No Bad Ideas

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Otter Miyagi Aug 15, 2023

Apologies for the delay in this one - travel, work on new projects, and some health road bumps (everyone is okay!) kept this one from being done properly until right now!

Today in No Bad Ideas: self-expression! Grumpy men! Aggressive sea animals! And more!

In our first bad idea today, Zach brings us the story of a French man who fought for his right to not be fun at work. The squad works to turn it into a comedic battle of workplace manners. Then, in the second idea, Sarah gives us the gift that keeps on giving: a chance to talk about the surfboard-stealing otter that has been terrorizing the shores of Santa Cruz. The gang turns it into the story of a tricksy otter that teaches an aspiring surfer how to master the art of riding the waves.

All of that, plus: 24-year-old party animals, bon vivants, grape crushing, aquatic homeownership, and cozy remakes of Jaws.

Today's Bad Ideas™:
Idea #1
Idea #2

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Guess the Bad Idea Jul 18, 2023

Today on No Bad Ideas... Wedding planning! Service Industry workers! Big purchases! TLC's new show My Surprise Bris! And more!

For our first bad idea, Gabriel brings us the story of someone who had to walk out on their surprise nuptials. The gang turns it into a fast-paced, Jacques Tati-esque romantic comedy about two waiters who have to hold a wedding together. Then, Zach keeps the episode on theme with the tale of someone who had to reckon with their wife surprising them with the news that they bought a yoga studio. The squad works to turn it into a heart-warming story of a beleaguered spouse who has to turn a yoga studio profitable to keep her marriage afloat.

All of that, plus: unconscious wedding planners, inciting assholes, Uncle Jimbo, George Clooney cameos, and moments of super-sizing.

Today's Bad Ideas™:
Idea #1
Idea #2

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I Want My Wallet Back Jul 05, 2023

Happy July! We return from our month-long hiatus with two ideas that are the exact opposite of summer fun, but we're going to try and turn them into some hot hot IP anyway.

First, Zach brings us a Texas tragedy and we Tarantino it up a notch into a three-part (plus interludes) hunt for buried treasure where the Ennio Morricone score will be pumping. Then Sarah tells us a magical tale of petty corporate overreach, and we turn it into a spy comedy where a very special card that could spell nuclear annihilation requires a quest to win it back.

Plus: The problem with KaibaCorp, a straight-up Breaking Bad reunion, full Terminator mode, literally over a million Magic cards, and Yosemite Sam on Bumble.

Today's Bad Ideas™:
Idea #1
Idea #2

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The Escalation Game Jun 05, 2023

Today on No Bad Ideas... Dogs! Arrests! Fake kidnapping! And news that we're taking the rest of June off!

In our first bad idea, Gabriel brings us the tale of a man who, when faced with hardship, tried to sell out man's best friend. The trio turns it into the newest hit animated film about a talking dog. Then, Zach brings us the story of a man who, to get out of his job, took the very reasonable measures of... arranging his own (fake) kidnapping. The gang turns it into a story of bored, minimum-wage laborers trying to one-up each other to get out of the worst day of the year at their otherwise sweet job.

All of that, plus: treasure buried out in the desert, Beckett-esque plays, Rat Race mosaics, off-grid places, and Bad Dog Things!

Also note: the No Bad Ideas gang are going to be taking the rest of June off to work on... a new, big, upcoming project! But new episodes will return on July 4th! Stay tuned, both for new bad ideas and for news about the new thing we're working on!

Today's Bad Ideas™:
Idea #1
Idea #2

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Mate, Where's My Dossier? May 16, 2023

Today on No Bad Ideas: nuclear subs! Naked landlords! Court cases! Ashton Kutcher and Sean William Scott! And more!

First, Sarah brings us an article about the unlikely place where some classified documents wound up. Gabriel is horrified that they actually find a narrative arc in the silly comedy of errors they come up with. Then, Gabriel presents the story of a German landlord who loves to share everything with his tenants. The gang turns it into - what else? - a combative romantic comedy.

All of that, plus: visits to ex-girlfriends' houses, little red hats (not worn on the head), inspired cameos, the worst Where's Waldo of Zoom, someone who is just Mark Strong.

Today's Bad Ideas™:
Idea #1
Idea #2

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Karen: The Movie May 01, 2023

We're back and we're jumping right into some supernaturally awful badness this week!

First, Gabriel brings us the story of a very unconventional crime-fighting strategy and we turn it into the story of a young priest who gets in way over his head – although with hardened criminals or the demons of hell, TBD. Then Zach draws on the occult powers of the Am I The Asshole subreddit to tell the story of a woman who takes on a dubious personal responsibility that divides her family, and we adapt it into the story of multiple secrets that all come out... in the bedroom.

Plus: Photo Day at school, a Die Hard situation, addiction to every single drug, the role that Rachel McAdams wins an Oscar for, and the scale of not badass enough vs. human rights violation.

Today's Bad Ideas™:
Idea #1
Idea #2

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The Game In Reverse Apr 19, 2023

Today on No Bad Ideas... feds! Bad ideas! Training days! Birds! Spies! And more!

In our first bad idea, Zach brings us the story of an FBI training exercise gone horribly wrong. The gang spins it out into a story of comedic role-play colliding against corporate machinations. Then, in our second story, Sarah brings us news about (horrifying) innovation in the field of techno-necromancy. The team spins out in about three different directions as they're left reeling from the news article, everything from whistle-blower trial cases to sci-fi dystopias.

