Last Podcast On The Left: Side Stories — Funk Files w/ George Clinton & Danny Bedrosian
Release Date: April 8, 2026
Hosts: Henry Zebrowski & Ed Larson
Guests: George Clinton, Danny Bedrosian
Main Theme:
A journey through recent weird news, dark humor, and an exclusive conversation with funk legend George Clinton and longtime P-Funk collaborator Danny Bedrosian. The gang revels in the intersections of aliens, Afrofuturism, conspiracy, pop culture, and funk while riffing on current events and recent absurd headlines.
EPISODE STRUCTURE & KEY SEGMENTS
1. Cold Open & Artemis 2 Moon Mission Discussion (00:50–14:51)
Main Points:
- Hosts riff on the Artemis 2 moon mission and the spectacle of watching it live, with plenty of signature humor about astronauts dealing with bodily functions.
- They joke about the reality of astronauts seeing historic lunar images while sitting in soiled diapers due to failed bathrooms aboard the capsule.
- Quote (Henry, 04:53): "It is the most symbolic moment about humankind that I can possibly think of is just sitting in your poop and your pee in a capsule."
- Humorous asides about late-night TV, especially Byron Allen’s Comics Unleashed taking the Colbert time slot—satire on late-night talk show culture.
- Nostalgia and disillusionment with space travel: as children of the 80s/90s, they expected flying cars and lunar resorts by now, not just another blurry moon loop.
- Quote (Henry, 11:24): "We were sold a bill of goods that we were gonna have flying cars... vacationing on the moon. And now it's just like, 'we're making a big fanfare again in the year of our Lord 2026.'"
Notable Quotes & Moments:
- [02:33] On lunar craters named after loved ones: "Oh, so I'm just a dark hole in a place that no one will ever see again."
- [07:55] TV nostalgia: "You had the Tonight Show. You had the second slot. Then you had the Carson D. Daly Show."
- [10:01] "I can't believe going back to the moon in the middle of it happening."
2. Remembering Nick Pope (12:22–14:51)
Main Points:
- Nick Pope, famed British UFO investigator and former guest, has passed away.
- Hosts fondly reminisce about drinks and conversations with Pope at Contact in the Desert, noting the diversity—and eccentricity—of UFO researchers.
- Quote (Ed, 12:45): "Not everyone that you’ve ever met, because that means you're serial."
- Toasting Pope for his role as a 'delight' in their community.
3. Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein Updates, and Political Satire (16:10–26:56)
Main Points:
- Maxwell’s "nothing burger" revelation: She threatens to name 25 powerful men connected to Epstein, but hosts are skeptical of her motives and the impact.
- Quote (Henry, 17:04): "Even if she's telling the truth, they're not going to believe her. It doesn't matter."
- Satirical discussion on Trump, the Iran war, distraction politics, and the cyclical nature of public scandals.
- They question media coverage that refers to Ghislaine as a "pimp" and riff on the shifting meaning of the word "pimp" culturally.
- DNA links Ted Bundy to another 1970s victim; the hosts discuss the underreported reality of “higher numbers” among serial killers.
Notable Quotes:
- [18:27] “The only purpose of the war is for him to do something in order... like winning wars and running wars. This is the only thing that he has ever wanted to do.” (Henry)
- [22:21] "She's a human trafficker. That is somebody finally saying the words to what she is." (Henry)
- [26:12] "Women are getting murdered by the dozen, like, a lot... and a lot of, like, sex workers were, like, murdered by the dozen from the 60s through the early 90s to now." (Henry)
4. Pig Semen Eye Drops and Science Weirdness (27:30–33:10)
Main Points:
- Scientists develop a novel method of delivering eye cancer medication using pig semen extract—prompting a mix of scientific curiosity and gross-out humor.
- Quote (Henry, 29:13): "So in order to fix this stuff, we have to let these pigs come in our faces?"
- Explains the biological basis (exosomes in pig semen help drugs penetrate physiological barriers), but leans into comedic side tangents.
- Ed wonders about exporting pig semen as a resource; hosts play up the absurdity of “lower income, higher pig cum nations.”
Notable Moments:
- [32:08] "So pigs have to ejaculate all over the faces of children to keep them from going blind." (Henry)
5. Segment: “Men Get in Trouble” — Absurd Crime Stories (33:13–47:01)
Case 1: New Jersey Man Assaults the Easter Bunny (33:51–39:17)
- A drunken New Jersey man gropes a mall’s female Easter Bunny, leading to his arrest.
