Topic: News

Mimi Dvorak joins the program to reveal a long-held secret regarding John C. Dvorak's actual age and birthplace. Dvorak intentionally misled a Wired Magazine interviewer decades ago to appear younger, a factual error that was later adopted by the New York Times without verification. While public records often cited Los Angeles, Dvorak was actually born in Fresno and was 80 years old at the time of his death, six years older than his public persona suggested.

Reflecting on Dvorak's passing at age 80, Curry and Horowitz discuss the brevity of life and the importance of making a mark on the world. Curry reiterates the story of Dvorak's "fake" age, noting that John wanted the New York Times called out for their lack of fact-checking. They encourage listeners to view Dvorak's life as a lesson in questioning authority and being a "mensch."

Dame Susan increased her planned donation to $301.30 following what she described as the "sudden unexpected passing of Lady G," referring to Senator Lindsey Graham. She praised the podcast as the only one in her universe capable of deconstructing such breaking news. Her title, Dame Susan of the Soldner Wheel, was officially recognized during the executive producer credits.

The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded to Donald Trump's allegations, describing them as "pure fabrication" and "malicious smears." While reports acknowledge China has collected publicly available American voter data for years, officials deny this allows for vote manipulation. The discussion also touches on China's strategic interests in Iranian oil and the Strait of Hormuz.

Publishers are expressing concern over Google's pilot program that uses Gemini AI to create news summaries, fearing a loss of click-through traffic and licensing fees. The discussion contrasts this corporate model with the "Value for Value" system, citing a Bay Area restaurant that allows customers to pay what they want or trade labor for meals.

The Justice Department is investigating illegal leaks of national security information after The New York Times reported on a new Air Force One plane gifted to Donald Trump by Qatar. Four journalists were subpoenaed to testify before a grand jury regarding the plane's alleged lack of defensive countermeasures and EMP protection. The administration's aggressive pursuit of leakers is compared to the Obama administration's treatment of reporter James Rosen.

The "Three By Three" experiment evaluates the opening segments of major news networks, starting with the lowest-rated program, CBS Evening News. Guest host Major Garrett's coverage of Missouri floods and Royal family news is criticized as ineffective and boring. The failure of the network is partially attributed to the leadership of Barry Weiss, who is described as a writer lacking broadcast expertise.

NBC Nightly News with Tom Yamas is analyzed for its fast-paced, teaser-heavy opening style. The broadcast covered the Air Force One controversy, the Charlie Kirk murder case, and a deadly shoe factory fire. The inclusion of a tribute to singer Bonnie Tyler at the end of a hard news block is noted as a peculiar editorial choice.

ABC World News Tonight with David Muir is identified as the ratings leader due to its aggressive use of the "Breaking News" label. The program's opener featured a flight instructor jumping from a plane, Iranian drone intercepts, and a charging bear. Consultants reportedly advise networks to lead with "Breaking News" regardless of the story's age to capture viewer attention, a tactic Muir employs multiple times per broadcast.

ABC News reporter Martha Raddatz used a clip of podcaster Joe Rogan to suggest that Donald Trump's supporters are dismayed by the ongoing conflict with Iran. The use of the clip is criticized as taking Rogan's commentary out of context to fit a mainstream media narrative. The segment highlights the media's shift from quoting Twitter to using random podcast snippets to represent public opinion.

Adam Curry and John C. Dvorak open the broadcast from Amsterdam and Silicon Valley, discussing the naming of children and the media's reaction to Donald Trump's comments on a recent soccer red card. Trump reportedly called for a review of a striker's penalty to ensure star players remain in the game for television excitement. The hosts argue that the media misinterprets Trump's focus on entertainment value as an attempt to "cheat," while they claim to be "Trump whisperers" who understand his true motivations.

Senator Tim Kaine and other establishment Democrats react to the primary victories of three "radical left" candidates in New York City backed by Zohran Mamdani. While Donald Trump characterizes the winners as "hardcore godless communists," the candidates defend their platform as pragmatic democratic socialism focused on working-class needs. A specific claim regarding the repair of 165,000 potholes in New York City is scrutinized for its statistical plausibility.

The modern UAP (Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena) disclosure movement is criticized as "falling apart" following underwhelming reports. The hosts mock a New York Times-linked group of "insiders" who claim to have started the push. Discussion focuses on recent NASA photos from the Apollo era showing anomalous objects above the moon, though skeptics argue the lack of high-fidelity video and the focus on "stripping metadata" suggests a lack of substantive evidence.

A discussion regarding New York City focuses on the impact of migration and the changing atmosphere of Canal Street. Memories of buying high-quality counterfeit Rolex watches are contrasted with current reports from independent journalist Nick Shirley. A "Nick Shirley law" in California is mentioned as a measure to prevent journalists from exposing certain migrant-run operations.

While celebrities like Bruce Springsteen, Bono, and Oprah attended the Obama Center unveiling, local contractors remained unpaid. Critics point out the hypocrisy of the media's focus on Donald Trump's past contractor disputes while ignoring similar issues with the Obama project. The lack of coverage by CNN and MSNBC is attributed to a desire to protect the Democratic party's prestige and the legacy of the former president.

A "3x2" experiment compares the Friday night news openings of ABC, CBS, and NBC. ABC's "World News Tonight" with David Muir is noted for its high-intensity music and focus on severe storms affecting 90 million people. The broadcast covers the Iran deal, a Minnesota political assassination, and the New York Knicks' comeback against the Spurs, while also mentioning Dolly Parton's new coffee brand.

NBC Nightly News with Tom Yamas leads with the imminent Iran peace deal and tornado coverage from Al Roker. The broadcast includes exclusive reports on a deadly plane crash in Ohio and allegations of inappropriate conduct against golfer Phil Mickelson. A special segment titled "The Cost of Denial" examines the high rate of overturned denials in Medicare Advantage plans.

Matt Gutman anchors the CBS Evening News, leading with a mass shooting in West Texas and Midwest tornadoes. CBS is the only network of the three to feature Elon Musk's trillionaire status in its opening teaser. The broadcast concludes with a Steve Hartman "On the Road" segment about twin sisters, which the hosts criticize as a "weak" human interest story compared to the other networks.

The 2026 World Cup serves as a primary focus as the tournament kicks off, with specific attention on the historical performance of the Netherlands and the United States. Discussion shifts to the NBA Finals, where the New York Knicks set a record for the largest comeback in finals history by overcoming a 29-point deficit against the San Antonio Spurs.

Former CBS News anchor Scott Pelley discussed his firing in an interview with The New York Times, accusing new leadership—including Nick Bilton and Barry Weiss—of attempting to insert bias into 60 Minutes reports. Pelley claimed the atmosphere at the network became demoralized after the wholesale removal of senior staff members.