Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Phil and Ted's Sexy Boomer Show
| Titre | Date | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trump's Oligarchs: Will American Democracy Survive?" | 13 Aug 2026 | 00:43:08 | |
Is America's system of checks and balances already broken, or just badly bent? Phil and Ted sit down with Professor Michael Genovese — presidential scholar, author of 50 books on the office, and, improbably, a stand-up comedian — to take stock of a presidency that's tested every boundary it could find, and cashed in along the way. Genovese walks through Trump's "runaway presidency": the monetizing of the Oval Office, the abuse of presidential power for personal enrichment — his own and his inner circle's — the erosion of legal and ethical norms, and a Congress too gridlocked or too compromised to push back. They dig into the money-in-politics problem fueling it all, the hollowing out of the middle class left in its wake, and how authoritarianism spreads — both here and abroad — when nobody's minding the guardrails, and the guardrails are busy enriching themselves. Can political humor still puncture a bubble this dense? Is democracy on the ropes, or just down a few rounds? Join Phil and Ted for a candid, occasionally irreverent look at power, corruption, and whether the center can still hold. Award-winning professor Michael Genevese is the Director of the Loyola Marymount University's Institute for Leadership Studies and president of the Global Policy Institute, where he teaches “The American Presidency” and “Political Leadership.” Takeaways:
| |||
| Inside Cheers, Improv & the Golden Age of Comedy with Paul Willson | 06 Aug 2026 | 00:28:33 | |
Comedy legend Paul Willson returns to The Sexy Boomer Show for an engaging and often hilarious conversation spanning improv’s golden age, reflections from decades in show business, and the changing landscape of comedy and Hollywood. Paul shares stories about working on “Cheers” and rubbing elbows with icons like Robin Williams and Garry Shandling, and discusses the ripple effects of political satire, corporate media, and the decline of traditional entertainment spaces. This episode dives deep into the art and business of making people laugh. Takeaways:
Links referenced in this episode: Companies mentioned in this episode:
| |||
| Tracks, Cracks & Political Hacks: How Sinkholes & Smog Battles Transformed L.A. Into the City of the Future | 09 May 2026 | 00:39:26 | |
What does it take to build a subway under one of the most car-obsessed, earthquake-prone, politically tangled cities on Earth? Turns out: a lot of explosions, a few sinkholes, and an almost heroic tolerance for bad faith. Phil and Ted climb aboard with Ethan Elkind — Climate Policy Director at UC Berkeley Law and author of The Fight for Los Angeles Metro Rail and the Future of the City — to trace L.A.'s wild transit saga from the forgotten golden age of electric streetcars, through the smoggy spiral of buses, automobiles, and gridlock engineered by some very powerful, very shady interests, all the way to the messy, thrilling, still-unfinished dream of building the city of tomorrow. Takeaways: From Streetcars to Subways: Ethan Elkind explains how early L.A. expanded not with freeways, but along a vast streetcar system—until the rise of the automobile turned the city toward sprawl and smog (04:01). Who Framed the Streetcar? Was the car industry really behind L.A.’s transit woes? Ethan Elkind busts myths and dives into the real reasons for the streetcars’ demise (05:35). Building Below the Boom: Find out how engineers tunneled through methane, fossils, and former oil fields to build the Metro—with more Hollywood drama than you’d expect (21:03). Green Line to Nowhere? Discover why the LAX rail connection hit a dead end and what’s finally changing today (34:02). What’s Next: Will bus-only lanes and bike corridors transform L.A. further? Ethan Elkind tells us what’s coming and how it could shape the city for the next generation (37:57). 🏆 Fun Fact The last Pacific Electric train ran in 1961, on tracks now used by the Blue Line. L.A.’s transit history has come full circle—from streetcars to subways and beyond (03:19). Links referenced in this episode: sexyboomershow.com The Fight for Los Angeles Metro Rail and the Future of the City Companies mentioned in this episode: Interscope Geffen UC Berkeley Law UCLA Law LA Metro Los Angeles Metro Rail | |||
| Sexy Boomer Show with Harry Shearer. | 12 May 2020 | 00:57:12 | |
Harry Shearer, the hardest working man in show business, continues to work on the 32nd season of the Simpsons. Harry discusses his long career beginning as a child actor on the Jack Benny Show, to Spinal Tap and his many voices on The Simpsons. Harry talks about his long running radio show, LeShow, how he performs his many voice impressions and shares some of his radio comedy work. Also featured are comedy sketches by the Firesign Theatre. Be sure to subscribe to the show! Copyright: 2020 Radio Pictures, Inc. | |||
| Sexy Boomer Show. Interview with Phil Hendrie. | 12 May 2020 | 00:54:10 | |
Our dear friend, Phil Hendrie, is a creative genius -- just ask him -- chock full of characters, comedy and commentary, Phil's uniquely famous for concocting a cast of fictional characters, all of whom he plays on air while simultaneously serving as host of his national talk-radio program (www.philhendrieshow.com) He is also an actor and regularly voices characters on FOX's popular animated series King of the Hill and Futurama as well as appearing in numerous theatre, film and TV projects -- all while still doing his show online. So, where did he find the time to talk with us? And how many of him were in the studio? Listen and find out…Phil Proctor explains the origins of Firesign Theatre and comedy by the group is featured. Note: Mildly explicit language. Be sure to subscribe to the show! Copyright: © 2020 Radio Pictures, Inc. | |||
| Sexy Boomer Show with David Ossman. | 12 May 2020 | 00:47:23 | |
David Ossman, a founding member of the legendary comedy group The Firesign Theatre joins the show from his plague bunker in Washington State. David and Phil catch up on the latest about Firesign Theatre and share little known stories about the history of the trailblazing comedy group. Plus a special visit with former, Not Insane Vice Presidential Candidate George Papoon. Also featured are comedy sketches by the Firesign Theatre. Copyright: © 2020 Radio Pictures, Inc. Be sure to subscribe to the show! | |||
