00:41–03:20
• Celebrity Tipping Stories: 04:23–07:28
• Dolly Parton Health/Smithsonian Discussion: 07:28–11:27
• Family, Faith, and Prayer Sarcasm: 11:27–11:43

Tone & Conclusion

The show’s trademark is its raw, irreverent, but affectionate camaraderie. Jokes push boundaries but maintain light-heartedness, particularly in their doling out of celebrity gossip, mockery of superstition, and the back-and-forth about family. Listeners get genuine entertainment news—filtered through sarcasm and local flavor—with returning reminders why the hosts and their rapport continue to make “Morning Sickness” Arizona’s favorite morning show.

For fans and newcomers alike, this episode offers a blend of nostalgic celebrity lore, ribald humor, and a little slice of American cultural absurdity: all in less than 15 minutes.