We begin this episode with Michael up on his high horse (actually a chair) and delightfully high on Endone, so expect less “to be fair” and more unfiltered Lucas. It's his first episode since his hip replacement and he has updates and feedback to share, including whether or not he and Adrian have managed to throw a newly attached leg over one another or not. Then it’s onto the news that the ‘Wicked’ movie will be opening the same day as the brand new ‘Gladiator 2’ with Pedro Pascal, Paul Mescal and Denzel Washington at the helm. Obviously Em is mad keen to see them both, but which should be first, and will Michael agree on Em’s preferred order for intake? After that we need to reflect on the news that Joe Biden is pretty much triple doubling down and refusing to withdraw from the US Presidential race, while Trump has pretty much gone silent. There’s also the French and UK Elections to address, both countries rejected the right wing parties and the UK’s new Prime Minister, Keir Starmer has announced a record number of women into his cabinet. Finally, Em’s first three shows of her ‘Outgrown’ tour kick off in Queensland this week, with the very first show happening tonight in Toowoomba. There’s a nasty iron infusion to discuss, a black curtain of shame to fall in love with, and a special Gold Coast guest they’re not allowed to talk about, so buckle up and prepare to ride at dawn to the nearest set of headphones and get your listen on.

Hollow shell of a human incoming, it’s been a LOT recently so Em is coming in like Joe Biden at a Presidential debate, which we will discuss within this episode. To begin though we need to acknowledge Michael’s Logie noms for ‘The Newsreader’ and the blandness of the Gold Logie nominees again this year, aside from Julia Morris and Tony Armstrong of course. Then we need to talk through the utter bin fire that was the first Presidential Debate between Donald Trump and Joe Biden. You can expect more predictions from the Magical Unicorn of Death, as well as a side-quest on Putin and Kim Jong-un's limo ride and airport wave offs. There’s also some chat about why Michael and Adrian shouldn’t have children of their own. We also need to discuss Em’s family losing Scott’s Dad last week, Odie having her Year 12 formal, Marchella heading overseas this weekend, Em being sick and the push to sell Outgrown tour tickets, it's all a little bit overwhelming. Then there’s Michael’s hip surgery being moved, the extensive medical scrub down before surgery and a deep dive into why Em is all about pyjamas and why Michael needs to get his sleeping attire sorted too. Then in our Sealed Section, on our premium service Emsolation Extra, Em and Michael have both seen the ‘I Am Celine Dion’ documentary and they’re ready to give their feedback and a full review. Sign up now to start listening & watching the Sealed Section at emsolation.supercast.com.

They’re the reviews you’ve never seen, recorded in 2023 but never broadcast visually, now you get to witness Em and Michael’s full facial reactions as they review some of our favourite streaming moments from last year. Inside you’ll get to witness them gush over that 4-part doco series on the life and career of David Beckham with ‘Beckham’. Then we get the full gobsmacked reaction to Ghost Diana appearing in the final season of the documentary ‘The Crown’, which sees condemnation and ridicule from Em and a collection of to be fair’s from Michael, standard. After that we focus on the soft focus that glides across the face of Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon whenever they appear in a shot on the TV series ‘Morning Wars/The Morning Show’. Plus Em offers props for the superb and steamy age appropriate sex scenes between Jen and Mad Men’s Jon Hamm too. Finally, it’s the reason a video version of this pod adds another level to the enjoyment, as we get to witness Em and Michael reliving their road trip to see Lady Gaga doing her jazz and piano show in Vegas. There’s a full breakdown of the abundant highlights and hilarious moments from before, during and after that show. That’s swiftly followed by their night with Beyonce in LA, two life changing events that are totally worth revisiting with the added visuals attached. 

