11-06-25 - Playdio Is Nearly Full w/Only A Few Slots Remaining - Details On John's Night Hosting The William Shatner Tour At Orpheum

Summary

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Holmberg's Morning Sickness – Arizona (11-06-25):

"Playdio Nearly Full & John's Night Hosting the William Shatner Tour at Orpheum"

Main Theme

This episode spotlights two central topics. First, the winding down of entries for Playdio, 98 KUPD’s annual local band showcase, with only a few slots left. The team discusses what to expect and the excitement (and dread) around the event. Second, John Holmberg shares inside details about his upcoming role hosting the "William Shatner Tour" at Phoenix's Orpheum Theater, with stories about Shatner and what fans can anticipate from the night.

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Key Topics & Discussion Points

1. Playdio: The Final Countdown

[01:13 - 05:20]

• Slots Almost Filled: Only five remaining; it's first come, first served for bands hoping to compete and have their shot at studio time and $2,000 cash.
• Entry Details: Bands must send recordings to D. Toledo ([e-mail]).
• Eligibility & Winners: As per tradition, bands must be able to perform live if they win:
  • John Holmberg: "If we do, there's no way we'll be able to perform." (04:17) [regarding some hopefuls]
  • The team jokes about hopefuls who overestimate their talent and notes some previous Playdio winners couldn’t live up to expectations in performance.
• AI Bands: Speculation about AI-generated band submissions makes the crew wonder how they’ll spot a fake and what happens if an AI "band" makes the finals:
  • Holmberg: "Will we get an AI band and will we know? Fair point." (03:48)
• Theme Song Tradition: The winner’s song becomes the show’s theme for the next year; there’s nostalgia for the outgoing theme by Miles to Nowhere, which listeners have grown attached to.
  • Crew: "People on email grown to love that." (02:34)
• On the Experience: The panel mixes excitement and wariness—Playdio week means listening to a lot of local music, and not all of it is good:
  • A: "By day two, we're all like…"
  • Holmberg: "By day two, we are a little bit, 'Is anybody talented?'" (04:58)
  • Holmberg: "I am a hate watcher. The worse it is, the better I feel." (04:50)

Notable Quotes:

• "Strap on the... This is no way to fill these last five slots." – John Holmberg (05:13)
• "They think they are [the good stuff], which makes it even better." – John Holmberg (05:20)

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2. Playdio Logistics & Legal Chatter

[02:34 - 03:48]

• FCC & Call Letters: Quick clarification on the station’s FCC license—though they broadcast from Phoenix, Tempe is their city of license, sparking a brief discussion about radio rules and possible infractions.
  • Holmberg: "Larry got all worried that we were breaking the law there... Tempe Phoenix, you know, I get in trouble for that later. But you will get in trouble for pushing that COVID vaccine on everybody." (03:14)
• Banter Around Logistics: They riff about the confusion with dual cities, showing the show’s irreverent tone.

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3. John's Upcoming William Shatner Event

[05:20 - 09:00]

• Event Overview: Next Thursday (13th), John Holmberg will moderate a William Shatner Q&A at the Orpheum after a screening of Wrath of Khan.
• Tickets: Available via Orpheum Theater's site; seats selling fast, especially balcony and front.
• Frank Caliendo Co-Hosting: Comic Frank Caliendo will join; John anticipates mostly sitting back and letting Shatner "run the show" with long, compelling stories:
  • Holmberg: "You ask him a couple of questions and he tells 20 minute stories about each question. I do nothing. I just sit and laugh, occasionally throwing a jab." (07:50)
• Shatner’s Legacy: Remarks on his longevity and ability to entertain—credits his runs on Twilight Zone, TV in the ’50s, Star Trek, and even his recent jaunt into space.
  • Holmberg: "He was on TV in the 50s. It's remarkable how long he’s been in this world doing what he’s doing." (06:18)
• Personal Stories: Holmberg reminisces about previous dinners and awkwardly trying to switch from "Mr. Shatner" to "Bill," teasing his goal to be on a first-name basis.
• Dining with Shatner: They plan to dine at the Orpheum with food delivered in, indulging in a bit of star treatment.

Notable Quote:

• "Trust me on this one. It is a night of entertainment. You will not be disappointed. It's awesome. It's the best. The best gig I'll ever get because it's... Do you want to hang out with William Shatner all night? Check that. Yes." – John Holmberg (07:20)

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4. The Orpheum Theater: A Hidden Gem

[09:00 - 09:30]

