Podcast appearances and mentions of John Williams

In this episode of Challenge Accepted, Thomas and Frank celebrate the 50th anniversary of Steven Spielberg's iconic film Jaws. They revisit the movie that redefined the summer blockbuster, breaking down everything from unforgettable performances to behind-the-scenes innovations. The conversation explores the film's themes of fear, fatherhood, trauma, and nature vs. man, while also highlighting Spielberg's genius in turning technical failures into cinematic gold. Plus, a compelling fan theory about Chief Brody adds a whole new layer to the film. Timestamps and Topics: 00:00:00 Intro and first impressions 00:01:26 Classic vs. modern filmmaking 00:02:25 Town politics and Amity Island's denial 00:04:07 First deaths and the shift in tone 00:06:06 Brody's arc from outsider to hero 00:08:07 Quint's monologue and character intro 00:09:34 Jaws as a modern Moby Dick 00:12:01 Spielberg's camera work and blocking 00:14:48 Underwater filming innovations 00:17:10 Hooper and Quint's relationship 00:19:56 Fan theory: Is Brody a recovering alcoholic? 00:24:08 Best blocking scene: Hooper and Brody confront the mayor 00:25:11 The shark reveal and building tension 00:28:24 “You're gonna need a bigger boat” moment 00:30:09 Quint's final scene and the fear switch 00:35:02 Nature vs. man and Cold War commentary 00:38:48 Why practical effects still matter 00:39:56 John Williams' score as emotional storytelling 00:41:11 Fatherhood and generational connection through film Key Takeaways: Jaws successfully merges suspense and horror with character-driven storytelling Spielberg's limitations with the shark led to creative cinematography that enhanced the suspense The film's characters each represent a different relationship to fear and control Quint's monologue remains one of the most powerful moments in cinema Viewing Brody through the lens of a recovering alcoholic reframes the entire story Themes of misinformation, fear-driven decisions, and human error are still relevant today Quotes: “You're gonna need a bigger boat.” “That was the last time I felt fear. I was waiting for my turn.” “The shark isn't the villain. It's nature doing what it does. The villain is fear and denial.” “It's not about killing the shark. It's about what Brody's trying to kill inside himself.” Call to Action: Enjoying the show? Subscribe to Challenge Accepted, leave a review, and share your favorite Jaws moment using #ChallengeAcceptedPod. Let us know what movie you think holds up better than Jaws or what blockbuster defines summer for you! Links and Resources: Check out GeekFreaksPodcast.com for all the latest geek news and updates mentioned in the episode. Follow Us: Instagram: @challengeacceptedlive TikTok: @challengeacceptedlive Twitter: @CAPodcastLive Listener Questions: What summer movie do you watch every year? Ever had a shark encounter? Message us your thoughts or share on social media and tag us! Apple Podcast Tags: Jaws, movie review, Steven Spielberg, summer blockbuster, shark movies, film analysis, classic movies, movie podcast, John Williams, cinema history

Get ready for a deep dive into the classic film that redefined the summer blockbuster -  Jaws! Charlie and George celebrate the movie's 50th anniversary, reminiscing about its enduring impact whilst exploring its challenging production, iconic moments, characters and lasting legacy, from the problematic mechanical shark "Bruce" to John Williams' unforgettable score. Join them for a light-hearted yet insightful look back at a film that became a shared experience for a generation, making us all afraid to go into the water!

Chicago Tribune film critic Michael Phillips joins John Williams to talk about the 50th anniversary of ‘Jaws.’ Michael and John talk about their memories of when they first saw the film, the well-placed laughs in the movie, the cultural impact of the film at the time, the challenges of making the movie, and why the film still holds up today.

NewsNation Now anchor Connell McShane joins John Williams to talk about President Trump saying he will make a decision on Iran in two weeks, and the latest on the various ICE raids around the country.

Enjoy this edition of “The Best of Speed Jokes.” What was your favorite joke of the week? Keep sending your jokes to JohnWilliams@wgnradio.com!

From the Williams Broadcasting Studio join John and Matt for this weeks "Animal Chat with Dr. Matt"!

NewsNation Now anchor Connell McShane joins John Williams to talk about President Trump saying he will make a decision on Iran in two weeks, and the latest on the various ICE raids around the country.

Chicago Tribune film critic Michael Phillips joins John Williams to talk about the 50th anniversary of ‘Jaws.’ Michael and John talk about their memories of when they first saw the film, the well-placed laughs in the movie, the cultural impact of the film at the time, the challenges of making the movie, and why the film still holds up today.

Enjoy this edition of “The Best of Speed Jokes.” What was your favorite joke of the week? Keep sending your jokes to JohnWilliams@wgnradio.com!

