Cruisin' Together

(this episode of Cruisin’ Together contains grown-up language) Gregg and Chris are back in their first actual, non-Special Version Episode in nearly four years!!! And…

Chris and Gregg are on the road, literally cruisin' while recording another "Special Version" episode, their 10th! TOP GUN: MAVERICK has been delayed once again, but this was an opportunity to record that couldn't be passed up. Put your metaphorical (or literal) seat belt on for Six Degrees of Top Gun, Cruise Controlling the previous "Special Version" episode's precaps, Chris tastes gray Skittles, Gregg forgets the third thing he'd use a time machine for*, the number that's nearly 70, and talk of the second recording session that failed.

(Cruisin' Together may contain grown-up language)

Gregg and Chris return with another "Special Version" episode after a full calendar year...and what a year it's been. 2020 brought upon many things, but none of them was the new Tom Cruise movie, namely TOP GUN: MAVERICK. But the cruse must go on, and there was no shortage of Cruise news to peruse: Tom in Italy at the start of the pandemic. Tom seeing TENET in a theater. And of course, Tom's leaked audio rant on the set of MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE 7!  Chris and Gregg get to the bottom of it, plus: Chris' Science Corner…a Cruisin' Carol…who is You the Listener?…toy spoilers…bit on a bit, broken bits, and bit battle…sh*t for grapes…Goldie Hawn?!…a heaping helping of a whole lotta Hanks a Lot…and spoilers abound in the very first ever precap battle!!!

Chris and Gregg saddle up for a very special "Special Version" episode, joined by "fan since day 2" Jon Thurmond to delve into the mystery of the curious case of the Cruise cowboy cameo in the movie YOUNG GUNS. Amidst talk of the 1980s, Rubik's products, and witches, they examine roughly 7 seconds of footage to determine if a rumored cameo is indeed Tom Cruise in cowboy disguise.

And if it is Tom Cruise, how do they resolve YOUNG GUNS' omission from their comprehensive and chronological assessment of Tom Cruise's filmography?

That comes in the form of an unprecedented point-five episode inside a "Special Version" episode, where Gregg and Chris welcome "fan since day 2" Jon Thurmond to break down YOUNG GUNS, Cruisin'-style - plot recap battle is waged, Top Toms are told, and Cruise Controls are called out in between discussions of Jon Bon Jovi's YOUNG GUNS 2 soundtrack, unused takes from YOUNG GUNS 2, high-pitch basketball, what's the best Batman movie, a good bit of music talk and some singing, lot's of apologies from Gregg, and...recoil!

Not to be outdone, during the break, there's debate over pie, consideration of John "Bowser" Bowman, Chris ventures to name four listeners, and Gregg brings up another questionable Cruise cameo.

Chris and (Cousin) Mike strap in once again for another installment of their ancillary spin-off "InsTOMgram," taking their patented deep dive into the first trailer (teaser?) for TOP GUN: MAVERICK. Lots of bird talk (i.e. ducks and wingspans) , sports talk (i.e. volleyball and football), and Star Wars talk (i.e. Chewbacca and Luke Starwalker). Plus, some dream casting, that show Friends, and they ask and answer the question, "Who is Goost?"

Chris and Gregg present their friends' show, CREWSIN' TOGETHER, about the filmography of Terry Crews. Co-hosts Branwyn, Tyler, and David get right into discussing THE 6TH DAY, complete with segments like "Crucial Crews," "David's Science Nook," "Terry Cloth," trivia and more. They cover a lot of ground and laughs are had, but Gregg and Chris aren't on the same page regarding their feelings about the CREWSIN' crew and the show they did do.

Gregg and Chris return for a new episode, just like Tom Cruise returns as Ethan Hunt, for the sixth installment in the Mission: Impossible franchise, Fallout. And this time they're joined from the other coast by writer, editor and podcaster David Brothers. After shaking off their ring rust, talk quickly turns to tricycles, big wheels and bicycle accidents. The case of Steve Winwood gets re-opened, Wikipedia woes are shared, and Gregg offers a fan theory connecting the Mission: Impossible franchise to another Tom Cruise film, Minority Report. Everyone brings something to a mixed medley of Top Toms and some controversial Cruise Controls. And as they do, Gregg reports on shirtlessness, Chris gives everyone the fitness lowdown, and new words are coined! Plus, another epic-length mid-show break with talk of Duck, Duck, Goose, patents and...the possible return of intern Jeff/Geoff?!

