Least Important Things

“Do you think we need one more? Do you think we need one more… Okay, we’ll get one more.” 

We’re assembling the crew and heading to America’s playground to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Steven Soderbergh’s effortlessly cool heist masterpiece, Ocean's Eleven.  

Host Luke Ferris is joined by his own "Rusty" and "Linus"—Andy Warsen and Mike Wynne—to break down why this movie is one of the coolest and lasting pieces of pure movie-star entertainment. 

In this episode, we’ll dive into:

• Pranks and Behind the Scenes Lore: How George Clooney recruited Julia Roberts with a $20 bill and more on-set shenanigans. 
• The Standard of Cool: Andy and Luke share why seeing this movie at an impressionable age set their standard for what’s “cool.”
• Rusty Ryan Honorary Bestie for On-Screen Eating: From shrimp cocktails to jelly beans, we track Rusty's impressive cinematic diet.
• Did Mike Watch the Movie?: Andy and Luke track to see if Mike is conning them, and actually sleep through the movie.  
• The Longest Segment We’ve Ever Had: The guys reference the most quotable and numerous lines from the movie. 
• And much more…

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Support Least Important Things on Patreon

You can be part of the show by leaving a voicemail here.

You can email the show at [email protected] or reach out via social media at the 

links below.

Read our articles and learn more about the show at www.leastimportantthings.com

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Sources for this episode:

• Royalty-free music and sound effects via Artlist.com
• Ocean's Eleven (2001) Official Trailer

Send us Fan Mail

Catch new episodes of Least Important Things every Tuesday wherever you get your podcasts or on YouTube.

You can email the show at [email protected] or reach out via social media at the links below. 

Theme song by John Ferris

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All content falls under fair use: any copying of copyrighted material is done for a limited, educational and “transformative” purpose, such as to comment upon, criticize, or parody a copyrighted work. Such uses can be done without permission from the copyright owner.  

In this essay episode, Luke Ferris explores the evocative power of film scores and why we find such deep resonance in the music that follows us long after the credits roll. Luke will examine how soundtracks allow us to rewatch movies in our minds and provide thematic connection beyond the screen.

We’ll dive into:

• A Mental Rewatch: Why listening to a score allows your mind to wander back into the mood, era, and story of a favorite film.
• The Soundtrack of Productivity: How ambient compilations—from Blade Runner to The Lord of the Rings—provide clarity and focus during study and work.
• Beyond the Script: Why a movie’s musical landscape is just as vital to the cinematic experience as the actors on the poster or the words on the page

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Catch new episodes of Least Important Things every Tuesday wherever you get your podcasts or on YouTube.

Support Least Important Things on Patreon

You can be part of the show by leaving a voicemail here.

You can email the show at [email protected] or reach out via social media at the links below.

Read our articles and learn more about the show at www.leastimportantthings.com

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Sources for this episode:

• Royalty-free music and sound effects via Artlist.com

Send us Fan Mail

Catch new episodes of Least Important Things every Tuesday wherever you get your podcasts or on YouTube.

You can email the show at [email protected] or reach out via social media at the links below. 

Theme song by John Ferris

Support Least Important Things on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/LeastImportantThings

Follow Least Important Things: 

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All content falls under fair use: any copying of copyrighted material is done for a limited, educational and “transformative” purpose, such as to comment upon, criticize, or parody a copyrighted work. Such uses can be done without permission from the copyright owner.  

For those of us in northern climates, spring break is a strange American pastime—a desperate search for vitamin D to escape the "sprinter" (spring-winter) slush. But for the "holdovers" who stay behind, the empty streets and gray skies offer a different kind of magic: the cinema.

In this essay episode, Luke Ferris explores the unique nostalgia of the spring break movie season. From childhood memories to the recent "quadrant-bursting" success of Project Hail Mary, Luke discusses why the theater remains the ultimate escape for those left behind.

He’ll dive into:

• The Escapism of the Spring Break at the Movies: Why being a "holdover" feels like a secret club for movie-goers.
• Project Hail Mary and The Return of the (Non-Comic Book) Event Film: A look at why the Andy Weir adaptation (starring Ryan Gosling) is the perfect "four-quadrant" spring break hit.
• The Drama of The Drama: A celebration of big movie stars making adult movies for adults. 
• The "Sprinter" Survival: Why a packed Tuesday night screening in Grand Rapids feels more rewarding than a tropical beach.