All of that, plus: LARPing exercises, whodunit-sort-of-a-thing, big news, warped perspectives, and Girlboss CEOs.

Today's Bad Ideas™:
Idea #1
Idea #2

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Bad Ideas Classic: Too Many Hats (With Tom Crowley) Apr 03, 2023

Writer, performer, and (comedy) sketch artist extraordinaire Tom Crowley joins the Bad Ideas Squad for two tales from beyond the grave!

For our first bad idea, Sarah brings us a witchy obituary like nothing we've ever heard before, and - naturally - the team tries to figure out how to turn it into a story of growth and self-actualization á la Amelie. Then, Gabriel presents the tale of the somewhat ghoulish thing a Belgian town has done with the heart of their mayor, leading the squad to spin up a yarn about a man who couldn't lie in the most improbable way.

All of that, plus: old-school pyramid schemes, husbands of little-to-no importance, ladder embezzlement, oracular aunts from the beyond the grave, and Bentham Football.

Today’s Bad Ideas™:

For more of Tom's work, follow him on Twitter, and check out Wooden Overcoats, Victoriocity, and his website, where you'll also find Crowley Time (With Him, Tom Crowley).

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Takin' the Church to Task (with Bob Raymonda and Jack Marone) Mar 21, 2023

Today on the show... Art criticism! Pizza! Organized crime! Crap! And special guest stars Bob Raymonda and Jack Marone, co-creators of the Forgive Me! podcast!

In today's first bad idea, Gabriel brings us the story of a ballet director who took a rather... unorthodox approach to expressing his displeasure at a critic's evaluation of his work. The gang makes it into a film that gives a whole new meaning to the phrase, "giving someone shit." Then, Sarah brings us the story of a mafia boss who foolishly did some press to raise his profile. The squad takes this material and runs with it all the way to a movie about a man who dared to dream about pizza glory despite his criminal upbringing.

All of that, plus: Javert characters, traveling plumbers, mirthful smiles, copycat critics, and the thrill of the spotlight!

Today's Bad Ideas™:
Idea #1
Idea #2

For more of Bob and Jack's work, check out the Forgive Me! podcast.

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Tanking The Market (With Ethan Warren) Feb 27, 2023

What's even better news than a new episode of NBI? What's EVEN BETTER news than a new 70mm print of Boogie Nights? Film critic extraordinary Ethan Warren has just the qualifications to help us turn horrible ideas into movie pitches, and we're delighted to invite him to the NBI hot seat.

First, Zach gives us a Twitch stream gone awry and we turn it into a truly twisted animated rom-com thriller about two fish (yes fish) with an entire Internet full of possibilities. Then Gabriel offers up an unusual relationship quandry and we turn it into a mumblecore classic of irrational love, and a married couple who both really need to break up and kind of deserve each other.

Finally, we talk to Ethan about the joys of writing about cinema, how to watch attentively, finding the right entrance to a rabbit hole, and just who this Paul Thomas Anderson guy is, anyway.

Plus: the perfect combination of high stakes and ASMR, a convenient paraglider, an overwhelming passion for Arbys, Kids in the Hall candy, and reading through the terms of service.

Today's Bad Ideas™:
Idea #1
Idea #2

For more of Ethan's work, you can buy his book! Check out The Cinema Paul Thomas Anderson: American Apocrypha as an ebook or pre-order a physical copy now! You can also find more of Ethan's work on his website and also check him out on Twitter.

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A Grand Total of Zero Saw Movies Feb 06, 2023

Today on No Bad Ideas... fraud! Inflatable dolls! Possessed objects! American cinema! And more!

For our first bad idea today, Zach brings us an article about some financial crimes inspired by the 1999 film Office Space. The gang decides to turn that into a radical reboot of a very, very different movie: Saw! Then, Gabriel presents the story of a man who used an inflatable Grinch doll in order to use the carpool lane on the highway. The trio turns it into a story of a man who is forced to reckon with his distaste for the Christmas holidays by a very unusual presence.

All of that, plus: people riding shotgun, shopping malls burning down, criminal masterminds, bonding experiences, and deep wells.

Today's Bad Ideas™:
Idea #1
Idea #2

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The Wingman Argument Jan 23, 2023

We're back! New year, same human species, which means EVEN MORE! BAD! IDEAS!
The NBI is back and better than ever in this year 2023 AC (after covid). We are tweaking the show's release schedule - because it's ours and we can do that - so look forword to bi-monthly episodes of NBI hitting your feed every *other* Monday.

Starting with this one! Gabriel kicks us off with one last holiday tradition that can also settle scores all year round, and we turn it into a heartwarming tale of two families who need to save face, protect cute animals, and fake an epic fight. Then Sarah brings us a tale of military misconduct that we spin right around into a story of byzantine beaurocracy gone mad... but as shot by Michael Bay.

Plus: not paying attention in Biology class, abusing power for oral health, failing upwards, dreams of becoming a rodeo clown, and the next step for The People's Court.

Today's Bad Ideas™:
Idea #1
Idea #2

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Death Sandwich Nov 30, 2022

It's the last episode of No Bad Ideas of 2022! We are celebrating with stories about online harassment and dysfunctional families!

