Hardly Focused

"I think my frontal lobe finally developed." That's the realization Jack finally has while regaling to Acc his fourth-ever play through of Portal 2. As a personal rule, Jack only plays Portal 2 once every five years, but this most recent jaunt was much faster than he was anticipating. Is this what getting old feels like?

Also discussed in this episode of The Acc and Jack Show:

The Pitt's second season finale is fantastic.

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is getting a price cut!

Why are commercial mascots being recycled?

Two gamers are suing Nintendo to get their tariffs back.

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It's the tail-end of tax season in the United States, with the deadline to file having already passed. Jack shares for Zach and Becky a list of things Americans are most likely to spend their tax refund on. That's IF they receive a refund; Uncle Sam isn't making it easy this year!

Also discussed in this episode of Hardly Focused:

Zach shares his trip to California, and surprises Becky with a big life update.

Becky is deep in the Pokemon card-collecting well.

Singer d4vd is finally arrested on suspicion of murder.

Ruby Rose versus Katy Perry, or the importance of not rubbing one's vagina in another's face unsolicited.

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Believe it or not, there are actually some "old man yells at cloud" opinions out there that today's generation agrees with. Jack, Mike, and Nate go through the list of annoyances folks of all ages can align on. Surprisingly, "listening to Hardly Focused at full volume in public" is not on it - and probably not recommended.

Also discussed in this episode of Hardly Focused:

Michael J. Fox is not dead, despite CNN claiming otherwise.

The Cloverfield franchise deserves another, realistic chance.

Nate apologizes so many times during this episode, he even has a fully produced song.

CBS is replacing The Late Show with Stephen Colbert with Byron Allen's unfunny, paid programming.

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It's the 17th anniversary of this podcast - six under the banner "Hardly Focused" - and there's no better way to celebrate than with a guest co-host! Actor and voice-over artist Fard Muhammad joins Jack to share their own respective experiences taking in late night tapings, from Conan O'Brien's many shows to the freezing cold tundra of the Ed Sullivan Theater. Check out Fard on Threads and at his own website: https://www.heyitsfard.com

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Marathon is the newest game from Bungie, the studio behind the legendary franchises Halo and Destiny. A follow-up to the mid-90s series of the same name, Marathon is an extraction shooter, in the same vein as Escape from Tarkov and ARC Raiders. Set on the planet Tau Ceti IV, "Runners" face off again each other in team of three, battling forces of the Unified Earth Space Council while scavenging for the best loot. Jack reviews Marathon for Mike, hoping the game has a long future ahead in an endless landscape of hit-or-miss multiplayer games.

Also discussed in this episode of Hardly Focused:

There are more questions than answers in the deadly Air Canada plane crash at LaGuardia Airport.

Famously adverse to video games, Becky's latest hobby is collecting Pokémon cards.

Reality television figure Taylor Frankie Paul is an absolute psychopath.

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Why is Florida the way that it is? Is it because of the sulfur in the water? Jack and Nate wonder where it all went wrong in the Sunshine State, while Jack reviews his experience at Super Nintendo World and Epic Universe in Orlando.

Also discussed in this episode of Hardly Focused:

Saturday Night Live UK features a stacked lineup for its first three episodes.

Kristin Cabot - one-half of the infamous "Coldplay couple" - tells Oprah that she believes Andy Byron lied to her about his marriage.

Joe Pera Talks with You is a television masterpiece.

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Was Highguard - the live-service shooter from Wildlight Entertainment - set up to fail? Lukewarm reception to its announcement trailer and eventual release have gamers comparing Highguard to Concord, another short-lived multiplayer title. Acc and Jack consider the time and effort spent on developing the game, only for it to be shut down after less than two months.

Also discussed in this episode of The Acc and Jack Show:

The CEO of McDonald's is getting eviscerated online for his taste test of the new Big Arch burger.

The new season of Scrubs is just okay.

The co-CEO of Build a Rocket Boy - the studio behind the flop MindsEye - is blaming everyone but himself for his game's poor performance.

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What are the best state capitals to live in? Which ones are the worst? How many of New England's made WalletHub's list? These are the important questions that nobody asked, but that Jack answers anyway for Nate and Zach. All told, it should surprise nobody where Boston lands on the list in terms of affordability.

Also discussed in this installment of Hardly Focused:

An Australian news reporter gets drunk and goes on-air at the winter Olympics.

Jack receives the news alert during the show that actor Eric Dane has passed away due to ALS.

The Pawtucket, Rhode Island shooter lived a bizarre, hate-filled life - and he married his cousin!

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Poor Lindsey Vonn. First, she ruptures her ACL; then, she crashes during a downhill ski run at the Olympics and suffers a gruesome leg injury. To top it off, Lindsey's own father gives her the "dad treatment" in an interview with the AP. Jack, Mike, and Nate wonder if Lindsay should have retired years ago.

Also discussed in this episode of Hardly Focused:

The New England Patriots did not win Super Bowl 60, but at least they made it that far!

Turning Point USA's "All-American Halftime Show" was a complete joke.

NBA 2K15 has some of the worst voice acting in video game history.

Discord is implementing global age verification.

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The Super Bowl is almost here, and the New England Patriots are in it for the first time since 2018! Of course, nothing is without controversy these days, for not everyone is on board with Bad Bunny performing at the half-time show. Jack, Mike, and Becky discuss Turning Point USA's upcoming "alternate" half-time show, headlined by America's favorite hick, Kid Rock!

Elsewhere in this installment of Hardly Focused:

Does the Kennedy Center really need to be closed for two years while it undergoes renovations?

Remembering the great Catherine O'Hara.

Do McNuggets and caviar really go together?

Ubisoft fires a developer for speaking out against their return-to-office mandate.

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