Straight Culture Gabfest: Heated Rivalry & Wake Up Dead Man

Summary

StraightioLab Podcast Summary
Episode: Straight Culture Gabfest: Heated Rivalry & Wake Up Dead Man
Hosts: George Civeris & Sam Taggart
Date: December 23, 2025

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Episode Overview

In this lively episode, George Civeris and Sam Taggart dive into the essence of "holiday spirit"—debating the language and cultural baggage around festive greetings, the realities of celebrating in mixed-religion families, and the peculiar shapes holiday rituals now take. They then embark on in-depth discussions of two buzzy pieces of entertainment: the Canadian gay hockey drama "Heated Rivalry" and the latest whodunnit from the Knives Out universe, "Wake Up Dead Man." The conversation is rich with cultural critique, comedic tangents, and the hosts' signature brand of affectionate irreverence toward straight culture.

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1. Holiday Spirit: The Language and Rituals of December (03:33–19:20)

Key Points:

• The hosts muse about the phrase "Happy Holidays," with George noting its corporate, HR overtones that sap it of true sentiment.
  Quote (04:37, George): “Happy Holidays is like, it’s what the HR person says to you before they fire you. ‘Happy Holidays. But we do need to talk at 3pm Eastern.’”
• Sam suggests bringing back “Peace on Earth” as a more meaningful wish, but George notes this sometimes highlights the lack of peace in the world.
• There’s a longing for more organic, even conflictual, holiday interactions—a wish for less sanitized and more genuine moments.
• Both hosts reflect on their holiday plans: George is hosting an intimate Christmas lamb dinner and revels in ornament shopping, while Sam anticipates family traditions in Virginia.
• They discuss the blurriness and inclusivity of holiday celebrations in mixed-religion families, especially regarding Jews who may or may not celebrate Christmas.
• Debate over the best December days, with special affection for December 23 (“the Solange” of the holidays) as a magic, liminal time.
  Quote (16:07, George): “Christmas Day and Christmas Eve, they’re so commercialized… the 23rd is just that magic day when you don’t have work and you can just like, relax for once and watch a film.”

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2. The Gift-Giving Divide: New York vs. LA Christmas (19:20–23:29)

Key Points:

• Sam bemoans LA’s digital, delivery-based gift culture compared to New York’s magical, in-person Christmas shopping experience.
• George describes a transformative Upper East Side Ralph Lauren store visit, discovering “retail is alive and well,” conjuring a “Disney Channel original movie about Christmas.”
• The idea of certain Jewish individuals (e.g., Ralph Lauren) fully embracing Christmas as “the embodiment of Christmas” leads to a playful analogy about subcultural irony.

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3. Buzzworthy TV: "Heated Rivalry" (23:29–46:56)

Introduction to the Show:

• George and Sam dissect "Heated Rivalry," a Canadian gay hockey drama that straddles the line between show and softcore porn, now streaming on HBO Max.
  Quote (25:09, Sam): “It’s really stretching the definition of what a show is… how much sex and non-plot can something have where it’s just porn?”
• Both hosts marvel at its Canadian-ness—the inherent politeness even in the thick of masculine rivalry.
• They compare it to the feeling of Sally Rooney novels being “quintessentially Irish” and American expectations of character and conflict.
• The repetition of the series’ key dynamic ("let me suck your cock" / "shut up," followed by sex) is lampooned but also oddly compelling.
• Discussion of the bottle episode, which both found unexpectedly emotionally effective and “genuinely affecting.”
• The sex scenes are acknowledged as genuinely hot and realistic, which leads into debate over online discourse around the show's authenticity (notably referencing public criticisms by Jordan Firstman and the subsequent backlash).

Memorable Quotes:

• (33:05, George): "You’re giving me two porny, conventionally attractive guys doing Disney Channel acting, and I still got hard. Fuck. I haven’t grown at all in the last 15 years."
• (34:38, George): "Guess what? Sometimes you come fast, and that’s okay."
• (38:53, Sam): “There’s like a new thing where it’s like, I’m not like the sceney gays. The sceney gays are bitchy and evil…”
• (41:47, Sam): "One of the weirder things is seeing, when you do see a five-year-old critique come out, you’re like, whoa, hold on..."

Meta-Commentary:

• They relate the phenomenon of “crazy online discourse” to the demise of normal, balanced internet conversation.
• The show’s racial family tropes are noted but mostly shrugged off as an example of shifting attitudes toward representation discourse.
• Both hosts ultimately support "Heated Rivalry" and hope for more plot and actual hockey in season two.

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4. Buzzworthy Film: "Wake Up Dead Man" (Knives Out 3) (54:11–66:33)

Initial Impressions:

• Universally positive: charming, funny, stylish, and anchored by a strong cast (with specific praise for Joshua O’Connor and Glenn Close).
• The hosts debate director Rian Johnson’s tendency to address social issues in a “hyper-online,” contemporary, left-liberal way. Quote (55:42, George): “He’s dealing with social issues in the most mediated way possible… If you were to be like, ‘What are the main factors of America?’ he’d be like, incels, thought leaders, lying feminist women with podcasts, and Donald Trump.”
• Sam argues the movie would benefit from more grounded, place-based, even ambiguous politics rather than flattening everyone into internet archetypes.
• The "hyperonline" nature of the fictional town is lampooned for its lack of realism.
• Praise for the “franchise” aspect: much like White Lotus, these movies are now an event to assemble big casts for audience fun.

Characters & Acting:

• Glenn Close is lauded for her craft (“leave her alone, she’s a legend… she’s also working so much and doing such different, interesting things in her late career” - 59:42, George).
• Criticism that actors like Kerry Washington and Cailee Spaeny are underwritten.
• High marks for Josh Brolin (“so sexy”) and general appreciation for Daniel Craig’s leading turn.

Themes:

• The movie’s morality is debated: is it Catholic? Is its earnest pro-social messaging refreshing or a bit 2016?
• Sam enjoys the depiction of the church as a (potential) force for good (“I liked the balance of Benoit Blanc being like, ‘I fucking hate it here,’ and Josh O’Connor being like, ‘It’s beautiful.’” – 62:21)
• George wishes the movie showed more of the outside world, feeling the internet-drenched chamber piece leaves the setting too self-contained.

Selected Memorable Moments:

• (60:49, Sam): “I was like, come on,” (reacting to Josh Brolin’s sexiness)
• (67:30, Sam): “Don’t fucking come to me and talk about Glenn Powell as a leading man. This bitch is too goofy.”

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5. Oscar Season Anticipation & Pop Culture Year-in-Review (68:35–72:23)

Key Points:

• The hosts embrace the excitement of upcoming Oscar season: eagerness for Amanda Seyfried’s new movie, “Blue Moon,” and more Josh O’Connor performances.
• Brief debate: Channing Tatum vs. Glenn Powell as leading men.
• Consensus that 2025’s pop culture has yet to yield a truly seismic movie—there’s nostalgia for “Anatomy of a Fall” and “Tar” as examples of recent films that delivered on emotional impact.

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6. Closing Reflections, Advice, and Wordplay (72:23–74:39)

Key Points:

• The hosts wish listeners “a lovely December 23rd” and riff on “holiday” vs. “Hollywood” spirit.
• George shares a family wordplay moment: “Manchester United.”
• George openly credits spending time with his niece for “making [him] soft.”
  Quote (73:11, George): "Get yourself a niece is what I’ll say. It’s really like an antidepressant."
• Warm reminders about the joy of winter beach vacations and, with tongue in cheek, a call to "shout out to God" for making beaches.

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Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• “Happy Holidays is like, it’s what the HR person says to you before they fire you.”
  — George, 04:37

• "You’re giving me two porny, conventionally attractive guys doing Disney Channel acting, and I still got hard. Fuck. I haven’t grown at all in the last 15 years."
  — George, 33:05

• “It’s really stretching the definition of what a show is.”
  — Sam, 25:09

• “Guess what? Sometimes you come fast, and that’s okay.”
  — George, 34:38

• "He’s dealing with social issues in the most mediated way possible… If you were to be like, ‘What are the main factors of America?’ he’d be like, incels, thought leaders, lying feminist women with podcasts, and Donald Trump."
  — George, 55:42

• "Don’t fucking come to me and talk about Glenn Powell as a leading man. This bitch is too goofy."
  — Sam, 67:30

• "Get yourself a niece is what I’ll say. It’s really like an antidepressant."
  — George, 73:11

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Timestamps of Important Segments

• [03:33] – Holiday greetings and holiday spirit debate
• [08:44] – Holiday plans and mixed-religion families
• [16:07] – The magic of December 23
• [19:20] – NY vs. LA Christmas shopping
• [23:29] – Introduction to & deep dive: "Heated Rivalry"
• [33:05] – Host confessions: what makes the show genuinely hot
• [41:47] – Online discourse, “sceney gays,” and representation debates
• [54:11] – Introduction to "Wake Up Dead Man" (Knives Out 3)
• [59:42] – Glenn Close praise and career reflections
• [66:33] – Reflections on franchise movies & earnestness
• [68:35] – Oscar season, leading men, pop culture reflections
• [72:23] – Wrapping up: wishes, wordplay, and softness

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Tone, Style & Takeaway

George and Sam maintain their signature blend of sharp cultural insight, self-deprecating wit, and earnest affection for even the silliest aspects of straight culture. They’re unafraid to dissect online discourse, roast cultural trends, and reveal their own contradictions and soft spots.

For the Listener:
If you haven’t heard the episode, this summary gives you a seat at the table for a winding, witty, and thoughtful holiday chat—one that’s as much about modern rituals and identity as it is about what TV to binge with your family (or your same-sex husband… with matching boners).