It’s the story musical theatre nerds have been frothing over, everyone else, not so much. Which is why Em is here to rectify that ASAP ploise! Jemma Rix is one of Australia’s most loved leading ladies of musical theatre, having starred in the stage versions of ‘Frozen’, ‘Ghost’, ‘The Wizard of Oz’, and most famously as ‘Elphaba’ in ‘Wicked’. It’s no secret that ‘Wicked’ is Em’s emotional support musical, so when she heard that Jemma had stepped on stage to fill in as ‘Elphaba’ for one night last week, Em was pulling strings, calling in favours and making calls to get Jemma in to reveal the full heckers story. You see, Jemma hasn’t performed the role of ‘Elphaba’ for 9 years, but she somehow managed to rehearse and reacquaint herself with the role, then step on stage to perform the entire thing, with just 2 days notice! She only had a baby 9 months ago and suddenly she's centre stage with literally zero prep, HUZZAH!! It’s a Herculean effort and it’s a story that Em and Jemma will break down in so much detail, you’ll almost believe you were actually there with Jemma while she was going through it all. So strap yourself in for the full fascinating reveal of the ultimate musical theatre ‘Good For Her’ EVER!!

Welcome to Michael’s petty era, he’s come in raging over an article asserting that Season 3 of his hit TV series ‘The Newsreader. Rumours that the series is wrapping up because his cast don’t wanna do it anymore are false, and the truth is he never planned to go beyond a third season ever. Cut to Michael calling the article's creators to have it adjusted (something Em was never able to do when fake articles about her came out) and much discussion of who cares, who’s show gets better numbers, and assurances we won’t be cutting anything Michael says out (which we didn’t). Then it’s onto the biggest mistake in Em’s life, jumping in on a Craft Market stall with comedian Lizzy Hoo to sell a bunch of clothes and shoes. Em went in hard, we’re talking swings tags, paper bags, classy coat hangers, clothing racks, full outfit washes and Em’s mum Jenni stepping in to help organise and run the market stall too. It is a LOT and Em will never be doing it again. Finally there’s the shocking news that Jennifer Lopez emailed Em to tell her that she was cancelling her ‘This Is Me…Now Live’ tour, plus there’s the latest attempts to prove her and Ben Affleck are still very much in love and all is fine in Bennifer land to check in on too. Plus there’s much gushing when they both discuss the new doco based on the creator of The Muppets, Fraggle Rock, The Labyrinth and so much more, ‘Jim Henson Idea Man’. In our Sealed Section, on our premium service Emsolation Extra, Em and Michael ‘Okay, Stop!’ the viral TikTok of comedian Giorgia Godworth vox popping the one and only Baz Luhrmann, whilst having zero idea she was chatting to someone so famous. Sign up now to start listening & watching the Sealed Section at emsolation.supercast.com.

We open with a tease for Michael’s guitar playing skills and then dive head first into recounting an incident involving Em and her hubby Scott. An incident where Scott pretty much chose violence and talked his way into inspiring Em to grab a pair of scissors and go after the wheels of his bike. After that it’s onto Lady Gaga finally releasing the Chromatica concert tour video that she has since revealed was recorded while she had Covid. We naturally had to discuss the decision to perform while contagious and if she should have cancelled instead, plus there’s our favourite Gaga moment to watch, discuss and breakdown. Then with Michael’s Hip Hurrah Party less than 2 weeks away, there’s a live performance Em and Michael need to rehearse before they deliver it on the night. Hence, you’ll get to witness the early stages of that as they rehearse and sing Beyonce’s ‘Daddy Lessons’ with Michael on guitar strumming. Also in our Sealed Section, we ‘Okay, Stop!’ the trailer for the upcoming documentary ‘I Am: Celine Dion’. Sign up now to start listening & watching at emsolation.supercast.com.

After questioning the level of effort Michael applies to his outfit for recording the podcast, which seems to be not very much at all, we dive into Em’s review of ‘Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga’. There’s some standing ovation chat around the Cannes screening of ‘Furiosa’ and Demi Moore’s new movie getting an 11-minute standing ovation too. Then it’s onto episode 3 of Em’s new podcast ‘Anomalous with Em Rusciano’ which has cameos from Michael Lucas & Benjamin Wasley. There’s also a divine post from an Emsolator whose partner has been raving about how listening to the podcast has helped him navigate his own diagnosis. Plus, Em reveals how prep for her ‘Outgrown’ tour is going, including how she performed it to her husband Scott in their living room, even though he never asked. Finally, Em dons her investigative glasses and does a full analysis on the rumours that Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck are heading to the divorce courts. Em has all the receipts and will reveal all of her findings on if the J’Lo and Ben romance is really on the skids or not. Also in our Sealed Section, it’s all about playing ‘Okay, Stop!’ on that saucy carriage scene on the new season of ‘Bridgerton’, plus Em is mad keen to pull an all nighter at Michael’s Hip Hooray party. Sign up now to start listening & watching at emsolation.supercast.com.

