Stavvy’s World #173 - With David Sims & Griffin Newman

Date: March 23, 2026

Guests: David Sims, Griffin Newman (from "Blank Check with Griffin and David")
Host: Stavros Halkias

Episode Overview

This episode is a classic Stamvy hangout packed with irreverent movie talk, personal stories, generational debates about Batman, lots of laughter about fat guys on sitcoms, and a healthy amount of listener call-in advice. Guests David Sims and Griffin Newman of the "Blank Check" podcast join Stavros to dig into how they all approach pop culture obsessiveness, the dynamics of movie criticism, family quirks, and nostalgia—plus what happens when you discover rimjobs in your twenties.

Main Themes

• The role of pop culture—especially movies and podcasts—in surviving tough times and shaping identity
• Nostalgia for formative movie and TV obsessions, including Batman, action figures, and sitcoms
• The evolution of superhero movies and a longing for less "serious" blockbusters
• Quirky personal anecdotes, from bad action figures to running into Leonardo DiCaprio’s parents in LA
• Candid, comedic relationship and life advice via listener calls
• An affectionate but real talk about fat guys in media and the aspirational/realistic divide

Key Discussion Points

Movie Therapy, Reboot Routines & The Comfort of Podcasts

(01:20–07:46)

• Stavros describes using movies and podcasts to cope with dark periods in his life, citing “reboot” movies like Creed and Batman Begins as personal rituals for change:
  • “...when I’m ready to really get my life in order... I’m watching Creed every day and getting fuckin’ jacked, you know...” (04:02, Stavros)
• Griffin and David relate, discussing the urge to have continuous audio just to avoid being alone with one’s thoughts.

Obsessive Fandom: Action Figures, Fast Food Tie-Ins, and Nostalgia

(10:07–15:51)

• Deep dive into action figure collecting, the disappointing sales history of obscure Simpsons toys (“Brad Goodman”) and the heartbreak of tie-in toys (Small Soldiers, Batman Forever cups).
• Griffin nerds out on behind-the-scenes quirks in the toy industry:
  • “Jackie Mason pulled out at the last second because he thought it was offensive to Judaism to make a Rabbi action figure with a plastic Torah” (12:38, Eldis)
• The group riff on the “nerd” vs. “cool” host dynamic of Blank Check, and the fusion of dorky and normal childhoods.

Batman Forever: From Schumacher to Super-Serious

(15:23–17:32)

• Wide-ranging Batman talk celebrates Schumacher’s over-the-top, campy movies:
  • “Just made by an insane gay guy... the nipple suits... It’s awesome.” (15:23, Stavros)
• Lamentations about the loss of “dumb” Batman movies and the churn of superhero content:
  • “Now they’re boiling the bones. They boiled them eight times...” (16:05, Stavros)

Superhero Movies as Modern Westerns

(16:44–18:08)

• Stavros and Griffin discuss the genre’s fatigue, likening the superhero glut to the decline of Westerns.
• Debate over whether it’s time for the cycle to end, or at least seriously evolve.

Oscar Season, Movie Criticism, and Jesse Plemons Worship

(18:14–25:20)

• The group feigns hosting an Oscar recap despite not having seen the ceremony yet and jokingly celebrate “Begonia” sweeping awards.
• Raves for “The Secret Agent,” “Marty Supreme,” and other recent favorites.
• Conversation about how prestigious actors (Hawke, Plemons) steal or lose nominations, with a comedic rant about authenticity in casting short, balding, bisexual roles:
  • “Isn’t there a 5’3” bisexual who could actually play that role?” (19:11, Stavros)

DiCaprio’s Parents, Wild LA Movie Night Story

(34:04–39:05)

• Eldis details attending the one-battle premiere in LA, seated directly behind DiCaprio’s eccentric parents—brought to hilarious life with tales of their hippie habits and bathroom mishaps:
  • “...some woman took a giant shit in the stall and didn’t even flush... Then DiCaprio comes out: ‘My parents!’ ...It was DiCaprio’s mom.” (38:02, Morgan via Eldis)
• Group riff on Hollywood legacy, mystery, and badass parents.

The Serious Business of Fat Guys, Action Figures, and Family Traits

(44:03–56:41)

• Discussion of New York childhood archetypes and parental eccentricities.
• A moving reflection on “becoming a kind of guy,” and family oddities like aspiring sportscaster dads, gambling uncles, and the legacy of fun, fat guys.
• Notable quote: “At the end of the day, take it all away—I’m still a fat guy that’s fun to pretend to wrestle with.” (56:12, Stavros)

Listener Call-In Advice Highlights

Call #1 – Cold Sores and Relationship Trust

(60:00–66:56)

• Caller suspects partner (husband) transmitted mouth cold sores to genitals.
• Panel’s advice:
  • If not suspicious of cheating, it’s just a tough draw—no one’s “at fault”, but open communication and a doctor’s visit advised.
  • “If you’re with someone who has herpes, and you’re still...just let her get herpes!” (66:25, Stavros, jokingly)
  • Reminder that herpes stigma is overblown.