| WILL THEY LAUGH IN RUSSIA? How to Be Funny Anywhere with Comedy Expert John Vorhaus | 01 May 2026 | 00:48:03 | |
What do a Moscow sitcom and a Romanian punchline have in common? John Vorhaus has probably written both. A comedy writer, author, and globe-trotting laugh merchant, John has spent decades teaching the world to be funny — including Russia, which got its own version of Married With Children. (We have questions. John has answers.) His book, The Comic Toolbox: How to Be Funny Even If You're Not, is basically a Swiss Army knife for humor — and Phil and Ted are putting it to the test. Tune in for a crash course in what makes humans laugh, why some jokes fly in Tel Aviv but bomb in Brisbane, and the eternal debate over punching up vs. punching down. Spoiler: John knows which one gets you invited back. Takeaways:
Links referenced in this episode: Companies mentioned in this episode:
| |||
| Dead Playwrights, Live Audiences: Some Stories Still Need a Room | 18 Apr 2026 | 00:37:55 | |
House lights down. Phones down. There's a human on stage — and apparently, that still matters. Turns out the wild, improbable comeback of live theater is being led by the generation everyone assumed was glued to a screen. Nike Doukas of the Antaeus Company makes the case — passionately and persuasively — for the unrepeatable experience that no phone, no stream, no home theater system can touch. The stage is alive. Nike, Phil and Ted dive into the vibrant world of Los Angeles theater, exploring the meaning and importance of classic plays in our modern world. Nike shares insights about the origins and mission of Antaeus, the enduring power of live performance, and how theater is adapting in a post-COVID era. From immersive productions and educational initiatives to the unique energy of live readings, this episode is a celebration of the communal magic that only live theater can offer—and why it just might be booming more than ever before. Takeaways: • In this podcast episode, we explored the significance of the Antaeus Theater Company, emphasizing its commitment to classic plays and the importance of community engagement. • The artistic director, Nikay Ducas, elaborated on the process of selecting plays that resonate with both the audience and the ensemble, ensuring a thoughtful approach to theater production. • We discussed the unique adaptation of Antigone, which is set in a post-apocalyptic context, showcasing the relevance of classical themes in contemporary narratives. • The episode highlighted the challenges faced by theaters during the COVID-19 pandemic and the innovative approaches taken to maintain audience connection through radio plays. • An emphasis was placed on the need for theater to adapt to modern audiences, including initiatives like 'pay what you can' nights to enhance accessibility for all patrons. • Finally, we reflected on the enduring power of live theater to foster a sense of community and shared experience, which cannot be replicated by film or digital media. antaeus.org sexyboomershow.com info@sexyboomershow.c | |||
| Far out! Man’s biggest leap yet, and the new space race to the Moon’s treasure. | 11 Apr 2026 | 00:39:34 | |
The Moon is having a moment — and Phil and Ted are all over it. Space journalist and author Leonard David joins the show to unpack Artemis 11's triumph, space travelers returning forever changed, NASA's earthly headaches and brain drain, and China's Taikonauts racing to claim lunar real estate. Oh, and why did Edward Teller — father of the hydrogen bomb — carry a brick in his briefcase? We have answers. Strap in for a fascinating, funny, and genuinely out-of-this-world conversation. Takeaways:
Links referenced in this episode: | |||
| Rhymes, Rhythm, and the Motor City: Poet M.L. Liebler's Detroit | 06 Apr 2026 | 00:45:08 | |
M. L. Liebler is an internationally recognized Detroit poet, university professor, literary arts activist, and arts organizer. M.L. blends his poetry with music, collaborating with Al Kooper, Country Joe, and Charles Bukowski, among others. And he went bowling with Ken Kesey in Detroit at Kesey’s request. His just-released book, "Hound Dog: A Poet’s Memoir of Rock, Revolution & Redemption,” is about growing up in Detroit and discovering the world through his love of music. M.L. took his Motor City grit to Afghanistan, where, under heavy U.S. military protection, he spread artistic joy to kids in remote villages behind enemy lines. Takeaways:
Links referenced in this episode: | |||
| Monkeys on My Back: Debbie Kasper's hilarious story of surviving stand-up comedy, alcoholism, and working for Rosanne. | 04 Apr 2026 | 00:37:15 | |
Emmy-nominated comedy writer and comedian Debbie Kasper talks about her one-woman show, Monkeys on My Back and Everywhere Else — part confession booth, part stand-up set, and 100% unforgettable. Debbie takes us on a wild ride through growing up in 1950s and 60s New Jersey, navigating a household where white-collar alcoholism was a hobby, her own battle with addiction, the gladiatorial sport of writing for Roseanne Barr, and the heartbreaks and hard-won healing in between. It's raw, it's hilarious, it's gut-punching — and it might just inspire you to finally own who you actually are. Takeaways: • Debbie Kasper is hilarious! • Growing up in New Jersey in the 1960s, where social drinking was a neighborhood pastime. • Debbie had a happy childhood, yet the profound effects of parental alcoholism on her self- esteem and personal development have been a lifelong challenge. • Debbie's experience in the comedy industry and the challenges and triumphs faced by women in a male-dominated field. • How she got hired to write for Rosanne Barr because she didn't want the job • Debbie's story tells how humor is a powerful tool to address serious life challenges. Links referenced in this episode: | |||
| John Goodman - Sexy Boomer Show's 100th Guest | 29 Mar 2026 | 00:46:48 | |
Phil and Ted celebrate their 100th episode with special guest actor John Goodman, who was also the first Sexy Boomer Show guest. They discuss their 30-year friendships and John's amazing career, from working with the Coen Brothers to hosting SNL 13 times. John's had a busy few years, working double duty on the TV shows The Righteous Gemstones and The Conners, all while losing his home in the LA wildfires. He's now peacefully living where he doesn't have to lock his doors. John gets candid about his sobriety, what the craft of acting really means to him, and why he never wants to truly retire.
