Topic: Breaking News

John Dvorak provides a "Tip of the Day" for pet owners, recommending a product called KOE (Kennel Odor Eliminator) for neutralizing smells in homes and cars. The show ends with breaking news from a senior Democratic senator suggesting that enough votes have been secured to end the 40-day government shutdown. The hosts speculate that the timing is intended to overshadow the BBC leadership scandal.

Tech journalist Mike Elgan is criticized for frequently using the "Breaking!" tag on social media for non-urgent news items. This trend is mirrored in mainstream media, including Fox News and Tucker Carlson's segments. The discussion also reviews recent podcast artwork by Mountain J, noting the high quality of community-contributed visual assets for the show.

McDonald's suspended operations in Ukraine, breaking the historical "Golden Arches Theory" that countries with McDonald's do not go to war with one another. Simultaneously, reports confirmed that the Chernobyl site has fallen under Russian control.

CNN correspondent Jim Acosta complained about the "vitriol" and "hostility" he faced from crowds at a Trump rally, stating it felt like he "wasn't in America anymore." The hosts mock Acosta's dramatic framing, comparing his experience to the rowdy crowds at MTV Spring Break events in the 1990s. They argue that being heckled is part of the job for high-profile media figures and does not constitute a physical threat.

A 12-second CBS News report on a shooting at a law office in Long Beach, California, is scrutinized for its lack of detail. The brevity and clinical nature of the report lead to speculation that it may serve as a coded message for specific observers rather than a standard news update for the general public.

A critique of modern game show pacing focuses on "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire," specifically the tendency for contestants to over-analyze simple questions. The discussion highlights frustration with television networks that interrupt programs for breaking news without pausing the broadcast, causing viewers to miss key moments or answers.

Breaking news reaches the program that the legendary singer Prince has died at his home in Minnesota. The hosts express shock and briefly discuss his legacy as a creative force and a nice individual.

Despite the terror attacks, the Brussels and London stock markets remained strangely unfazed, which analysts find historically unusual. The show concludes with a theory that the FBI's claim of no longer needing Apple's help to unlock an iPhone is a "cock and bull story" masking a secret collaboration. The hosts suggest Apple capitulated behind the scenes to avoid a legal precedent while maintaining a pro-privacy public image.

Brian Williams returns to MSNBC to lead breaking news coverage of the Paris attacks. The hosts critique an interview with a woman named Margo who witnessed nothing but was brought on to provide "color" for the broadcast. They mock the "fearless" nature of modern news reporting where journalists ask witnesses if they "dared" to look at bodies or blood.

Brian Williams is set to return to the airwaves at MSNBC following his suspension from NBC Nightly News for fabricating stories. Rachel Maddow welcomed him to the network, describing his demotion as a "humbling experience" and a chance for redemption. Williams will serve as a breaking news anchor, a role the hosts describe as a "workhorse remit" compared to his previous top-tier position.

Attorney General Eric Holder was hospitalized after experiencing faintness and shortness of breath. The report is treated as breaking news, though the specific details regarding his condition remain sparse.

The hosts provide their quarterly report on beauty pageants, focusing on the 2013 Miss America contest. They express disappointment that Miss New Jersey was eliminated early and critique the various talent performances, including a "Riverdance" routine and a botched ballet. They argue that Miss Maryland was the most talented and beautiful contestant but was overlooked.

The hosts report breaking news that EPA Chief Lisa Jackson is resigning from her position. The announcement comes as the administration prepares for its second term, marking a significant departure from the President's environmental cabinet.

The New York Times reports that video game makers are utilizing tax breaks intended for R&D and entertainment that other software companies cannot access. The hosts suggest the article is a "warning shot" against the industry due to "anti-social" and anti-government messages found in games like Grand Theft Auto.

Adam Curry and John C. Dvorak open the show with Dvorak reporting from New York City. He is accompanying his daughter on a spring break trip to visit various colleges and performing arts venues. The hosts remark on the "Gitmo Nation" architecture of glass buildings reflecting clouds in Manhattan.

MSNBC is criticized for treating a lunch outing by Barack Obama and Joe Biden as a "breaking news" event. The network provided live coverage and audio of the pair ordering cheeseburgers and fries, which the hosts cite as an example of the declining quality of cable news. The segment highlights the perceived triviality of modern media cycles.