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End of Summary.

Transcript

[George Severis]

This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.

[Sam Taggart]

Everybody knows Shaq, but off camera, he's.

[George Severis]

Just a regular guy.

[Sophie Cunningham]

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[George Severis]

Provided by Lilly, A medicine company.

[Podcast Announcer]

Listen to your elders, honey. You might know them from their viral videos. But now the Old Gays are pulling back the curtain with their podcast Silver Linings with the Old Gays, brought to you in partnership with iHeart's Ruby Studio and Veeve Healthcare. Hosts Robert, Mick, Bill and Jesse share their favorite pride, memories and the importance of celebrating all year long in in honor of Palm Springs Pride. So check out Silver Linings with the Old gays on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Sports Announcer]

Okay, only 10 more presents to wrap. You're almost at the finish line, but.

[Sam Taggart]

First, There the last one.

[George Severis]

Enjoy a Coca Cola for a pause that refreshes.

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[George Severis]

Foreign. Hi everyone and happy holiday week to all.

[Podcast Announcer]

Today we are unpaywalling a recent Patreon.

[George Severis]

Episode where we talked about the pornographic Canadian hockey hit Heated Rivalry, as well as Wake Up Deadman, the latest chapter in the Knives out universe.

[Podcast Announcer]

Just one note, which is that this.

[George Severis]

Was recorded a little over a week ago, so we hadn't seen the latest episode of Heated Rivalry, which we both actually loved. And we are now all in on Heated Rivalry. I repeat, we are now all in on Heated Rivalry. As always, please stream my special George A Sense of Urgency on Amazon prime or Apple TV. And please buy tickets to our two.

[Podcast Announcer]

San Francisco shows on January 22nd and.

[George Severis]

January 23rd as part of SF Sketchfest.

[Podcast Announcer]

We cannot wait to see you there.

[George Severis]

And also, if you like this episode.

[Podcast Announcer]

You can listen to literally hundreds more like it by subscribing to our patreon for only $5 a month. That is nothing.

[George Severis]

$5 a month?

[Podcast Announcer]

Are you kidding me? At patreon.com Stradiolab okay, happy holidays.

[George Severis]

We love you and enjoy the episode.

[Sam Taggart]

Patreon exclusive episode starts now. What is up? Happy Holidays to all.

[George Severis]

Happy Holidays to all. And yeah, saying Happy Holidays is back.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah, I've just decided it's radical.

[George Severis]

It's actually inclusive in a new way. It's not really about, like, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, whatever. It's kind of more like you. Anyone can celebrate anything. You can celebrate the big promotion. You can celebrate buying a new pair.

[Podcast Announcer]

Of La Mer pants.

[George Severis]

You can celebrate recording your annual holiday episode of your gay podcast. Holiday can look like anything.

[Sam Taggart]

There's something about Holiday saying Happy Holiday that I like, where it feels very, like, defensive. Like, I'm like, happy Holidays. Like, I'm just like, okay, like, say anything anymore.

[George Severis]

That is the right. I do think that is where the right wing reaction comes from. Is that actually the phrase Happy Holidays doesn't spark joy at all. And it's not because I'm craving someone to say Merry Christmas. I don't care about that. I just want something a little more lively than Happy Holidays. Like, Happy Holidays is like, it's so corporate.

[Sam Taggart]

It's very hr. It's very.

[George Severis]

Well, you're sort. It's like, it's what. So it's what the HR person says to you before they fire you. Also, they're like, happy Holidays. But we do need to talk at 3pm Eastern.

[Sam Taggart]

I wish there could be. Be like. Like, I would almost rather. Like, we need to have more conflict in our lives. We need to have, like, Merry Christmas. Someone's like, hey, I don't celebrate that. And then I go, okay, what do you celebrate? Like, I'm almost like, craving. Like, would it be so bad to be wrong for one second in one's life?

[George Severis]

I know. Well, it goes back to, like, the evolving nature of holidays more broadly, where I'm like, okay, so if no one really is. No one is really celebrating the baby Jesus, then why not go wild with it? Like, let's, like, reinvent it completely. Like, what then? What are we celebrating? Like, we can sort of like, make it whatever we want.

[Sam Taggart]

Well, literally, you should just be like, happy Winter. Like, Happy Winter.

[George Severis]

Because winter actually is inherently more festive than the concept of holidays.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah, we all want snow. We want, like, cocoa by the fire. We don't really care about, you know, Christ the Savior is born.

[George Severis]

Maybe this is not quite it because I would hate it if someone said this to me. But I'm almost like, is the issue happy? Is should you be saying, have a cozy holiday again? I don't want anyone to say that to me. But if, if maybe we've been focusing on the wrong word. We're so obsessed with making the word holidays inclusive that the issue is happy. Because so much of. If you watch, you know, any of these kind of indie holiday movies about how the holidays are actually about ennui and family strife. It's like, happy is so prescriptive. It's like, be happy, be happy. What about have a wistful holiday?

[Sam Taggart]

You're really sparking something within me. I think you're pointing to a nice nuance. But I will say, before getting into the ennui, I want to say, basically what I think people are trying to say with happy holidays is, hey, don't forget to have fun. I'm kind of wanting, hey, don't work too hard. Basically, that's what I want people to say.

[George Severis]

I see what you're saying. It's basically, you don't have to look at your computer.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah. Don't forget this is the weekend of the year. Like, happy weekend of the year.

[George Severis]

So it's basically just tgif, but for a week.

[Sam Taggart]

Exactly. We need tgif.

[George Severis]

So we need. Thank God it's the holidays.

[Sam Taggart]

Thank non religious God, it's the holidays.

[George Severis]

It's the holidays. I also think we should bring back, like the concept of saying peace on earth during the holidays. That's kind of a nice. That's kind of a nice wish to put it out there to be like, you know, for one week, no war.

[Sam Taggart]

It's an amazing wish. But unfortunately, saying it does, like, point out how much knot piece there is.

[George Severis]

That can be a real bummer.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah, it's like when you say, like, God, you're beautiful and you have like a big zit and you're like, I know I'm not.

[George Severis]

Well, it's the classic. I think this is one of. I think this might. It's either Jack Lenovac or Caper Lance joke where it's like, let's say women are getting ready together. It's like the woman that is the least conventionally attractive is going to get the most. You're stunning, you're beautiful. Because people are trying to overcompensate. Whereas if you literally are, you know, Sydney Sweeney coming out of the dressing room with, like a boob dress, no one's going to be like tripping over themselves to tell you how beautiful you are.

[Sam Taggart]

Damn, those girls are smart.

[George Severis]

Oh, God. Mark, joke alert. Two of the best we got, folks.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah. Are you in the holiday spirit, Georgie?

[George Severis]

You know what? I am. I have to say. I really would call me Georgie.

[Podcast Announcer]

Georgia.

[Sam Taggart]

Georgina.

[George Severis]

Oh, I thought you said Georgima. I was like, that's sort of a fun twinist.

[Gilead Advertiser]

I have actually.

[George Severis]

I really am in the Hollywood spirit. Hollywood spot.

[Sam Taggart]

What a slip. He's in the Hollywood spirit. He's in the Hollywood spirit, folks.

[Gilead Advertiser]

You know what?

[Sam Taggart]

I honestly, it's actually, it really is.

[George Severis]

A Freudian slip because I am genuinely in the Hollywood spirit because I'm trying to plan. I'm going to be in LA for all of January and I'm sort of like, well, it's too late for me to book any like huge things that I've forgotten to book. But like what if I book a restaurant reservation? And I really am.

[Sam Taggart]

You said you're in a Hollywood spirit.

[George Severis]

I am in this. I like, I'm excited to do LA things things for all of January and I'm like, what could I. I don't know, I want to do. So I want to do some touristy stuff. I want to see some people I haven't seen in a while. So I am honestly equally in the Hollywood spirit and the holiday spirit. But to answer your original question, yes, I'm in the holiday spirit. My tree looks absolutely amazing. It has really kind of relax. The branches have relaxed in a really beautiful way. It's very symmetrical. I'm gonna go ornament shopping and get my 2025 special ornament that, that I have that I can have to commemorate this year. I am, get this, probably hosting an intimate Christmas Day dinner.

[Sam Taggart]

Oh, we're talking us. So fun. Us.

[George Severis]

Maybe two other couples.

[Sam Taggart]

Oh my God, I've never been more jealous.

[George Severis]

You better bo bet your ass I'm gonna make lamb.

[Sam Taggart]

Whoa, that's crazy.

[George Severis]

Yeah.

[Sam Taggart]

Damn.

[George Severis]

Are you in the Holly Holiday or Hollywood spirit?

[Sam Taggart]

I'm in the Hollywood spirit. You could say. No, I'm in the holiday spirit. I'm like very. I was thinking about this as people of mixed employment. Not that we don't have jobs, of course, but they're not traditional.

[George Severis]

To be clear, mixed is more difficult than having a normal full time job.

[Sam Taggart]

Well, you're never done to.

[George Severis]

To me if you have a normal full time job, you're unemployed. To me, of course.

[Sam Taggart]

Well, they don't have to. Whatever. We know that their lives are much easier than ours.

[George Severis]

The idea of after work drinks. Sweetheart, I'm going to have after work drinks when I'm dead. I'M going to be in heaven and I'm going to say, finally I can relax with a glass of prosecco with God herself.

