Blabbermouth

The 9th Democratic debate takes place in Las Vegas this Wednesday, only three days before the Nevada caucuses. For the first time ever, former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg—the 9th richest person on the planet and only one of the billionaires trying to buy the Democratic nomination—will join his rivals onstage. With Eli Sanders out today, Rich Smith steps in to host Dan Savage and Katie Herzog in a brief preview of the debate and a not-so-brief conversation about Bloomberg’s past and the many problems he poses for the future. Then, Bernie Sanders. Before the Vermont Senator hunkered down this week in Nevada for a series of get-out-the-vote rallies, he helped rallies in a few working class west coast cities. Stranger culture critic Jasmyne Keimig, digital editor Chase Burns, and Rich hopped in a van and felt the Bern at Sanders's 17,000-person rally in Tacoma, Washington. They talk about Bernie’s appeal, and, for the umpteenth (and final?) time, the problem with a minority of Sanders’s online supporters. Finally, Chase and Jasmyne gush over two great, gay romances playing in a cinema near you. In Portrait of A Lady On Fire, director Céline Sciamma tells the story of a woman painter commissioned to paint a portrait of a subject who refuses to sit for it. And Then We Danced, directed by Levan Akin, looks at, among other things, forbidden love between traditional dancers in the country of Georgia. 

In Florida, there’s now a fascinating governor’s race match-up between one candidate who's backed by Bernie Sanders and another who’s backed by Donald Trump. The Democratic candidate, Andrew Gillum, could become the first African-American to lead the state. Eli Sanders, Rich Smith, and Katie Herzog talk about that, as well as the real legacy of John McCain, who died on Saturday at the age of 81. Plus: A tour through a magical list—drawn up by Republicans!—of all the things Democrats are likely to investigate if they retake control of the House in November. Also, Katie explores a thorny question: Is it too soon for Louis C.K.’s comeback? Finally, a few movies we love right now, including Eighth Grade and Crazy Rich Asians. Plus, as always, the music of Ahamefule J. Oluo.    

We’ve been broadcasting this show from Seattle, one of America’s major coronavirus hotspots, and to be honest things in this city have just gotten a little too real for us to be able to do the show this week. We’ll come back as soon as we can and tell you what’s next. For now, please take good care of yourselves and do your parts to flatten the curve of this pandemic. (Wash! Your! Filthy! Hands! People!) If you need it, the Blabberphone is still there for you: 206-302-3063.

With stinging losses for Bernie Sanders in Michigan and beyond on Tuesday, it’s time to ask: What went wrong with his campaign? Dan Savage, Eli Sanders, and Rich Smith talk it out. After that, with news that the coronavirus is officially a pandemic breaking during the show, the Blabbermouth crew evaluates responses so far and offers the experience of hard-hit Seattle as a warning to the rest of the nation. Finally, a call from a listener who has some things to say about Bernie and black voters. Plus, as always, the music of Ahamefule J. Oluo.

All of a sudden Joe Biden seems pretty damn likely to win the Democratic nomination and take on President Trump this fall. How’d that happen? Eli Sanders, Katie Herzog, and Rich Smith talk about what the Super Tuesday results mean for Biden, Bernie, Warren, and the Democratic Party. After that, the latest on the coronavirus. Blabbermouth is broadcasting from the center of the largest outbreak in the United States, and Rich, Katie, and Eli talk about what that's like, what you can do to stay healthy, and how the Trump administration has so far failed on virus testing. Finally, a deliciously distracting show that Rich is watching right now and a special pandemic prep recipe from Katie. Plus, as always, the music of Ahamefule J. Oluo.

With the CDC warning Americans to prepare for the coronavirus, Eli Sanders, Katie Herzog, and Rich Smith talk about what, exactly, a person should do. They also offer a little advice on what a misinformed president should do. After that, Rich explains how Bernie Sanders successfully held his ground during a messy, off-putting debate ahead of this Saturday's South Carolina primary. And finally, Eli explains why he was totally wrong about the Netflix series Cheer, Nathalie Graham explains what’s great about the Netflix series Love Is Blind, and Jasmyne Keimig offers some thoughts on Hulu’s High Fidelity remake, featuring Zoe Kravitz. Plus, as always, the music of Ahamefule J. Oluo.

