Monster Trucks vs. Hot Wheels

Summary

Smash Boom Best: Monster Trucks vs. Hot Wheels

Podcast: Smash Boom Best (Brains On Universe)
Host: Molly Bloom
Debaters: Mark Sanchez (Monster Trucks), Sanden Totten (Hot Wheels)
Judge: Archer from Irvington, NY
Release Date: November 27, 2025
Episode Theme: Which is more amazing—monster trucks or Hot Wheels? This debate showdown pits crushing, real-life behemoth vehicles against the tiny, collectible cars found in nearly every toy bin.

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Episode Overview

This episode launches a new season of Smash Boom Best with a high-octane face-off: Monster Trucks vs. Hot Wheels. Two long-time co-creators, Mark Sanchez and Sanden Totten, compete to convince judge Archer (a cat parent and D&D enthusiast) that their pick is the ultimate winner.
The debate unfolds over four rounds—Declaration of Greatness, Micro Round, Sneak Attack, and the Final Six—combining fact, humor, pop culture references, and pun-filled quips in a format designed to be accessible and hilarious for kid and family audiences.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Meet the Judge & Warm-Up (03:08–05:03)

• Archer shares about his cat "Princess Violet Von Floofypants Leah Rose Jones" and his love of Dungeons & Dragons.
• Archer encourages a pun-heavy debate, announcing:

  "If you make me laugh, bonus points. In my heart, in my soul." (04:54, Archer)

Round 1: Declaration of Greatness

Monster Trucks (Mark Sanchez) – (06:17–11:16)

• Origins: Tells the story of "Bigfoot," the original monster truck built by Bob Chandler.
• Technical Specs:
  • Tires up to 5’6” tall (“taller than Kevin Hart!”)
  • Over 10’ tall, 12’ wide, 17’ long, and 12,000 pounds (“that’s like 208 eight-year-olds”)
  • Over 1,400 horsepower—over seven times a normal car
• The Experience: Monster truck shows combine racing, acrobatics (backflips, donuts), and crowd-pleasing stunts.
  • “Seeing them perform is like being at a car show, a concert, and a competition all rolled into one.” (09:48, Mark)
• Memorable Quotes:
  • "Monster trucks are epic. They're large, loud, and have tires that are usually around 5ft 6 inches tall." (07:37, Mark)
• Humor:
  • Hot Wheels have “zero horsepower. Unless, of course, a horse steps on it...”
• Immersive Sound & Engagement: Audience shouts, "Yeah, buddy, did you see what that truck just did?!" (08:42)

Reactions & Rebuttal (11:23–12:42)

• Archer enjoys the humor and scale comparisons:

  “They can weigh up to 200 times my little brother. Hi Sasha, if you're watching...” (11:37, Archer)

• Sanden notes the noise pollution (90–125 decibels: "Talk about a monster headache.") and environmental impact (“Bigfoot may have a big carbon footprint.”). (12:06–12:39)

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Hot Wheels (Sanden Totten) – (14:27–18:21)

• Timeless Fun:
  • Emphasizes car noises as “one of the most important steps in child development.”
  • Hot Wheels have been around since the 1960s with countless variations (drag racers, Batman and Barbie cars, buses, vans).
• Affordability & Collectibility:
  • Cheap and widely available ("sold almost everywhere")
  • Ultra-rare Hot Wheels fetch thousands of dollars, appealing to all collectors.
• Imagination & Play:
  • Encourages creativity: race on tracks, build towns, play anywhere ("on counters, down the stairs, into oblivion").
  • Durability: "made of tough as nails, die-cast metal."
• Portability:
  • Unlike monster trucks, "Hot Wheels are way easier to stuff in your pocket than a real car."
• Humor/Quotes:

  “Fire in your hand, Hot Wheels.” (33:04, Sanden’s Final Six) “Making pretend car noises is one of the most important steps in child development. It comes right after learning to walk and just before having empathy for your fellow humans.” (14:27, Sanden)

• Archer enjoys the laughter and playful tone:

  “I had to stop myself from laughing on multiple occasions. I had a great time listening to that.” (18:51, Archer)

Mark's Rebuttal (19:09–19:38)

• Points out that Hot Wheels tracks are plastic, which isn’t eco-friendly.
• “Your arguments end in a sad, sad crash.” (19:36, Mark)

Discussion (19:39–21:32)

• Banter about categories, sounds, and environmental impact.
  • “If you like one car sound, you like another.” (20:01, Archer)
  • “Not if you push ‘em.” / “Your arguments are driving into a dead end.” (21:21–21:32, Mark & Sanden)

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Round 2: Micro Round (24:51–27:28)

Each debater presents three fast, fact-based arguments.