[Sam Taggart]

I'm feeling, yeah, I'm feeling like. I keep wanting to be like, can I be done with emails now? I keep being like, okay, I'm done. Okay, I'm done. Okay, I'm done. And then I'm never actually done. And I don't think I'll be done until Christmas Day. Mostly I'm feeling like I need to stop looking at emails and having emails.

[George Severis]

I'm so far from being done with emails that I don't know what's going on with me this year. So many things have to happen, like, truly within the next five days. And so much so that I'm actually. I'm the one disrespecting other people trying to be on the holiday slash Hollywood spiritual. Like, I'm. I'm literally like asking for things over email. Like on December 17th. Whoa.

[Sam Taggart]

I'm. I'm excited to go back to the East Coast. That's going to feel so good. Just for the holidays you're looking for.

[George Severis]

I just didn't. I'm trying to. I forgot that you were going to the east coast for the holidays.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah. Not New York, but.

[George Severis]

No, you're not. No, I know. That's why I was shell shocked and in a state of complete and utter.

[Sam Taggart]

Your face was hollyw.

[George Severis]

It was like really scary coast. I was like, do we have a show? The other day someone said to me they misspoken. Rather than saying like, congrats on your special. They said, congrats on your tour. And I literally looked. I was like, what? I had in my mind. I was like, oh, no, I'm supposed to be traveling.

[Sam Taggart]

Oh, no. Yeah, I'm flying on Sunday to gorgeous Virginia. And it'll be nice. I'm excited.

[George Severis]

Do you guys do a big Christmas family date day long thing or is it.

[Sam Taggart]

I mean, it's like, it's. It's normal. We don't like. I'm like, what do you call it? We just do normal. We like wake up kind of like.

[George Severis]

But there's cooking, there's.

[Sam Taggart]

We make breakfast.

[George Severis]

Okay.

[Sam Taggart]

And then we.

[George Severis]

There's not like a. Is there a big dinner, like Thanksgiving style?

[Sam Taggart]

We do a big dinner as well.

[George Severis]

And who's. Who's doing the cooking?

[Sam Taggart]

Well, it's shared between, you know, my mom, Misha, and, you know, my Uncle Cecil's going to pop in a bit as well.

[George Severis]

Ooh. Now that is inclusive.

[Sam Taggart]

So that's pretty Much what we're up to. I'm surprised you're having a dinner. You're not? Yeah. What are you guys up to? It's like Matthew's family up to.

[George Severis]

Well, Matthew's family is ultimately Jewish, which.

[Sam Taggart]

I knew, of course. I just mean more like. So they don't.

[George Severis]

No, no, I know. No. So, okay, so the thing with Matthew's is love them would literally die for them. And in fact, I hope someone asked me to die for them because I'm. I have increasingly little more to give in this. In this terrestrial life. But they are not. No one in his family is sort of a big home chef. So most family dinners are. Well, Matthew cooks and his sister cooks, but most family dinners that are sort of like parent top down planned are restaurant dinners. So we are doing a restaurant dinner on Christmas Eve with the whole Schneier clan, and then Christmas Day, there's no family plan. Matthew's sister and her husband and their kid are in Pittsburgh with his family. So they're not going to be here. So that's pretty much it. I'm like, this is all staying in. No, this is really interesting stuff. This is getting in the Hollywood spirit big time.

[Sam Taggart]

I have to say. There's something. So beginning this podcast talking about how, you know, there should be more conflict. This is exactly what I'm talking about. Not conflict per se, but I'm like, people should be allowed to make mistakes. Like, I'm literally like, there's something that happened with Jewish people and Christmas where I'm sort of like, I know so many Jewish people that also celebrate Christmas. Totally. Like. And so I'm like, now there was a point where I was like, okay, if you're Jewish, you don't celebrate Christmas. Got it. Then it was like, nah, not always. Sometimes they do. So now I'm sort of. I am being like a weird boomer about gender.

[George Severis]

I agree.

[Sam Taggart]

Like, can I say that? Like, totally. Is it wrong to assume they do, or is it wrong to assume they don't?

[George Severis]

It's really damned if you do, damned if you don't. And I do want to apologize for doing that to you where I'm. I responded in a sort of aggressive way, being like, how dare you ask that? Because it is true that if you assume a non Christian person of any kind doesn't celebrate Christmas, suddenly they become, you know, Unitarian. And they're like, of course I celebrate Christmas. Christmas is about peace on earth. And then if you assume they. They do, then of course you are being, you know, racist and prejudiced It's.

[Sam Taggart]

A really interesting place we're in.

[George Severis]

And it actually goes back to how the holiday should be. Winter.

[Sam Taggart]

The holiday needs to be winter.

[George Severis]

But I also think. I'm sorry, this is very, you know, kind of Christian nationalist, but the date of December 25th just has a certain zing about it.

[Sam Taggart]

It's clean, folks.

[George Severis]

I'm sor. December 25th. That's a holiday. That is a holiday.

[Sam Taggart]

It's clean. That is an amazing. Works. It just works.

[George Severis]

It just works. And I don't make the rules, but December 25th, that is the holiday. When you say Happy Holidays, it's that one.

[Sam Taggart]

I could settle for the 23rd. There's something about the 23rd that I've always found quite.

[George Severis]

I love the 23rd because the 23rd is kind of. I mean, how do you even explain what the 23rd is? It's like. It is the Solange.

[Sam Taggart]

Yes. Yes.

[George Severis]

You know, oh, my God, it's like Christmas Day and Christmas Eve. They're so commercialized. They're so loaded. And the 23rd is just that magic day when you don't have work and you can just, like, relax for once and watch a film.

[Sam Taggart]

I mean. 1, 2, 2, 3. Hello. That's amazing.

[George Severis]

1, 2, 2, three. And this year, two, five. Now that is a date.

[Sam Taggart]

That's a fucking date.

[Sophie Cunningham]

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[Podcast Announcer]

Listen to your elders, honey. You might know them from their viral videos. But now the Old Gays pull back the curtain on their podcast Silver Linings with the Old Gays. Brought to you in partnership with iHeart's Ruby Studio and Veeve Healthcare. For a very special bonus episode, hosts Robert, Mick, Bill, and Gisei talk about how pride has evolved over the years and their favorite memories, all in celebration of Palm Springs pride, because pride should be celebrated all year round. Listen in to these fabulous friends swap stories exploring how queer life has evolved over the decades of and the silver linings they've collected along the way. Each episode Dives into hot topics from safe sex and online dating to untangling Gen Z lingo, as well as insights on how music, art and fashion show.

[George Severis]

Up in queer culture.

[Podcast Announcer]

So check out Silver Linings, a show about how pride ages like fine wine. Available on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Lowe's Advertiser]

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[IBM Advertiser]

So you're telling me that the AI that's meant to make everyone's job easier to manage just adds more to manage? On top of the thousands of apps the IT department already manages? Funny how that works. Any business can add AI. IBM helps you scale and manage AI to change how you do business. Lets create smile to business IBM.

[Sam Taggart]

So that's the holiday spirit. I have gotten over my. I was angry about gifts. This year I've swallowed it. There's, as you know, ring the New York versus LA alarm. In la, there's not. In New York you get to be in a film and when it's Christmas time, you get to get out, get your coat, your boots, and you're walking to the stores in each store has a different energy and they're like playing Christmas music and you're like, oh my gosh, I think I have to get this. I know it's expensive, but my mother will love it. And then in LA, it's just like, okay, I'll go to gap.com, okay, I will go to like, I will. I will click the Instagram ad like, like you're literally being like, okay, I want to get them a book, but I know I can't do it. From Amazon is Barnes and Noble. Okay, that's so fucking.

[George Severis]

And all the Christmas decorations are mocking you because it's, it's sunny, but you have to like, like be carrying a mistletoe around.

[Sam Taggart]

It's crazy.

[George Severis]

And there's like, sorry, but I understand a Santa. Santa imagery. I understand Christmas tree. Don't put snowmen. Don't put. Don't have little snowman emoji on your wrapping paper in la.

[Sam Taggart]

Don't do that. You're pissing me off.

[George Severis]

That's a lie. You're lying.

[Sam Taggart]

Don't lie.

[George Severis]

They don't have that there.

[Sam Taggart]

So I'm like, part I'm excited to go back to the east coast, but. And I just miss shopping. Can. While it's always stressful, don't get me wrong, it can be fun. And in la, it's like you're driving to stores. That's not fun.

[George Severis]

No, it's not fun at all. It's. It's anti. It's joyless and it's fucking stupid.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah. New York. I feel like I'm literally like Zooey Deschanel when I'm shopping. Like, I'm in a little coat.

[George Severis]

It's interesting you say that because I had an experience recently that I highly recommend for you next year when you are in New York during the holidays. Due to a variety of reasons that I won't get into. I was in the Upper east side, a neighborhood I rarely am in. Did you know that in the Upper east side, when you walk along the stores, it's back to 1997. Retail is alive and well. I went into the Ralph Lauren Upper east side store. We're talking like five floors full. Christmas meets Americana meets like, it meets real New York imagery meets old time department store. Joy. There's a cafe there where you can get a hot chocolate. I was in shock. I was like, this is. I feel like I'm in a kind of Disney Channel original movie about Christmas.

[Sam Taggart]

It's literally Carol, the movie. Carol's alive and well.

[George Severis]

Yes, it's exactly the movie Carol. I really was like, oh, so these things still exist. You just have to go to a completely segregated, wealthy neighborhood where people kind of like have bought. Have enough money to buy. The experience of it still being the dream of the 90s.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah. Well, never forget when I worked at the J. Crew men's store on the Upper east side. When I first got to New York and around Christmas time, the way that it was popping off was crazy.

