November 28, 2025 • 52 mins
Sun, pelicans, and a stubborn thermostat set the scene for a Florida catch‑up that quickly shifts into big news and even bigger monsters. We start with family stories, beach walks on Sanibel, and the joy of tiny airports that save you from giant-hub headaches. Then we share a win we’ve been chasing for months: our new website is live, and the merch shelf is stocked with hats, tees, hoodies, and water bottles you’ve been asking for.
From there, we stomp straight into Godzilla—why this towering icon still matters and how a rubber suit birthed one of cinema’s richest metaphors. We trace the journey from Gojira’s 1954 origins and nuclear trauma to Showa-era heroics, Heisei’s darker continuity, Millennium’s reboots, and Shin Godzilla’s razor-edged satire of bureaucracy and disaster response. Along the way, we unpack themes of environmental warning, technological hubris, and cultural resilience, plus the West’s spin via the MonsterVerse. If you’ve ever wondered why the roar still chills, we break down the sound design magic, the suitmation grit, and the fun facts you’ll want for trivia night.
Whether you’re the MST3K quipster, the kaiju completist, or kaiju-curious, we’ve got starter picks across eras and tips on where to stream them this weekend. It’s nostalgia with teeth: a look at how monsters mirror our messes, and why we keep rebuilding the skyline anyway. Hit play, then tell us your favorite Godzilla era and villain—we’re reading every take. If you’re feeling it, subscribe, rate, and share with a friend who needs a holiday watchlist. And yes, grab the merch and peek at our new home online at likewhateverpod.com.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
SPEAKER_01 (00:04):
Two best friends fucking fast We're missing two
arcades We're having a blastEating these dreams be on
screens It was all bad like youknow it's like whatever forever
Ever never never laughingsharing our story whatever we'll
(00:24):
take you back like whateverWelcome to Like Whatever a
podcast for by and about Gen X.
SPEAKER_03 (00:36):
I'm Nicole and this is my BFFF Heather.
Hello So I just got back fromFlorida yesterday.
Okay.
Hey Kay.
I went down to see my parents.
Yes.
We had so much fun.
It was your dad's birthday, yes.
It was.
Yep.
On Sunday, it was his birthday.
Uh he turned 78.
(00:56):
He wore an old geezer t-shirt.
He did.
He did.
Yep.
Um, yeah, it's hot down there.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
It wasn't too bad.
It was like literally 85 andsunny every single day.
SPEAKER_02 (01:09):
Well, they're down farther, so because uh had a
cold snap today, like the weekbefore or something.
SPEAKER_03 (01:14):
Yeah, they're down in Fort Myers.
So um, but that heat didn'tbother me.
It's the fact that they keeptheir thermostatin house set at
77.
Because they're old people.
Because they're old.
Right.
My last night there, I wasbecause I was just miserable
trying to sleep in 77 degrees.
So the last night before I wasgoing to bed, I was like, man,
it feels like extra hot in here.
(01:35):
And my stepmom was like, I don'tknow why.
Um it's 77 in here, like italways is.
I'm like, and she's like, I'llturn it down to 76 for you.
Excellent.
So much better.
I mean, getting out of theshower, I'm like sweating before
I can even get dried off.
I'm trying to take cold showers.
SPEAKER_05 (01:57):
That's brutal.
SPEAKER_03 (01:59):
But we did some fun stuff.
We went to Santa Ball Beach.
Um, saw this old rustylighthouse on the beach.
Lots of pelicans.
Yes.
Lots of pelicans, um, dolphins.
Yes, they have the sea life downthere.
Oh, yes.
They're on the gulf.
Yes, and lots and lots of prettybirds.
(02:19):
Yes.
SPEAKER_02 (02:20):
Um shells too.
Shell beach.
SPEAKER_03 (02:22):
Sanibel is supposed to be shell beach.
There is a shell beach on inSanibel.
We did not go to the shellbeach.
Um, I did find a couple ofshells, but um my parents told
me that there hadn't been anystorms lately, so there wasn't
really anything new up there.
Um, and we went to a uh uhwildlife reserve and drove
(02:46):
through and saw lots of thoseflying fish that come flying up
out of the water.
Tons of those.
Yes.
Um, some eels.
Ew.
Lots of water snakes.
Yeah.
Lots of birds, a really cool uhspoon build um that has really
pretty pink feathers.
(03:06):
The only flamingo I saw wasflying overhead.
Right.
It flew over me.
Um, but we did we think therewas a herd of them like further
across the water.
But they were too small for usto really tell.
Ah.
Yeah.
So that was fun.
SPEAKER_02 (03:23):
Um I don't think I've ever seen a flamingo out in
the wild.
As many times as I've been toFlorida, I don't think I've ever
seen one in the wild.
SPEAKER_03 (03:31):
Um big iguana.
Yeah, gross.
Mm-hmm.
Yeah.
So that was fun.
Uh and then another day we wentout to alligator alley because I
wanted to see alligators in thewild.
Right.
I've only ever seen them inzoos.
It it I mean, they were kind offar away, but it's still kind of
scary.
Yeah.
(03:52):
But we saw quite a few of them.
That was super neat.
SPEAKER_02 (03:55):
Um sometimes when you drive down, especially when
you drive down to the keys.
Um, because when I was little,that's what we do.
We would hit Florida and thendrive down to the keys for
Thanksgiving.
Um you can see them on the sideof the road.
Yeah.
Mm-hmm.
Yeah.
SPEAKER_03 (04:11):
Yeah, and then they have like cougar crossing signs.
They have quite the wildlifedown there.
They have bears.
They do.
I thought bears needed likewoods.
SPEAKER_02 (04:22):
There's no woods in beach bears, I guess.
SPEAKER_03 (04:27):
Yeah.
That's what I called them.
SPEAKER_02 (04:30):
I was surprised actually that North Carolina had
bears.
SPEAKER_04 (04:33):
Mm-hmm.
SPEAKER_02 (04:34):
Like when you're when you're going down to um
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina,and all that, and you the way
you cut through Virginia anddown the coast, they have bears
crossing there too.
I thought that was weird.
Yeah, yeah.
SPEAKER_03 (04:47):
I didn't I didn't realize I thought they were more
of a cold weather.
Mountainous creature.
Yep, yep.
Apparently that.
Yeah, so I I got learnt a lot.
We spent um a lot of time at theAmerican Legion, my dad's
favorite thing to do.
Belly up to the bar and that'sfun.
Yeah, it was fun.
So they got to show me off,right?
(05:07):
They have to introduce me toevery single person in the room.
Of course.
But they're adorable, so it'sall good.
Yeah, we ate the day we wentdown, well, I called it
alligator alley, which it is,but everglades.
Um, we ate at a Havana cafe, aCuban cafe.
Man, it was so good.
Yes.
(05:27):
And there were chickens androosters running around.
SPEAKER_02 (05:30):
Yep, yep.
They have actual Cuban foodthere.
SPEAKER_03 (05:33):
Yes, yes, like the real stuff.
Mm-hmm.
Mm-hmm.
And it was amazing.
Um, yeah, just we just had areally good time.
My flight got delayed goingdown.
So I was supposed to arrive inFlorida around 11 in the
morning.
I never got there till 7:30 thatnight after delays.
(05:54):
A bunch of delays, which got awhole day out of our vacation,
which sucked.
But all three of us sat up tilltwo in the morning talking.
Oh boy.
Then Janet were like, I haven'tdone this in decades.
So we made up for a little timethere.
And yep, then when I was comingback yesterday, starting the
night before, we're just steadychecking for delays, and we're
(06:15):
like, of course they don't delayit on my way out.
On the way back.
No, because I gotta move themplanes for this weekend.
Yep, yep.
So I was there at nine for a 12o'clock flight.
They were a little anxious toget back to the colour.
How do you like that airline?
I love it.
I love, love, love it.
It's so easy.
Yes.
SPEAKER_02 (06:33):
I know flying out is easy because you just go to
Newcastle.
It's like stupid easy.
Yeah.
Yes, yes.
It's like flying into Salisbury.
SPEAKER_03 (06:40):
Yep, yep.
I love, love a vellow.
Yeah is what it's called.
Yeah.
So yeah, I will definitelyanywhere I can go from there, I
will to avoid the humongousPhiladelphia airport.
Exactly.
SPEAKER_02 (06:53):
Yeah.
That's why I always saidSalisbury.
It used to be, it's not anymore,but it used to be like 50 extra
dollars, and you would take offfrom uh Salisbury and it would
take you to Philadelphia, andthen you would catch your plane
to wherever from Philadelphia.
But you only went throughsecurity in Salisbury, which is
like, you carrying anything?
(07:13):
No, cool, bye.
Yeah, yeah.
SPEAKER_03 (07:15):
That's basically it.
Not hard.
I know I got in trouble.
I I try so hard to pack whereI'm supposed, whether it's
carry-on or or checked.
And um, so I checked in, gavethem my bag, what showed the
little really mean lady mypassport, and then went up and
(07:36):
did the x-ray thing with mycarry-on and myself.
And then I go into the waitingarea and I go in the restroom,
and while I'm in there, I hearNicole Barr, please report back
to the check-in.
SPEAKER_04 (07:47):
I was like, oh What did I do wrong?
SPEAKER_03 (07:50):
So I said I come through and I tell security I
have to go, so they have to stopthe line and let me go the
opposite way of traffic, andthen I get to the mean lady, and
I was like, I said, they calledmy name, and she was like, Yeah.
And I said, Well, are you theone I'm supposed to come see?
I don't ever call anybody.
I was like, Oh.
She's like, You need to go backthere.
(08:11):
So I'll go all the way back tochecking and I'd put my laptop
in my carry-on or in my checkbag.
Right.
I had my laptop plug in mycarry-on.
I was so confused.
So anyway, they gave me that,and then when I got to Florida,
I had the little note in therethat said they rummaged through
my bag because they went rightin and took it out.
They didn't like let me do it.
(08:32):
Then I had to go back throughall the securities.
SPEAKER_02 (08:34):
Yeah, they don't like them being on the belly of
the plane.
SPEAKER_03 (08:36):
Yeah, yeah.
I didn't mean to do it.
No, I know.
I had my recharge, my littlerecharger thing in my bag.
Oh well.
Maybe I'll get it right one ofthese times.
SPEAKER_02 (08:48):
That's why it's better to leave from them little
airports.
Yes, exactly.
SPEAKER_03 (08:53):
So yeah, it was good times.
That's fun.
Yeah, and and the neighbors, onemorning there were such loud
birds outside.
I was like, what is that?
And they were like, Oh, theneighbor just fed the the
parrots.
And I went out and all theselike three foot tall McCalls,
probably.
No, they were green and black.
Oh.
They weren't three feet, theywere probably two feet, but they
(09:16):
um he had two big feeders, andthere must have been 50.
I mean, they were completelypacked in, wrapped around the
feeders, all over the ground,all over the stand.
They were so cool.
It was really neat.
Yeah.
I'm a big nerd for birds.
Yeah, me too.
Just nature.
I like birds.
Yeah.
Yep.
(09:36):
I have one.
Yeah.
SPEAKER_02 (09:38):
You do.
She's the reason I can't get mynails done right now.
Look, I snapped a nail.
Oh no.
I know.
I did that last week, but Ican't go because she fucked with
my finger here.
Like got in the corner of it,and now it's infected.
So like I can't go get my nailsdone.
Right.
I'm very disappointed because Ireally wanted to do it before
Thanksgiving, which by the way,happy Thanksgiving, everyone.
(10:01):
Oh, yes, happy Thanksgiving.
I hope you enjoyed your turkeyor whatever it is you eat.
And if you're not in the UnitedStates, I hope you enjoyed your
Thursday.
Yeah, exactly.
SPEAKER_03 (10:11):
Yeah, so we're recording this the day before
Thanksgiving.
Yes.
It will release the day after.
Yes.
So tomorrow my roomie and I aregoing to uh a restaurant at the
beach to have Thanksgivingdinner.
That's fun.
Pretty excited about that.
Except it's gonna be cold, cold,and windy.
(10:33):
Yeah.
