Scandal Sheet

DIS–ASTER! Disneyland Opening Day S**T Show

Fantastic Video Version: https://youtu.be/soCk-nSTo6I

Many Americans don’t know this…but back in 1955, the Disney corporation was only a modestly profitable animation movie company. They had a couple of hits – but that was it. But, then, the founder, Walt Disney, decided to pour all his movie profits into something that had never been done before – a permanent, around the year, live action amusement park, which he called Disneyland (named after himself, of course). It was a giant financial risk for him that could have easily sunk his entire company, if it failed. Today, WE TAKE YOU BACK to the disastrous opening day of Disneyland, 60 years ago, in the summer of 1955. Can anyone possibly laugh this much? Watch and find out. We had fun recording it.

We are delighted to welcome back professional video producer and cultural commentator, JOSEPH LONG, who has appeared in previous popular episodes.

This incorporates the previously published “Disney On Ice – WE FOUND HIM !!!” comical cold open, starring Anuradha and Thad. Find our co-host, Anuradha’s Instagram accounts: @anuradhaduz_food and @artist_anuradhachhibber.

Find us on Patreon at patreon.com/ScandalSheet with bonus content for premium subscribers. We’d love to have your generous support for only the price of one Starbuck’s coffee per month. Also, please reach out to us at scandalsheetpod@gmail.com, find us on Facebook as 'Scandal Sheet' or on X at @scandal_sheet. We’d love to hear from you!

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COLD OPEN: Disney On Ice – WE FOUND HIM !!

Amazing Video Version: https://bit.ly/45VPiTC

Since legendary entrepreneur Walt Disney’s untimely death in 1966, there has been a persistent conspiracy theory that says, just before he died, he had himself cryogenically frozen until such time as there was a cure for his cancer. No evidence has ever been produced...until now. Our intrepid co-host, ANURADHA, was able to locate his nitrogen chamber and revive Mr. Disney. The truth can now finally be told!

This is the hilarious cold open for our episode on the disastrous opening day of Disneyland in 1955. Coming soon!

Chili Madness!! – Summer Cooking, Part 2

Great Video Version: https://bit.ly/45N0yQP

The summer ain’t over yet folks! And there’s a lotta cookin’ and eatin’ left to do. In this part 2 of or summer cooking special we celebrate the 15 years Thad’s daughter and their friends competed semi-professionally in chili cook-offs in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington DC. We were invited to the World Championship only once but frequently placed – and sometimes made some prize money to boot. Lot’s of cooking fun along way.

There have been many amazing contributors to our efforts over the years but featured in this video (because we had video) are Thad’s daughter Kassia, co-chef Joe Duffus, Rebecca Hogue, Susan Jekielek, and Brian Hellems.

You can make our award-winning chilis at home --

Recipe for “Rage Against The Cuisine – Green”: https://bit.ly/4fIYnlF (Joe)

Recipe for “Rage Against The Cuisine – Red”: https://bit.ly/4lwCBTy (Thad)

The featured new song, “Joe And Thad Oughta Open a Restaurant” can be heard in its entirety here: https://bit.ly/3V9jWSZ

Find us on Patreon at patreon.com/ScandalSheet with bonus content for premium subscribers. We’d love to have your generous support for only the price of one Starbuck’s coffee per month. Also, please reach out to us at scandalsheetpod@gmail.com, find us on Facebook as 'Scandal Sheet' or on X at @scandal_sheet. We’d love to hear from you!

80th Anniversary Of Hiroshima Bombing – First Nuclear Bomb

This is a terribly sad anniversary, in any way you perceive it – especially for people of any faith tradition, like myself. We’re replaying an episode from 2023 recorded on the occasion of the Academy Award-winning movie, “Oppenheimer”. It features my son-in-law, Dylan Cuellar, who was born and grew up in New Mexico, near Los Alamos, where the first several nuclear bombs were invented. Also, my daughter Kassia, Dylan’s wife, who had a rare opportunity to explore the original Trinity test site, where the first bomb test occurred. It seems more relevant now.

The facts: on the morning of AUGUST 6, 1945, the U.S. dropped the first fission uranium atom bomb from a US-made B-29 on Hiroshima in Japan. It killed 85,000+ people almost instantly. 150,000+ would die weeks and months later from radiation sickness. 98% of the deaths were civilians and not uniformed soldiers. In fairness, radiation sickness was not understood by either the U.S. physicists who built the bomb or the supervising generals at the time. A second plutonium bomb was dropped on Nagasaki 3 days later, with similar, catastrophic results.

FDR died only weeks before the Nazi Germany surrender. Vice President HARRY TRUMAN hurriedly became the new President, knowing very little of the top-secret investments – like the atom bomb – that were in the works. Unlike FDR, Truman was a religious man, a life-long practicing Baptist. When eventually presented with these previously unknown facts, he faced a terrible choice between his own Christian faith and what most of his advisors believed was necessary to finally end the 7 year war that had already killed 55 million people (conservatively). His choice was controversial then – as it is now. The reality was the Japanese DID FINALLY SURRENDER only days after the 2 nuclear bombs were dropped on their cities. But - was it really worth the terrible body count? Although - on the other hand - how many more would have died on both sides if the Allies had staged a D-Day style amphibious invasion of Japan, as was planned? Casualty estimates for everyone were much, much worse in that scenario.

