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The Twist Podcast #313: Kennedy Center Dishonors, Worst Holiday Movies Ever & An Interview with Author and Pop Culture Historian Herbie J. Pilato
Join co-hosts Mark McNease and Rick Rose for a quick take on the Kennedy Center desecration. From there we lean into the lighter side of the season with a spirited list of the worst holiday movies ever made, celebrating classic clunkers and festive films that missed the mark. The episode culminates in an engaging interview with Herbie J. Pilato, acclaimed pop culture historian and author, who joins Rick to talk classic television, celebrity legacies, media nostalgia, and why decades-old shows continue to resonate in today’s streaming-dominated landscape.
Copyright MadeMark Media
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The Twist Podcast #312: Indiana Comes Through, Worst Words of 2025 Survey, and Ice Skating Fun Facts
In this episode of The Twist Podcast, co-hosts Mark McNease and Rick Rose take on politics, culture, and everyday absurdities with their trademark irreverence and personal spin. From unexpected political backbone in Indiana to linguistic crimes we’re ready to retire, Episode #312 delivers commentary, humor, and a few surprises.
The hosts congratulate Indiana’s senators for finally showing a spine, roll out a new “Worst Words of 2025” survey featuring the phrases you never want to hear again in 2026, and cool things down with fun facts about ice skating you probably didn’t know. As always, the conversation blends cultural commentary, politics, entertainment, and personal observations into one twisted take on the world.
In this episode:
- Indiana politics and a rare moment of accountability
- The Worst Words of 2025 survey (and why we’re done with them)
- Ice skating fun facts and surprising history
- Culture, language, humor, and personal reflections
The Twist Podcast is a weekly podcast covering politics, culture, entertainment, language, and life, hosted by Mark McNease and Rick Rose, featuring smart conversation with a sharp edge and a sense of humor.
👉 Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and on our YouTube channel (YouTube.com/@TheTwistPodcast). Follow and share!
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The Twist Podcast #311: The Twist Gets a YouTube Channel, December Fun Facts, and Jo’s Wisdom Returns
NOTE FOR VIDEO: Hang on till the 7 minute mark for full-screen view. Our IT department is still learning. Join Mark McNease and Rick Rose as we try out our fun Christmas hats, offer up the holiday survey results, and have a good time in the face of grim realities. READ THE TRANSCRIPT HERE.
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The Twist Podcast #310: On to Christmas, Colonoscopy Gift Ideas, and Prime’s ‘The Outsider’ Chills
Join co-hosts Mark McNease and Rick Rose as we head for the Christmas homestretch, take a break for Mark’s colonoscopy, and recommend Prime’s ‘The Outsider’ for some winter chills.
NOW ON YOUTUBE! Check us out each week on the MadeMark Publishing YouTube Channel. Playlist: The Twist Podcast.
Our holiday survey: What are your favorite parts of the holiday season?
You can treat your co-hosts to a cup of coffee … just $3 a brew!
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The Twist Podcast #309: Not So Quiet Piggies, Fun Thanksgiving Facts, and Emma Zoe Lyons Talks John Candy
Join co-hosts Mark McNease and Rick Rose as we shout to piggies everywhere (never be quiet!), check out some fun Thanksgiving facts (Jefferson was not a fan), and check in with Emma Zoe Lyons on the John Candy documentary.
NEW! You can treat your co-hosts to a cup of coffee … just $3 a brew!
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The Twist Podcast #308: New Time Same Great Taste, Plus Epstein’s Besties, Frankenstein’s Soul, and a New Twist Survey!
Join co-hosts Mark McNease and Rick Rose as we record at our new afternoon time slot, chat about the Epstein coverup, stan on Frankenstein, and offer up a brand new survey!
SPEAKING OF SURVEYS – TAKE IT HERE!
What color best describes you?
NEW! You can treat your co-hosts to a cup of coffee … just $3 a brew!
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The Twist Podcast #307: Democrats Crush It, Rick Hearts Jennifer Lawrence, and the Nashville Tenors Deliver
Join co-hosts Mark McNease and Rick Rose as we bask in electoral victory, say what bugs us, and recommend Jennifer Lawrence’s new flick and the Nashville Tenors’ amazing vocals.