For our first story, Zach brings us the story of weaponized online harassment. The gang does their best to turn it into a horror story about death that can be directly sent to those you don't like... and then bring back a classic NBI villain from a previous story to make it all come together. Then, Gabriel brings us the story of a family where half the members are treated as second-class citizens. The squad turns it into an anti-romcom about someone that wants to get out of a relationship without breaking up with their partner... and then into a Snowpierecer-style action thriller.

Plus: deadly tweets, the Lord's work, Sweeney Todd and Mrs. Lovett dynamics, Star Wars villains, and NBI's first spinoff series, Monocle Zach.

Today's Bad Ideas™:
Idea #1
Idea #2

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John Wick University (With Wil Williams) Nov 21, 2022

We return this week, or at least two of us do, to inflict terrible ideas onto one of our favorite people in podcasting: Wil Williams!

Sarah kicks us off with a high school student's nightmare made somehow even worse, and we turn it into a spy heist thriller in the grand tradition of Agent Cody Banks. Then Zach takes us to a terrible idea that fortunately never reached 30,000 feet, but we imagine the terrible story and tonal chaos that would ensue if someone brought a gun onto an airplane... inside of a chicken.

Finally, we have a great conversation with Wil about finishing up the final season of Valence, how characters shift and reveal new facets of themselves across mediums, the importance of accountability and collaborators, the references that can help capture the feeling of a fictional world, and more.

Plus: a superspy double agent, a sound designer's dream, the goth girls/barbie girls alliance, #rawchicken, and stealing from Little Miss Sunshine.

Today's Bad Ideas™:
Idea #1
Idea #2

If you want to check out Wil and more of their work, you can check out Valence online or on your favorite podcatcher, and also check out Wil's website.

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Legit (With Josh Rubino) Nov 14, 2022

Today the NBI squad is joined by a voice actor of intrigue and mystery, the amazing Josh Rubino, to talk about bears, wolves, and evil villains!

In our first idea, Gabriel brings us the tale of two wrestlers who take on a bear and find it to be a... surprisingly challenging experience! Who knew?! The gang turns it into a gritty, grizzly reboot of a beloved cartoon show. Then, Sarah brings us the story of a scheme to make wolves less comfortable around people. The gang turns it into a heartwarming story of a child reconnecting with their estranged parent in the woods with paintball.

All of that, plus: the secrets of voice acting, riled-up savage animals, Ranger Rick, dangerous games, and a bloody collar, tie, and hat.

Today's Bad Ideas™:
Idea #1
Idea #2

To check out more of Josh's work, please check out their website and their Twitter!

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Nobody's Perfect Nov 07, 2022

We're back to take some more bad ideas to incredible new heights! First, Sarah brings us a tale of a dinner gone awry with potential links to organized crime, and we turn it into the gritty Princess Diaries reboot none of us realized we needed. Then Gabriel takes us to the never-ending well of Bad Ideas, Reddit's Am I The Asshole, and we turn the story of a big communication failure over dinner into a domestic horror/thriller made possible by working from home.

Plus: the world's saddest treehouse, straight assholery, Olivia Rodrigo's next single, the version of Don't Worry Darling that we deserved, and Anya Taylor-Joy, Queen of the Mafia.

Today's Bad Ideas™:
Idea #1
Idea #2

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The King of the Swamp Oct 31, 2022

Today on No Bad Ideas... Alligators! Bees! Construction! Violence! Annoyance! And more!

In our first bad idea today, Gabriel brings us the story of a Florida man who resorts to violence to solve the problem of the loud construction site next to his home. The gang turns it into an action film about a construction crew to escape from a deadly game of hide and seek with forty alligators. Then, Zach brings us a story about bees being used as a deadly weapon. The gang turns it first into a sequel for the story from the first bad idea and then into a sequel to Home Alone! Let us dance a ballet with bees!

All of that, plus: the next Liam Neeson, disaffected youths, franchises, a rich and storied history with trauma, and one last job.

Today's Bad Ideas™:
Idea #1
Idea #2

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The Bubble (With Zoe Tokushige) Oct 26, 2022

Today we have a fantastic guest in the NBI hot seat: Zoe Tokushige returns to No Bad Ideas hot off the publication of her first (very good) book, Airi Sano, Prankmaster General: New School Skirmish.

We begin with an idea of Zach's about a suburban mystery in the heart of Texas, and we turn it into a dark and twisting thriller with death (or at least social death) as the stakes. Then Sarah offers up an Am I The Asshole post about a snooping mother-in-law, and we transform it into the remake of Rear Window that the 21st Century deserves.

Finally we talk to Zoe about encountering her work in the wild, how she thinks about revision and feedback, different ways to visualize storytelling, and even more!

Plus: A Don Quixote moment, the link between media conglomerates and homeowners associations, the slow adoption of the iPhone, timid lawful good adolescents, and a lot of nervous energy.

Today's Bad Ideas™:
Idea #1
Idea #2

Plus: an emoji house!

If you want to check out Zoe's work, you can find Airi Sano, Prankmaster General: New School Skirmish wherever fine books are sold and you can also check out Zoe's website, Twitter, and Instagram.

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Grandma (Doesn't) Like That Oct 17, 2022

Today on No Bad Ideas... NPCs! Internet drama! Bad communication! Grandma!

