PRE-SHOW BABBLE: THE DEAD DON'T DIE

The conversation covers three primary topics: recent movie and television recommendations, frustrations with the modern streaming landscape, and a tribute to Dolly Parton.

Movie and Television Reviews

• Dog Stars: One speaker watched a Ridley Scott post-apocalyptic survival film starring Josh Brolin and Jacob Elordi. Initially mistaken for a zombie film, it focuses on survivors, including a pilot with a dog, defending an airstrip from hostile outsiders.
• 
  
• Upcoming Tom Cruise Projects: The hosts joke about the recently announced Days of Thunder sequel, noting Cruise's age. They also discuss a bizarre trailer for a film called Digger, featuring Cruise in a fat suit washing cats, though they are confused by its premise.
• 
  
• Widow's Bay: An episodic Apple TV+ horror series set on a haunted island. The hosts compare it to Stephen King's style and recommend it ahead of its upcoming second season.
• 
  
• Ted Lasso: Highly recommended by one host for its positive messaging and Jason Sudeikis's performance, though others haven't watched it due to its Apple TV+ exclusivity.
• 
  
• Zombie Media: The hosts discuss Seoul Station, a 2016 animated Korean prequel to Train to Busan. This prompts a pitch for an original short story titled "Chew," where a train steward unwittingly spreads a zombie virus through tainted chewing gum.
• 
  
• Rhinestone: A host aggressively warns the others not to watch the 1984 comedy starring Sylvester Stallone and Dolly Parton, specifically criticizing a scene where Stallone sings a "Frankenstein" song.
• 
  

Streaming Ecosystem Frustrations

• Platform Fragmentation: The hosts lament the overwhelming number of subscription services (Apple TV+, Netflix, Peacock, Paramount, Sling) required to watch specific shows.
• 
  
• Recreating Cable: They agree that adding up multiple individual streaming subscriptions has essentially recreated the expensive, bundled cable packages consumers originally tried to escape.
• 
  
• Sports Access Issues: The hosts note the difficulty of watching local sports, specifically mentioning that the Texas Rangers' broadcast channel went bankrupt, forcing them to watch games on a separate app called Victory+.
• 
  

Dolly Parton Tribute

• Recent Passing: The hosts mourn the recent passing of Dolly Parton, which prompted one host to rewatch the movie 9 to 5.
• 
  
• Workplace Culture: They reflect on 9 to 5, discussing the toxic, sexist 1980s office dynamics the film portrays.
• 
  
• Personal Anecdotes: A host shares a story about a soldier friend who went home on leave and was shocked to find Dolly Parton (a relative of his) casually cooking in his kitchen.
• 
  
• Legacy: The group praises her widespread appeal, philanthropy, and musical legacy, referencing a past podcast episode where they reviewed her performance in Steel Magnolias.