Call #2 – My Wife (With Perky H Cups) Won’t Do Chores

(71:49–83:29)

• Male caller complains about his wife’s household laziness, then boasts about her “very perky H cups.”
• Stavros’ response:
  • “Perky H’s brother, that’s fuckin’, you gotta do a little extra Swifferin’ with those fat tits in your life!” (73:28, Stavros)
  • Funny inversion of sitcom gender roles; sitcom pitches fly.
• Bottom-line advice:
  • If mess drives you crazy, communicate before having kids—because life with kids guarantees more chaos, not less.
  • Division of labor is real and often uneven, but communication is the key.

Call #3 – Struggling with Australian Zoom Accents

(83:52–89:00)

• Caller can’t understand his boss’s boss on Australian Zoom calls, fears he’s being seen as incompetent.
• Panel’s advice:
  • Binge Australian media to “train your ear” (Wilfred, Peter Weir films, Crocodile Dundee, etc.).
  • Embrace the possibility of doing less work if you’re not getting fired.
  • Funny aside about Mel Gibson’s racially confused career arc.

Call #4 – White Girlfriend Won’t Eat My Ass

(96:36–110:57)

• Young man, after formative butt-eating experiences with older and non-white partners, can’t get his white girlfriend to reciprocate.
• Panel’s response:
  • Deracialize the theory—preferences are personal, not racial.
  • Approach it as a normal kink request, facilitate mutual sexual exploration and communication, don’t make it a racial or emotional high-stakes demand.
  • “If you want just the feeling of your ass played with, go with a gay guy... but you want a woman, you’re straight, go for it.” (103:36, Stavros)
  • Use humor, “Don’t say, ‘How about you eat my ass, honky?’” (107:16, Stavros)

Call #5 – How Soon Is Too Soon to Move In Together?

(113:22–123:06)

• Caller wants a guideline for moving in with a partner.
• Advice:
  • Ignore external pressures (rent, social expectation), go at your own relationship’s pace—generally at least a year, and only after you’d both feel “overdue” for it.
  • Rushing for logistical reasons (especially in big cities) can torpedo good relationships.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Movie Rituals:
  • "When I'm ready to really get my life in order... I'm watching Creed every day and getting fuckin' jacked..." (04:02, Stavros)
• On Batman villains & social messaging:
  • "Until [The Riddler] goes Columbine at MSG... they made eight things to be like, this is the bad guy, by the way, because he seems too awesome and reasonable..." (09:12, Stavros)
• On Family Dynamics:
  • "At the end of the day, take it all away—I'm still a fat guy that's fun to pretend to wrestle with." (56:12, Stavros)
• On Fat Sitcom Guys Getting Hot Wives:
  • "Those shows are bad for fat children... they're giving you way too high expectations." (70:30, Stavros)
• On Dividing Household Chores (for H-cup wives):
  • “You want her doin’ chores with those heavy-ass tits? If your tits are that big, she could take it easy on the chores.” (73:12, Stavros)
• On Asking for Butt Stuff:
  • “Don’t say, ‘How about you eat my ass, honky?’” (107:16, Stavros)
• On Moving In Together:
  • "I would just like build your relationship until it feels almost like you're overdue for it... it's always better to really feel like you're overdue." (119:10, Stavros)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Introduction & Early Movie Ritual Talk: 01:04–07:46
• Action Figures, Simpsons Lore, Toy Marketing: 10:07–15:51
• Batman Movie Generations, Superhero Fatigue: 15:23–18:08
• Oscars, Plemons, Begonia Recap: 18:14–25:20
• One Battle & DiCaprio’s Parents Story: 34:04–39:05
• Sitcom Fat Guys, Family Oddballs: 44:03–56:41
• Caller #1 – Cold Sores, Herpes, and Trust: 60:00–66:56
• Caller #2 – Sloppy Wife vs. H Cups (Chores): 71:49–83:29
• Caller #3 – Australian Zoom Accents: 83:52–89:00
• Caller #4 – Rimjobs, Race, Communication: 96:36–110:57
• Caller #5 – When to Move In: 113:22–123:06
• Closing & Blank Check Plug: 123:05–126:36

Final Thoughts

This episode is an amiable, winding conversation that showcases Stavvy’s World at its best: raunchy, honest, warm, and unapologetically movie-nerdy, with memorable moments of heartfelt personal sharing and hard laughs. Whether you’re looking for quirky tales from the underbelly of pop culture, or real talk about modern relationships, this episode delivers.

For more:
Check out Blank Check with Griffin and David if you enjoy filmmaker-deep-dive movie podcasts.