Riffs N Rants

The debut of our NEW co-host, Tye The Eurochick! Get to know Johnny's new muse as we discuss world travel and if it's worth getting out of bed and eating weird food. PLUS- everybody loves a tourist trap and we discuss some good ones and some bad ones!

Welcome CNN back to the world of journalistic integrity!! It's been a long time. PLUS...all things Mad Max - a love letter from a fan...namely Johnny Teflon. Who knew? AND...Johnny's way-too-early SuperBowl prediction.

The DNC might as well have their convention in the middle of the north Atlantic, cause the ship is definitely going down! Who's to blame and do they have no shame? PLUS...the price of a stamp rises once again because we're all too stupid not to buy them. PLUS PLUS- Johnny tears down the 4th wall with a story about his history with Donald Trump.

Johnny dives into the nuances of the disaster known as the first debate- The Illogical vs The Unintelligible. And consider the options if President Biden bows out- because clearly no one in this administration has. PLUS- Over the past few years, sharks have been treating beachgoers like their own private buffet. We wade into the topic....from a safe distance, of course.

Let's talk about the Congressional Baseball Game- a shining example of working for the greater good until selfish protestors do what they do. PLUS- Happy 84th Birthday to the Green Lantern! You don't look a day over 79!

Johnny flies solo and delivers all the latest news on some practical applications of AI. PLUS...learn to read the room, Butker. As usual, the placekicker is the loneliest guy in the room.

Johnny and the boys discuss missing the magic of movie soundtracks like we had in the 80's & 90's and talk about our favorites. PLUS- the three of us dish on our Top 3 Favorite movie musicals....and a long-held secret of Andy B is finally revealed!!

Whatever happened to the American Sitcom? Johnny is joined by Andy and Jon as they discuss the lighthearted television staple know as the situation comedy. PLUS....Superhero movies are dead...long live Video Game adaptations! We talk about what works and what ones worked the best!

Build back better....if you believe that there's a bridge in Baltimore I'd like to sell you. Let's examine what happened and THEN worry about whose fault it is. PLUS....what's so scary about a different opinion? The sound of one hand clapping.

Pressure is mounting for a cease-fire in Gaza, and the leader of the free world folds like a house of cards to scoop up as many votes as he can. A different take on the politics of restraint. PLUS....Johnny reviews Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.

Johnny is joined By Andy B and Jon James for the 3rd jewel in the Fast & Foodish trilogy- and clearly our finest entry yet. Let your stomach be your guide as we discuss all things fast food. PLUS- Vinnie Mac and the Case Of The Scandalous Scat.

They coming rougher every time. The immigration crisis is boiling over and there's plenty of blame to go around but not much accountability. Also, water is wet. PLUS...why it's so easy to hate Iran. It's time for more fun in the sun in the land of Persia.

A new era begins as we bid farewell to a dear friend and open a new chapter in the Riffs N Rants Podcast. PLUS....the election cycle begins with the Iowa caucus and what's the skinny on the beef between Jimmy Kimmel and Aaron Rogers?

Holiday shopping season is here, and the boys take a look at the state of disgrace that is retail thievery. Featuring a special interview with an industry insider to get the real scoop on just how bad the situation is. PLUS- we reminisce about the infamous Star Wars Holiday Special.

Monster movies are back again and in a BIG way. The era of superheroes is over, long live Godzilla, Kong, and the rest! PLUS- the ugly little sports story that won't go away. It's Coach Harbaugh and the Michigan Wolverines versus everybody as the BIG10 and the NAACF turn the screws on the winningest team in college football history.

It's flashback time as we re-air the very first episode of the Riffs N Rants Podcast from about 3 years ago. Much has changed, but the basic message has not. Civilized debate in an uncivilized society- we need it now more than ever.

Johnny and Michael review the latest and "last" Beatles song and why they're glad it's the latter. PLUS...sometimes dead is better. The cottage industry of cloning pets is taking off and the fur is flying!

Johnny and Michael let slip the dogs of war in their utter disgust of society's "understanding". We explore the meaning of "evil" in 2023. PLUS- our Top 3 Movies Featuring A Dystopian Future. An emotional rollercoaster of an episode.

Johnny and Michael are flying high again with tales of ribaldry at 30,000 feet. And just WHO is flying your plane, anyway? PLUS...Paris is in a world of maird as bedbugs paint the town red ahead of the Summer Olympics. Let's see if they take the gold in Parasitic Infestation.