When Truman did his nightly prayers to God, as he did for 50+ years, what did God say to him? Or, did he say anything at all? A soul-crushing, lose-lose choice no single person should ever have to make....but it was done…

It’s not up to your Scandal Sheet friends to tell you what’s what. Just to present facts that are available to us. You guys call it yourself. I think we all agree that we appreciate that horrible war ended and, while there have been other wars on the planet since, none have reached the size and scale of WW2. Let us know you thoughts at scandalsheetpod@gmail.com.

“Jaws” At 50 – We’re Gonna Need A Bigger Boat – COMPLETE EPISODE

Enjoy the Video Version: https://bit.ly/4m1fOQN

This episode marries the previously released teaser with our in-depth conversation between Anuradha, myself, and frequent guest, professional composer/movie critic, JOHN HOEKSTRA. 56 minutes of informative and hilarious entertainment.

 Today, we think of the movie “Jaws” as a blockbuster game-changer in movie history. But back in 1973-1975, it appeared to be the biggest financial disaster in cinema history to producing company Universal Studios and many Hollywood insiders. Directed by a talented, but inexperienced and unknown filmmaker, Steven Spielberg, it appeared to be a runaway train leading the studio to eventual bankruptcy. The initial shooting schedule swelled from 55 days to 159 days. And the budget soared from $3.5 million to $12 million. Almost everything went wrong. Spielberg, an age 24 TV director, had no idea what he was doing on a project of this massive scale. They started with no useable script and they spent $1.5 million on a mechanical shark that mostly didn’t work while shooting. Also, there was drug and alcohol addiction among the major actors. How could the production of this movie possibly be worse? (Universal executives picked a very bad year to stop sniffing glue*.) And yes, it eventually became the most successful film of all time to that date – BUT HOW THE HECK DID THAT HAPPEN? We tell you the REAL story behind the scenes.

Our music is composed, preformed and produced by the genius John Hoekstra. You Tube https://shorturl.at/i1Q8h SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/user-363005792

Longtime actors for the pod join us for the cold open. Leonardo from Manhattan – please look up his podcast: arrivealivepodcast.com. And my co-host, Anuradha. Find here Instagram accounts: @anuradhaduz_food and @artist_anuradhachhibber.

* Extra points to anyone that gets that 1980 Paramount joke. Send responses to scandalsheetpod.com.

Find us on Patreon at patreon.com/ScandalSheet with bonus content for premium subscribers. We’d love to have your generous support for only the price of one Starbuck’s coffee per month. Also, please reach out to us at scandalsheetpod@gmail.com, find us on Facebook as 'Scandal Sheet' or on X at @scandal_sheet. We’d love to hear from you!

TEASER COLD OPEN: “Jaws” At 50 – You Call THIS A Movie ??!!

WATCH THE GREAT VIDEO VERSION: https://bit.ly/456frNy

In advance of our full episode we offer this previously unknown and behind-the-scenes glimpse into 1970’s Hollywood movie politics. We dramatize a confrontation between two historical people, Sidney Sheinberg. President and CEO of both Universal Studios and the parent company, MCA, and Verna Fields, an unbelievably talented editor, that would influence how films were crafted going forward. Despite their adversarial relationship during “Jaws”, Sheinberg would eventually make Fields his head of production for all Universal Studios - a job never held by a woman before.

We tell you what you don’t know!

Longtime actors for the pod join us for this cold open. Leonardo from Manhattan – please look up his podcast: arrivealivepodcast.com. And my co-host, Anuradha. Find her Instagram accounts: @anuradhaduz_food and @artist_anuradhachhibber.

Find us on Patreon at patreon.com/ScandalSheet with bonus content for premium subscribers. We’d love to have your generous support for only the price of one Starbuck’s coffee per month. Also, please reach out to us at scandalsheetpod@gmail.com, find us on Facebook as 'Scandal Sheet' or on X at @scandal_sheet. We’d love to hear from you!

BONUS - "Superman" Preview, ft. ‘Handsome Rob’ From The Upper East Side

Watch the Video Version: https://youtu.be/yAMYgCPjrd8

Despite its apparent opening weekend success, one person who has a very different view of this movie is a frequent guest of this podcast and a founding member of the Mets Mob, a popular baseball commentary trio in NYC. We are delighted to welcome back ROB (aka "Handsome Rob") from the Upper East Side of the Big Apple.

Find us on Patreon at patreon.com/ScandalSheet with bonus content for premium subscribers. We’d love to have your generous support for only the price of one Starbuck’s coffee per month. Also, please reach out to us at scandalsheetpod@gmail.com, find us on Facebook as 'Scandal Sheet' or on X at @scandal_sheet. We’d love to hear from you!

