From Tragedy to Escapism: Politics, Cartoons, and Movies

From Tragedy to Escapism: Politics, Cartoons, and Movies

Michael reflects on a powerful and unsettling political cartoon drawn in the aftermath of the killing of Charlie Kirk (by Scott Stantis, exclusively for the Smerconish.com Daily Newsletter) — a piece that captures the intensity of America’s overheated political climate. After wrestling with the heaviness of the moment, he shifts gears to lighten things up with a conversation on film. Joined by Daniel Fienberg, chief TV critic of The Hollywood Reporter, Michael dives into their list of the 25 greatest sports movies of all time. From Rocky to Slapshot, Hoosiers to Caddyshack, they debate the classics, defend the surprises, and argue over what really belongs in the top tier. It’s an episode that moves from sobering reflection to cinematic joy — capturing both the weight of our times and the relief of a good escape. Original air date 12 September 2025. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Episoder(1779)

The Neighborhood Is Gentrifying. You Can Tell By The House Colors.

The Neighborhood Is Gentrifying. You Can Tell By The House Colors.

Dr. Brandi Summers, Columbia University Professor of African American and African Diaspora Studies joins Michael to talk about her research on gentrification in neighborhoods. Michael was drawn to thi...

28 Mar 202517min

The Signal Chat Scandal: Why Smerconish Thinks Hegseth’s Actions Were Worse Than Waltz's!

The Signal Chat Scandal: Why Smerconish Thinks Hegseth’s Actions Were Worse Than Waltz's!

Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Which was worse: Mike Waltz creating the Signal chat and including an outsider, or Pete Hegseth's revelations in the chat? Listen here to Michael's take, then ...

28 Mar 202511min

When A Journalist Gets Added To A Classified Group Chat, They Should Consider This

When A Journalist Gets Added To A Classified Group Chat, They Should Consider This

Should Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, have announced his presence when he was inadvertently added to a classified group chat among Trump administration officials on Signal? That's ...

27 Mar 202524min

Ethical Quandary SIGNAL: Jeffrey Goldberg's Presence In The Houthi Chat Group

Ethical Quandary SIGNAL: Jeffrey Goldberg's Presence In The Houthi Chat Group

Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Ethically speaking, when should journalist Jeffrey Goldberg have revealed his presence in the Houthi group chat on Signal? Immediately, Once the attack commenc...

27 Mar 202516min

Ambiguity Abound on Signalgate Day 2: Mark Halperin has many questions

Ambiguity Abound on Signalgate Day 2: Mark Halperin has many questions

2WAY Editor-in-Chief Mark Halperin poses several important questions about the use of the Signal App in government, and offers expertise on government communications in this conversation with Michael....

26 Mar 202525min

The Signal Group Chat Won't Have Much Political Affect On The Trump Administration

The Signal Group Chat Won't Have Much Political Affect On The Trump Administration

Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: On a scale of 1 (least) to 10 (most) damaging, how do you rate the political impact of the Houthi group chat on the Trump Administration? Listen here to Michae...

26 Mar 202522min

War Plan Chat Leak: An Amateur Hour Bombshell

War Plan Chat Leak: An Amateur Hour Bombshell

Richard A. Clarke served for thirty years in US government national security agencies, including the Pentagon, the State Department, and the White House National Security Council. Admiral James Stavri...

25 Mar 202533min

Either Way, This Is A Signal Of Poor Judgment

Either Way, This Is A Signal Of Poor Judgment

Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Which was more indicative of poor judgment regarding the Houthi group chat, that they used Signal, or the content of the discussion? Listen here to Michael's t...

25 Mar 202515min

Populært innen Politikk og nyheter

giver-og-gjengen-vg
aftenpodden
forklart
aftenpodden-usa
i-retten
popradet
fotballpodden-2
stopp-verden
det-store-bildet
rss-gukild-johaug
dine-penger-pengeradet
lydartikler-fra-aftenposten
rss-ness
nokon-ma-ga
hanna-de-heldige
aftenbla-bla
e24-podden
rss-dannet-uten-piano
frokostshowet-pa-p5
rss-utenrikskomiteen-med-bogen-og-grasvik