Hot Wheels (Sanden):

• Designed with the help of car and aerospace engineers. (“Space age tech in the palm of your hand.”) (24:51)
• Can reach up to 280mph on tracks—triple a monster truck’s top speed. (25:50)
• Ultra-rare collectibles: The pink VW “beach bomb” is worth $175,000, and “treasure hunt” cars are hiding on shelves everywhere. (26:43)

Monster Trucks (Mark):

• Monster trucks let kids' fantasies come alive—real-life Bigfoots performing Hot Wheels-style stunts. Monster Jam has a Hot Wheels tie-in. (25:15)
• Monster Jam is huge: Sold over 4.2 million tickets in 2024, rivaling Taylor Swift’s concert draw. You can meet drivers and trucks up close. (26:14)
• Monster trucks save lives: Rescued people (including a woman in labor) during Houston’s Hurricane Harvey floods when no other car could. (27:04)

Judge Reaction:

• Archer is torn:

  “The monster trucks saving lives was pretty cool. Never seen a Hot Wheels truck do that... but if you’re talking family-friendly, playing by yourself with a little car is great too!” (27:37–27:54)

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Round 3: Sneak Attack – Fashion Line "Style Sense" (29:05–32:23)

Monster Trucks (Mark):

• “Monster Chucks”: Monster trucks line of Converse Chuck Taylors—giant, pop-out wheels, make car noises, come in unique fire-shooting boxes.
  • “The most dangerous fashion. But, you know, monster trucks and Chuck Taylors—Monster Chucks!” (29:30, Mark)

Hot Wheels (Sanden):

• Complete “Hot Wheels fashion moment”—hats (Hat Wheels) shaped like wheels, “hot heels” in signature orange track color, color-change metallic dresses, pockets to store Hot Wheels, and every outfit has painted-on flames.
  • Outfits are “die-cast metal so you can spill on them and everything slides off.” (31:46, Sanden)
• Judge and debaters riff on the dangers and impracticality: launching cars as you walk, Hot Wheels tracks doubling as shoes.

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Round 4: Final Six (Six Word Slogan) (33:04–33:19)

• Hot Wheels (Sanden):
  “Fire in your hand, Hot Wheels.” (33:04)
• Monster Trucks (Mark):
  “Imagination. All grown up. Yeah, buddy.” (33:15, Mark/Archer)

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Memorable Quotes & Moments

• Archer’s Cat’s Full Government Name:
  “Princess Violet Von Floofypants. Leah Rose Jones.” (03:13, Archer)
• Monster Trucks’ Size Comparison:
  "Monster trucks...weigh 12,000 pounds, which is like 208 eight-year-olds." (08:55, Mark)
• On Monster Truck Rallies:
  “If you’re lucky enough to go to a monster truck rally, you’ll see the trucks do a couple things. They’ll race each other and they’ll do freestyle stunts. We’re talking obstacle jumps, backflips, wheelies and donuts.” (08:01, Mark)
• On Hot Wheels Sounds:
  “Making pretend car noises is one of the most important steps in child development...it comes right after learning to walk and just before empathy.” (14:27, Sanden)
• Archer on Debaters’ Use of Puns:
  “This is going to have the highest pun per minutes of any episode.” (05:03, Molly)
• Fashion Line Concept (Monster Trucks):
  “Monster trucks...with Chuck Taylors: Monster Chucks! Shoes with pop-out monster truck wheels that let you crush a bus.” (29:16, Mark)
• Fashion Line Concept (Hot Wheels):
  “Hat wheels…hot heels…the dresses are metallic and color-change, with pockets for Hot Wheels cars. Clothes that are die-cast metal.” (30:58, Sanden)
• Archer on Decision:
  “The final six got me, honestly. Like, I was like, oh yeah, normal sentence. Yeah, buddy. It's always the classic final six.” (34:05, Archer)

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Round Breakdown & Timestamps

• Introduction, Meet the Judge – 02:01–05:03
• Declaration of Greatness: Monster Trucks – 06:17–11:16
• Monster Trucks Q&A & Rebuttal – 11:23–12:42
• Declaration of Greatness: Hot Wheels – 14:27–18:21
• Hot Wheels Q&A & Rebuttal – 18:36–19:38
• Open Discussion, Points Awarded – 19:39–21:32
• Micro Round – 24:51–27:28
• Micro Round Feedback – 27:37–28:14
• Sneak Attack: Style Sense – 29:05–32:23
• Final Six – 33:04–33:19
• Crowning the Winner – 33:45–34:31
• Post-show Shoutouts & Closing – 34:43–36:54

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Conclusion & Results

Winner: Monster Trucks

• Archer’s tie-breaking comment:

  “The final six got me, honestly. Like, I was like, oh, yeah, normal sentence. Yeah, buddy.” (34:05)

• Acknowledges the difficulty of choosing, as both sides brought facts, humor, personal connections, and wild creativity.
• Friendly, celebratory vibe at the end:

  “Mark, I just have two words for you—Yeah, buddy. I can't wait to go to the next monster truck rally with you, friend.” (35:06, Sanden & Mark)

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Notable Takeaways

• Monster trucks won on real-world awe, rescue power, and raucous fun.
• Hot Wheels wowed for their portability, imaginative scope, technical achievement, and inclusiveness (affordability, collectibility).
• Both sides overlap in the “joy of play”—be it big and loud, or tiny and creative.
• The episode is loaded with car puns, playful banter, and relatable nostalgia, all perfect for a family audience.
• Listeners are encouraged to vote for their favorite at smashboom.org.