It would seem we’ve hit a teensy hurdle in the planning for Michael’s Hip Hoorah Disco Cowboy themed party, he’s got the Orville Peck inspired pink cowboy outfit, but as he’s seeing out his crusty old hip, Michael’s keen to wear a comfortable sneaker and forgo a cowboy boot. Em is having none of it, offering up a variety of alternative options, including some that don’t actually exist, while Michael tries to use said hip as an excuse for a lifetime of shonky dancing. Then it’s onto the news that Fleabag and All Of Us Strangers hottie Andrew Scott is about to gift us erotic audio called ‘The Queen’s Guard’. After watching the teaser trailer, Em challenges Michael to take the script and give us his own version of erotic audio. Em then makes a number of character choices and delivers us versions of the same erotic script as Effie and a Southern Belle, with added options for her hubby Scott and Idris Elba too. Finally we need to talk through the new season of ‘Bridgerton’, season three drops this week and Em gets her eldest daughter Chella to bring us up to speed on what’s coming and why we’re so excited. Also in our Sealed Section, it’s all about Elizabeth Hurley and her son Damian, as Em and Michael ‘Okay, Stop!’ the trailer for their debut film together ‘Strictly Confidential’. Sign up now to start listening & watching at emsolation.supercast.com.

Yaas, Em’s new podcast ‘Anomalous with Em Rusciano’ is out and it’s being received exactly as Em hoped it would be, with much accolades, appreciation and divine voice notes and reviews. Michael is due to have hip replacement surgery soon, so to see out his crusty old hip joints, he’s throwing himself a blow out dance party/celebration with the theme ‘Disco Cowboy’. Naturally Em has already been invited, and within hours of receiving said invite had sourced and ordered her entire themed outfit for the night too, so there’s much to discuss. Then it’s onto Em and Michael’s review of the new Anne Hathaway film ‘The Idea Of You’ which hasn’t really lived up to the expectations that the teaser trailer gave them. Finally, Madonna has wrapped up her world tour by performing to 1.6 million people in Rio and Em and Michael are feeling all of the feels having not been there to witness it. There's what was happening while they watched dodgy feeds of the show to cover off, a full rundown of all of their favourite parts, and even a discussion about HR and how Madonna and her dancers navigate all of the snogging and crotch and breast grabbing they are required to do. So pop a hip to the joyous strains of Em and Michael talking party costume prep, lacklustre romcoms and Mother serving it to the masses on stage, huzzah!!

It’s a return to our favourite combo, another mother daughter episode as Em’s eldest Marchella steps in for Michael Lucas. We begin with Chella disowning her own father’s last name and an explain on why she has a deeper voice than Em. Then Em reveals she gave in and watched the entire series of ‘Baby Reindeer’ and she is NOT OKAY! After being told in our previous episode by Michael and Chella to avoid it at all costs, Em decided they’re not the boss of her, dove right in and then promptly nearly drowned in all of the things.

(TRIGGER WARNING - Discussion of sexual assault, stalking & abuse) Inside you’ll get a full breakdown on what to expect, why you should probably avoid it and also a bunch of spoilers, if you’d prefer to skip ahead, then you need to jump from 9.43 to 20.35 to escape any reveals.

We follow that with the palate cleanser of Em and Chella’s latest obsession ‘Sullivan’s Crossing’, from playing ‘Okay, Stop!’ with the show’s trailer, to giving us a full exposé on why it's terrible, but also essential viewing. Em even gets Chella to reveal why she watches ‘Gilmore Girls’ on repeat and play a clip from a birthday cameo she got from Scott Patterson, aka Luke Danes, as well.

Also in our Sealed Section, Em has become addicted to a particular Fleetwood Mac song and its accompanying live performance, plus Disney is releasing a Mufasa origin story and Em has a LOT to say about it. Sign up now to start listening & watching at emsolation.supercast.com.