So 85 to 30 something.
Today is really warm.
Yeah.
Weird.
I know.
I had a jacket on and I left thehouse.
I was like, ugh, take this thingoff.
SPEAKER_02 (10:45):
I actually have today off because it is my day,
actual day off.
Wednesdays are my day off.
And I had to take it, which Inormally don't like to take my
day off because reasons.
But um they are kind of makingus now.
So uh so I have two days in awhole row.
I don't even know what to dowith this.
Crazy.
SPEAKER_03 (11:06):
Well, tomorrow you're gonna eat the best
Thanksgiving meal in thecountry.
SPEAKER_02 (11:09):
I go to my aunt's, I have the Thanksgiving there.
She's the best cook.
She is.
I'm so jealous.
Yes, she is she's already beentexting back and forth about
what time, and I don't know whythey asked me what time, because
I don't give a fuck.
But I guess everybody else hastime to train my cousin.
But I was like, whenever.
I don't know.
You don't even have to tell metill the day of what time.
(11:30):
I don't know.
So that's what I'll be doing.
SPEAKER_03 (11:35):
Yeah.
Yeah.
Trying to get some Christmasshopping done.
SPEAKER_02 (11:40):
I will not be doing that.
I don't know what I'm doingtonight.
I don't know.
Probably gonna have the I dohave to go to the grocery store.
Anyway, tonight.
Night is not the night store.
Maybe we'll just door dash it.
(12:00):
Probably not the night for doordashing either.
True.
I probably should be actuallydoing the door dashing tonight
because I'm sure they make madmoney.
SPEAKER_03 (12:07):
Yes, probably.
SPEAKER_02 (12:08):
I think today, is it today?
It's like the second biggestpizza night besides the Super
Bowl or something like that.
The night before Thanksgiving.
SPEAKER_03 (12:17):
And I think tonight is might be the heaviest
drinking night, going out to thebar and yeah.
Yep.
So there's that.
Yeah.
Maybe I'll just get drunk.
There you go.
There you go.
I think um I heard too that umUber is giving free rides
tonight.
Yeah.
Usually they do stuff like that,like around the.
(12:38):
So you don't want people to havethe cost stop them from doing
it.
Being responsible.
Yeah, be responsible.
SPEAKER_02 (12:46):
Drink and drive.
SPEAKER_03 (12:47):
No.
SPEAKER_02 (12:49):
Um, so we also have an exciting new development.
Ooh.
Heather finally got her shittogether, figured out how to
make a website because the onehost she had it on made it
nearly impossible for a normalperson to figure out how to do
it.
Had to wait a year for it to bereleased, my domain name.
Uh-huh.
(13:09):
And then I've been fighting forthe past five or six days about
letting the old domain peoplelet the new domain people have
the domain.
Oh Lord.
And last night I because I keptcheck it kept saying, check, it
will we'll email you when ithappens.
And it kept saying there's anerror, there's an error, and I
was like, no, I'm not, I'm I'mdone now.
(13:30):
This has got to be done bytoday, so that I can announce
today that we have it.
SPEAKER_03 (13:36):
Yep.
SPEAKER_02 (13:36):
So I got it fixed.
Yep.
And today it went live and Isent it to Nicole.
SPEAKER_03 (13:42):
Yep.
And it will be going up onsocials later.
I just was a little slow movingthis morning.
All good.
unknown (13:47):
Couldn't get it done.
SPEAKER_02 (13:50):
It's just been a fight for the last like five
days.
Because I got every it let mebuild it, and it was a million
times easier to build it on thisone than the other one.
Because the other one was like,oh, it's super easy.
And about no, it's a lie.
But this new one was super easy.
So what kind of things are wegonna have?
You can listen on there.
(14:11):
Um, there is a link to theInstagram.
There isn't a link to all thesocials, but specifically a
little banner comes up forInstagram.
Don't know why, okay, but itdoes.
That's fine.
Um we're we're active onInstagram, so I figured you
liked Instagram.
So um what else does it?
SPEAKER_03 (14:28):
Oh, you can buy merch.
I was gonna say, are we gonnaget our merch up finally?
SPEAKER_02 (14:32):
We have merch.
Yeah, we can buy some merch.
Um that's exciting.
Yeah, there's hats, t-shirts,sweatshirts, and water bottles.
Ooh, because I did that over theweekend also.
I'm so proud of you.
SPEAKER_03 (14:46):
Well, I was down lounging around in Florida.
Yeah, I didn't want to apply.
SPEAKER_02 (14:49):
I didn't usually bug her like 800 times, and I was
like, I'm not gonna bug herbecause she's with her dad.
So just do what you need to doand get it done.
That's what I did.
Yeah.
So you can find us at uhwww.likewhateverpod.com we even
got.
SPEAKER_03 (15:08):
So check us out.
It's so special.
Thank you, thank you, thank youfor doing that.
You're awesome.
SPEAKER_02 (15:14):
Let me know if it's just horrible, everybody at
home.
SPEAKER_03 (15:17):
Yeah.
If you have any issues, let usknow.
Yeah.
So that we so Heather can figureout how to fix it.
Tell you, I don't know what todo.
Sounds like a you problem.
Yeah, if if you contact us withan issue, have a resolution for
it as well.
SPEAKER_02 (15:31):
That doesn't cost me any money.
SPEAKER_03 (15:33):
Exactly.
Uh yeah, I think, yeah, besidestravel, I had a nice flight
home.
I had an older man on by on thewindow seat, and as we flew into
Wilmington Airport, he pointedout his house out the window to
me.
(15:53):
I do that shit when we fly overhere.
I'm like, oh look, that'slimited.
No one cares.
And then there was a cryingtwo-year-old because the flight
took off at noon, which is hisnap time.
Yeah.
His dad was next to me, and thenmom and the two-year-old, and
then a four-year-old daughter,um, were sitting there.
And finally, the mom came overand sat with me with him, and I
(16:16):
can talk good to babies.
SPEAKER_02 (16:18):
So you like babies.
SPEAKER_03 (16:19):
Yes.
I got him calmed down and hepassed out on mom for about an
hour.
So I mean, even when we landed,as hard as you hit and as loud
as it is, he didn't flint.
Like that kid was out.
But the cutest part was theirdaughter's name, the
four-year-old, was Olivia.
And there was also a fresh newflight attendant who was having
her first official flight.
(16:41):
So when we landed, they askedfor a round of applause for
Olivia, and the little girlthought it was for her.
And the parents were kind ofrolling their eyes.
I was like, let her think that.
unknown (16:53):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_03 (16:55):
Who cares?
Right.
She'll be telling her wholelife.
We landed once and everybodycaught for me.
It was pretty cute.
That's wondering.
Yeah.
So yeah, good time.
I can't wait to go back.
Yeah.
Yep.
SPEAKER_02 (17:09):
Wait, hopefully, we'll be able to go back in
January for Podfest.
SPEAKER_03 (17:14):
Ooh.
Yeah.
You go and us tickets again.
Yeah.
Okay.
Okay.
When do you register for that?
SPEAKER_02 (17:22):
Pops up on the Facebook page.
SPEAKER_03 (17:23):
Oh, okay.
Yeah.
All right.
All right.
You do your thing.
Um, so find us wherever youlisten to podcasts.
Like, share, rate, review.
Please.
We are on all the socials atlike whatever pod.
Uh we have a new website atwww.likewhateverpod.com where
(17:48):
you can listen, buy merch, andapparently get connected to
Instagram.
So um, or you can leave us anemail at likewateverpod at
gmail.com.
SPEAKER_02 (18:00):
Excellent.
So this is my week.
And I just told her right beforewe started.
You're gonna have to follow.
Come with me on a journey.
Come with me on a journey.
Um so we're gonna fuck aroundand find out about Godzilla.
What?
Here's why.
Here's the mental gymnasticswe're all gonna be doing.
(18:22):
Uh-huh.
Thanksgiving is the time forfamily.
My family, big fans of theGodzilla.
SPEAKER_04 (18:31):
Huge.
SPEAKER_02 (18:33):
All year, and like, okay, so here in the wintertime,
especially when I was in the 80sand 90s, there's literally
nothing to do here from likeFebruary to March.
Literally nothing.
So on weekends when we were homefrom school, literally nothing
to do.
And we had a wood stove and it'scold.
(18:53):
I mean, it's not cold, coldbecause it's usually in the 40s,
but it's fucking windy all thetime.
SPEAKER_03 (18:57):
All the time.
Yeah.
SPEAKER_02 (18:58):
So it's cold.
Um so we would spend a lot oftime inside.
And somewhere always would be aGodzilla movie.
Just always.
There's always a Godzilla movieon any given weekend ever.
So we would watch them MysteryScience Theater 3000 style.
(19:19):
Oh yes.
So, which we will do an episodeon because fucking love that
show.
Um, but we that's what we woulddo.
That's why that show is also afamily show because we did that
too.
But it was just a familytradition, so that's why I was
like family, Godzilla,Thanksgiving word.
There we go.
(19:40):
Also, because Godzilla receivedhis star on the Hollywood Walk
of Fame on November 29th, 2004.
Oh it celebrated the 50thanniversary of Godzilla's debut
in the 1954 film.
He's more than a monster.
See, this is you know, you don'treally think about it until I
guess you get older.
(20:01):
Maybe not.
I I didn't really think about ituntil I started doing this, and
I was like, huh.
I get it now.
Um, he's a metaphor, a myth, anda mirror reflecting humanity's
deepest fears and wildestimaginations.
Uh his debut in 1954, herampaged through cities, battled
other kaiju or strange beast ormonster, and evolved into a
(20:26):
global icon.
I'm just gonna use the kaiju,because strange beast or monster
is a little bit much.
His journey spans decades,genres, and continents, making
him one of the most enduring andadaptable figures in cinematic
history.
He first appeared in Gojira in1954, directed by Isherhiro
(20:46):
Honda and produced by TohoStudios.
The film was, and I apologize tomy um Japanese listeners if we
have any, because I am gonnablow it.
I'm a white girl.
I don't know.
Um, it was direct response tothe atomic bombings of Hiroshima
and Nama Nagasaki and the 1954Lucky Dragon number five
(21:10):
incident in which Japanesefishermen were exposed to
nuclear fallout from U.S.
hydrogen bomb tests in thePacific.
And then when I read that, I waslike, uh-huh.
SPEAKER_05 (21:20):
Uh-huh.
SPEAKER_02 (21:22):
Oh.
unknown (21:23):
Got it.
SPEAKER_02 (21:24):
I'm fucking stupid.
Um in Gojira, the monster isawakened and mutated by nuclear
radiation, emerging from theoceans to wreak havoc on Tokyo.
The film's tone is somber andtragic, portraying Godzilla not
as a villain, but as aconsequence of human hubris.
His rampage is a metaphor fornuclear destruction, a force
(21:44):
unleashed by science but beyondhuman control.
Honda used innovative specialeffects, including suitmation,
which is just actors in amonster suit, and miniature sets
to bring Godzilla to life.
Composer Akira Ifukubu hauntingscore added emotional weight
while the film's stark black andwhite visuals emphasized its
(22:07):
bleak message.
Kajura was a box office successin Japan and later released in
the US in the US as GodzillaKing of the Monsters in 1956,
with added scenes featuringRaymond Burr.
Though heavily edited, theAmerican version introduced
Godzilla to Western audiencesand began his journey as a
global phenomenon.
Probably really edited out thewhole nuclear issue that we
(22:32):
created.
So the Showa era is 1954 to1975.
In the Showa era, Godzillatransitioned from a symbol of
nuclear horror to a heroicdefender of Earth.
Films like Ghidorah and TheThree-headed Monster in 1964 and
Destroy All Monsters in 1968featured Godzilla battering
(22:54):
other kaiju to protect humanity.
And my favorite, I have to say,is Godzilla versus Mothra.
And I love that one.
This shift reflected Japan'spost-war recovery and growing
optimism.
The films became morefantastical and child-friendly,
often emphasizing teamwork andmoral lessons.
Godzilla's design softened andhe developed a personality,
(23:17):
sometimes even dancing orshowing empathy.