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Listen For

• Archer’s D&D and cat stories (03:08–04:43)
• Enthusiastic crowd noises and monster truck spectacle (09:08–10:30)
• Collectible Hot Wheels fact: the $175,000 “beach bomb” (26:43)
• Monster truck Hurricane Harvey rescue story (27:04)
• Hilarious Hot Wheels fashion line ideas (30:58–32:17)
• Final six-word summations (33:04–33:19)
• Vibrant, inclusive energy—great for both new and returning listeners

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Overall Tone:
Playful, pun-heavy, fun-loving, and deeply informative—Smash Boom Best at its engine-revving, tire-screeching finest.

Transcript

[A]

Have you looked at the calendar lately? The holidays are coming up fast, like a sprinting cheetah hungry for merriment and joy. But don't fret. We are here to help. We've got a great gift idea. The Smarty Pass Galactic Explorers Club. And it's on sale. You get ad free versions of all of our shows, discounts on merch and I'll do a personal message for anyone on your gift list. Just join by December 15th to make sure you get that message in time. Head to brainson.org and select the Galactic Explorers Club. Oh, and we're doing a smarty party December 6th for all of our Smartypass subscribers with games, mystery, sounds and more. So if you sign up now, you can be there for the fun again. Join the smartypass Galactic Explorers Club today, get the sale price, a message for the holidays and cross one big thing off your list. Thank you so much for your support. Lemonada. A quick note before we start the show. Smashboom Best is now independent. That means we rely on support from listeners like you. This new season is gonna be so epic. And it's all thanks to our Smarty Pass members. They're the big hearted helpers who support us by [e-mail] you can be one of them. Your support helps pay our debaters and sound designers so we can keep making the fun and fact filled shows your family loves. Plus, you get ad free versions of all of our shows, bonus stuff and access to virtual hangs with me, Molly Again, that's smartypass.org thank you, thank you, thank you. Now, on with the show from the brains behind Brains on.

[B]

It's Smash Boom Best, the show for people with big opinions.

[A]

I'm Molly Bloom and this is Smash Boom Best. The show where we take two things, smash them together and ask you to decide which one is best. We're back with a new season of Smash Boom Best. And we're off to the races with a wheelie wild face off between a vehicle that smashes around arenas and a toy that can zoom just about anywhere. It's Monster Trucks versus Hot Wheels. We've got smashboom Best co creator Mark Sanchez here to rep the mighty, mighty monster trucks.

[C]

Oh yeah. Ready to spin circles around my opponent, AKA do donuts like the great monster trucks.

[A]

And we have smashboom Best co creator San and Totten here to Vroom, vroom, vroom for hot hot Hot Wheels.

[D]

Yeah. I feel the need, the need for winning this debate.

[A]

And here to judge it all is Archer from Irvington New York. Archer is learning how to cope. Likes his Mac and cheese with bacon and peas thrown in, plays Dungeons &Dr. And has a cat called Violet, but in reality has a much longer name. Welcome, Archer.

[B]

Hey.

[A]

So, Archer, what is your cat's actual name?

[B]

Princess Violet Von Floofypants. Leah Rose Jones.

[A]

Incredible.

[B]

That's her full government.

[A]

It's on her passport.

[D]

Yeah.

[A]

Excellent. So do you only call her Violet or do you have, like, lots of other nicknames, too?

[B]

She has a ton. We call her Vivi a lot. Violet. I say baby when I'm talking to her because she's just my little baby. And she's five years old. She's like an adult by cat standards. But she's my. She's my daughter. I love her so much.

[A]

What's her personality like?

[B]

She loves people. Like, she's really cuddly. She likes being picked up, but she will also scratch you.

[A]

Yeah, those cats, they are unpredictable. So you play Dungeons and Dragons, and just for kids who might not be familiar, what is Dungeons and Dragons?

[B]

Okay, so D and D is like a tabletop role playing game, which is a really long way of saying you get to pretend to be like different characters. And it's basically like playing pretend, honestly. But instead of just saying you do something, and then the other person can be like, I dodge it. You get to roll dice and do math to determine what happens instead.

[A]

So I know that people in Dungeons and Dragons, they have, like, a specific character they've kind of created for themselves. So what's your character?

[B]

Oh, I have a character. Their name is Oleander. They're an owlin, which means they're like. They're basically an owl person and they're a wizard. Because I think spellcasters are the most interesting to play. Definitely.

[A]

Incredible. So this is your first time judging, but not your first time listening to Smashboom Bus. So I'm wondering, do you have any advice for our debaters today?

[B]

Definitely. Like, I will go forever has the best cargument, but I was saving that for nothing.

[D]

Let the puns begin.

[B]

Bring on the puns. If you make me laugh, bonus points. In my heart, in my soul.

[D]

All right, you're axel for it.

[B]

Oh, no.

[A]

This is going to have the highest pun per minutes of any episode. I have a feeling I'm gassed for this. So will Archer side with Mark or Sandon? Only time will tell. But first, here are the rules of the game. Every debate consists of four rounds. The declaration of greatness, the micro round, the sneak attack, and the final six after each round, our judge Archer will award points to the team that impresses him the most. But he'll keep his decisions top secret until the end of the debate. Listeners, we want you to judge too. Mark down your points as you listen. At the end of the show, head to our website, smashboom.org and vote for whichever team you think won. Okay, Mark, Sandin and Archer, are you ready?

[B]

Ready to go.

[D]

Pedal to the metal, baby.

