Overview of Ep 585 - Son of a Governor
Hosts Matt McCusker and Shane Gillis riff across a wide-ranging, freewheeling episode full of comedy bits, travel stories, backstage SNL anecdotes, gym goals, pop-culture takes, and listener-style banter. The episode is conversational and unscripted — topics jump from historical trivia to embarrassing travel moments to gaming and supplements — with recurring side characters (Nate, Tommy, Sean, LaMere) contributing to the chaos.
Topics discussed
- Opening banter: hair styles, Tony Soprano jokes, and tall people getting paid more.
- George Washington trivia and speculation about his family background.
- Moral/time-travel thought experiment: one-use time machine — stop slavery or stop Hitler?
- Controversial collectibles and historical artifacts: discussion about Hitler autographs and the hosts’ reactions/apology for the topic.
- SNL appearance: Matt’s experience performing the opener, rehearsals, backstage nerves, cut sketch, and watching Game 7 of the World Series from the green room.
- Coast-to-coast travel and touring logistics (NY, LA, San Francisco, Sacramento).
- Embarrassing hotel moments: Tommy allegedly sleepwalking/stepping into a hallway in underwear at a Zeppelin-themed hotel.
- Warriors facility shootaround: humiliating streak of airballs and filming concerns.
- Personal mishaps: LaMere “poop locked” story; car towing.
- Fitness goals: Matt pursuing a 1,000-pound total (deadlift + squat + bench), talk of creatine and bulking, aches and training progress.
- Substance and habit talk: struggles with caffeine and nicotine; joking about Kratom-like products (caveated as bit vs. real).
- Religious/audiobook tangent: listening to Genesis and surprising biblical episodes (Lot story).
- Viral/odd news: “Booty relief” personality (Felice Johnson) and post-prison antics; darker anecdotes referenced (peanut-butter prank) discussed with retrospective discomfort.
- Peanut allergy note: mention of desensitization approaches (giving small doses) and parenting concerns around food allergies.
- Pop culture: Peaky Blinders, The Sopranos, and how TV styles influence real-world fashion/behavior.
- Organized crime/gambling: talk of mob resurgence rumors and sports gambling scandals (first-pitch, NBA/UFC).
- Travel/airport culture: playing Switch/Mario Kart in airports, encountering Vision Pro/Oculus users in public.
- Audience/performer dynamics: hecklers, difficult crowd members, and how hosts handle mutinies or angry attendees.
Memorable stories & anecdotes
- Matt’s SNL nerves: holding the podium to avoid awkward hand gestures; sweating during rehearsal and clinging to a coin to steady nerves.
- Tommy walking out of his hotel room in underwear needing a new key at the front desk.
- Matt airballing 30 straight threes during a Warriors shootaround — worried footage might be shown to the team.
- LaMere being “poop locked” (had to stay at the toilet) after drinking whiskey and 7‑Eleven wings.
- A switch/gaming airport scene: Matt, Sean and others playing Mario Kart for hours; an older man enthralled by the Switch.
- A raw anecdote about someone being humiliated in jail (referenced as “booty relief”) and discussion about how the subject behaves post-release.
- Touring surprise: Matt’s parents surprising him at a Florida show and driving a boat too fast; dad’s new slang “hot snack” for cigarettes.
Notable lines / quotes
- “Tall guys make more than short guys.” — riff on perception of authority and pay.
- “If you had a one-time time machine, which would you stop?” — recurring moral thought experiment.
- “Hot snacks” — host’s dad’s new term for cigarettes (comic highlight).
- Several moments of on-the-spot apologies/clarifications for sensitive topics (collectibles/Holocaust material).
Sponsor mentions (brief)
- Aura Frames — digital picture frame promo; code MSSP for discount.
- Mint Mobile — wireless service promo (mintmobile.com/drenched).
- PrizePicks — sports fantasy app promo (code Drench).
Upcoming shows & logistics
- Tour dates and ticket plugs: Comedy on State (Madison), Springfield Comedy Club, Funny Bone (Syracuse), Boise (Dec 12), Portland (Dec 13), and a January show at Madison Square Garden. Ticket link: mammockusker.com.
- Sean/Gardner: Optimum Noctis (first & third Tuesdays) at The Creek & Cave in Austin; Chicago and Atlanta dates coming.
Takeaways
- The episode is casual, joke-driven, and packed with travel and backstage comedy life details — best for listeners who enjoy long-form, unscripted comedy conversations.
- Recurring themes: performing nerves (SNL), touring fatigue, masculinity/fitness talk, tech encounters (VR/Switch), and how pop-culture fashions bleed into real life.
- Sensitive content arises (discussions of Hitler memorabilia, prison anecdotes); hosts occasionally apologize and self-correct mid-episode.
Who should listen
- Fans of Matt McCusker and Shane Gillis who want backstage SNL insight, touring stories, and unfiltered comedian banter.
- Listeners who enjoy mixed-topic, conversational comedy podcasts with a loose, improvisational feel.
(End of summary — episode ends with a plug to find the secret podcast on Spotify.)