The Best Debate in the Universe

Debate starts at: 12:28. Should you become a writer? Writer Michael Tabb(https://amzn.to/2xviWNI) joins us this week to debate whether or not you should become a writer. While I am truly ambivalent, I argue that you shouldn't, while Michael drops some serious wisdom into not only how to write, but whether or not it's right for you. This is one of the best conversations we've had on the show. I rarely learn anything because I'm a genius who already knows everything, but I dare go so far as to say I learned something this episode. You will too, if you know what's good for you (i.e., listening to this podcast). Watch the video version here at Madcast Media Network YouTube channel(https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChMUFeIZ1l9uRJ4bIXuAKDg?sub_confirmation=1) https://www.youtube.com/embed/videoseries?list=PLf-OiH3ea1_CE0fjmDw3njnqjo2LTl8bu Ron Babcock(http://twitter.com/ronbabcock) shares some more adorable South Pasadena headlines, and we have the first-ever, Babcock Tip! Listen for it towards the end of the episode, and if you have a sting to send in, send it to maddox@xmission.com. Also do yourself a favor and check out Ron's comedy album if you haven't already: https://open.spotify.com/album/0sqXv1U8yj8HN6GTs7tWDW And here's my new book, F*ck Whales: Petty essays from a brilliant mind: http://amzn.to/2CdkfSI We round out the episode with a story about a small-town dog mayor, a bunch of gold lost at sea, and some bullshit about marriage. Plus we get a bonus tangent where Ron and I talk about our favorite movies near the end of the episode. Great capper to a great episode. You're welcome. The voicemail number is: 1-562-58-I-RULE (1-562-584-7853).

Debate starts at: 05:55. Does comedy have to be funny? Writer and director Dustin Sussman joins us this week to debate the thesis of an article published in Vulture called How funny does comedy need to be? The obvious answer seems to be “yes,” but we delve into a very philosophical debate on what comedy is, how comedy changes and whether or not intent matters. This is one of the most fascinating debates we’ve had on the show. Really worth listening to all the way through. Watch the video version here at Madcast Media Network YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/embed/videoseries?list=PLf-OiH3ea1_CE0fjmDw3njnqjo2LTl8bu Ron Babcock shares his insight as someone who’s done a lot of stand up, and even has a comedy album. Speaking of, if you haven’t checked it out, do yourself a favor and check it out here: https://open.spotify.com/album/0sqXv1U8yj8HN6GTs7tWDW And here’s my new book, F*ck Whales: Petty essays from a brilliant mind: http://amzn.to/2CdkfSI We round out the episode with a story about some vegetarian sharks, and an old couple who have been married for 80 years. The secret to their long relationship? Anal. The voicemail number is: 1-562-58-I-RULE (1-562-584-7853).

Debate starts at: 08:08. Comedian and actor Christine Little joins us to debate who the worst person is to sit next to on a flight. There were so many bad choices, but I think I topped them all with a choice that our journalist in moderation may disagree with. Speaking of Taylor, this is his farewell episode and we wish him well. May he carry the tradition of reading PR pieces as news wherever he goes. Watch the video version here at at Madcast Media Network YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChMUFeIZ1l9uRJ4bIXuAKDg?sub_confirmation=1 Ron Babcock tells us an amazing story about how he got a Christmas card from the Chevy Chase family for switching seats on a flight. And we say our farewell to Taylor Nikolai this week. May he continue to call into the voicemail for years to come. And here’s my new book, F*ck Whales: Petty essays from a brilliant mind: http://amzn.to/2oiF2xi We round out the episode with a story about how dolphins are able to communicate with another species (allegedly). Too bad they can’t communicate with humans so we can tell them to pick up the slack. Plus olive oil may be just as good as viagra, according to companies that sell olive oil. And goats tend to flock to humans who smile because they know they’re going to get fed. The journalist in moderation did not disappoint in his final episode. The voicemail number is: 1-562-58-I-RULE (1-562-584-7853).

