Mt. Rushmore Podcast

It turns out that Neil Sedaka was dead wrong: breaking up is relatively easy to do. Whether it's a lover or a work partner, it doesn't take much to go from a rosy pairing to a bitter end.

This week we look at breakups that involve celebrities and ourselves. But not that we're breaking up! No, we've got a lot more Rushmores to get through, and besides, we forgot to sign a prenup with Jeff!

SHOW NOTES

• The Beatles (Joint Choice)
• Prince Charles and Lady Diana (Michael's Choice)
• Post-Breakup Hook-Ups (Richard's Choice)
• Sam and Diane from "Cheers" (Michael's Choice)
• Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis (Richard's Choice)
• The Supercontinent (Michael's Choice)
• Lucille Ball and Desi Arnez (Richard's Choice)

Typhoons! Hurricanes! Earthquakes! SMOG!!! These aren't just things that Elmer Fudd sends crashing down to take out Bugs Bunny in "What's Opera, Doc" - they are just some of the ways that Mother Nature gets revenge on humans for screwing up the planet over and over again. This week we're looking at the real and fictional devastation that nature can wreak on us helpless dopes.

Sometimes a star is born, and sometimes a star's almost-as-beloved but less successful friend is born. This week it's time for the journeymen to take a turn in the limelight, as we're exploring the rich world of second bananas.

SHOW NOTES

• Art Garfunkel (Michael's Choice)
• George Harrison (Richard's Choice)
• The "Other" Ghostbusters (Michael's Choice)
• Carl Winslow from "Family Matters" (Richard's Choice)
• Jelly (Michael's Choice)
• Daffy Duck (Richard's Choice)
• Luigi (Michael's Choice)
• Marty Janetty (Richard's Choice)

This week we're talking about expenses ranging from the mundane-but-infuriating to the ostentatious-but-ridiculous. If you've ever grumbled because you had to pay for a new printer cartridge or for your favorite hat to be returned via a first-class fight, this episode is for you.

SHOW NOTES

• VHS Replacement Fees (Michael's Choice)
• The Alaskan "Bridge to Nowhere" (Richard's Choice)
• Oil Change Services (Michael's Choice)
• The Department of Defense Sponsoring NASCAR Teams (Richard's Choice)
• Streaming Services (Michael's Choice)
• Bono's Hat (Richard's Choice)
• Printer Cartridges (Michael's Choice)
• First Class Airfare (Richard's Choice)

Happy April Fool's Day! No, we aren't going to trick you with any fake announcement, like that we're ending the podcast or that we've signed on to replace Joe Rogan. Instead, we're going to celebrate the day by tipping our cap to some of the greatest pranks, from simple gags to elaborate schemes that were years in the making.

(Also: your shoelace is untied.)

Shoes! Everybody's got to have them but some are more iconic than others. This week we're taking a look at the most famous footwear (pardon the pun) in history, from mythological sandals to futuristic high tops.

SHOW NOTES

• Ruby Slippers (Joint Choice)
• Nike MAGs from "Back to the Future II" (Michael's Choice)
• The Glass Slipper from "Cinderella" (Richard's Choice)
• The Shoe Phone from "Get Smart" (Michael's Choice)
• Talaria aka Hermes' Sandals (Richard's Choice)
• The Cooked Shoe from "The Gold Rush" (Michael's Choice)
• "These Boots Are Made for Walking" (Richard's Choice)

Some songs are undoubtedly great. But only a select few songs can alter your life forever. This week we're discussing songs that shaped how Richard, Michael and Jeff look at music and life.

SHOW NOTES

• "Leash" by Pearl Jam (Michael's Choice)
• "Satisfaction" by Devo (Richard's Choice)
• "The New Year" by Death Cub for Cutie (Michael's Choice)
• "Blitzkreig Bop" by the Ramones (Richard's Choice)
• "Neighborhood No. 3 (Power Out) by the Arcade Fire (Michael's Choice)
• "Dear God" by XTC (Richard's Choice)
• "I Saw Her at the Anti-War Demonstration" by Jens Lekman (Michael's Choice)
• "Deadbeat Club" by the B-52s (Richard's Choice)

We're not too scared to call out some of the biggest cowards out there. Of course, they would probably respond by cowering in a corner or flat out running away, but that's beside the point: this week is all about our "favorite" real-life and fictional cowards.

SHOW NOTES

• The Cowardly Lion from (Michael's Choice)
• The Coward of the County (Richard's Choice)
• George Costanza (Michael's Choice)
• GOP Senators (Richard's Choice)
• Chozen Toguchi from "The Karate Kid Part II" (Michael's Choice)
• Blackadder (Richard's Choice)
• Cringer from "He-Man" (Michael's Choice)
• Scooby-Doo and Shaggy (Richard's Choice)

Admit it: you are powerless to resist the charms of a good baby picture on Instagram. One photo of a cherub in, say, a pumpkin, and even the hardest heart will melt. Unless you don't like kids...in which case: get that baby out of my feed!

We're exploring all things good, bad and sappy about babies on Instagram this week. We're joined by actress, writer and comedian Bethany Therese, who has some STRONG (and hilarious) opinions about baby eyes.

SHOW NOTES

• Anne Geddes/Georgia O'Keefe Pictures (Bethany's Choice)
• Monthly Update Pictures (Michael and Richard's Choice)
• Costumes/Tricks (Bethany's Choice)
• The Fantasy Photo Shoot (Michael and Richard's Choice)
• Baby Eyes (Bethany's Choice)
• Daily COVID Photos (Michael and Richard's Choice)
• Babies on Social Media (Bethany's Choice)
• Baby Accounts (Michael and Richard's Choice)

The universe is, like...REALLY large. And so are the Extended Universes of some of your favorite films and TV shows. This week we're extending our reach to include comedian, writer and actor Jim Coughlin to the show to discuss all of the different ways that one show can become a whole ecosystem.

SHOW NOTES

• The Archie Bunkerverse (Jim's Choice)
• The MCU (Richard and Michael's Choice)
• Star Wars (Jim's Choice)
• The Dark Universe (Richard and Michael's Choice)
• See You Next Wednesday (Jim's Choice)
• St. Elsewhere (Richard and Michael's Choice)
• Star Trek (Jim's Choice)
• What We Do In the Shadows (Richard and Michael's Choice)