| |||
| America’s New Authoritarianism - What to know and How to Resist. | 26 Mar 2026 | 00:31:42 | |
Authoritarianism is reshaping our society and the world—and we can't afford to ignore it. UCLA's Edward Dunbar, a leading expert on authoritarianism, hate crimes, and the darker aspects of political power, uncovers how the Trump administration is ruling as an autocratic regime, extra-legally eroding freedoms, manipulating media, and fueling corruption. The psychological toll on everyday Americans is heavy, and it's time to recognize the warning signs, challenge the status quo, and empower our communities. Phil and Ted dig deep into the mechanics of media manipulation, the profit motives behind dismantling institutions, and how everyday people can cope, resist, and build real resilience in uncertain times. Staying hopeful is the ultimate act of rebellion! Topics include: Is Democracy Dead? The Authoritarian Takeover Exposed! The Four Horsemen of Autocracy: Is the U.S. Next? Tech Oligarchs & Media Capture: Who’s REALLY Running America? Psychological Warfare: How Authoritarians Bend Societies to Their Will Genocide Risk Rising? The Dark Side of Global Authoritarianism What Makes a Dictator? Childhood Trauma and the Rise of Strongmen The Profit Motive Behind Oppression: Why Authoritarian Leaders Don’t Care Surviving Autocracy: Coping Strategies for a Controlled Society Companies mentioned in this episode:
Links referenced in this episode: Takeaways:
| |||
| Feeding the Forgotten: Hunger and Hope for Boomers in Affluent L.A. and across the USA | 21 Mar 2026 | 00:31:17 | |
Attention Sexy boomers feeling lonely and a little hungry! There are angels among us. With Trump's cuts to SNAP and inflation, older adults are financially squeezed across the country, even in affluent areas of Los Angeles. Kaylee Hawkins discusses how Meals on Wheels serves over 700 clients from Malibu to Marina Del Rey, and Santa Monica, helping them stay in their homes and avoid making impossible choices between rent, medical bills, and food. With only 10% of their operating budget coming from government sources, the rest relies on community donations. Hear amazing stories of seniors helping each other and volunteers of all ages on the front line, bringing food and friendship to their hidden neighbors, many of whom are homebound and alone. Takeaways:
Companies mentioned in this episode:
Links referenced in this episode: | |||
| They Drove Him Insane: UFOs, Orbs and Obsession -The Dirty Operation against Paul Bennewitz | 16 Mar 2026 | 00:44:42 | |
The Cover-Up Wasn't About UFOs — It Was About You Believing in Them. Phil and Ted take a fun dive into the deep end of the enigmatic world of UFOs and UAPs, joined by paranormal investigative author Greg Bishop. Together, they unravel the story of Paul Bennewitz—a physicist whose obsession with unexplained lights over Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico, drew him into a web of government intrigue, disinformation, and psychological manipulation that drove him to madness. Adding to the mystery, investigators witnessed unexplained light orbs that routinely appeared in his home. Bennewitz was obsessed with spotting UFOs and warned anyone who would listen about the aliens' bad intentions, and lost his grip on the ever-shifting line between the unknown and the unbelievable. Takeaways:
Companies mentioned in this episode:
| |||
| Who's Watching You? Inside America's Surveillance State | 30 Jul 2026 | 00:47:49 | |
Your phone isn't just a phone anymore. It's a checkpoint. Phil and Ted dig into the quiet, relentless buildout of America's surveillance state — the one where government agencies and private data brokers have quietly merged into something neither the Constitution nor most Americans ever signed up for. Nicole Bennett, PhD candidate and assistant director at Indiana University's Center for Refugee Studies, breaks down how we got here: the long history of U.S. government surveillance, the explosive rise of data brokers like Palantir, and the invisible algorithms now scoring your life without your knowledge or consent. Undocumented immigrants are living it first — but everyday citizens aren't far behind. Is there any privacy left, or did we already trade it away one terms-of-service click at a time? Phil and Ted go deep on the dangers, the chilling effects on speech and civic life, and — because it's not all doom — the real tools of resistance and reasons for hope in a hyper-surveilled world. Takeaways:
