16 chapters across the catalog
A retrospective on Pointcast, a popular 1990s screensaver that delivered news and stock prices, describes how the service frequently overwhelmed corporate network bandwidth. Despite a $450 million acquisition offer from Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation in 1997, the company's founders held out for more money before the product eventually failed.
Congress approved a $1.1 billion rescissions package requested by President Donald Trump, effectively clawing back two years of federal funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Experts warn that up to 80 local public radio stations could shut down, particularly in rural areas. The hosts argue that NPR's claim that federal money is only 1% of their budget contradicts the "dire" warnings currently being issued by public media advocates.
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.
Apple TV Promotion, The Morning Show Corporate Synergy
ABC News provided extensive coverage for the second season of "The Morning Show," an Apple TV+ series starring Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon. This promotion highlights the corporate intersection of Disney and Apple, where major shareholders influence broadcast content to market streaming services that are not available on traditional cable.
Parkland Students and Celebrity Corporate Events
A high-end corporate event in New York featured the Parkland student activists alongside major celebrities like Jennifer Lopez, Shawn Mendes, and Trevor Noah. The hosts suggest that the students now have professional agents and are being booked for appearances in the same manner as Hollywood stars. This "celebrity" status for student activists is criticized as a form of exploitation or a sign of a highly organized political machine.
The resignation of Howard Schultz as CEO of Starbucks is discussed. The hosts question why this is treated as major national news, suggesting it is either a result of effective PR or a native advertisement intended to "stroke" corporate partners.
Bernie Sanders addresses a crowd at Netroots Nation, criticizing the consolidation of media by multinational corporations and the dominance of right-wing talk radio. He praises independent bloggers and internet analysts for providing a vision that corporate media ignores. The hosts note that Sanders' critique of media analysis aligns with their own mission.
Rand Corporation, Seth Jones, ABC News Scripting
The hosts critique an ABC News segment featuring Seth Jones of the Rand Corporation, who provides a detailed narrative of the bombers' radicalization. They question how analysts can claim to know specific details about the suspects' internet habits and motivations so quickly after the event.
Trans-Pacific Partnership, Secret Trade Agreements and Global Governance
A leaked chapter of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) reveals plans for an international tribunal that could override U.S. laws and environmental regulations. The agreement, negotiated in secret, is described as "enforceable corporate global governance" rather than a simple trade deal. The hosts commit to a deeper analysis of the legislation, noting its potential to increase medication costs and enforce restrictive copyright measures.
Fox News has begun attacking General Electric (GE) for its low corporate tax rate, which is reportedly around 3% compared to the standard 30-36%. The hosts suggest that since GE sold its media arm (NBC Universal), the "gentleman's agreement" between networks to avoid criticizing each other's parent companies has ended. They predict GE will become a major target for tax reform advocates.
Times Square Commercialization, MTV 1987 Retrospective
A retrospective look at New Year's Eve in Times Square contrasts the "seedy" atmosphere of 1987 with the modern, corporate-sponsored environment. One host recalls working for MTV in a dangerous, pre-cleanup Manhattan guarded by armed security. The current celebration is criticized as a sterile television set dominated by brands like Nivea and Samsung rather than an authentic public gathering.
The hosts critique the increasing commercialization of PBS and the News Hour, noting the presence of 30-second spots from corporations like Chevron and BNSF. They argue that public broadcasting has moved away from its original mission and now operates similarly to network television with an underlying corporate agenda.
Brave New World, Aldous Huxley, NPR Corporate Sponsorship
A discussion on Aldous Huxley's Brave New World suggests the book's vision of a society controlled by entertainment and drugs is more accurate to the present day than Orwell's 1984. The hosts then pivot to a job posting for a Director of Corporate Sponsorship at NPR, noting that the public broadcaster's sales goals and agency relationships mirror those of commercial networks like CBS or Clear Channel.
PBS Funding and Corporate Sponsorship Bias
The hosts examine the "Big Three" corporate sponsors of the PBS NewsHour: Bank of America, Chevron, and BNSF Railway. They argue that such heavy reliance on corporate funding compromises the objectivity of public broadcasting.
PR Associate Maynard and Subliminal Mind Control on ABC
Maynard, a producer at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, is credited as a PR Associate for slipping "No Agenda" references into an interview with Lord Mayor Tate of New South Wales. The hosts analyze audio clips where Maynard uses the phrases "no real agenda" and "in the morning" during the broadcast. They describe these as successful subliminal memes used to identify fellow travelers.
A news report highlights a growing trend in American schools where boys engage in noisy public flatulence as a classroom gag. Because schools lack corporal punishment, administrators struggle to discipline students who claim the behavior is a natural bodily function. The trend is currently localized but shows potential for nationwide expansion.