• Venue Praise: The team highlights the Orpheum as a beautiful yet rarely appreciated spot in downtown Phoenix:
  • Holmberg: "It is a crown jewel of downtown Phoenix that no one knows about." (09:12)
• Architecture & Design: Jokes about the lavish, flamboyant décor as a possible byproduct of 1920s gay design sensibility:
  • Holmberg: "It was designed in the 20s by 1920s homosexuals. There's no question in my mind." (09:30)
• Sound & Atmosphere: Emphasis on the venue’s excellent acoustics and atmosphere, urging locals to check it out.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "If we do, there's no way we'll be able to perform." – Panel on non-gig-ready entrants (04:17)
• "I am a hate watcher. The worse it is, the better I feel." – John Holmberg on enduring Playdio submissions (04:50)
• "Trust me on this one. It is a night of entertainment." – Holmberg inviting people to the Shatner event (07:20)
• "It is a crown jewel of downtown Phoenix that no one knows about." – Holmberg on the Orpheum Theater (09:12)
• "[The Orpheum] was designed in the 20s by 1920s homosexuals. There's no question in my mind." – Signature tongue-in-cheek humor from Holmberg (09:30)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Playdio Sign-Ups, Elation & Dread: 01:13 – 05:20
• FCC & Station Banter: 02:34 – 03:48
• AI Band Speculation: 03:48 – 04:17
• William Shatner Orpheum Event Details: 05:20 – 09:00
• Orpheum Theater Discussion: 09:00 – 09:30

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Tone & Style

The episode is lively, irreverent, and full of good-natured roast-like banter. Holmberg balances genuine enthusiasm for local music and celebrities with sardonic takes on the quirks of live radio and Arizona’s music scene. The crew’s camaraderie and playful sarcasm keep the conversation flowing and listeners engaged.

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Summary prepared for listeners who missed the episode or want to revisit the highlights of this fun, snarky, and informative show.

Transcript

[A]

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[B]

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[A]

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[C]

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[D]

Still streaming HB's Morning Sickness online at 98kupd.com Dale's going to come in and talk a little sports. Although something very weird going on in sports now I'm trying to trying to find out about, but Marshawn Nealon passing away is not cool. That's a tough year for the Cowboys. They're a disaster. That's a mess of a franchise. But this is not a good thing if what I'm reading is real and I don't want to go crazy reading what I'm reading. But evidently they're thinking maybe he killed someone with his car, took off, took off and then couldn't deal with what was about to happen to him and ended it nuts. Let's get some fun stuff. Palladio is right around the corner. That is literally, what, 19 days away? Oh, boy. Yeah, getting awfully darn close to Palladio. So Palladio will be here. For those of you who don't know local bands or just bands who have no following really, they're you're not famous yet. Are trying to get some time on the air and Win the Paleo contest. Winner of playdoh gets what, 2500 bucks? 2000. 2000. Yeah, we've dropped the price. $2,000 and some studio time. We're going to get involved in there and hopefully that's enough to get you over to the, you know, to go do our theme song for next year. I am going to be sad that Miles to Nowhere is not doing our theme song.

[E]

People on email grown to love that.

[D]

Theme song and we'll have a new one starting in January and it'll be decided the week of Thanksgiving on the show when we play nothing but your music for two days. There are five slots still available. It's first come, first served. So you guys can drop off your stuff and get that together and just be ready to go for Platio 2025/6. Larry, here is your answer. Oh, but what Tempe is the city of license. Doesn't matter where the studio is located. FCC rules state call letters followed by city of license. Okay, so Tempe Phoenix is where we have. Larry got all worried that we were breaking the law there. I'm wrong.

[E]

So are we holding two licenses then? Because we say two cities?

[D]

No, Phoenix is where the tower. Phoenix is where. Where we broadcast now. Yeah. So we come out of the tower off the mountain and Tempe is where the license is because we got worried there for a. We're not in Tempe anymore. Are we going to get in trouble? Tempe Phoenix, you know, I get in trouble for that later. But you will get in trouble for pushing that COVID vaccine on everybody. Anyway, get involved in Palladio, Hop in this thing, get your band together, get a nice recording to D. [e-mail] Correct?

[A]

Correct.

[D]

And people have figured that out somehow over the years. And if with five slots remaining, some of you guys are going to get in this thing last second. Now, Brett brought up an interesting point a little bit ago. Oh, AI is going to play a part in this this year. Will we get an AI band and will we know? Fair point. It's a very fair point. And then when we ask them to show up live jokes on us, they won't be there. And that's fine. They can't win.

[A]

But we've had a couple that couldn't perform like they did it. And like I'm a one man band, I can't do it, you know.

[E]

Well, I don't want to spoil it, but there is, there is a band of two people that said that we both worked office Jobs. There's no way. I'm not thinking that we'll make it, but if we do, there's no way we'll be able to perform.

[D]

Well, then you can't win because that's part of it. But we'll still get it together. Palladio, right around the corner. Very excited about who wins this year and who we have to spend next year with every single morning until the next show. I know. Brutal.

[A]

Two days.

[D]

It's always, man. See, I don't look at it that way. Got a more positive. No, love it.

[A]

You're lying.

[D]

Not lying. I find the. I am a hate watcher. The worse it is, the better I feel.

[A]

By day two, we're all like.

[D]

By day two, we are a little bit. Is anybody talented? Yeah, but still little. Bottom line, I enjoy it because people are putting their best foot forward and they're trying. You know, some of them shouldn't try. I agree.

[A]

Just burn their instruments.

[D]

But strap on the. This is no way to fill these last five slots.

[E]

And Brett, you are.