And those are the movies thatare the best to MST3K.
Because they're just like, whatis happening?
Also, one of the ones I watched,um, it's been recent because
I'll still watch a Godzillamovie.
And it was like from like, Iwant to say, it was either the
(23:39):
late 90s or the 2000s, it'sdefinitely maybe in the 2000s.
When in the 2000s, I don't know.
But anyway, they're in anapartment building and an alarm
goes off, and of course, transthey're dubbed over, and it's a
Godzilla alert, Godzilla alert.
And I was like, okay, so if youhave an alert system for the
(24:01):
giant monster, maybe figure outa way to kill the giant monster.
SPEAKER_03 (24:07):
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Like why I don't then they can'tmake any more movies.
SPEAKER_02 (24:11):
I mean, it was like a smoke detector that would go
off, like Godzilla alert.
And I was like, well, I mean, ifyou figured that part out, why
do you not?
Whatever.
Um, the High Sai era, uh 84 to95, returned to darkness.
The it marked a return toGodzilla's darker roots.
(24:33):
The return of Godzilla in 1984ignored previous sequels and
served as a direct follow-up tothe original.
It portrayed Godzilla as adestructive force once again,
with Cold War tensions andnuclear fear resurfacing.
Subsequent films in this eraformed a cohesive narrative arc,
exploring themes like geneticengineering, Godzilla versus
Viante in 1989,environmentalism, Godzilla vs.
(24:57):
Mafra, 92.
Um, and I even wrote after that,my favorite.
And the dangers of technology,Godzilla versus Mechanagodzilla,
part two, in 1993, and Iremember that one too.
Uh, the Millennium Era, 99 to2004, um, was experimental
(25:18):
reboots.
The Millennium Era featuredstandalone stories, each
reimagining Godzilla's originsand role.
These films experimented withtone and style from the
horror-infused Godzilla, Mothra,and King Ghidorah, Giant
Monsters All Out Attack in 2001,which is a really long title, to
the action-packed Godzilla FinalWars in 2004.
(25:40):
Um, they were not commerciallysuccessful, but they showcased
Godzilla's versatility and pavedthe way for future reinventions.
Nice.
The Rewal era, 2016 to thepresent, is political satire and
global blockbusters.
And I think we all know those.
Shin Godzilla in 2016, directedby Heidike Ano, referred
(26:02):
redefined the franchise with asatirical take on government
bureaucracy and disasterresponse.
And I'm gonna go out on a limband guess that's the one that
has the Godzilla alert becauseof the disaster response.
Godzilla evolves throughout thefilm, symbolizing an unstoppable
crisis echoing Japan'sexperience with the 2011
(26:24):
Fukushima disaster.
Meanwhile, Legendary Pictureslaunched the Monster Verse in
the U.S., starting with Godzillain 2014, followed by Godzilla
King of the Monsters in 2019,and Godzilla vs.
Kong in 2021, which I did notwill watch because I refuse to
allow those two things to happenat the same time.
(26:45):
These films emphasize spectacleand crossover appeal,
introducing Godzilla to a newgeneration of global fans.
Do you remember those new oneswith um oh my god, what's his
name?
From Ferris Bueller?
SPEAKER_03 (27:00):
Matthew Broderick.
SPEAKER_02 (27:01):
Matthew Broderick.
SPEAKER_03 (27:03):
I do remember when they came out.
SPEAKER_02 (27:05):
I don't know if they're actually not bad.
Okay.
Um, and then there's eggs and itgoes whatever.
So from the beginning, Godzillahas embodied nuclear fear.
He his origin as a createcreature mutated by radiation.
Uh the trauma of Hiroshima andNagasaki.
(27:28):
Oh, in Shin Godzilla andGodzilla versus Destroya, 1995,
um, they revisit this theme,portraying Godzilla as a walking
reactor or a metaphor fornuclear meltdown.
Godzilla's battles often involvenature's wrath.
Mothra represents ecologicalbalance, while Hidora, the smog
(27:49):
monster, symbolizes pollution.
These narratives create critiqueindustrialization and warn
against environmental neglect.
So, like, you know, Godzilla isquite the uh yeah, I d I didn't
realize all this stuff about it.
He is an environmentalist.
SPEAKER_03 (28:11):
Tree hugger.
SPEAKER_02 (28:12):
Which is weird because you know the oceans will
rise and then he'll have morebecause he lives under the
ocean.
So maybe he just needs morespace down there.
I guess I don't know.
It's like, no, I don't want yourland in my ocean.
Your goddamn shit up there.
Shin Godzilla critiquesgovernment inefficiency, showing
(28:33):
how red tape and indecisionexacerbate disaster.
It was that one that has the umI do I do remember that.
Earlier films also reflectgeopolitical tensions such as
Cold War anxieties and Japan'srelationship with the US.
Um Godzilla often punisheshumanity for its arrogance,
whether through nuclear testing,genetic manipulation, or
(28:54):
technological overreach,especially because they just
keep building the same goddamncity and the same guy not shot.
And he's like, I just destroyedthat.
You didn't get rid of me.
So I'm coming back.
Uh he is a reminder that naturecannot be controlled and that
scientific progress must betempered with responsibility.
(29:17):
Just because you can doesn'tmean you should.
We need more people to realizethat.
Brady.
Just because you can clone yourdog doesn't mean you should
clone your dog.
Yeah.
Oh, and then today, literallytoday.
Okay, so here time outeverybody.
(29:37):
Yeah.
Not really, because it is kindof related.
My biggest fear in the wholeother than snakes in the whole
entire world is a thing callednanites.
SPEAKER_03 (29:45):
Okay.
SPEAKER_02 (29:46):
They are tiny, tiny, tiny little robots that they
inject into you that go towhatever specific cancer or
whatever and destroy that.
Okay.
Okay.
So let's just Discuss the 45bazillion different ways that's
gonna go wrong.
Because if they're tiny enoughto go get your cancer, they're
(30:07):
tiny enough to get in yourbrain, and then what?
And then who controls it?
Yep.
Trump.
Thank you.
Thanks, Obama.
So today I read that they havenow built a robot the size of a
grain of rice that will go intoyour kidneys and destroy stones.
And you know what I say to that?
SPEAKER_05 (30:28):
No.
SPEAKER_02 (30:29):
I will die before I let anybody but nanites.
My sister has been given strictinstructions to never let anyone
inject me with nanites.
She said, okay.
Weirdo.
Then I sent her this today, andI was like, here we go.
Yep.
Yep.
And I'm gonna have cancer withinthe next probably five years.
(30:51):
So don't be putting that shit inthere.
Okay with the cancer.
Oh, Lord.
In Japan, Godzilla is a nationalicon.
He's appeared on postage stamps,in tourism campaigns, and even
received honorable honorarycitizenship in Tokyo's Shinjuku
Word.
Board.
(31:12):
Character is studied in filmschools and ref referenced in
literature, music, and art.
Toho Studios has built aGodzilla-themed hotel and
museum, and it's literally theonly where I would want to go in
Japan now.
And the character continues toinspire Japanese filmmakers,
artists, and scholars.
I should say Tokyo seems like alovely place, although it does
(31:36):
get destroyed by giant monstersall the time.
But I don't think I could gothere because of the video I
have seen of their subwaysituation.
Yes.
That one where it's like all thepeople of Tokyo are in one spot
and they're trying to get ontrack.
(31:56):
It is a way populated.
Yeah, I don't think I could gothere for this.
If I if you could justhelicopter me in to this
Godzilla themed hotel, then thenI would go.
But I don't think I can think Ican go.
SPEAKER_03 (32:09):
When we get ripped off this podcast, we'll take a
private plane and just go there.
SPEAKER_02 (32:14):
Because I don't think I can deal with any other
part of Tokyo.
It is too much.
It's it's a lot.
It's too neon and it's too.
Oh no, it's a lot.
It seems like a lot.
And nobody, I don't understandwhat they're saying, although I
imagine most of it is English.
(32:34):
Yeah.
And they have teeny tiny littleapartments.
And they have teeny tiny littlepeople.
Their people are small.
Yes.
Yes.
And their apartments are veryteeny tiny.
Yeah.
And but they have the coolestgadgets.
SPEAKER_03 (32:46):
They do.
Yeah.
And they're all a lot of big catlovers over there.
Yes.
SPEAKER_02 (32:52):
They do like their cat.
That's because they have teenytiny.
SPEAKER_03 (32:54):
So they can fit into their house.
They can't have a dog.
They can't have friends over.
They can't have dogs.
They have a cat.
SPEAKER_02 (33:00):
There's no yard to take.
And they they stack apartments,like 500 million of them in one
building.
Yeah.
So in order to take your dogout, you'd have but they do have
cool gadgets.
Yeah.
unknown (33:12):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_02 (33:13):
You wouldn't like the food there either.
Yeah, absolutely not.
Can't eat it at all anyway,because they put shelf wish and
everything.
SPEAKER_03 (33:19):
Oh yeah.
SPEAKER_02 (33:20):
Um, I'd have to go to McDonald's all the time.
Um they probably don't havenormal McDonald's stuff.
They probably have a theyprobably have like an American.
Yeah, they have cheeseburgerseverywhere.
Um in the West, Godzilla'sinfluence on Western cinema is
vast.
He inspired monster movies likeCloverfield in 2008, Pacific Rim
(33:41):
in 2013, and Rampage in 2018.
The suffix Zilla has entered thelexicon as shorthand for excess
or monstrosity, like Bradzilla.
Yeah.
Godzilla has appeared inAmerican comics, cartoons, and
video games.
His crossover with King Kong inGodzilla vs.
Kong 2021 was a box office hit,even though it's stupid.
(34:05):
Godzilla's imager image adoresadorns toys, apparel, posters,
and collectibles.
Video games range from arcadeclassics to modern console
titles.
His roar is iconic, instantlyrecognizable across generations.
Um, so let's talk about what helooks like.
SPEAKER_03 (34:24):
This has been very cool to learn.
I I have to admit, I don't waittill I get some fun facts.
I mean, I've seen I of courseI've seen Godzilla when I was
younger, but I didn't realizeall this about it, and I think I
might go home tonight and watcha Godzilla.
SPEAKER_02 (34:39):
They're just timeless, they're just great.
Yeah.
And though, you know, yeah,they're horrible.
SPEAKER_03 (34:44):
Well, that's the best kind of movie.
I mean, my favorite movie in theworld is Transylvania 6500, and
it doesn't get much worse thanthat.
You know, just like the dubbingis terrible, and that's just all
awful, and that's what makes itfantastic.
Yeah.
Well, I've really gotten intothe uh Netflix foreign uh series
is oh yeah, and that's a lot ofdubbing now, so I've gotten used
(35:05):
to it.
And it's funny, they reallyhaven't gotten much better at
the dubbing.
No, like I they do try to lineit up, and I appreciate that,
but it still sounds veryrobotic.
It it just it doesn't matchanyway, just make it flow
better, just make shit up.
SPEAKER_02 (35:21):
No one knows.
Um, so his design has changedover time from the bulky
dinosaur-like original tosleeker, more reptilian
versions.
His size has increased,reflecting his growing symbolic
weight.
In Shin Godzilla, he mutatesthroughout the film, showcasing
body horror, andunpredictability.
(35:42):
Um in some films, he shows hisintelligence and emotions, and
in others, he's a mindlessdestroyer.
The flexibility allowsfilmmakers to adapt him to
different narratives and themes.
He is the longest-running filmfranchise in history.
Wow.
His 70th anniversary in 2024 wasmarked by um retrospectives, new
(36:03):
releases, and fan celebrations.
Few characters have sustainedrelevance across so many decades
and cultures.
Very cool.
Uh Godzilla's ability to evolvewith changing designs, tones,
and themes ensures his continuedrelevance.
He can be tragic or triumphant,terrifying or terrifying,
(36:23):
depending on the culturalmovement.
And now we're gonna talk aboutNicole's diary.
Oh play that funky music, whitegirl.
