Joel Radio #203: A Room With Chairs
Oct 5th
In a week of sad news, Joel and Corey had some highlights anyway. Joel attended Paul McCartney’s recent show at the brand new Little Caesar’s Arena in Detroit, and Corey saw Monty Python legend John Cleese at an appearance. Hear about Joel’s excellent, but odd, seating arrangement at the show, a full review of the not-all-that-impressive building and why Paul still puts on a great show at 75-years-old. Corey details seeing the Python comic at a screening and Q&A session. Find out what it’s like to do those Q&As yourself, as both guys have done them – Corey with big hitters in the film world and Joel with wrestling legends Roddy Piper and a less-than-cooperative Iron Sheik. Plus, MC Sampler meets Mitch Albom, Whitney Houston’s new Showtime documentary reviewed, goodbye to Tom Petty, the Battle of the Sexes film reviewed and some background on the actual event, and the best 1970s snake/horror movie you will ever see.
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Inside the Little Caesar’s Arena
Joel’s excellent view of Paul on stage
Mitch Albom’s worst moment – cornered by MC Sampler by the restroom
Hey Kid Rock!
Joel Radio #202: March of the Juggalos
Sep 22nd
Joel Radio is proud to have old friend Kevin Gill join the show to discuss this recent participation in the Juggalo March on Washington, where he was the emcee, and his career in pro wrestling including commentating on the recent infamous AAA TripleMania show where things went real bad. Hear why the announcers didn’t know what was happening, why one girl tried to break another girl’s arm and all the wacky behind the scenes stories from the event. Joel shares his regrets in not being at the March on D.C. and even chief Juggalo hater Corey Hall can’t dispute the purpose or success of the event. Also, KG and the guys pay tribute to Bobby Heenan, the greatest pro wrestling personality in the era of great personalities, who died this past week. Plus, Vice Principals returns to HBO, Jennifer Lawrence bombs at the box office, Joel’s Auntie reads a romance novel, and Wind River is probably the best movie playing at a theater near you.
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KG speaks and marches at the Juggalo March in D.C. (photos from Juggalo News and AV Club)
Joel Radio #201: Sunday Funday Sunday
Sep 8th
What did you do for fun this Labor Day weekend? Corey Hall braved the huddled masses and saw and aging B-52s at a free festival, while Joel took a high-dollar option to watch an aging U2. Corey describes the horror of middle America searching for some free fun, while Joel thinks U2 was good a enough show with a solid opening act – Beck! – that made the $100+ price tag worth it. The guys also get an expert opinion on U2 from comedian Tom McCarthy who had seen the tour before and yet still couldn’t figure out what Patti Smith was doing on stage, either. Also, a Charlotesville racist does horrible stand-up, Joel talks The Strokes on a podcast, Aaron Rodgers gets a big, gay mustache and goodbye to Jay Thomas and Shelly Berman. Plus, the state of big franchise movie universes, the future of Star Wars, and the one big monster movie you really should see.
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U2’s impressive stage was Patti Smith-free at this moment
Joel Radio #200: Jerry Eclipses Dick
Aug 22nd
Two titans of comedy dies this past week. Comedian/activist Dick Gregory dies Saturday and nightclub, movie and telethon star Jerry Lewis died less than twenty-four hours later. Joel and Corey Hall remember the legends including Jerry’s last dicky interview, his awful failed talk show, and his bizarre thoughts on the world in 2017. Joel met Dick Gregory twice and found things didn’t get better with age, as he remembers the brilliant gentle, hilarious comic and the bitter angry, pushed-into-it-by-his-family Dick from six months ago. Also, old friend Sal Demilio calls in to remember Jerry and Dick and give betting tips on the upcoming NFL season and the Mayweather/McGregor fight. Plus, Joel and Corey take in the eclipse, as show fave John Tenney calls in with his thoughts and explains how the paranormal community cashed in on the hysteria. If that wasn’t enough, Disney leaves Netflix, Seeso says goodbye, Viceland looks at stand-up comedy, and why Chik-fil-a not being open on Sunday was the worst idea ever.
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This image perfectly summaries the week that was
Joel Radio #199: The Oklahoma Eight
Aug 8th
On this episode, Joel recaps another Gathering of the Juggalos, including him finally getting some good press for a change. The big takeaway is probably the crime, or lack thereof, at the 2017 festival site in Oklahoma City. Joel details the eight people arrested and what they got pinched for, and compares it to recent arrests at concerts and festivals around the world. It’s an eye-opening look at what is a feared and misunderstood event and why the good people of Oklahoma couldn’t separate the truth from the hype. Joel will also tell you the worst state to drive in, how to make peace with a not-so-kind-in-the-past reporter, and why Colorado is the new Florida. Also, the movie called Detroit came out this past week and it’s not very good. Hear where the filmmakers went wrong and find out why the Detroit riots of 1967 is a story that deserved better. Plus, how to get (or not get) all the podcasts you want – just cough up some dough and download three or four apps, Corey Hall reviews The Big Sick, HBO’s Defiant Ones is worth a look, and the fans chime in on the best and worst movies of summer.
