* M.L. Elrick (Twitter @elrick/Facebook ML ELRICK/Instagram ml_elrick), Shawn Windsor (Twitter @ShawnWindsor), Marc Fellhauer (Twitter @MarcFell) and Matt Jennings (Twitter @MattRJennings) welcome the Motor City Muckraker himself, Steve Neavling of the Metro Times! (Twitter @Muckraker_Steve/Facebook Steve Neavling). Joey Zuver is more of a leaf raker, a skill that will once again be in demand this fall.* THE STRAIGHT DOPE: Steve digs into Wayne County Sheriff Benny Napoleon’s campaign finances and learns that the sheriff has spent a half million bucks on expenses that seem to have almost nothing to do with campaigning. * ML asks that you consider supporting Steve and investigative journalists by doing what ML did and join the Metro Times Press Club. * While you’ve got your wallet out, please consider supporting M.L. and Shawn’s work at the Free Press by using this link to subscribe. It’s only 3 freaking bucks for the first 3 freaking months!!! (And you’ll need a subscription to read their best stuff)* Shawn pipes up for a listener who is very concerned about the way ML pronounces the name of the show’s official beer sponsor. Is it ALL-tess? AL-tess? ML isn’t sure, but is willing to discuss it over a cold ALTES – available at a quality bar or store near you!* ML spent another couple days on the protest beat after Detroit police arrested 44 people when Detroit Will Breathe occupied a section of Woodward Avenue. Listen in and get the straight dope. Read about it here and here.* Shawn isn’t happy, but ML still insists on revisiting those secret FBI recordings of Detroit City Councilman Gabe Leland at a strip club that were the subject of last week’s show and a one episode, true crime podcast ML made for the Detroit Free Press (check it out via the link below). Nevertheless, ML asks Marc to play the end of an interview ML did with Leland. According to Leland, he told ML to: “Get the f*** out of my office.” The sound bite Marc plays suggests the councilman’s memory may be a tad faulty.

M.L. Elrick (Twitter @elrick/Facebook ML ELRICK/Instagram ml_elrick), Shawn Windsor (Twitter @ShawnWindsor), Marc Fellhauer (Twitter @MarcFell) and Matt Jennings (Twitter @MattRJennings) invite […]

* M.L. Elrick (Twitter @elrick/Facebook ML ELRICK/Instagram ml_elrick), Shawn Windsor (Twitter @ShawnWindsor), Marc Fellhauer (Twitter @MarcFell) and Matt Jennings (Twitter @MattRJennings) invite Detroit Free Press contributing columnist Darren Nichols (Twitter @dnick12/Facebook Darren Nichols/Instagram dnick128) to impart some wisdom. Joey Zuver is wise enough to steer clear of the controversy.* THE STRAIGHT DOPE:  ML starts the show with a fresh take on the Unabomber look, sporting his sweet lid from The Butchery and alternating between his new Soul of Detroit mask and Soul of Detroit gaiter — available NOW at www.drewandmikestore.com* The boys listen to some of the secret FBI recordings of Detroit City Councilman Gabe Leland hanging out with businessman Bob Carmack at a Detroit strip club, where they discuss what Leland is willing to do for $15,000.* Leland, in one of the clips, says he told ML to get the f*** out of his office. But the video shows that’s not quite how that meeting wrapped up.* If you can’t get enough of Leland caught on tape in the 7 hilarious clips Marc plays while ML opines, you can hear even more by checking out ML’s exclusive investigation for the Detroit Free Press. You’ll need to subscribe to read the full story and listen to a 20-minute, single episode true crime podcast that includes loads of outtakes from the recordings as well as commentary from ML, Carmack and the man who almost knocked Leland off in 2013.* Here’s how to subscribe. It’s super cheap — and super important!* Darren calls out Detroit City Council and City Hall poobahs for failing to call out Leland, limit his power or remove him for office in the nearly three years since he was indicted on bribery charges. Darren also dished out some wisdom a Father’s Day column in the Free Press. * Shawn has to leave the show a little early this week, but not before ML calls for a “time out” to discuss one of his most recent fabulous columns.* THE GREAT DEBATE: ML says the NCAA’s response to the coronavirus ...