SPEAKER_03 (36:52):
Alright, so um, yeah, so like I said at the
beginning of the show, I justgot home from vacation, so I
haven't even looked at this one,but um we're now up to April
5th, which was a Thursday.
Thursday, April 1984.
All right, today I went to Mrs.
Fox's again.
SPEAKER_02 (37:11):
God damn it.
SPEAKER_03 (37:13):
And went to school.
When I got to school today, whenI got to school today, uh Dawn
was here.
I don't know who Dawn is.
Mrs.
Bailey had a substitute again.
What the fuck, Mrs.
Bailey?
Where are you?
I hope she was okay.
(37:34):
She's probably on vacation.
You just didn't know that.
Today in reading, we got ourCaddy Woodlawn books and we read
it for a novel.
When I got home, me and Valeriemade hand puppets from my old
socks.
And that's on this day, uh,April 5th, 1984.
(37:57):
That's excellent.
Yeah.
Sock puppets.
I was such a dork.
SPEAKER_02 (38:06):
Sock puppets.
My sister and I were discussingyesterday, the day before.
Yesterday.
It was yesterday.
Um siblings.
Um, because her son um rattedout his sister on something.
(38:30):
And I said, Wow, what a rat.
My nephew will be 21 in July,and my niece just turned 17.
Um and yeah, he ratted her assout fast.
So I said to my sister, firstoff, he missed a golden
opportunity to blackmail her.
(38:51):
To never pay for anything everagain, uh-huh, and never have to
do a chore ever again and justhandle it like I did.
And she said, she said, yeah, nokidding.
And she said, I don't thinkbrother and sister bond is the
same as sisters.
Okay.
Because she said her boss has abrother and he would throw her
(39:13):
under the bus constantly.
And I was like, but there aresome things you take to the
grave, and what happened theother day is something he should
have taken to his grave.
Oh yes, in my opinion.
SPEAKER_03 (39:25):
Do you think maybe with the brother it's a
protection thing?
Now I don't know what this thingis.
Like, do you think that theyworry that they would be in harm
if the parents don't know?
Kind.
SPEAKER_02 (39:39):
I could see that being it still would have been
something I would have held overher.
I would have shut it down.
Yeah.
I would have handled it.
Yeah.
And then it would have been.
And she said the exact samething.
She was like, You would havejust held that over.
I said, I would have never youwould have been paying for my
shit forever.
SPEAKER_03 (39:56):
You'd still be paying for my shit.
I can't wait for this episode tobe over so I can find out what
it was.
SPEAKER_02 (40:01):
Anyway.
Back to this.
Okay.
Upcoming projects.
New films, anime series, andcrossovers are in development.
Tahoe and Legendary continue toexpand the Godzilla universe,
exploring new stories andcharacters.
Fans eagerly anticipate futurebattles, reboots, and
reinterpretations.
(40:22):
It's part of movie lore by now.
The original idea for Godzillawas that he would look something
like a giant octopus.
Ultimately, producer TamayokoTanerka Tanaka smartly decided
to go with a more dinosaur-likedesign instead.
Oh, here's all my fun facts.
Okay.
I forgot to mention that.
Um, because I did it weird.
(40:44):
Godzilla's Roar.
This is a this is fun.
This is probably gonna be inyour trivia somewhere.
For those of you that playtrivia, I'm gonna go on a limb
and guess this somewhere is atrivia question.
Godzilla's roar was made with aglove and a contrabass.
Composer Akira Ifikubu createdthe iconic roar by rubbing a
(41:04):
resin-coated leather glove alongthe strings of a double base and
slowing the playback.
No animal sounds are involved.
He did not capture a Godzilla.
The original suit weighed over200 pounds.
Haru Nakajima is the firstGodzilla actor.
(41:28):
He wore a suit so heavy and hotthat he could only perform for a
few minutes at a time.
He lost 20 pounds duringfilming.
Godzilla once had a dropkickmove.
In Godzilla versus Megalon in1973, he performed a flying
dropkick with both feet whilesliding on his tail.
(41:48):
It's one of the most meme warrymoments in Kaiju Kaiju cinema,
and I very much remember thatbecause he went flying through
the air like 80 feet, reallyentirely too far on his tail.
A little bit.
I remember that.
Um the Church of God, Zilla, wasfounded decades before the
(42:14):
radioactive monster'sconception, but that didn't stop
the congregation from tippingits hat.
To the odd coincidence, justbehind the church, a steel
wireframe dinosaur statue can beseen clutching a cross and sign.
So there is apparently a placein Japan named Zilla, and they
are the Church of God in Zilla.
(42:38):
And now I want to go there.
Patrick Stewart presentedGodzilla with an MTV Lifetime
Achievement Award in 1996.
I love me some Patrick Stewart.
Um we've all heard about histemper, about the people he
stepped on, his way to the top.
Stewart said during the ceremonyin the word world of stars and
(43:01):
superstars, it would be noexaggeration to say that he is
the biggest.
Listen for George Takai's richbaritone in the English language
version of Godzilla's secondfilm, Godzilla Raids Again,
which was his first was firstreleased in Japan in 1955.
(43:25):
Previously, the Star Trek legendhad broken into the film
industry by doing similar workon Rodan and other Toho monster
flicks.
I know Mr.
Sulu.
SPEAKER_03 (43:37):
That is super cool.
SPEAKER_02 (43:39):
Right?
SPEAKER_03 (43:39):
That was such a good I was so excited about that.
SPEAKER_02 (43:43):
I am a Star Trek nerd.
Yes.
He has appeared in The Simpsons,South Park, and Robot Chicken,
often as a parody of popculture, excess, or
misunderstood rage.
Um, we talked about theGodzilla-themed hotel in Tokyo.
Right.
Uh the hotel grassy Shinjukufeatures a life-size Godzilla
(44:05):
head on its terrace and themedrooms with Kazuku decor.
In 1992, one of the monster'scostumes, worth a whopping
$39,000, was stolen from aTohuho garage, only to be found
washed up on the shores of LakeAkutama near Tokyo, where it
inadvertently terrified a womanwho was out for a scroll.
SPEAKER_03 (44:28):
They tried to put him back in his natural habitat.
Can you imagine walking up?
SPEAKER_02 (44:36):
Oh, this is crazy.
SPEAKER_03 (44:37):
Oh my god, that's yeah, that would be pretty
terrifying.
SPEAKER_02 (44:44):
He's real.
Godzilla alert from 1977 to1979, Marvel ran a 24-issue
comic book series featuringGodzilla, which saw him square
off against both the Avengersand the Fantastic Four.
Uh, this one was fun fact, too.
(45:06):
During the climax of The LostWorld, Jurassic Park, an irate
T-Rex terrorizes San Diego.
At one point in the carnage, afew Japanese tourists can be
seen running for their lives,one of whom shouts in Japanese,
I left Japan to get away fromthis.
That was a great Easter egg.
(45:29):
Oh, a Batman versus Godzillacrossover movie was discussed
but never produced.
Thank God.
I know this.
SPEAKER_04 (45:37):
Oh man.
SPEAKER_02 (45:40):
Uh, Gojasaurus was discovered in northeastern New
Mexico in 1997.
I actually do remember this too.
The creature was roughly 18 feetlong and lived some 210 million
years ago during the Triassicperiod.
Um that this the scientificvalidity of this species has
(46:02):
become a topic of debate,however.
Um, but it was named afterGodzilla.
Uh Godzilla's height has grownover time, originally 50 meters
tall.
He's now over 120 meters in someversions, partly to keep up with
Tokyo's skyline.
He's been used in academicpapers.
Scholars have analyzed Godzillain fields like environmental
(46:23):
studies, political science, andtrauma theory.
And I want to go to Godzillaclass.
Um, God's Godzilla's atomicbreath has a real-world analogy.
It's inspired by the concept ofradioactive firestorms, a
phenomenon observed in Hiroshimaand Nagasaki.
SPEAKER_03 (46:43):
Oh, that doesn't sound like any fun.
SPEAKER_02 (46:47):
Um, no.
Manila, Godzilla's son, debutedin 1967.
SPEAKER_03 (46:53):
The killer in Manila.
SPEAKER_02 (46:55):
It's a chubby smoke ring blowing baby Kaju who
starred in several films duringthe Showa area era.
I don't know why I keep sayingarea.
That word just looks like area.
Um, Godzilla once talked.
In Godzilla versus Geegan in1972, he briefly speaks via
(47:16):
speech bubbles.
In the Japanese version, it isas weird as it sounds.
And I do remember that one.
He had a Hannah Barbera cartoonin the late 70s.
Godzilla was reimagined as afriendly protector with a
sidekick named Godzuki.
Do you remember that?
I do not.
I don't either.
Yeah.
(47:36):
Um.
Godzilla once endorsed Dr.
Pepper.
In the 1980s, he appeared inAmerican commercials for the
soda brand.
I do remember that.
He has been in a Snickers ad,portrayed as a diva who calms
down after eating a Snickersbar.
Classic, you're not, you're notyou when you're not when you're
(47:56):
hungry.
Oh my God.
You're not you when you'rehungry.
In 92, a lot happened forGodzilla in '92.
It was a big year for him.
Godzilla and NBA star CharlesBarkley faced off in a Nike ad.
The commercial, which was filmedover the course of eight days,
was also adapted into a comicbook.
SPEAKER_03 (48:19):
Hmm.
I don't think I remember that.
I don't remember that either.
I do love me some Charles.
I mean, who does that?
I know.
Every tell you my nephew met himin the Philly airport.
My uh older nephew, uh, I havethe his selfie on my phone.
He he took a selfie and sent itto all of us.
(48:41):
That's fun.
Yeah, yeah.
He said he was super nice.
SPEAKER_02 (48:44):
I've heard good things about him.
Yeah.
That he is super nice.
Mm-hmm.
Um, so Godzilla is more than acinematic cinematic monster.
He's a cultural phenomenon, asymbol of humanity's fears and
hopes, and a testament tostorytelling powers.
Uh from the ruins of wars to theheight of global stardom, his
(49:05):
journey reflects our own, markedby destruction, resilience, and
reinvention.
Uh, whether stomping throughTokyo or battling Kong, no.
And IMAX, Godzilla remains atowering figure in the landscape
of pop culture.
Uh-da.
And he will because we stillhave issues with nuclear power.
(49:25):
Mm-hmm.
Right now.
Probably could put out aGodzilla movie today.
Yeah, for sure.
Um, so yeah, that's Godzilla.
SPEAKER_03 (49:34):
That was really, really cool.
I I just of course I know thatGodzilla has always been in my
life and uh always been kind ofeverywhere, but I didn't realize
how much of an influence.
SPEAKER_02 (49:46):
You really don't until you start thinking about
how much and start listing it.
SPEAKER_03 (49:50):
Yeah, it's like wow.
And you're like, oh yeah, Iremember that.
Oh yeah, I remember that onetoo.
SPEAKER_04 (49:56):
Oh, Godzilla.
SPEAKER_03 (49:59):
I definitely need to watch a movie.
Which era do you suggest if Ijust were to watch one?
Um well, I know your favoriteone, but the Mothra.
Um like the old black and whiteone.
SPEAKER_02 (50:10):
Probably.
I mean, the one with MatthewBroder's not bad.
Okay.
It's fine.
It's it's very now.
It's modern.
I kind of want to watch an olderone.
Whatever one.
I mean, you really can't gowrong.
Okay.
Because they're all awesome.
Okay.
In their own little way.
I I just I love he's myfavorite.
SPEAKER_03 (50:34):
Yeah.
So yeah.
SPEAKER_02 (50:36):
I see why now.
If you have off this weekend oryou're dust roaming around Black
Friday and you're like, I do notwant to leave my house because
it's Black Bucking Friday, maybelook up a Godzilla movie.
I'm sure they're streamingsomewhere.
Yeah, they've gotta be.
I'm gonna look it up.
I should have looked it up.
So I looked it up.
You can pretty much get itanywhere.
(50:56):
Uh it said HBO Max had thelargest, but I'm sure you can
find them somewhere.
Right.
And maybe over the weekendthey're on cable somewhere.
So yeah, yeah.
SPEAKER_03 (51:06):
Godzilla.
