MBMBaM Episode 809: Lesser Luigi Model

Date: April 13, 2026
Hosts: Justin, Travis, and Griffin McElroy

Episode Overview

This week’s episode is a classic McElroy blend of pop culture riffing, semi-sincere advice, deep dives into weird fast food PR, and passionate (if somewhat unhinged) discussion about Mario movies. The brothers explore the landscape of animated video game movies, mascots both official and unofficial, and tackle pressing questions like, “Is it disrespectful to eat your lunch in a cemetery?” and “What even is a ‘Saucy by KFC Drips by Pepsi’ crafted beverage?”

Tone: Loosely structured, high-energy, irreverent, and frequently veering into extended comedic riffing.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, Chris Pratt, and Voice Acting

[01:34–14:13]

• Mario Fever and Waluigi Rumors

  • Griffin confesses he’s got “Mario Galaxy Fever,” noting the movie's unstoppable box office ([01:34]) and spreading an untrue rumor (via Google AI hallucination) that Wario and Waluigi appear in the post-credits scene—only to find out they don’t ([02:06]).
  • Hilariously rails against AI’s inability to distinguish “wishes and dreams” from facts:
    • Quote: “It doesn’t understand, like, wishes and dreams. It doesn’t understand aspirations.”
      —Griffin ([02:37])

• What is “LLM”? (Lesser Luigi Model)

  • Justin coins the term “lesser Luigi model” as a jab at large language models, riffing on AI’s misinterpretation of Mario lore ([02:59]).

• Wario & Waluigi’s Relationship

  • A running joke: are they brothers, business partners, married, or all of the above? ([03:08])

• Chris Pratt as Mario: Unforgiven

  • Justin reveals ongoing bitterness over Chris Pratt’s Mario:
    • Quote: “I still hate that he is Mario.”
      —Justin ([03:53])
  • Travis relates a TikTok clip where Chris Pratt’s Yoshi impression is just him saying “Yoshi,” critiquing Pratt’s entire approach to voice acting ([04:47]).

• Is it possible to do Mario without the accent?

  • Griffin briefly attempts a defense of Pratt:
    • Quote: “Show me the voice actor... not so fast, you can’t do it Italian at all.”
      —Griffin ([05:43])
  • Justin immediately pushes back:
    • “It might be nice to ask an Italian person.” ([06:03])
    • Suggests many actual voice actors (Matt Mercer, Francesca) would do better.

• Ben Schwartz as Sonic vs. Chris Pratt as Mario

  • Travis brings up how Ben Schwartz brought something unique to Sonic unlike Chris Pratt’s Mario, and that range doesn't make up for a lack of “aim”:
    • Quote: “Chris Pratt has range but no aim. He can fire arrows wildly in any direction.”
      —Travis ([10:08])

• Casting Fantasies: Garland of Celebrity Voices

  • Jokes about Luis Guzmán as Wart, Danny Trejo as Waluigi, Idris Elba as Wario—marveling at when voice actors can truly “own” and elevate a character like Elba did with Knuckles ([13:05]).

• Movie Fatigue

  • Justin, exhausted by the film, actually found himself wishing the line at the concession stand for cheese was longer so he could delay his return ([13:49]).

Mascots: DIY Fandom and Security Nightmares

[15:11–23:08]

• Advice Question: “How do I offer to make my local ice hockey team a mascot?”

  • Griffin recounts the legend of Towel Man at St. Louis Blues hockey games, a fan-turned-institution who was never officially hired, showing how sometimes “asking forgiveness is easier than permission.”
    • Quote: “He just started fucking doing that. And then he’s been an institution... people love Towel Man.”
      —Griffin ([17:14])

• Unauthorized Mascots: Friend or Foe?

  • The team debates how arena security might deal with a DIY mascot, wondering how you’d sneak pieces of a costume into a game ([18:38]).
  • Illustrates the increasing “nastiness” of mascots—“Are you gonna be chill, like Gritty, or unchill, like the Raptors mascot who just devours people?” ([19:33])

• Mascot Travel and Lore

  • Griffin argues it’s “bullshit” that mascots only perform at home games—shouldn’t they travel with the team, too?
  • Travis insists mascots should stay in character the whole trip:
    • Quote: “If I’m on the bus, I don’t want to see Jeremy. I want to see Louie.”
      —Travis ([21:29])

• Mascot Innovation: The Zampopi

  • Suggestions for traveling mascots in their own “Pope mobile,” maybe a protective Zamboni ([21:53]).