- Hosts riff on the gender of the Easter Bunny, furries, and memories from their own families and holiday traditions.
- Quote (Henry, 37:05): "As we all know with bunnies, that's not where you check."
Case 2: Tennessee School Board Member Makes Creepily Out-of-Touch Comment (39:55–47:01)
- School board member Keith Irvin, during a livestream, calls a high schooler "hot" and puts his arm around her.
- Hosts lampoon his excuses, discuss the absurd lengths old-school figures will go to defend bad behavior, and argue it’s time for a generational shift in public roles.
- Quote (Henry, 41:34): "You are the hottest child I've ever seen with these questions."
- They transition into a broader discussion about the dangers of social stagnation and the need for fresh perspectives in leadership roles.
- Quote (Henry, 44:04): "He's telling you he shouldn't have this job anymore… and that’s OK!"
6. Alien Hybrids, Government Misinformation & Matt Gaetz (47:01–53:17)
Main Points:
- Satirical segment on Rep. Matt Gaetz being briefed about alleged "alien hybrid" breeding programs (supposedly migrants bred with aliens)—hosts suggest this is clear misinformation, disinfo doled out to the least trustworthy politicians.
- Quote (Henry, 49:57): “If you’re briefing Matt Gaetz, you’re lying to him. I think that is literally what's happening.”
- Parody of the wild swirl of conspiracy, government secrecy, political posturing, and sci-fi fantasy in American public discourse.
7. FEATURE INTERVIEW: George Clinton & Danny Bedrosian on Funk, Aliens, and Afrofuturism (53:34–80:54)
Key Topics & Insights:
- Returning of the Mothership: Clinton announces the Mothership will debut anew at the Essence Festival, tying funk to sci-fi spectacle.
- Quote (George Clinton, 57:18): "We bring him. I'm telling this is the time for the aliens to come back. The Anunnaki is on their way."
- Personal UFO Sighting: Clinton recounts a detailed UFO/strange encounter he and Bootsy Collins had near Toronto—describe a mysterious globular light hitting their car, reminiscent of mercury. The incident so shook them they didn’t speak of it for years.
- [60:08] "We saw it coming straight down... hit the car... It was like mercury in a thermometer... it hit the car and rolled off the car and beads."
- The incident left Clinton and Collins speechless for years due to its reality, especially since they were stone-cold sober after crossing the border.
- Conspiracies, Music Industry, Behold a Pale Horse: Clinton describes receiving the pre-publication manuscript for William Cooper’s infamous conspiracy theory book. He distributed copies to Prince and Warner Bros., and sees connections between the industry, government agents, and the band’s trajectory.
- [64:02] "I printed up a million—gave to everybody, Prince, everybody had it. And when the book came out… it was the same book. I thought I had found Holy Grail."
- On U.S. Government, Propaganda & Hidden Agendas: Clinton suspects—without paranoia—that agencies tried to use P Funk the way they used jazz musicians (see: soundtrack of a coup d'etat) for covert government campaigns.
- [65:27] "I believe all that kind of control—agencies and everything—have parts in those things that you don't… even have knowledge of."
- He describes avoiding being a "face for some propaganda," always keeping a skeptical awareness, and giving fans questions, not dogma.
- On Afrofuturism: The concept is woven throughout funk music; Clinton sees musical and cultural roots in Africa as a through-line for human civilization, music, and cosmic consciousness.
- [73:27] "All of humanity is connected to Africa. Whatever that vibration is, that's the beginning of everything we do."
- Predictions for 2050: Clinton forecasts planetary dominance, new energy from the sun, living and dating off-world, and entering “Star Trek country” within 24 years.
- [70:34] "We'll be off the planet. People will be dating robots. 24 years from now, you're going to be deep in Star Trek country."
- Sun Ra, Psychedelia, and Longevity: Talks about running parallel to Sun Ra, being part of multiple musical revolutions in America, and the cyclical nature of history and culture.
- Personal Philosophy: Now 85, Clinton is grateful, stays grounded by self-awareness and humor.
- [75:39] "I'm having a good time... glad to be at the party at 85."
- On Holograms & Legacy: Already has a hologram in production since 2013; open to his digital afterlife but jokes he "wouldn't give a fuck" after death.
Notable Quotes:
- [57:26] — George Clinton: "The Anunnaki is on their way."
- [58:02] — "Magic and science are coming to that crossroad again, with whether you want to call them demons or aliens or entities."
- [64:11] — "Now I realize that had a lot to do with me having to go sit down in the industry... a lot of information."
