Baconsale: Hickory-Smoked Pop Culture

Kent, Joel & Jacob

This completely unique podcast pits a movie critic and an improv comedian against each other as they argue about things that don't matter.

  • 1 hour 20 minutes
    Episode 535: Baconsale-Approved Roommate Etiquette

    Okay, listener, it’s time for an apartment meeting. We need to set some ground rules for living with other people. And whether you’re rooming with college students, a spouse, your kids, or your mom, Baconsale is here to help you understand proper protocol for co-habitation. We’ve gathered your guidelines and provided some policies of our own in an attempt to see which ones are our BFFs, which ones we’ll keep in touch with occasionally, and which ones we’ll never speak to again. Joel (the dad), Kent (the thief), and Zack (the ghost) will also share some personal stories about weird roommates and even call out a few by name. We hope you enjoy this random episode about prop culture.

    Press play to remember it all comes down to communication.

    23 February 2026, 7:01 am
  • 1 hour 19 minutes
    Episode 534: Aging the Movies of 1986
    Somewhere out there, beneath the pale moonlight, the films we’re discussing on this episode of Baconsale are going to turn 40 years old this year. We’ll begin this highway to the nostalgia zone by creating our Mount Rushmore of 1986 movies. Following that, we have a plethora of categories where we’ll determine if Johnny 5 is alive, if Platoon can defend its position, and if the goblin king has power over us. Along the way, we’ll try not to snub Milo & Otis as we avoid the government agents who are trying to capture us. We hope you enjoy this rad look back to the past since we are the men who will fight for these movies’ honor.   Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and press play once in a while, you could miss it.
    16 February 2026, 7:01 am
  • 1 hour 35 minutes
    Episode 533: The Love Song of Love Songs
    Well, Fly Me to the Moon! Is Baconsale doing another episode about Unforgettable romantic tunes? Yes, we are, and we’re doing it with Open Arms. However, this time we examined VH1’s list of Endless Love songs and put them in a tournament to see which Unchained Melody will win At Last. Is Your Song on the bracket? Even if it is, just Breathe, and remember that while it may be a favorite In Your Eyes, it may not do so Wonderful Tonight. On the other hand, Maybe I’m Amazed how far some iconic tracks will go. But no matter what happens, just remember that You Are So Beautiful, I Will Always Love You, and My Heart Will Go On.   How Deep Is Your Love? Well, press play, Babe, because I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing.   Also, even though You Don’t Bring Me Flowers, you still can visit Baconsale.com to download this bracket and find our official Spotify playlist of songs that are Always on My Mind.
    9 February 2026, 7:01 am
  • 1 hour 16 minutes
    Episode 532: Twinner Winner – Band/Solo
    Is the whole greater than the sum of its parts? That’s the question we’re debating on this episode of Baconsale. We have created a list of 21 match-ups that pit popular bands against the prominent solo artists that spun-off from them. Joel, Kent, and Zack will then discuss and decide which musical act is better. Sometimes it’s very easy, sometimes it’s not, but we always seem to go a little off the rails somehow. You’re going to quickly realize that lyrics are not our strong point, but we hope you enjoy the angry rants and heartfelt testimonies of some contemporary adults about famous musicians.   Press play for some very questionable acronyms.   And you can find our official Spotify playlist for this episode at Baconsale.com.
    2 February 2026, 7:01 am
  • 1 hour 41 minutes
    Episode 531: 2026 Prediction Spree
    Don’t call it a comeback, we do this type of Baconsale episode each year. We’re going to take our best guesses as to what pop culture drama and events are going to unfold in 2026. Kent is doing deep research and doing a mini pitch show for each category, Zack is going to occasionally get spicy with his catty commentary, and Joel will be ashamed of some of his picks. Nevertheless, we will press forward with our predictions and let you know where to buy a magazine, discuss how OK the Thunder are, express some hatred for Colorado, and even give some matching answers because everyone’s blue.   Marmosets said press play.
    26 January 2026, 7:01 am
  • 1 hour 11 minutes
    Episode 530: Best & Worst Movies of 2025-ish