It's time once again for our Best of the Midwest feature! Are you trying to come up with some vacation ideas that are only a quick getaway from the Chicago area? Well, John Williams has some great recommendations for your trip! Today, we head west to beautiful Princeton, Illinois and chat with Victoria Yepsen, Director […]

Josh Sach, Founder of Meela, joins John Williams to talk about the new AI chat app that was designed to help seniors feel less lonely. Josh explains how the AI companion works, the average conversation length, how much the service costs, how they operate with trust and transparency, and what he would say to people […]

John Williams brings you another round of Speed Jokes. Keep sending yours to JohnWilliams@wgnradio.com.

Send us a textOn this Juneteenth, Ken invites John Williams back to the podcast, this time to talk about the summer series, TRUTH QUEST. John and Ken review the origins of the Civil Rights (C.R.) Tour of the South, and John's journey from his law practice to his first C.R. Tour. His experience became a catalyst for leaving his law practice behind. A vision was born to introduce others to the history of race in America - to educate, inspire and transform. The Center has grown exponentially, influencing not only Fellowship Monrovia but churches, non-profits, and individuals across the nation by means of the tours, workshops, Table Talks, and curriculum development. In this conversation, John reflects on his personal meeting with the late Civil Rights icon and Congressman, John Lewis. John Williams has been in "Good Trouble" ever since, along with Ken. SHOW NOTESMeet our contributors.Listen to the entire series - TRUTH QUEST: Exploring the History of Race in America - in their own words.Support the showBecome a Patron - Click on the link to learn how you can become a Patron of the show. Thank you! Ken's Substack Page The Podcast Official Site: TheBeachedWhiteMale.com

John Williams brings you another round of Speed Jokes. Keep sending yours to JohnWilliams@wgnradio.com.

Josh Sach, Founder of Meela, joins John Williams to talk about the new AI chat app that was designed to help seniors feel less lonely. Josh explains how the AI companion works, the average conversation length, how much the service costs, how they operate with trust and transparency, and what he would say to people […]

It's time once again for our Best of the Midwest feature! Are you trying to come up with some vacation ideas that are only a quick getaway from the Chicago area? Well, John Williams has some great recommendations for your trip! Today, we head west to beautiful Princeton, Illinois and chat with Victoria Yepsen, Director […]

John Williams brings you another round of Speed Jokes. Keep sending yours to JohnWilliams@wgnradio.com.

It's time once again for our Best of the Midwest feature! Are you trying to come up with some vacation ideas that are only a quick getaway from the Chicago area? Well, John Williams has some great recommendations for your trip! Today, we head west to beautiful Princeton, Illinois and chat with Victoria Yepsen, Director […]

Josh Sach, Founder of Meela, joins John Williams to talk about the new AI chat app that was designed to help seniors feel less lonely. Josh explains how the AI companion works, the average conversation length, how much the service costs, how they operate with trust and transparency, and what he would say to people […]

Segment 1: Julie Smolyansky, CEO of Lifeway Foods, joins John Williams to talk about National Kefir Day, what they are doing to celebrate 40 years in business, how the company brought Kefir to the United States, the cultural relevancy of Lifeway Kefir, how much the company has grown, the expansion into other products, the health […]

The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn, Publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, longtime Chicago journalist Cate Plys, and political pundit Marj Halperin! The Rascals kick off today’s podcast talking about some Illinois politicians being denied entry to ICE facilities this week. What are these types of actions designed to accomplish? The ‘No Kings’ protests across […]

John Williams brings you another round of Speed Jokes. Keep sending yours to JohnWilliams@wgnradio.com.

Daryl Pass, Senior Manager of Recovery Support Services, Kenneth Young Center, joins John Williams to talk about the importance of his sobriety date and what it means to him, the type of counseling they give at Kenneth Young Center, the focus on harm reduction, his thoughts on the use of AI in recovery, the various services the […]

The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn, Publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, longtime Chicago journalist Cate Plys, and political pundit Marj Halperin! The Rascals kick off today’s podcast talking about some Illinois politicians being denied entry to ICE facilities this week. What are these types of actions designed to accomplish? The ‘No Kings’ protests across […]

Attorney Matthew Custardo of Custardo Law joins John Williams to talk about the motion he filed that would block the Village of Dolton from getting ownership of the childhood home of Pope Leo XIV.

Bob Bertog, president of Bertog Landscape Co. in Wheeling and a certified landscape professional with the National Association of Landscape Professionals, joins John Williams to answer all of your lawn and garden questions. Bob tells us how you can care for your lawn and garden with the hot and humid weather.

Daryl Pass, Senior Manager of Recovery Support Services, Kenneth Young Center, joins John Williams to talk about the importance of his sobriety date and what it means to him, the type of counseling they give at Kenneth Young Center, the focus on harm reduction, his thoughts on the use of AI in recovery, the various services the […]

John Williams brings you another round of Speed Jokes. Keep sending yours to JohnWilliams@wgnradio.com.