Chris has a new wingman with past guest (episode TAPS) and past guest host (episode VALKYRIE), Mike Levin (AKA Cousin Mike), for an "emergency," "very important" Special Version episode covering Tom Cruise's social media! But worry not, as Mike and Chris have plenty to say on behalf of Gregg and on Gregg's behalf, make a point of keeping to the "classic" CRUISIN' TOGETHER format, including the "classic" themes and jingles you always hear on the show, and are very careful to not talk about movies. You will, however, hear Chris and Mike cover weather forecasting, concrete socks, and Val Kilmer's social media. Is this a Special Version Episode or its very own S-Corp LLC podcast feed? What of hashtag day two? Will Gregg ever get his 5%?

Gregg and Chris strap in to discuss American Made, joined by comics and television writer/producer and Tom Cruise super-fan, Robert Kirkman (The Walking Dead, Outcast, Invincible), who doesn't even wait to be introduced to join the fray. With a Hollywood honcho in their midst, Chris suggests Robert might be a more special guest than others and Gregg addresses the elephant in the room, after which, the gang covers such important topics as: milk mustaches, complete hair sets, the name of that game Chewbacca "wins" in Star Wars, and gender-bending the Dark Universe franchise. Plus, in an epic mid-show break, they analyze Tom Cruise's "Valkyrie Butt," Gregg makes a request to be on another podcast, Chris undersells himself, and Robert talks about night pizza. And not to be outdone, bad puns get dropped, words get misused and mispronounced, tangents are regretted, and Robert births a new segment for the show!

Chris and Gregg rise from their state of rest to talk about The Mummy. With them to discuss it is their old friend, Tim Smith 3. And three is the magic number as they get into numerology, memories of Y2K, and the time Gregg didn't die in a car and Chris might've run into a tollbooth. After covering their expectations for the movie, Gregg coins the word "intermonstral", they rank the monsters, and they talk about mummy mechanics, wrappings vs. fashion, and mummies and draculas getting poofed. And after the break, there are issues with character names, Chris helps Gregg decipher one of his notes, they offer suggestions for Dr. Henry Jekyll, and of Brendan Fraser's Golden Globes clap gets the spotlight. Also, Russell Crowe's in The Mummy, so long time listeners know what that means!

Gregg called Chris in to record a Special Version episode for a movie Gregg saw but Chris hasn't...at least, they don't know if he has or not, as Gregg didn't tell Chris what movie until they were recording. And outside of some technical issues, Chris' guessing games and Gregg's clumsy and arduous recap, the fellas discuss squatting vs. homesteading, Mr. Jaws, the difference between an "Easter egg" and a simple reference, double-stuf Oreos, and wonder what VCR stands for. A special version of a special version episode, to be sure.

Gregg and Chris are back to talk about Jack Reacher: Never Go Back, joined by guest, Brian "Full Meal" McBeal (and his Sam Elliott-esque-ness). It's been a while since they last recorded, but despite that, they quickly discuss failed guest-booking plans, Malcolm Gladwell's bibliography, Jack Reacher novel purists, buckets v. pails, Tangerine Dream as the sound of the '80s, and Ghost-inspired movie mash-up mayhem. During the mid-show break they make a call to action for a celebrity guest and have Kittridge news. Plus: a suspense-filled recap battle, confusion between Jack Reacher's powers and Ethan Hunt's powers, Gregg doesn't get a Chris reference, Chris doesn't understand a Gregg reference, Gregg tells a personal story and Chris corrects it...and a fitness report, a shirtlessness report, and new jingles!

Previously, on CRUISIN' TOGETHER...Chris and Gregg watched every movie Tom Cruise ever acted in, recorded a podcast for each one with a rotation of guests, ranked all 39 movies, and posted a survey for listeners. Now, they look back on it all...the show, the survey, and the experience. Joined by Jacob Chabot, they reflect on the show premise vs. its conceit, set off many song triggers, get into the minutia of counter-equipped toys, tally the Recap Battle scores, discuss survey results, address Target's recent commercials, respond to some tweets, read an email, and explore hot sauce's relationship to anger. Plus, Gregg quizzes Chris on his many show-ending "last word(s)", Jacob double-flips "Eating Crowe" and presents a Tom Cruise Quiz, and of course, Chris sings.