In our first bad idea, Zach brings us the story of a troubling trend online where people are starting to treat real life people as video game NPCs. The gang creates a story about a person who is transported into a video game just to play the part of a storekeeper NPC. Then, in our second bad idea, Gabriel gives Zach and Sarah a choice between two options. They choose the NSFW one, and have to contend with a woman's radical solution to the problem of her boyfriend calling her something she doesn't like in bed. It goes to the only logical place this story could go: the White House.

All of that, plus: the way it used to be, angry stump speeches, Poké Marts, compromise, and 24-hour paparazzo surveillance.
Today's Bad Ideas™:
Idea #1
Idea #2

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Freud Fuel Oct 10, 2022

We're back! And we return with two classics NBI genres of bad idea. First, Gabriel brings us an Am I The Asshole post about overbearing mothers during wedding planning, but definitely not in the way that you think. We turn it into a trippy, hallucinogenic virtual reality experience gone wrong where the path to emotional truth is paved with simulations. Then Sarah brings us a tale of technology on airplanes going wrong in a seemingly harmless but very strange way, and we, of course, turn it into an Alfred Hitchcock thriller.
Plus: the multi-channel silent disco, hacked Alexas, interrobangs, a very specific set of circumstances, and Season 2 of The Rehearsal.
Today's Bad Ideas™:
Idea #1
Idea #2

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A Tragic Butler Accident Sep 28, 2022

Our apologies for the slight delay on this week's No Bad Ideas, but we think this one's worth the wait. Zach has secured his NBI hot seat in an exciting new spot and we're all ready to turn to some terrible ideas into okayish pitches!

We start with Mr. Valenti who has an Am I The Asshole post that separates the cats from the dogs and the healthy relationships from Break Up With Him Already ships. We take it and concoct a (somehow) sillier and more arbitrary conflict that will make or break a relationship. Next, Sarah offers up an instagram ad for a very specialized service and for a very targeted demographic, but we turn it into the next hit CW show about an isolated town in Alaska in want of some spiritual guidance but with plenty of washboard abs.

Plus: Great Uncle Wildemar, the definition of coquette, the Kristen Bell of today, a lot of forbidden fruit, and a fun couples activity for Tom Holland and Zendaya.

Today's Bad Ideas™:
Idea #1
Idea #2

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A Wizard Did It Sep 20, 2022

It's finally the end of the summer! We celebrate with a flight, a fistfight, some fast food, and body swaps!

In our first bad idea, Gabriel brings the story of a mid-air flight between a plane's pilot and co-pilot. The gang turns it into a gritty, Martin McDonagh-esque suspense theater play about a situation doomed to blow up at just the wrong moment. Then, Zach horrifies Sarah and Gabriel with a story of little kids working at a McDonald's. The team pitches a new Freaky Friday-style story about adults and children swapping bodies and learning heart-warming lessons.

All of that, plus: the Gods of Maximum Comedy, bars that are underground, the gritty Cabin Pressure reboot that we were all waiting for, a better boxing match, and our collective Sauron eye.

Today's Bad Ideas™:
Idea #1
Idea #2

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Bad Ideas Classic: Leave The Art On The Floor (With Jen & Chris Sugden) Sep 12, 2022

Zach is out again this week but we’ve pulled in not one but two (three if you count the doggo that trotted up to Sarah’s mic) of our favorite people in podcasting: Victoriocity’s own Jen and Chris Sugden!

First, Gabriel brings us a tale of an aspirational identity swap and we turn it up and add a bunch of twisty layers that culminate in a cross-country road trip to the lights of Vegas. Next, Sarah offers up a particularly silly idea from congress and we turn it into this summer’s next action-packed disaster movie, with trees… on the moon! Then we chat with them about the origins of their podcast Victoriocity, how they work as writing partners, and the refining process to bring an episode from idea to a script in the studio.

Plus: that Midlands energy, 8-10 scientists and politicians in charge of The World, a very grizzled Bruce Willis, pulling a Christopher Nolan and heavy-handed metaphors.

For more top-tier comedy from the Sugdens in your life, check out Victoriocity and follow both Chris and Jen on Twitter!

Today’s Bad Ideas™:

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The Prequel Problem Sep 05, 2022

We have something new for you today! Mostly because we couldn't stop talking about it off mic and we all happened to be in the same room for once, we decided to jump into our NBI hot-seats to talk about how we would adapt stories from The Lord of the Rings if an eccentric space-loving billionaire threw lots and lots of money at us to do it.

Tolkien lore spoilers abound, so take care if you happening to be reading The Silmarillion, but no spoilers for the actual Rings of Power TV show.

Plus: Bad luck for Anne Boleyn, Orly's fee, Time's Square at 5pm on a Thursday, a smokin' Sauron, and the dark weird forest of interesting turns.

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HippoCrit Aug 29, 2022

The show's original trouble troika is back together with the triumphant return of Zach Valenti this week! And we do have trouble here at NBI HQ:

First, Sarah brings us an unusual problem plaguing the great city of Venice and we turn it into the story of a father looking out for his sons who accidentally finds the thrill of a lifetime. Then Zach offers up a typical tale from the world of Venture Capital and we create a story of temptation at scale, and whether a small-time schemer can play in the big leagues.

Plus: Dad Bod Law, Fight Club Act 2 energy, Fight Club Act 3 energy, beeping Calzones, and some apologies to Australia.