Bob Bertog, president of Bertog Landscape Co. in Wheeling and a certified landscape professional with the National Association of Landscape Professionals, joins John Williams to answer all of your lawn and garden questions. Bob tells us how you can care for your lawn and garden with the hot and humid weather.

Attorney Matthew Custardo of Custardo Law joins John Williams to talk about the motion he filed that would block the Village of Dolton from getting ownership of the childhood home of Pope Leo XIV.

The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn, Publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, longtime Chicago journalist Cate Plys, and political pundit Marj Halperin! The Rascals kick off today’s podcast talking about some Illinois politicians being denied entry to ICE facilities this week. What are these types of actions designed to accomplish? The ‘No Kings’ protests across […]

Attorney Matthew Custardo of Custardo Law joins John Williams to talk about the motion he filed that would block the Village of Dolton from getting ownership of the childhood home of Pope Leo XIV.

Daryl Pass, Senior Manager of Recovery Support Services, Kenneth Young Center, joins John Williams to talk about the importance of his sobriety date and what it means to him, the type of counseling they give at Kenneth Young Center, the focus on harm reduction, his thoughts on the use of AI in recovery, the various services the […]

Bob Bertog, president of Bertog Landscape Co. in Wheeling and a certified landscape professional with the National Association of Landscape Professionals, joins John Williams to answer all of your lawn and garden questions. Bob tells us how you can care for your lawn and garden with the hot and humid weather.

John Williams brings you another round of Speed Jokes. Keep sending yours to JohnWilliams@wgnradio.com.

The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn, Publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, longtime Chicago journalist Cate Plys, and political pundit Marj Halperin! The Rascals kick off today’s podcast talking about some Illinois politicians being denied entry to ICE facilities this week. What are these types of actions designed to accomplish? The ‘No Kings’ protests across […]

Nationally syndicated financial columnist and author Terry Savage joins John Williams to talk about a new report that shows the Social Security retirement trust fund may be depleted in less than a decade, what needs to be done to fix Social Security, and her thoughts on Fed Chair Powell’s interest rate decision. And as always, Terry answers all […]

Eric Zorn, Publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, joins John Williams to talk about the sentencing of former Illinois Speaker of the House Mike Madigan, his thoughts on Saturday’s ‘No Kings’ protests across the country, why he thinks waving a flag of another country at a protest sends the wrong message, the controversy surrounding Nezza singing the […]

Dr. Jeffrey Kopin, Chief Medical Officer for Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital, joins John Williams to talk about the benefits of using AI in the hospital, men’s prostate enlarging with age, older people deteriorating mentally at rehab facilities, another new COVID strain in the U.S., and what we should know about COVID, flu and shingles vaccines.

Peter Greenberg, ‘Eye on Travel‘ host and CBS News travel editor, joins John Williams to talk about what we should know about Americans traveling abroad this summer. Also, what are other countries telling their residents about coming to the US? Peter answers all of your travel questions.

John Williams brings you another round of Speed Jokes. Keep sending yours to JohnWilliams@wgnradio.com.

Dr. Jeffrey Kopin, Chief Medical Officer for Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital, joins John Williams to talk about the benefits of using AI in the hospital, men’s prostate enlarging with age, older people deteriorating mentally at rehab facilities, another new COVID strain in the U.S., and what we should know about COVID, flu and shingles vaccines.

John Williams brings you another round of Speed Jokes. Keep sending yours to JohnWilliams@wgnradio.com.

Peter Greenberg, ‘Eye on Travel‘ host and CBS News travel editor, joins John Williams to talk about what we should know about Americans traveling abroad this summer. Also, what are other countries telling their residents about coming to the US? Peter answers all of your travel questions.

Eric Zorn, Publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, joins John Williams to talk about the sentencing of former Illinois Speaker of the House Mike Madigan, his thoughts on Saturday’s ‘No Kings’ protests across the country, why he thinks waving a flag of another country at a protest sends the wrong message, the controversy surrounding Nezza singing the […]

John Williams brings you another round of Speed Jokes. Keep sending yours to JohnWilliams@wgnradio.com.

Peter Greenberg, ‘Eye on Travel‘ host and CBS News travel editor, joins John Williams to talk about what we should know about Americans traveling abroad this summer. Also, what are other countries telling their residents about coming to the US? Peter answers all of your travel questions.