Get Hungry! – Summer Cooking, Part 1

Fantastic Video Version: https://bit.ly/44qQyfh

Who doesn’t love summer cooking and food? Ahhh…the smell of the grill and the sun on your face. We’ve been very serious lately so we’re going to lighten it up a little bit for the summer holidays  - with another cooking show. Yeah man! In this Part 1 episode, we feature my amazing co-host, Anuradha, cooking with HER MOTHER, Aruna. Soooo cool. Check it out. We also have a top Hollywood camera person, Mollie Helfand – one of my dearest friends on the planet - sharing one of her favorite summer recipes. Both of these recipes are easy, fast, and perfect for your next cook-out. Eat it up! Stay tuned for part 2 soon.

Find co-host, Anuradha’s Instagram accounts: @anuradhaduz_food and @artist_anuradhachhibber. Find us on Patreon at patreon.com/ScandalSheet with bonus content for premium subscribers. We’d love to have your generous support for only the price of one Starbuck’s coffee per month. Also, pPlease reach out to us at scandalsheetpod@gmail.com, find us on Facebook as 'Scandal Sheet' or on X at @scandal_sheet. We’d love to hear from you!

To Biden or Not To Biden? - That Was The Question!

Terrific Video Version: https://bit.ly/4mS3Cmg

A modern Shakespearean tragedy? Or Greek? On the occasion of the release a best-selling book on President Joe Biden’s last 8 months in office, we decided to examine whether the many accusations on Biden's mental health in the last year of his Presidency hold any water. If they actually do, what does that say about any influential national/global leader’s responsibility to step down, when they become physically/mentally impaired? The book we are referencing is entitled, “Original Sin: President Biden's Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again”. Strangely, it is written by 2 authors who are often identified with the left-of-center press: Jake Tapper from CNN and Alex Thompson of Axios and CNN. Two “lefties” throw a Democrat under the bus????

In its 4 year history, “Scandal Sheet”, has stood by its pledge not to take sides with any running political candidate or sitting office-holder, of either party. We also steer away from contemporary partisan parties or their various policies. But this is not partisan politics. This is a unique scandal -- where loyal supporters, the press, and the general public were allegedly misled on the health of a top political leader. This is bigger than just politics. Former President Biden has been out of office and retired for almost 6 months. We believe the actions of his former administration - and its top insiders - is both fair game and worthy of thoughtful discussion. BUT we WILL NOT discuss or take positions on his policies or those of his political opponents, over his term.

Anuradha and I are joined by a 35-year marketing/data science specialist and executive for numerous Fortune 500 companies, Jim Mauer. He has also been a volunteer political activist for numerous candidate-specific campaigns, but not a party member. We welcome his unique insights.

Find co-host, Anuradha’s Instagram accounts: @anuradhaduz_food and @artist_anuradhachhibber. Jim is also a professional photographer: jmaurerphoto.com

Find us on Patreon at patreon.com/ScandalSheet with bonus content for premium subscribers. We’d love to have your generous support for only the price of one Starbuck’s coffee per month. Please reach out to us at scandalsheetpod@gmail.com, find us on Facebook as 'Scandal Sheet' or on X at @scandal_sheet. We’d love to hear from you!

I’m Not Quite Dead Yet – “Monty Python And The Holy Grail” Turns 50

AMAZING VIDEO VERSION: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWvaQ1duFhE

HAPPY SUMMER KICK-OFF everyone! After the half-year we’ve all had, you all definitely deserve some time off... and a few laughs to boot. We have your new favorite – and funniest - beach listen right here. How does one of the cheapest, ultra-low budget comedy movies of all time become a billion-dollar franchise? We’re gonna tell you! As every movie studio in the world refused to finance this movie in 1974, the 6 young (then) Monty Python boys turned to top English rock/pop acts for seemingly hopeless angel investments. These bands essentially financed most of the film’s tiny budget. The investors included: Elton John, members of Led Zepplin, Pink Floyd, and Jethro Tull. Who knew in 1975 that all these folks would eventually receive tens of $$millions in royalty checks? While “Holy Grail’s” ridiculously short 5 week production was extremely unlikely for a feature film, it went onto shape what we think of as comedy in 2025.

So, slather on the sunscreen, feel the wet sand on your toes, the warm gamma rays on your face, and prepare to be entertained by your friends at Scandal Sheet.

Find co-host, Anuradha’s Instagram accounts: @anuradhaduz_food and @artist_anuradhachhibber. We are joined by returning movie expert guest, Joseph Long. Check out Joe’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@cruiseonloc.

Find us on Patreon at patreon.com/ScandalSheet with bonus content for premium subscribers. We’d love to have your generous support for only the price of one Starbuck’s coffee per month. Please reach out to us at scandalsheetpod@gmail.com, find us on Facebook as 'Scandal Sheet' or on X at @scandal_sheet. We’d love to hear from you!