Today's Bad Ideas™:
Idea #1
Idea #2

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The UnBEARable Lightness of Being (With Eli Barraza) Aug 22, 2022

Zach is missing this week, but to make up for it we have the honor of hosting a returning champion in the No Bad Ideas arena: Eli Barraza, creator of The Far Meridian, returns!

We can certainly use the help, as in the first idea, Gabriel presents a criminal's desperate attempt to evade the police, and we turn it into both a horrifying and heartwarming tale of a man who needs to embrace his inner-bear, but not the way that you think. Then, Sarah offers up what is perhaps the weirdest billboard to ever grace Toronto, Canada and we turn it into a the story of a man who will sell or borrow almost anything to escape an evil curse, even if it means getting a little cheesy.

Finally, we talk with Eli about The Far Meridian Season 3 (no spoilers), the origins of the series and how it has evolved, the joys and challenges of monologues, how to focus on characters (and vibes), and even more.

Plus: the worst version of Build-A-Bear, the magic powers route, the musical horror genre, the most bemused Catholic priest ever, and a live recreation of Paddington 2.

Today's Bad Ideas™:
Idea #1
Idea #2

To check out The Far Meridian, you can visit their website and their crowdfunding page for Season 3, or listen to the show wherever you cast your pod. You can also find Eli on Twitter.

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Hemmingway Camp, The Finishing School That Will Finish You (With Chris Dole) Aug 15, 2022

Today on No Bad Ideas: Florida men! Manliness! Puns! Conspiracies! Father-son treasure hunt teams! And special guest star Chris Dole!

In our first bad idea, Gabriel presents a Key West tradition: the Ernest Hemmingway lookalike contest! The squad tries their best to turn it into a story about a camp where men (and one intrepid woman) are sent off so they can learn to be more like the legendary writer. Then, special guest Chris Dole bring us the story of a father-son treasure hunting team who claims the FBI is hiding a cache of gold from them. The team works together to turn it into a heartwarming, inter-generational story about a family discovering the most valuable thing in the world. (Gold, it's gold, gold is the most valuable.)

All of that, plus: Blackspire mountain, crime scenes, ghosts, entertainment industry insider news, and enormous quantities of alcohol.

Today's Bad Ideas™:
Idea #1
Idea #2

For more of Chris Dole's work, check out Arden and the upcoming My Big Score.

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1-800-EXORCISM Aug 10, 2022

Today on No Bad Ideas: priests! Exorcism! Cooperation! People getting fired! And more!

Sarah brings us a story about how demand for exorcisms are going through the roof! The gang turns it into a film about how an overworked set of priests reaches out to the leaders of other religions to help them meet a small town's hunger for exorcism. Then, Zach brings us the tale of a company that is trying to automate and outsource other company's firing needs. The squad spends some time coming up with the 2022 remake and update for 2009's Up in the Air.

Plus: harried montages, the Powers-That-Be, the A-Men, arthouse plays, and being-laid-off consultants.

Today's Bad Ideas™:
Idea #1
Idea #2

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We're Renaming The Airport Aug 01, 2022

Sarah returns this week and starts us off with a healthy dose human pettiness, and we turn a legislator's quest to eradicate ghosting into the tale of a teenager suddenly gifted with the power to right wrongs and how they deal with that in a completely reasonable and not-at-all tyrannical way. Then Gabriel brings us a wedding proposal that has absolutely everything, and we move this couple's special day to an island destination that definitely doesn't have demons, no demons, just really enthusiastic puppets.

Plus: Incredible 'Who Hurt You' energy, Jason Segel's next rom-com, attempted puppet theft, slight mental breaks, and the autocratic despot of Whereverdonia.

Today's Bad Ideas™:
Idea #1
Idea #2

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A Peanut Between Friends (With Maegan Houang) Jul 26, 2022

Sarah is out this week, but Gabriel and Zach are joined by writer, director, and filmmaker Maegan Houang for two bad ideas involving peanuts and intelligence tests!

In our first bad idea, Gabriel brings the story of a man who dutifully pushed a peanut up a mountain to break a world record. The gang turns it into a Rat Race-style eccentric millionaire-driven comedy of errors. Then, Zach presents a slippery tale of a man who was turned away from a job as a police officer because... he scored too highly on an intelligence test. Everyone struggles with how to turn that into a forward-facing story with anything approaching sympathetic characters. Then, we get to talk to Maegan about her career, visualizing songs for music videos, and dealing with the challenges of morale on film sets.

All of that, plus: reboots of Fitzcarraldo, family feuds, structural wrappers, sci-fi societies, prescient questions, and Jurassic Park for Psychopaths.

Today's Bad Ideas™:
Idea #1
Idea #2

For more on Maegan and her work, check out her website.

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Everybody Loves An Airboat (With Jenn & Chris Sugden) Jul 20, 2022

Sarah is out this week but we have two stellar guests to fill out the required level of madness at No Bad Ideas HQ: the wonderful Chris and Jenn Sugden have returned!

First up, Gabriel brings us a contest that could only take place in Florida and we turn it into an underdog story of an amateur hunter who would give St. Patrick a run for his money. Then Zach gives us yet another reason for why everything is horrible and talks us through the burgeoning private lie-detection industry protecting people from honest conversations with their spouses; we then turn it into a drama of ethical dilemmas, lying liars who lie, and honest brokers who need to start lying too.

Finally, Jenn and Chris talk about translating Victoriocity from a much-beloved podcast to an exciting upcoming novel, how their comedy background informs how they think about stories, balancing backstory for new and old audiences, how they manage writing collaboratively, and little teaser for Victoriocity Season 3.