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Catch new episodes of Least Important Things every Tuesday wherever you get your podcasts or on YouTube.

Support Least Important Things on Patreon

You can be part of the show by leaving a voicemail here.

You can email the show at [email protected] or reach out via social media at the links below.

Read our articles and learn more about the show at www.leastimportantthings.com

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Sources for this episode:

• Royalty-free music and sound effects via Artlist.com
• Project Hail Mary | Final Trailer
• The Drama | Official Trailer HD | A24
• TMNT (2007) - Trailer

Send us Fan Mail

Catch new episodes of Least Important Things every Tuesday wherever you get your podcasts or on YouTube.

You can email the show at [email protected] or reach out via social media at the links below. 

Theme song by John Ferris

Support Least Important Things on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/LeastImportantThings

Follow Least Important Things: 

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All content falls under fair use: any copying of copyrighted material is done for a limited, educational and “transformative” purpose, such as to comment upon, criticize, or parody a copyrighted work. Such uses can be done without permission from the copyright owner.  

After five moves in five years, Luke Ferris is finally unpacking the last of his boxes—the ones that contain his most precious cargo: his record collection. In this essay episode, we explore the strange power of things that finally make us feel at home.

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Catch new episodes of Least Important Things every Tuesday wherever you get your podcasts or on YouTube.

Support Least Important Things on Patreon

You can be part of the show by leaving a voicemail here.

You can email the show at [email protected] or reach out via social media at the links below.

Read our articles and learn more about the show at www.leastimportantthings.com

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Sources for this episode:

• Royalty-free music and sound effects via Artlist.com
• HIGH FIDELITY Rob Re-Organizes His LPs
• These Things Matter
• Drinking Buddies - Official Trailer

Send us Fan Mail

Catch new episodes of Least Important Things every Tuesday wherever you get your podcasts or on YouTube.

You can email the show at [email protected] or reach out via social media at the links below. 

Theme song by John Ferris

Support Least Important Things on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/LeastImportantThings

Follow Least Important Things: 

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All content falls under fair use: any copying of copyrighted material is done for a limited, educational and “transformative” purpose, such as to comment upon, criticize, or parody a copyrighted work. Such uses can be done without permission from the copyright owner.  

Pack your bags and grab your "Remains of the Day" lunchbox. This week on Least Important Things, we are traveling to the "Stool Capital of the World"—Blaine, Missouri—to rewatch the 1997 mockumentary masterpiece, Waiting for Guffman.

Mike Wynne returns to the podcast with Luke Ferris to discuss the ambitious musical celebration Red, White and Blaine and the man with the dream: Corky St. Clair. From the improvised genius of Christopher Guest and Eugene Levy to the late Catherine O'Hara, we break down why this film is the blueprint for every modern self-aware comedy.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The Mockumentary Lineage: Why modern hits like The Office and Parks & Rec owe a massive debt to the unique style of Guest.
• A 16mm Juggernaut: How the team worked from a 25-page "beat sheet" rather than a script, and how editor Andy Blumenthal whittled 60 hours of footage down to 84 minutes
• Best Lines: The most stacked "Bestie" category to date. 
• O'Hara's Legacy: Mike and Luke share their love for the late-great Catherine O'Hara and her legacy of joy. 

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Catch new episodes of Least Important Things every Tuesday wherever you get your podcasts or on YouTube.

Support Least Important Things on Patreon

You can be part of the show by leaving a voicemail here.

You can email the show at [email protected] or reach out via social media at the links below.

Read our articles and learn more about the show at www.leastimportantthings.com

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Sources for this episode:

• Royalty-free music and sound effects via Artlist.com
• Waiting for Guffman (1996) Official Trailer - Christopher Guest, Deborah Theaker Movie HD

Send us Fan Mail

Catch new episodes of Least Important Things every Tuesday wherever you get your podcasts or on YouTube.

You can email the show at [email protected] or reach out via social media at the links below. 

Theme song by John Ferris

Support Least Important Things on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/LeastImportantThings

Follow Least Important Things: 

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All content falls under fair use: any copying of copyrighted material is done for a limited, educational and “transformative” purpose, such as to comment upon, criticize, or parody a copyrighted work. Such uses can be done without permission from the copyright owner.  

We are journeying back to Middle-earth to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the film that changed cinema forever: Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. In this special rewatch, Luke Ferris is joined by his two older siblings—the people responsible for his Tolkien obsession—Jay Ferris and Anna Guerink. Together, they discuss the theatrical release of the first film in the greatest trilogy of all time. 