Godzilla.
SPEAKER_02 (51:07):
And I'm also now I remember Godzilla Alert.
I might get that as a ringtoneon my phone.
Ooh.
Godzilla alert.
Love it.
So that's that, guys.
Hope you enjoyed yourThanksgiving.
SPEAKER_03 (51:21):
Yes.
SPEAKER_02 (51:22):
Hope you had lots of yummy food.
Yeah.
Uh, like, share, rate, review.
Please.
Um, find us wherever you listento podcasts.
All the socials at Lake WhateverPod.
Our new website,www.likewhateverpod.com, where
(51:44):
you can find our merch.
You can send us an email aboutyour favorite Godzilla villain
to likewateverpod at gmail.comor don't like whatever.
Whatever.
Bye.
Godzilla.
Two best friends fucking fast We're missing two
arcades We're having a blastEating these dreams be on
screens It was all bad like youknow it's like whatever forever
Ever never never laughingsharing our story whatever we'll
(00:24):
take you back like whateverWelcome to Like Whatever a
podcast for by and about Gen X.
SPEAKER_03 (00:36):
I'm Nicole and this is my BFFF Heather.
Hello So I just got back fromFlorida yesterday.
Okay.
Hey Kay.
I went down to see my parents.
Yes.
We had so much fun.
It was your dad's birthday, yes.
It was.
Yep.
On Sunday, it was his birthday.
Uh he turned 78.
(00:56):
He wore an old geezer t-shirt.
He did.
He did.
Yep.
Um, yeah, it's hot down there.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
It wasn't too bad.
It was like literally 85 andsunny every single day.
SPEAKER_02 (01:09):
Well, they're down farther, so because uh had a
cold snap today, like the weekbefore or something.
SPEAKER_03 (01:14):
Yeah, they're down in Fort Myers.
So um, but that heat didn'tbother me.
It's the fact that they keeptheir thermostatin house set at
77.
Because they're old people.
Because they're old.
Right.
My last night there, I wasbecause I was just miserable
trying to sleep in 77 degrees.
So the last night before I wasgoing to bed, I was like, man,
it feels like extra hot in here.
(01:35):
And my stepmom was like, I don'tknow why.
Um it's 77 in here, like italways is.
I'm like, and she's like, I'llturn it down to 76 for you.
Excellent.
So much better.
I mean, getting out of theshower, I'm like sweating before
I can even get dried off.
I'm trying to take cold showers.
SPEAKER_05 (01:57):
That's brutal.
SPEAKER_03 (01:59):
But we did some fun stuff.
We went to Santa Ball Beach.
Um, saw this old rustylighthouse on the beach.
Lots of pelicans.
Yes.
Lots of pelicans, um, dolphins.
Yes, they have the sea life downthere.
Oh, yes.
They're on the gulf.
Yes, and lots and lots of prettybirds.
(02:19):
Yes.
SPEAKER_02 (02:20):
Um shells too.
Shell beach.
SPEAKER_03 (02:22):
Sanibel is supposed to be shell beach.
There is a shell beach on inSanibel.
We did not go to the shellbeach.
Um, I did find a couple ofshells, but um my parents told
me that there hadn't been anystorms lately, so there wasn't
really anything new up there.
Um, and we went to a uh uhwildlife reserve and drove
(02:46):
through and saw lots of thoseflying fish that come flying up
out of the water.
Tons of those.
Yes.
Um, some eels.
Ew.
Lots of water snakes.
Yeah.
Lots of birds, a really cool uhspoon build um that has really
pretty pink feathers.
(03:06):
The only flamingo I saw wasflying overhead.
Right.
It flew over me.
Um, but we did we think therewas a herd of them like further
across the water.
But they were too small for usto really tell.
Ah.
Yeah.
So that was fun.
SPEAKER_02 (03:23):
Um I don't think I've ever seen a flamingo out in
the wild.
As many times as I've been toFlorida, I don't think I've ever
seen one in the wild.
SPEAKER_03 (03:31):
Um big iguana.
Yeah, gross.
Mm-hmm.
Yeah.
So that was fun.
Uh and then another day we wentout to alligator alley because I
wanted to see alligators in thewild.
Right.
I've only ever seen them inzoos.
It it I mean, they were kind offar away, but it's still kind of
scary.
Yeah.
(03:52):
But we saw quite a few of them.
That was super neat.
SPEAKER_02 (03:55):
Um sometimes when you drive down, especially when
you drive down to the keys.
Um, because when I was little,that's what we do.
We would hit Florida and thendrive down to the keys for
Thanksgiving.
Um you can see them on the sideof the road.
Yeah.
Mm-hmm.
Yeah.
SPEAKER_03 (04:11):
Yeah, and then they have like cougar crossing signs.
They have quite the wildlifedown there.
They have bears.
They do.
I thought bears needed likewoods.
SPEAKER_02 (04:22):
There's no woods in beach bears, I guess.
SPEAKER_03 (04:27):
Yeah.
That's what I called them.
SPEAKER_02 (04:30):
I was surprised actually that North Carolina had
bears.
SPEAKER_04 (04:33):
Mm-hmm.
SPEAKER_02 (04:34):
Like when you're when you're going down to um
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina,and all that, and you the way
you cut through Virginia anddown the coast, they have bears
crossing there too.
I thought that was weird.
Yeah, yeah.
SPEAKER_03 (04:47):
I didn't I didn't realize I thought they were more
of a cold weather.
Mountainous creature.
Yep, yep.
Apparently that.
Yeah, so I I got learnt a lot.
We spent um a lot of time at theAmerican Legion, my dad's
favorite thing to do.
Belly up to the bar and that'sfun.
Yeah, it was fun.
So they got to show me off,right?
(05:07):
They have to introduce me toevery single person in the room.
Of course.
But they're adorable, so it'sall good.
Yeah, we ate the day we wentdown, well, I called it
alligator alley, which it is,but everglades.
Um, we ate at a Havana cafe, aCuban cafe.
Man, it was so good.
Yes.
(05:27):
And there were chickens androosters running around.
SPEAKER_02 (05:30):
Yep, yep.
They have actual Cuban foodthere.
SPEAKER_03 (05:33):
Yes, yes, like the real stuff.
Mm-hmm.
Mm-hmm.
And it was amazing.
Um, yeah, just we just had areally good time.
My flight got delayed goingdown.
So I was supposed to arrive inFlorida around 11 in the
morning.
I never got there till 7:30 thatnight after delays.
(05:54):
A bunch of delays, which got awhole day out of our vacation,
which sucked.
But all three of us sat up tilltwo in the morning talking.
Oh boy.
Then Janet were like, I haven'tdone this in decades.
So we made up for a little timethere.
And yep, then when I was comingback yesterday, starting the
night before, we're just steadychecking for delays, and we're
(06:15):
like, of course they don't delayit on my way out.
On the way back.
No, because I gotta move themplanes for this weekend.
Yep, yep.
So I was there at nine for a 12o'clock flight.
They were a little anxious toget back to the colour.
How do you like that airline?
I love it.
I love, love, love it.
It's so easy.
Yes.
SPEAKER_02 (06:33):
I know flying out is easy because you just go to
Newcastle.
It's like stupid easy.
Yeah.
Yes, yes.
It's like flying into Salisbury.
SPEAKER_03 (06:40):
Yep, yep.
I love, love a vellow.
Yeah is what it's called.
Yeah.
So yeah, I will definitelyanywhere I can go from there, I
will to avoid the humongousPhiladelphia airport.
Exactly.
SPEAKER_02 (06:53):
Yeah.
That's why I always saidSalisbury.
It used to be, it's not anymore,but it used to be like 50 extra
dollars, and you would take offfrom uh Salisbury and it would
take you to Philadelphia, andthen you would catch your plane
to wherever from Philadelphia.
But you only went throughsecurity in Salisbury, which is
like, you carrying anything?
(07:13):
No, cool, bye.
Yeah, yeah.
SPEAKER_03 (07:15):
That's basically it.
Not hard.
I know I got in trouble.
I I try so hard to pack whereI'm supposed, whether it's
carry-on or or checked.
And um, so I checked in, gavethem my bag, what showed the
little really mean lady mypassport, and then went up and
(07:36):
did the x-ray thing with mycarry-on and myself.
And then I go into the waitingarea and I go in the restroom,
and while I'm in there, I hearNicole Barr, please report back
to the check-in.
SPEAKER_04 (07:47):
I was like, oh What did I do wrong?
SPEAKER_03 (07:50):
So I said I come through and I tell security I
have to go, so they have to stopthe line and let me go the
opposite way of traffic, andthen I get to the mean lady, and
I was like, I said, they calledmy name, and she was like, Yeah.
And I said, Well, are you theone I'm supposed to come see?
I don't ever call anybody.
I was like, Oh.
She's like, You need to go backthere.
(08:11):
So I'll go all the way back tochecking and I'd put my laptop
in my carry-on or in my checkbag.
Right.
I had my laptop plug in mycarry-on.
I was so confused.
So anyway, they gave me that,and then when I got to Florida,
I had the little note in therethat said they rummaged through
my bag because they went rightin and took it out.
They didn't like let me do it.
(08:32):
Then I had to go back throughall the securities.
SPEAKER_02 (08:34):
Yeah, they don't like them being on the belly of
the plane.
SPEAKER_03 (08:36):
Yeah, yeah.
I didn't mean to do it.
No, I know.
I had my recharge, my littlerecharger thing in my bag.
Oh well.
Maybe I'll get it right one ofthese times.
SPEAKER_02 (08:48):
That's why it's better to leave from them little
airports.
Yes, exactly.
SPEAKER_03 (08:53):
So yeah, it was good times.
That's fun.
Yeah, and and the neighbors, onemorning there were such loud
birds outside.
I was like, what is that?
And they were like, Oh, theneighbor just fed the the
parrots.
And I went out and all theselike three foot tall McCalls,
probably.
No, they were green and black.
Oh.
They weren't three feet, theywere probably two feet, but they
(09:16):
um he had two big feeders, andthere must have been 50.
I mean, they were completelypacked in, wrapped around the
feeders, all over the ground,all over the stand.
They were so cool.
It was really neat.
Yeah.
I'm a big nerd for birds.
Yeah, me too.
Just nature.
I like birds.
Yeah.
Yep.
(09:36):
I have one.
Yeah.
SPEAKER_02 (09:38):
You do.
She's the reason I can't get mynails done right now.
Look, I snapped a nail.
Oh no.
I know.
I did that last week, but Ican't go because she fucked with
my finger here.
Like got in the corner of it,and now it's infected.
So like I can't go get my nailsdone.
Right.
I'm very disappointed because Ireally wanted to do it before
Thanksgiving, which by the way,happy Thanksgiving, everyone.
(10:01):
Oh, yes, happy Thanksgiving.
I hope you enjoyed your turkeyor whatever it is you eat.
And if you're not in the UnitedStates, I hope you enjoyed your
Thursday.
Yeah, exactly.
SPEAKER_03 (10:11):
Yeah, so we're recording this the day before
Thanksgiving.
Yes.
It will release the day after.
Yes.
So tomorrow my roomie and I aregoing to uh a restaurant at the
beach to have Thanksgivingdinner.
That's fun.
Pretty excited about that.
Except it's gonna be cold, cold,and windy.
(10:33):
Yeah.
So 85 to 30 something.
Today is really warm.
Yeah.
Weird.
I know.
I had a jacket on and I left thehouse.
I was like, ugh, take this thingoff.
SPEAKER_02 (10:45):
I actually have today off because it is my day,
actual day off.
Wednesdays are my day off.
And I had to take it, which Inormally don't like to take my
day off because reasons.
But um they are kind of makingus now.
So uh so I have two days in awhole row.
I don't even know what to dowith this.
Crazy.
SPEAKER_03 (11:06):
Well, tomorrow you're gonna eat the best
Thanksgiving meal in thecountry.
SPEAKER_02 (11:09):
I go to my aunt's, I have the Thanksgiving there.
She's the best cook.
She is.
I'm so jealous.