Dan Savage, Eli Sanders, and Katie Herzog talk about Trump’s lie-laden State of the Union address, Nancy Pelosi’s viral response, and whether Senator Susan Collins is right that Trump has “learned from” his impeachment experience. After that, Rich Smith explains what the Iowa caucus disaster means for the Democrats, whether Bernie or Buttigieg or someone else really won, and what Bloomberg is up to. Finally, Rich and Eli talk about two good books they’ve just finished: “Weather” by Jenny Offill and “American Oligarchs” by Andrea Bernstein. Plus, as always, the music of Ahamefule J. Oluo.

Eli Sanders, Katie Herzog, and Rich Smith are excited about question time, the latest twist in President Trump’s impeachment trial. What questions will the Senators ask? What should they be asking? The Blabber panel has some ideas. After that, Katie looks into Amazon’s attempt to silence its employees on the issue of climate change and Rich does a victory dance as Bernie Sanders looks like he’s about to win next week’s Iowa caucuses. Finally, Jasmyne Keimig and Chase Burns have three movies you might be about to miss, but definitely shouldn’t miss. Pedro Almodovar’s Pain and Glory is one of them. Plus, as always, the music of Ahamefule J. Oluo.

Eli Sanders, Katie Herzog, and Rich Smith examine the Republican-approved rules for Trump’s impeachment trial in the US Senate, and then talk about how the trial’s going so far. After that, Hillary Clinton’s claim that “nobody” like Bernie Sanders (um, has she met Rich?) and The New York Times’ failure to pick one candidate to endorse in the Democratic primary fight. Finally, Jasmyne Keimig explains what’s great about The L Word: Generation Q on Showtime and Rich heaps praise on a Netflix docuseries called Cheer. Plus, as always, the music of Ahamefule J. Oluo.

With a bunch of new impeachment news coming in, Dan Savage, Eli Sanders, and Rich Smith talk about how the looming Senate trial is going to look and what to expect from Justice John Roberts, who’ll be presiding. After that, what did we learn from this week's final Democratic debate before the Iowa caucuses? Anything? It seems like the race is coming down to Bernie, Biden, or Warren, so… who should it be? Finally, Jasmyne Keimig and Chase Burns talk about the Oscar nominations and two movies worth seeing in theaters right now: 1917 and Uncut Gems. Plus, as always, the music of Ahamefule J. Oluo.

Dan Savage, Eli Sanders, and Rich Smith talk about President Trump’s standoff with Iran, which escalated this week when Trump ordered a missile strike that killed a top Iranian general. Iran then fired missiles at US bases in Iraq in response, and now—at least for the moment—Trump is talking peace. After that, a question: Would the Donald Trump we know create a new round of Middle East conflict just to distract from impeachment? Katie Herzog helps Dan and Eli with an answer, and then she explains why, with the Iowa caucuses fast approaching, she’s turned on Elizabeth Warren. Finally, Jasmyne Keimig and Chase Burns talk about what happened at the Golden Globes, what it all means, and what errors and omissions need to be corrected before February's Oscars. Plus, as always, the music of Ahamefule J. Oluo.

Dan Savage, Eli Sanders, and Katie Herzog mark Impeachment Day with an examination of Trump’s deranged letter to Nancy Pelosi, an appreciation for Pelosi’s coolness under fire, and of course some angst about whether this will actually help Trump get re-elected in 2020. After that, with yet another Democratic debate coming up (this one, mercifully, including only 7 candidates), Rich Smith helps Dan and Eli understand why young Pete Buttigieg is so loathed by the young, liberal Twitterati. Finally, Chase Burns gets riled up about the new movie Cats and Jasmyne Keimig explains why she loved Little Women (and why it’s not just for women, dudes). Plus, as always, the music of Ahamefule J. Oluo.

The House Judiciary Committee has decided to draw up two articles of impeachment; one for “abuse of power,” and the other for “obstructing Congress.” Dan Savage, Katie Herzog, Rich Smith, who steps in as host for Eli Sanders on the first two segments, discuss the benefits and disadvantages of what the New York Times calls a “narrow” and “vague” pair of articles. Next, the same crew mulls over the FBI inspector general’s newly released report on the Mueller investigations. Democrats are saying the report clears the FBI of Trump’s accusations of bias (because it does) and Republicans say the report shows a clear attempt to “overthrow” the present (because it doesn’t). Attorney General William Barr isn’t satisfied with the report, and says he’s in the midst of his own investigation of the investigators. Savage has a solution for that. Finally, Eli Sanders returns in the third segment to talk about the Golden Globe nominees. Find out who got robbed, and who did the robbing. 