[George Severis]

It's amazing.

[Sam Taggart]

Like, enforce. They're like enforcing dress code hard. Like being like, you need to be selling holiday cheer.

[George Severis]

Yeah. No, you need to look like Lindsay Lohan in Mean Girls when they're doing the dance.

[Sam Taggart]

Quite literally. But no, that's kind of fun.

[George Severis]

No, it was really. It was really fab, I have to say. You know, speaking of, you know, not to keep bringing it to religion, but speaking of Jewish people, you know, Ralph Lauren is an example of a Jewish person who has really embraced Christmas.

[Sam Taggart]

Oh, wow. I always forget that.

[George Severis]

Yeah, he's sort of like reinvented himself as kind of the embodiment of Christmas.

[Sam Taggart]

Well, good for him. That's interesting. I agree yeah, that's like when a gay guy gets into leather. Totally. Yeah. They're like, oh, I love, I love masculinity now. Yeah. It's like, huh, okay, good for you.

[George Severis]

Good for you.

[Sam Taggart]

Why not for you? There's, there's irony attached. So it's not like evil.

[George Severis]

Yeah, definitely. Wow. That's actually a very good comparison.

[Sam Taggart]

There's distance. There's healthy distance. Yeah, well, pretty much.

[George Severis]

We wanted to like have a little check in about certain pop culture products that we've been really enjoying.

[Sam Taggart]

Well, enjoying is one word. I think. People, people have been. Obviously, when there's a gay show on television, people, people say, what are your thoughts? What are your thoughts? And so I think we're going to start by talking about Heated rivalry, the new show from Crave.

[George Severis]

Yes.

[Sam Taggart]

All the way to HBO Max.

[George Severis]

All the way to HBO Max.

[Sam Taggart]

George explained the. The history of. To me last. Last Patreon episode.

[George Severis]

Yes. I mean, all I know is that Crave is Canadian. It's kind of there. It's kind of like the HBO of Canada, but also like, maybe a little more. More low rent, but also don't write in because I don't know. And yeah, this show was kind of a surprise hit in Canada from what I understand. And then it became an hbo. I also want to say I'm now like, we're really doing a service talking about these things during the holiday episode because this is the time when people catch up on fun, buzzy, intellectual property. You know, I could see people being like, I've been hearing about heated rivalry. I've been hearing about the new Knives out movie. Time to snuggle in my couch with my dog and finally watch. And finally jerk it. Jerk it while my dog is watching. While watching this kind of soft core porn where they are living in these very. Carrie Bradshaw moves to the. What's the New York neighborhood you moved to? Apartment. And. And just like that.

[Sam Taggart]

Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[George Severis]

It's very. Carrie Bradshaw moves to Hudson Yards.

[Sam Taggart]

Where the beeping was happening.

[George Severis]

Where the beeping was happening. So tell me your thoughts. You've binged it recently.

[Sam Taggart]

I watched all of it on Tuesday and today is Wednesday. Wait, no, I watched it on Monday. Then I watched it all on Monday, the holidays. I thought this show was. It's really stretching the definition of what a show is. Totally. I'm like, so it's just like, I am. I have this joke where I'm like, when does a lazy river become too lazy? Where it's just a pool? Like, what is the specific Laziness that it can hit before it is just still water. And this show is like, how much sex and non plot can something have where it's just porn? Like, I. And it's really pushing the boundary of, like, what is show, what is narrative, and what is porn? And I'm like, I'm gonna say, I think I'm addicted to the Russian actor. I think he's kind of to die for. I'm addicted to the Canadian tone. I love, like, the inherent niceness and, like, sweetness of, like, you're watching essentially porn. And it's about, like, masculine men who fudgeing hate each other. And they're still like, hey, how's it going? Like, what's up? And everyone's like, this is the most heated rivalry. And I'm like, so they're being extremely polite and normal to each other.

[George Severis]

Like, I think it's very. It's very quintessentially Canadian in the way that I actually think Sally Rooney's novels are quintessentially Irish. Like, there's something where sometimes an American reader will be like, something's off about these Sally Rooney characters. And it's like, they're Irish. You want them to be in Brooklyn. They're not. They're Irish. Like, that's like a big. I think that's a big part of how she sort of breaks people's brains a little bit, especially in the US where they, like, think that the characters are unrealistic somehow or think she's virtue signaling. It's like, no, she's Irish. She's a little different than you. And I think the same thing is happening with this crave show where people almost want the characters to be a little more kind of mean and a little. And they want a very specific kind of homophobia that is more American coded. That is more like. Like the high school football team coded.

[Sam Taggart]

Exactly.

[George Severis]

This is different.

[Sam Taggart]

It's. It's. It's funny. It's like, in both a positive and negative. If I'm saying positive in a positive reminds me of Weeknd, where, like, the homophobia was entirely in the main character's, like, self. Like, everyone around him was being supportive and he was like, just couldn't accept himself. Which I thought was really interesting and nuanced. There's kind of that going on where every character is like, I can't come out. But then everyone they talk to, like, gay guys are totally fine.

[George Severis]

Like, I. I loved when they're literally talking to their teammates and the. One of the teammates is talking about how difficult it must be for a gay figure skater to be in so Russia. Yeah. And he goes. He goes. It's really tough for folks like that.

[Sam Taggart]

For folks. Funny.

[George Severis]

You're doing folks.

[Sam Taggart]

That's so funny.

[George Severis]

And I can tell you're pronouncing it with an X at the end.

[Sam Taggart]

Honey, you're saying folks X.

[George Severis]

You're saying folks X now. So here's a question for you. What did you think of the bottle episode?

[Sam Taggart]

The thing with the bottle episode was I actually liked it same. I thought the bottle episode was quite good. And I thought that was like. I mean, the casting of that, like, little muscle guy in the smoothie shop was fucking bonkers. Like, that was like, to make it.

[George Severis]

A smoothie barista more buff than. The hockey player is so funny. And the hockey player all of is 40 years old.

[Sam Taggart]

I love the hockey player. I thought his performance was really nice.

[George Severis]

I agree.

[Sam Taggart]

And I. But I thought the. The. The smoothie barista was so funny and giving. Like, talk about giving. Canadian TV show.

[George Severis]

No, it was Degrassi.

[Sam Taggart]

Degrassi boots. All of his friends. Like, that is so Degrassi.

[George Severis]

I was like, of course, I'm obsessed with his co worker going, girl, girl.

[Sam Taggart]

That part was funny. I was like, they're doing.

[George Severis]

It's amazing. I have to say, I haven't actually watched the latest episode. I will come clean. But of the ones I've watched, that might be my favorite. I mean, I really like. I like the fun, propulsive nature of the regular show, where basically it's like, sex scene, time jump, sex scene time jump, sex scene, time jump. And that's sort of it. And then there's like, occasionally one of them will have, like, a conversation with his mother who's like, don't forget to wear your pumas. And that.

[Sam Taggart]

Is it Pumas or your Rolex? Your role.

[George Severis]

Yeah.

[Sam Taggart]

She's always, don't forget the Reeboks.

[George Severis]

He's like, that's the only thing she says to him. And then for the Russian guy, the only thing he hears is that his brother wants money.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah.

[George Severis]

And that his father is, like, abusive.

[Sam Taggart]

It's a very repetitive. I mean, first of all, there's something about the way that time moves that I'm like, is this groundbreaking? Like, am I seeing something new? Like the fact that it starts in 2008, by episode four, we're in 2016.

[George Severis]

They haven't aged at all.

[Sam Taggart]

They haven't aged at all. Nothing has changed in their relationship. Not a thing. And you're just like, okay, maybe this is genius. And then. But I, like, I've got to say, the repetition is insane. Like, it's literally every scene is just like. Like, let me suck your cock. And then he goes, shut up.

[Podcast Announcer]

Up.

[Sam Taggart]

We're going to beat you. And then I'm going to fuck you. Fuck off. Every scene. Every scene. Do you date? Are you fucking. Shut up. Don't say that to me. And then, like, two minutes later, they're having sex and it's like, okay, like, we've got to figure out a new angle. Like, how they get into it.

[George Severis]

Well, you know, it's setting it up because it starts out so balls to the wall, no pun intended. I'm like, okay, well, we're starting out at kind of like a seven, and I'm expecting you to crank it up even more. Like, I'm expecting by episode six, there's, like, full on, like, you know, really depraved kind of BDSM Folsom Street Fair stuff happening.

[Sam Taggart]

I was like, why no butt plug during the game?

[George Severis]

Yeah.

[Sam Taggart]

He's like, hello.

[George Severis]

Exactly. Okay. And thank you for saying that because he does wear the socks that the other guy gets him. And I'm like, let's take this a step further. Like, let's have.

[Sam Taggart]

Let.

[George Severis]

Let's have him do some sort of signal to the TV that the other guy knows means fetching.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah.

[George Severis]

What? Yeah, but that's what's so Degrassi about it. And I think it's, like, charming. Like, I do think it's fun that.

[Podcast Announcer]

It'S essentially a teen show.

[George Severis]

And I. I'm not necessarily. I have no ethical issue with, like, it should be dirty or it should be, like, more sex forward or what.

[Sam Taggart]

They are, like, kind of going for it. Like, I'm pretty surprised at how extended the sex scenes are. Like, yeah, you don't see cock, but, like, you see a lot.

[George Severis]

Yeah. No, I think that it is very hot. And something sort of amazing that I have heard from many people is this is a show that. Okay. This is a show that gay couples watch and both of them have boners. The way to watch the show is with your same sex husband, like, sitting side by side. And both of you have boners. Don't you think?

