7 chapters across the catalog
William Shatner Pre-Flight Comments and Podcast Hostility
A comparison is made between William Shatner's profound post-flight reflections and his more eccentric pre-flight persona. Despite his recent media blitz, Shatner's management reportedly maintains a strict policy against appearing on podcasts. The hosts discuss the difficulty of booking high-profile guests who transition into "legacy" media circles.
NBC News reports that President Trump sent a CD of Elton John's "Rocket Man" to Kim Jong-un via Mike Pompeo as a reference to a previous insult. The segment disputes NBC's claims regarding the return of American soldier remains, noting that some remains have already been returned despite media reports to the contrary. The hosts criticize NBC for relying on unnamed intelligence sources to claim North Korea is expanding its nuclear arsenal.
The hosts wrap up the episode by teasing upcoming segments on "edutainment" and the failures of digital learning programs. The show ends with a parody song titled "Rocket Man," referencing Kim Jong-un and Dennis Rodman, followed by the standard sign-off and a reminder of the "Value for Value" model.
The Week in Facebook, Amy Siskind Authoritarianism Tracker
A review of Amy Siskind's "Weekly List" of authoritarianism highlights her criticisms of President Trump's tweets and his handling of the humanitarian crisis in Puerto Rico. The hosts suggest this type of social media ranting has become a form of "comic relief" and consider making it a recurring segment.
Kim Jong-un referred to President Trump as a "mentally deranged dotard" following Trump's "Rocket Man" comments at the UN. Analysis of CBS News coverage highlights a "whipsaw" reporting technique where unrelated quotes are edited together to create a false narrative about the Republican Party.
North Korea, Rocket Man, Kurdish Independence Referendum
North Korea's foreign minister dismisses President Trump's "Rocket Man" comments as the "sound of a dog barking." Meanwhile, the Iraqi Kurdish region prepares for an independence referendum on September 25th, a move opposed by Iraq, Iran, and Turkey. The hosts discuss the strategic importance of Kurdistan and its significant oil reserves.
The hosts sign off from Austin and Silicon Valley, reminding listeners of the next show on Sunday. The episode concludes with a parody song titled "Rocket Man," featuring lyrics about Kim Jong-un and Dennis Rodman. Final audio clips include a montage of "boobs" references and the show's signature "Best Podcast in the Universe" tagline.