UPDATE: Former Santa Monica Mayor Kevin McKeown offered a welcome clarification about our discussion concerning a roving, unmarked SUV in Santa Monica, CA, that is monitoring a wide spectrum of electronic transmissions around it, like your phone. He wrote, "Technological advances in criminal monitoring and data gathering created a big issue for me when I was on the City Council. The value of providing law enforcement with new tools was hard to deny. What we did, and I believe still do, is put protective walls around the data gathered. Our policy is not to retain data for more than 90 days, and never to share it with other law enforcement agencies or extra-legal entities like ICE. This was never a perfect compromise. But (Santa Monica) is not hoovering up data to contribute to a surveillance state. Or at least we never were until the time I retired five years ago. Now I’m just a sexy boomer." Thank you, Kevin! Learn more: Tech Oligarchs Are Helping DHS Set Up an Authoritarian Surveillance State. Companies mentioned in this episode:
| |||
| The Last American President? Analyzing Trump's Ties to Russia, Iran and Epstein | 14 Mar 2026 | 00:31:08 | |
Phil and Ted welcome back Thom Hartmann to tackle a U.S. legacy of rigged elections, unprecedented political and financial corruption, and the dangerous collusion of oligarchs, billionaires, and foreign actors shaping the fate of democracy. Esteemed progressive talk show host Thom Hartmann elucidates the concerning connections between Trump and foreign adversaries, particularly emphasizing his long-standing ties with Russia and the chilling specter of compromise that may ensue. Hartmann's latest work, "The Last American President: A Broken Man, A Corrupt Party, and a World on the Brink," serves as a critical lens through which we examine these pressing issues. Thom explains how each Republican Presidential election since Nixon has been rigged. The discussion in this episode pivots around the troubling implications of the Trump Administration's actions, including allegations of historic corruption and the reckless decision to engage in military aggression against Iran. The dialogue further explores the ramifications of Trump's alleged Epstein-related allegations and the broader implications for American democracy. As we navigate this complex and urgent landscape, what does it mean for the future of our nation? Takeaways:
Companies mentioned in this episode:
| |||
| The Wild Journey of Ben Vaughn : From a One-String Guitar to Hollywood Composer | 26 Feb 2026 | 00:34:11 | |
On this lively episode of the Sexy Boomer Show, hosts Ted Bonnitt and Phil Proctor welcome the multitalented musician, producer, and radio personality Ben Vaughn. You may know Ben as the composer behind the iconic "Third Rock from the Sun" theme, but his journey spans from humble beginnings in New Jersey with a one-string guitar, to recording a classic album inside his Rambler car, and producing legends like Nancy Sinatra and Los Straitjackets. Together, they swap tales of wild club promotions in mob-run Jersey bars, recall the golden age of Philly soul and radio, and delve into the quirks of recording music in unconventional places. Ben shares anecdotes from his podcast "Straight from the Hat," brushes with icons like Frank Zappa, and why he’s become something of a cult favorite in Spain Takeaways:
Links referenced in this episode: Companies mentioned in this episode:
| |||
| Separating Church and Hate with John Fugelsang | 14 Feb 2026 | 00:43:20 | |
John Fugelsang was raised in a contemporary Christian household with traditional values of love and compassion, while observing the growth of the conservative Christian movement, starting with Jerry Falwell. In his book "The Separation of Church and State," John is a fierce and funny critic of the Christian right for abandoning Jesus's traditional teachings in pursuit of political power. Takeaways:
"Jesus was: A peaceful, radically nonviolent revolutionary Who wasn’t American and never spoke English Who hung around lepers, hookers, and crooks Never sought tax cuts for rich Nazarenes Was anti-wealth and anti–death penalty Anti–public prayer, too (Matthew 6:5) Never asked lepers for a co-pay Never called poor people “lazy” Never even slightly anti-gay Never mentioned abortion Supported paying taxes And was a long-haired Community-organizing Authority-questioning Anti-slut-shaming Brown-skinned Palestinian Unarmed Homeless Jew . . . but only if you believe what’s actually in the Bible." -John Fugelsang Links referenced in this episode: Companies mentioned in this episode:
| |||
| The Mommies' Accidental TV Stardom | 14 Feb 2026 | 00:38:41 | |
"The Mommies" (Carol Christensen & Marilyn Kentz) hilariously spill the beans (and chili) on their accidental rocket ride from a suburban cul-de-sac to Hollywood TV sitcom and talk show stardom, and the perks that came with it, like scoring bloody ringside seats at the ear-biting Tyson Heavyweight fight in Las Vegas. They share the absurdities of navigating the entertainment industry, from the exhilarating highs of sold-out performances to their re-entry to reality, selling crockpots to crackpots on QVC. Today, they've found a whole new audience- women facing the realities of aging, emphasizing shared experiences. Takeaways:
