Smash Boom Best: Ghostbusters vs. Jurassic Park – A Cinematic Debate
Podcast Title: Smash Boom Best: A Funny, Smart Debate Show for Kids and Family
Episode Title: Ghostbusters vs. Jurassic Park: a Cinematic Debate
Host: Molly Bloom
Debaters: Tracy Mumford (Team Ghostbusters) vs. Tom Weber (Team Jurassic Park)
Judge: Eleanor from St. Paul, Minnesota
Release Date: October 31, 2024
Introduction
In a special Halloween episode, Smash Boom Best pits two iconic franchises against each other: Ghostbusters and Jurassic Park. Hosted by Molly Bloom, the debate features Tracy Mumford representing Ghostbusters and Tom Weber advocating for Jurassic Park. Eleanor, a passionate debater and judge from St. Paul, Minnesota, oversees the competition, bringing her expertise from high school and middle school debate leagues.
Declaration of Greatness
Team Ghostbusters: Tracy Mumford
Tracy opens with an imaginative and humorous portrayal of why Ghostbusters should be the ultimate choice:
“Who you gonna call?” ([03:26])
She paints a vivid picture of the Ghostbusters’ adventurous spirits, stylish uniforms, and advanced proton packs. Tracy emphasizes the team’s camaraderie and resourcefulness, highlighting their iconic base in a converted firehouse and the legendary Ectomobile. She asserts that Ghostbusters combine science with fun, making them an unbeatable team in tackling the supernatural.
Team Jurassic Park: Tom Weber
Tom counters with a passionate defense of Jurassic Park’s groundbreaking contributions to cinema and science:
“Jurassic Park wows us because we get to see the most epic creatures ever come to life.” ([21:09])
He underscores the franchise’s pioneering use of CGI, which revolutionized special effects in the film industry. Tom highlights Jurassic Park’s foundation in real scientific principles, such as DNA manipulation and genetic engineering, and its influence on inspiring a generation of paleontologists. He argues that Jurassic Park’s realistic portrayal of dinosaurs offers a more scientifically grounded and visually stunning experience compared to Ghostbusters.
Rebuttals
Tom Weber on Ghostbusters
Tom critiques Ghostbusters for lacking scientific explanations behind their ghost-catching technology and points out the franchise’s delayed inclusion of female Ghostbusters:
“The science of why the proton stuff actually catches ghosts was never actually fully explained, unlike the science in Jurassic Park.” ([08:40])
He raises concerns about representation and equality within the Ghostbusters universe, suggesting that the franchise has had issues addressing diversity in its characters.
Tracy Mumford on Jurassic Park
Tracy responds by highlighting the chaotic and dangerous nature of Jurassic Park, contrasting it with the teamwork and reliability of Ghostbusters:
“It's a lot harder to form meaningful friendships with people when you're running for your lives from a T. Rex.” ([05:38])
She argues that while Jurassic Park may offer thrilling visuals, the constant life-threatening scenarios undermine the ability to build strong, cooperative relationships among its characters.
Micro Round: Redeeming Villains
Team Jurassic Park: Tom Weber
Tom adopts the persona of a velociraptor to humanize Jurassic Park’s dinosaurs, arguing that they are misunderstood creatures acting on instinct rather than inherent villainy:
“I'm really just hangry.” ([21:09])
He challenges the negative perception of dinosaurs by emphasizing their natural behaviors and pointing out that human intervention brought them back from extinction, which placed them in precarious situations.
Team Ghostbusters: Tracy Mumford
Tracy channels the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man to present a softer side of Ghostbusters’ antagonists, portraying him as a gentle giant rather than a destructive force:
“I am snack. Just big snack. And I want to hug, but sometimes I crush.” ([22:50])
She argues that even the most formidable ghosts have nuanced personalities and that Ghostbusters work to understand and resolve supernatural issues peacefully.
Sneak Attack: Greeting Card Challenge
Team Ghostbusters: Tracy Mumford
Tracy crafts a playful and thematic greeting card message:
“Happy Halloween. Booyah. Why be normal when you can be paranormal?” ([26:17])
This message encapsulates the fun and adventurous spirit of Ghostbusters, aligning perfectly with the Halloween theme.
Team Jurassic Park: Tom Weber
Tom delivers a humorous and species-specific greeting card:
“Get well soon. Sorry I ate your leg. Tommy T. Rex.” ([26:34])
He creatively incorporates the predatory nature of a T. Rex while adding a lighthearted twist, showcasing Jurassic Park’s blend of humor and excitement.
Final Six Words
Team Jurassic Park: Tom Weber
Tom succinctly summarizes Jurassic Park’s impact in six words:
“J par. Inspired science, movies, and music.” ([28:22])
Team Ghostbusters: Tracy Mumford
Tracy opts for a catchy and iconic six-word phrase:
“Da na na na na na.” ([28:47])
This references the Ghostbusters theme song, emphasizing the franchise’s cultural resonance.
Awarding of Points and Winner Announcement
After each round, Judge Eleanor assigns points based on the strength and creativity of the arguments presented. Ultimately, Eleanor declares Jurassic Park as the winner of this cinematic debate.
“Jurassic Park.” ([29:17])
Eleanor appreciates Jurassic Park’s scientific foundations, groundbreaking special effects, and its lasting influence on both entertainment and education.
Conclusion
The episode wraps up with reflections from both debaters. Tom expresses a deeper connection to the Jurassic Park franchise, while Tracy commends dinosaurs as cool and expresses excitement about potential future visits to Jurassic Park once safety issues are resolved.
“Dinosaurs are cool. I would go to Jurassic Park on vacation when they got their safety record back where I need it to be.” ([30:13])
Eleanor encourages listeners to vote for their favorite team on the podcast’s website, smashboom.org, and hints at the next exciting debate: “Jack and the Beanstalk vs. the Ugly Duckling.”
“If you're between the ages of 13 and 18 and you'd like to be a judge, or if you're any age and you have an idea for a knockdown drag out debate, head to smashboom.org contact and drop us a line.” ([31:49])
The episode concludes with heartfelt shoutouts from the debaters and a teaser for future episodes, ensuring listeners remain engaged and eager for more debates.
Notable Quotes
- Tracy Mumford (Ghostbusters): “Who you gonna call?” ([03:26])
- Tom Weber (Jurassic Park): “Hold onto your butts.” ([00:47])
- Eleanor (Judge): “I really liked the sneak attack. I thought the cards were super funny, and I always like a new holiday.” ([29:26])
Final Thoughts
This episode of Smash Boom Best effectively balances humor, creativity, and insightful arguments to engage listeners of all ages. By comparing two beloved franchises, the debate not only entertains but also educates its audience on the significance of both Ghostbusters and Jurassic Park in pop culture and beyond.