[C]

Oh, yeah. All gassed up and ready to rumble.

[A]

Then it's time for the declaration of greatness. In this round, our debaters will present a well crafted immersive argument in favor of their side. Then they'll each have 30 seconds to rebut their opponent's statements. We flip to coin and Mark, you're up first. Tell us what makes monster trucks so monstrously cool.

[C]

Let me tell you about the legend of Bigfoot. Oh, sorry, Sasquatch, I'm not talking about you. The Bigfoot I'm talking about is a ginormous blue four wheel drive truck. It was the first ever monster truck. It started in the late 1970s with a guy named Bob Chandler. Bob owned a regular truck that he liked to drive through the wilderness. He'd run over rocks and through riverbeds, which led to some obvious problems. Aw, dang it. My truck keeps getting busted up and broken. I need something tougher. Luckily, Bob owned a truck parts shop, so he started tinkering. He made his truck bigger, stronger, and tire I, er, meaning it had bigger tires. I think I've made a motor monster.

[A]

Cool.

[C]

Let's see if it can crush stuff. He named the truck Bigfoot, and soon people around the country were paying to see it pull tractors and do spins and drive over old cars. Bigfoot became a bonafide celebrity, the first of many monster trucks. Monster trucks are epic. They're large, loud, and have tires that are usually around 5ft 6 inches tall. That means they're taller than comedian Kevin Hart. Now, you're not going to see these trucks on regular roads because a regular road couldn't handle this level of awesome. Instead, they're driven around at big shows inside packed stadiums. If you're lucky enough to go to a monster truck rally, you'll see the trucks do a couple things. They'll race each other and they'll do freestyle stunts. We're talking obstacle jumps, backflips, wheelies and donuts. It's the kind of stuff that makes you leap out of your seat like this and.

[B]

Yeah, buddy, did you see what that truck just did? It did A flip, then shot out. Balls of fire.

[C]

Yeah, buddy. Should we scream in excitement?

[E]

Yes.

[C]

Monster trucks can be over 10ft tall, 12ft wide and 17ft long. About the height of a giraffe. And they can weigh 12,000 pounds, which is like 208 year olds. And even though they're big, some can hit speeds of up to 70 miles per hour. And don't forget the sheer, unrelenting, unmatched power. We measure the strength of engines with a unit called horsepower. A typical car these days has only about 200 horsepower. Monster trucks have over seven times that. So much power. Yeah, the average Hot Wheel car has, well, you know, zero horsepower. Unless, of course, a horse steps on it. Then it gets attached to the horse's foot and then the horse walks around for a while with it and I guess it has a little bit of horsepower or horse hoof power. I don't know. Uh oh. Sorry, Clompy. Let me get that car off your hoof. There we go. Now don't get me wrong. Building up a collection of cute little cars can be fun, sure. But monster trucks are the main event. They get your blood pumping, they amp up your adrenaline. And seeing them perform is like being at a car show, a concert and a competition all rolled into one. Nothing can top that level of thrill. In fact, it's time to get back to our seats. Come on, kid.

[A]

Yes.

[C]

You too, Clompy the Horse. And you, Sasquatch. I saved you both seats. And I brought you some earplugs because it's gonna get loud. Look, it's Thunderjo. And he's taking on Venom. Vortex. Oh, and Iron Claw is gaining fast. This is so exciting. I love monster trucks. Yeah, buddy.

[A]

Big wheels, full tanks. Can't lose. Archer, what stood out to you about Mark's declaration of greatness?

[B]

So I love that like dig at Hot Wheels at the end. Whereas like Hot Wheels have zero horsepower. I think that I thought it was really funny. I like use of sound effects. And you know, my brother is actually an 8 year old. So I just think it's really funny that they can weigh up to 200 times my little brother. Hi Sasha, for watching this. By the way, sorry I didn't tell you I was going on smashboom best. I wanted to surprise you.

[C]

Hi Sasha.

[A]

Surprise, Sasha.

[B]

Surprise.

[A]

Incredible. All right, Sandon, it is time for your rebuttal. Tell us why monster truck should go back in the garage. You've got 3:30 seconds. Give me the green light and your time starts now.

[D]

Okay, here we go. Average noise levels at One of these monster jams can be 90 to 100 decibels, even up to 125 decibels. Talk about a monster headache. And also monster hearing damage. And if you hate getting overstimulated or noise bothers you, these will ruin your day. Okay? And you know what? Bigfoot may have a bigfoot, but he's also got a big carbon footprint because the CO2 and exhaust coming out of these things is just monstrous. You know what is a zero emission vehicle? A hot wheel. Also, car. And car violence is never the answer.

[A]

Time, stop crushing the old cars.

[C]

I believe she yelled time, Sandon. And there are electric monster trucks.

[A]

Just so you know, the engines are already starting to overheat. We're gonna take a quick break and cool down. We'll be right back with Sandon's declaration of greatness. Today's episode is sponsored by Monarch. There is a lot happening this time of year. There's gifts to be bought. There's meals to be planned. There's people to see. There's a lot going on. And there's also a lot of money being spent. If you want to keep your finances under control this holiday season, you need to be using Monarch, rated Wall Street Journal's best budgeting app of 2025. Monarch is the all in one personal finance tool that brings your entire financial life together. Clean interface on your laptop or your phone. And right now, just for our listeners, Monarch is offering 50% off your first year. Having Monarch this holiday season has been huge. It's been so helpful to monitor what's being spent by me and my husband and be able to check in to make sure we are on track. Don't let financial opportunities slip through the cracks. Use code [e-mail] in your browser for half off your first year. That's 50% off your first [e-mail] with code boom.