    Welcome to another season of Baconsale! As is tradition for our premiere episodes, we’re going to be taking a look back at the movies we watched in 2025. Joel and Kent will be sharing their top five and bottom five films from last year while Zack offers up some color commentary. We hope you enjoy as we get excited about pie, question the Russo brothers, punch down a little, protect the Honmoon, embrace the ick, and try to make Amazon a sponsor. Oh, and one word of advice: don’t watch a movie just because of the poster.   Press play, you mani pedi dream girl!
    19 January 2026, 7:01 am
  • 1 hour 34 minutes
    Episode 529: Oh, Thank Heaven for Season Eleven
    Would you know our names, if you heard season eleven? We sure hope so, because we say them a lot on this episode of Baconsale! We’re ending this year by reminiscing about topics and sharing inside jokes as we reached 500 episodes and beyond. Joel (who wears a cap) and Kent & Zack (who look so handsome) accomplished some big things this year, including a Disneyland vacation, a road trip to see Weird Al, and a live recording in front of a studio audience, so that’s going to be brought up a lot. However, we’ll also give some insights about the podcast, offer behind-the-scenes trivia, get nostalgic, boop each other on the back, add lettuce, and offer up too many honorable mentions.   Jammies! Like every picture on Instagram, and then press play.
    15 December 2025, 7:01 am
  • 1 hour 1 minute
    Episode 528: Schoolyard Pick – Worst Christmas Gifts
    ‘Twas late on Christmas Eve, and Santa Claus has finished a long night of delivering gifts to all the good boys and girls around the world. He’s hung up his coat, kicked off his boots, and is just settling into his favorite chair with a hot cup of cocoa when he suddenly realizes something: he’s forgotten about poor little Zackery. Therefore, he calls his recently hired interns, Joel and Kent, to create a magical morning for Zack. Unfortunately for him, the leftovers in Santa’s bag are the ones you, the listener, submitted when we asked you to share the terrible Christmas gifts you’ve received. And so, on this episode of Baconsale, we’re going to do our best with the worst, and see which pile of presents Zack ends up choosing.   Don’t be a condescending elf, press play!
    8 December 2025, 7:01 am
  • 1 hour 24 minutes
    Episode 527: Cable, IMAX, Erase – Christmas Edition
    Baconsale is kicking off the Christmas season with one of their oldest and most contentious games: Cable, IMAX, Erase. However, since this episode is holiday-themed, we’re also mixing in jolly music (Concert, iPod, Erase) and festive food (Tradition, One Bite, Erase) as we build to a compounding Christmas finale. Listen as Joel looks for loopholes, Kent attempts to be a puppet master, and Zack grinds some axes. And try not to get yuletide whiplash as you play along at home because this episode is all over the place.   Don’t eat the foil, just press play.
    1 December 2025, 7:01 am
  • 1 hour 21 minutes
    Episode 526: Soup! (There It Is)
    Grab your favorite spoon because, on this episode of Baconsale, we’re talking soup, pho real! We’ve squashed 30 popular broths, bisques, consommés, and potages into one list and Joel, Kent, and Zack are going to have to rank them. We may stir the pot a bit as we stew over which ones are best, but we’ll try not to mulligatawny over our answers too long so we can keep the excitement simmering. Listen as we ladle out details on which soups trick you into eating vegetables, egg drop some facts about Olive Garden, and bowl you over with Sizzler secrets.   Press play to learn which bread pairs best with each dish.
    24 November 2025, 7:01 am
  • 1 hour 21 minutes
    Episode 525: The Best 2010s One-Hit Wonder (Tournament Finals)
    Ho! Hey! Now that we narrowed the list of 2010s one-hit wonders to 32 on the last episode (and we Feel It Still), we’re ready to Shut Up and Dance so we can finish the tournament before Friday. No song is Safe and Sound as some of the match-ups are just Too Close to call. Joel, Kent, and Zack don’t meant to be Rude, but we can’t take things Despacito, and sometimes that makes us get a little Tongue Tied. Please be our Cheerleader as we reveal the stench of Glee, start the occasional Fight (Song), and expose which Baconsale host secretly loves a Stolen Dance to stomp clap music.   What Does the Fox Say? It says to grab your Pumped Up Kicks and press play.   If you doo-doo doo-doo doo-doo want to download the advanced bracket, visit Baconsale.com.
    17 November 2025, 7:01 am
  • More Episodes? Get the App