It's bring your bro to pod day: Ricky Darling joins us this week to discuss Pinsir, Tauros, Magikarp, Gyarados, and Lapras. After the usual game of Mon Mom, we dig into the Pokemon with conversations about the origins of Nantucket Red shorts, Final Fantasy X's fatal flaw, NBA Candy men James Harden, Dwight Howard and Metta World Peace, and pay tribute to some of our favorite podcasts: Mike & Tom Eat Snacks, and the Bill Simmons Show.

From the Show:

• Magikarp Meme read over the Allan Parsons Project: https://img-9gag-fun.9cache.com/photo/3377815_700bwp.webp 

With apologies for the late episode, Balloo and Darling are back this week to discuss Mr. Mime, Scyther, Jynx, Electabuzz, and Magmar. We dive into the uncanny valley and creep factor of clowns, discuss praying mantises as invasive urban species, Matt Groening's Netflix show Lost- but also get into some earnest discussion on Jynx's controversial design, and topics of race and equality in America writ large. Black Lives Matter, and we mince no words in this regard on these topics in light of this week's news related to the murder of Eric Garner.

There's fun and there's truth in this one galore. From the show:

Patton Oswalt, the saddest clown: https://open.spotify.com/track/5EYGlAjkttWIm5jnE0U1Cd?si=rwht0G9MQQWWErv2q_a7cg

John Mulaney on the New York Post: https://open.spotify.com/track/7f6QQQqSpzrSeCTt4zhvc1?si=6u-77MvFT66750i2kxW4og

Plus, check out the past episodes referenced in the show!

Comedian and writer Dan Duddy joins the podcast this week to wrap up the podcast "Bois Trilogy" of episodes by discussing Kangaskhan, Horsea, Goldeen, and Staryu. After the usual game of Mon Mom, we discuss the zen of comedy, a Tales From the Crypt body horror story, The Matrix as an allegory for wokeness, the madness that is the trailer for the upcoming Cats adaptation, and stick around for Darling's impersonation of Balloo.

Follow Dan on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RealDanDuddy

The Tales From the Crypt Ventriloquist Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQ3-sK404TY

That NSFW Zachary Fox Tweet referenced in the show: https://twitter.com/zackfox/status/1148289901567176704

This American Life's story on French Comedian Gad Elmaleh: https://www.thisamericanlife.org/596/becoming-a-badger/act-one-3

Magician Rob Ramirez joins us this week to discuss Koffing, Rhyhorn, Chansey and Tangela. Along the way, Balloo starts yet another celebrity feud (this one with Michael's endorsement), the gang discusses the plight of NY Knicks fans, offers a decade late deep dive into Christopher Nolan's The Prestige with thoughts from a professional magician on the message of the film, and Darling finally descends to madness in terror at the wonders the mage before him is able to perform.

From the show:

Rob's Twitter: https://twitter.com/RobRamMagic

Support GDQ and their awesome cause, check out our favorite speed runs and follow them on Twitter for future updates: https://twitter.com/GamesDoneQuick

Jak & Daxter 100% - https://youtu.be/rgQmMR8lueA?t=194 

Bloodborne, All Bosses - https://youtu.be/6a8bc-V6seo?t=1095 

Resident Evil 2 Remake - https://youtu.be/K0CFIymKnZo?t=284 

The Simpsons Harry Potter Scene = Weezing - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8eKEld6ioQ

Writer & Director, Gerry Maravilla joins the podcast this week to discuss Exeggcute, Cubone, Hitmonlee & Hitmonchan and Lickitung. After our regular game of Mon mom, get ready for egg puns galore, looks back at Young Adult classic series Goosebumps, Animorphs, where the X-Men film franchise went wrong and where James Marsden went right, plus a deep dive into classic kung fu & martial arts films with the gang and much, much more!

From the Show:

Follow Gerry on Twitter: https://twitter.com/gerrymaravilla

Gerry's reaction to all Michael's puns: https://gph.is/1qP7A20

Gerry's short film, Cross: https://vimeo.com/237523308

Darling's Lickitung Reaction Image: https://images.app.goo.gl/u3rJ8kWfdoL9Agpd9

Preview of Gerry's Feature Horror film, The Halloween Club: https://optionalirony.com/2019/04/04/the-halloween-club-preview/

Balloo's Cubone Sad Boi Mix: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2FwDMUP5OsIScJjFpICGO0?si=01hW9eFdSyOXYjehkeefvA 

Gil Baron drops by the podcast to discuss Onix, Drowzee, Krabby, and Voltorb. The gang discusses Onix diarrhea, local erotic fan fiction comedy shows, Balloo's terrible approach to first dates, how Chris Hemsworth ruined the Ghostbusters reboot, and the gospel according to Gil: "If you’re a dummy with a good heart then yes, a lot of sins can be washed over.”

