The Big Wakeup Call

Bill McCormick from the World News Center called in to talk about Cryptophasia and visual modality in computers, all eventually leading to robots determining that humans are unnecessary. Plus: Elitist Whole Foods-shopping robots, talking a climate change quote seriously out of context, and answering some letters from listeners.

FilmStruck host Alicia Malone called the show to preview this holiday season's movies, including The Last Jedi, Coco, Jumanji, and The Greatest Showman. We also talked about how Australian culture continue to expand in the U.S., particularly in the Australian accent my 2-year-old has adopted from binge-watching The Wiggles.

Luvvie Ajayi made her 2nd appearance on the show to talk about a new hardcover edition (including bonus material) of her best-selling book I’m Judging You: The Do-Better Manual. We had a lively discussion about the do's and do not's of social media, especially the importance of remembering your pages are a dictatorship, not a democracy.

Award-winning pianist and composer Jim Brickman called the show to promote his new holiday album, A Joyful Christmas. We talked about Jim's own radio show, tracking down celebrity guests in an unusual way, and how he'll have to skip the levitating piano and pyrotechnics when he plays at Wentz Concert Hall in Naperville this Sunday.

Margaret Qualley is best known for playing Jill Garvey on the HBO series The Leftovers. Margaret called in to talk about her role as a young nun in "Novitiate." We discussed how she understood the character, placing herself in that period in history, and working with legends like Melissa Leo and Julianne Nicholson.

Bill McCormick from the World News Center joined the show for a lively and enlightening discussion on artificial intelligence and whether or not it can be regulated. Also: evolutionary timelines of humans and computers, procreating robots, and let's just knock off the vaping.

Moody Blues drummer and founding member Graeme Edge called in to chat about 50th anniversary shows of "Days of Future Passed," including a PBS special, as well as the third annual Moodies Cruise.

Rob Huebel joined the show as part of his all-out media blitz to promote his YouTube Red Series Do You Want to See a Dead Body? Rob talked about pitching the show with dead body storyboards, getting his celebrity friends to play along, and shooting a scene on a nude beach while dealing with nude beach bullies.

Jeff Rossen called in to talk about his new book Rossen to the Rescue, filled with practical hints and tips that might just save your life. We discussed how "don't panic" is terrible advice, covering up your webcam, and the Pope's endorsement of duct tape.

After pausing to reminisce about our respective Thanksgiving days, Bill McCormick and I discussed income inequality, going out of your way to be offended, why there's never a private audience on the Internet, FaceTime sessions with A-list celebs, working with James Brown, and where are Oprah's Pontiacs now?