Topic: Broadway

The show concludes with a satirical Broadway-style musical number summarizing the podcast's mission of deconstruction. Following the music, a final tangent involves a "pet peeve" about airplane passengers who eat peanuts using the "fisting method"—shaking a handful of nuts in a closed fist to pop them into their mouth—which is described as "annoying as hell" to witness.

The Broadway community and the Actors Union have signed a 17-page diversity pledge, including "inclusion riders" for creative contracts. The hosts mock the "Woke Awards" and the increasing focus on racial quotas in theater production.

The 78th Tony Awards featured a heavy emphasis on non-binary identities, with actor Cole Escola winning for a portrayal of Mary Todd Lincoln. The ceremony was also notable for its high volume of pharmaceutical advertisements, specifically for AIDS medications and Ozempic. Critics noted that the "rotten old binary" was a recurring theme in acceptance speeches, reflecting the current cultural shift in the Broadway community.

CNN broadcast a live production of the play "Good Night & Good Luck" starring George Clooney as Edward R. Murrow. While the production was praised for its technical quality, the ending was criticized for including a montage that linked historical events to modern political issues like COVID-19 and January 6th. The segment is viewed as a form of preemptive damage control for the current political establishment.

Actress Denée Benton refers to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis as a "Grand Wizard" during the Tony Awards ceremony. The hosts discuss the decline of Broadway box office numbers and the "unappealing" nature of the Best Musical winner, Kimberly Akimbo, which features a teenage girl with a progeria-like disease. They criticize the "weaponization" of race and theater for political messaging.

Broadway star Patti LuPone stopped a performance to berate an audience member for not wearing a mask correctly, sparking a debate on theater etiquette. Meanwhile, Pulitzer Prize winner Laurie Garrett faced backlash for a 2018 speech in which she stated that masks do not stop viruses but are effective at "causing alarm" to enforce social distancing. Garrett later attempted to clarify her comments on Twitter, claiming she was referring to 1918-era masks.

An actress who was present during Mike Pence's 2016 visit to "Hamilton" provides a detailed correction. She clarifies that Pence was not booed upon entry and stayed for the entire show, despite the audience acting as a "Greek chorus" during specific lines.

The cast of "Hamilton" read a prepared statement to Mike Pence as he was exiting the theater, expressing anxiety over the incoming Trump administration. Reports indicate Pence stood in the hallway to listen to the full remarks, which called for the protection of diverse American values.

NPR reports on the "existential crisis" facing Broadway, leading to scripts being rewritten for "racial justice." The Book of Mormon, created by the South Park team, underwent a two-week workshop to change lines that cast members felt were racist. The hosts critique the trend of altering established works to fit modern "woke" sensibilities, questioning if the original creators truly support these changes.

The Broadway League and the Actors Union have co-signed a 17-page diversity pledge with Black Theater United. This includes "inclusion riders" in contracts to ensure creative teams are not all white. The hosts compare these modern "woke" mandates to the history of labor unions and guilds, which originally protected their members by being exclusive rather than inclusive.

A sudden influx of Princess Diana content, including a Broadway musical and various documentaries, is analyzed as a potential media distraction. The hosts suggest this "flooding of the zone" may be intended to cover up the Prince Andrew and Jeffrey Epstein scandal. Adam Curry predicts Queen Elizabeth II may pass away around November 11th or 12th, 2021, citing the frumpy portrayal of the Queen in recent media as a sign of shifting narratives.

ABC News reported on a musical collaboration between Bruce Springsteen and John Mellencamp. Actor Daniel Craig is set to star in a Broadway production of Macbeth, produced by the James Bond film franchise team. The network also faced criticism for a segment featuring Michael Strahan singing country music, which was perceived by some as a patronizing or racially insensitive portrayal of the former NFL star.

The 2021 Tony Awards saw a massive decline in viewership, pulling in only 2.7 million viewers compared to 5.4 million in 2019. Much of the ceremony was moved to Paramount Plus, allowing the network to keep specific streaming figures secret. The production was criticized for being "too woke" and focusing on awards for a year when Broadway was largely closed.

The reopening of "Springsteen on Broadway" requires attendees to prove they received an FDA-approved vaccine, effectively banning fans who received the AstraZeneca jab. This policy has caused significant frustration in Canada and the UK, where AstraZeneca is widely used. The situation is cited as an example of the excessive influence pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer have over public policy.

MSNBC hosts Rachel Maddow and Lawrence O'Donnell expressed hesitation regarding the sudden removal of mask mandates, with Maddow describing a need to "rewire" her brain to not view unmasked people as threats. The discussion explores the potential for private businesses, such as Broadway theaters, to require vaccine passports for entry. Dr. Michael Osterholm questioned how individuals will verify the vaccination status of others in public spaces.

Pfizer releases high-production Broadway-style commercials featuring performers singing about "Vaccination Day" and the return to social life. These advertisements are analyzed alongside promotions for the American Rescue Plan, which highlights tax credits and school reopenings. The marketing is seen as a coordinated effort to shift public ideology toward accepting the new medical normal.

Governor Andrew Cuomo mandates that New Yorkers wear face coverings in public when social distancing is not possible. The hosts discuss the dire financial situation of New York City, noting that Broadway and major sports venues may remain closed for a year. They also look at the declining stock price of Live Nation as an indicator of the crisis facing the live event industry.

Future reopening phases are expected to include mandatory mask-wearing and continued social distancing, which will severely impact sports, Broadway, and the film industry. There is concern that a weakened Hollywood may become more susceptible to Chinese corporate acquisition.

A visit to the Broadway production of *Moulin Rouge* highlights the inefficiency of modern wireless card terminals compared to cash. The report also critiques the behavior of audience members who rush the stage during intermission to take selfies for social media.

Laura J. Joe from Daleville, Virginia, is credited as an Executive Producer following a $700 donation. She requests a "Nothing Like a Dame" jingle inspired by the musical South Pacific and receives "jobs karma" from the hosts.