Topic: Box Office

A local anecdote about visiting the post office in El Cerrito, California, leads to a discussion on the media's role in policing political parties and labeling defectors as "traitors." The conversation references George H.W. Bush's use of the Insurrection Act during the 1992 Rodney King riots in Los Angeles as a historical precedent for federal intervention. Additionally, the shift in terminology from "illegal aliens" to "migrants" is noted as a way to change public perception of immigration issues.

The hosts discuss how celebrities like Julia Louis-Dreyfus damage their personal brands by alienating audiences with political commentary. Dvorak mentions that his wife, Mimi, avoids reading Dreyfus's opinions to keep from ruining the experience of watching the show Veep. They conclude that Michael Moore's film failed because audiences are tired of rehashing Trump-related grievances.

The global box office saw a record-breaking July, driven by the "Barbenheimer" phenomenon and strong performance in China. The show concludes with a discussion of Joe Biden's vacation schedule and a musical "End of Show Mix" featuring various clips from the episode.

The simultaneous release of "Barbie" and "Oppenheimer" creates a cultural event dubbed "Barbenheimer," driving significant ticket sales despite the industry's post-pandemic struggles. While the films provide a temporary boost to theaters, the industry faces long-term threats from the writers' and actors' strikes. Critics describe "Barbie" as a feature-length advertisement for Mattel.

Dan Aykroyd appeared on media outlets to defend Leslie Jones and the new "Ghostbusters" film, blaming "racist internet trolls" for the backlash. The hosts review the film's lackluster box office performance and the significant gap between positive critic reviews and lower audience scores on Rotten Tomatoes.

The release of the Sex and the City movie is expected to be a major box office event, driven by its focus on high-end brand names and luxury fashion. The hosts characterize the film as "female porn" centered on expensive handbags and shoes. They also discuss the cultural perception of the characters and propose a humorous "poll" to see if the movie functions as an effective date-night film for men.