Companies mentioned in this episode:
| |||
| Whitley Strieber describes his encounters with Non-Human Entities | 13 Feb 2026 | 00:45:49 | |
Phil and Ted welcome acclaimed horror fiction author Whitley Strieber (“The Wolfen" and "The Hunger”), best known for his groundbreaking book "Communion," which recounts his encounters with non-human entities that changed the course of UFO history. Strieber has meticulously chronicled experiences of missing time, encounters with non-human entities, implants, and the trauma and ridicule that follow people who live through them. Ted shares how separate chance encounters with Whitley Strieber and a mysterious "chauffeur" (revealed to be Bernie, their guest) changed the course of his investigative career. It’s mind-bending—and, as always, a little bit sexy. Companies mentioned in this episode:
Links referenced in this episode: | |||
| Stand-up Comic Wendy Liebman | 11 Feb 2026 | 00:47:44 | |
Phil and Ted welcome the delightful standup comedy veteran Wendy Liebman for a lively, laugh-filled conversation. From her early days in Boston and a serendipitous comedy class to performing on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, Kimmel, Leno, and more. The trio dives into the art of joke-writing and handling on-stage bombs. Wendy opens up about her accidental path into comedy, the nerve-wracking moments of performing on TV, and how she crafts her signature rapid-fire, wordplay-driven punchlines, and reveals her all-time favorite jokes. Tune in for stories about brushes with legendary comics, comedy club camaraderie, growing bolder with age, and why Wendy Liebman believes it’s never too late to build strong friendships (or find the perfect bra). Links referenced in this episode: Takeaways:
| |||
| Author Nikki Nash | 26 Jun 2025 | 00:47:00 | |
Nikki Nash is no ordinary Valley Girl. Growing up in the 1960s, her unconventional musician father and politically radical mother would throw weekend-long and wild parties. The Black Panthers hung out at her home, and the FBI was watching. At age 14, Nikki fixated on Warren Beatty, determined to win his heart. And she did! Nikki went on to pursue a vibrant career as a TV associate director, comic, writer, and actress. Her celebrity-infused journey of sex, drugs, religion, and Hollywood culture is told in her upcoming, laugh-filled memoir, "Collateral Stardust." | |||
| Get Ready for No Kings Day! | 13 Jun 2025 | 00:11:06 | |
While Trump spends millions on a military parade for himself and directs cruel kidnappings on the streets across Los Angeles and across the country, Americans are getting ready to exercise their civil rights and duty to defend this attack on democracy. Thousands of peaceful protests are planned across the world on Saturday, June 14, for "No Kings Day," which promises to be a consequential weekend in what is shaping up to be a long, hot summer. Phil and Ted speak with Hunter Dunn, an organizer for the downtown Los Angeles rally, which is on the front lines of the federal government's violent assault on California and the entire nation. Hunter provides details on what promises to be a massive protest gathering and their plans to keep the protest peaceful and safe, despite potential provocations from masked individuals and unidentified federal agents, which applies to all protests this weekend. | |||
| Veteran Actor Kurtwood Smith | 03 Jun 2025 | 00:47:16 | |
Phil and Ted welcome veteran actor Kurtwood Smith, perhaps best known as the stern father, Red Forman, on "That '70s Show." From his dramatic turn as Neil Perry's strict father in Dead Poets Society to his iconic villainous role as Clarence Boddicker in RoboCop, Smith seamlessly transitions between drama and comedy. Kurtwood talks about his favorite roles and the tectonic shifts reshaping Hollywood. | |||
| 'Drop Dead City' and Music Producer Bob Wayne | 24 May 2025 | 00:46:29 | |
Today's show begins with the filmmakers behind "Drop Dead City," a new documentary about the 1975 New York City fiscal crisis. Eight million people in a crumbling city were brought to the edge of bankruptcy and social chaos by a perfect storm of greed, incompetence, ambitious social policy, and poor governance. The striking parallels with current America are unmistakable; dismantling public institutions in the name of austerity and public outcry. Then, veteran sound engineer, producer, and Hollywood recording studio owner Bob Wayne talks about his new memoir, "Reel To Real Tales...Notes From Both Sides of the Recording Console." Bob's studio production credits include over three hundred albums, and he won a Grammy in 2002 for his work on George Carlin's "Napalm and Silly Putty." Bob's studio, Sunburst Recording, collaborated with diverse talents as Adam Sandler, Ska bands Fishbone and Hepcat, Richie Havens, Micky Dolenz of The Monkees, Dr. Demento, television pioneer Steve Allen, and many jazz greats. The Firesign Theatre recorded their last three albums with Bob. | |||
