Smash Boom Best: "Unicorns vs. Dragons" (June 6, 2019)

Host: Molly Bloom
Debaters: Katie McVey (Team Dragon) & Sandon Totten (Team Unicorn)
Judge: Koby

Episode Overview

In this magical, laugh-out-loud episode of Smash Boom Best, two of the most iconic mythical creatures—unicorns and dragons—go head to head in a playful, fact-filled debate. Host Molly Bloom leads the charge as debaters Katie McVey (Team Dragon) and Sandon Totten (Team Unicorn) deliver zingers, stories, historical digs, and passionate rhetoric—each vying for the ultimate title: Smash Boom Best. Judge Koby listens closely and weighs in at each round. The episode is a lively mix of education, folklore, pop culture, and inventive fun, perfect for kids and families.

Main Segments & Key Discussion Points

1. Introduction & Judge Insight

• Opening banter sets the tone as kids and the host share their initial feelings about dragons and unicorns, mentioning fire-breathing vs. rainbow vibes (00:27–01:34).
• Judge Koby expresses a preference for dragons as intimidating pets, but is wary of their fierceness (“...if I was walking down the street with a dragon...you wouldn’t really come up to me...”, 01:04–01:23).

2. Rules of the Debate (03:00–03:54)

• Four structured rounds:
  1. Declaration of Greatness: Debaters present their best stories and facts.
  2. Micro Round: Pre-written creative challenge.
  3. Sneak Attack: Surprise improv challenge.
  4. Final Six: Persuasion in just six words.

3. Round 1: Declaration of Greatness

Team Dragon (Katie McVey, 04:22–09:57):

• Dragons in history & myth:
  • "Dragons have captured the human imagination since at least the 4th century BCE. That's older than the Colosseum, the Eiffel Tower, and anyone you've ever met." (04:31)
  • Global presence: legends from Mesopotamia, India, Egypt, China, England.
• Medieval legend:
  • Dramatic retelling of St. George’s victory over a dragon, highlighting dragons as timeless symbols of danger and power (05:06–07:14).
• Dragons' versatility:
  • Sometimes evil, sometimes lucky (e.g., Chinese dragon as symbol of good fortune), sometimes just misunderstood.
  • "Dragons can be whatever you want them to be, but they're always cool." (09:00)
• Possible inspiration for dragons:
  • “Historian Adrienne Mayer theorizes that...when our ancestors found dinosaur bones, they attributed them to dragons.” (09:05)
• Komodo dragon cameo:
  • Highlighting dragons’ real-life namesakes (09:31–09:44).

Team Unicorn (Sandon’s 30-second rebuttal, 10:22–10:53):

• Critiques dragons’ dangerous image: “Most of the time they represent a terrible bad guy who's out to burn your face off. And we don't like that. We have faces for a reason...” (10:24)
• Pokes fun at “dragon breath.”

Team Unicorn (Sandon Totten, 11:09–15:49):

• Unicorn legend & worldwide lore:
  • “According to legend, unicorns are tough as nails. Super magical, butt kicking, crime detecting, poison purifying forces of nature. Being pretty is just a side gig.” (11:13)
• Heroic tale:
  • Retells tale of Isabelle’s unicorn defeating a dragon, showcasing unicorns’ strength and magical protection (12:15–13:01).
• Global variants:
  • Carcadon (Persia/India, like a rhino), Qilin (China) for good omens, Kirin & Sinew (Japan), the latter detecting guilt: “The Sinew says it was the butler, your honor.” (13:57)
• Magical powers:
  • Purifying water, curing disease, protecting royalty; even a Danish throne allegedly made entirely of unicorn horns—revealed to be narwhal tusks (14:30–14:58).
• Cultural presence:
  • Ubiquitous in toys, cartoons, fashion, and food trends.
  • “They are the total package. Fierce fighters, defenders of justice, bringers of magic, and, yes, very pretty to look at.” (15:39)

Team Dragon (Katie’s rebuttal, 16:32–16:58):

• Argues unicorns are snitches, questions their real usefulness, and decries medieval medical myths: “Unicorns, nobody likes to snitch... you're the big pharma of medieval Europe. Nobody likes it.” (16:34)
• Downplays unicorns slaying dragons as rare.