[E]

Boom.

[A]

Boom. Boom. Boom. Boom.

[D]

Boom.

[A]

Boom.

[C]

Smash Boom.

[A]

You're listening to Smash Boom Best. I'm your host, Molly Bloom.

[B]

And I'm your Judge Archer.

[A]

Okay, it's your turn, Sandon. Tell us why Hot Wheels are the toys that will never run out of gas.

[D]

Everyone knows this sound. Making pretend car noises is one of the most important steps in child development. It comes right after learning to walk and just before having empathy for your fellow humans. But I'd argue it's far more important because pretend car noises mean you're having fun, which is why we're alive in the first place. And how did we all master this? Very serious and 100% important. Life skill playing with Hot Wheels.

[B]

Ooh, Hot Wheels are so fun.

[D]

In case you don't know, a Hot Wheel is a mini metal car. They've been around since the 1960s, and they come in all shapes and sizes. You got drag racers with big shiny engines and cool paint jobs. Or expensive sports cars, the likes of which you only see when your Uncle Don goes through a midlife crisis. There's Barbie cars, Batman cars, and some third example that starts with B that I'm not thinking of. Vans, trucks, buses. No matter what you're into, there's a Hot Wheel for you.

[B]

But I heard cars are expensive.

[D]

Yes, little child, real cars are. Especially ones with comically oversized tires and terrible mufflers. Monster trucks. But Hot Wheels only cost a few dollars, and they're sold almost everywhere.

[B]

But what if I have expensive tastes?

[D]

Ah, a connoisseur. Well, there are ultra rare collectible Hot Wheels that go for thousands of dollars. This is truly a toy for all sizes of bank accounts. But the best part is playing with Hot Wheels. You can race them across the rug, do epic car chases on the counters, get them muddy, then set up a car wash with the backyard hose. You can make cardboard towns for them to cruise through. Or get the signature orange Hot Wheel tracks and make a speed course complete with a loop de loop. Or my personal favorite, you can build a massive ramp down the basement stairs and launch your little car friends into oblivion. Since they're made of tough as nails, die cast metal Hot Wheels can take a beating and keep on rolling. All of this makes them the perfect toy to help you build up your imagination, which is another skill that will take you far in life.

[C]

And the fancy Golden Movie award goes to. Tiffany for her movie. Vroom.

[A]

Vroom.

[B]

Thank you. Thank you.

[A]

I'd like to shout out Hot Wheels for helping me develop my wildly powerful imagination, which allowed me to capture the hearts and minds of moviegoers everywhere.

[D]

Lets talk about size. Sure, monster trucks are big. But like with potholes, poison oak patches and debt, bigger isn't always better. In fact, there's something so satisfying about small things. It's why we love tiny dioramas, mini poodles, and those videos where people feed hamsters tiny versions of everyday food. So cute. And the small size means they're big. Portable Hot Wheels are way easier to stuff in your pocket than a real car, which makes them the perfect companion for whatever you end up doing. So next time you're stuck in the line at the grocery store or riding the bus to school, or waiting for the shoe person to bring you the right size shoe. You can bust out your Hot Wheel and let the good times roll. Vroom, vroom, y'.

[A]

All.

[D]

Vroom, vroom.

[A]

Vroom, vroom. Indeed. Archer, what stood out to you about Sandin's declaration of greatness? Any moments there that really caught you?

[B]

I feel like his final six is just gonna be vroom, vroom, vroom, vroom, vroom, vroom.

[D]

Might be if it.

[B]

That's like.

[D]

Can I use that?

[B]

Okay, sure. Yeah. It's free if you use it. I'll give you the point.

[C]

Oh, wait a minute. You gotta get me one, too. You gotta give me one.

[B]

I'm kidding. Okay. Anyway, it was just delightful. I had to stop myself from laughing on multiple occasions. I had a great time listening to that.

[A]

Okay, Mark, it's time for your rebuttal. Show us why Hot Wheels are not the real deal. You've got 30 seconds and your time starts now.

[C]

All right. First thing you talked about is sound, which is the very first point you made about hot. Why Hot Wheels are so cool. You said, monster trucks are too loud. Everybody loves the sound. Third, also saying, I'm gonna help you out. A third beef car. Batmobile, one of the most collect Hot Wheels. You're welcome. That's a third B. All the plastic tracks. That can't be good for the environment either. Basically send in your. Just like Hot Wheels racetrack. Your arguments end in a sad, sad crash.

[A]

Oh, and time.

[D]

Okay, Mark, I think your arguments are driving right into a dead end, buddy. No one's throwing out those tracks. They're not classic problems if you keep using them. I've had those tracks. I use them. When are you ever gonna get rid of them? I'll be sending my cars there when I'm a geriatric senior in my 80s.