[A]

Bring the good stuff.

[D]

I'm with you on that. But they think they are, which makes it even better. We'll find out what we have with Plato this year. Spreads already angry. We got 20 days. Also next week. There's still some tickets available for the thing I'm doing with William Shatner next Thursday. That's next Thursday. It's a week. Is it the 13th?

[E]

13Th.

[D]

It's the 13th. So it's next Thursday and that's going to be a blast. William Shatner comes to town, he shows the Wrath of Khan and then everybody watches the movie. And then afterwards, Q and A with. I'm moderating it with Frank Caliendo this year, who just wants to be out there and hang out with William Shatner and we ask him some questions, he tells these stories. They're magnificent stories. And it only lasts about an hour. So next Thursday, from 7 until 10 o', clock, we'll have William Shatner on stage. And you can still get tickets for that at the Orpheum Theater.

[A]

Yes.

[D]

And you go to Orpheum Theater events and things like that.

[E]

Google or Freedom Theater, Phoenix and yeah, find Tempe Phoenix.

[D]

Google that and get that together. I'm telling you, even if you're not a huge William Shatner fan, watching this guy with his history, I mean, this guy was in the original Twilight Zone. He was in. He was on TV in the 50s. I mean, it's remarkable how long he has been in this world doing what he's doing. And how many different iterations of William Shatner there have been and how much stuff he's done. Just last year he shot off into space for real on the Blue Origin, remember? I mean, the guy has got stories, and so he comes loaded for me. And he's 94 years old and he's got more energy than anybody I know. It is crazy.

[E]

The other. Go to his website, William Shatner Tour.com.

[D]

Yeah, and my goal with this is to, by the end of the night, say the words without being corrected. Thanks a lot, Bill. That's it. I just want to be on the Bill page because right now he's Mr. Shatner. And last time he said, call me Bill, and I'm like, all right, but I can't. I have to call you Mr. Shatner. I don't understand why. I think we're friends now. Aren't we friends? I want to be with you. No, no, no. I'm gonna leave now. And he gave me some sound advice about, like, mattresses and life and all this other stuff while he ate in front of me and never offered any of it. We're having dinner with him this year. I'm gonna have dinner with you. We did get to share dinner last time. I'd like Rah rah this time. No, we're gonna do it at the Orpheum. It's gonna be brought in. He won't go out. So we're gonna have dinner delivered from wherever we want, which is the cool thing. So maybe Rah Rah room will do it, but then we get to do that. So that's next Thursday, Bill. William Shatner will be on stage with me and Frank Caliendo. After you watch Rathicon. Trust me on this one. It is a night of entertainment. You will not be disappointed. It's awesome. It's the best. The best gig I'll ever get because it's. Do you want to hang out with William Shatner all night? Check that. Yes. And then you get to host this thing he does for an hour. And I'm like, oh, okay, what are my responsibilities? You ask him a couple of questions and he tells 20 minute stories about each question. I don't do anything. I just sit and laugh, occasionally throwing a jab. And now Caliento's gonna be up there. I'm just getting a great seat to the William Shatner show. I get to sit next to him. Well, you're nothing more than a crowd member. Do something. And I will. It's gonna be great. So get your tickets to that too. That's gonna be a blast. So just a little housekeeping here as we clean up. It is silly. Well, they're the outside seats. Are they? Last time it was the same thing. The middle was all gone. Most of the front was gone. And then the back is all sold. The balcony is sold out. Holy smokes. Thing is packed up, so there's some seats left. Highly recommend you get involved in this. And if you're just. If you're. Huh?

[A]

I've never been to the orphan.

[D]

You haven't? You should go. It's pretty neat. It's that. You know what's sad about that?

[E]

You saw nothing more, or.

[D]

No, no, I've only seen comedy shows. And the Shatner thing at the Orpheum. Oh, actually, no. That was it. That was all I've seen There it is a crown jewel of downtown Phoenix that no one knows about.

[A]

Kind of hidden too. I mean, like, you know, I know it's right there on the street, but it's not on, like, Washington.

[D]

And the sign is kind of quiet.

[A]

Yeah.

[D]

And the theater is beautiful. It was designed in the 20s by 1920s homosexuals. There's no question in my mind. Curtains, paintings on the wall are all, like, flamboyant crazy. I didn't even know they had gays in the desert in the 1920s that weren't in Egypt. They were here. Figured the Cowboys in the 1920s wouldn't have tolerated that, but they designed this thing and it is stunning and the sound's amazing and it's just. It's a great place. So when you get there, you'll see this. And the Shatner thing is going to be a blast. We got that going. So get it all ready, get your tickets and we'll see you there. That's it. It's 9 o'. Clock. Your word for 9 o'. Clock. Gotta lick my finger. Whale. Whale. Like the mammal, not like the screaming whale. W H A L e. That's your 9 o' clock code word to take it in the app. That's it. Dale, Hell Street's gonna join us in just a little bit. We'll talk some sports. And a weird sports day. It's 98, Arizona's most powerful rock radio station. He said.

[B]

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