Yes, she is she's already beentexting back and forth about
what time, and I don't know whythey asked me what time, because
I don't give a fuck.
But I guess everybody else hastime to train my cousin.
But I was like, whenever.
I don't know.
You don't even have to tell metill the day of what time.
(11:30):
I don't know.
So that's what I'll be doing.
SPEAKER_03 (11:35):
Yeah.
Yeah.
Trying to get some Christmasshopping done.
SPEAKER_02 (11:40):
I will not be doing that.
I don't know what I'm doingtonight.
I don't know.
Probably gonna have the I dohave to go to the grocery store.
Anyway, tonight.
Night is not the night store.
Maybe we'll just door dash it.
(12:00):
Probably not the night for doordashing either.
True.
I probably should be actuallydoing the door dashing tonight
because I'm sure they make madmoney.
SPEAKER_03 (12:07):
Yes, probably.
SPEAKER_02 (12:08):
I think today, is it today?
It's like the second biggestpizza night besides the Super
Bowl or something like that.
The night before Thanksgiving.
SPEAKER_03 (12:17):
And I think tonight is might be the heaviest
drinking night, going out to thebar and yeah.
Yep.
So there's that.
Yeah.
Maybe I'll just get drunk.
There you go.
There you go.
I think um I heard too that umUber is giving free rides
tonight.
Yeah.
Usually they do stuff like that,like around the.
(12:38):
So you don't want people to havethe cost stop them from doing
it.
Being responsible.
Yeah, be responsible.
SPEAKER_02 (12:46):
Drink and drive.
SPEAKER_03 (12:47):
No.
SPEAKER_02 (12:49):
Um, so we also have an exciting new development.
Ooh.
Heather finally got her shittogether, figured out how to
make a website because the onehost she had it on made it
nearly impossible for a normalperson to figure out how to do
it.
Had to wait a year for it to bereleased, my domain name.
Uh-huh.
(13:09):
And then I've been fighting forthe past five or six days about
letting the old domain peoplelet the new domain people have
the domain.
Oh Lord.
And last night I because I keptcheck it kept saying, check, it
will we'll email you when ithappens.
And it kept saying there's anerror, there's an error, and I
was like, no, I'm not, I'm I'mdone now.
(13:30):
This has got to be done bytoday, so that I can announce
today that we have it.
SPEAKER_03 (13:36):
Yep.
SPEAKER_02 (13:36):
So I got it fixed.
Yep.
And today it went live and Isent it to Nicole.
SPEAKER_03 (13:42):
Yep.
And it will be going up onsocials later.
I just was a little slow movingthis morning.
All good.
unknown (13:47):
Couldn't get it done.
SPEAKER_02 (13:50):
It's just been a fight for the last like five
days.
Because I got every it let mebuild it, and it was a million
times easier to build it on thisone than the other one.
Because the other one was like,oh, it's super easy.
And about no, it's a lie.
But this new one was super easy.
So what kind of things are wegonna have?
You can listen on there.
(14:11):
Um, there is a link to theInstagram.
There isn't a link to all thesocials, but specifically a
little banner comes up forInstagram.
Don't know why, okay, but itdoes.
That's fine.
Um we're we're active onInstagram, so I figured you
liked Instagram.
So um what else does it?
SPEAKER_03 (14:28):
Oh, you can buy merch.
I was gonna say, are we gonnaget our merch up finally?
SPEAKER_02 (14:32):
We have merch.
Yeah, we can buy some merch.
Um that's exciting.
Yeah, there's hats, t-shirts,sweatshirts, and water bottles.
Ooh, because I did that over theweekend also.
I'm so proud of you.
SPEAKER_03 (14:46):
Well, I was down lounging around in Florida.
Yeah, I didn't want to apply.
SPEAKER_02 (14:49):
I didn't usually bug her like 800 times, and I was
like, I'm not gonna bug herbecause she's with her dad.
So just do what you need to doand get it done.
That's what I did.
Yeah.
So you can find us at uhwww.likewhateverpod.com we even
got.
SPEAKER_03 (15:08):
So check us out.
It's so special.
Thank you, thank you, thank youfor doing that.
You're awesome.
SPEAKER_02 (15:14):
Let me know if it's just horrible, everybody at
home.
SPEAKER_03 (15:17):
Yeah.
If you have any issues, let usknow.
Yeah.
So that we so Heather can figureout how to fix it.
Tell you, I don't know what todo.
Sounds like a you problem.
Yeah, if if you contact us withan issue, have a resolution for
it as well.
SPEAKER_02 (15:31):
That doesn't cost me any money.
SPEAKER_03 (15:33):
Exactly.
Uh yeah, I think, yeah, besidestravel, I had a nice flight
home.
I had an older man on by on thewindow seat, and as we flew into
Wilmington Airport, he pointedout his house out the window to
me.
(15:53):
I do that shit when we fly overhere.
I'm like, oh look, that'slimited.
No one cares.
And then there was a cryingtwo-year-old because the flight
took off at noon, which is hisnap time.
Yeah.
His dad was next to me, and thenmom and the two-year-old, and
then a four-year-old daughter,um, were sitting there.
And finally, the mom came overand sat with me with him, and I
(16:16):
can talk good to babies.
SPEAKER_02 (16:18):
So you like babies.
SPEAKER_03 (16:19):
Yes.
I got him calmed down and hepassed out on mom for about an
hour.
So I mean, even when we landed,as hard as you hit and as loud
as it is, he didn't flint.
Like that kid was out.
But the cutest part was theirdaughter's name, the
four-year-old, was Olivia.
And there was also a fresh newflight attendant who was having
her first official flight.
(16:41):
So when we landed, they askedfor a round of applause for
Olivia, and the little girlthought it was for her.
And the parents were kind ofrolling their eyes.
I was like, let her think that.
unknown (16:53):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_03 (16:55):
Who cares?
Right.
She'll be telling her wholelife.
We landed once and everybodycaught for me.
It was pretty cute.
That's wondering.
Yeah.
So yeah, good time.
I can't wait to go back.
Yeah.
Yep.
SPEAKER_02 (17:09):
Wait, hopefully, we'll be able to go back in
January for Podfest.
SPEAKER_03 (17:14):
Ooh.
Yeah.
You go and us tickets again.
Yeah.
Okay.
Okay.
When do you register for that?
SPEAKER_02 (17:22):
Pops up on the Facebook page.
SPEAKER_03 (17:23):
Oh, okay.
Yeah.
All right.
All right.
You do your thing.
Um, so find us wherever youlisten to podcasts.
Like, share, rate, review.
Please.
We are on all the socials atlike whatever pod.
Uh we have a new website atwww.likewhateverpod.com where
(17:48):
you can listen, buy merch, andapparently get connected to
Instagram.
So um, or you can leave us anemail at likewateverpod at
gmail.com.
SPEAKER_02 (18:00):
Excellent.
So this is my week.
And I just told her right beforewe started.
You're gonna have to follow.
Come with me on a journey.
Come with me on a journey.
Um so we're gonna fuck aroundand find out about Godzilla.
What?
Here's why.
Here's the mental gymnasticswe're all gonna be doing.
(18:22):
Uh-huh.
Thanksgiving is the time forfamily.
My family, big fans of theGodzilla.
SPEAKER_04 (18:31):
Huge.
SPEAKER_02 (18:33):
All year, and like, okay, so here in the wintertime,
especially when I was in the 80sand 90s, there's literally
nothing to do here from likeFebruary to March.
Literally nothing.
So on weekends when we were homefrom school, literally nothing
to do.
And we had a wood stove and it'scold.
(18:53):
I mean, it's not cold, coldbecause it's usually in the 40s,
but it's fucking windy all thetime.
SPEAKER_03 (18:57):
All the time.
Yeah.
SPEAKER_02 (18:58):
So it's cold.
Um so we would spend a lot oftime inside.
And somewhere always would be aGodzilla movie.
Just always.
There's always a Godzilla movieon any given weekend ever.
So we would watch them MysteryScience Theater 3000 style.
(19:19):
Oh yes.
So, which we will do an episodeon because fucking love that
show.
Um, but we that's what we woulddo.
That's why that show is also afamily show because we did that
too.
But it was just a familytradition, so that's why I was
like family, Godzilla,Thanksgiving word.
There we go.
(19:40):
Also, because Godzilla receivedhis star on the Hollywood Walk
of Fame on November 29th, 2004.
Oh it celebrated the 50thanniversary of Godzilla's debut
in the 1954 film.
He's more than a monster.
See, this is you know, you don'treally think about it until I
guess you get older.
(20:01):
Maybe not.
I I didn't really think about ituntil I started doing this, and
I was like, huh.
I get it now.
Um, he's a metaphor, a myth, anda mirror reflecting humanity's
deepest fears and wildestimaginations.
Uh his debut in 1954, herampaged through cities, battled
other kaiju or strange beast ormonster, and evolved into a
(20:26):
global icon.
I'm just gonna use the kaiju,because strange beast or monster
is a little bit much.
His journey spans decades,genres, and continents, making
him one of the most enduring andadaptable figures in cinematic
history.
He first appeared in Gojira in1954, directed by Isherhiro
(20:46):
Honda and produced by TohoStudios.
The film was, and I apologize tomy um Japanese listeners if we
have any, because I am gonnablow it.
I'm a white girl.
I don't know.
Um, it was direct response tothe atomic bombings of Hiroshima
and Nama Nagasaki and the 1954Lucky Dragon number five
(21:10):
incident in which Japanesefishermen were exposed to
nuclear fallout from U.S.
hydrogen bomb tests in thePacific.
And then when I read that, I waslike, uh-huh.
SPEAKER_05 (21:20):
Uh-huh.
SPEAKER_02 (21:22):
Oh.
unknown (21:23):
Got it.
SPEAKER_02 (21:24):
I'm fucking stupid.
Um in Gojira, the monster isawakened and mutated by nuclear
radiation, emerging from theoceans to wreak havoc on Tokyo.
The film's tone is somber andtragic, portraying Godzilla not
as a villain, but as aconsequence of human hubris.
His rampage is a metaphor fornuclear destruction, a force
(21:44):
unleashed by science but beyondhuman control.
Honda used innovative specialeffects, including suitmation,
which is just actors in amonster suit, and miniature sets
to bring Godzilla to life.
Composer Akira Ifukubu hauntingscore added emotional weight
while the film's stark black andwhite visuals emphasized its
(22:07):
bleak message.
Kajura was a box office successin Japan and later released in
the US in the US as GodzillaKing of the Monsters in 1956,
with added scenes featuringRaymond Burr.
Though heavily edited, theAmerican version introduced
Godzilla to Western audiencesand began his journey as a
global phenomenon.
Probably really edited out thewhole nuclear issue that we
(22:32):
created.
So the Showa era is 1954 to1975.
In the Showa era, Godzillatransitioned from a symbol of
nuclear horror to a heroicdefender of Earth.
Films like Ghidorah and TheThree-headed Monster in 1964 and
Destroy All Monsters in 1968featured Godzilla battering
(22:54):
other kaiju to protect humanity.
And my favorite, I have to say,is Godzilla versus Mothra.
And I love that one.
This shift reflected Japan'spost-war recovery and growing
optimism.
The films became morefantastical and child-friendly,
often emphasizing teamwork andmoral lessons.
Godzilla's design softened andhe developed a personality,
(23:17):
sometimes even dancing orshowing empathy.
And those are the movies thatare the best to MST3K.
Because they're just like, whatis happening?
Also, one of the ones I watched,um, it's been recent because
I'll still watch a Godzillamovie.
And it was like from like, Iwant to say, it was either the
(23:39):
late 90s or the 2000s, it'sdefinitely maybe in the 2000s.
When in the 2000s, I don't know.
But anyway, they're in anapartment building and an alarm
goes off, and of course, transthey're dubbed over, and it's a
Godzilla alert, Godzilla alert.
And I was like, okay, so if youhave an alert system for the
(24:01):
giant monster, maybe figure outa way to kill the giant monster.
SPEAKER_03 (24:07):
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Like why I don't then they can'tmake any more movies.