[B]

I would like to say that, like, standing. You can't leave your cake and eat it, too. You can't say that monster trucks are bad because they're too loud and then say, everyone loves Hot Wheels because they like the sound. Like, if you like one car sound, you like another.

[D]

I mean, but there is a difference in decibel here. No one's. No one's getting damage, hearing damage from a little kid playing with cars.

[B]

Oh, and also, I have a. I have a problem with your rebuttal because he said his two Bs were Batman cars and Barbie cars. The second B was Batman.

[D]

It's harder to think of the third B than you thought, Mark.

[C]

You're right. Oh, my gosh. What about boats?

[A]

Boats?

[B]

I don't think boats are cars, but yeah, sure, brown cars.

[A]

There you go. Those sought after brown cars.

[B]

Everyone wants brown cars.

[A]

It's true. All right, Archer, it is time to award some points. Please give one point to the declaration of greatness that you like best and one point to the rebuttal that won you over. You get to decide.

[E]

Decide?

[A]

What makes a winning argument? Did one team's jokes make you giggle? Was another team's logic impeccable? Award your points, but don't tell us who they're going to. Have you made your decision?

[B]

Absolutely.

[A]

Excellent. Sandon and Mark, how are you two feeling so far?

[C]

I got my foot on the gas and I'm ready to peel out.

[A]

Ooh.

[D]

You know, the road's been a little bumpy, but I see a flat stretch ahead and I am just gonna lay into it.

[B]

Do you see a loop ahead? Do you see a loop de loop?

[D]

It's coming. It's coming.

[C]

Unfortunately, flat stretches don't do anything for Hot Wheels. They just stand still.

[D]

Oh, yeah, not if you push em.

[A]

Okay, it's time for a quick break. Top off the air in your tires and make some car sounds with your mouth.

[B]

And we'll be right back with more smash. Boom. Best.

[A]

You're listening to State of Debate. Home to ragin rhetoric and awe inspiring argumentation. Hey there, debate duders.

[B]

This is Taylor Lincoln, and I'm here.

[A]

With the flame to my candle, Todd Douglas.

[E]

Hey there. Hi there ho there, friend till the end. I was just making myself a sandwich.

[A]

Ooh, I do love a sandwich.

[E]

Then I'll make one for you. And trust me, this one will go way better than that situation I heard about on my favorite sitcom, BFF o'.

[A]

Clock. Omg, I love that show.

[E]

Me too. And this episode featured a big old logical fallacy which makes an argument easy to defeat. Ooh, here, let's take a listen.

[A]

Oh, hey, Benny. Wanna Sammy?

[D]

Oh, Dot. When in our entire best friendship have I ever said no to a Sammy?

[A]

Not once. Today I'm gonna make you one of my childhood specialties. The Pickleberry Surprise.

[D]

Excuse me?

[A]

Everyone knows about the Pickleberry Surprise. What?

[D]

How?

[A]

Everyone knows about them because they're infamous.

[D]

Since when?

[A]

Since they are very well known. But they're super popular because they're very infamous. Now stop asking questions and eat already.

[E]

Well, now I'm hungry. But did you notice what was wrong with Dot's argument?

[A]

She just kept going round and round in circles.

[E]

Exactly. She was using circular arguments. That's when an argument ends the same way it started with no real evidence or reasoning to support the conclusion.

[A]

Plus, it makes me dizzy.

[E]

Here, Taylor, sit down and enjoy half of this pickleberry surprise sandwich.

[A]

Oh. Oh, that is not good.

[E]

No, it's really not. See you next time on State of Debate.

[A]

Best.

[C]

Smash.

[A]

Smash. Boom. You're listening to smashboom Best. I'm your host, Molly Bloom.

[B]

And I'm your judge Archer.

[A]

And we love getting debate suggestions from our listeners. Take a listen to this fast moving debate idea from Jacqueline.

[B]

Hi, my name is Jacqueline. My debate idea is swimming versus running. Either way, that debate will get your heart pumping.

[A]

We'll check back in at the end of this episode to see which side Jacqueline thinks should win.

[B]

And now it's back to our debate. Monster Trucks versus Hot Wheels.

[A]

That's right. And it's time for round two, the micro round. In today's micro round, Sandon and Mark will each get three chances to make a micro argument backed by a cool fact. Mark went first last time. So Sandon, please kick us off.

[D]

You know monster trucks. They may be highly engineered machines, but so are Hot Wheels. They're fast and durable and they look super cool because they were originally created by toy designers and car designers and even a former aerospace engineer. They've got mag wheels and torsion bar suspension. These are basically space age tech that fits in the palm of your hand.

[A]

Whoa. Wow. Mark.

[C]

Yes. Fact. Monster trucks let you bring your imagination and childlike sense of play with you forever. They're all real world incarnations of what every Hot Wheels loving kid dreams of. In fact, there is a whole monster truck jam dedicated to hot wheel cars where they solve the disappointment of not being able to fully experience these cars in real life. Sorry. And they're miniature versions of monster trucks that Hot Wheels sell. So you can keep that dream alive until you get yourself to the next Monster Jam.

[D]

Mark, all I'm hearing is that monster trucks are coasting off of the good graces of Hot Wheels and all these commercials and using our name. Well, you know what? Hot Wheels may be small in size, but they are huge in speed. These pocket rockets can launch down a track and reach up to 280mph, which is almost three times the fastest monster truck ever. So eat our mini dust, slowpokes.

