#735 - Smells Like NC-17 Spirit

In 1967, the creator of the modern conservative movement welcomed one of the most beloved comedians of all time to debate whether the world is fundamentally funny or tragic. The results may surprise you. We discuss William F. Buckley vs. Groucho Marx on FIRING LINE. Join us on Patreon for an extra episode every week - https://patreon.com/michaelandus Check out the Michael & Us website and episode guide - https://michael-and-us.com/ "Conservatism's Baton Twirler" by Osita Nwanevu - https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2025/09/25/conservatisms-baton-twirler-william-f-buckley/ "The MAGA Media Machine is Fracturing" by Stuart A. Thompson - https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/31/us/politics/trump-iran-economy-media-critics.html "Know Your Enemy: Zohran, the Jews, and Reckoning with Gaza" by Matthew Sitman and Sam Adler-Bell - https://dissentmagazine.org/online_articles/know-your-enemy-zohran-the-jews-and-reckoning-with-gaza/

In 2004, the nominees for both American political parties attended the same Ivy League secret society. For years, whispers and conspiracy theories have followed Yale's "Skull & Bones." But whatever goes on in there, it's probably less funny than what's in THE SKULLS (2000). PATREON-EXCLUSIVE EPISODE - https://www.patreon.com/michaelandus/posts/741-gentlemanly-168595662

One of Europe's most revered filmmakers travels to America to make a movie about the times. But instead, he makes a movie out of time. We discuss Michelangelo Antonioni's legendary film maudit, ZABRISKIE POINT (1970) Join us on Patreon for an extra episode every week - https://patreon.com/michaelandus Check out the official Michael & Us website and episode guide - https://michael-and-us.com/ "Antonioni Defends Zabriskie Point," by Guy Flatley - https://www.nytimes.com/1970/02/22/archives/antonioni-defends-zabriskie-point-i-love-this-country.html "Lets Talk About Zabriskie Point," by Michelangelo Antonioni - https://classic.esquire.com/article/1970/8/1/lets-talk-about-zabriskie-point "Zabriskie Point," by Jonathan Rosenbaum - https://jonathanrosenbaum.net/2023/05/zabriskie-point-1984-review/

A few years after "hope and change" curdled, HOUSE OF CARDS offered a cynic's guide to the Beltway circa Obama's first term. We finally discuss a cultural phenomenon that reality would soon hopelessly outpace. Join us on Patreon for an extra episode every week - https://patreon.com/michaelandus Check out the Michael & Us website and episode guide - https://michael-and-us.com/ "Casual Viewing" by Will Tavlin - https://www.nplusonemag.com/issue-49/essays/casual-viewing/ "The Comfortable Problem of Mid TV" by James Poniewozik - https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/27/arts/television/mid-tv.html

We turn our attention to a bona fide cultural phenomenon and ask: where do Homer's The Odyssey and Christopher Nolan's THE ODYSSEY (2026) intersect and diverge? PATREON-EXCLUSIVE EPISODE - https://www.patreon.com/michaelandus/posts/738-odysseus-and-167166546

Like Anderson Cooper before us, we catch up on the news! We discuss the ups and downs of the recent senate primaries in the U.S. PLUS: What do Alex Jones and Goop have in common? And the unlikely story of the world's greatest Jerry Lewis impersonator. TORONTO: Join us at the Toronto premiere of CHUNKS on September 1 at the Paradise Theatre. We will be participating in an onstage discussion with Amber A'Lee Frost and Nate Fisher - https://paradiseonbloor.com/movies/chunks-toronto-premiere/ Join us on Patreon for an extra episode every week - https://patreon.com/michaelandus "Infogoop" by Joshua Citarella - https://joshuacitarella.substack.com/p/infogoop Preorder "American Socialist: The Life & Legacy of Eugene V. Debbs" - https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/American-Socialist/Shawn-Gude/9781668056738 Preorder "Your Time is Now: The Sammy Petrillo Story" - https://feralhouse.com/product/your-time-is-now/

When the financial crisis hit and Americans were losing their homes, one movie had the courage to suggest: have you considered going to community college and dating Julia Roberts? We discuss LARRY CROWNE (2011), a rare directorial offering from Tom Hanks. PATREON-EXCLUSIVE EPISODE - https://www.patreon.com/michaelandus/posts/736-larry-crowne-166250639

Did you know that a private, monopolistic, unaccountable, and socially conservative organization has free reign to define the limits of artistic expression in the United States? We discuss Kirby Dick's expose of the MPAA and its ratings system, THIS FILM IS NOT YET RATED (2006), and how (and how not to) combat censorship. PLUS: Ebeneezer, the original bad-boy of Tinseltown, is back. Join us on Patreon for an extra episode every week - https://patreon.com/michaelandus Check out the Michael & Us website and episode guide - https://michael-and-us.com/

To sustain the illusion of America, you need to compartmentalize or deny a lot of violence. We discuss David Cronenberg's existentialist masterpiece A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE (2005). PLUS: We mark the passing of the so-called "Godfather of the New Right," Jim Goad. Join us on Patreon for an extra episode every week - https://patreon.com/michaelandus Check out the Michael & Us website and episode guide - https://michael-and-us.com/

So beyond being the famous turtleneck guy, what exactly did Steve Jobs do during his long tenure at Apple? According to Aaron Sorkin and Danny Boyle's STEVE JOBS (2015), he did... everything and nothing. We discuss a Great Man biopic from a writer who truly believes in Great Men. PATREON-EXCLUSIVE EPISODE - https://www.patreon.com/michaelandus/posts/732-bicycle-for-164653829