The boys discuss the new lax standards of dress in our senate and how this plan is ill-suited to the task at hand. PLUS- talking about BAD movies, and examining some flicks that were so bad they made us angry!

Johnny and Michael discuss the political stalemate gripping the country and how we became complacent with two bad choices for the highest office in the land. PLUS- What elevates an artist to the rarified air of "Cult" status, and how Jimmy Buffett transcended even THAT.

Johnny flies solo on this one and gives both barrels on aging and cognitive testing for our senior leaders. PLUS...the podcast nobody asked for, wanted, or needed is here, and relax Alec Baldwin- it ain't about you.

And you thought the Cabinet of Dr. Caligari was bad- Johnny and Michael look behind the curtain of the Biden administration and try to discern who's actually calling the shots in Washington. PLUS- brawlin' on the river and Union Square during a week where everybody lost their minds.

Johnny and Michael discuss some vices that have now been legalized with varying levels of success. What's the next hill to fall in the morality war? PLUS- Why does Hollywood always try to portray character flaws in a glamorous light? We take apart a few pieces of low-hanging fruit there.

The boys try to find a sympathetic character in the SAG AFTRA strike and act like they give a damn. These jokes write themselves. PLUS- it's time for a highly competitive edition of "Lyrically Speaking".

Johnny and Michael discuss the latest apps and how they're one step above the lottery in terms of securing ones financial future. PLUS- Trouble over at the Worldwide Bleeder and ESPN's talent pool purge. Goodbye to another chapter of our youth.

Johnny and Michael discuss the new bars set for entertainment, and how when truth is stranger than fiction, themeparks and summer blockbusters just don't cut it anymore. PLUS - it's a jungle out there trying to cancel an Amazon membership...and the FTC has heard the drums.

Johnny and Michael remember the doomed Titan and analyze the who, what, when , where, and of course- why? Extreme tourism has entered the chatroom. PLUS- our Top 3 Nautical Adventure Movies of all time and a look at some major changes to the podcast moving forward.

Johnny and Michael stare into the abyss at a burgeoning crime story almost too heinous to believe. PLUS- we jump the gun and dive head first into a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the movie JAWS. With musical selections by Jane's Addiction, David Lee Roth, and Led Zeppelin- presented for historical and critical context.

Lions and Tigers and Bears got nothin' on adults dressing up as fluffy critters with animated libidos! Johnny and Michael dive into the convoluted concept of Furries and why they're on Florida's endangered species list. PLUS...Hello Fresh monkeys around with unfair simian labor practices! With musical selections by The New York Dolls, The Kinks, and Amy Winehouse. (for critical and historical review)

It's the return of the Riffs N Rants Players, with new cast-member Suzie Q! From the same maniacs who brought you Rumpelstiltskin and The Gift of the Magi. A modern twist on a classic tale of the Haves, Have Nots, and Gonna Gets. PLUS....a timely visit from Professor Snuff and his enchanting daughter Sigmunda! With musical selections by the Beatles, Urge Overkill, and Edwin Collins (presented for historical and critical purposes)

Do this, don't do that, and never mind why. Michael and Johnny express their disappointment with those crafty play-on-words devices known as public service slogans. PLUS let's talk about all those mother's out there...for Mothers Day!!! With musical selections by Queen, 3 Dog Night, and Fountains Of Wayne.

Michael and Johnny delve into the study of the Anti-Hero: origins, examples, and their enduring popularity. Sometimes, the good guys wear black. PLUS- the boys focus on a oft-overlooked niche of Rock N Roll- the Glam years! With musical selections by T Rex, The Sweet, and David Bowie.

Working hard vs hardly working- the age-old debate is back in the news as proponents of the shorter work week wake up from their siestas to preach the virtues of work-life balance. PLUS Johnny and Michael share their Top 3 Worst Bosses EVER. With musical selections by Huey Lewis and the News, The Rolling Stones, and The Clash.

Transgenderism is corporate America's latest market niche. Anheuser-Busch and Nike pour themselves a tall cool glass of divisiveness, but with a significant difference. PLUS we acknowledge the toughest women of all time and use the term "broad" with affection. With musical selections by INXS, The Runaways, and Hole.

Johnny Teflon's yelling at clouds and he's got a bone to pick with the Cruise Industry. PLUS- multiple nations have their sites set on the moon- but what time is it up there and what are the Top 10 things we can expect to see up there once man starts leaving his dirty socks around. With musical selections by Johnny Rivers, The Beach Boys, and the Bloodshots.

