Babydog 2024 (Live from Madison, WI!)
Digest
This podcast delves into the Republican National Convention (RNC) in Milwaukee, offering humorous commentary on the event's atmosphere and speakers. The hosts discuss Nikki Haley's endorsement of Donald Trump, highlighting the irony of her actions given her previous criticisms. They also analyze the confrontation between Matt Gaetz and Kevin McCarthy, focusing on Gaetz's taunts and the tension between the two figures. The podcast covers Donald Trump's announcement of JD Vance as his VP candidate and the ongoing political drama surrounding the VP debate. The hosts discuss Trump's speech at the RNC, focusing on his comments about the assassination attempt and his call for retribution. They also explore the debate surrounding Joe Biden's health and the growing calls for his withdrawal from the presidential race. The podcast features interviews with comedians Victoria Vincent and Thomas Lennon, who share their thoughts on the RNC, the political climate, and their experiences in the entertainment industry. The hosts also discuss the potential threat of AI replacing joke writing, arguing that AI might be good at creating visual content but unlikely to write truly funny jokes. They reminisce about the Y2K scare and how it turned out to be less impactful than anticipated. The podcast concludes with a segment called "The Cheese Wheel," where the hosts share their cheesy preferences, ranging from cheese curds and romantic comedies to fondue and boy bands.
Outlines
Republican National Convention Recap and Political Commentary
The podcast opens with introductions and a humorous overview of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, highlighting the presence of various speakers and the overall atmosphere. The hosts discuss Nikki Haley's endorsement of Donald Trump, contrasting it with her previous criticisms of him and highlighting the irony of her actions. They also delve into the confrontation between Congressman Matt Gaetz and former Speaker Kevin McCarthy at the RNC, focusing on Gaetz's taunts and the overall tension between the two figures.
Trump's VP Candidate, Democratic Chaos, and Political Implications
The podcast covers Donald Trump's announcement of JD Vance as his VP candidate and the Trump campaign's refusal to commit to a date for the VP debate, highlighting the ongoing political drama. The hosts discuss Trump's address to the RNC, focusing on his comments about the assassination attempt and his subsequent call for retribution, analyzing the implications of his words. They also explore the ongoing debate surrounding Joe Biden's health and the growing calls for his withdrawal from the presidential race, highlighting the political implications of this issue.
Interview with Victoria Vincent
The podcast features an interview with comedian Victoria Vincent, discussing her thoughts on the Republican National Convention, Matt Gaetz's new face, and the overall political climate.
Frankloid Wrong Segment with Mandela Barnes and Fran Hong
The podcast features a segment titled "Frankloid Wrong" with former Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes and State Representative Fran Hong, discussing political topics in Wisconsin and the upcoming elections.
Interview with Thomas Lennon
The podcast features an interview with comedian Thomas Lennon, discussing his experiences with punch-up writing for movies and his thoughts on the political landscape.
Writing Movies for Fun and Profit and the Future of Joke Writing
The conversation starts with a discussion about the book "Writing Movies for Fun and Profit," which was written by the podcast hosts. They discuss how they donated all the profits from the book to the USO and how they were initially hesitant to take any money from it due to the book's somewhat obnoxious title. The hosts discuss the potential threat of AI replacing joke writing in the future. They argue that AI might be good at creating visual content but unlikely to write truly funny jokes. They also reminisce about the Y2K scare and how it turned out to be less impactful than anticipated.
Did I Write This? and Writing Anecdotes
The hosts play a game of "Did I Write This?" where they ask each other if they wrote various movies and TV shows. They discuss their experiences writing "Herbie Fully Loaded" and "Strangers with Candy," highlighting the challenges and humorous anecdotes from those projects.
The Cheese Wheel
The hosts introduce the "Cheese Wheel" segment, where they each share something cheesy they love. They discuss their preferences for cheese curds, romantic comedies, and fondue, with humorous and sometimes controversial opinions.
High Notes
The hosts discuss their experience writing the movie "High Notes," a 2005 movie about a sentient Volkswagen Beetle. They discuss their humorous disagreement with the studio about the car's ability to smile.
Keywords
Republican National Convention (RNC)
The Republican National Convention is a quadrennial event where the Republican Party nominates its presidential and vice-presidential candidates. It is a major event in American politics, attracting significant media attention and public interest.