We’ll venture into:

• The legacy of why this adaptation shouldn’t have worked, but somehow did. 
• Discussing the most difficult changes from book to screen. 
• The grimy moments from the film that define Peter Jackson’s style.  
• Celebrating the perfect casting of Viggo Mortensen. 
• The Ferris family's history with this movie. 
• Justice for the character of Boromir.
• Best props, lines, and scenes. 
• And much more…

Listen to our other LOTR episode: What The Lord of the Rings Taught Me About Life and Death. 

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Catch new episodes of Least Important Things every Tuesday wherever you get your podcasts or on YouTube.

Support Least Important Things on Patreon

You can be part of the show by leaving a voicemail here.

You can email the show at [email protected] or reach out via social media at the links below.

Read our articles and learn more about the show at www.leastimportantthings.com

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Sources for this episode:

• The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Official Trailer #2 - (2001) HD
• Royalty-free music and sound effects via Artlist.com

Send us Fan Mail

Catch new episodes of Least Important Things every Tuesday wherever you get your podcasts or on YouTube.

You can email the show at [email protected] or reach out via social media at the links below. 

Theme song by John Ferris

Support Least Important Things on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/LeastImportantThings

Follow Least Important Things: 

• Letterboxd 
• Instagram
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All content falls under fair use: any copying of copyrighted material is done for a limited, educational and “transformative” purpose, such as to comment upon, criticize, or parody a copyrighted work. Such uses can be done without permission from the copyright owner.  

In a special St. Patrick’s Day episode, Luke Ferris reads “A Legend of Knockmany” from the Irish Fairy Book. 

So curl up in a wool blanket, grab a cup of tea or a pint, and settle in for a folk tale that goes deep into the lineage of Irish culture. 

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Catch new episodes of Least Important Things every Tuesday wherever you get your podcasts or on YouTube.

Support Least Important Things on Patreon

You can be part of the show by leaving a voicemail here.

You can email the show at [email protected] or reach out via social media at the links below.

Read our articles and learn more about the show at www.leastimportantthings.com

---

Sources for this episode:

• Royalty-free music and sound effects via Artlist.com

Send us Fan Mail

Catch new episodes of Least Important Things every Tuesday wherever you get your podcasts or on YouTube.

You can email the show at [email protected] or reach out via social media at the links below. 

Theme song by John Ferris

Support Least Important Things on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/LeastImportantThings

Follow Least Important Things: 

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All content falls under fair use: any copying of copyrighted material is done for a limited, educational and “transformative” purpose, such as to comment upon, criticize, or parody a copyrighted work. Such uses can be done without permission from the copyright owner.  

The Academy Awards is a dramatic cocktail of pop culture obsession and a rare "monoculture" experience. In this episode, Luke Ferris explores why we still tune in 70 years later, even as the "magic" of movie-star mystery has been replaced by social media intimacy. Luke explains the mechanics of the show and why the most moving moments often happen far away from the headlines.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The Lore of the Movie Star: How the Oscars originally served as a rare window into the lives of the industry's most ambiguous figures.
• The Modern Draw: Why we trade movie star mystery for "watercooler" viral moments. 
• The Host Factor: Why hosting is the toughest gig in showbiz and how it sets the tone for the night.
• Politics and Platforms: How the Oscars create a platform for artists to speak on the “now.” 
• The Heart of the Show: Why the “In Memoriam” segment and the speeches from short film and documentary winners remain the most soulful parts of the broadcast. 

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Catch new episodes of Least Important Things every Tuesday wherever you get your podcasts or on YouTube.

Support Least Important Things on Patreon

You can be part of the show by leaving a voicemail here.

You can email the show at [email protected] or reach out via social media at the links below.

Read our articles and learn more about the show at www.leastimportantthings.com

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Sources for this episode:

• Royalty-free music and sound effects via Artlist.com
• The First Oscar Broadcast in Color: 1966 Oscars
• 'Flow' Wins Best Animated Feature Film | 97th Oscars Speech (2025)
• A history of unscripted moments at the Oscars
• JOHN TRAVOLTA THE BIGGEST OSCAR FAIL EVER! Idina Menzel BUTCHERED
• Conan O'Brien's Hilarious Opening Monologue | 97th Oscars 2025

Send us Fan Mail

Catch new episodes of Least Important Things every Tuesday wherever you get your podcasts or on YouTube.

