If you tuned into The Super Bowl, The Tonight Show, or mainstream radio this month, you experienced America’s most bizarrely fascinating celebrity. That celebrity is Justin Timberlake. He’s spent the past year or so carefully turning himself into “Justin Timberlake, Montana Cowboy”, and that seemingly random choice WOULD be fine, if not for these three things: 

1) The transformation’s only Instagram-deep. 

2) White men across America are doing the same thing. 

3) The reasons behind these white fellas running west aren’t as simple as musical taste/cheap land.

On this week’s episode of The Cracked Podcast, Alex Schmidt interviews Montanan slash culture writer Anne Helen Petersen about her pioneering examination of The West, our celebrities, and why they’re hiding there. They also break down the myths of the Old West, the realities of why modern white people are flooding it, and why being a “Man Of The Woods” is no substitute for engaging with reality.

Footnotes: https://goo.gl/EhdvWi

Amy and Russ continue Oscars Month this week with the 1990 Best Picture winner “Driving Miss Daisy” versus runner-up “Field of Dreams.” First, they take on “Driving Miss Daisy,” discussing Morgan Freeman’s breakout role as Moke Colburn, Jessica Tandy’s sublime unlikeability, and Hans Zimmer’s polarizing score. Then, they talk about “Field of Dreams” and its use of nostalgia, conflicting themes, and prime Kevin Costner. Which 1989 film deserves a spot in The Canon? Cast your vote on the Earwolf forums now!

This episode is sponsored by MUBI and Audible.

Paul F. Tompkins welcomes his wonderful listeners back to Spontaneanation! This week, Paul’s special guest and SOLE improvisor is Spontaneanation’s good friend Tawny Newsome! Tawny chats about how many eggs she can eat in one sitting, wondering if Scarface is a spin-off of The Godfather films, and being sent out of the room when a racy scene was happening on TV as a kid. They then improvise a story set at a Civil War Reenactment. And as always, Eban (only the best) Schletter scores it all on piano!

This episode is brought to you by Leesa (www.leesa.com/PFT).

Benedict Whisperbrew returns to Hogsface for a eunuch parade.

Credits:

Arnie: Arnie Niekamp
Chunt: Adal Rifai
Usidore: Matt Young
Benedict Whisperbrew: Brendan Dowling
Mysterious Man: Tim Sniffen
Craig: Ryan DiGiorgi

Producers: Arnie Niekamp, Evan Jacover, Ryan DiGiorgi
Editor: Ryan DiGiorgi
Theme Music: Andy Poland
Magic Tavern Logo: Allard Laban
Audio Assistance: Jason Knox
Production Assistance: Garrett Schultz

Special Thanks: Brett Morris and Josh Richmond

This episode is brought to you by Hello Fresh (www.hellofresh.com code: TAVERN30).

Comedian Jake Weisman (Corporate) joins Paul, June, and Jason to discuss the 2001 musical comedy-drama Rock Star starring Mark Wahlberg and Jennifer Aniston. Recorded live from Largo at the Coronet in Los Angeles, they cover the use of wigs, the orgy scene, and nipple piercing. Plus, the audience tries to make us believe they are British during Q&A.

This episode is brought to you by A.P. Bio, Squarespace (www.squarespace.com code: BONKERS), SeatGeek (download SeatGeek app and enter code: BONKERS).

Where to Find Jason, June & Paul:

You can see Jason, June, and Paul in The Disaster Artist in theaters now.

Paul’s new comedy Drive Share is available on Go90. Paul can be seen on A Futile and Stupid Gesture, Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later, Opening Night, and Veep. You can see June and Paul on NTSF:SD:SUV:: on HULU. June stars in Grace and Frankie on Netflix, as well as Lady Dynamite alongside with Jason.

Jason can be seen in The Good Place, The House, The Lego Batman Movie, How to Be Single, Sleeping with Other People, and is still indeed in The Dictator.

This week Richard Lawson (All We Can Do Is Wait) joins Dave and Matt to talk about reciting Clueless, exchanging AOL screen names, and nerdy professor types. Plus, coming out in high school, keeping up in conversation and Matt releases a *very* special statement.

BREAKING NEWS. Matt McConkey has released a statement concerning today’s heartbreak. This is all that he will say on the matter. Please respect his privacy during at this time.

Jordan Carlos (Headliners) and Liel Leibovitz (Unorthodox) join Negin to share in her horror over the mass shooting at a high school in Parkland, Florida. Plus, they discuss the sky-high White House staff turnover rate. The panel imagines: if the White House were a reality show, who would get the final rose? Lastly, they discuss the resignation of South Africa’s president Jacob Zuma.

Andrea Silenzi and Hillary Frank join Chris and Lex on the Wolf Den to discuss Andrea taking over as host of The Longest Shortest Time. The four discuss the exciting challenges of a such a regime change, Hillary’s new role as the show’s as editor, and the pros and cons of getting Clowney’d.

Live from SF Sketchfest, Bryan and Erin bring stories about newly gay conservative Adam Levine’s coming out piece and Suzanne Venker’s editorial lamenting all of the things the #MeToo movement is ruining. Plus, they talk to author and activist Dan Savage about elementary school bullies, being “combatible,” and emotionally powerful albums.

This episode is sponsored by TomboyX (code: SHADE).

Gavin Speiller, Dannah Phirman, and Chad Carter join Matt Besser this week for scenes about a new friend that can’t get acknowledged, a man who won’t use any toilet but his own, and the theft of a neighbor’s BarkBox. Plus, a cafe goer demands a cereal straw for his milk, a mobile game gets in the way of a funeral, and a breast-exam rap group takes a closer look at their lyrics.

This episode is sponsored by Squarespace (code: IMPROV) and SeatGeek (code: IMPROV).