| How the 1939 & 1964 World's Fairs Built (and Broke) America's Future | 23 Jul 2026 | 00:44:55 | |
Takeaways:
Links referenced in this episode: Companies mentioned in this episode:
| |||
| Peter Bergman - Birth of The Firesign Theatre | 16 May 2025 | 00:51:16 | |
The Sexy Boomer Show celebrates the birth of The Firesign Theatre Comedy Group, with clips of their live radio performances in the 1960s—1970s. Radio Free Oz began as a free-form radio show hosted by Paul Robbins and Peter Bergman on the Los Angeles station KPFK in July 1966. Bergman invited three friends, Phil Austin, the show's producer; David Ossman, the radio station's former dramatic director; and Sexy Boomer Show co-host Phil Proctor, an actor and Bergman's former college mate, to form The Firesign Theatre, masters of surreal radio comedy. Time travel to the groovy 1960s, and dig the crazy sounds and trippy callers, man! | |||
| White House Senior Advisor and Democracy Expert Justin Levitt | 24 Apr 2025 | 00:41:33 | |
With the Trump administration defying U.S. Supreme Court orders, the United States faces a constitutional crisis unlike any in the Republic's history. Will democracy prevail? The courts don't have physical enforcement capabilities, or do they? Professor Justin Levitt, a nationally recognized scholar of constitutional law and the law of democracy, was President Biden's White House Senior Policy Advisor for Democracy and Voting Rights. He also served as Deputy Assistant Attorney General in the U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division. Now a law professor at Loyola Marymount University, Justin offers an inside look at the current chaos in D.C, Harvard's defiance of the Trump administration, and what can be done to stop the madness. | |||
| Astral traveler and guardianship abuse victim Shelley Thomson | 17 Apr 2025 | 00:50:12 | |
Imagine getting a knock on your door, being taken away to a locked facility, then declared incompetent by a judge, and having a stranger allowed to take over your affairs and sell your homes and possessions. It's a for-profit healthcare scandal known as guardianship abuse, and it's happening to seniors across the country. You'll hear a never-before-heard pre-recorded interview with Shelley Thomson, before she died in captivity. Today's guest is her lawyer, Philip Ross, who tried to save her. Though a Texas judge declared her "incapacitated," Shelley was not only mentally competent until her death, but also a published scientific scholar and teacher of shamanic arts. She was regarded as one of the world's most able remote viewers, or as she called herself, an astral traveler. If guardianship abuse can happen to Shelley, it can happen to any of us. Learn how to protect yourself in this fascinating conversation. | |||
| Music business veteran and journalist Danny Goldberg | 03 Mar 2025 | 00:46:00 | |
Danny Goldberg has spent a lifetime in the music business as a personal manager, record company president, PR man, and journalist. He's worked with many artists, from Led Zeppelin to presently with Steve Earle. His latest book is Bloody Crossroads 2020: Art, Entertainment, and Resistance to Trump. Previous books include Serving The Servant: Remembering Kurt Cobain, How The Left Lost Teen Spirit, Bumping Into Geniuses: My Life Inside The Rock and Roll Business, and In Search of The Lost Chord: 1967 and the Hippie Idea. | |||
| Trump protest leader Hunter Dunn | 23 Feb 2025 | 00:42:15 | |
Public outrage is exploding over the radical Musk/Trump Administration, and the emerging "FiftyFifty.One" movement is leading nationwide public protests. "50501" is a group of grassroots organizers aiming to "uphold the Constitution and end executive overreach, and fight for a government that serves the people, not the powerful." Hunter Dunn is 50501's southern California spokesman and a Pepperdine College senior. Hunter is a breath of fresh air and a brilliant young man working hard to save democracy. He'll fill you with hope! | |||
| Vive la résistance! | 08 Feb 2025 | 00:37:27 | |
With a constitutional crisis in Washington, D.C., there are legal ways to protest. We talk to two veterans of the successful 1960s anti-war movement about how to resist today's extremist political environment effectively. Author/activist Judy Gumbo was one of the original Yippies (Youth International Party) with Abbie Hoffmann and Jerry Rubin. Her insider feminist memoir, "Yippie Girl: Exploits in Protest and Defeating the FBI," tells of her involvement with the counter-culture protest movement. Arthur Eckstein's "Bad Moon Rising: How the Weather Underground Beat the FBI and Lost the Revolution" details the war between the Weather Underground and the FBI through previously unreleased documents.