• The Rise of Gritty and the Philly Fanatic

  • Celebratory riffing on the creation of Gritty, praising the designer’s vision and the gritty, “sleep paralysis demon” energy that’s become beloved:
    • Quote: “He’s a dirtbag and he’s insane...he’s barely even aware that we’re playing hockey.”
      —Justin ([22:41])
  • The designer should be “protected from themselves.” ([24:26])

Advice Segment: Eating Lunch in a Cemetery

[24:29–31:30]

• Is it ok to eat lunch in your car, in a cemetery?

  • The brothers debate appropriate cemetery etiquette, with Griffin joking anyone doing this looks like a detective “staking out” a crime family ([25:20]).
  • Travis imagines it’s a goth type chowing down a hoagie.

• Saddest Lunches

  • Justin shares his own story of eating a bunless roast beef at Arby’s in a mall:
    • Quote: “I don’t think there could be a more depressing lunch than this. But ...eating a hoagie in the shade of an oak tree at a cemetery may be more depressing.”
      —Justin ([26:18])

• Are There Too Many Bones in Cemeteries?

  • Griffin gets (slightly) unnerved by “just how many bones are close by” ([29:07]).
  • Travis counters: “Bones are everywhere, man.”

• “Bones Per Capita”

  • Griffin coins “BPC” as a metric for discomfort ([29:26]).

• Cemetery Etiquette

  • Consensus: It’s not disrespectful as long as you’re quiet and contained, don’t make Tasmanian-Devil-like noises, and don’t “fling lettuce all over the place” ([30:31]).

Munch Squad: The Wild World of Fast Food PR

[38:00–51:09]

“Saucy by KFC” and “Drips by Pepsi”

• Justin introduces a truly baffling fast-food venture:

  • Quote: “Saucy by KFC introduces drips by Pepsi crafted beverages across all locations.”
    —Justin ([38:25])
  • Reacts to a sentence almost entirely composed of brand names ([38:39]).
  • The brothers break down the nonsense of “crafted beverages” and rib the phrase "flavor forward" appearing repeatedly in press materials.

• Menu highlights:

  • Pepsi Zero Sugar Salted Caramel Fizz
  • Mountain Dew Chili Chill (w/jalapeño and Tajin garnish)
  • Groans at the idea of putting jalapeño in soft drinks ([41:06]).

• Brand Synergy Satire

  • “Saucy soirees” in Florida will allegedly feature:
    • A live DJ, a “sauce sommelier,” guided sauce tastings, and giveaways ([44:41]).
  • Travis predicts the need for a “recovery tent” or “IV drip” after these flavor-forward experiences ([45:14]).

Burger King Slider’s Box

• BK is testing a box of six unusually small (possibly just shrunken regular) hamburgers.
  • Visual confusion over the box’s sizes, scale, and Burger King’s insistence on “no tough choices”:
    • Quote: “If you’re at Burger King and you’re looking at the menu and you think, boy, this is tough. You need some tougher things.”
      —Justin ([48:32])
  • Six burgers in a box is deemed both disastrous and potentially life-changing.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “They could have Waluigi get up on the screen and take a shit in a toilet for an hour and a half and we’re talking about 250 million opening weekend.” —Griffin ([01:37])
• “Chris Pratt has range but no aim. So he can fire arrows wildly in any direction.” —Travis ([10:08])
• “He just started fucking doing that. And then he’s been an institution... people love Towel Man.” —Griffin ([17:14])
• “I do think that mascots have gotten nastier in the last decade... are you gonna be chill, like Gritty, or unchill?” —Griffin ([19:33])
• “Saucy is the perfect partner to debut these beverages and deliver a flavorful, share-worthy experience.” —Justin reading a press release ([41:28])
• “If you’re at Burger King and you’re looking at the menu and you think, boy, this is tough. You need some tougher things.” —Justin ([48:32])
• “I’m different now.” —Griffin, after the idea of eating six sliders ([49:23])
• “He threw all the brownies individually.” —Griffin ([54:13])

Timestamps for Major Segments

• [01:34] Mario Movie fever and Chris Pratt voice acting discourse
• [15:11] Mascot creation & Towel Man lore
• [24:29] Cemetery lunch question (advice segment)
• [38:00] Munch Squad: Saucy by KFC/Drips by Pepsi segment
• [46:08] Burger King Slider’s Box discussion
• [54:00+] Show wrap-up and signature chaotic brownie toss

Episode Character & Tone

• Dynamic, unstructured comedic banter, turning even sincere advice into surreally funny scenarios
• Satirical, affectionate takes on nerd and pop culture
• Frequent collaborative riffing, references, and callbacks to running gags

Whether you’re looking for takes on animated video game movies, guidance for local sports team mascots, or a deep-dive into the consumer confusion of fast food releases, this episode exemplifies the McElroys’ unique brand of family chaos and pop culture savvy. Perfect for both long-time fans and anyone in need of advice about cemeteries, mascots, or jalapeño Mountain Dew.