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*.