Épisodes

  • A History of Late Night TV with a Guy Who Lived In an Ikea | Really? no, Really?

    A History of Late Night TV with a Guy Who Lived In an Ikea | Really? no, Really?
    Mar 11 2026
    Late Night talk shows are a unique art form that started with Jack Paar, Steve Allen, Johnny Carson and then continues today in whatever form it's in. But what made Carson special was because you got to see actors who weren't out there with the internet and take a look into their personal lives. In this episode, Jason Alexander and Peter Tilden sit down with Mark Malkoff, comedian and author of the book, Love Johnny Carson: One Obsessive Fan's Journey to Find the Genius Behind the Legend, and host of The Carson Podcast. Max will entertain us with several interesting stories about Carson and his time as the king of Late Night. Since Max is a also a self described "huge comedy nerd", Jason and Peter will get to share their stories about Carson and answer Max's questions about Jason's own late night appearances. This includes Jason's first time on Carson, being on both Letterman and Leno's shows, his experience with Craig Ferguson and his filling in for Jon Lovitz last minute on Conan O'Brien's test show. Something else you should know about Max; outside of being an author on comedy, Max has become well known for pulling off some incredible public stunts. These range from asking random New Yorkers to carry him to visiting 171 Starbucks to living in an Ikea to bringing a goat into an Apple Store. Of course we'll have a lot of questions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    52 min
  • Here's Why Prediction Markets & Sports Betting Are So Addictive | Really? no, Really?

    Here's Why Prediction Markets & Sports Betting Are So Addictive | Really? no, Really?
    Mar 3 2026
    With prediction market apps and sites like Polymarket, Kalshi and WagerWeb, you can literally bet on anything: Labubus, criminal case verdicts, Stephen Hawkings black hole theories, natural disasters. You can even bet on when a celebrity is going to die. But prediction markets aren't just about making money from gambling, there's a darker truth here. On this episode, Jason and Peter talk to Jonathan D. Cohen, author of the book, Losing Big: America's Reckless Bet On Sports Gambling, to discuss America's sports betting public health crisis. On this episode, Jason and Peter also dive in with Jonathan about the coverage of insider trading becoming a problem in prediction markets. Something to note, we did film this episode before the story broke about MrBeast's editor being banned from Kalshi for insider trading. We do bring up the story about former Toronto Rappers player, Jontay Porter, who was fined and banned from the NBA, for making proposition bets based on his game performance. We'll also cover the role of AI when it comes to sports betting along with the endorphin release rush you get when you make a bet. We'll also cover mob sports betting, legitimate poker games and Jonathan's record as a competitive board game player. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    33 min
  • Here's Why Credit Card Churning Isn't Illegal | Really? no, Really?

    Here's Why Credit Card Churning Isn't Illegal | Really? no, Really?
    Feb 24 2026
    Credit Card Churners are people who repeatedly open and close credit card accounts to primarily earn sign-up bonuses like cash back, points, or travel miles. Is this type of hack strategy illegal? On this episode, Jason and Peter ask financial expert and senior advisor at Magnetar, Roger Hochschild, to explain how this process works. We'll also have Roger clear up a few myths and answer some questions that you might also have when it comes to finance and credit cards. For example, does it actually hurt your credit score every time you check it? Is it actually a good thing or bad thing to pay off your credit card every month? Why do lenders look more at your Fico Score instead of your credit score? Roger also takes a moment to explain the process of closing our your loved ones credit cards after they have passed away. He'll also offer his advice on finding a good company for long term investments instead of trading. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    31 min
  • Guess How Much Water It Takes To Ask ChatGPT A Question | Really? no, Really?

