Tell 'Em Steve-Dave! #631: TESD Presents Mukbang
Release Date: March 24, 2025
Episode Overview
This week, Bry, Walt, Q, and Get 'Em dive into a freewheeling, pop culture-packed discussion. The group riffs on bizarre internet phenomena like mukbangs and OnlyFans, midlife crises, Broadway musicals, AI’s creep into art and content, and the ever-evolving state of comic book adaptations. As always, the banter is irreverent, insightful, and loaded with laughs—a classic episode for TESD fans.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Mukbangs and Get 'Em’s Talents
(00:23-08:40)
- Q proposes a Patreon show where Get 'Em does a mukbang (an internet trend where people eat large amounts of food on camera).
- The group reminisces about tales of Get 'Em in costume as a mascot attempting to lure people to their business, and the challenges of engaging commuters.
- Walt expresses concern for Get 'Em’s health, believing he could’ve out-eaten anyone a decade ago, but now he “has more to offer than just shoveling food down his throat.” (02:23, 07:21, Walt)
- The team delves into the sexual aspects and appeal of mukbangs, referencing “feeders” and “gainers,” and the popularity of platforms like OnlyFans for this type of content.
Walt (07:21): “I really think he is… get him has more to offer than just shoveling food down his throat.”
2. OnlyFans and Fetish Economy
(08:41-12:44)
- The widespread appeal (and monetary success) of OnlyFans and foot photo sales, even among celebrities like Lily Allen.
- The group debates the gender split on OnlyFans subscribers, agreeing it’s mostly men for sexual content, but wonders about kink-specific variations.
- Discussion turns to subgenres like “gainers” and “feeders” communities, and the acceptability or appeal of “chub chasing.”
- The conversation closes with the observation that as they age, their perspective on fetishes shifts (“The older I get, the more I'm like, hey, man, I get it.” — Bry, 12:44)
3. Parenthood, Prom, and Broadway Surprises
(14:18-19:43)
- Q shares a story about his daughter Sage, her expectations for prom, and her love for YouTuber James Charles.
- Bry is surprised by how much he enjoyed the Broadway musical "& Juliet," describing its empowering twist on Shakespeare and the sneaky way it delivers life-lessons.
Bry (18:55): “They snuck in a lesson without me even knowing… I gotta be a better person. But they didn’t try. They didn’t tell me to be a better person.”
4. Musicals, Plays, and Pop Culture Updates
(19:43-22:27)
- The crew discusses the prevalence of musicals on Broadway, listing out musical adaptations of “Stranger Things,” “Back to the Future,” “King Kong,” and more, with Walt surprised that not all plays involve singing and dancing.
- They riff on the challenge of reviving "Stranger Things" as the actors age, and the evolution of Will Byers' infamous haircut.
5. Comic Book TV: Daredevil and The Punisher Debate
(22:55-29:01)
- Walt and Bry debate the direction of Disney’s “Daredevil Reborn,” specifically the limited screen time for Daredevil and the (possibly sanitized) return of Frank Castle/The Punisher.
- They discuss the challenge of keeping The Punisher character edgy and relevant in a climate where the anti-hero has been co-opted by right-wing and police factions.
- Walt notes content shifts in comic-to-series adaptations, referencing the pressure from various interest groups and internet outcry.
Bry (24:49): “You can't give him up to right wing nut jobs. You have to keep [Punisher] in the show.”
6. Pop Culture Recommendations
(33:46-36:54)
- Bry plugs "Reacher" on Amazon ("old school fucking ass kicking"), highly recommends the humorous book series Dungeon Crawler Carl, and the group makes snarky comparisons to classic genres.
- The team commiserates over technical difficulties but stays enthusiastic about sharing their latest entertainment finds.
7. The Ethics of AI in Art and Writing
(53:11-84:09)
- Deep discussion about how AI-generated art and writing are already creeping into comics and Hollywood scripts.
- Debates rage over the legitimacy of artists and writers using AI as a tool, ranging from generating inspiration to outright submitting AI’s work as their own.
