Podcast Summary

Interrupted by Matt Jones – Episode 24: "It's The News"

Release Date: November 12, 2025
Host: Matt Jones
Guests: Drew Franklin, Billy (a.k.a. Billy R Sports)

Main Theme/Purpose

In this lively episode, Matt Jones and co-host Drew Franklin—joined by resident newscaster Billy R Sports—take a rapid-fire tour through the top news stories of the week. Their goal: escape the aftermath of a tough Kentucky basketball loss and dive instead into a candid, wide-ranging, and characteristically irreverent rundown of topics spanning politics, sports, pop culture, and personal anecdotes.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Government Shutdown and Its Aftermath

[01:07–09:13]

• Historical Context: The US is emerging from the longest government shutdown in history (approximately 40 days). The Senate has just passed a final spending package, with impacts soon set to be reversed (food aid, flight delays, parks, etc).
• Impact on People: Drew laments the uselessness of shutdowns, pointing out the wealthy political class stays insulated while real people suffer:
  • "It's just a bunch of rich people fooling around and not even considering that actual lives are affected." — Drew [02:48]
• Parks & Personal Stories: Extended losses include locked national parks; Drew unexpectedly reveals himself as a “park guy,” proudly collecting stickers from each visited park.
  • "Never thought I'd be a park guy. Maybe that's why I'm so passionate about this." — Drew [06:26]
• Divided Government: Matt and Drew discuss the perverse incentives of divided government, where shut-down threats become the only tool for minorities and create lasting gridlock.
  • "If you win an election, that doesn't mean the other side should get no say at all." — Matt [03:39]
• Airport and Park Reopenings: Relief is short-lived, as the new funding deal only lasts three months, leaving another shutdown looming.

2. The Trump Administration: Policies and Turmoil

[09:14–18:22]

• Trump’s Political Standing: One year into Trump’s term ("it doesn't seem like it's going well" — Drew), both hosts agree there’s scant enthusiasm even among former supporters.
• White House Renovations: Satirical riffing on Trump's interior design tastes after (fictional) White House renovations:
  • "It's like cheap rich. You know, it's new money rich. Rich people don't really decorate like that." — Drew [10:54-11:09]
• Gatsby Party During Shutdown: Frustration over images of a lavish White House party during the shutdown:
  • "That actually... that peed me off a little bit." — Drew [11:53]

3. Trump’s Latest Proposals: Tariff Dividends and 50-Year Mortgages

[12:27–18:22]

• Tariff Dividend: Trump floats the idea of a $2,000 “tariff dividend” for Americans—unrealistic without Congressional approval.
  • "He’s not allowed to do that... that has to be passed by Congress." — Matt [12:47]
• 50-year Mortgages: Far more derided is the 50-year home loan concept—seen as predatory and designed to benefit wealthy real estate holders. Story shared of how easily Trump was persuaded by a simple, flattering graphic:
  • "Anyone that ever wants to sell you a 50-year anything, run." — Matt [13:25]
• Inflation & Checks: The duo criticize the marketing of presidential stimulus checks, especially Trump's flair for branding:
  • "People get a check and they're like, 'Oh, Donald Trump gave me a check.'" — Matt [18:03]
  • "Money's never free, Billy." — Drew [18:20]

4. Jeffrey Epstein Case and Political Fallout

[18:27–24:23]

• New Email Revelations: New evidence links Trump knowing about Epstein’s activities, according to emails released by House Democrats. Republicans counter by releasing a data dump—20,000 pages of documents—to obscure the narrative.
  • "Release it all, all of it. And whoever's guilty is guilty... isn't it that easy?" — Matt [19:28]
• Politics of Transparency: Matt is baffled by the political impulse of protecting offenders in your own party.
  • "If I weren't involved, I would be screaming from the rooftops, please release this." — Drew [20:49]
• Memorable Phrase: The "dog that hasn't barked" refers to Trump’s relative silence around Epstein’s crimes.
  • “I want you to realize that the dog that hasn't barked is Trump...” — Billy quoting Epstein email [23:12]

5. NYC’s New Mayor and Progressive Proposals

[26:24–32:33]

• Zoran Mamdani: New York elects its (allegedly) first Muslim mayor, Zoran Mamdani, running on rent freezes, public grocery stores, and free transit—progressive dreams, but the hosts question practicality.
• Public Option for Groceries: Matt draws a parallel to public schools; why not public grocery stores?
  • "If you want something else, you go to the private one. Why is that a bad idea?" — Matt [28:17]
• Free Buses: Both Matt and Drew support public transit being free if the city can afford it, as those who use it tend to need it most.

6. Streaming Wars: YouTube TV vs. Disney & App Fatigue

[32:55–39:42]

• Service Blackouts: YouTube TV subscribers lose Disney channels including ESPN and ABC; YouTube issues a $20 credit, but only if users claim it.
• Rise of App Frustration: The hosts lament the fractured, app-based model of TV now feels more cumbersome than old-fashioned cable.
  • "It would be so much easier if I could just flip the channel. It was better the way it was before." — Matt [35:16]
• Ranking Streaming Services: In a supplemental aside, hosts rank Netflix, Peacock, Hulu, HBO, Apple, and Paramount, with personal favorites and gripes aired.