- [75:02] — "I'm 85 years old now. I smoke a joint. I don't know nothing deep. I just—that's just the way I feel about it."
8. Episode Wrap-Up: Memories, Music, and Tour Announcements (80:54–end)
Main Points:
- Hosts reminisce about Tallahassee parties featuring members of P-Funk and Danny Bedrosian, including exclusive behind-the-scenes stories and their personal connections to funk history.
- Correction on female novelty musical acts: debate the difference between comedy songs, parody, and novelty songs, referencing acts like Garfunkel and Oates (85:17).
- Ed recommends the Billy Preston documentary, “Billy Preston: That’s the Way God Planned It,” lauding it as moving and informative.
- Personal plugs: Neon Genesis Evangelion, upcoming side stories live shows in Alaska, Kentucky, and Portland, plus Ed’s MC gig at the P-Funk Fest in Tallahassee.
Notable Quotes:
- [91:05] Ed: "Go out there, free your mind. Your ass will follow."
- [91:21] "Oh, hail Danny Bedrosian and George Clinton of P Funk history. I love you bastards."
Summary Takeaways
- Humor Meets Cultural Commentary: The hosts blend their trademark irreverence with genuine curiosity—cheeky but thoughtful, especially around science, weird news, and the intersection of pop/funk culture with politics and Afrofuturism.
- Funk Meets Fringes: The George Clinton & Danny Bedrosian interview stands out as a rare, sincere, and insightful take on the legacy of funk, UFOs, conspiracy culture, African roots in music, and the journey of an artist through many revolutions.
- Memorable, Quotable, Weird: From pig semen eye drops to moon craters named after spouses, to being “so hot at answering questions,” the episode is dizzy with unusual facts, creative asides, and playful banter.
RECOMMENDED SEGMENTS & TIMESTAMPS
- Artemis 2 Moon & Astronaut Humor — 00:50–05:53
- Byron Allen, TV Late-Night Satire — 06:01–08:55
- Tribute to Nick Pope (UFO community) — 12:22–14:51
- Ghislaine Maxwell/Epstein Satire — 16:10–22:24
- Science Weirdness: Pig Semen Eye Drops — 27:30–33:10
- Men Get in Trouble: Easter Bunny Assault — 33:51–39:17
- Tennessee School Board 'Hot' Commmentary — 39:55–47:01
- Alien Hybrids/Matt Gaetz Satire — 47:01–53:17
- George Clinton & Danny Bedrosian Interview (MUST-LISTEN) — 53:34–80:54
- Closing Stories, Recommendations & Upcoming Shows — 80:54–end
MEMORABLE QUOTES (Speaker Attribution & Timestamp)
- Henry Zebrowski (04:53): “It is the most symbolic moment about humankind that I can possibly think of is just sitting in your poop and your pee in a capsule.”
- Ed Larson (22:21): “She’s a human trafficker. That is somebody finally saying the words to what she is.”
- George Clinton (57:18): "We bring him. I'm telling this is the time for the aliens to come back. The Anunnaki is on their way."
- George Clinton (60:08): "It was like mercury in a thermometer... it hit the car and rolled off the car and beads."
- George Clinton (64:11): "Now I realize that had a lot to do with me having to go sit down in the industry... a lot of information."
- George Clinton (70:34): "We'll be off the planet. People will be dating robots. 24 years from now, you're going to be deep in Star Trek country."
- George Clinton (75:02): "I'm 85 years old now. I smoke a joint. I don't know nothing deep. I just—that's just the way I feel about it."
- Ed Larson (91:05): "Go out there, free your mind. Your ass will follow."
Original Tone & Energy
- Playful, sardonic, and skeptical: Never taking themselves too seriously, the hosts swing between darkly comic news riffing and authentic awe at their interview subject.
- Irreverent but thoughtful: In both banter and interviews, a genuine, wide-eyed curiosity shines through the jokes. This is an episode for fans of both the weird and the musically legendary.
RECOMMENDATION:
If you only have time for one segment, don’t miss the George Clinton & Danny Bedrosian interview ([53:34–80:54]). It’s a rare mix of funk history, alien lore, conspiracies, and humble wisdom straight from Dr. Funkenstein himself.
Listen for:
- Wild news, obscure science, and absurd crime
- Deep-cut cultural commentary on Afrofuturism and funk
- An unforgettable conversation bridging three generations of weird, wild, and wonderful
Skip:
- Ads, show plugs, and recurring in-jokes if you're short on time
Full episode available via Last Podcast Network. Go funk yourself and stay curious!