[Sam Taggart]

Well, it reminds me of being like a teen in a way. Like, in a. Like, in a homophobic way where I'm, like, watching it, we're both getting boners, and then we're going like, this isn't even hot. This is totally. Yeah, this is stupid. I don't even like this.

[George Severis]

No, it's very. I know there's a. It's funny because. Because there's a certain kind of shame that's like. Because, okay, you're ashamed of your sexuality. That's not the kind of shame you feel watching this show. The shame you feel watching this show is being like, oh, no, this got me. Like, you're giving me two porny, conventionally attractive guys doing Disney Channel acting, and I still got hard. Fuck. I haven't grown at all in the last 15 years. This is what I was like as a teen.

[Sam Taggart]

It sucks. What was. Tell me a scene that was hot to you.

[George Severis]

Oh, God.

[Sam Taggart]

Because I have one in mind.

[George Severis]

Oh, well, it's. I mean, it's been a while since I've watched it now, but isn't there one scene where, like, one of them starts jerking off and the other one's, like, watching. Oh, yeah, the part where he likes the first chair. Yes. Takes the chair and sits on it. I mean, I. I did enjoy that a lot. And I will say the Asian one, you can see in his eyes the complicated feelings he's feeling of both wanting to succumb to it completely and being excited about it while also being a little scared.

[Sam Taggart]

Suck. Come. Succumb.

[George Severis]

Damn. We need to be in the writer's room for season two.

[Sam Taggart]

Literally. No. I thought it was really hot. When they first took up in EP1, and he comes really fast, I was like, damn, this is awesome.

[George Severis]

And also, that is realistic. Sure. And my message to our dear friend Jordan Firstman. That is realistic.

[Sam Taggart]

Okay, now we're getting.

[George Severis]

Sorry, Jordan, that you're going hours at a time without coming your first time having gay sex.

[Sam Taggart]

I have to say, the first time.

[George Severis]

I had gay sex, I came within 20 minutes, 20 seconds.

[Sam Taggart]

The last time I had gay sex, I came within 20 seconds.

[George Severis]

Guess what? Sometimes you come fast, and that's okay.

[Sam Taggart]

I. Oh, God.

[George Severis]

I like that we're being PG13.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah. One time I got. One time when I was, like, 23, I hooked up with this guy who was, like, 40, and I came really fast, and he scolded me. He was like, hey, you can't come that fast. And I was like, okay, I'm 23. This is difficult.

[George Severis]

He was literally being like, this is not authentic gay sex. What you just did is not authentic gay sex. You're a straight woman, right? Writing a queer romance novel. I actually don't know if she's straight or a woman. So don't write it.

[Sam Taggart]

I think I have to be honest, the Internet backlash to Jordan Firstman saying that it wasn't authentic. I found to be genuinely confusing. Like, I was like, this is the most normal statement I've ever heard in my life. It's like, I saw, like, the craziest. Like, the mental illness jumped out of people, like, being like, hi, I'm a lesbian dating a trans woman, and people say, I don't have lesbian sex. And I was like, so he's not talking about you. Like, let's just start there. He's not talking about you. Like, I was like, this is so weird. Like, I was confused by it. Genuinely. I was just like, I guess when you get to a certain level of famous, you literally can't say anything.

[George Severis]

Well, it's complicated because it's tough with. I love Jordan, but it's tough with Jordan because he is being he. As he said himself. He, like, he's being, like, a mouthy gay guy, as all of us are. Like, yeah. It's like, that's catnip for people who, like, spend their entire life commenting on Instagram reels. Like, you're gonna talk about the authenticity of gay sex on screen. You're gonna have a few people coming at you and, like, suddenly telling you their life story.

[Sam Taggart]

I found it so weird. I was like, you know what he's talking about. Like, I was. I really was like, chill. This is. I was surprised. I was surprised at the level of story it became.

[George Severis]

I know, I know. But I. You know what I honestly think with the Internet is like, I really genuinely think that all normal people have stopped commenting. And so the ones that are left, like, there should be some sort of German word for this kind of, like, paradox. It's like, the ones that are left are only the crazy ones. It used to be that, you know, it would be sort of like 70% normal, 30% crazy. Obviously, there's going to be some contingent of crazy, but, like, there was some kind of balance. And I really think now it's just insane people and bots.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah, no, that's true.

[George Severis]

I mean, remember my. The comments under my clip with Stavi?

[Sam Taggart]

I mean, that was fucking crazy. That was fucking crazy. Basically, for context, folks, he did a clip that was about gay guys not being monogamous and how every gay guy we know who's monogamous for sort of like, is everything okay? And it was commented like, aids, aids, aids.

[George Severis]

At some point, I was just getting constant notifications, and all of them had the word AIDS in them. And I was also. People kept calling me a circuit gay. There kept being gay guys that were like, do not this circuit gay doesn't speak for all of us. I'm like, Sweetheart, I'm 34, married, and I've been in bed by 11.

[Sam Taggart]

I haven't been to a party in years.

[George Severis]

I haven't been to a party in years. I'm also literally, the joke among our friend group is that I like more prudish. Like the idea that I am the voice of slutty gay guys is insane. But anyway, it doesn't matter.

[Sam Taggart]

Well, there was. I think it's actually linked to the Jordan thing. There's like a new, you know. You know, five to eight years ago, the whole thing was like, white gays. White gays are evil. White gays are evil. The new thing is like sceney gays. Like, and I think your thing hit that and I think Jordan Firstman's thing hits that. Where there's like this thing of like, I'm not like the sceney gays. The senior gays are bitchy and evil.

[George Severis]

Yeah. And it could be cne. It could be. People kept saying NYC gays. People also kept saying like this. Like, people kept saying, like, terminally online, as though it's a thing. As though the idea of being the Jordan archetype, let's say, is someone who's super online. Which is so interesting to me because I think of Jordan, in fact, as someone who's constantly going to parties.

[Sam Taggart]

Right. He's like, out.

[George Severis]

It's actually. You're telling on yourself. You're the one who's constantly online and constantly hate watching Jordan's content.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah, that was crazy. Yeah. I'm trying to think if there's anything else, like heated rivalry. Ish. Okay. In episode three, what was up with the dad? So the art guy has a dad who's like so sweet and loving. And I was like, this is also so Canada coded. But I was like, is he supposed to be gay? What's going on here?

[George Severis]

Yeah, the dad thing. I am a little bit like, well, okay, let's. Not to be completely, you know, not to be completely close reading in order to problematize things. But it must be said that the Russian dad is abusive, the Asian mom is the tiger mom, and the white dad is the most accepting person you've ever met in your entire life. And that's just facts. Like, that is just how these characters are portrayed. And like, I'm not out to cancel anyone. I'm not. I don't. I think everyone is involved is like doing this with a lot of love in their hearts. And I'm not trying to make sure.

[Sam Taggart]

There are a lot of abusive Russian dads and I'm sure there's a lot of pushy Asian moms, But that's just.

[George Severis]

Like, I. I was kind of like, huh. It's amazing how, it's amazing how these things that, you know, when we were in our twenties would be like the topics of like 5 million essays. Now people are like, you know what? Like, there's bigger problems in the world. You can't be talking about representation. I was honestly thinking about this with Rachel's show where I'm like, okay, so Rachel's show has two Nepo babies. One of them is quite literally cosplaying as Latina. I'm sorry, but it's true. It has like, quote, unquote, unlikable characters. It has quote, unquote vapid white girls. Like, all these things that used to be such triggers. And like, I'm, I'm loving the show for the record. I think it's really great and really funny. But it is funny that now everyone has given up on doing these sort of fake critiques.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah. Everyone's like, okay, enough. One of the weirder things is seeing when you do see a five year old critique come out, you're like, whoa, hold on.

[IBM Advertiser]

Yeah.

[George Severis]

You're like, wait, I thought we weren't doing that.

[Sam Taggart]

The most recent episode of I Love the Light. I'm like, this show is so good.

[George Severis]

I love, love it. And I think Rachel is a true talent. And I shout out. I really am very, like, I'm really so impressed with her and I always have been. And I just think if you don't get the vision, like, if you don't get.

[Podcast Announcer]

If you're.

[George Severis]

If you think that the character she's playing is who she is in real life, you need to check yourself into Malibu promises because you have been diagnosed with a case of not getting it.

[Sam Taggart]

Like, Tim Boltz playing the French designer stylist guy was so funny. And I was like, like, God, this is perfectly.

[George Severis]

No, it's great.

[Sam Taggart]

Silly.

[George Severis]

And it's a true comedy. I'm laughing my ass with every episode. The Elijah Wood stuff.

[Sam Taggart]

The Elijah Wood stuff was amazing and.

[George Severis]

True Whitaker, huge shout out. Oh, my God. True Whitaker makes me laugh, laugh, laugh. She is one of our. She is the, our Lucille Ball.

[Sam Taggart]

She is like, it's giving. Like Amanda Sey Freed in Mean Baby Girls.

[George Severis]

Yeah, no, completely. No, she's doing amazing stuff. You know, I heard that. There something I heard today. Sometimes I'll get like little snippets of film Twitter in my feed. And something people are saying is that Searchlight is bungling Amanda Seyfried's Oscar chances.

[Sam Taggart]

Oh, what movie is she nominated?

[George Severis]

She's in. Well, there you go. Clearly they're bungling them because you don't even know she's in this movie called the Testament of Ann Lee, where she plays the founder of the Shaker movement. And apparently she's incredible in it, but apparently they're not doing a good job promoting her.

[Sam Taggart]

Wow. I guess I've seen this poster.