7. Facial Recognition & Convenience Tech

[39:47–40:44]

• Clear at Airports: Discussion about facial recognition's rise, how Clear expedites travel (sometimes unsettlingly accurate). Some grumble, others accept its inevitability and convenience.
  • "They already have everything. I mean, they could probably recognize my butt if they wanted to. They certainly are gonna be able to recognize my face." — Matt [40:44]

8. Sports Gambling Scandals

[41:27–46:24]

• Cleveland Guardians Pitchers Indicted: Multiple pitchers charged with rigging pitches for bettors, joining scandals in NBA/NBA summer leagues and lower-tier college basketball.
  • "The return on that seems so little for the risk." — Matt [43:04]
• Easy Detection: Legalized apps catch more cheaters; Drew says this is a good thing, making it riskier for athletes.
• Degenerate Gambling: Tales of betting on first pitches, minor league tennis, Japanese baseball, and even snooker—sometimes just for “play money.”

9. Pop Culture: Starbucks "Barista Cup" Craze

[46:32–50:24]

• New Fad: Starbucks drops limited-edition merch, resold at wild markups. Some customers line up overnight, even bring pepper spray.
• Hydration Culture: The trio wryly contrast today’s obsession with water bottles to college days when “I don’t know that I ever drank water…”
  • "When I was in college, I don't know that I ever drank water." — Matt [48:10]

10. Calisthenics "Comeback"

[53:55–56:12]

• Fitness Trend: Push-ups are in again—allegedly. Most people can't do 10, and 50 puts you in the 99th percentile.
• Hosts' Skepticism: Matt and Drew give this “news” a gentle roasting, suggesting it’s not exactly new or revelatory.
  • "I think people have known that exercise [is good]." — Drew [56:09]

11. Prospects for Anti-Aging Pills

[56:25–58:46]

• Grapeseed Extract Pills: A Chinese biotech firm claims a new supplement could let people live to 120–150.
• Would You Want That? Hosts are ambivalent, worrying about quality of life—aches, pains, and mental fatigue—even as medical science advances.
  • "I don't want to see what this place looks like [at] 120 years." — Drew [56:58]

12. Mortality, Accidents & Movie Obituaries

[58:46–66:14]

• Matt's Accident: Matt recounts his recent car wreck, which left him reflecting on mortality—with his trademark humor.
  • "That was a lot closer to being a really bad thing than maybe I realized it was." — Matt [60:14]
• Pop Culture Game: What would famous fictional characters’ obituaries say? Rocky Balboa, Michael Corleone, Forrest Gump and more—each gets an irreverent, hilarious send-up.
  • "Husband of Adrian—not the lead." — Matt [62:20]
  • "We don't have Elvis without young Forrest Gump." — Drew [65:32]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Shutdowns:
  • "These shutdowns happen this time every year. They're as consistent as a pumpkin spice latte." — Drew [02:43]
• On Trump’s Proposals:
  • "Anyone that ever wants to sell you a 50-year anything, run." — Matt [13:25]
• On Streaming Fatigue:
  • "It was better the way it was before." — Matt [35:16]
• On Political Transparency:
  • "If I weren't involved, I would be screaming from the rooftops, please release this." — Drew [20:49]
• On Calisthenics Comeback (Mock News):
  • "Wait until prisoners find out about this—they're gonna get jacked." — Drew [55:36]
• On Consumer Fads:
  • "I feel like the sorority house will decide which one they're going to like and then it just blows up." — Drew [48:11]
• On Longevity:
  • "If you told me, you can be what you are right now for more years, I would want to do that. But if you were to tell me I'm going to be what I'm going to be in 30 years, I'm not sure I would want to keep doing that." — Matt [57:55]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Government Shutdown, Impacts, and Parks: [01:07–09:13]
• Trump’s White House, Policies, and Renovations: [09:14–12:22]
• Tariff Dividend and 50-Year Mortgage Proposal: [12:27–18:22]
• Epstein Scandal and Political Transparency: [18:27–24:23]
• NYC’s Mayor and Public Options: [26:24–32:33]
• Streaming Services & TV Industry Woes: [32:55–39:42]
• Facial Recognition Technology: [39:47–40:44]
• Sports Gambling Scandals: [41:27–46:24]
• Starbucks “Barista Cup” Craze & Hydration Culture: [46:32–50:24]
• Calisthenics, Pushups, and Exercise Trends: [53:55–56:12]
• Longevity Drugs & Living to 120: [56:25–58:46]
• Mortality, Personal Anecdotes, & Pop Culture Obituaries: [58:46–66:14]

Tone & Style

The conversation is energetic, playful, skeptical, and always colored by real-world experience. Listeners can expect laughter, good-natured ribbing, and the occasional rant, all balanced by surprisingly serious reflections on current events and personal life.

For Listeners:

Whether you missed the episode or want a refresher, this highlights the breadth and banter you’ve come to expect from Matt Jones and crew. There’s sharp political insight, cultural observation, and Kentucky wit—all in rapid-fire, digestible bursts.