Coming in from the cold with Ralph Garman.

This episode is brought to you by Squarespace (www.squarespace.com code: PARDO), Milo Wifi (www.milowifi.com/pardo code: PARDO), and Zola (www.zola.com/PARDO).

Actor Busy Philipps joins Susan and Sarah to talk about crying in restaurants, the monologue by Elio’s Dad, Mr. Perlman, in “Call Me By Your Name” by Andre Aciman, “Does Not Suffice” by Joanna Newsom, the poem “Good Bones” by Maggie Smith, and “Guilty Party” by The National.

This episode is sponsored by Of a Kind (code: CRYBABIES) and ThirdLove.

Adult film actress Stormy Daniels (Jamie Denbo) joins Mark & Pete on Hard Nation to allegedly talk about the alleged rendezvous she may or may not have had with our current president. She also shares outspoken thoughts on her failed political career, the death of Aziz Ansari, and which religious group is multiplying “like butterflies.” Plus: Mark shares his romantic Valentine’s Day plans.

Actor, improviser and co-host of the podcast Culture Kings Jacquis Neal joins Andrew to discuss black Trump supporters, whether Boston is a racist city, radio host Christian Fauria’s caricature of Don Yee, the Obamas’ official portraits, Black Panther, and much more. As always, leave us a message about anything you think is racist at (323) 389-RACE.

A new podcast from Seth Godin about our culture and about how we can change it. About seeing what’s happening and choosing to do something.

Listen and subscribe to Akimbo here: www.sethspodcast.com

Comedians Mary Houlihan & Martin Urbano join Jo & Manolo to play listener-created games with callers. 

Games played: Put A Shirt On, Why Don’cha?, Gone With The Windows, and Surgeon Tournament Expo

Actress Riki Lindhome joins Matt to discuss her role as Mardell Fitzgerald in the 2004 Best Picture winner Million Dollar Baby. Riki talks about what it was like to work with Clint Eastwood as both an actor and a director, her origins with The Actors’ Gang, and the amazing food on set. Plus, Riki discusses her other projects such as The Last House on the Left and Buffy the Vampire Slayer as well as finding success through casting director workshops.

This episode is sponsored by MUBI.

Matt and Matt rank all eleven directors of the James Bond franchise. (EON produced)

Live from SF Sketchfest, it’s a brand new romantic Russian musical complete with Borat impressions and special guests John Michael Higgins (Pitch Perfect, Best in Show, Great News) and Arden Myrin (Shameless, MadTV). With songs like “Look Sweet and Walk Low”, “Ti-tah from Utah”, and “It’s Hard Being Michael Kors” you won’t be low listening to these sweet tunes!

This episode is brought to you by Mack Weldon (www.mackweldon.com code: OFFBOOK) and Third Love (www.thirdlove.com code: OFFBOOK).

Ku-Ku and the Clem Dawg welcome RYAN GAUL from Berjerllion into the studio to do some of their famous segments.

This episode is sponsored by Squarespace (code: THEBOYS), Wargaming (code: HOLLYWOOD18), and Blue Apron.

Producer and host for Clevver Lily Marston joins Emily and Deanna to take a beauty deep dive on this week’s HTBLO! Lily explains how she went from intern to host of shows like Beauty Break and Beauty Trippin. Plus, she talks vagina steams, the best part about meeting the Kardashians, microblading, and every kind of weird yoga imaginable.

This episode is sponsored by ThirdLove.

From twixt the stacks of the Marina del Rey Public High School Library, Marissa and Listler are joined by Mary Beth Walter (Pamela Murphy), the job fair recruiter from Dimensions, Inc. Mary Beth talks about her cat rescue operation and the most romantic thing ever done for her by a human man during Hot Topics. Then, Listler’s Love Lockdown brings a listener request for advice on achieving your dreams, and Mary Beth explains how she wound up following a boy to California during Spotlight On.

This episode is sponsored by Squarespace (code: WOMP).

Return with us to Kevin’s side-splitting session with the mastermind behind TV’s “Seinfeld” and “Curb Your Enthusiasm”, the frequently-frustrated, forever-funny Larry David!

Actress Arden Rose (Mr. Student Body President) joins Jensen and guest co-host Ali Segel to talk about accidentally regularly posting videos on YouTube, musician Gus Dapperton, Dark, Celeste, how we were late on Luke McGarry, Jorja Smith, and many more things you should know about.

Longtime listeners know: math is Chris Gethard’s nemesis. A real-life mathematician calls in and gives Gethard the most thrilling math quiz ever on a podcast. (We feel safe making that claim.) He also talks about his struggle with substances in college and getting sober. Geth also tells a never-before-heard story about an unusual religious ceremony in the rainforest, which involves hallucinogens and terrible diarrhea.

This episode is brought to you by Burrow.com (www.burrow.com code: STORIES), Talkspace (www.talkspace.com/beautiful), Stamps.com (www.stamps.com code: BEAUTIFUL), and Brooklinen (www.brooklinen.com code: BEAUTIFUL).

NO MF TAGGING!!! Casey weighs in on what’s going on with the original housewives. Happy Valentines Day!

Film critic Russ Fischer joins Amy for the second week of Oscars Month with a showdown from the 1970 Academy Awards: “Midnight Cowboy” vs. “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.” First, they discuss the Texas cowboy identity, X-rating, and treatment of homosexuality in “Midnight Cowboy.” Then they tackle “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” noting what it pulls from Greek myth, its combined star power of Paul Newman and Robert Redford, and how it set the blockbuster paradigm. Should “Midnight Cowboy” or “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” enter The Canon? Cast your vote on the Earwolf forums now!

This episode is sponsored by MUBI and RXBAR (code: CANON)