Smash Boom Best: "Camping vs Hotels"

Podcast: Smash Boom Best (Brains On Universe)
Host: Molly Bloom
Episode Air Date: January 15, 2026
Debaters: Andy Doucette (Team Camping), Stuart Bloom (Team Hotels)
Judge: Evelyn, student and improv captain

Episode Overview

This energetic, kid-friendly debate episode tackles a classic vacation dilemma: Which is better, camping or hotels? Molly Bloom hosts as her husband, Andy Doucette, champions camping, while her father, Stuart Bloom, bats for hotels. Guest judge Evelyn brings improv savvy and a love of adventure, while listeners are encouraged to weigh in with their own verdicts.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Declarations of Greatness

(Hotels First: [04:29])
Stuart's Case for Hotels:

• Ultimate Comfort: Describes checking into a hotel after a tiring day: "That's why it's called king sized, because at hotels, everyone gets a taste of the royal life." ([05:30])
• Amenities & Experiences: Highlights pools, gyms, spas, and unique hotels (treehouses, underwater, hotels run by robot dinosaurs).
• Hospitality History: Cites the world’s oldest hotel in Japan (Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan, 1300+ years old).
• Economic Impact: Emphasizes hotels’ role in supporting local tourism and communities.
• Quote: "Imagine you live in a small town with a really cool attraction... you build a hotel. Folks can visit, stay, and spend money in your town." ([07:38])

Evelyn's Reaction:
Showering and steak stood out as hotel wins:
"I'm a guy who loves showers. And so... the 'you stink' argument did stick out to me." ([08:47])

Andy’s Rebuttal:
Nature is less likely to disappoint or need repairs. "You're never gonna have an unwatchable sunset." ([09:24])

Camping Declaration: ([10:33])
Andy’s Case for Camping:

• Nature Delivers on Its Promises: "Camping... delvers on its promises. It promises nature. It promises adventure." ([11:29])
• Variety of Experiences: Car camping, tents, hammocks, RVs, even glamping ("yurts," which leads to a running yurt joke).
• Affordable: Campsites can cost as little as $20/night, compared to costly hotels ([13:35]).
• Cooking Outdoors: Highlights the magic of eating by the fire and the improved flavor from open flame cooking.
• Skills & Wellbeing: Campers learn real-life skills and benefit from "forest bathing," which reduces stress and boosts creativity.
• Quote: "The true magic of eating while camping is that no matter what the food is, it always tastes better when you're eating it outside." ([14:21])

Stuart’s Rebuttal:
Defends hotels as never disappointing him—"Never, never, never, never. I love hotels. They're amazing." ([15:51]) Raises questions about yurts and camping terminology: "It takes a special person to know what yurtz is." ([16:18])

2. Micro Round: Three Fast Facts

([20:30])

• Camping Cool Gear: Andy touts inventive gear (self-inflating tents, lake-water filters). "Hotel gear is what? An itchy towel and a pen to sign for that expensive bill?" ([21:13])
• Hotels with Robots & Dinosaurs: Stuart features a hotel in Japan run by robots and dinosaur animatronics ([21:38]).
• Fire-Cooked Food: Andy argues campfire cooking is tastier, food always better when cooked after effort ([23:08]).
• Breakfast Buffet Showdown: Stuart claims nothing beats hotel bacon and piles of pastries. Andy retorts with concerns about “pool water brine” on buffet bacon ([24:22]).
• Storytelling by the Fire vs. TV: Andy: "Campfire... the original must see TV." ([24:50])
• Underwater Hotels: Stuart: "Some hotels have rooms submerged in the ocean... see fish swim past your window." ([25:01])

Judge Evelyn’s Take:
Big fan of cool gear and robots—but wary, thanks to a healthy knowledge of "Terminator" outcomes. Underwater and themed hotels also tempt her.

