Blank Check with Griffin & David

Join comedian Jon Gabrus, known for his vibrant energy on shows like Action Boyz, as he and the hosts unpack the quirks of 'National Lampoon's European Vacation.' They delve into Chevy Chase's comedic legacy and chaotic charm, share hilarious personal family vacation stories, and critique the film's cultural portrayals. From amusing anecdotes about Oktoberfest to reflections on family dynamics in comedy, the discussion is sprinkled with nostalgia and witty observations about 1980s film culture that keeps the laughter rolling.

Sweetie pie comedian Josh Gondelman, known for his work on "Desus & Mero," chats about the cult classic "Johnny Dangerously." They dive into the comedic genius of Joe Piscopo and what makes his legacy stick. The conversation also touches on Marilu Henner's incredible memory, the absurdities of the film’s plot, and why it’s become hard to watch in today's world. From analyzing parody humor to revisiting the film's unique take on gangster classics, Josh and the hosts offer a hilariously insightful look into this underrated gem.

Lola Kirke, a talented musician, author, and actress known for her role in Sinners, joins the hosts for an entertaining dive into the classic film Fast Times at Ridgemont High. They explore surprising behind-the-scenes details, including a potential David Lynch direction and the film’s cultural impact. The conversation touches on nostalgia for mall culture, challenges for female filmmakers, and the hilarity of adolescent dynamics. With personal anecdotes and critical insights, they celebrate the film's legacy while humorously critiquing teen movie tropes.

Our Early Spielberg series concludes with a movie that is a super fun time and not at all distressing to watch in our current political climate! David Ehrlich joins us to discuss 1993’s Schindler’s List, the film that defined the visual language of the Holocaust and finally got Spielberg his Oscar. We’re getting into the critical debates about this film’s “watchability,” the fact that this was only Ralph Fiennes’ second screen performance, and our (likely controversial) definitive ranking of Spielberg’s full filmography.  Sign up for Check Book, the Blank Check newsletter featuring even more “real nerdy shit” to feed your pop culture obsession. Dossier excerpts, film biz AND burger reports, and even more exclusive content you won’t want to miss out on.Join our Patreon for franchise commentaries and bonus episodes.Follow us @blankcheckpod on Twitter, Instagram, Threads and Facebook! Buy some real nerdy merchConnect with other Blankies on our Reddit or DiscordFor anything else, check out BlankCheckPod.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this engaging discussion, film critic Sean Fennessey, host of The Big Picture podcast, joins to dive into the iconic 'Jurassic Park.' They humorously dissect the film's remarkable cast, including the unforgettable Wayne Knight, and reflect on its themes of family and morality in relation to corporate greed. The podcast also explores Spielberg's directorial evolution and critiques contemporary storytelling while reminiscing about childhood dinosaur fascinations. The conversation sprinkles in insights on the legacy of the film and the dynamic character interactions that made it a cultural phenomenon.

Everyone knows Captain Hook got swallowed by the crocodile at the end of Peter Pan. But what this movie presupposes is…maybe he didn’t? Let us go back to a time when the coolest thing a kid could have was a clubhouse that looked like a skatepark…when the worst thing a dad could do was own a cell phone…and when the craziest thing a filmmaker could do was agree to make a movie that started off as a child’s drawing. Lin-Manuel Miranda - most famous for starring as Captain Hook in his sixth grade production of Peter Pan - joins us on a trip to Neverland as we unpack Spielberg’s 1991 fantasia Hook. Bangarang, Blankies! And RIP Rufio.Check out Lin's Warriors Album and the Hook Ultimate Edition SoundtrackSign up for Check Book, the Blank Check newsletter featuring even more “real nerdy shit” to feed your pop culture obsession. Dossier excerpts, film biz AND burger reports, and even more exclusive content you won’t want to miss out on.Join our Patreon for franchise commentaries and bonus episodes.Follow us @blankcheckpod on Twitter, Instagram, Threads and Facebook! Buy some real nerdy merchConnect with other Blankies on our Reddit or DiscordFor anything else, check out BlankCheckPod.com  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is it possible for Steven Spielberg to make a movie that doesn’t exist? Well, he sure tried with 1989’s Always, a film where John Goodman plays Monterey Jack of the Rescue Rangers, Richard Dreyfuss riffs to no one as an annoying ghost, and Holly Hunter falls in love with the most dull hottie at the Plane Depot. Our beloved Richard Lawson joins us to talk planes, boy bands, Marlboro merch, and the enduring mystery of what happened between Kathy Bates, Holly Hunter, and Fran McD in that famous apartment. Listen to Little Gold MenSign up for Check Book, the Blank Check newsletter featuring even more “real nerdy shit” to feed your pop culture obsession. Dossier excerpts, film biz AND burger reports, and even more exclusive content you won’t want to miss out on.Join our Patreon for franchise commentaries and bonus episodes.Follow us @blankcheckpod on Twitter, Instagram, Threads and Facebook! Buy some real nerdy merchConnect with other Blankies on our Reddit or DiscordFor anything else, check out BlankCheckPod.com  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris Gethard, comedian and self-proclaimed "Bad Boy of Blank Check Guests," dives into the whimsical world of 'Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.' The conversation explores hilarious themes like father-son dynamics and the absurdity of Indy as an archaeologist. Gethard and the hosts ask if Kazim might be the Kit Fisto of this film, while reflecting on whether Elsa’s allure is a peculiar Spielberg psychosexual experiment. They also dig into the film’s nostalgic elements and the evolution of adventure storytelling, making for a rollicking discussion!

Our Spielbergian journey takes us to new dramatic heights with 1987’s Empire of the Sun, the film that brought us Christian Bale (discovered by Amy Irving!), unexpected Joey Pants and Ben Stiller appearances, and a perfect use of John Malkovich. Bilge Ebiri joins us (and the Five Timers Club) to chat about how underrated this film is within the Spielberg canon, and how this movie evolves Spielberg’s perception as a serious dramatic artist.Read Bilge's writing at VultureSign up for Check Book, the Blank Check newsletter featuring even more “real nerdy shit” to feed your pop culture obsession. Dossier excerpts, film biz AND burger reports, and even more exclusive content you won’t want to miss out on.Join our Patreon for franchise commentaries and bonus episodes.Follow us @blankcheckpod on Twitter, Instagram, Threads and Facebook! Buy some real nerdy merchConnect with other Blankies on our Reddit or DiscordFor anything else, check out BlankCheckPod.com  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After inventing the Hollywood blockbuster with Jaws, creating the world’s most loveable alien with E.T., and resurrecting the classic adventure serial with the Indiana Jones franchise, of course the next logical step in Steven Spielberg’s career was to…adapt Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize winning novel about the survival and strength of queer black women in the American south? Duh! Obviously! Comedian Kenice Mobley joins us to talk about 1985’s truly baffling and seismically important The Color Purple in our latest episode. We want to thank Quincy Jones for discovering Oprah and producing this movie. We want to yell at Quincy Jones for his awful, treacly score.Sign up for Check Book, the Blank Check newsletter featuring even more “real nerdy shit” to feed your pop culture obsession. Dossier excerpts, film biz AND burger reports, and even more exclusive content you won’t want to miss out on.Join our Patreon for franchise commentaries and bonus episodes.Follow us @blankcheckpod on Twitter, Instagram, Threads and Facebook! Buy some real nerdy merchConnect with other Blankies on our Reddit or DiscordFor anything else, check out BlankCheckPod.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices