Hardly Focused

The mental unraveling of a canine co-host accents this largely video game-related installment of Hardly Focused! Jack and Nate express bewilderment at both Metroid Prime 4's heavily anticipated launch, and the announcement of yet another Skyrim re-release. Not owning a Switch 2, this might be the first time Jack isn't buying another version of Bethesda's legendary dragon-taming simulator. Also discussed in this episode of Hardly Focused: Jack and Nate share horror stories about working in retail. How can one possibly screw up a relationship with Hayley Williams? GameStop's "trade anything" day is a huge success, with people bringing in things like taxidermized animals, cans of "whoop ass," and the Declaration of Independence. FOLLOW and SUBSCRIBE! https://hardlyfocused.com/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's a Thanksgiving-kind of installment of Hardly Focused! Jack and Mike discuss the science of planning for the holidays, and revisit a classic Turkey Day freakout. Also, what's the best and worst food to serve on Thanksgiving? Discussed elsewhere in this episode: A poor soul from Medford, MA has nearly 400 gallons of heating oil spilled in his basement, because the energy company went to the wrong address. The "Slender Man stabber" attempts to run away from home, only to be caught and shamed by police. FOLLOW and SUBSCRIBE! https://hardlyfocused.com/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's finally happening - the "Epstein files" are one step closer to being released. Shortly before this episode was recorded, both the U.S. House and Senate voted to pass the bill that will make public the emails, the characters, and more. Acc, Jack, and Mike discuss and wonder what - if anything - the outcome will be. Also discussed in this episode of The Acc and Jack Show: Famous people named Bubba, including a certain Love Sponge with whom this show was very briefly - and very mistakenly - associated. The New Pornographers discuss their ousted drummer, and why they aren't changing their name. Content creator Jack Doherty complains about going to jail, for the crime of having a terrible haircut. FOLLOW and SUBSCRIBE to Hardly Focused! https://hardlyfocused.com/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There's a reason why this podcast is called "Hardly Focused," and this episode exemplifies it! Jack, Nate, and Zach are all over the place, discussing everything from medical ailments to Nickelodeon's finest live-action shows from the late 1990s. Remember - do good, else you'll be turned into a dog and taken in by the kid you bullied in school! Also discussed in this episode of Hardly Focused: Vine is back, thanks to Twitter's own Jack Dorsey! From content generators like Sora, to fully produced songs, artificial intelligence continues to improve and frighten. Miss World Chile also happens to be the vocalist in a death metal band. FOLLOW and SUBSCRIBE! hardlyfocused.com/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rockstar Games is known for its secrecy, so it's a big surprise when news drops about unconfirmed projects. Co-founder Dan Houser reveals to IGN the existence of cancelled single-player DLC for Grand Theft Auto 5. Jack and Mike talk about what could have been, and what made the previous game's DLC so great. Also discussed in this episode of Hardly Focused: Another day, another plane crash; this time, in Louisville, KY Jack and Mike react in real time to the results of the New York City mayoral election According to a new study, kids ask their parents an average of 46 questions per day. Resident show dad Mike Tarara weighs in to confirm! FOLLOW and SUBSCRIBE: https://hardlyfocused.com/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The former reality television host who is now in control of the United States has declared an end to the "console wars." Not only was artificial intelligence used in this announcement, but GameStop - desperate to maintain relevancy in 2025 - jumped in on the bit. Jack and Zach question this, and pretty much everything else that's gone sideways over the past year. Also discussed in this episode of Hardly Focused: It's spo0o0o0oky season! "The chimps are infected!" Jack's chronic illness has skewed his ability to sleep It's always a good time to replay Half-Life 2 Chick-fil-A introduces their own 24/6 vending machine! FOLLOW and SUBSCRIBE! https://hardlyfocused.com/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gamers are losing their collective minds over the announcement - Halo is coming to PlayStation! After 20+ years on Xbox and PC, the Halo franchise is joining Sony's platform with the release of Halo: Campaign Evolved. Acc and Jack discuss the newest entry in the series, and how it builds upon the original "Combat Evolved" game as a quasi-remake. Also discussed in this episode of The Acc and Jack Show: Jack has the post-music festival plague, and can't see straight, let alone articulate coherently. Jack went to Las Vegas for the When We Were Young festival, featuring blink-182, Weezer, and reunited acts Straylight Run and Panic! and the Disco, among many more. The Wizard of Oz at the Las Vegas Sphere is $100 of pure insanity. Acc learns about the 1989 body horror film Society, the ending scene of which should not be viewed by anyone ever. FOLLOW and SUBSCRIBE to Hardly Focused! http://hardlyfocused.com/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From May 02, 2025: Jack saves the worst news for last in this episode featuring tech journalist Florence Ion. Microsoft is increasing the price of its entire Xbox line, including its consoles and peripherals. Jack and Flo lament that it's only going to get worse, thanks to an ever-volatile economy. READ MORE: ⁠Microsoft Raises the Price of All Xbox Series Consoles, Xbox Games Confirmed to Hit $80 This Holiday⁠ Elsewhere, with Soundgarden being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Jack introduces Flo to guitarist Jason Everman. A decorated veteran of the U.S. Army and Special Forces , Everman was not only a brief member of Soundgarden, but also a one-time member of Nirvana. Jack wonders if Everman feels any jealousy or resentment for being in two bands that have since been admitted to the Hall of Fame, and not being inducted as a member of either. READ MORE: ⁠The Rock ’n’ Roll Casualty Who Became a War Hero⁠ Also discussed in this episode: Jack is the reason Flo uses Threads, because ⁠Jack is a big deal there⁠. Flo is a big fan of physical media preservation, and schools Jack on the benefits of running a Plex server. As it turns out, in the year of our Flying Spaghetti Monster 20-and-25, Flo and Jack are equally into Tamagotchi. Hot take: Seth McFarlane has a lot of anger about Charles Schulz' Peanuts cartoons, and takes it out in ⁠Family Guy cutaway gags⁠. FOLLOW FLORENCE ION: ⁠https://florenceion.com⁠ FOLLOW and SUBSCRIBE to HARDLY FOUCSED! ⁠https://hardlyfocused.com/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a move the music world did not see coming, Canadian music legends RUSH are touring again! German-born musician Anika Nilles will be honoring the late Neil Peart, drumming alongside Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson. Jack schools Mike on Nilles' background, Rush's touring plans, and Peart's lyrical contributions to the band. Also discussed in this episode of Hardly Focused: Jack and Becky attend a taping of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, and almost blow Conan O'Brien's cover! The former host of The Apprentice posts a bizarre, AI-generated music video to the tune of "Don't Fear the Reaper." As expected, while its soundtrack is phenomenal, Tron: Ares is a middling film at best. FOLLOW and SUBSCRIBE! https://hardlyfocused.com/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Acc and Jack discuss content creator Brittney Rae Carrera's big cameo on the premier of Hulu's Chad Powers. There's one problem with it, though; Carrera learns - as she's watching the show - that she's been replaced by the "Hawk Tuah" girl. Was this just a really elaborate sketch, or a stroke of bad luck? Also discussed in this episode of The Acc and Jack Show: In a meeting that could have been an email, Pete Hegseth tells the military's top leaders to lose weight. Why isn't America scrutinizing Donald Trump's mental state, like they did with Joe Biden's? Twenty years later, The Simpsons Movie is getting a sequel! Mariah Carey's "secret" grunge album from the 1990s may finally be released! FOLLOW and SUBSCRIBE to Hardly Focused! https://hardlyfocused.com/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ol' Bone Spurs is at it again! First he tries to get Jimmy Kimmel thrown off ABC, and now he's having trouble with... well, everything else. Speaking, escalators, existing in general - the man is a mess! Jack and Nate poke fun at the latest escapades involving our nation's "leader." Also discussed in this installment of Hardly Focused: Jimmy Kimmel has a lot to say, as 80% of the country welcomes him back to late night network television! Tylenol is causing autism, according to a recovering drug addict with a history of brain worms, and a bankrupt former reality television host. GWAR does GWAR things at Riot Fest in Chicago, much to the surprise of people who have never heard of GWAR. What is "heavy soda?" Apparently, it's a Missouri thing. It's also a dentist's worst nightmare. FOLLOW and SUBSCRIBE! https://hardlyfocused.com/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Remember LimeWire? It's back, in NFT-form! More importantly, it's now the proud owner of the Fyre brand, which convicted fraudster Billy McFarland recently put on the auction block for chump change. Jack, Zach, and Becky discuss this oddball pairing, while reminiscing about the days of the "old internet." Also discussed in this episode of Hardly Focused: In-n-Out Burger features the "home run" for those who jump the drive-thru line. McDonaldland, the Burger King Kids Club, and the mascots of yesterday. What are the top distractions in the office? Imagine going through TSA screening miles away from the actual airport. FOLLOW and SUBSCRIBE! http://hardlyfocused.com/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jack and Mike dust off this podcast's flagship segment, "How F***ing Dumb Are You?!" In the States, a Publisher's Clearing House winner is in financial trouble after the company went bankrupt and stopped paying him. Jack thinks he should have built a nest egg and kept working, to avoid such conundrums. Meanwhile, in Japan, an old woman was scammed by someone pretending to be an astronaut in distress. Mike has some THOUGHTS about that! Elsewhere in this episode of Hardly Focused: Jack and Mike review Nine Inch Nails' Boston concert Jack traveled to New York City with Becky to visit the 9/11 Museum, and later FINALLY see Oasis perform live Steven Patrick Morrissey is selling his ownership of The Smiths to anyone who wants it Studies confirm, sitting on the toilet for too long is a sure-fire way to get hemorrhoids FOLLOW and SUBSCRIBE! https://hardlyfocused.com/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's the 700th episode of this podcast! Jack is joined in-studio by Zach, and Molly joins through a series of tubes from smoggy California. Lots of topics are discussed in this packed installment of Hardly Focused, with Jack running through a list of the biggest things that have happened over the past one hundred episodes. Also covered: The Oasis reunion has made it to the United States, and Jack and Molly can't wait! Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are getting married. Listen to Molly's new podcast HALFSIES on the Solid Listen podcast network! Molly and co-host "Vanderpump Robs" Schulte each bring a topic of their choosing to the table and educate one another. Find Halfsies - and Hardly Focused - wherever you get your podcasts! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Acc and Jack discuss a nightmarish, shockingly common scenario. A woman posts to reddit that she left her boyfriend, because he refused to wipe himself after using the bathroom. The boyfriend did not take kindly to her refusal to accept his unhygienic ways. With no pun intended, who stinks here? Elsewhere in this installment of The Acc and Jack Show: A naked guy - allergic to his own sweat - is under arrest for hauling a stolen motorcycle, among other things. A Memphis man has his priorities straight, shooting his wife in the stomach then stopping for a beer on the way to the hospital. An ungrateful airline passenger suffering from a medical emergency mid-flight flips off her captain as she de-boards. FOLLOW and SUBSCRIBE to Hardly Focused! http://hardlyfocused.com/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A study from AI firm Kalon determines the top 10 states in the country that are most addicted to pornography. Jack and Becky go through the list, and cover the additional 10 that are least addicted. Spoilers - the commonwealth of Massachusetts is on neither! Also discussed in this episode of Hardly Focused: Remember Planet Lunch, and Ploids? The latter is not a venereal disease. Arcades are a scam. Becky is obsessed with the "Poop Cruise." Instragram rolls out a new "maps" feature, to much controversy. FOLLOW and SUBSCRIBE to Hardly Focused! https://hardlyfocused.com/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Actress Sydney Sweeney has teamed up with clothier American Eagle to advertise their line of jeans. In the year 2025, people will get upset over anything, and to the surprise of nobody this new campaign is no exception. To the surprise of Becky, however, is Mike and Jack's agreement that Sydney Sweeney isn't the ultimate, jaw-dropping smoke show that everybody else makes her out to be. Do you agree? Also discussed in this episode of Hardly Focused: Whether or not he actually tries to do it, former Astronomer CEO has no legal grounds to sue Coldplay's Chris Martin for highlighting his infidelity. Foo Fighters and Nine Inch Nails seem to unintentionally swap drummers. Tron Ares might end up being a terrible film, but at least it will look and sound great. Jack reviews Superman and Fantastic Four: First Steps! The end of the Rob, Anybody, and Dawn radio show, or a lesson in paying employees for their time. FOLLOW and SUBSCRIBE! https://hardlyfocused.com/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Prince of Darkness, Ozzy Osbourne, has left this mortal coil at 76 years old. Jack and Nate discuss Ozzy's legacy, and his final performance at the Back to the Beginning event just weeks before his death. Also discussed in this episode: The fourth Matrix film was meta Remembering Malcolm-Jamal Warner CBS and Paramount cancel The Late Show, and Stephen Colbert is going scorched earth in response FOLLOW and SUBSCRIBE to Hardly Focused! https://hardlyfocused.com/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The lead cast of The Legend of Zelda live-action film have been revealed! Bo Bragason and Benjamin Evan Ainsworth will play Princess Zelda and Link, respectively. Acc and Jack discuss this exciting news, while cautioning against fan-casting. Also covered in this installment of The Acc and Jack Show: Paul Lieberstein joins the cast of The Office spinoff The Paper, as a new character! Is he playing Toby Flenderson under witness protection? The 2025 Emmy nominations are here! Once again, The Bear is apparently a comedy series. The former members of Jane's Addiction are suing each other. Political assassin Vance Boelter claims Tim Walz told him to kill people. FOLLOW and SUBSCRIBE to Hardly Focused! https://hardlyfocused.com/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jack and Mike remember their friend and former co-worker, Lyndon "LB" Byers. Following an explosive career with the Boston Bruins, LB was a fixture on WAAF. Jack and Mike share their LB stories, of which there are an endless amount. We'll miss you, kid. Also discussed in this episode of Hardly Focused: Is Bethesda preparing to release Fallout 3 remastered?? A lucky guy gets Pope Leo XIV to sign his rare Pokemon card. Following up from last episode, our TikTok followers suggest their cast for the Karen Read movie. FOLLOW and SUBSCRIBE to Hardly Focused! https://hardlyfocused.com/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices