Episode Overview
Theme:
This episode of Holmberg’s Morning Sickness revolves around pre-show chaos and the stress of event planning, segueing into a lively discussion about the recent scandals involving Sean “Diddy” Combs. The hosts (John Holmberg, Brady Bogen, with appearances by Dave Nash and others) dissect celebrity “infamy” parties (Diddy’s for Black celebrities, Epstein’s for white elites), current accusations, and the ripple effects these events have on people tangentially associated—especially on social media.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. After Dark Show & Prank on John (00:47–07:13)
- John details the logistical headaches leading up to the "After Dark" show. From canceled pre-parties (thanks to a more lucrative Christmas party steal) to last-minute band lineup changes, John juggles mounting stress.
- Band Drama:
- Drummer, Ryan, can't make it. John enlists "disgraced Dr. Jordan" (a friend, former doctor, now real estate agent and drummer). Bandmate Marty hints Jordan is unfit by using the code "boots in a dryer" (03:31), meaning: the drumming sounds terrible.
- John, anxious, considers faking a club ban on drums so as not to hurt Jordan’s feelings.
- The twist: it’s all a prank orchestrated by his bandmates. Every “cover up” text gets screenshotted and shared with Jordan.
- Memorable Quote:
- “[Boots in a dryer is] code for your drummer is horrible. It sounds like boots in a dryer.” —Brady (03:31)
- “Every text I sent of how I was gonna lie to Jordan was being screen capped and sent to Jordan. So instead, now Jordan knows that if I would never be honest with him in a time of peril, I would just lie to him…” —John (05:29)
2. Diddy Parties vs. Epstein Parties: The Racial, Social, and Celebrity Angle (08:03–21:07)
- Holmberg’s Theory:
- “Whites, elite whites have Jeffrey Epstein; Blacks have P. Diddy. […] It’s the same thing as far as if you were in a picture with them in the last 20 years, you’re in trouble.” —Brady (08:03)
- Media & Social Fallout:
- Photos and old tweets are resurfacing implicating celebrities at Diddy parties, echoing the fallout from being seen with Epstein.
- Marlon Wayans, noted for attending Diddy’s parties, faces online accusations regarding his sexuality and support of Diddy, partly fueled by an old tweet:
- “‘Been doing Diddy parties for 15 years…Ain’t no party like a Diddy party. Good times.’” —Brady quoting Wayans’ 2009 tweet (09:32)
- Documentary Drama:
- 50 Cent is producing an anti-Diddy documentary, accused of being a personal hit piece rather than balanced journalism.
- “Documentaries are all angled at whatever the producers want it to seem like. […] It’s a hit piece.” —Brady (11:07)
- Ripple Effect & Reactions:
- The hosts admit: given the chance, any of them (or their listeners) would have attended these legendary parties, ignorant of their infamous turn.
- “Let’s all be honest. You’re going to Epstein Island before you knew. You’re going to a Diddy party before you knew. In 2009, if you gave Brady and I two tickets to the Diddy party, we’re going for sure.” —Brady (15:32)
- On Social Hypocrisy:
- Hosts criticize people passing judgment in hindsight, noting how easy it is to feign moral superiority after the fact.
- “This pearl clutching…of what Marlon Wayans said in 2009… Pictures of everyone at a Diddy party are all of us if we were invited.” —Brady (16:49)
3. Notable Quotes & Comic Moments
- On “Diddy is Black Epstein”:
- “Diddy is Black Epstein. Black Epstein's a good band name.” —Brady (18:59)
- 50 Cent’s Petty Legacy:
- “50's level of pettiness is legendary now, from buying all the front row tickets to the Ja Rule concert so it was empty. And it's just great and entertaining.” —John (19:04)
- Comic Riff (Regis Philbin voice):
- The crew, channeling Regis, paints a parody of wild Diddy parties (drugs, food spreads, and awkward celebrity encounters), exaggerating the absurdity of such events. (16:18 onward)
4. Reflections on Celebrity Hindsight and Social Media
- Would You Have Gone? (21:07–24:51):
- Hosts openly debate: would anyone have said no to a Diddy or Epstein invitation, before their reputations crashed? They say no: “I don’t want to hear anybody in hindsight starts it. Dave Nash does that on the sports podcast—‘No, I wouldn’t have gone...’ That’s all in hindsight, you jackass. If money’s not important, why do you run a business?” —Brady (17:46)
- Confusion Over “Who Said What”:
- Series of running jokes about mixing up which Black comedian gave what take on Diddy’s parties: was it Marlon Wayans, Affion Crockett, Bill Bellamy, Ms. Pat…? (15:02, 24:44)
5. Other Tidbits & Side Notes
- Camelback Mountain Story (25:01–25:52):
- Brief aside about a man stuck atop Camelback Mountain, suspected of being suicidal for attention, leading John to quip about “being right again” regarding people’s motives.
Notable Moments with Timestamps
| Time | Segment / Quote | |---------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:31 | “Boots in a dryer is code for your drummer is horrible.” —Brady | | 05:29 | “Every text I sent [...] was being screen capped and sent to Jordan.” —John | | 08:03 | “Whites, elite whites have Jeffrey Epstein; blacks have P. Diddy. It's the same thing...” —Brady | | 09:32 | Quoting Marlon Wayans’ 2009 tweet about Diddy parties | | 11:07 | “Documentaries are all angled at whatever the producers want it to seem like. [...] It's a hit piece.” —Brady | | 15:32 | “Let’s all be honest. You’re going to Epstein Island before you knew. You’re going to a Diddy party before you knew."| | 16:49 | “This pearl clutching…pictures of everyone at a Diddy party are all of us if we were invited.” —Brady | | 18:59 | “Diddy is Black Epstein. Black Epstein's a good band name.” —Brady | | 19:04 | “50's level of pettiness is legendary now from buying all the front row tickets to the Ja Rule concert…” —John | | 21:07+ | “Even Brady would have gone to the Diddy party… You love celebrity stuff” —Brady | | 24:44 | “This guy said it was Bill Bellamy that told Brady...” —Brady | | 25:01 | Camelback mountain story; John’s take on strange local news |
Conclusion
This episode mixes event-planning chaos with banter about scandal contagion in celebrity culture. The hosts reflect with humor and cynicism on social judgments, media hit jobs, and the universal allure (and obliviousness) when presented with a ticket to the party of the year—no matter whose name is on the invite.
For listeners:
Tune in for event gossip, a dose of Arizona irreverence, sharp-tongued celebrity commentary, and trademark HMS comedy on the folly and fame of America’s most notorious parties.