M.L. Elrick (Twitter @elrick/Facebook ML ELRICK/Instagram ml_elrick), Shawn Windsor (Twitter @ShawnWindsor), Marc Fellhauer (Twitter @MarcFell) and Matt Jennings (Twitter @MattRJennings) get […]

* M.L. Elrick (Twitter @elrick/Facebook ML ELRICK/Instagram ml_elrick), Shawn Windsor (Twitter @ShawnWindsor), Marc Fellhauer (Twitter @MarcFell) and Matt Jennings (Twitter @MattRJennings) get their just desserts. Joey Zuver opts for more nutritious fare.* THE STRAIGHT DOPE:  Incumbent Michigan Journalist of the Year Tresa Baldas (Twitter @tbaldas/Facebook Tresa Baldas) discusses her recent coverage of the controversy at the Macomb County Medical Examiner’s office that resulted in the Detroit Free Press publishing a headline including the phrase “penis cake”.* Marc wonders whether there was a recent birthday that coincided with the delivery of the penis cake, which arrived shortly after the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.* M.L. stresses that no one should have to work in a hostile workplace, recommending that employees under duress contact their human resources director, the EEOC or an attorney.* Shawn expresses support for biscotti. Yeah, we know that seems out of left field. But if you listen to the show, it makes more sense than you might otherwise think.* The news organization that employs M.L. and Shawn may soon be referred to as the Not-So-Free Press, as the Detroit Free Press finally builds a wall, a pay wall — and you’re going to pay for it! Listen and learn how it works, hear Shawn attack M.L. and find out what it’s all about. Here’s a link to subscribe. Here’s what Free Press Editor Peter Bhatia had to say about it.* M.L. reads a letter from the loved ones of Honest ? John Thompson, who was the guest of honor on last week’s show, which was the first-ever Detroit podcast wake! This graphic below should help you find the location of a memorial plaque for John on Belle Isle. * Shawn has been killing it with his sports columns since returning from his furlough, prompting some of us to wonder why he doesn’t get laid off more often!* THE GREAT DEBATE: The boys debate who should decide whether to pull the plug on college football.* GEEK OF THE WEEK: This week’s selection is SUCH A BASTARD that the award has been temporarily renamed to appropriately capture his villainy.* THIS WEEK IN SOFT HISTORY: What does history have to do with small lobsters? Matt tells all — and plants an image that will be almost impossible to forget. But, boy, is it girth it!

M.L. Elrick (Twitter @elrick/Facebook ML ELRICK/Instagram ml_elrick), Shawn Windsor (Twitter @ShawnWindsor), Marc Fellhauer (Twitter @MarcFell) and Matt Jennings (Twitter @MattRJennings) […]

* M.L. Elrick (Twitter @elrick/Facebook ML ELRICK/Instagram ml_elrick), Shawn Windsor (Twitter @ShawnWindsor), Marc Fellhauer (Twitter @MarcFell) and Matt Jennings (Twitter @MattRJennings) should observe a moment of silence, but just keep yapping. Joey Zuver observes an entire show in silence.* THE STRAIGHT DOPE:  In a Detroit podcasting first, ML and the boys host an online wake for John Thompson, the legendary proprietor of Honest ? John’s (Bar no Grill).* Before introducing friends and customers of John, Marc shares a story about his time working with the late, great Jamie Samuelsen, whose death at 48 shocked Detroiters. In honor of Jamie, the boys echo his call for everyone to have a colonoscopy. * Shawn also shares the story of his brother-in-law, you also left us before his time. Like Jamie, Don Moray listened to others and made people feel like they mattered. * Despite the somber occasion, ML sneaks in a jab at the Wolverines. Marc thinks Jamie, a Wildcat, would have approved.* Before things get too deep, ML welcomes Andrew and Matthew Turnbull, Jim Curran, Lynne Kneiss and Allan Lengel to share their favorite memories of John Thompson, the man behind one of the best bars in Detroit at a time when there weren’t many great bars in Detroit. Thompson died July 10 in Cape Coral, Fla., but the sad news didn’t hit Detroit until last week. * John was famously irascible, but also magnificently magnanimous. He also had a phlegmatic laugh and distinctive accent, apparently honed during a hardscrabble upbringing in the Cass Corridor. Listen for uncanny imitations — and more!* If you were an adult down on your luck, there was a chance John would give you work. If you were a needy kid, there was an even better chance John would give you a gift. If you were a drug dealing neighbor, there was a chance he would shoot up your car. If you were a pain in his ass, there was a chance he would bar you. And if you were barred, there was a chance he would soon forget. These are just some of the great memories John’s friends share on this week’s episode.* ML shares a story about one particularly memorable night at the original Honest ? John’s on Field Street just off East Jefferson. Shawn, clearly moved, lets ML get away with telling a story that is mainly about himself when he should be telling a story about the guest of honor.* There are many, many more great stories, including John’s entrepreneurial streak — he used to rent kayaks and bikes long before anyone else — and his creative fundraisers, like his moonshot postcards. The moons, by the way, were provided by his customers. Listen and learn and, we hope, laugh.* THE GREAT DEBATE: The media has an obligation to provide fair and balanced coverage in which all sides are represented. But does that obligation extend so far that crackpots should have their say? The boys chop it up.* GEEK OF THE WEEK: There are so many good candidates you’d think it wou...