SPEAKER_02 (24:11):
I mean, it was like a smoke detector that would go
off, like Godzilla alert.
And I was like, well, I mean, ifyou figured that part out, why
do you not?
Whatever.
Um, the High Sai era, uh 84 to95, returned to darkness.
The it marked a return toGodzilla's darker roots.
(24:33):
The return of Godzilla in 1984ignored previous sequels and
served as a direct follow-up tothe original.
It portrayed Godzilla as adestructive force once again,
with Cold War tensions andnuclear fear resurfacing.
Subsequent films in this eraformed a cohesive narrative arc,
exploring themes like geneticengineering, Godzilla versus
Viante in 1989,environmentalism, Godzilla vs.
(24:57):
Mafra, 92.
Um, and I even wrote after that,my favorite.
And the dangers of technology,Godzilla versus Mechanagodzilla,
part two, in 1993, and Iremember that one too.
Uh, the Millennium Era, 99 to2004, um, was experimental
(25:18):
reboots.
The Millennium Era featuredstandalone stories, each
reimagining Godzilla's originsand role.
These films experimented withtone and style from the
horror-infused Godzilla, Mothra,and King Ghidorah, Giant
Monsters All Out Attack in 2001,which is a really long title, to
the action-packed Godzilla FinalWars in 2004.
(25:40):
Um, they were not commerciallysuccessful, but they showcased
Godzilla's versatility and pavedthe way for future reinventions.
Nice.
The Rewal era, 2016 to thepresent, is political satire and
global blockbusters.
And I think we all know those.
Shin Godzilla in 2016, directedby Heidike Ano, referred
(26:02):
redefined the franchise with asatirical take on government
bureaucracy and disasterresponse.
And I'm gonna go out on a limband guess that's the one that
has the Godzilla alert becauseof the disaster response.
Godzilla evolves throughout thefilm, symbolizing an unstoppable
crisis echoing Japan'sexperience with the 2011
(26:24):
Fukushima disaster.
Meanwhile, Legendary Pictureslaunched the Monster Verse in
the U.S., starting with Godzillain 2014, followed by Godzilla
King of the Monsters in 2019,and Godzilla vs.
Kong in 2021, which I did notwill watch because I refuse to
allow those two things to happenat the same time.
(26:45):
These films emphasize spectacleand crossover appeal,
introducing Godzilla to a newgeneration of global fans.
Do you remember those new oneswith um oh my god, what's his
name?
From Ferris Bueller?
SPEAKER_03 (27:00):
Matthew Broderick.
SPEAKER_02 (27:01):
Matthew Broderick.
SPEAKER_03 (27:03):
I do remember when they came out.
SPEAKER_02 (27:05):
I don't know if they're actually not bad.
Okay.
Um, and then there's eggs and itgoes whatever.
So from the beginning, Godzillahas embodied nuclear fear.
He his origin as a createcreature mutated by radiation.
Uh the trauma of Hiroshima andNagasaki.
(27:28):
Oh, in Shin Godzilla andGodzilla versus Destroya, 1995,
um, they revisit this theme,portraying Godzilla as a walking
reactor or a metaphor fornuclear meltdown.
Godzilla's battles often involvenature's wrath.
Mothra represents ecologicalbalance, while Hidora, the smog
(27:49):
monster, symbolizes pollution.
These narratives create critiqueindustrialization and warn
against environmental neglect.
So, like, you know, Godzilla isquite the uh yeah, I d I didn't
realize all this stuff about it.
He is an environmentalist.
SPEAKER_03 (28:11):
Tree hugger.
SPEAKER_02 (28:12):
Which is weird because you know the oceans will
rise and then he'll have morebecause he lives under the
ocean.
So maybe he just needs morespace down there.
I guess I don't know.
It's like, no, I don't want yourland in my ocean.
Your goddamn shit up there.
Shin Godzilla critiquesgovernment inefficiency, showing
(28:33):
how red tape and indecisionexacerbate disaster.
It was that one that has the umI do I do remember that.
Earlier films also reflectgeopolitical tensions such as
Cold War anxieties and Japan'srelationship with the US.
Um Godzilla often punisheshumanity for its arrogance,
whether through nuclear testing,genetic manipulation, or
(28:54):
technological overreach,especially because they just
keep building the same goddamncity and the same guy not shot.
And he's like, I just destroyedthat.
You didn't get rid of me.
So I'm coming back.
Uh he is a reminder that naturecannot be controlled and that
scientific progress must betempered with responsibility.
(29:17):
Just because you can doesn'tmean you should.
We need more people to realizethat.
Brady.
Just because you can clone yourdog doesn't mean you should
clone your dog.
Yeah.
Oh, and then today, literallytoday.
Okay, so here time outeverybody.
(29:37):
Yeah.
Not really, because it is kindof related.
My biggest fear in the wholeother than snakes in the whole
entire world is a thing callednanites.
SPEAKER_03 (29:45):
Okay.
SPEAKER_02 (29:46):
They are tiny, tiny, tiny little robots that they
inject into you that go towhatever specific cancer or
whatever and destroy that.
Okay.
Okay.
So let's just Discuss the 45bazillion different ways that's
gonna go wrong.
Because if they're tiny enoughto go get your cancer, they're
(30:07):
tiny enough to get in yourbrain, and then what?
And then who controls it?
Yep.
Trump.
Thank you.
Thanks, Obama.
So today I read that they havenow built a robot the size of a
grain of rice that will go intoyour kidneys and destroy stones.
And you know what I say to that?
SPEAKER_05 (30:28):
No.
SPEAKER_02 (30:29):
I will die before I let anybody but nanites.
My sister has been given strictinstructions to never let anyone
inject me with nanites.
She said, okay.
Weirdo.
Then I sent her this today, andI was like, here we go.
Yep.
Yep.
And I'm gonna have cancer withinthe next probably five years.
(30:51):
So don't be putting that shit inthere.
Okay with the cancer.
Oh, Lord.
In Japan, Godzilla is a nationalicon.
He's appeared on postage stamps,in tourism campaigns, and even
received honorable honorarycitizenship in Tokyo's Shinjuku
Word.
Board.
(31:12):
Character is studied in filmschools and ref referenced in
literature, music, and art.
Toho Studios has built aGodzilla-themed hotel and
museum, and it's literally theonly where I would want to go in
Japan now.
And the character continues toinspire Japanese filmmakers,
artists, and scholars.
I should say Tokyo seems like alovely place, although it does
(31:36):
get destroyed by giant monstersall the time.
But I don't think I could gothere because of the video I
have seen of their subwaysituation.
Yes.
That one where it's like all thepeople of Tokyo are in one spot
and they're trying to get ontrack.
(31:56):
It is a way populated.
Yeah, I don't think I could gothere for this.
If I if you could justhelicopter me in to this
Godzilla themed hotel, then thenI would go.
But I don't think I can think Ican go.
SPEAKER_03 (32:09):
When we get ripped off this podcast, we'll take a
private plane and just go there.
SPEAKER_02 (32:14):
Because I don't think I can deal with any other
part of Tokyo.
It is too much.
It's it's a lot.
It's too neon and it's too.
Oh no, it's a lot.
It seems like a lot.
And nobody, I don't understandwhat they're saying, although I
imagine most of it is English.
(32:34):
Yeah.
And they have teeny tiny littleapartments.
And they have teeny tiny littlepeople.
Their people are small.
Yes.
Yes.
And their apartments are veryteeny tiny.
Yeah.
And but they have the coolestgadgets.
SPEAKER_03 (32:46):
They do.
Yeah.
And they're all a lot of big catlovers over there.
Yes.
SPEAKER_02 (32:52):
They do like their cat.
That's because they have teenytiny.
SPEAKER_03 (32:54):
So they can fit into their house.
They can't have a dog.
They can't have friends over.
They can't have dogs.
They have a cat.
SPEAKER_02 (33:00):
There's no yard to take.
And they they stack apartments,like 500 million of them in one
building.
Yeah.
So in order to take your dogout, you'd have but they do have
cool gadgets.
Yeah.
unknown (33:12):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_02 (33:13):
You wouldn't like the food there either.
Yeah, absolutely not.
Can't eat it at all anyway,because they put shelf wish and
everything.
SPEAKER_03 (33:19):
Oh yeah.
SPEAKER_02 (33:20):
Um, I'd have to go to McDonald's all the time.
Um they probably don't havenormal McDonald's stuff.
They probably have a theyprobably have like an American.
Yeah, they have cheeseburgerseverywhere.
Um in the West, Godzilla'sinfluence on Western cinema is
vast.
He inspired monster movies likeCloverfield in 2008, Pacific Rim
(33:41):
in 2013, and Rampage in 2018.
The suffix Zilla has entered thelexicon as shorthand for excess
or monstrosity, like Bradzilla.
Yeah.
Godzilla has appeared inAmerican comics, cartoons, and
video games.
His crossover with King Kong inGodzilla vs.
Kong 2021 was a box office hit,even though it's stupid.
(34:05):
Godzilla's imager image adoresadorns toys, apparel, posters,
and collectibles.
Video games range from arcadeclassics to modern console
titles.
His roar is iconic, instantlyrecognizable across generations.
Um, so let's talk about what helooks like.
SPEAKER_03 (34:24):
This has been very cool to learn.
I I have to admit, I don't waittill I get some fun facts.
I mean, I've seen I of courseI've seen Godzilla when I was
younger, but I didn't realizeall this about it, and I think I
might go home tonight and watcha Godzilla.
SPEAKER_02 (34:39):
They're just timeless, they're just great.
Yeah.
And though, you know, yeah,they're horrible.
SPEAKER_03 (34:44):
Well, that's the best kind of movie.
I mean, my favorite movie in theworld is Transylvania 6500, and
it doesn't get much worse thanthat.
You know, just like the dubbingis terrible, and that's just all
awful, and that's what makes itfantastic.
Yeah.
Well, I've really gotten intothe uh Netflix foreign uh series
is oh yeah, and that's a lot ofdubbing now, so I've gotten used
(35:05):
to it.
And it's funny, they reallyhaven't gotten much better at
the dubbing.
No, like I they do try to lineit up, and I appreciate that,
but it still sounds veryrobotic.
It it just it doesn't matchanyway, just make it flow
better, just make shit up.
SPEAKER_02 (35:21):
No one knows.
Um, so his design has changedover time from the bulky
dinosaur-like original tosleeker, more reptilian
versions.
His size has increased,reflecting his growing symbolic
weight.
In Shin Godzilla, he mutatesthroughout the film, showcasing
body horror, andunpredictability.
(35:42):
Um in some films, he shows hisintelligence and emotions, and
in others, he's a mindlessdestroyer.
The flexibility allowsfilmmakers to adapt him to
different narratives and themes.
He is the longest-running filmfranchise in history.
Wow.
His 70th anniversary in 2024 wasmarked by um retrospectives, new
(36:03):
releases, and fan celebrations.
Few characters have sustainedrelevance across so many decades
and cultures.
Very cool.
Uh Godzilla's ability to evolvewith changing designs, tones,
and themes ensures his continuedrelevance.
He can be tragic or triumphant,terrifying or terrifying,
(36:23):
depending on the culturalmovement.
And now we're gonna talk aboutNicole's diary.
Oh play that funky music, whitegirl.
SPEAKER_03 (36:52):
Alright, so um, yeah, so like I said at the
beginning of the show, I justgot home from vacation, so I
haven't even looked at this one,but um we're now up to April
5th, which was a Thursday.
Thursday, April 1984.
All right, today I went to Mrs.
Fox's again.
SPEAKER_02 (37:11):
God damn it.
SPEAKER_03 (37:13):
And went to school.
When I got to school today, whenI got to school today, uh Dawn
was here.
I don't know who Dawn is.
Mrs.
Bailey had a substitute again.
What the fuck, Mrs.
Bailey?
Where are you?
I hope she was okay.
(37:34):
She's probably on vacation.
You just didn't know that.
Today in reading, we got ourCaddy Woodlawn books and we read
it for a novel.
When I got home, me and Valeriemade hand puppets from my old
socks.
And that's on this day, uh,April 5th, 1984.