You can email the show at [email protected] or reach out via social media at the links below. 

Theme song by John Ferris

Support Least Important Things on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/LeastImportantThings

Follow Least Important Things: 

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All content falls under fair use: any copying of copyrighted material is done for a limited, educational and “transformative” purpose, such as to comment upon, criticize, or parody a copyrighted work. Such uses can be done without permission from the copyright owner.  

It's time to crank up the pop culture oven in the kitchen of nostalgia because this week, Luke Ferris is joined by Zach Hall to deconstruct the "Secret Recipe" for media that stands the test of time—and the ingredients that cause others to sour.

From the rediscovered love of The Mummy to the questionable lineage of Monopoly, we’re diving deep into the vault to see what still holds a candle to the flame and what needs to be relegated to a "cautionary tale".

In this episode, we discuss:

• The Secret Recipe for "Holding Up": Breaking down the essential ingredients, including "2 cups of Fandom," "3 oz of Relatability," and the crucial "1 tsp of Benchmarking".
• The 20-Year Bake: Why media needs significant "breathing room" to be lost to culture and then rediscovered by a new generation.
• The Modern Lens: Running the classics against modern theories like the Bechdel Test and scanning for biases that might take a modern viewer out of the art.
• The Case of the "Cringe": Why films like Slap Shot provide a complicated case study in contrast to modern storytelling like Heated Rivalry. 
• The Vault: A rapid-fire look at the movies, games, and music that still work, from lost sequels to a George Michael classic. 
• The Evaluation List: Identifying things that require a "wiser" reassessment, including the Bond franchise, 2000s comedies, and Ska music. 

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Catch new episodes of Least Important Things every Tuesday wherever you get your podcasts or on YouTube.

Support Least Important Things on Patreon

You can be part of the show by leaving a voicemail here.

You can email the show at [email protected] or reach out via social media at the links below.

Read our articles and learn more about the show at www.leastimportantthings.com

---

Sources for this episode:

• Royalty-free music and sound effects via Artlist.com

Send us Fan Mail

Catch new episodes of Least Important Things every Tuesday wherever you get your podcasts or on YouTube.

You can email the show at [email protected] or reach out via social media at the links below. 

Theme song by John Ferris

Support Least Important Things on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/LeastImportantThings

Follow Least Important Things: 

• Letterboxd 
• Instagram
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All content falls under fair use: any copying of copyrighted material is done for a limited, educational and “transformative” purpose, such as to comment upon, criticize, or parody a copyrighted work. Such uses can be done without permission from the copyright owner.  

Fifty years after its release, All the President’s Men still feels as relevant as ever. In this essay episode, Luke Ferris explores how a 1970s procedural about two reporters in a newsroom managed to capture the soul of a 13-year-old in 2006—and why it still resonates at age 33.

We’ll dive into:

• The ASMR of the 70s: Why the tactile world of landline phones, typewriters, and match-lit cigarettes creates a timeless "aura noir" tension.
• The Quest for Truth: Reflecting on the "God-like" pursuit of facts and how Woodward and Bernstein’s hunger inspired a lifelong passion for storytelling.
• A Somber Confrontation: Luke reflects on the "crossroads" of his own career—comparing the romanticized dreams of investigative journalism to the reality of recording a podcast in a basement.
• Democratic Accountability: Why the film's themes of unrequited power and the disruption of facts are more profound today than ever before.

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Catch new episodes of Least Important Things every Tuesday wherever you get your podcasts or on YouTube.

Support Least Important Things on Patreon

You can be part of the show by leaving a voicemail here.

You can email the show at [email protected] or reach out via social media at the links below.

Read our articles and learn more about the show at www.leastimportantthings.com

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Sources for this episode:

• Royalty-free music and sound effects via Artlist.com
• All The President's Men (1976) Official Trailer - Robert Redford, Dustin Hoffman Thriller HD
• All the President's Men (1976) - Ending Scene
• “You haven’t got it.” - All The President’s Men

Send us Fan Mail

Catch new episodes of Least Important Things every Tuesday wherever you get your podcasts or on YouTube.

You can email the show at [email protected] or reach out via social media at the links below. 

Theme song by John Ferris

Support Least Important Things on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/LeastImportantThings

Follow Least Important Things: 

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All content falls under fair use: any copying of copyrighted material is done for a limited, educational and “transformative” purpose, such as to comment upon, criticize, or parody a copyrighted work. Such uses can be done without permission from the copyright owner.