Mt. Rushmore Podcast

Talent can be a blessing or a curse. Some people don't have the temperment to handle the pressure of being at the top of their field. Other people can be really good at something that they just don't love. Still others are Nicolas Cage. This week we're turning our attention to people with a ton of talent, but also with a ton of baggage.  

Contractually, we are obligated to do this episode about contractual obligations, which is a weird clause to put into a contract but HEY always hire a lawyer before you sign, kids. The good news is that this is actually a fertile topic, with lots of options from film, TV, music and more. You're under no obligation to listen to this episode, but we think you'll enjoy it all the same.

The Mt. Rushmore boys are hosting a sleepover, and YOU'RE INVITED! We've got plenty of pizza and soda, some pranks to pull and maybe a movie that your parents wouldn't let you watch.

Do we talk about The Beatles a lot on our show? You bet, because they are the biggest band of all time. With 213 songs to choose from, there are a lot of people - real and fictional - who are referenced in their catalog. So, this week we're looking at some of the most intriguing name checks from the wide variety of Beatles songs.

Unique segments are the backbone of any decent late night talk show. Nothing gets an audience fired up like knowing that one of their favorite segments is coming up. You can also tell a lot about the show's concept, target audience and sense of humor based on what are the recurring bits. Think that Dancing Itos is just HILAROUS? Then brother, do we have a show for you. We're exploring some of the most iconic late night talk show bits in history on this week's episode. And our special guest this week knows a lot about talk shows - he hosts one every month in Los Angeles. Mike Perkins' "Another Late Show Tonight" gives you everything you could want from a great late night show - without the pesky need for television cameras.

This week we're turning our eye on the Iron City. We touch on everything from local food and drink to, of course, the sports teams. Joining us are a couple of local ringers: Kyle Chrise and Greg Benevent from the What Yinz Talkin' Bout, which is a lively conversation about the Steelers social media conversation.

Happy Wrestlemania Season, everyone. Wrestlemania is the one time when even the most casual fans pay attention to what's happening in wrestling. A lot of that has to do with the fact that big-time celebrities have a tendency to get involved inside - or outside - the ring during Wrestlemania. This week we're looking at some of the most high-profile, exciting and shocking moments involving celebrities and wrestling!

Sometimes the best bands aren't even real! That's the premise of this week's episode, as we talk about musical acts that started out as fictional and turned into hitmakers and live acts. Joining us to sort through the thousands of possible entries is T. Mike Childs, author of "The Rocklopedia Fakebandica" and proprietor of the FakeBands.com Wiki.

We're not talking fancy restaurant appetizers in this episode. Get out of here, arancini! No, we're discussing and debating what are the most iconic bar foods. We take a trip down Cholesterol Lane with our favorite items to nosh on while tossing back a pint!

Klutzes are staples of entertainment, because they are so relateable. After all, pobody's nerfect! We all have felt like a stumblebum at some point in our lives, so we feel the pain of the klutz, whether it's on the screen or in real life. This week we're looking at all forms of klutzes and isolating some of our favorite. Let's hope we don't fumble the bag with our picks!

So now, the end is near...of the movie, that is. And it's time to go out with a bang - sometimes literally - and wrap up the whole theme of the movie in one neat bow. What better way to do that than with the perfect song. This week we're discussing the ultimate meetings of music and visuals that leave indelible marks on people who watch their favorite films.

Sometimes, a song you love can because an automatic fast-forward when it comes on. It's not because the song is suddenly bad. Maybe the song is overplayed, or maybe the lyrics haven't held up. No matter what the case, it's a song that you don't need to hear for a long time. We're discussing songs that we feel that way about this week, and yes, we're taking down some sacred cows along the way.

Robert De Niro - a titan of the film world and certainly one of the most talented actors ever to grace the big screen. He is totally dedicated to his craft, even if that means engaging in all manner of method acting nonsense. Still, no one can question the intensity of a De Niro performance. Ahead of the release of "KIllers of the Flower Moon," we're honoring Robert De Niro (or "Bobby" to his friends and people who want you to think they are Hollywood insiders) by buiding a whole episode around him. We're looking at everything from his greatest roles to musical tributes (sort of) to him.

No matter how many ridiculous nicknames Hollywood creates for its Mafia movie characters, they still can't hold a candle to the ones sported by real-life Mob members. This week we're joined by Frank Hayde, author of several books including "The Mafia and the Machine" to discuss the funniest and most adorable names possible for truly horrendous people.

Pixar has done more than make some of the most beloved animated films of the last three decades. The "Pixar Magic" also extends to short films, where talented creators often have the chance to explore and experiment with fewer restrictions or expectations. This episode is dedicated to Pixar shorts, whether they were shown before a feature-length film or on television.

Remember magazines? They were sort of like books, but with less pages and more pictures, and you could get them delivered to your home every week or maybe every month. And when you were younger, there was probably a time when getting a magazine subscription delivered to your door was a big deal. This week we're talking about different magazine subscriptions we've had over the years - from classic magazines to ones that went out of business years ago.

Few musical artists have been as pop culture savvy as the Beastie Boys. Their lyrics include a litany of references to obscure musicians, athletes, TV shows and films. It can feel like you need Wikipedia up to "get" all of the references, but somehow it always works. This week we're exploring the encyclopedic world of Beastie Boys pop culture references. And we've got a certified Beastie Boys expert in the house with good friend of the show Alex Gradet, who has more hits than Rod Carew. 

This week we want to know: who is the Hostess with the Mostest? Snack cakes, that is! We're talking about everyone's favorite brand of sweet junk food induglence and break down which product would come out on top in any middle school lunch swap.

Jack Black has been charming us for...at this point, it's actually been decades, which feels very strange to type. Maybe you find him charming, or maybe you think he can sometimes be a bit much. But there's no denying that he's seemingly always there. This week we're discussing all aspects of Jack Black, whether he's on his on or melting faces with his partner-in-crime Kyle Gass in Tenacious D. So sit back, get your squiddley diddley doosh on and check out our new episode!

This week we're (mostly) talking about people with million dollar smiles! Smiles that can light up a room! And every other cliche you can think of for a brilliant, winning smile.