Eric Zorn, Publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, joins John Williams to talk about the sentencing of former Illinois Speaker of the House Mike Madigan, his thoughts on Saturday’s ‘No Kings’ protests across the country, why he thinks waving a flag of another country at a protest sends the wrong message, the controversy surrounding Nezza singing the […]

Dr. Jeffrey Kopin, Chief Medical Officer for Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital, joins John Williams to talk about the benefits of using AI in the hospital, men’s prostate enlarging with age, older people deteriorating mentally at rehab facilities, another new COVID strain in the U.S., and what we should know about COVID, flu and shingles vaccines.

Before the grunge movement of the 90's, and before the punk movement of the 70's, there was the garage band phenomenon of the 60's.  One of the forerunners of both punk and grunge from this garage band period is Tacoma Washington's The Sonics.  Their classic lineup consisted of Rob Lind on harmonica, vocals, and sax, Gerry Roslie on organ, piano, and lead vocals, Larry Parypa on lead guitar and vocals, Andy Parypa on bass, and Bob Bennett on drums.  The Sonics had a fast, hard-edged sound similar to The Kinks, and performed with a speed that would inspire punk rock.Boom is their second studio album from the band, released in February 1966.  As with many songs from the mid-60's, all the songs are short.  But with a non to the future punk movement, many songs are even shorter, clocking in at just over 2 minutes.  The Sonics take their name from Boeing, the aviation company also based in Tacoma.  The name of the album is likely a play on words for the "sonic boom," the thunderous sound produced by an aircraft exceeding the speed of sound.  The music on this album is energetic and abrasive, and while some fuzzy guitar distortion is included the overall feel is raw with little extra production.The classic lineup would fall apart by 1968, with members leaving to join other bands, attend college, or in saxophonist Rob Linds' case - become a fighter pilot in the Vietnam War.  Gerry Roslie would be the sole remaining original member with new members jumping in and out of the band until 1980.  Wayne brings us this forerunner of punk and grunge for this week's podcast. CinderellaThe lead-off song from the album was an original piece written by Gerry Roslie.  The lyrics relay a boy meeting a girl at a bar, having a great time drinking and dancing, and just when things start to get going well, the girl is gone by midnight.  He's Waitin'This song starts the B-side of the album, and was also a Gerry Roslie original.  This "boy loses girl" song is not a happy one!  The lyrics reflect the boy's thoughts on being burned by a girl.  Now he is telling her that Satan is waiting for her.  "It's too late, you lied, now you will fry." Louie, LouieRichard Berry wrote and performed this song in 1957 with The Pharaohs, and covers of this song are common with garage bands.  The Sonics' version is quite fast, and modifies the pronunciation from "Lou-ee Lou-ee" to "Lou-eye Lou-way" in the chorus.  It is hard to separate this song from the thoughts of fraternity parties and the comedy movie "Animal House." Shot DownThe song that closes out the album laments about striking out when approaching a girl.  "I play a guitar.  I even drive a brand new car.  Big man in town, I've been shot down."  ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:Theme from the motion picture "The Rare Breed"This western starred James Stewart and Maureen O'Hara and was one of the first films scored by the now-legendary composer John Williams. STAFF PICKS:Crying Time by Ray CharlesBruce leads off the staff picks with the lead single and starting track to Ray Charles' album of the same name.  The song was originally performed by Buck Owens in 1964, and Charles kept the country feel while taking the cover to number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100.  He won the Grammy Awards in 1967 for Best R&B Recording and Best R&B Solo Performance for this track.It's a Man's Man's Man's World by James BrownLynch brings us a song that takes its name as a play on the name of a 1963 comedy film, "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World."  The minor key track has lyrics decrying the chauvinism of society where all the work of modern civilization are attributed to men, but it would all "mean nothing without a woman or a girl."  Brown recorded the song in only two takes, and it would become a staple of his live shows for the rest of his career.Secret Agent Man by Johnny RiversRob features a surf rock song originally developed as the opening intro to the U.S. spy television series "Secret Agent," which aired from 1964 to 1966. The ditty became popular, and Rivers developed it into a full single.  The song would go to number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming both a signature song for Rivers and a rock standard for future bands and shows.Lies by The KnickerbockersWayne's closes out the staff picks with a song from an American band deliberately trying to mimic the sound of a British Invasion song.  The trio harmonies definitely give it a Beatles quality.  As you might expect from the band name, the Knickerbockers got their start in New Jersey as a garage band.  The track came together in about a half hour. COMEDY TRACK:The One on the Right is On the Left by Johnny CashThis comedy song about a band with incompatible political leanings amongst its members takes us out for this week's podcast. Thanks for listening to “What the Riff?!?” NOTE: To adjust the loudness of the music or voices, you may adjust the balance on your device. VOICES are stronger in the LEFT channel, and MUSIC is stronger on the RIGHT channel.Please follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/whattheriffpodcast/, and message or email us with what you'd like to hear, what you think of the show, and any rock-worthy memes we can share.Of course we'd love for you to rate the show in your podcast platform!**NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.