This time around we're ALL about the 1970's! Johnny and Michael discuss the odd geopolitical and social parallels between now and the 197os. PLUS- Let's dive headfirst into the phenomenon of the 70's known as the variety show- especially those set to music! With musical selections by Ram Jam, Vanity Fair, Jay Ferguson, and Blues Image.

It's a whole lotta Michael Sean Lee as he helms this episode of technological mayhem. A.I. takes center stage as the current science-spawned boogieman. PLUS - it's youth gone mild as the Luddites just say NO to social media. With musical selections by Styx, The Dandy Warhols, and Nine Inch Nails.

Don't let the glib title fool you- the boys go after Norfolk Southern and the total shitshow that is the derailment in East Palestine OH. PLUS- CNN sours on Don Lemon and his views on women cognitive tests for the elderly in power. With musical selections by John Mellencamp, R.E.M., and Nathaniel Rateliff.

Johnny reviews the 3 most promising new DC projects in the works. PLUS what's worse than discriminating against real people? Discriminating against FICTIONAL people. Cue up Harry Potter and the Terrible TERFs as we launch a counterattack on those who would besmirch J.K. Rowling. With musical selections by Donovan, Aerosmith, and the New York Dolls.

This episode leads off with a very special editorial from Johnny Teflon. Then we dive into Americas recent obsession with sending absolute clowns to represent us in ALL levels of government. PLUS- it's time for another Halftime extravaganza! The boys discuss their favorite halftime show, who they'd like to see someday, and what they'd do with the ultimate gift from the NFL. Featuring musical selections by Alice Cooper, Peter Gabriel, and U2.

It's time to play "Where Are They Now?" as we catch up with some of our former subjects after their 15 minutes of fame have passed. ALSO- there's always been a certain camaraderie amongst astronauts and cosmonauts but as the space race heats up, will all that get blown out the airlock? With musical selections by Sweet, Queen, Muse, and David Crosby.

Johnny and Michael rail against the infusion of religion into Fox News. They're not kidding anyone. PLUS- Nothing to fear except , well -everything. Our Top 3 irrational fears. With musical selections by Genesis, Johnny Cash, Blue Oyster Cult, and Jeff Beck.

Johnny and Michael refuse to play ball by the rules of the goodwill police. We examine the inherent violence in our favorite sports and the hypocrisy of outrage when things go south. PLUS....Woke on the way out? A new survey by the NY Times seems to suggest it. Lots of coarse language in this one. With musical selections by Snap!, RUSH, The English Beat, and Depeche Mode.

Johnny and Michael resolve to bestow knowledge and advice to those who don't deserve it AND we celebrate years end with our respective Bugaboos. With musical selectioms by JD McPherson, The Who, Days Of The New, and a bonus track featuring Monte Python.

In our annual Christmas episode, the Riffs N Rants Players present "The Gift of the Magi", a timeless classic re-imagined for our purposes! PLUS our Top 3 Non-Traditional Christmas Movies! With musical selections by Billy Squier, The Royal Guardsmen, Adam Sandler, and The Kinks.

The world is watching the World Cup!!! Well, except for our hosts who are too consumed by the underlying scandals, sycophants, and slavery going on in full swing in order to bring this bloated spectacle to life. Wait...SLAVERY? PLUS we look at obscure sports from around the world we'd like to see here in the good 'ol USA. With musical selections by the James Gang, Stealer's Wheel, Beck, and Dean Martin.

Volume 5 of our funniest stuff over the last few months- including Rumpelstiltskin, Professor Snuff, and Karens! Enjoy! With musical selections by the George Baker Selection and The Rolling Stones.

The boys tackle the "true crime" genre and ponder the effects of murder as entertainment, and the inevitable emergence of copycat crimes. PLUS...the death of the voice of Batman sparks a conversation on those who've portrayed the Dark Knight on screens both big and small. With musical selections by Monster Magnet, The Talking Heads, and Prince.

Is that chill in the air due to Autumn or the "Cold Civil War"? Johnny and Michael rant on the current state of incivility in this country and whether it's likely to end or escalate. PLUS...handing out amnesty to the Covid Power Trust - yes or no? With musical selections by Billy Joel, Morrissey, and Social Distortion.

What used to take a village now takes a committee....Johnny and Michael discuss the ongoing tug-of-war involving raising our children. The local school board has snatched a seat at the dinner table and it wants to talk about your day. PLUS- twice the pride, double the fall as we discuss homespun celebrities who flew too close to the sun. With musical selections by Pat Benatar, The Offspring, The Donnas, and Jerry Lee Lewis.