    Guess How Much Water It Takes To Ask ChatGPT A Question | Really? no, Really?
    Feb 17 2026
    Some AI data centers known as "hyperscalers" need to consume as much water as the whole city of Philadelphia. On this this episode, Jason Alexander and Peter Tilden ask Eric Olson, the assistant professor of finance and the director of the Center of Energy Studies at the University of Tulsa, to not only reveal how much much water it takes for ChatGPT to answer one question but to also address why building an AI data center in some place like Phoenix, Arizona isn't a good option. They also address the concerns of rising energy costs from these AI data centers being passed on to the consumer and if recycled water, or greywater, could be a potential solution. Would it make sense to move the data centers to areas with colder climates like Alaska or Antartica to handle the evaporative cooling? Eric also clarifies what we've all heard about job creation during the developmental phase. The conversation also delves into why businesses like Netflix spend so much money on servers to keep up with the attention society and the demand society. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    28 min
  • Seinfeldia: It's A Book About A Show About Nothing

    Seinfeldia: It's A Book About A Show About Nothing
    Feb 10 2026
    What makes Seinfeld feel more alive in 2026 than half the shows made today? In this episode, Jason Alexander and Peter Tilden sit down with Jennifer Keishin Armstrong (author of Seinfeldia) to unpack why the show’s jokes, catchphrases, and “no one learns anything” mandate still shape comedy—and culture. They dig into the streaming afterlife, the wild ratings era (including the infamous 78 million finale), and how characters like George Costanza and Kramer became modern archetypes. Jennifer shares behind-the-scenes reporting from writers and guest stars, including how icons like the Soup Nazi became permanent fandom fixtures, plus the unusual way ideas were pitched—sometimes literally in hallways. The conversation also gets real about the show’s controversies (Puerto Rican Day Parade, representation, jokes “of their time”) and why Seinfeld may have paved the road for TV’s anti-hero era. If you’ve ever quoted “no soup for you” or wondered why the show still hits without smartphones, this one’s for you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    49 min
  • The Truth About Hollywood’s Favorite Anxiety Drug | Really? no, Really?

    The Truth About Hollywood’s Favorite Anxiety Drug | Really? no, Really?
    Feb 3 2026
    Hollywood’s latest “anxiety hack” isn’t a new miracle drug — it’s an old medication with a new spotlight. Jason Alexander and Peter Tilden dig into the celebrity buzz around beta blockers with Dr. Nasser Ghaemi, an academic psychiatrist and professor of psychiatry at Tufts University. They break down what beta blockers (like propranolol) actually do, why actors and musicians use them for performance anxiety, and the big catch: they can reduce symptoms without addressing the root cause. Dr. Ghaemi explains when “situational” use can make sense — and when it can backfire with side effects like low blood pressure, cognitive dulling, or added risk for people with asthma or diabetes. Along the way, Jason and Peter riff on Hollywood nerves, guest-star pressure on Seinfeld, and a wild story about “anxiety drugs in rivers” making salmon bolder — because of course it does. The episode lands on a bigger debate: quick-fix culture, rising anxiety in young people, and why AI therapy can’t replace a human clinician (yet). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    36 min
  • Waymo’s Biggest Weakness Just Got Exposed

    Waymo’s Biggest Weakness Just Got Exposed
    Jan 26 2026
    Waymo’s self-driving cars look futuristic — but what’s really happening behind the scenes may surprise you. On Really? No, Really., Missy Cummings — former U.S. Navy fighter pilot, MIT-trained engineer, and one of the world’s leading AI and robotics safety experts — explains why true self-driving cars don’t actually exist yet, how human “remote operators” may be quietly stepping in, and the hidden technical flaws that keep autonomous vehicles from being as safe as advertised. The conversation dives into phantom braking, transparency problems, Tesla’s camera-only approach, and why the hype around autonomy is racing far ahead of reality. If you’ve ever trusted a robot car, ridden in a Waymo, or wondered where this technology is really headed, this episode will make you rethink everything. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    49 min
  • The Myths vs Reality of Modern Art Heists

    The Myths vs Reality of Modern Art Heists
    Jan 19 2026
    How do art heists actually work — and why do so many stolen masterpieces disappear forever? On Really? No, Really?, Jason Alexander and Peter Tilden talk with art-theft investigator Anthony Amore about the real mechanics of modern art crime. Amore cuts through the Hollywood myths, explaining why museums are more vulnerable than people think, how routine and insider knowledge get exploited, and why stolen art is often hidden for decades instead of sold. The conversation ranges from legendary unsolved heists and forgery scandals to the underground realities of fencing stolen art — plus some unexpected laughs, including Jason’s own “missing” Tony Award moment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    45 min