| |||
| L.A. Fires Part Two- A Survivor's Loss and Next Steps | 24 Jan 2025 | 00:39:04 | |
Nina Knierim and her family lost their house in the Pacific Palisades fire. Their life has been wholly up-ended, and sadly, the nightmare is not ending soon. Nina shares her family's story, from the moment they saw the fire racing toward them and how they are struggling to put their lives back together in Los Angeles' challenging housing environment. Nina also works as a climate action strategist and a (wildfire) disaster preparedness and resilience expert for CORE- Community Organized Relief Effort, Co-Founded by actor Sean Penn. She is joined by her colleague, Yosef Jalil, CORE's Area Director for California, and they discuss how they are offering substantial, long-term support for wildfire victims and the difficult decisions all residents in fire-prone regions now face in the wake of one of the costliest natural disasters in U.S. history. | |||
| L.A. Fires Part One- The Future is Now | 21 Jan 2025 | 00:47:15 | |
Special wildfire coverage with Dr. Peter Kalmas, a climate scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab, located near the monstrous Eaton Fire that devastated Altadena. Dr. Kalmus lived in Altadena and moved away two years ago because he saw what was coming. Bryan Thompson has decades of wildfire fighting experience, including in Southern California. He gives a firefighter's perspective on wildfire behavior, mitigation, and how to protect ourselves from this increasing threat. | |||
| Bob's Holiday Office Party! | 17 Dec 2024 | 00:34:09 | |
Phil and Ted are celebrating the party of the season, "Bob's Holiday Office Party!" The cult favorite, now in its 27th year on stage and playing at LA's Odyssey Theater, is a hilarious take on a small-town insurance office holiday party for its high-risk clients. Endless booze results in a bawdy holiday farce not quite ready for the Hallmark Channel. Show creators and stars Joe Keyes and Rob Elk are joined by fellow performer Mark Fite to give Phil and Ted holiday party tips and cheer, and you're invited. BYOB! | |||
| Producer, comedian, and singer-songwriter Tracy Newman. | 10 Dec 2024 | 00:34:06 | |
Phil and Ted welcome writer, director, producer, comedian, and singer-songwriter Tracy Newman. Tracy talks about the current state of TV for writers and producers. Her Emmy and Peabody award-winning television writing credits include Cheers, The Nanny, The Drew Carey Show, and Ellen. In 2001, Newman and her creative partner Jonathan Stark later created the sitcom According to Jim, starring Jim Belushi. As a musician, she's the lead singer/songwriter of the folk music band Tracy Newman and the Reinforcements. Tracy and her sister, SNL OG Laraine Newman, are founding members of the improvisational theater troupe The Groundlings. Tracy sings a song of hope. | |||
| A President Gone Rogue: Can the Constitution Save Democracy? | 16 Jul 2026 | 00:41:51 | |
Five years after January 6th, Phil and Ted ask the question nobody wants to say out loud: is the Constitution actually built to survive this, or are we finding out the hard way that it's mostly an honor system? Turns out the document holding democracy together runs less on ironclad law than on the character of whoever's in charge — and that should worry you. Guest Brian Kalt is a constitutional law scholar and author of Constitutional Cliffhangers, a book that predicted this mess before it happened. He, Phil, and Ted dig into the 25th Amendment, presidential immunity, the actual limits (or lack thereof) on the pardon power, and what really stops a profiteering president who won't leave after two terms. Spoiler: less than you'd hope. Is the Constitution strong enough to hold, or is America just the latest stop on the world tour of democracies backsliding into autocracy? Buckle up for a deep, occasionally unnerving dive into the rules — and the loopholes — that run the highest office in the land, and what's actually left standing between here and there. Takeaways:
Links referenced in this episode: Companies mentioned in this episode:
| |||
| Talking Turkey about America | 03 Dec 2024 | 00:39:24 | |
Phil and Ted host Thanksgiving with table guests Lakota Tribe Head Man and Traditional Medicine Man David Swallow, Jr., and prominent Washington, D.C., labor rights attorney Adele Abrams. Join us for blessings and a fun yet sobering look at the immediate future of the United States from two very telling perspectives. | |||
| Photographer and Musician Rob Lewine | 26 Nov 2024 | 00:42:07 | |
What makes a good photographer, and how can one stay relevant in the age of selfies? Accomplished Hollywood photographer and musician Rob Lewine has photographed Oscar, Emmy, and Tony Award winners. His work has been featured in many prominent publications, including NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC WORLD, NEWSWEEK, ROLLING STONE, TIME, TOWN &, THE LOS ANGELES TIMES, and major film studios and TV networks like 20TH CENTURY FOX, COLUMBIA PICTURES, MGM, PARAMOUNT PICTURES, UNIVERSAL STUDIOS, WARNER BROTHERS, ABC, CBS, NBC, CAPITOL RECORDS, SONY MUSIC. As a bassist, Rob was an early member of The Grass Roots and Little Feet. | |||
| Magician and comedic actor John Carney | 19 Nov 2024 | 00:46:05 | |
Magician and comedic actor John Carney is among the finest sleight-of-hand performers in the world. Hollywood's prestigious Magic Castle has awarded John more than any magician in their history. John talks about the psychology of magic, the art of the misdirect, and how it was applied to this year's election. John shares funny impressions and tells a hilarious story about his "worst gig ever." | |||
| Actor Ron Perlman | 05 Nov 2024 | 00:42:51 | |
The Sexy Boomer Show welcomes actor and activist Ron Perlman, and guest co-host, actor M.C. Gainey. Ron Perlman enjoys an illustrious career and a large fan following for his leading role in the TV series, "Sons of Anarchy" and his starring roles in the motion pictures, "Hell Boy," "Beauty and the Beast," and many others. Ron has a lot to say about the current political climate, the tenuous state of the Hollywood entertainment industry, and how streaming entertainment and corporatization are squeezing the life out of the movie business and culture out of the people. Click now to hear this no-holds-barred conversation.