NEW! You can treat your co-hosts to a cup of coffee … just $3 a brew!
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The Twist Podcast #306: Halloween on the High Seas, Roaming Around Rome, and Some Twist Must-Sees
Join co-hosts Mark McNease and Rick Rose as Mark podcasts from his Royal Caribbean cabin on the highest of the high holidays – Halloween! Thare are a lot scarier things out there these days.
NEW! You can treat your co-hosts to a cup of coffee … just $3 a brew!
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The Twist Podcast #305: Shuddering Shutdown, Survey Results, Emma Talks Bad Bunny, and Rick Interviews Filmmaker Oliver Franklin Anderson
Join co-hosts Mark McNease and Rick Rose as we weather the Epstein shutdown, review the latest Twist survey results, learn all about Bad Bunny from Emma Zoe Lyons, and enjoy Rick’s interview with Wisconsin filmmaker Oliver Franklin Anderson.
THE RESULTS ARE IN!
What’s your favorite genre or type of book to read?
- Literary fiction 50 percent
- Murder Mysteries 40
- Thrillers 30
- Historical Fiction 30
- Nonfiction 30
- Biographies / Memoirs ZERO!
- What’s a book? Zero
- Other (comments) 50
Poetry, Fantasy, Genealogical Mysteries, Spy Novels, Sci-fi and Gay Stuff (could be the same!
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Twist Podcast #304: Kimmel Calamity, New Fan Photo, Reel Time with Emma, and Rick Talks with Muralist Matthew Yerby
Join co-hosts Mark McNease and Rick Rose for the death of free speech, new survey results, a brand new Reel Time with Emma review, and Rick’s conversation with 50-sate muralist Matthew Yerby.
This week’s survey: Which animal friend would you most like to share your life with or already do? Mulitple answers okay.
THE RESULTS ARE IN!
Dogs 63 percent
Cats 63 percent
Birds 9 percent
Fish 18 percent
I don’t like animals ZERO percent!Other (list below):Which animal not listed would you like to share your life with or already do? One person said ‘gay men.’ -
The Twist Podcast #303: Vacation’s a Drag, Cracker Barrel Crack Up, and Emma Zoe Lyons Reviews ‘Coming Out Under Fire’
Join co-hosts Mark McNease and Rick Rose in this post-Provincetown recap. We talk drag, the Cracker Barrel uproar nobody cared about, and enoy another great review from Emma Zoe Lyons.
This week’s survey: Which animal friend would you most like to share your life with or already do? Mulitple answers okay.
CatsBirdsFishI don’t like animalsOther (list below):Which animal not listed would you like to share your life with or already do? -
The Twist Podcast #302: P-town Bound, Rick Reunites with Bev, and Emma Visits Mr. Rogers Neighborhood
Join co-hosts Mark McNease and Rick Rose in this pre-Provincetown vacation podcast. Rick fills us in on some hot new Rice Krispy treats, chats with Bev about their game show past, and joins Emma for her review of the Mr. Rogers documentary.
SURVEY RESUKLTS
Imagine yourself doing something else at the moment. What would it be?
Walking along a country road or hiking path. 44 percent
Taking a nap. ZERO –
Reading a favorite book or watching a favorite show. 20 percent
Eating a favorite meal or snack. 6 percent
Something else entirely. What would it be? 22 percentSOMETHING ELSE / OTHER:
Traveling somewhere new and exciting.
If time travel is permitted: An afternoon of sex at the age of 32!
Writing.Grocery shopping!
Relaxing by the Italian seaside with a handsome Italian man. -
The Twist Podcast #301: Ice Cream Clones, Jaws at 50, More Fan Photos, and Rick Catches Up with Q Brown
Join co-hosts Mark McNease and Rick Rose as practice our survival skills, enjoy the dulcet tones of Mark’s cloned voice, hear Emma’s take on ‘Jaws at 50,’ and catch up with Q Brown in an exclusive Rick Rose chat.