4. Micro Round: "I'd Like to Thank the Academy" (22:14–26:04)

Prompt: Each team gives an acceptance speech for an imaginary award.

Team Unicorn (Sandon, 22:45–24:16):

• Wins “the thing that inspired the greatest works of art and culture.”
• Thanks to ancient manuscripts, paintings, the unicorn tapestries, TV, My Little Pony, and pop art trends (“Sup, my bronies. I see you.”, 23:29).
• Shout-out to Lisa Frank: “Your hyper colored rainbow pictures. Show the real me. This is for you.” (24:02)
• “Dare to be yourself, everyone.” (24:10)

Team Dragon (Katie as a dragon, 24:29–26:02):

• Wins “Most Beautiful Mythological Creature.”
• Cocky and humorous: “With my dazzling wit and glittering hoard of treasure, who could ignore me? No one.” (24:41)
• Mocks competition: “Who is going to win? The Hydra? The Chimera? The Unicorn? That little weird headed horse? Don’t make me laugh.” (25:03)
• Signs off with fiery charm: “You're welcome for even dating to Ta Ta. Much love. Goodbye from me, the dragon.” (25:55)

5. Sneak Attack: "By Any Other Name" (26:37–28:30)

Prompt: Come up with three alternative names for your creature.

Team Dragon (Katie, 27:53):

• Serpentine Dream Makers
• Beautiful Sky Demons
• Fire Yellers of the Ozone Layers

Team Unicorn (Sandon, 28:16):

• Pretty Pointy Ponies
• Spear Headed Horses
• Magical Mares of the Forest

6. Final Six Words (29:14–29:34)

Team Unicorn (Sandon, 29:14):

• “Always choose your one horned friend.”

Team Dragon (Katie, 29:29):

• “Pockets of money, bellies of fire.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Katie McVey (Team Dragon):
  • “Because if you don't crown them the best, they will burn you alive. So, something to think about.” (02:29)
  • “Dragons can be whatever you want them to be, but they're always cool.” (09:00)
• Sandon Totten (Team Unicorn):
  • “According to legend, unicorns are tough as nails. Super magical, butt kicking, crime detecting, poison purifying forces of nature. Being pretty is just a side gig.” (11:13)
  • “They are the total package. Fierce fighters, defenders of justice, bringers of magic, and, yes, very pretty to look at.” (15:39)
  • Lisa Frank shout-out: “Your hyper colored rainbow pictures. Show the real me.” (24:02)
• Judge Koby:
  • “One thing that I noticed very fast was that... the dragons tend to die a lot... and the unicorn has magic skin—what, that's impervious to fire?” (15:54)
  • “These are mind twisting decisions, yes.” (17:51)

Episode Finale: Decision & Takeaways

• Judge Koby chooses... Dragons! (30:24)
  • “After careful deliberation, trials and tribulation, dragons and unicorn nations, I have decided... Dragons are the winner.” (30:08–30:26)
• Sportsmanship and camaraderie: Both debaters compliment each other's skill and recognize the greatness of both creatures.
  • Sandon: “I would love to see unicorns and dragons together. I mean, honestly, I’d hang out with them over people almost any day.” (31:13)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Opening & Introductions: 00:00–02:13
• Judge Koby Q&A: 00:59–02:09
• Debate Rules: 03:00–03:54
• Declaration of Greatness—Dragon: 04:22–09:57
• Rebuttal—Unicorn: 10:22–10:53
• Declaration of Greatness—Unicorn: 11:09–15:49
• Rebuttal—Dragon: 16:32–16:58
• Micro Round: 22:14–26:04
• Sneak Attack: 26:37–28:30
• Final Six: 29:14–29:34
• Final Decision: 30:24

Tone and Style

The episode’s tone is clever, animated, and unintimidating—whimsical, yet surprisingly informative. The debaters banter good-naturedly and keep things accessible for kids by mixing big ideas with silly jokes, wild stories, and pop culture references.

Episode Takeaway

Through humor, folklore, and a touch of history, "Unicorns vs. Dragons" delivers a lively crash course in debate while celebrating the sparkle and sizzle of two legendary creatures. Whether you side with the rainbow-horned or the fire-breathing, you’ll walk away with new facts, a smile, and perhaps a favorite mythical bestie.

Winner: Dragons
But the real winners: Listeners, who get to join the debate, laugh, and learn along the way!