[George Severis]

You know, it's directed by. It's written and directed by Brady Courbet's wife.

[Sam Taggart]

Oh, interesting.

[George Severis]

And I think he also co wrote it and produced it or whatever.

[Sam Taggart]

Wow.

[George Severis]

But I'm excited to watch and I support Amanda Seyfried.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah, me too. And I'm now learning how to say her name. Right.

[George Severis]

Seyfried.

[Sam Taggart]

No, I think you're right. I was saying Seyfried or something.

[George Severis]

Seyfried. Maybe it's Seyfried, but I don't know. Listen, I don't know how to pronounce these ethnic names, like Odessa A. Zion.

[Sam Taggart]

Wow.

[IBM Advertiser]

So.

[George Severis]

And speaking of Amanda Seyfried or however you pronounce her name, I'm also kind of excited for the Paul Feig movie with her and Sydney Sweeney.

[Sam Taggart]

I know people are saying it's kind of good.

[George Severis]

I'm sure that I don't know what is going on with Sydney Sweeney where she forgot to act sometime after Euphoria season two. I'm like, you used to be, like, one of the best actresses, and then you forgot.

[Sam Taggart]

It's actually weird.

[George Severis]

It's like, did they pursue a brain surgery? Like, did they do brain surgery on you? You were so good.

[Sam Taggart]

She was so good. She, like, became self aware. Like, she's like, oh. Like, I'm a person.

[George Severis]

I shouldn't do that.

[Sam Taggart]

Like, she's like, it's silly to act, but it put me in every room.

[George Severis]

Exactly. Yeah.

[Sam Taggart]

It's weird. I'm, like, worried.

[George Severis]

Well, it's that thing that happens sometimes when actors become more involved in the business side of things. Like, I'm sorry to say, but it happened with one of my favorite actresses, Reese Witherspoon. Her performance in the Morning show is, like, the worst performance of her career. And it's because she's more involved in producing and where she gets on set, and she's just sort of like, okay, this is One of the 16 things I have to do today. I'm not passionate about this character.

[Sam Taggart]

So my lines are roughly this. So I'll just say that into the camera and. You got it. Okay, let's go. Moving. Yeah, that's tough. That's tough.

[George Severis]

Well. So that's it in terms of heated rivalry.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah, I think that's it.

[George Severis]

I just want to say I support it.

[Sam Taggart]

F3 was sexy. F3 was sexy, too. Like, maybe even more sexy. Like, that's more like, my fantasy is like, a straight guy is like, I'm actually in love with you.

[George Severis]

Are you kidding me? I was. There was something about the main show. The main storyline is almost like, like, breadth over depth. It's like. It's more about the timeline and it's more about following them. Whereas the bottle episode was, like, a genuinely affecting love story.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah, no, it was good.

[George Severis]

And I really thought both of the actors were so good. And that guy is so hot.

[Sam Taggart]

Well, he gets, like, comedically hot. Him, like, walking around in his little underwear. I was like, you're. How did you do this? How do you even do this? Yeah, that's pretty much it with heated rivalry. Yeah, I hope.

[George Severis]

But I'm loving it. I mean, I'm, like, very supportive of it, and I think that it's great that it's having a moment.

[Sam Taggart]

I think it would be an amazing choice for season two to have to introduce plot into the show.

[George Severis]

Definitely. And maybe even kind of get into what the whole hockey thing is.

[Sam Taggart]

I was like, why are half the scenes them in tuxes?

[George Severis]

Yeah.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah.

[George Severis]

Well, I do think it is sort of because they, at some point, they made the decision they don't want to show too much hockey. Like, the hockey is kind of like a theoretical. You know, it's sort of just like that's the foundation upon which a story that is fully not about hockey is built. And so then they still have to find spaces in which to run into each other. So they're like, I guess they'll just go to galas.

[Sam Taggart]

There's a scene in the EP that you haven't seen yet where he meets, like, a famous actress at a bar. The Asian one. I don't know either of their names.

[George Severis]

Well, one of them is Hollander.

[Sam Taggart]

Hollander meets a famous actress, and he's like, oh, I'm a big fan. And she's like, I'm a big fan, too. And he's like, you know who I am? And she's like, yeah, I'm the only girl with four brothers who grew up in Michigan, so, yeah, I know who you are. And that. I was like, this is so funny. Like, writing like that. I love Love.

[George Severis]

No, I love. I. I also love the fact that these galas, somehow everyone's invited. So there's a gala. And literally the barista from the smoothie shop is also part of it. She's like, I have to go to this gala. Can you be my plus one? It's a hockey gala. I, like, don't want to go, but obviously, like, a lot of smoothie baristas were invited because they're trying to invite more smoothie baristas. So if you could just come with me. It's, like, so annoying.

[Sam Taggart]

It's amazing. It's amazing.

[George Severis]

And he's like, oh, that is such a funny coincidence. I'm actually fucking the most famous hockey.

[Podcast Announcer]

Player of all time.

[George Severis]

And so I would love to go because this is, like, perfect for me. I can run into him.

[Sam Taggart]

There's no conflict. No one has ever found out that they're fucking each other over eight years. And, like, it's fine. There's no conflict at all. Neither one of them is like, I actually love you. They're just, like, provided totally.

[George Severis]

Well, I do love that also, that they're sort of communicating with one another via press interviews.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah.

[George Severis]

So anyway, I. I have to say, in closing, today, in fact, the New York magazine published interviews with each of them. And so one of them was with the Russian guy, who, by the way, is American. And he really says. Yes. He says he's involved in the clowning community. One of our favorite topics. Yes. He's like, I.

[Sam Taggart]

Is he LA based?

[George Severis]

I think he's LA based. And I think in passing, he's like, yeah, I'm just, like, really involved in the clowning community. And it's very, like, sort of inspired by European clowning. So I've always been. I've always, like, wished I was European. Lol. And then Hollander did a thing for the Cut where he goes through his beauty routine. And when I tell you, it's like, one of the most, like, American Psycho ass. He uses upwards of, like, 37 products every day and is being very articulate. Just like. And this is what I do if I accidentally have a drink, then I wake up the next morning and I have to deal with puffiness around 5am if I have an event at 6am and it's very. It honestly feels kind of like life imitating art. It feels like what the Reebok mom would, like, make him do before a media appearance. Appearance.

[Sam Taggart]

That is tough. Sometimes he looks like Pete Buttigieg to me.

[George Severis]

Really?

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah.

[George Severis]

I will say this. I find him. He's not your type. I don't think I find him to be really hot. I don't know what it is.

[Sam Taggart]

Some in the right light, he can kind of be my type, like because he's got that good boy thing which kind of works for me sometimes, but not always.

[George Severis]

Yeah. What do you think about the whole. Actually, whatever I was going to say.

[Sam Taggart]

Tell me, tell me.

[George Severis]

Just like, like, I guess initially there was like another news cycle about whether they're gay or not. I'm like, yeah, who cares?

[Sam Taggart]

Who cares? Grow up. Yeah, we need to have a news cycle about whether they're hung or not.

[George Severis]

Oh yeah, I would love to know whether they're hung. I. I don't think they are. Also if they are that and and I don't care either way.

[Sam Taggart]

And shout out to intimacy coordinators they are doing the work on that show.

[George Severis]

And also I just want to say, you know, you can have like a degr intimacy coordinator show coexist with like a super like with Pillion starring Alexander Skarsgrd. You can have both. And that's the amazing world we live in.

[Sam Taggart]

Everyone has seen or something. Like it doesn't come out for two more years and yet everyone has seen it and it's like already old news.

[George Severis]

I'm like, well, you know what? The reason I haven't seen it is because I was in LA recording Straighter lab when I was supposed to go see it in New York and now that was my one chance and now I have to see it in five years.

[Sam Taggart]

When it comes to out this world, it's cruel.

[George Severis]

It's cruel. I have heard. It's amazing though.

[Sam Taggart]

I know. I'm really excited.

[Sophie Cunningham]

This is Sophie Cunningham from Show Me Something. Do you know the symptoms of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA in adults with obesity? They may be happening to you without you knowing. If anyone has ever said you snored loudly or if you spend your days fighting off excessive tiredness, irritability and concentration issues issues it may be due to osa. OSA is a serious condition where your airway partially or completely collapses during sleep, which may cause breathing interruptions and oxygen deprivation. Learn more at don't sleep on OSA.com this information is provided by Lilly, a medicine company.

[Podcast Announcer]

Listen to your elders, honey. You might know them from their viral videos. But now the Old Gay Gays pull back the curtain on their podcast Silver Linings with the Old Gays. Brought to you in partnership with iHeart's Ruby Studio and Vive Healthcare for a very Special bonus episode. Hosts Robert, Mick, Bill and Jesse talk about how pride has evolved over the years and their favorite memories, all in celebration of Palm Springs Pride, because pride should be celebrated all year round. Listen in to these fabulous friends swap stories exploring how queer life has evolved over the decades and the silver linings they've collected along the way. Each episode dives into hot topics from safe sex and online dating to untangling Gen Z lingo, as well as insights on how music, art and fashion show.

[George Severis]

Up in queer culture.

[Podcast Announcer]

So check out Silver Linings, a show about how pride ages like fine wine. Available on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcasts.

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[George Severis]

Well, that's it in terms of gay media.

[Sam Taggart]

Now we're going on to straight media. Except in theory that Daniel Craig is gay in the film, but oh yeah.

[George Severis]

I forgot about that.

[Sam Taggart]

Don't you get that from his pants? And he.

[George Severis]

Yeah, totally. Don't you think that Knives out is like, really is just like straight culture?