Plus: The pre-1950 snake-hunting code of honor, the return of the zoetrope, the end of frivolous things, lying plants, and Big Pete.

Today's Bad Ideas™:
Idea #1
Idea #2

If you'd like to check out the Sugdens' work, you can check Jenn and Chris out on Twitter and visit Victoriocity's website and listen to it wherever fine podcasts are downloadable.

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A Deluxe Disempowerment Simulator (With Octavia Bray) Jul 11, 2022

The squad is back for a new episode, featuring murder, terrible hotels, and special guest star Octavia Bray, creator of Life with Leo(h)!

For our first bad idea, Zach brings us a twisty tale of corporate corruption, greed, murder, shady stuff, and... well, lots of incompetence. The team pitches a film about a group of investigators who think the criminals they are pursuing are way, way, way better at crime than they actually are. Then, Sarah presents an article about an aggressively awful combination hotel/art installation experience in the Swiss Alps. The team puts together a film about a scam that tries to exploits privileged white people's worst tendencies until it all goes horribly, horribly wrong.

All of that, plus: 1% Illuminati stuff, graves in swamps, Swiss chocolate, the weight of spinning plates, and poetically just comeuppances.

Today's Bad Ideas™:

For more on Octavia's work visit her Twitter, and check out the Indiegogo for Season 2 of Life with Leo(h)!

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I Will Atone For My Sins (With Avery Trufelman) Jul 04, 2022

The Bad Ideas crew is joined by Avery Trufelman, the creator of Articles of Interest, to tackle bad ideas featuring relief funds, online casinos, and busted stereotypical gender roles!

In our first bad idea, Sarah brings us the story of a man who received a much more generous Covid relief payment than he was expecting. The gang turns it into a film about a man who is desperately trying (and most failing) to get rid of as much money as he can as quickly as possible. Then, Zach presents a unique marketing tactic: small phones specifically designed to be put in, ahem, hard to reach places. The squad turns it into a story about a scheme to make money from within the walls of a prison, and how it helps the meanest, burliest, most manly inmates in the yard get in touch with their sensitive side.

All of that, plus: highly orchestrated schemes, Werner Herzog, supply chain issues, emotional connections, and butts.

Today's Bad Ideas™:

For more on Avery's work, visit her website. For more information on the Louis Armstrong House Museum, visit their website.

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The Scurvy Challenge (With Lindz Amer) Jun 28, 2022

We're so excited to have one of our favorite returning guests back in the NBI hot seat! The great Lindz Amer makes their triumphant return to the mayhem of bad ideas that people have had in real life and/or the Internet!

First, Gabriel takes us to Tenerife, where a bit between a vacationing couple got way out of control and we transform it into a slow-motion horror story that makes us all uncomfortable. Next, Sarah brings us the first-world woes of a French farmer, and the gang turns it into the story of the end of the world that all comes down to American exchange students.

Then, Lindz talks about the differences between writing for kids versus adults, the building blocks of storytelling, and their dream projects for all kinds of screens.

Plus: #SponsoredContent, a Call of Cthulhu place, the creepier Kool-Aid Man, a new TikTok genre and the origin of the Zombie apocalypse.

Today's Bad Ideas™:

For more of Lindz's work, check out @lindzamer on Twitter and Instagram, and you also check out their work at Queer Kids Stuff and their new show, Rainbow Parenting.

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Butter My Muffin, You Walrus Jun 20, 2022

Today: we don't have a full episode of No Bad Ideas, we'll be back with some great episodes starting next Monday. But to tie you over, we present a never-before-head (on the main feed) Patreon extra: the story of an obsession that goes too far, and the man who has to compete with an irresistible force: Adam Driver.

Today's Bad Idea™

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200th Episode Spectacular: Weekend at No Bad Ideas Jun 13, 2022

It's our 200th episode! So we decided to do something we've never done before: we watched a bad movie and then tried to figure out how we might turn it into a good film! So sit back, relax, and laugh as we make ourselves reckon with that classic 1989 film... Weekend At Bernie's! Spoilers for the film found within. (But we strongly suggest you don't care.)

All of that, plus: underused dead bodies, neat moments of cinematic humor, corporate ladders of success, rocket science, and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind machines!

Today's Bad Idea™

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Penguin Murder House (With Lauren Shippen) Jun 03, 2022

Unfortunately, we're short a Gabriel this week but we've tricked one of our favorite people in podcasting to come join us for a dose of silliness at NBI HQ: the great Lauren Shippen is here!

And there's plenty of silliness to go around. First, Zach brings us a small town conspiracy that definitely does not involve Banksy, and we spin it into a story of CC that also, definitely, does not involve Banksy. Then Sarah brings us the story of an author who probably shouldn't have written an essay about committing a murder, and we turn it into the story of a writer who burned out who needs to hit the best-seller list and is willing to die, or kill, trying.

Then we talk to Lauren about the origins of her latest show, Mirage Diner, and its journey to the Tribeca festival, the various ways one can go about creating ideas for podcasts and the different ways they can come to fruition, the advantages of owning what you make, the reasons to leave series alone when they're done, and even more.

Plus: Murder Zines, a mix of Catch Me If You Can and Lemony Snicket, scathing commentaries on municipal funding, real vibes, and a gcal sync across the multiverse.