Debate starts at: 09:42. Fartist Paul Flart (https://www.instagram.com/paulflart/) joins us today, the ex-security guard who got let go of his job for his fart videos. He suffered to bring us his art, and the world is better for it. We debate when it’s okay in a relationship to let loose with your turd-previews. Paul seems to think immediately, and if his DMs are any indication, he may be onto something. Plus we discuss the best way to conceal a fart, and by “we” I mean just me because Paul doesn’t conceal anything. Feel free to check out Paul’s GoFundMe (https://www.gofundme.com/paulflart) to support his fArt. Watch the video version here at Madcast Media Network YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChMUFeIZ1l9uRJ4bIXuAKDg?sub_confirmation=1 Here’s Paul in his element. Feel free to support him here: https://www.gofundme.com/paulflart Also congratulations to Little Platinum Books (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/122830772/little-platinum-books-kids-books-that-wont-bore-ad?ref=ecnt4r) for hitting their Kickstarter goal! Ron Babcock (http://twitter.com/ronbabcock) tells us a story of him having so much game that he can seal a kiss in his fart box. And we have some bittersweet news from Taylor Nikolai (https://www.instagram.com/taylornikolai/) near the end of the show. And here’s my new book, F*ck Whales: Petty essays from a brilliant mind: http://amzn.to/2oiF2xi We round out the episode with Taylor’s very own theories on how to make Hockey better, and believe it or not, he’s not wrong. Plus a story about some bullshit robot dogs in Japan, and a caller who’s pissed off at holes in his leaves. The voicemail number is: 1-562-58-I-RULE (1-562-584-7853).

Guys rarely talk about what they like or don’t like in female fashion because our opinions on the matter generally don’t. But we give it to you anyway this week: WHAT’S THE BEST FEMALE FASHION TREND? Debate starts at: 09:10. Author Pierre Arnold III (http://littleplatinumbooks.com/) from the Little Platinum Books Kickstarter (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/122830772/little-platinum-books-kids-books-that-wont-bore-ad?ref=ecnt4r) joins us this week for a debate that’s a minefield: what’s the best female fashion trend? The big pushback to a debate topic like this is that women don’t necessarily wear clothes for anyone but themselves, which may be true, but that doesn’t mean people can’t have opinions on them. And that’s what this whole show is about. Opinions, except when I speak, because then it’s fact. Watch the video version here at Madcast Media Network YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChMUFeIZ1l9uRJ4bIXuAKDg?sub_confirmation=1 Special thanks to Little Platinum Books for sponsoring this episode. Expose your child to satire, back them today! https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/122830772/little-platinum-books-kids-books-that-wont-bore-ad?ref=ecnt4r Ron Babcock (http://twitter.com/ronbabcock) breaks in his rear-Admiral tangent duties pretty hard this episode. Plus Taylor Nikolai (https://www.instagram.com/taylornikolai/) gets called out by yours truly, and he even calls in and leaves a voicemail on this episode. And here’s my new book, F*ck Whales: Petty essays from a brilliant mind: http://amzn.to/2oiF2xi We round out the episode with a story about how a guy decided not to kill himself after an offer of Coors Light. We’re going to fact-check that story. Plus, the boring sport of baseball gets more boring. And Mondays are now being eliminated in some school. Good. Let’s all follow suit. The voicemail number is: 1-562-58-I-RULE (1-562-584-7853).