M.L. Elrick (Twitter @elrick/Facebook ML ELRICK/Instagram ml_elrick), Shawn Windsor (Twitter @ShawnWindsor), Marc Fellhauer (Twitter @MarcFell) and Matt Jennings (Twitter @MattRJennings) […]

* M.L. Elrick (Twitter @elrick/Facebook ML ELRICK/Instagram ml_elrick), Shawn Windsor (Twitter @ShawnWindsor), Marc Fellhauer (Twitter @MarcFell) and Matt Jennings (Twitter @MattRJennings) look back on the life and times of an East Side Gangster. * THE STRAIGHT DOPE:  But, first, a BLATANT COMMERCIAL APPEAL … We’re hoping to drum up some business for manscaped.com to encourage them to become a long-time sponsor of the show. The first listener to send proof they spent at least $75 using promo code ML gets a Manscaped t-shirt. Promo code ML gets you 20% off and free shipping. Everyone else who ponies up $75 or more for some high-quality personal grooming products can choose either a SOD trucker cap or autographed “Kwame Sutra.” Send your proof to [email protected]* Allan Lengel of DetroitDetroit.com joins the boys to reflect on his decades of dealings with Richard “White Boy Rick” Wershce. Here is one of his latest reports on WBR.* After Wersche got busted with major weight, he turned into a star source for law enforcement. Yet, he somehow ended up doing more time than just about anyone else convicted of drug dealing. Allan several possible explanations.* There were a lot of stars in WBR’s orbit, from Mayor Coleman Young’s niece to Detroit cop/part-time movie star/Detroit City Council President Gil Hill to Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy. Allan tells you what roles each played in WBR’s life and incarceration.* Allan gives his take on what the “real” WBR is like, what he thought about the Matthew McConaughey biopic and what happened to their relationship after Hollywood came calling.* ML discusses his social science experiment with a complementary comment on social media about POTUS.* Shawn opines on masks. Get his take here.* ML wrote a pretty cool story about one of his fellow Detroit Tigers vendors. * THE GREAT DEBATE: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says you MUST wear a mask everywhere but (you’ll have to listen to learn where). The boys debate That Woman from Michigan’s rationale.* GEEK OF THE WEEK: The competition is fierce between a dog lover, a couple who wore swastika masks to Walmart to a politician who celebrated the birthday of first Grand Wizard of the Klan. Who will take home this week’s prize? You’ll have to listen to find out.* THIS WEEK IN SOFT HISTORY: Professor Jennings has a better connection this week, but still can’t keep the rest of the crew from trying to derail his lecture.* ROOM 7609: Talk about a tie-in! To help promote manscaped.com, this week’s guest in the NuWave suite is the Buzzcoc...

M.L. Elrick (Twitter @elrick/Facebook ML ELRICK/Instagram ml_elrick), Shawn Windsor (Twitter @ShawnWindsor), Marc Fellhauer (Twitter @MarcFell) and Matt Jennings (Twitter @MattRJennings) […]