(37:57):
That's excellent.
Yeah.
Sock puppets.
I was such a dork.
SPEAKER_02 (38:06):
Sock puppets.
My sister and I were discussingyesterday, the day before.
Yesterday.
It was yesterday.
Um siblings.
Um, because her son um rattedout his sister on something.
(38:30):
And I said, Wow, what a rat.
My nephew will be 21 in July,and my niece just turned 17.
Um and yeah, he ratted her assout fast.
So I said to my sister, firstoff, he missed a golden
opportunity to blackmail her.
(38:51):
To never pay for anything everagain, uh-huh, and never have to
do a chore ever again and justhandle it like I did.
And she said, she said, yeah, nokidding.
And she said, I don't thinkbrother and sister bond is the
same as sisters.
Okay.
Because she said her boss has abrother and he would throw her
(39:13):
under the bus constantly.
And I was like, but there aresome things you take to the
grave, and what happened theother day is something he should
have taken to his grave.
Oh yes, in my opinion.
SPEAKER_03 (39:25):
Do you think maybe with the brother it's a
protection thing?
Now I don't know what this thingis.
Like, do you think that theyworry that they would be in harm
if the parents don't know?
Kind.
SPEAKER_02 (39:39):
I could see that being it still would have been
something I would have held overher.
I would have shut it down.
Yeah.
I would have handled it.
Yeah.
And then it would have been.
And she said the exact samething.
She was like, You would havejust held that over.
I said, I would have never youwould have been paying for my
shit forever.
SPEAKER_03 (39:56):
You'd still be paying for my shit.
I can't wait for this episode tobe over so I can find out what
it was.
SPEAKER_02 (40:01):
Anyway.
Back to this.
Okay.
Upcoming projects.
New films, anime series, andcrossovers are in development.
Tahoe and Legendary continue toexpand the Godzilla universe,
exploring new stories andcharacters.
Fans eagerly anticipate futurebattles, reboots, and
reinterpretations.
(40:22):
It's part of movie lore by now.
The original idea for Godzillawas that he would look something
like a giant octopus.
Ultimately, producer TamayokoTanerka Tanaka smartly decided
to go with a more dinosaur-likedesign instead.
Oh, here's all my fun facts.
Okay.
I forgot to mention that.
Um, because I did it weird.
(40:44):
Godzilla's Roar.
This is a this is fun.
This is probably gonna be inyour trivia somewhere.
For those of you that playtrivia, I'm gonna go on a limb
and guess this somewhere is atrivia question.
Godzilla's roar was made with aglove and a contrabass.
Composer Akira Ifikubu createdthe iconic roar by rubbing a
(41:04):
resin-coated leather glove alongthe strings of a double base and
slowing the playback.
No animal sounds are involved.
He did not capture a Godzilla.
The original suit weighed over200 pounds.
Haru Nakajima is the firstGodzilla actor.
(41:28):
He wore a suit so heavy and hotthat he could only perform for a
few minutes at a time.
He lost 20 pounds duringfilming.
Godzilla once had a dropkickmove.
In Godzilla versus Megalon in1973, he performed a flying
dropkick with both feet whilesliding on his tail.
(41:48):
It's one of the most meme warrymoments in Kaiju Kaiju cinema,
and I very much remember thatbecause he went flying through
the air like 80 feet, reallyentirely too far on his tail.
A little bit.
I remember that.
Um the Church of God, Zilla, wasfounded decades before the
(42:14):
radioactive monster'sconception, but that didn't stop
the congregation from tippingits hat.
To the odd coincidence, justbehind the church, a steel
wireframe dinosaur statue can beseen clutching a cross and sign.
So there is apparently a placein Japan named Zilla, and they
are the Church of God in Zilla.
(42:38):
And now I want to go there.
Patrick Stewart presentedGodzilla with an MTV Lifetime
Achievement Award in 1996.
I love me some Patrick Stewart.
Um we've all heard about histemper, about the people he
stepped on, his way to the top.
Stewart said during the ceremonyin the word world of stars and
(43:01):
superstars, it would be noexaggeration to say that he is
the biggest.
Listen for George Takai's richbaritone in the English language
version of Godzilla's secondfilm, Godzilla Raids Again,
which was his first was firstreleased in Japan in 1955.
(43:25):
Previously, the Star Trek legendhad broken into the film
industry by doing similar workon Rodan and other Toho monster
flicks.
I know Mr.
Sulu.
SPEAKER_03 (43:37):
That is super cool.
SPEAKER_02 (43:39):
Right?
SPEAKER_03 (43:39):
That was such a good I was so excited about that.
SPEAKER_02 (43:43):
I am a Star Trek nerd.
Yes.
He has appeared in The Simpsons,South Park, and Robot Chicken,
often as a parody of popculture, excess, or
misunderstood rage.
Um, we talked about theGodzilla-themed hotel in Tokyo.
Right.
Uh the hotel grassy Shinjukufeatures a life-size Godzilla
(44:05):
head on its terrace and themedrooms with Kazuku decor.
In 1992, one of the monster'scostumes, worth a whopping
$39,000, was stolen from aTohuho garage, only to be found
washed up on the shores of LakeAkutama near Tokyo, where it
inadvertently terrified a womanwho was out for a scroll.
SPEAKER_03 (44:28):
They tried to put him back in his natural habitat.
Can you imagine walking up?
SPEAKER_02 (44:36):
Oh, this is crazy.
SPEAKER_03 (44:37):
Oh my god, that's yeah, that would be pretty
terrifying.
SPEAKER_02 (44:44):
He's real.
Godzilla alert from 1977 to1979, Marvel ran a 24-issue
comic book series featuringGodzilla, which saw him square
off against both the Avengersand the Fantastic Four.
Uh, this one was fun fact, too.
(45:06):
During the climax of The LostWorld, Jurassic Park, an irate
T-Rex terrorizes San Diego.
At one point in the carnage, afew Japanese tourists can be
seen running for their lives,one of whom shouts in Japanese,
I left Japan to get away fromthis.
That was a great Easter egg.
(45:29):
Oh, a Batman versus Godzillacrossover movie was discussed
but never produced.
Thank God.
I know this.
SPEAKER_04 (45:37):
Oh man.
SPEAKER_02 (45:40):
Uh, Gojasaurus was discovered in northeastern New
Mexico in 1997.
I actually do remember this too.
The creature was roughly 18 feetlong and lived some 210 million
years ago during the Triassicperiod.
Um that this the scientificvalidity of this species has
(46:02):
become a topic of debate,however.
Um, but it was named afterGodzilla.
Uh Godzilla's height has grownover time, originally 50 meters
tall.
He's now over 120 meters in someversions, partly to keep up with
Tokyo's skyline.
He's been used in academicpapers.
Scholars have analyzed Godzillain fields like environmental
(46:23):
studies, political science, andtrauma theory.
And I want to go to Godzillaclass.
Um, God's Godzilla's atomicbreath has a real-world analogy.
It's inspired by the concept ofradioactive firestorms, a
phenomenon observed in Hiroshimaand Nagasaki.
SPEAKER_03 (46:43):
Oh, that doesn't sound like any fun.
SPEAKER_02 (46:47):
Um, no.
Manila, Godzilla's son, debutedin 1967.
SPEAKER_03 (46:53):
The killer in Manila.
SPEAKER_02 (46:55):
It's a chubby smoke ring blowing baby Kaju who
starred in several films duringthe Showa area era.
I don't know why I keep sayingarea.
That word just looks like area.
Um, Godzilla once talked.
In Godzilla versus Geegan in1972, he briefly speaks via
(47:16):
speech bubbles.
In the Japanese version, it isas weird as it sounds.
And I do remember that one.
He had a Hannah Barbera cartoonin the late 70s.
Godzilla was reimagined as afriendly protector with a
sidekick named Godzuki.
Do you remember that?
I do not.
I don't either.
Yeah.
(47:36):
Um.
Godzilla once endorsed Dr.
Pepper.
In the 1980s, he appeared inAmerican commercials for the
soda brand.
I do remember that.
He has been in a Snickers ad,portrayed as a diva who calms
down after eating a Snickersbar.
Classic, you're not, you're notyou when you're not when you're
(47:56):
hungry.
Oh my God.
You're not you when you'rehungry.
In 92, a lot happened forGodzilla in '92.
It was a big year for him.
Godzilla and NBA star CharlesBarkley faced off in a Nike ad.
The commercial, which was filmedover the course of eight days,
was also adapted into a comicbook.
SPEAKER_03 (48:19):
Hmm.
I don't think I remember that.
I don't remember that either.
I do love me some Charles.
I mean, who does that?
I know.
Every tell you my nephew met himin the Philly airport.
My uh older nephew, uh, I havethe his selfie on my phone.
He he took a selfie and sent itto all of us.
(48:41):
That's fun.
Yeah, yeah.
He said he was super nice.
SPEAKER_02 (48:44):
I've heard good things about him.
Yeah.
That he is super nice.
Mm-hmm.
Um, so Godzilla is more than acinematic cinematic monster.
He's a cultural phenomenon, asymbol of humanity's fears and
hopes, and a testament tostorytelling powers.
Uh from the ruins of wars to theheight of global stardom, his
(49:05):
journey reflects our own, markedby destruction, resilience, and
reinvention.
Uh, whether stomping throughTokyo or battling Kong, no.
And IMAX, Godzilla remains atowering figure in the landscape
of pop culture.
Uh-da.
And he will because we stillhave issues with nuclear power.
(49:25):
Mm-hmm.
Right now.
Probably could put out aGodzilla movie today.
Yeah, for sure.
Um, so yeah, that's Godzilla.
SPEAKER_03 (49:34):
That was really, really cool.
I I just of course I know thatGodzilla has always been in my
life and uh always been kind ofeverywhere, but I didn't realize
how much of an influence.
SPEAKER_02 (49:46):
You really don't until you start thinking about
how much and start listing it.
SPEAKER_03 (49:50):
Yeah, it's like wow.
And you're like, oh yeah, Iremember that.
Oh yeah, I remember that onetoo.
SPEAKER_04 (49:56):
Oh, Godzilla.
SPEAKER_03 (49:59):
I definitely need to watch a movie.
Which era do you suggest if Ijust were to watch one?
Um well, I know your favoriteone, but the Mothra.
Um like the old black and whiteone.
SPEAKER_02 (50:10):
Probably.
I mean, the one with MatthewBroder's not bad.
Okay.
It's fine.
It's it's very now.
It's modern.
I kind of want to watch an olderone.
Whatever one.
I mean, you really can't gowrong.
Okay.
Because they're all awesome.
Okay.
In their own little way.
I I just I love he's myfavorite.
SPEAKER_03 (50:34):
Yeah.
So yeah.
SPEAKER_02 (50:36):
I see why now.
If you have off this weekend oryou're dust roaming around Black
Friday and you're like, I do notwant to leave my house because
it's Black Bucking Friday, maybelook up a Godzilla movie.
I'm sure they're streamingsomewhere.
Yeah, they've gotta be.
I'm gonna look it up.
I should have looked it up.
So I looked it up.
You can pretty much get itanywhere.
(50:56):
Uh it said HBO Max had thelargest, but I'm sure you can
find them somewhere.
Right.
And maybe over the weekendthey're on cable somewhere.
So yeah, yeah.
SPEAKER_03 (51:06):
Godzilla.
Godzilla.
SPEAKER_02 (51:07):
And I'm also now I remember Godzilla Alert.
I might get that as a ringtoneon my phone.
Ooh.
Godzilla alert.
Love it.
So that's that, guys.
Hope you enjoyed yourThanksgiving.
SPEAKER_03 (51:21):
Yes.
SPEAKER_02 (51:22):
Hope you had lots of yummy food.
Yeah.
Uh, like, share, rate, review.
Please.
Um, find us wherever you listento podcasts.
All the socials at Lake WhateverPod.
Our new website,www.likewhateverpod.com, where
(51:44):
you can find our merch.
You can send us an email aboutyour favorite Godzilla villain
to likewateverpod at gmail.comor don't like whatever.
Whatever.
Bye.
Godzilla.
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