Today's Bad Ideas™:
Idea #1
Idea #2

To listen to the premiere of Mirage Diner at the Tribeca Fest on June 8th in New York, head here for tickets! For more of Lauren's work, you can check out all the quality shows by Atypical Artists. You can also find her on Twitter and Instagram.

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A Matryoshka Doll Of Bad Ideas May 26, 2022

We’re delighted to have not one guest this week, but two! Phillip Thorn and Øystein Brager, masterminds behind The Amelia Project, have come to NBI HQ put their considerable talents (and cocoa) to much sillier use.

We start with an idea from Gabriel about the way a couple can exert the ultimate pressure on their child to have grandkids, and turn it into a stealth Failure To Launch reboot that none of us wanted or needed. Then, Phillip and Øystein bring a bad idea of their own! We take the antiquing score of a lifetime and turn it into a sculpture with an ancient curse that reverberates across many lifetimes and an opportunity for Adam Driver to return to his sleezebag roots.

Finally we talk to Phillip and Øystein about their podcasting journey: what they’ve taken from their theater background, how they come up with characters, and even get an exciting announcement from them about future seasons of The Amelia Project!

Plus: Bizarro courtroom dramas, hidden deadlines, 16th century tails, a suitcase full of seashells, and a polycule with Robert De Niro, Clint Eastwood, and Dame Maggie Smith

Today’s Bad Ideas™:
Idea 1

Idea 2

To check out the show, visit their site, and for more of Øystein and Phillip, find them on Twitter!

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Bad Ideas Classic: Crime+ (With David K. Barnes) May 19, 2022

The Bad Ideas team is hard at work on some new episodes, including our very silly 200th episode extravaganza. (Coming soon!) But in the mean time, we wanted to re-share this classic episode from our archives.

We’re joined this week by one of our absolute favorite podcast creators, the head writer of Wooden Overcoats, David K. Barnes! We completely squander David’s talents, first, in turning the tale of one of the most incompetent thieves we’ve ever seen into one of the strangest heist plans we’ve ever concocted. Then we start a war… kind of, and turn a European military mishap into a game of spin doctors that, of course, spins wildly out of control.

Plus: The Lost Boys gritty reboot, clumsy escape attempts, Hitchcockian suspense, Czech Jean Dujardin, and the strangest variation on the prisoner’s dilemma we’ve ever heard.

Today’s Bad Ideas:

If you’d like to follow David’s work, and why wouldn’t you?, check out Wooden Overcoats, visit his website and follow him on Twitter.

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Train Overboard! May 13, 2022

It’s back to basics this week as just Gabriel, Sarah, and Zach are at NBI HQ today, but we’ve brought some truly terrible ideas with which to torment each other!

First, Gabriel finds a sweaty Reddit post about unreasonable expectations for normal water temperature and personal space, and we turn it into a horror meet-cute where the audience is going to end up rooting for a literal hell demon. Then Zach brings us tale of unintended environmental consequences and we turn it into a political farce that hopefully would lure Simon Pegg back into acting.

Plus: giant eagles, surveillance-oriented boyfriends, two tanks just lying around, Jerry from down the pub, and lost episodes of Seinfeld.

Today’s Bad Ideas™:

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Then the Bears Woke Up (With Marissa Tandon) May 05, 2022

Today on No Bad Ideas: Bears! Legal advice! Revolution! Fandom! And special guest star, Marissa Tandon, creator of new audio fiction series, That Vampire Show!

In our first idea, the gang has to confront the Bear League! When a family discovers that the strange noises coming from the crawlspace under their house are a family of five bears, how will they evict these unwanted woodland tenants? Then, a bakery's new fire policy defies all common sense and good practices. In our imagination, it sparks a revolution of the working class, who seize the means of hot dog production by force!

All of that, plus: NFTs of buns, this is fine dogging, digitally aged-up Kristen Stewart, environmental ramifications, and things that make you realize you need to eat the rich at a certain point.

Today’s Bad Ideas™:

For more of Marissa's work, check out Tandon Production's website and her Twitter. And tune into That Vampire Show wherever quality podcasts are sold!

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We’re All Digging Our Tunnel (With Ellen Winter) Apr 29, 2022

We’re delighted to be joined this week by the incredibly talented Ellen Winter, musician, writer, and teaching artist extraordinaire!

First, Zach brings us a Reddit query which we immediately decide is a horror movie, and what follows is a quest to decide just how weird a horror movie we’re making. Then Gabriel puts us all on blast with the story of a specialized cafe for writers in Japan, and we turn it into a story that is absolutely not about writers but is about creativity on a deadline and a young producer who must contend with the most dysfunctional band of all time.

Then Ellen comes back to us with an idea of her own: a short but evocative missed connection from Craigslist, which we turn into a twisted reckoning between Nick Cage and Cate Blanchett which is also obviously a meet cute; then we talk to Ellen about the importance of play and jam sessions to the creative process, how to get started and think about the component parts of a piece, and how to plug into what you’re most excited about.

Plus: a pre-wrapped A24 movie, an impressive amount of surveillance, a Miyazaki liminal multiverse, some perpetually too hot tea, and Adam Drivers all the way down.

If you want to check out Ellen’s work, go listen to Every Feeling I’ve Ever Felt, 36 Questions, and follow her on Twitter.