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These may or may not be actual images from this year’s Gathering
Joel Radio #198: #notmyspiderman
Jul 23rd
The summer movie season is in full swing and Joel and Corey Hall have checked out some of the latest offerings including Christopher Nolan’s WWII drama Dunkirk. Trying to figure out the best format to watch the thing in was more confusing than Nolan’s Inception, but ultimately the guys drove a little farther for a “premium” experience and have their full report on the film itself and the best way to see it. Is this as good as everyone says? Listen and find out. Also, the latest Spider-Man movie is insane with the in-jokes and references. Joel thinks it’s distracting from the experience overall while Corey just can’t wait for Spidey to graduate from high School. Plus, Joel returns to the Planet of the Apes and has a full review of that new film, Corey says The House needs a makeover, and Ed Sheeran joins Game of Thrones – ruining the verisimilitude of a show that has a topless woman commanding dragons.
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Corey takes Batman to the beaches of France at Dunkirk
Joel Radio #197: Now in 4DX
Jul 12th
Joel returns from his vacation to sunny Southern California and found it an excellent place to spend his money. He rented a nice car, stayed in nice hotels and had drinks next to C-list movie star! The American dream! Hear about Joel’s expensive sushi dinner, the greatest place in the world for a hike, running in to a “famous” comedian/acquaintance (which did nothing to impress Corey Hall), and how he can be seen on national television – for watching wrestling. Also, Joel sees Baby Driver in the immersive 4DX in L.A., but hear how moving seats and simulated bullets whipping past your head doesn’t really make you like a film that much more, even though Corey though the movie was great. Plus, the new Gong Show is better than expected, the new GLOW is better than the old GLOW, Battle of the Network Stars is only good for a half-awake Tom Arnold, and Joel really doesn’t get Get Out – it’s the best movie you’ve ever seen, if you’ve never, ever seen a movie.
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Joel’s amazing view in Rancho Palos Verdes
Joel and Heather at New Japan Pro Wrestling in Long Beach
Look for Joel 25 seconds into this highlights package and whenever there’s action on the floor. What a seat!
Joel Radio #196: Knives Out For Comedy
Jun 21st
The joyful art of stand-up comedy had yet another controversy this week as Iliza Shlesinger outraged both comedians and comedy fans with some pointed opinions in a recent interview. Were Iliza’s comments about female comedians off-base or was there some merit to her statements about originality and audience’s expectations? Should you really be proud of a World War II joke? Joel investigates with the help of Corey Hall and the returning Ted Moss. Ted is a fan of Iliza’s and thinks she’s getting a bad rap. Joel thinks she’s talented but also shares his experience working with Iliza a few years back and is not surprised that this happened at all. The guys discuss advantages and pitfalls of being a hot chick in comedy, and why the most important thing is show business is to be easy to work with. Also, I’m Dying Up Here on Showtime continues to get it wrong, a second look at La La Land, doing a podcast with the power out, and a review of Saving Banksy on Netflix. Plus, Corey has seen the latest Steve Harvey abomination. Piece of advice: when you’re in the Funderdome, don’t look him in the eye.
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Ted Moss and Iliza Shlesinger in happier times (photograph by Joel!)
Joel Radio #195: Don’t Sell The Rib
Jun 6th
I’m Dying Up Here is one of the great books ever written about stand-up comedy. Unfortunately, the Showtime TV adaptation does it little justice according to Joel’s review of the first episode. There’s a few real-life correlations, but the fictionalization of the true story of the 1970s comedy scene comes off dull and uninspired. Hear why it’s too much like HBO’s Vinyl, and why moving a key element of the original story from the end to the beginning ruins the tension. Also, a former guest of this show appears on the show – naked! Listen to find out who it is. Also, Bill Maher and Kathy Griffin get in trouble for their jokes as Joel and Corey Hall debate which is worse for the country – the actual Trump presidency or the insane reaction of his opponents to it. Plus, a famous comic shows up unannounced at the Comedy Castle, Joel thinks pro wrestling terminology can explain how the world works, Planet Earth 2 is the most amazing film ever shot and Get Me Roger Stone on Netflix is a fair, honest assessment of a complete asshole.
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A one word review of I’m Dying Up Here
Joel Radio #194: To Mother
May 16th
Corey Hall is back discussing what happened to Amy Schumer’s career, celebrating recent TV cancellations, and eating more stunt-flavored Oreo cookies. Find out a few good things to stream – and one awful thing – as Joel checks out I Love Dick on Amazon, Tower on Netflix and Handsome: a Netflix Murder Mystery. I Love Dick is more than a clever title, it’s an art-house movie as a TV show and features some great acting and some top shelf nudity, too. The guys also discuss the rise of food trucks, including Joel’s multi-million dollar idea, and learn why Trader Joe’s beats Aldi even thought they they are essentially the same company. Plus, Joel checks out two big indie wrestling shows with the stars of New Japan Pro Wrestling and Ring of Honor, and has a funny exchange with superstar Kenny Omega that inspires this week’s episode title. Corey went and had a good time, too, including being spit on by a wrestler and having his view blocked by a 300 lb, giant photographer. It’s a long, funny episode suitable for framing. Enjoy.
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There’s either a funny story to these photos or pro wrestlers just don’t like Joel
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