Dan Savage, Eli Sanders, and Rich Smith talk about the latest impeachment drama, which took place this week in a new venue: the big, ready-to-brawl House Judiciary Committee. After that, a not totally fond farewell to Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris, who dropped out of the race this week shortly after The New York Times declared her campaign had already “unraveled” and long after people like Rich had already declared that Harris was a “cop.” And finally, Jasmyne Keimig and Chase Burns join in on a discussion of two movies worth seeing: Atlantics on Netflix and A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood in theaters. They also dig up an old Tom Hanks project that’ll make you question his current status as a modern day saint. Plus, as always, the music of Ahamefule J. Oluo.

Dan Savage, Eli Sanders, and Rich Smith give you all the ammunition you’ll need for your Thanksgiving table political arguments, plus a Twitter-launched image you won’t be able to get out of your mind: a bare-chested, boxing-glove-clad Donald Trump. (You’re welcome.) After that, an investigation into why the president’s personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, is such a bad texter. And finally, Nathalie Graham offers some solid recommendations for books you can be “reading” (or actually reading) in your former childhood bedroom before, during, and after the turkey carving. Plus, as always, the music of Ahamefule J. Oluo.

Dan Savage, Eli Sanders, and Katie Herzog have all been glued to impeachment coverage this week and react to new revelations in Wednesday's bombshell testimony of Ambassador Gordon Sondland. Dan also offers a theory about why Donald Trump made an unexpected, unannounced visit to the doctor over the weekend. After that, Rich Smith has a thing or two to say about the ongoing war in the Democratic Party between so-called moderates and so-called purists, and Dan considers what a victory in Iowa would say about Pete Buttigieg, who’s suddenly leading in the polls there. Finally, Jasmyne Keimig considers the image of Jeff Bezos, as presented by painter Robert McCurdy in an image currently hanging at the National Portrait Gallery. Plus, as always, the music of Ahamefule J. Oluo.

Dan Savage, Eli Sanders, and Rich Smith react to the first public hearings in the Trump impeachment inquiry, which got underway just before we sat down to record this week’s episode. Will this new phase, and the latest revelations, change anything at all? And does the real change actually need to occur in the Republican-controlled Senate, by allowing Senators to vote anonymously on whether to convict and remove Trump? After that, Lester Black joins in to talk about the nationally important Seattle election that caused us to miss last week’s episode. Lester also gives us an update on the latest developments in the nationwide outbreak of vaping-related illness. Finally, Jasmyne Keimig and Chase Burns help make sense of the streaming wars, which kicked into super high gear this week. Plus, as always, the music of Ahamefule J. Oluo.

Hey folks, we are busy covering the local election here in Seattle, so no show for you this week.  See you next week! 

Eli Sanders, Rich Smith, and Katie Herzog talk about the latest impeachment drama and a story from Axios that reports on Republicans quietly fearing a “total wipeout in 2020.” That’s right, party insiders say there’s a “three-alarm fire” going on that could lead to Democrats keeping the House and winning the Senate and White House, too. After that, Katie dives into the controversy over Democratic Congresswoman Katie Hill, who is resigning amid revelations concerning a thrupple she was involved in and an alleged relationship she had with a staffer in her House office. Also, Eli flags a story that hasn’t received enough attention: Facebook employees rebelling over Mark Zuckerberg’s decision to allow politicians to lie in political ads. The employees have some ideas for how Facebook can do better, and they’re really interesting. Finally, two books we’re loving right now. Rich talks about Madeline flitch’s Stay and Fight while Jasmyne Keimig talks about Sally Rooeny’s Normal People. Plus, as always, the music of Ahamefule J. Oluo.

Dan Savage, Eli Sanders, and Rich Smith talk about what’s going on inside the so-called “star chamber”—aka, a secure House of Representatives hearing room—where House impeachment investigators are hearing day after day of damning testimony against President Trump. Also: the author an anonymous New York Times op-ed from 2018 that chronicled dysfunction within the Trump administration is now publishing a book (also anonymously). It’s going to be called “A Warning,” and it will be out in November. After that, Katie Herzog considers a high-level Democratic freak-out about the current crop of presidential candidates. Does the world really need Hillary Clinton, Michael Bloomberg, John Kerry, or some other presidential wannabe to enter this already crowded race? Finally, Jasmyne Keimig talks about an artist you should know, a graphic novel about her way-ahead-or-her-time life, and a current HBO series that’s also connected to a graphic novel, Watchmen. Plus, as always, the music of Ahamefule J. Oluo.