[C]

All right. In 2024, Monster Truck Jam sold over 4.2 million tickets. That's just in one year. And you know what else sold that many tickets? Taylor Swift. Yeah. And since monster truck jams are so family friendly, kids of all ages can get on the track next to the Trucks and drivers and take their pictures and talk to them. Getting access to Taylor Swift is going to cost, I don't know, owning three super bowl rings and being named Travis Kelce.

[D]

Hot Wheels, fact, fact, fact. Are like little Pokemon on wheels because Hot Wheels are hot collectibles. There are old rare ones like the pink VW bus known as the beach bomb. It's worth $175,000. But even today, you can find special treasure hunt Hot Wheels mixed in with regular ones that are worth more. See, it's play that pays well.

[C]

Monster trucks save lives. After hurricane Harvey flooded the streets of Houston in 2017, monster trucks were some of the only vehicles that could navigate through the high waters. They rescued an elderly woman with her two dogs. They picked up another person who was going into labor. So Dr. Monster Truck. And they even rescued the National Guard troops whose own rescue vehicles got stuck.

[D]

Okay, that's good.

[A]

Oh, wow. Wow. That was fast and furious. Archer, what stood out to you about this message her around?

[B]

I mean, there was a lot of digs thrown both ways. I gotta say, the Dockster truck fact was interesting. Like the monster trucks, like, saving lives was pretty cool. Never seen a hot Wheels truck do that. But on the other side of the coin, I feel like if you're going to be talking about how family friendly monster truck rallies are, like, you know what's even more family friendly?

[C]

Playing by yourself with a little car.

[B]

Yeah, yeah. I love playing by yourself without your family. Yeah, yeah. Just leave your family alone.

[A]

Like I told them.

[C]

A little car. That's true. Foster your imagination. I do like that.

[B]

Which side do my loyalties lie? Who knows?

[A]

This is tough.

[D]

I think you're going one way, then you throw it in reverse and go the other way.

[A]

Exactly. Archer is keeping us on our toes. Yeah. Okay, it's time to award a point. But don't tell us who it's going to. Have you made your decision? I have. Then it's time for our third round, the super stealthy attack. This is our improvised round where debaters have to respond to a challenge on the spot. Today's sneak attack is called Style Sense. If your side had a fashion line, what would it be called and what would the aesthetic be? These are two fashionable cars. But we want to know how you would translate that into fashionable looks. Mark and Sandin, does that make sense?

[D]

Oh, yeah.

[A]

Yeah.

[D]

Gotcha.

[C]

Totally. I'm ready.

[A]

All right, so, Mark, you are up first. Let's hear about your fashion for monster trucks.

[C]

Monster truck fashion is gonna sweep the nation this holiday season. And beyond, because monster trucks are teaming up with Chuck Taylor, Converse. And you guessed it, they're gonna be having Monster Chucks.

[B]

Oh, my God.

[C]

Yeah, I know, right? These are shoes with, you know, every single monster truck you've ever heard of. The Bigfoot, Gravedigger, all these huge monster trucks. And you can push a button and you get not only just like those little skate wheels that pop out, but you get, like giant four wheel drive monster wheels, monster truck wheels that you can just, like, go crush your bus with.

[A]

The most dangerous fashion.

[C]

The most dangerous fashion. But, you know, monster trucks and Chuck Taylor's monster Chucks.

[B]

Do they make car noises?

[C]

Oh, yeah, of course.

[B]

Oh, of course. Yeah.

[C]

I left out the obvious fact because I figured everybody would know. But you're right. I should say they do make generous car noises based on every truck. And. And there's actually one special box that it comes in variety of sizes, but there's only one in each size, and it shoots flames.

[A]

Whoa. Okay, Mark, I want to know. These looks sound amazing, but dangerous. Do you need, like, a special permit to wear the shoes?

[B]

They're for everybody.

[C]

Yeah, I think you can prob. You can only wear them, like, in the desert when nobody.

[A]

Okay, maybe you're gonna totally.

[D]

Someone's gonna be like, pants on fire. And they're like, I'm not telling a lie. And they're like, no, literally, your pants are on fire. Your shoes keep shooting out flames.

[B]

No, I was ready to invest in this, but, like, I can't. I can't wear these, like, around, you know, I just don't. Don't know if it's worth it for me.

[A]

Mm. All right, Sandon, please tell us about your fashion line for Hot Wheels.

[D]

Oh, my gosh, darling. This is a whole Hot Wheels fashion moment. Okay? Not only does the outf With a hat wheels, that's a little hat you put on that looks like a wheel, but we've also walking you around in your hot heels, which are really tall heels that are that signature orange track color. And some of the dresses, they got this metallic sheen to them, but you can dunk them in water and they'll change color. Just like some of the classic Hot Wheels of our day. They've all got pockets to store your cars in. You cruise on down the Runway in these, and they've all got flames on the side painted. I'm not trying to burn you. I mean, who would want clothing that burned you? And these hot outfits are gonna be hot accessories. They're gonna be the future of fashion. Die Cast. Metal so you can spill on them and everything will slide right off. You look amazing in Hot Wheels.

[B]

Sorry. The dress is die cast metal.