[Sam Taggart]

Yes, I think we need to. So we're now going to talk about Wake Up Dead man, the new Knives out movie that's right now streaming on Netflix. Is this for. Is this essential straight culture? Yes, to me we need to talk about. First of all, I want to say I liked it. I thought this movie was, oh, sure.

[George Severis]

Funny, charming, thoughtful, some great acting and Mila Kunis.

[Sam Taggart]

I thought. I thought the mystery worked really well, where I was like, how are they doing this? What's going on? And Joshua o' Connor is to die for.

[George Severis]

So fun. In the beginning I was like, oh, what is he gonna do with this accent? But then I just got used to it and it was fine.

[Sam Taggart]

It was very charming. It came out very charming. The thing with Rian Johnson is I'm like, you are funny. You are good at this. The lib Stuff.

[George Severis]

Oh my God.

[Sam Taggart]

I'm a little like, do we need to be so contemporary? Like, I get it, you don't like Trump. Like, it's sort of like, no conservative. But like, this is a. This is very straightforward in a way where I'm like, I can't tell if this is helpful or not.

[George Severis]

Well, you're also. It's. He's dealing with social issues in the most mediated way possible. It is just so clear that he has like 15 alts on Twitter and is consuming just so much news content and online content. And he thinks it's like, if you were to be like, what are the main factors of America? He would be like, okay, so incels thought leaders that are lying feminist women with podcasts and Donald Trump. Like, he. It's almost like, put. Put the laptop away. Go have a dinner.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah, it is very. Put the laptop away. I like in the. There's like the politician, the aspiring politician character who is like, I liked him at the beginning as like the Avatar for all the Internet language and all the like insane conservativeness. But then it was like, okay, so everyone has this. Exactly, everyone has this.

[George Severis]

No, it's straight. It's like the thing that connects all of them is that they are online all the time and into conspiracy theories. Somehow.

[Sam Taggart]

It's like, so the. The Josh Brolin character is Trump and they're all.

[George Severis]

But also, they're all Trump.

[Sam Taggart]

They're all Trump. And then like, yeah, I found some of that to be confusing. Like, I would rather him do like an almost like Eddington style mystery next time where it's like a really politically torn town and like, you don't know who is right and who is wrong.

[George Severis]

Well, I think speaking of a town, one big way he tells on himself for like, not for making such an Internet movie is like, I'm sorry, where does this town exist? What sort of town has a church community that is made up of like a black Republican failed political candidate, an exiled sci fi writer? Like, but also they go to like a right wing church and they're all wealthy, but sort of like weird wealthy. I just don't think that town exists. But anyway, it's fiction, so it's fine. And I'm not. And also you have to like, enter this world. And in this world, that's what we're dealing with. So you can't, you know, spend the entire movie being like, this wouldn't happen.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah, I. And again, I mostly liked it. It's also just like, they gave Kerry Washington nothing.

[George Severis]

They sort of, I mean, they certainly gave Kerry Washington nothing. But they also sort of barely gave Jeremy Renner much. And the cellist girl. Also Cailee Spaeny, famously from that Kirsten Dunst movie, like, she also didn't get much. Yeah, there were a lot of, like, red herrings.

[Sam Taggart]

I was. Yeah, I was sort of like, it felt. That's the other issue of making an Internet movie where I was like, none of these people are, like, defined. They're like flat values or something. And you could, like, make them have a personality.

[George Severis]

Well, Kerry Washington's arc is that she starts smoking.

[Sam Taggart]

But that being said, I'm being so negative because I actually did like the movie.

[George Severis]

No, I enjoyed it. It was. It's funny. We both watched it last night without planning to. We didn't plan to talk about it, but we both independently were like, oh, this would be a fun thing to put on. And I think it's fun that we have this new franchise that has. It's almost White Lotus esque in that it just gives a bunch of fun actors really campy roles to do. And there's one that comes out every couple of years and we all watch and then we move on. I think it's fun. I think it's nice that it's not based on existing ip. I think Daniel Craig is great. I honestly, I mean, I. I thought Glenn Close was so good.

[Sam Taggart]

She was really good. She was to die for, actually.

[George Severis]

I really have very little patience when, like, people make fun of her for, like, wanting it too much. I'm like, she's one of the great actresses. It's. I'm. You know how we always talk about how people talk about fk twigs as though she has done something wrong, wrong, when in fact she's never done anything wrong. That's how I feel about going close. I'm like, leave her alone. She's a legend. Like, and she's also working so much and doing such different, like, interesting things in her late career.

[Sam Taggart]

Well, she almost, in a positive way, like, doesn't have vanity in the same way that other actresses of her age do.

[George Severis]

Completely.

[Sam Taggart]

She's like, no, I'll look stupid because I'm an actor. Like, my role is to, like, fill the character. And I think she looks bad. I look bad.

[George Severis]

And I think she finds real joy in it and is really, like, in it for the work. I mean, I know she also wants to win an Oscar, but that's the. But she's also. She loves the work.

[Sam Taggart]

I mean, she's not doing this to win an Oscar. No one's winning an Oscar for Knives Out.

[George Severis]

No one's winning an Oscar for Knives.

[Sam Taggart]

But, like, she's not doing, like, Oscar bait necessarily.

[George Severis]

Josh Brolin's great.

[Sam Taggart]

He's great. So sexy.

[George Severis]

I know. So sexy. I was, like, talking about.

[Sam Taggart]

I was like, come on.

[George Severis]

Oh, here was a loose end. Not to spoil, but I'm like, don't you think they should have maybe circled back to why he got whatever surgery where he couldn't get a boner?

[Sam Taggart]

I thought he had, like, cancer or something.

[George Severis]

But then does that become part of the plot at all? You know what I mean? I thought it was just, like, a random fact.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah, I guess it is a random fact. Yeah.

[George Severis]

How do you feel about how completely Catholic the movie was?

[Sam Taggart]

Explain. What do you mean?

[George Severis]

I just feel like it was so.

[Sam Taggart]

Like, pro Church in general.

[George Severis]

Yeah, like, it was. It really. I mean, I think that. I think it is the, you know, moral infrastructure that, like, undergirds the movie. I'm not. I don't think it is, like, a pro Catholicism movie. I just think it's, like, the world you have to buy into. But I was a little bit like, wow, this really is like a. Almost like a Christian movie. It is like the good priest who is truly pure and good in every way. He has no flaws. He's like a Jesus figure. It's like the good priest saves the church from basically the Antichrist.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah.

[George Severis]

I just thought it was interesting. It was a very, like. It was an incredibly moralistic story about Internet archetypes. And in that way, it felt so, like, almost 2020 or, like, 2016. MSNBC, Trump era art.

[Sam Taggart]

I kind of liked the religiousness and sort of being like. Like, I know it's hack, and I know it's, like, obvious to be like, this is actually what the church is for when. When used correctly. Like, I thought it was nice to be like, the church can be a place of good if you believe. If you. As long as it's not rotted from the inside. And, like, it's like, I liked the balance of, like, Benoit Blanc being like, I fucking hate it here, and Josh o' Connor being like, it's beautiful. I thought that was almost the more nuanced part than, like, the characters themselves was like, Josh o' Connor versus Daniel Craig. And I liked that push and pull.

[George Severis]

Yeah.

[Sam Taggart]

I think. And, Yeah. I don't know. It's like working on me these days to be like, you can't just, like, kick everybody out who's religious. You have to be like, oh, are you religious good? Or are you really just bad.

[George Severis]

So here's maybe what I'm. Okay, here's maybe what my main critique again, of a movie I generally liked boils down to. It is a very insular community.

[Podcast Announcer]

You don't see the outside world at all.

[George Severis]

And yet they're all. All via the Internet, only constantly talking about the outside world. It almost feels like a Covid movie. They could only shoot in one space, and so they have to find a way to talk about the outside world without going into it. I would almost have wanted even just one scene where Josh o' Connor goes back to his home church from the beginning. Or one scene where he goes into the. The town is such a chamber piece.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah, it really is. It is confusing in that way.

[George Severis]

Yeah.

[Sam Taggart]

I'm trying to think of, like, any moments in particular that I. I don't know, the part where Daniel Craig is jiggling Josh Brolin's body and saying it's just flesh and blood. And I was like, that is. I was. Laugh, laugh, laugh.

[George Severis]

No, it's fun. It's fun. If anything, I like, I agree with you. They didn't give Kerry Washington anything. And if anything, I'm like the second Knives out movie, which I liked less, gave more to the actors. It was more campy and it was more cartoonish and over the top, which I actually enjoyed. I think it was in service of a story that was, I'm sorry, moronic. But I think it was fun to see all the actors. Like, Janelle Monae was so good in it.

[Podcast Announcer]

It was fun to see all the.

[George Severis]

Actors do, like, really go balls to the wall, like Kate Hudson and whatever. And I do think in this one, many of them didn't have anything to do.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah, I, I was surprised. Like, I was surprised how little they had to do. And even like Kerry Washington's whole arc was sort of like, you know, in theory quite tragic. And it was like played very like, yeah, that happened. So we did a thing and I'm.

[George Severis]

Like, whoa, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah.

[George Severis]

But it's c' est la vie. And it is ultimately fun for the whole family and like, literally to be. And like a fun movie that does sort of hearken back to a simpler era.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah. And sometimes it's as we all go into our sort of. What's the word? It's not anti woke, but like everyone's being like a little like, yeah, words don't matter anymore. Everything nihilistic almost. Yeah. It's nice to be like, well, maybe. Maybe caring in a big way is kind of nice.

