8 chapters across the catalog
The Steve Miller Band canceled a 31-concert North American tour, citing extreme weather risks including heatwaves and flooding. CNN's Bill Weir reported that rising insurance costs for outdoor festivals are making tours prohibitive. Critics suggest poor ticket sales may be the actual cause. The hosts mention Miller's membership in the Bohemian Grove and a recent wage theft lawsuit filed by workers at the exclusive club.
CNN reports suggest that U.S. energy independence is hindered because domestic refineries are optimized for "heavy sour" crude (coffee grounds) rather than the "light sweet" crude (champagne) produced by American fracking. However, industry experts argue that sweet crude is easier for all refineries to process and that the narrative of incompatibility is used to undermine "drill baby drill" policies. Data shows the U.S. reached record production levels during the Biden administration despite green rhetoric.
CNN reported that global average temperatures briefly exceeded the 2-degree Celsius threshold above pre-industrial levels for the first time. The UN warns that current fossil fuel extraction plans will lead to a 2.9-degree increase, far exceeding Paris Accord goals. The hosts mock the "climate of fear" reporting style and the persistent warnings of "tipping points" in the Arctic and Antarctic.
CNN, Artificial Whale Poop and Climate Engineering
CNN's chief climate correspondent Bill Weir reported on radical climate repair ideas from Sir David King, including the use of "artificial whale poop" to fertilize oceans. Other proposed solutions include "spritzing yachts" to refreeze the Arctic and spraying "sunscreen" into the atmosphere to block sunlight. The segment mocks the terminology used, such as "Carbon Godzilla," to describe excess atmospheric carbon.
CNN Climate Change Narrative, Bill Weir Hurricane Reporting
CNN correspondent Bill Weir reported from the Peace River during Hurricane Ian, framing the storm as a consequence of a "rapidly warming planet" and a test for climate adaptation plans. While hosts like Don Lemon attempted to link the intensification of the storm directly to climate change, some meteorologists cautioned against attributing single weather events to long-term climate trends.
The episode concludes with a note that HGTV has surpassed CNN in viewership ratings, which the hosts attribute to people being exhausted by the news. They play a final "fake news" clip regarding the Netherlands and Gert Wilders before signing off with a New Year's greeting and a reminder for the upcoming Sunday show.
Geert Wilders and the Dutch Donald Trump Narrative
A CNN report by Bill Weir on Dutch politician Geert Wilders is criticized for being "fake news." The hosts argue that the report incorrectly frames the Netherlands as a traditional immigration country and unfairly links Wilders to Donald Trump to push a narrative of "nationalist authoritarianism" rising in Europe.
The New York City Police Department's "stop and frisk" policy is examined through an ABC news report featuring Councilman Jumaane Williams. The discussion focuses on the use of "furtive movement" as a justification for police stops, which the hosts argue is a tool for unconstitutional profiling.