- The group acknowledges some artists have been “outed” for using unedited AI art in professional comics, sparking industry controversy.
- Bry reflects, “I wouldn’t want to ever represent a machine as myself,” laying bare the philosophical struggle as AI upends creative labor.
Walt (82:28): “As long as you're not taking the image and just, like… submitting it, I don't see how it helping you… is a problem.”
8. Midlife Crisis: Porsches, Pens, and Perspective
(60:02-69:00)
- Walt introduces a listener seeking advice for a midlife crisis — Tom, 43, is questioning his choices, even considering reversing his vasectomy.
- Intensive, honest discussion on men’s anxiety about shrinking opportunities (sex, cars, youth, vitality) and how midlife “crisis” expresses itself, humorously comparing buying Porsches to buying collectible pens and comics.
- The group concludes it’s not inherently negative—it’s about expression and finding meaning.
Bry (61:54): “You're running out of runway before you launch to heaven.”
9. Insurance Companies and the AI Apocalypse
(46:46-53:11)
- Passionate critique of insurance company red tape, greed, and the emotional toll on people denied care.
- Compare this detachment to that of drone operators or vet techs, but find the insurance denier’s role uniquely soul-sucking.
- Walt ends with a prediction—soon, “cold, heartless AI” will do all the denying: “Soon they'll all be replaced by cold, heartless AI to tell you that they're not giving you your payment.” (54:54)
10. The Threat (and Promise) of AI
(53:11-84:53)
- Growing concern over AI’s ability to trick people, create fake news, deepfakes, and even entire genres of “fake true crime.”
- Walt wishes for the Dark Ages when life was simpler. Bry demurs, noting the tradeoffs: “No indoor toilets and shit like that. I think we'd be happier.”
Highlighted Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Mukbang:
- Walt (07:21): “I really think he is… get him has more to offer than just shoveling food down his throat.”
-
On Enjoying Surprising Art:
- Bry (18:55): “They snuck in a lesson without me even knowing… I gotta be a better person. But they didn’t try. They didn’t tell me to be a better person.”
-
On The Punisher:
- Bry (24:49): “You can't give him up to right wing nut jobs. You have to keep [Punisher] in the show.”
-
On AI-Created Work:
- Bry (77:53): “AI wrote it... and they sold it. Crazy. Entirely AI or entirely AI.”
-
On Midlife Crisis:
- Bry (61:54): “You're running out of runway before you launch to heaven.”
-
On Insurance:
- Q (47:12): “Dude, I want to fucking shoot somebody because they don't cover my whole cortisone shot. I can't imagine… what pieces of shit.”
- Walt (54:54): “Soon they'll all be replaced by cold, heartless AI to tell you that they're not giving you your payment.”
-
On AI Taking Over:
- (84:09) Walt: “Man, it really makes me think that it would be better if we lived in the Dark Ages.”
- (84:48) Bry: “But no legs. No great music.”
Notable Timestamps
- New Mukbang Patreon idea for Get 'Em: 02:23
- Discussion of OnlyFans, gainers, and feeders: 09:07–09:38
- Segway to Broadway "& Juliet" Experience: 17:08
- Daredevil/Punisher TV Show Controversy: 23:02–29:01
- Insurance and Medical Denials Rant: 46:46–51:06
- Deep Dive: AI in Comics/Screenwriting: 53:11–84:09
- Midlife Crisis Chat – “Running out of Runway”: 60:30–69:33
- Comparing Pens, Strippers, and Porsche Purchases: 67:12–69:00
Tone & Style
As always, the conversation is honest, uncensored, and full of TESD’s signature mix of barbed wit and genuine camaraderie. The hosts regularly break into laughter, self-deprecation, and call each other out in a way only old friends can.
For Listeners
Expect pop culture rabbit holes, acute social commentary, and hilarious musings about aging, technology, and masculinity—plus, a sincere if roundabout attempt to offer midlife advice, and a healthy skepticism about what’s real in a world increasingly shaped by AI.