Debate starts at: 09:00. Singer, songwriter and creator Ali Spagnola (https://twitter.com/alispagnola) joins us for the debate this week, in one of the heartiest debates we’ve ever had on the show. Ron expected Ali to take his side, but did she? The phrasing of the previous sentence suggests otherwise. Plus we welcome our new sponsor to the show, Little Platinum Books (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/122830772/little-platinum-books-kids-books-that-wont-bore-ad?ref=ecnt4r). Back the Kickstarter today! Watch the video version here at Madcast Media Network YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChMUFeIZ1l9uRJ4bIXuAKDg?sub_confirmation=1 Special thanks to our newest sponsor, Little Platinum Books. Expose your child to satire, back them today! https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/122830772/little-platinum-books-kids-books-that-wont-bore-ad?ref=ecnt4r Ron Babcock (http://twitter.com/ronbabcock) gets a promotion! Please welcome our new Rear Admiral of Tangents! Taylor Nikolai (https://www.instagram.com/taylornikolai/) thinks I’m full of shit for most of this episode. Check the sources! And here’s my new book, F*ck Whales: Petty essays from a brilliant mind: http://amzn.to/2oiF2xi We round out the episode with a story about crows that eat garbage. What’s new? Plus fat tourists are breaking donkey backs in Santorini. Time to evolve, bitch! The voicemail number is: 1-562-58-I-RULE (1-562-584-7853). Sources: Wikipedia - 99% of animals have gone extinct - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extinction_event NPR - Chinese farmers find higher yield when manually pollinating - https://www.npr.org/sections/krulwich/2013/12/04/248795791/how-important-is-a-bee

Debate starts at: 14:17. Actor, writer and director Bradley Laborman (https://twitter.com/BradmanTV), star of "Rideshare" (https://amzn.to/2M40gLg) (2018) joins us for the debate this week: should plastic staws be banned? I'm a sensible man with sensible opinions. So it came as a complete shock this week when everyone was shitting down my throat for my very moderate view that we should be dumping more plastic straws into the ocean. Whatever fish are eating right now, they taste good and their diet shouldn't change. Watch the video version here at Madcast Media Network YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChMUFeIZ1l9uRJ4bIXuAKDg?sub_confirmation=1 Ron Babcock (http://twitter.com/ronbabcock) is up for a promotion this week. Has he been going on enough tangents to earn it? You decide! All votes are binding. Taylor Nikolai (https://www.instagram.com/taylornikolai/) was like a stealth bomber this episode, piping in only when he needed to, and a few other times as well. Plus Taylor came up with a great parody of one of my own shirts relating to the topic of this episode. I'll be damned if I'll tell you what it is here, as a bait for your clicks. Support the show and shop at The Best Store in the Universe: http://www.maddoxrules.com/ And here's my new book, F*ck Whales: Petty essays from a brilliant mind: http://amzn.to/2oiF2xi We round out the episode with a story about a two-headed cow with a surprise twist: it died. Plus a new study found that how rich you are could have something to do with your genetics. Yeah, it's called "inheritance." The voicemail number is: 1-562-58-I-RULE (1-562-584-7853).

