Topic: Star Wars

A prop lightsaber from "The Empire Strikes Back" sold at auction for $3.6 million, with speculation that the buyer may be Glenn Beck. Beck's extensive private museum includes items like George Washington's compass, Dorothy's ruby slippers, and Rush Limbaugh's gold microphone. Other collectors mentioned include Dana Brunetti, though his collection is noted as being more contemporary.

The hosts discuss the War of 1812 and the perceived "gruffness" of Canadians despite their polite reputation. An anecdote is shared about comedian Tony Hinchcliffe opening a show in Niagara Falls with the American national anthem, which surprisingly received cheers from the Canadian audience.

The recent exchange of missiles between Iran and Israel is used to highlight advancements in missile defense technology. The hosts argue that the lack of significant damage from 180 Iranian missiles demonstrates the effectiveness of modern "Star Wars" style defense systems that Trump has proposed for the United States.

Actor Mark Hamill appeared at the White House press podium to endorse "Joby-Wan Kenobi," sparking allegations of Hatch Act violations. The use of official government facilities for campaign promotion is criticized, alongside the distribution of aviator sunglasses as White House swag.

A C-SPAN caller rants about the lack of technological progress, questioning why society has not reached a "Star Trek era" despite being on Earth for "50 million years." The hosts discuss the stagnation of space exploration since the moon landings.

The hosts predict a significant blowback against celebrities flaunting their lifestyles during lockdown. They analyze the shifting economics of the film industry, suggesting that the loss of theater concessions and the high bandwidth costs of streaming may hurt companies like Netflix despite increased viewership.

A review of Star Wars: The Force Awakens critiques the film for having "too much running" and being a reboot of the original 1977 movie. The review praises the use of practical effects and real dynamite over CGI but notes plot holes and a perceived political subtext. Daisy Ridley's performance is discussed alongside a mention of her appearing "hammered" in a specific interview.

Adam Curry corrects a previous knighting error for Steve Vischer, changing his title to "Knight of the Southern Skies." Vischer, a pilot and train driver, also receives royalties for a "Mandalorian Daycare" Star Wars parody shirt design.

David Brooks defended Joe Biden's conflated war stories, attributing them to the "jostling" of the campaign trail rather than intentional lying. The hosts criticize this double standard, arguing that Biden's embellishments are often designed to improve his dramatic effect and personal image. They compare Biden's storytelling to other public figures like Brian Williams and Hillary Clinton.

An academic paper titled "Weaponizing the Haters" claims that negative buzz surrounding the film *Star Wars: The Last Jedi* was amplified by Russian trolls. The hosts dismiss the study, arguing that the film was simply poor in quality and that the media is using "Russian trolls" as a scapegoat for genuine fan disappointment.

Adam Curry broadcasts from a lakeside shanty in Lake Como, Italy, describing the region's unique microclimate and glacial geography. The area is noted for its association with George Clooney and its use as a filming location for major films including Casino Royale and the Star Wars prequel trilogy. Local tourism includes boat tours of historic villas, catering to both general tourists and Star Wars enthusiasts.

Reports of deadly suicide bombings in Syria and Pakistan are briefly covered. The show concludes with news of a high-end Star Wars action figure auction in Dallas, where rare prototypes like Bib Fortuna and Darth Vader are expected to sell for tens of thousands of dollars.

The hosts suggest that ABC's decision to cancel "Roseanne" was driven by Hollywood peer pressure and a desire to distance the network from pro-Trump demographics. They compare the situation to the cancellation of Tim Allen's "Last Man Standing," arguing that political bias often outweighs shareholder interests and ratings in network decision-making.

Adam Curry recounts a recent No Agenda listener meetup in London attended by approximately 30 producers, including one who traveled from Munich. A notable attendee was a set designer and art director for the Star Wars franchise working out of Pinewood Studios. The discussion touches on the tension between UK-based film crews and Hollywood unions due to lower production costs in Britain.

The episode concludes with a series of audio remixes featuring James Comey, Hillary Clinton, and Vladimir Putin. The hosts sign off with their traditional "In the morning" greeting and a final reference to the "best podcast in the universe."

The hosts read the list of "well-wishers" and donors who contributed to the show, noting a lack of donations specifically for Cinco de Mayo. They acknowledge several "33" and "boob" donations, as well as contributions from the ham radio community. The segment includes a brief mention of "May the Fourth" (Star Wars Day) and the hosts' failure to capitalize on the theme for the episode.

The hosts review "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story," focusing on the use of CGI to recreate deceased or aged actors like Peter Cushing and Carrie Fisher. While praising the action, they express fatigue with the Star Wars franchise. They also briefly discuss Woody Allen's "Cafe Society" on Amazon, criticizing its ending.

The "Mandela Effect" is explored as a psychological phenomenon where large groups of people remember cultural facts incorrectly. Examples discussed include the title of "Sex and the City," Darth Vader's famous line to Luke Skywalker, and the lyrics to the Mr. Rogers theme song. The hosts argue this is a demonstration of how easily the public can be "brainwashed" by media repetition.

A demonstration of new IMAX laser projection technology at the AMC in San Francisco revealed that the system uses three separate laser light sources to produce images on screens up to 100 feet wide. It was disclosed that many IMAX films, including "Star Wars: The Force Awakens," are only partially shot with native IMAX cameras, with the remainder of the footage upscaled from lower resolutions.

The official presidential Instagram account is criticized for featuring highly staged, professional photography rather than the authentic snapshots the platform was designed for. A specific post featuring President Obama with Star Wars stormtroopers is cited as an example of modern political branding.