3. Sneak Attack: Make a Jingle

([26:54])

• Hotels Jingle, Stuart:
  "There are no bugs in the hotel. There's nice, nice rugs in the hotel. You can sleep on a bed. But if you're outside, you might feel like lead." ([27:25])

• Camping Jingle, Andy:
  "Don't you wish you had crisp, clean sheets? Not a bed where there's been lots of feets. How about a bag where you can lay your head, sleep outside and not be dead? You feel alive." ([27:50])

• Anti-Hotel Jingle (Andy):
  "Hotel no tell. Hotel no tell. Who's gonna stay? Not B. Not me..." ([28:21])

• Anti-Camping Jingle (Stuart):
  "Room service just brought you ice cream... If you were camping, you'd be chased by a gorilla. The bugs are there, they're biting you all the time. Being in outdoors is such a crime. The end." ([28:59])

Judge Evelyn’s Reaction:
Impressed by both emotion and humor; appreciated the heart and "rock and roll" of the performances.

4. Final Six: Sum It Up in Six Words

([29:47])

• Team Hotels, Stuart:
  "Bug. Free. Comfortable. Skunkless. Yurtsless. Sleepy. Bacon." ([30:05])
  (Okay, maybe 7, but... bacon!)

• Team Camping, Andy:
  "Like sleeping inside, but with stars." ([30:44])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "You're never gonna have an unwatchable sunset." – Andy ([09:24])
• "There are no bugs in the hotel. There's nice, nice rugs in the hotel..." – Stuart, Hotel Jingle ([27:25])
• "The true magic of eating while camping is that no matter what the food is, it always tastes better when you’re eating it outside." – Andy ([14:21])
• "Room service just brought you ice cream. Like vanilla. If you were camping, you'd be chased by a gorilla." – Stuart, Anti-Camping Jingle ([28:59])
• "Like sleeping inside, but with stars." – Andy, Final Six ([30:44])
• Running "yurt" joke throughout (“What are yurtzes?” “[Am I] wearing one right now?”)

Segment Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment/Content | |---|---| | 00:20 | Introduction of topic and debaters | | 03:01 | Judge Evelyn’s intro and advice | | 04:06 | Declaration of Greatness (Hotels) | | 08:47 | Judge’s reaction (Hotels) | | 09:24 | Camping Rebuttal | | 10:33 | Declaration of Greatness (Camping) | | 15:51 | Hotel Rebuttal | | 20:30 | Micro Round (Three Fast Facts) | | 24:05 | Breakfast Buffet Debate | | 26:54 | Sneak Attack: Jingle Showdown | | 29:47 | Final Six Words | | 31:25 | Judge Evelyn reveals winner | | 31:44 | Judge explains decisive moment |

Judge’s Decision & Reasoning

Winner: Camping
Evelyn chose camping, swayed by the allure of outdoor cooking with cast iron, swimming in lakes, seclusion, family time, and—most of all—cool gear!
Quote: “Like so more... away from people where I can like cook and swim and be with my family and have cool gear, that sold me.” ([31:44])

Fun moment: Stuart realizes his love of hotel bacon ironically contributed to the appeal of campfire-cooked bacon for Evelyn ([32:23]).

Tone & Style

The debate is packed with gentle teasing, quick improvisation, and warm family banter. Yurt jokes, bacon banter, robot anxieties, and soulful jingles keep things lively and accessible for kids and families.

Memorable Closing Exchange

• “When one of us wins, we both win too.” – Andy ([31:18])
• “Everybody who knows Andy is in love with him, including me.” – Stuart ([33:01])
• “Are you crying?” “Shut up.” – Andy & Stuart, joking as Stuart is moved by the debate ([33:17])

For Listeners

To participate:
Listeners can vote for the winner at smashboom.org, or send in their debate ideas and even apply to be youth judges.

Final Verdict

Camping wins the debate with s’more fun, nature’s beauty, and unbeatable bacon—but hotels get full points for comfort, quirky themes, and the eternal appeal of fluffy beds. The verdict proves: whether you’re a glamper, an adventurer, or a five-star aficionado, there’s a perfect trip out there for everyone!