| |||
| The Groundlings Improv Comedian Phyllis Katz | 29 Oct 2024 | 00:36:36 | |
Can performing improv help the smartphone generation enhance their in-person social skills? Actress and comedian Phyllis Katz believes so, as a long-time member of The Groundlings improv comedy group, and a founder of The Groundlings School. She tells some great stories about The Groundlings legacy as a launch pad to stardom for many of its performers. Phyllis has appeared on countless TV shows, and her one-woman show, "Katz: Music & Characters," won a Drama-Logue award for best performance. | |||
| Film Producer and Editor Keith Robinson | 22 Oct 2024 | 00:43:18 | |
Get ready for some funny stories about hanging out with James Brown, Marlon Brando, Jack Nicholson, and the original cast of Saturday Night Live! Phil and Ted welcome Keith Robinson, a film editor and tech wizard responsible for the Oscar-winning documentary When We Were Kings. Keith edited the film shorts for the first five years of Saturday Night Live. He came to the rescue of David Bowie's Sound and Vision Tour and created a posthumous show Sinatra: His Voice, His World, His Way, that "brought back" Frank Sinatra using groundbreaking technology that opened at Radio City Music Hall and later London's West End. Keith has worked with directors Woody Allen, Francis Ford Coppola, John Schlesinger, and Martin Scorsese, and mentored Academy Award winners Scott Rudin and Skip Lievsay. | |||
| Journalist and Musician Michael Simmons | 14 Oct 2024 | 00:33:34 | |
Phil and Ted speak with Michael Simmons about popular culture in the 1960s compared with today, and his time at the legendary comedy magazine, The National Lampoon. Michael edited the National Lampoon Magazine in the '80s where he wrote the popular column "Drinking Tips And Other War Stories." Michael won a Los Angeles Press Club Award for investigative journalism and has written for LA Weekly, Rolling Stone, High Times, The Los Angeles Times, and The New York Times. As the leader of the band Slewfoot, Michael Simmons was dubbed "The Father Of Country Punk" by Creem magazine in the 1970s, and for decades he played with Kinky Friedman & The Texas Jewboys. Michael scribed liner notes for Bob Dylan, Michael Bloomfield, Phil Ochs, Kris Kristofferson, Mose Allison, and others.
| |||
| Futurist Nikola Tesla | 30 Sep 2024 | 00:50:36 | |
Phil and Ted take an AC/DC power trip with inventor and 20th-century futurist Nikola Tesla. The occasion honors the "Tesla- A Radio Play for the Stage" opening at Caltech's Art Stage in California. Writer Dan Duling and Director Michael Arabian share fascinating insights into the most enigmatic man of the 1900s. | |||
| Comedian and Hollywood Voice Actor Danny Mann | 18 Jun 2024 | 00:40:16 | |
Phil and Ted welcome actor, voice man and comedian Danny Mann. You've heard his voice characterizations in big screen favorites like "Up", "Babe", and "The Grinch" and countless TV series including "Curious George", "The Avengers" and several hit video games like "Cars: Fast as Lightning", "Lego City Undercover. " Danny is beloved by his peers and always the funniest "Mann" in the room. And he's one of the two people in Hollywood that even Jerry Lewis liked (listen for story). | |||
| Hollywood Creative Couple Melissa Rosenberg and Lev Spiro | 11 Jun 2024 | 00:37:57 | |
Phil and Ted welcome one of Hollywood's most prolific couples, screenwriter and showrunner Melissa Rosenberg and director Lev Spiro. Melissa is the creator and showrunner of the Peabody award-winning TV series, "Marvel's Jessica Jones." and all five screenplays for the vampire romance phenomenon, "The Twilight Saga." Melissa won a Peabody as head writer and executive producer for four seasons of the Showtime original series, "Dexter." Her husband Lev Sprio is a television and film director with countless credits including "The Waltons' Homecoming" for the CW, and Netflix's "Insatiable" and "Orange is the New Black." But who does the dishes? | |||
| Hollywood's Uncertain Comeback | 09 Jul 2026 | 00:32:48 | |
Hollywood's in free fall, and David Poland's got the play-by-play. Phil and Ted sit down with the veteran film critic for a candid, funny, occasionally brutal look at how the old studio model is collapsing under the weight of streaming, YouTube, and a creator economy nobody saw coming this fast. Festivals dying. Theaters emptying. Studios panicking. It's all here, and it's a lot more entertaining than it has any right to be. Along the way: the industry's long, weird history of cycling between doom and reinvention (spoiler: this isn't Hollywood's first near-death experience), the never-ending fight for artists to actually get paid fairly, and how global economics and shifting audience habits are quietly rewriting what gets greenlit and what gets buried. Recorded last fall, this episode delivers the goods: candid, sharp, occasionally uncomfortable, and (because it's David Poland) surprisingly funny about an industry that's currently anything but. Phil and Ted's Sexy Boomer Show: where two guys who remember when FM radio meant something take on the culture, one uncomfortable truth at a time. Takeaways:
Links referenced in this episode: Companies mentioned in this episode:
| |||
| Musician and Producer Marty Rifkin | 04 Jun 2024 | 00:53:55 | |
Besides being among the nicest people in show business, Marty Rifkin is a multi-instrumentalist session musician, producer, and pedal steel guitar virtuoso. Marty has recorded with numerous artists, including Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, Jewel, Glen Campbell, Elton John, Weird Al Yankovic, Hans Zimmer, Dwight Yoakam and many more. He's toured with Bruce Springsteen, Glen Campbell, Billy Bob Thornton, Rosie Flores, Chris Shiflett (from Foo Fighters) and John C. Reilly. As the owner of Rifkin Productions in Santa Monica, CA, he has produced music for over 1500 songwriters & artists including Smokey Robinson, Hal David, Rita Coolidge, Creed Bratton. | |||