This week's debate: IS EXPLOITATION HURTING NERD CULTURE? It's with a heavy heart that I write this, but as many of you know, amazing and legendary Jon Schnepp passed away last week, as announced during the San Diego Comic-Con 2018. I was proud to call Jon a good friend of mine, and we were going to be exhibiting at Comic-Con this year like we did last year. Things took an unexpected and devastating turn, and his amazing, kind and talented fiance Holly has set up a GoFundMe for hospital expenses: Get Well Jon Schnepp (https://www.gofundme.com/getwelljonschneppfundraiser). I was fortunate enough to spend considerable time with Jon every day at Comic-Con last year, when we really got to know each other. He's helped me in so many ways and he's an all-around amazing dude. His kindness, talent and friendship was renowned. Many of you know him from his work as director of Metalocalypse, The Death of "Superman Lives, The ABCs of Death," as well as Venture Brothers, and the new Slayer comic. All who were fortunate enough knew Jon as a friend consider themselves lucky. He was an inspiration to many and his legacy lives on through the lives he touched. We recorded an episode for this week, but it's hard to concentrate on producing a new episode. Instead, we re-release this episode to honor and remember him. I hope you enjoy this episode as much as we enjoyed recording it. Rest in peace Jon. Original episode description below https://rss.madcastmedia.com/bestdebate/111/jon.jpg We have an amazing guest this week, the legendary Jon Schnepp, director of Metalocalypse, The Death of "Superman Lives,", and one of the directors of "The ABCs of Death," as well as Venture Brothers, and the new Slayer comic: https://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/30-952/Slayer-Repentless-1 You can also find Jon on Instagram to follow all his latest projects. Here's the crew from this week: https://rss.madcastmedia.com/bestdebate/111/e35_crew1.jpg This week we debated whether or not eploitation is hurting nerd culture, be it from nerds who pirate content from small creators, or large companies pushing out smaller creators at comic book conventions. Jon and I hosted booths next to each other at San Diego Comic-Con for years and may even be teaming up this year. Stay tuned... Mikey Bolts is on audio and Rucka Rucka brings his skillful moderation to this episode getting us back on track several times when we needed it. Is it time to promote Rucka again? Chime in below. And for those of you who haven't seen it, here's Slayer's Repentless video. Jon wrote the comic book and the second and third issue are coming out soon. This song is badass and so is the comic. Jon signed a few copies for us that I may send out as part of a contest soon. Along with the Drawling Aussie's shirt (still coming): https://youtu.be/yjb0j9l1sz4 The voicemail number is: 1-562-58-I-RULE (1-562-584-7853). USC.edu - Stem cell therapy helps paralyzed man regain use of arms and hands - https://news.usc.edu/107047/experimental-stem-cell-therapy-helps-paralyzed-man-regains-use-of-arms-and-hands/ StudyInternational - British university accidentally gives students 300 coffee-cups worth of caffeine - https://www.studyinternational.com/news/british-university-sorry-after-accidentally-giving-students-300-coffee-cups-worth-of-caffeine/ "Mining by Moonlight" and "Music to Delight" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Debate starts at: 4:36. What's the best movie monster? Amazing artist Banana joins us for the debate this week. Ron tries to pitch unrequited love from an old Carey Grant movie, and we shut that down real fast. But perhaps the best movie monster isn't in a movie at all. It's your helpful Honda dealer, offering up phony "random" acts of kindness. Watch the video version here at Madcast Media Network YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChMUFeIZ1l9uRJ4bIXuAKDg?sub_confirmation=1 Ron Babcock (http://twitter.com/ronbabcock) brings the heat with The Blob, a movie I almost picked for the scariest movie debate (https://rss.madcastmedia.com/bestdebate/108/) a few weeks ago. Taylor Nikolai (https://www.instagram.com/taylornikolai/) brought in what many consider to be a perfect movie, "The Thing." Basically more creepy crab-like bullshit. That sounds like an insult, but it's not. Support the show and shop at The Best Store in the Universe: http://www.maddoxrules.com/ And here's my new book, F*ck Whales: Petty essays from a brilliant mind: http://amzn.to/2oiF2xi We round out the episode with a story about a two-headed cow with a surprise twist: it died. Plus a new study found that how rich you are could have something to do with your genetics. Yeah, it's called "inheritance." The voicemail number is: 1-562-58-I-RULE (1-562-584-7853).

Debate starts at: 8:37. Is soccer a dumb shitty sport for stupid idiots? Actor, director and musician Jarrell Pyro Johnson (https://twitter.com/pyro2sick) joins us to debate this week. Ron doesn't think this debate topic is phrased in a neutral tone. Is he wrong or what? Also we debate how boring baseball is (hint: very), and Taylor doesn't like Hockey because fist-fights on hard ice don't give him a boner apparently. Watch the video version here at Madcast Media Network YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChMUFeIZ1l9uRJ4bIXuAKDg?sub_confirmation=1 Ron Babcock's (http://twitter.com/ronbabcock) bullshit pick, "An Affair to Remember" won as the scariest horror movie last week. Red card. Taylor Nikolai (https://www.instagram.com/taylornikolai/) really laid into Ron this week when Ron said he plays soccer once or twice a year. I think that's totally reasonable and I'm not sure why Taylor lost his shit. Journalist in "moderation." Support the show and shop at The Best Store in the Universe: http://www.maddoxrules.com/ And here's my new book, F*ck Whales: Petty essays from a brilliant mind: http://amzn.to/2oiF2xi We round out the episode with news about a crybaby idiot who can't golf without his precious clubs, a lady who woke up in a morgue and some badass who bit the rattle off a rattle snake. Hell yeah. Voicemail below: The voicemail number is: 1-562-58-I-RULE (1-562-584-7853).