[George Severis]

I Agree. And I like that all the movies, all the Knives out movies ultimately have, like, a really earnest pro social message. Like, even from the first one with Ana de Armas, which I think they did really well.

[Sam Taggart]

Well, yeah.

[George Severis]

And, you know, it's okay to have some kind of slightly preachy mythology for our times.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah, why not?

[George Severis]

Why not? Why not be a little Catholic.

[Sam Taggart]

As a treat?

[George Severis]

You can be a little Catholic as a treat on Christmas. Why not?

[Sam Taggart]

Oh, my God. Oh, yeah. Joshua Connor scrunches up his face in a crazy way. How does he do that?

[George Severis]

That. He is obviously so hot, but he does really look like a little rat. Yeah, he really looks like ratatouille. It's so funny.

[Sam Taggart]

He really got on that ear trend just the right time because people were really. There was like, a turn where people were like, actually, those ears are hot. And then, boom, there he was. And I was like, damn, you got there quick.

[George Severis]

No, I'm so into him. And I'm also. I just want to say I'm tired of this. This thing people love to say where they're like, there are no movie stars anymore. There are no leading men anymore. It's like, let everyone cook. There are leading men.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah, there's leading men. Like, Joshua Connor is, like, doing it. Everyone's in love with him.

[George Severis]

It's.

[Sam Taggart]

He's doing it. And don't fucking come to me and talk about Glenn Powell as a leading man. This bitch is too goofy. That smile is annoying.

[George Severis]

And, you know, that's where I'm gonna have to disagree with you. What I love. I think Glenn Pow is one of the best we got. Have you seen Hitman?

[Sam Taggart]

No.

[George Severis]

Oh, come on. He is absolutely to die for in Hitman. I think he honestly really does his best with that Sydney Sweeney movie. I think he's good in Top Gun. What else is he in? Oh, I was curious about Running man, even though I heard it was kind of stupid.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah, I heard that as well.

[George Severis]

No, I mean, I get that he's goofy, obviously. He looks like a parody of frat bro or something.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah.

[George Severis]

Which is, of course, his origin story is playing a parody of a frat bro on Scream Queens. Huh? Glenn Powell, Michelle Randolph outing amid romance rumors. Who the hell is Michelle Randolph and why wasn't I consulted? Well, you know, I have to say, as we wrap up, I'm excited for Oscar season. There's so many good movies I want to watch.

[Podcast Announcer]

Watch?

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah. What's on the top of your list?

[George Severis]

I definitely want to watch that Amanda Sey Freed movie. I want to still See Blue Moon, which I haven't seen yet.

[Sam Taggart]

Oh, my God. I want to see Blue Moon.

[George Severis]

I want to see. Speaking of Josh o', Connor, I want to see the Mastermind.

[Sam Taggart]

Me too.

[George Severis]

I'm looking up movies. 20, 25. I want to see. Oh, my God. I told you.

[Podcast Announcer]

I saw.

[George Severis]

If I had legs, I'd kick you.

[Sam Taggart]

Oh. And you loved it.

[George Severis]

It was really good. I'm sort of curious about J. Kelly, but I have a feeling it's gonna piss me the fuck off.

[Sam Taggart]

This is what. Sometimes the movie's ability to inspire wonder and joy also can inspire anger. And I'm worried whenever there's a movie where I'm like. Like, if it makes me mad, I'm mad forever. Like, yeah, it's. And I'm worried Jake Kelly's gonna make me mad. Listening to the culture gabfest about it, they were sort of like, we liked it, but then we hated it. But then we liked. And I was like, I can't tell where I stand.

[George Severis]

I want Noah Baumbach. Against all odds. I want Noah Baumbach to succeed.

[Sam Taggart]

Me too.

[George Severis]

And yet I.

[Sam Taggart]

It.

[George Severis]

It's not quite doing it for me. I actually recently rewatched the Meyerowitz stories, and I thought I would love it. I. And it didn't get me there. I'm like, make Francis ha.

[Sam Taggart]

Make Francis ha. Make Francis ha.

[George Severis]

Just make Francis ha. Make Margo at the. Margot at the wedding. Yeah, make Margot at the wedding. Like, you've done it before. Because, by the way, talk about a leading man. Channing Tatum, one of the best leading men.

[Sam Taggart]

He's good. He's always good.

[George Severis]

I guess you're. It's like, he's who Glenn Powell, like, wants to be kind of. Of.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah.

[George Severis]

Like, he's both goofy frat looking, but also can, like, turn it out.

[Sam Taggart]

Can be serious.

[George Severis]

Any final thoughts on pop culture as a whole?

[Sam Taggart]

I think better luck next year, y'. All. I think we got this in the bag. I thought. I don't know. I thought movies this year were fine, but nothing. Like, I guess I'm thinking about, like, I liked everything. I liked sentimental value a lot, but I'm craving, like, the way that, like, Anatomy of a Fall had me.

[George Severis]

I know.

[Sam Taggart]

By the throat. I'm craving something just, like, really, really smashing me.

[George Severis]

I know Anatomy before. It's like. Or tar. You don't get. You don't get one. We didn't get one of those.

[Sam Taggart]

And even, like, like, knives out this. Wake up.

[George Severis]

One battle after another.

[Sam Taggart]

That's true. I liked it. But it did. I didn't, like, I didn't feel wrecked. I wanted to feel, like, destroyed and being like, wow, you got to like an essential truth. I really did like it. And I thought everything was really well done and cool and smart and whatever, inventive.

[George Severis]

But I was like, now remind me, have you still not watched Adaptation?

[Sam Taggart]

I have not watched Adaptation.

[George Severis]

Sam, please watch over the Holidays, okay? Just watch it. Watch it with Misha. Okay?

[Sam Taggart]

I'm going to watch Adaptation.

[George Severis]

I think that'll. I think that'll give you something you're desiring.

[Sam Taggart]

I need more coffee, folks.

[George Severis]

It's 10:30am over here and it's 1:30pm over here. And, honey, I'm ready for bed.

[Sam Taggart]

I'm surprised. I slept plenty last night, but me too.

[George Severis]

I've actually been sleeping amazingly well.

[Sam Taggart]

I slept so well last night, I was like, whoa, that was crazy. Okay, well, I want to say to.

[George Severis]

Everyone, happy, joyful holidays. Happy Hollywood. I hope you get into either the Hollywood spirit or the holiday spirit. I hope you celebrate however you wish. And I hope everyone has, let's say it, a lovely December 23rd.

[Sam Taggart]

Yes. I hope you celebrate. Or sell a script. Ah.

[George Severis]

Ah.

[Sam Taggart]

Joe.

[George Severis]

I heard the other day, speaking of wordplay, I was on vacation with Matthew's family. His brother turns to me and goes, manchester United.

[Sam Taggart]

Oh, my God, I love that.

[George Severis]

Can you believe that? I was like, oh, so you. You deserve literally, like, a Pulitzer. Manchester United.

[Sam Taggart]

Manchester United.

[George Severis]

Jesus.

[Sam Taggart]

Wow.

[George Severis]

I mean, come on.

[Sam Taggart]

How was vacay? We should wrap up.

[George Severis]

Oh, it was lovely. You know, I'm really nice pilled in a huge. In a huge way. It's just like, it has really made me soft. Like, all I wanted to do was. Was hang out with our little niece, and she was being, like, so cute throughout. And, you know, it's boring when you talk about children that are, you know, people haven't met, and I get that. But, you know, get yourself a niece is what I'll say. It's really like an antidepressant.

[Sam Taggart]

That's good. I kind of thought you were talking about the location. I was like, you didn't go to Niece.

[Podcast Announcer]

Niece.

[George Severis]

Oh, no, not nice. France. Just like my having.

[Sam Taggart]

A nice.

[George Severis]

My human niece. Yeah, but the location was nice. I mean, I gotta say, you know, if you are able to go on a beach vacation in the middle of the winter, you absolutely should.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah. Talk about.

[George Severis]

I'd never done it before. It's something that I, you know, it's something I thought of as tragically American.

[Sam Taggart]

I've done it once in my life. And I. The way that I think about it, still, still I'm like, yeah, I like wish I were in New York so that I could go on vacation in the middle of the winter.

[George Severis]

No, it's completely amazing. Amazing. And the beach is like the greatest gift God has ever given us.

[Sam Taggart]

Say that. Shout out to God.

[George Severis]

Literally shout out to God. You know, now that we're being Catholic.

[Sam Taggart]

Yeah. All right, Scare.

[George Severis]

Have a Catholic Christmas.

[Sam Taggart]

Have a Catholic Christmas, folks.

[George Severis]

Goodbye.

[Sam Taggart]

Bye. Podcast ends now.

[George Severis]

Want more?

[Podcast Announcer]

Subscribe to our Patreon for two extra episodes a month.

[George Severis]

Discord Access and more by heading to patreon.com Stradiolab and for all our visual learners.

[Sam Taggart]

Free full length video episodes are available on our YouTube.

[George Severis]

Now get back to work.

[Sam Taggart]

Stradiolab is a Production by Will Ferrell's Big Money Players Network and iHeart Podcasts.

[Podcast Announcer]

Created and hosted by George Severis and.

[Sam Taggart]

Sam Taggart, executive produced by Will Ferrell, Hansani and Olivia Agass co produced by Bay Wang Edited and engineered by Adam.

[Podcast Announcer]

Avalos Artwork by Michael Fails and Matt.

[Sam Taggart]

Grubb Theme music by Ben Kling.

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[George Severis]

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[George Severis]

Guaranteed human.