[D]

I mean, like, you know, a thin die cast metal. You know, a breathable die cast metal. That's a thing, right? That is. Yep.

[A]

You can't sit down in it, but it's very cool. It's cool. Yeah.

[C]

If you wanna walk around like the Tin man look, it's for.

[D]

For strategic cool leaning.

[B]

The orange hot heels should also, like, double. Like if you take your foot out of them, they also double the Hot Wheels track.

[D]

Oh, yeah. And maybe there's a little hot wheel that shoots out of them. You know, when you step like one of those little launchers.

[B]

Every time you step, there's like a. It launches a Hot Wheels car.

[D]

Your opponents will be falling all over the place.

[A]

We are at the cutting edge of fashion here. Two incredible fashion lines. But, Archer, only one of them can get a point. Think about which side impressed you the most and award your fourth point. But don't tell us who it's going to. Have you made your decision?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Perfect. Then it's time for our final round. The final six. In this round, each team will have just six words to sum up the glory of their side. Sand is. Let's hear your six words for the heroic Hot Wheels.

[D]

Fire in your hand, Hot Wheels.

[A]

Ooh. Ooh. Very nice. All right, Mark, it's your turn. Please give us your six words for the magnificent monster trucks.

[C]

Imagination. All grown up.

[B]

Yeah, buddy. Okay, okay.

[A]

Okay. Okay. Incredible. Okay. Okay. Archer, it is time to award a final point for this final six. Have you made your decision?

[B]

It is done.

[A]

Oh, wonderful. All right, tally up those points. Are you ready to crown one team that smashboom best?

[B]

I was born ready.

[A]

Okay, drum roll, please. And the winner is.

[B]

Monster truck.

[C]

Yeah, buddy.

[D]

Right in the engine.

[A]

Okay, Archer, was there a moment that decided things for you? Was it the final six that did it?

[B]

The final six got me, honestly. Like, I was like, oh, yeah, normal. Normal sentence. Yeah, buddy. It's always the classic final six. You know, I almost gave monster trucks the sneak attack. But honestly, just the sheer genius of the hat wheel. I'm just like, how does one come up with the hat wheels?

[D]

I mean, and then if you get a flat tire, you've got a spare on your head. You know, you're there to save the day.

[B]

Monster trucks got the rebuttal point because, I mean, just like that cold finisher of like, it ends in a terrible crash. Amazing. Anyway, congrats everybody. Round of APPLAUSE Yay.

[C]

Thank you, Archer. Sandon, I really enjoyed this debate because I am a big Hot Wheels fan and a monster truck fan. I'm a fan of both and it was hard for me to argue against Hot Wheels because I know that they have so much in common. But you did a really great job. I did love your fashion. That was my favorite. You really brought it with a whole ensemble.

[D]

Oh, yeah. Mark, I just have two words for you.

[B]

Yeah, buddy.

[D]

I can't wait to go to the next monster truck rally with you, friend.

[A]

Woo.

[C]

We're gonna bring your place.

[B]

Am I invited?

[C]

Of course.

[D]

Everyone, bring your Hot Wheels. Come on down.

[A]

Well, that is it for today's debate battle. Archer crowned monster trucks the Smashboom best. But what about you?

[B]

Head to smashboom.org and vote to tell us who you think won.

[A]

This episode was produced by me, Molly Bloom, and Anna Wegel. We had sound designed by Mark Sanchez and he also wrote the killer theme song. We had engineering help from Matt Graff. Our announcer is Marley Foyer Worker Auto. And we want to give special thanks to the all Austin Cross and Taylor Kaufman. Mark, is there anyone you'd like to shout out today?

[C]

Yeah, I'd like to shout out Coco and Vicky and my dog Ella and Mr. Bob Chandler and Benjar Bigfoot and the one and only great Anna Wagle, of course.

[A]

And how about you, Sandon? Any special shout outs?

[D]

Oh, yeah. I want to shout out my son Felix, who is really getting into cars and helped me prepare for this debate by playing cars with me for the last four years. And also I want to. I want to give a big shout out to you and Mark and me for being back. Smashboom Best is back. And independent, baby.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

And Archer, how about you? Any special thanks or shout outs?

[B]

I've been thinking about this moment for, like four years for, like, what I would say. Shout out to my darling angel cat, Violet. Shout out to my dad for signing me up for this and, like, giving all this work and driving me here. He's in the lobby right now. A shout out to my friend Sophie, who is probably listening to this also because she's a fan of the podcast. Also my mom and my brother, who I'm surprising by being in this episode again. I kept it a secret from him this entire time and he's gonna be like, oh, my God, wait. Archers on Smash Moon Best now.

[A]

And yes, I am incredible. That's so fun. Before we go, let's check in and see who Jacqueline thinks should win the sweet swimming versus running debate.

[B]

I personally think that swimming would win because I'm not good at running.

[A]

Thank you. Bye. 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. And if you're a fan of the show and want to keep it going, head to smartypast.com work to subscribe. We'll be back next week with a new smash. Boom. Best episode. Babies versus Puppies. Tata.

[D]

All right, guys, shifting into second gear. See you later.

[A]

Bye. Oh, My goodness.

[B]

I have derailed myself any of this, not a single second.