Check out Packchella, the Pack Theater Comedy Music Festival (it's pay what you can!) June 28-30, Info & Tickets: https://www.packtheater.com/calendar/

Follow Gil on Twitter: https://twitter.com/GJBaron

From the show:

The *other* Ghostbusters intro theme: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZ2QT4wWGrE

Tapir terror: https://media.mnn.com/assets/images/2018/02/tapir-nose.jpg.990x0_q80_crop-smart.jpg

Hypno's Michael Scott face: https://gph.is/1bQeSro 

Fake Call App Download from Google: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.redteam.fakecall&hl=en_US

Comedian, writer, and actor Monika Smith joins us to talk about the Gen 1 ghost trio of Gastly, Haunter, and Gengar. Balloo regales the team this episode with folklore and legends from his homeland of Trinidad and along the way the group discuss the ghosts, our favorite Keanu Reeves stories, how important Harry and the Hendersons is in the pop culture landscape, Tinder bio red flags, the state of the NBA Finals, Canadian PSAs, and the high cost of women's undergarments.

From the show:

Follow Monika on Twitter - https://twitter.com/missmonikasmith?lang=en

Anytime Monika reacts to Pokemon Lore: https://giphy.com/gifs/oskouioskoui-breakfast-at-tiffanys-gifscapade-d2Z32wTIuPl6iHuw

Tarantino & Feet - https://www.theodysseyonline.com/tarantino-foot-fetish

Pop Culture Touchstone, Harry & the Hendersons' final scene - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1d8oqIXtjdo

Alf swearing (NSFW) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4IsUqclKUE

Gengar Tumblr Meme - https://i.pinimg.com/originals/d0/24/21/d02421fad99564ca64b9490e5bfe9843.jpg

CBC PSA, Burnt Toast - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uUvWmXUodE

The Institute for Gremlins 2 Studies - https://twitter.com/g2institute?lang=en

Alex Creswick comes by to throw the podcast into delightful disarray, but every Games of Thrones viewer knows Chaos isn't a pit, it's a ladder: we climb out of the muck (get it?) to 'discuss' the Seel, Grimer, and Shellder families- or attempt to amid numerous departures to discuss Armageddon, Ben Affleck, how the Dean from Community would own the Met Gala, Seal's greatest hits, and many more things that delight Balloo. 

From the show:

JLO Unphased by Katy Perry Changing into a Cheeseburger Costume: https://theblast.com/j-lo-katy-perry-cheeseburger-met-gala-video/

Ben Affleck Mocking Armageddon on the Commentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ahtp0sjA5U

German Town Tries to Get Rid of Pest Catfish: https://nypost.com/2018/07/17/town-hires-angler-to-deal-with-monster-duck-eating-catfish/

Alex's Reaction to a joke Michael Makes about the trainer couple from Heart Gold/Soul Silver: https://gfycat.com/sadseriousegg-tina-fey

Manatee Bonk Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmp9_bwNQPg

Kev Koeser and Michael Chau return to discuss Detective Pikachu in depth. After a Special Detective Pikachu Mon Mom game, the group speculates on the future of a Pokemon Cinematic Pantheon, and get on with sharing their takes on Detective Pikachu's accomplishments at cinematic world building, characters, action, and more. From Nic Cage's hopeful involvement in future Pokemon movie installments, to dream recasting, and finally an accolades round table (The PikAcademy Awards), the Mon Men are here with all that and more on the long awaited big screen, live action Pokemon movie.

From the show:

Nic Cage singing Purple Rain Karaoke: https://www.stereogum.com/2040968/nicolas-cage-sings-purple-rain-karaoke-watch/video/

Seth Hansen, cohost of the music podcast 40s and 40s, sits in today to discuss Magnemite, Duck with Stick, and Doduo. It's a long awaited face off between Balloo and the Duck with conversation ranging from House of Cards, to the Mandela effect and Sinbad's career, all the way to how the Death of Superman ruined comics.

Today's Mon Mods may not be for the faint of heart, as Balloo and our guest combine minds to descend to the madness of conceiving what can only be described as an eldritch horror monster. Welcome back to Mon Men!

From the show:

The Action Climax from Short Circuit 2 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POxMp61Ksbk

Paul Rudd's Mac and Me running bit on Conan - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bNzAgJMYVE

The ditched sprite for the evolution for Farfetch'd - https://tcrf.net/File:PokeGoldDemo-front_228.png

The Collegehumor Sinbad Shazam April Fool's video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tD0rchvuoMU

Seth Hansen's Band, Kid Carrion: https://open.spotify.com/artist/35vbotrWs7WYiFAXRQ9G4a?si=1S1OGPI4TNepkq10jrBuBw