Today’s Bad Ideas™:

Idea #3

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This Makes Some Compelling Points (With Ponders) Apr 22, 2022

Today on No Bad Ideas... long-winded essays! Lost ideas! And special guest star, podcast producer Ponders!

On our first bad idea... well, we run into some technical problems and lose the audio for the first chunk of the episode. Oh no! But never fear, we come back with a vengeance for our second bad idea, a tale of woe featuring a friend breakup and the longform essay that accompanied it. The gang and Ponders turn it into the quirky, Spike Jonze romcom we didn't know we needed. Then, Sarah and Gabriel have a fascinating conversation with their guest about empathy in podcasts and how it impacts the writing of audio fiction.

All of that, plus piña colada song situations, underpaid writers, Editing Gabriel, Arcade Fire soundtracks, and email notifications that know you far too well.

Today’s Bad Idea™

For more of Ponders's work, check out their Twitter as well as their shows Accession and The Wanderer.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Crane Heist! (With Mary Kate Wiles) Apr 11, 2022

Sarah’s out today, so we’re especially delighted to be joined by the incredible Mary Kate Wiles, of Lizzie Bennett Diaries, Shipwrecked Comedy, and web video fame!

Mary Kate’s first go in the NBI hot seat begins with the story of a bad liar from Alabama, which the gang turns into a heist with high rewards, deeply annoying stakes, and incredibly slow moving escapes. Then they meet the soon-to-be mother-in-law from hell and turn it into a family drama that is a trick, potentially a trap, and features the worst piggy bank of all time.

Then the guys talk to Mary Kate about, among other things, the origin of Shipwrecked, the legacy of The Lizzie Bennet Diaries, wearing many hats at all times, and why every actor should produce something.

Plus: a new sub-genre of heists, Eugene O’Neill plays come to life, decoy invites, Timothée’s Logan Lucky moment, and the Rachel Getting Married of it all.

Today’s Bad Ideas™:

If you’d like to check out more of Mary Kate’s work, follow her on Twitter and Instagram, check out The Fairly Oddparents: Fairly Odder, and go explore the fine literary comedy of Shipwrecked!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It Turns Into A Kraken (With Eric Silver & Mischa Stanton) Mar 31, 2022

We’re so lucky to be joined this week by not one but two adorable little audio guys: Multitude’s own Eric Silver and Mischa Stanton!
We start with the worst/most bored security guard of all time and we turn it into a high espionage heist (of course), with the plots coming from inside the Kremlin, but not before making a ton of Red Notice jokes along the way. Then we visit the capital of world/bored ideas: Florida. We take a story about a man’s crossbow theft and turn it into the remake of Don Quixote that all of us end up really wanting to see.

Then Eric and Mischa discuss benefits of and considerations to take into account when you work with your friends, the kinds of creativity that happens when you feel free to collaborate, making things for yourself vs. making things in the hopes it’ll be made by a big company, and much more!

Plus: Zoom’s newest software update, absurdist period pieces, CGI monstrosities, a fleet of windmills, and the most obnoxious motorcycle in the state of Florida.

Today’s Bad Ideas™:

If you want to check out more of Eric and Mischa’s work, check out some of their wonderful shows like Join The Party, History Daily, and StarTripper!!, follow Eric and Mischa on Twitter, and sign up to join the MultiCrew for even more Multitude goodness.

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52 Reptiles in a Trench Coat (With Sam Long) Mar 24, 2022

Sarah is out this week, but we are joined by special guest co-host Sam Long of Singing Land Studios and Honey and the Sting. Together, we tackle two new bad ideas, featuring brains, snakes, and other slithering creepy-crawlies!

In our first story, Zach brings us a report on the neurologist who was so set on pushing the envelope on what's possible that he ended up getting his own brain operated on. The team does their best to turn it into a Jekyll and Hyde drama of a man who expands his mind but maybe gets a little more than he bargained for. Then, for our second idea, Gabriel brings us the story of a man who tried to smuggle a lot of reptiles past the border. The squad tries to turn it into the story of a man who makes his living by providing a witch's coven with their animal supplies.

All of that, plus: hypothetical story land, tongue hissing sounds, cesspools, curses, and hours-long sunbaths.

Today’s Bad Ideas™:

For more of Sam's work, check out Singing Land Studios and the EarthSpirit Voices Podcast. For more work by other members of Honey and the Sting, check out work by Melanie Hsu and Jess Best!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Branded Content & Gritty Reboots (With Erik Saras) Mar 18, 2022

Minus a mortifying impression, Sarah Shachat is out this week, but heroically filling the third spot in NBI hot seat is one of our favorite sci-fi creators, the great Erik Saras!

We start with the story of a very off-his-game, but very well armed burglar, and the boys prove that even the world’s most fractured fairy tale can be perfected. It just takes Keanu Reeves. Next, we marvel at the resilience of Hank the Tank, and take this giant bear’s story and turn it into a gritty reboot of a beloved cartoon for a more adult audience, with a bit of a Robin Hood angle.

Finally, we talk to Erik about his audio journey from music down into the pit of podcasting, the evolving nature of work-life balance, managing long-running mysteries, the importance of score, and the allure of making rip-offs of LOST.

Plus: low key Kill Bill energy, covert Airbnb ads, bear gangs, quality nicknames, punching up… and clawing down.

Today’s Bad Ideas™:

For more of Erik, check out Marsfall and follow them and Erik on twitter.