Donald Trump
Donald Trump is a former president of the United States and a prominent figure in American politics. He is known for his controversial statements and policies, and his presidency was marked by significant political and social divisions.
Joe Biden
Joe Biden is the current president of the United States. He is a veteran politician with a long history of public service. His presidency has been marked by the COVID-19 pandemic, the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan, and ongoing political polarization.
Matt Gaetz
Matt Gaetz is a Republican congressman from Florida. He is known for his outspoken views and his close association with Donald Trump. Gaetz has been the subject of several controversies, including allegations of sexual misconduct.
Kevin McCarthy
Kevin McCarthy is a Republican congressman from California. He served as Speaker of the House from 2023 until he was removed from office in October 2023. McCarthy is a close ally of Donald Trump and has been a vocal critic of the Biden administration.
JD Vance
JD Vance is a Republican politician and author. He is known for his book "Hillbilly Elegy," which explored the struggles of working-class white Americans in Appalachia. Vance was elected to the US Senate in 2022.
Kamala Harris
Kamala Harris is the current vice president of the United States. She is the first woman and the first person of color to hold this office. Harris is a former senator from California and a former attorney general of the state.
AI
Artificial intelligence, a technology that is rapidly advancing and has the potential to impact various industries, including creative fields like joke writing.
Writing Movies for Fun and Profit
A book written by the podcast hosts about screenwriting, with a humorous and somewhat self-deprecating title. They donated all the profits to the USO.
Q&A
What were some of the highlights of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee?
The convention featured speeches from various Republican figures, including Nikki Haley, Matt Gaetz, and Hulk Hogan. The host also highlighted the overall atmosphere and the presence of a problematic "it girl" in the form of a bulldog puppy.
What was the significance of Nikki Haley's endorsement of Donald Trump?
Haley's endorsement was seen as ironic given her previous criticisms of Trump. The host emphasized the contrast between her past statements and her current actions, suggesting a desire to kiss the ring of power.
What was the nature of the confrontation between Matt Gaetz and Kevin McCarthy at the RNC?
Gaetz taunted McCarthy during a CNN interview, questioning his speaking schedule and suggesting that he would be booed off the stage. The host highlighted the tension between the two figures and the overall atmosphere of division within the Republican Party.
What were some of the key takeaways from Donald Trump's speech at the RNC?
Trump addressed the assassination attempt against him, calling for retribution and emphasizing his desire to "make America run wild." The host analyzed the implications of his words and the potential for further political polarization.
What are the main arguments for and against Joe Biden's withdrawal from the presidential race?
The podcast discussed the growing calls for Biden's withdrawal due to concerns about his health and age. The host highlighted the political implications of this issue and the potential impact on the 2024 election.
What are some of the key issues facing voters in Wisconsin in the upcoming elections?
The podcast discussed the importance of voter turnout in Wisconsin, highlighting the close margins in recent elections and the need to mobilize voters in Black and Brown communities. The host also emphasized the importance of addressing issues like caregiving, public safety, and the cost of living.
What are some of the challenges facing organizers trying to reach disengaged voters?
The host discussed the difficulty of reaching voters who are disillusioned with politics and feel ignored by elected officials. The importance of listening to voters' concerns and building personal connections was emphasized as a crucial strategy for mobilizing them.
What are some of the key takeaways from the interview with Victoria Vincent?
Vincent shared her humorous observations about the RNC, including her reaction to Matt Gaetz's new face and her thoughts on the overall political climate. She also discussed the importance of understanding the perspectives of different communities and the need for humor in navigating political discourse.
How do the hosts feel about the potential of AI replacing joke writing?
They believe that AI might be good at creating visual content but unlikely to write truly funny jokes. They argue that comedy is a complex art form that requires human creativity and understanding of humor.
Show Notes
RNC you next Tuesday! We bid farewell to America’s Dairyland, but not before an incredible show at Madison’s Barrymore Theater. This week, Victoria Vincent is anything but conventional. Mandela Barnes and Fran Hong break down the far right and the Frank Lloyd Wrong. Thomas Lennon helps our audience find the plot, and we finish off the evening with a delicious spin of The Cheese Wheel. Did we mention we’re in Wisconsin?
Tour dates & cities: crooked.com/events
For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.
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