8 chapters across the catalog
Russian Playbook Montage, Outro, Final Sign-off
The show closes with a montage of media figures repeatedly using the phrase "Russian playbook" to describe various political events. The hosts sign off from the Texas Hill Country and Silicon Valley, promising to return on Sunday. The final audio clip features a humorous dismissal of "conspiracy theories" and a reference to "My Little Pony."
The hosts critique Fox News and Sean Hannity for adopting the same "walls are closing in" tropes previously used by liberal media against Donald Trump. The segment focuses on allegations that the Biden family is compromised by foreign business interests in Ukraine and China.
Dr. Leana Wen's media appearances are analyzed alongside broader television tropes regarding the casting of minority women in authoritative or antagonistic roles. The discussion explores how news personalities and fictional characters are framed to influence public perception.
A new media trope is identified involving the phrase "No Plan B," used by various officials and news outlets regarding the Iran nuclear deal and other diplomatic efforts. The repetition of the phrase across different networks suggests a coordinated messaging strategy or a shared linguistic script among pundits.
A montage of news clips shows various anchors using the exact same "The Juice is Loose" phrasing to report on OJ Simpson's parole. The hosts highlight this as an example of the lack of original thought and the scripted nature of mainstream broadcast news.
Velveeta Commercial, Number 33 Symbolism, Media Patterns
A Velveeta shells and cheese advertisement featuring a ham radio operator is analyzed for its use of the number 33 on a display. The hosts discuss the recurring appearance of "33" in news stories and marketing as a potential signal or "wink" indicating a sham or specific agenda. This leads to a broader discussion on how mainstream media often mirrors themes discussed on the podcast.
John Edwards, Rielle Hunter and Media Interview Tropes
Rielle Hunter, the mistress of former Senator John Edwards, described their relationship as a "love story" in a recent interview. The discussion mocks the interviewer's use of the phrase "That's a great question," calling it a lazy media trope. The hosts suggest a "fine jar" for journalists who use such clichés on television.
Linguistic Habits, Transitionary Phrases and Media Buzzwords
The hosts discuss the overuse of specific transitionary phrases such as "turns out" and "the fact of the matter." These terms are identified as linguistic crutches used to pivot between statements or to sound authoritative in media contexts. Listeners are invited to suggest better alternatives for these common verbal habits.
