Episode #501: Tone Shift After The Globes, Movie Tropes Not Approved & Nikki-A Filmmaker?

Release Date: January 16, 2025
Podcast: The Nikki Glaser Podcast
Hosts: Nikki Glaser and Brian Frangie
Produced by: Big Money Players Network and iHeartPodcasts

1. Welcome Back and Rhythm Woes ([02:12] - [03:36])

Nikki Glaser opens the episode by expressing gratitude to listeners for their patience during a brief hiatus. She and co-host Brian Frangie joke about Nikki's rhythm, highlighting a previous Guitar Hero mishap.

Brian Frangie ([02:28]): "I was watching you snap your fingers to the beat of the music, and it just looked like you had no rhythm at all."

Nikki shares her newfound appreciation for the film "Whiplash", which she watched for the first time over a weekend.

Nikki Glaser ([03:11]): "I just had a moment where I realized something. Imagery in it or, like a meaning in that. I got."

2. Deep Dive into "Whiplash" ([03:36] - [08:44])

The conversation shifts to an in-depth discussion about "Whiplash", focusing on its intense portrayal of ambition and abuse in a music academy setting.

Nikki Glaser ([04:05]): "Miles Teller is adorable, and, like, so. It's just so good... J.K. Simmons is incredibly abusive instructor..."

They explore the film's themes of pushing boundaries, with Nikki critiquing the notion that only the greats can survive extreme pressure.

Nikki Glaser ([06:31]): "He's trying to make them great. And one of the things he says is about Char, Charlie Bird or whoever... 'If it’s too far, then you're not good enough.'"

Brian praises the acting, particularly J.K. Simmons' performance, calling it one of the best in recent cinema.

Brian Frangie ([08:08]): "It's one of the best movies of all time."

3. The Impact of Wildfires and Public Response ([08:44] - [16:39])

A significant portion of the episode delves into the devastating wildfires affecting California. Nikki and Brian express their frustrations with public reactions, especially targeting wealthy individuals and the hypocrisy they perceive in societal attitudes.

Nikki Glaser ([14:13]): "People being like they're rich, these mansion, these people with mansions, fuck them."

They discuss the challenges of donating, criticizing the often unhelpful requests for specific items and emphasizing the importance of monetary contributions.

Brian Frangie ([27:32]): "If you can pay for them in full... Pick one family and give them all of it."

The hosts also touch upon the emotional toll of witnessing devastation, sharing personal anecdotes about friends and celebrities affected by the fires.

Nikki Glaser ([34:04]): "It's nuts how close it is to everyone."

4. Navigating Donations and Charity Efforts ([16:39] - [30:10])

Continuing the wildfire discussion, Nikki and Brian critique the effectiveness of donation methods like GoFundMe, highlighting the challenges of anonymous giving and the pressure to match others' contributions.

Nikki Glaser ([28:10]): "Sometimes I just wouldn't give because I feel like people will think that I gave $500 when others gave $1500."

Brian suggests a more personal approach to donations, advocating for supporting individuals they know personally affected by the fires.

Brian Frangie ([31:13]): "These GoFundMes are just like, you probably know several people who... have lost their houses."

5. Evacuation Preparedness and Personal Stories ([30:10] - [42:26])

The discussion shifts to practical aspects of wildfire preparedness. The hosts share their strategies for evacuation, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing essential items over sentimental possessions.

Brian Frangie ([34:06]): "There's literally not a single thing in this apartment that couldn't be replaced or isn't saved on a cloud somewhere."

Nikki reflects on the psychological impact of potentially losing personal belongings and expressions of grief over lost items and family memories.

Nikki Glaser ([36:26]): "I saw pictures of people saving kids' drawings... It's just, I get like..."

6. Critique of Public Sentiment Towards California and New York ([38:02] - [54:12])

Nikki and Brian express their disdain for individuals who belittle cities like Los Angeles and New York, especially during crises. They argue that such negativity often stems from jealousy and a lack of willingness to face the challenges these cities present.

Nikki Glaser ([38:14]): "People have to put on a mask. And that mask isn't even good enough."

Brian Frangie ([41:04]): "You can't love America if you say, 'We deserve the fires because of our elected officials.'"

The hosts debate the cultural dynamics that allow for disparaging remarks about major cities while maintaining a professed love for the country.

Nikki Glaser ([40:43]): "People know that it's a tough city to live in... But why do they have to tell us that?"

7. Movie Tropes and Nickname Pet Peeves ([55:31] - [64:18])

Transitioning to lighter topics, Nikki vents about her frustrations with clichéd movie tropes. She criticizes unrealistic dialogue, predictable plotlines, and overused scenarios in contemporary films.

Nikki Glaser ([63:11]): "I promise that there will be dialog that is realistic... We will not have a girl eating ice cream because she's heartbroken."

She shares her intentions to create a movie that avoids these pitfalls, emphasizing the need for authentic storytelling.

Nikki Glaser ([64:18]): "I'm gonna try. And I'm just gonna start by going like, 'I don't like this.'"

Brian concurs, suggesting that subverting clichés can lead to more compelling cinema.

Brian Frangie ([61:31]): "Lower the stakes."

8. Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks ([64:18] - [69:19])

In her concluding segment, Nikki reflects on the importance of realistic representation in media and the impact of substance over sensationalism. She encourages listeners to contribute their own pet peeves about movie tropes for future episodes.

Nikki Glaser ([68:38]): "Why are we fucking up cars... and putting these machines that are expensive, and we're driving them so shitty?"

Nikki humorously acknowledges the challenges of filmmaking while maintaining her commitment to authenticity.

Nikki Glaser ([65:21]): "I do not want to have a sex scene in which a woman has a penis put in her within seconds of being kissed unless she is yelping in like in fright and pain immediately."

The episode wraps up with a reminder to subscribe and follow the podcast for more honest and engaging conversations.

Notable Quotes:

• Nikki Glaser ([02:14]): "Hello, here I am. Welcome to the show."
• Brian Frangie ([08:08]): "It's one of the best movies of all time."
• Nikki Glaser ([14:13]): "People being like they're rich, these mansion, these people with mansions, fuck them."
• Brian Frangie ([31:13]): "Pick one family and give them all of it."
• Nikki Glaser ([40:43]): "People know that it's a tough city to live in... But why do they have to tell us that?"
• Nikki Glaser ([63:56]): "We will not have a sex scene in which a woman has a penis put in her within seconds of being kissed unless she is yelping in like in fright and pain immediately."
• Nikki Glaser ([65:21]): "I do not want to have a sex scene in which a woman is having an orgasm on screen anymore."

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This summary captures the essence of episode #501, highlighting key discussions, insights, and humorous exchanges between Nikki Glaser and her co-host Brian Frangie. For an in-depth experience, tuning into the full episode is highly recommended.