Having watched every existing movie wherein Tom Cruise acted, Gregg and Chris look over the full filmography and rank all 39 movies in a manner wholly appropriate to CRUISIN' TOGETHER, which is to say it arguably makes little logical sense and they take the long way to get where they're going, discussing things like relay races, reflection vs. refraction, "light" songs, Tom Cruise tentpole movies, last name hootenanies, '80s fantasy films, tandem motorcycles, tee-ball, Bird Flu vs. Swine Flu, the top cop in pop, Keanu Reeves, and Ace of Base. Plus, Gregg gets political and Chris at his most hostile.

Chris and Gregg engage with Mission: Impossible expert and west coaster, Jonanthan Chan, to talk about Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation, "one of the movies in the Mission: Impossible movies". In this, the last movie-centric episode of the show until the release of a new Tom Cruise, Gregg, Chris and Jonathan pull out all the stops - Recap Battle! A Recap Remix! Cruise Control! Top Toms! Hanks-a-Lot! Eating Crowe! The Fall Guy! - and more, like: an intense high five, an O. Henry plot-twist, Solomon Lane and Owen Davian in conversation, Gregg suggests "Maybe he was deaf punk, get it?", muppet talk that will frustrate past guest, Wally Wackiman (episode Minority Report), who's getting AARP mailers, exclusive audio of a deleted scene from Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and Chris implores to "say what you need to say".

Gregg and Chris bring back a gest-- Gregg and Chris bring back a guest, their FIRST guest, Traci Todd, to talk Live, Die-- Gregg and Chris bring back a guest, their FIRST guest, Traci Todd, to talk Edge of Tomorrow, a conversation that covers-- Gregg and Chris bring back a guest, their FIRST guest, Traci Todd, to talk Edge of Tomorrow, a conversation covering matters musical (the members of U2, the songs of Chicago/Peter Cetera, and Flintstones jams), matters logical (how exactly does the movie logic work), and matters informational (defining kibble, questioning who's in charge, is it based on a manga). There's theme song/jingle madness, denial of opt-outs, a special Tom Tom interlude, a twist on an old favorite, and we ask the question "When is the audience done?"

Chris and Gregg take on Oblivion with Tara Nakashima-Donahue, who, after a syllable-by-syllable introduction, joins in for a conversation about almost-homonyms, Capsella, a The Martian spoiler, Tom's appearing on Japanese television, "those ones" and "these ones", banana cakes, and Jacks and Julias. Plus, Tara and Chris explain the birds and the bees to Gregg, and Gregg and Chris have a squint-impression-off.

Gregg and Chris reach out to teacher-librarian, Matthew Winner, to school and get schooled in all things Jack Reacher. Will they get the librarian to cuss and/or go blue? Listen as see as they discuss the trouble with a name like Winner, Sisqo and "The Thong Song", paying for parking, the flaw in hastiness, jumping through tasks, who/what NWA were, the power of "Jump Around", an unprecedented happening with Top Toms, and the innuendo in Sandy's intentions and a Vined car chase. Plus: "Chris G's Guns Please", Gregg knows birds, and the question "Does Tom Cruise have a signature move?".

Chris and Gregg welcome rockin' friend and fan, Tyler Shainline, to jam out over Rock of Ages, so naturally they discuss the Rock Band video game, the rock band Journey, the bands that do/don't exist in the movie's reality, pro wrestling, Steve Perry's hair, ghosts, strippers and pole dancing, pro wrestling, Carrol Spinney's dexterity, the "Top Cop in Pop", mapledong, Adrian Zmed but not Adrian Zmed, pro wrestling, Huey Lewis & the News, and surely another mention of pro wrestling.

Gregg and Chris welcome, after over 30 episodes, their very first Tom as a guest, in the form of Thomas Velazquez, and together they talk about the fourth Mission: Impossible movie, Ghost Protocol. And in doing so, they parse what makes a franchise a franchise, tell tales of incorrect name action, recall "You Make the Call", engage in a recap battle full of legalities, question the existence of a Thomas-verse, address matters regarding pubis, talk about Tom Selleck and Kenny Rogers, and participate in Paula Patton patter. Also: Does Chris have too many Top Toms? How many Tom Cruise movies has Thomas even seen? And what is Gregg's "Theory of Mo'nique"?

Chris and Gregg bring in a most energetic man who lives in Japan, Julio Herrera, to talk the ups and downs and ins and outs and highs and lows of Night and Day. And with Chris back to co-hosting after last episode, they get back into the swing of things, talking about "Rodney from Detroit", skills (kicking and otherwise), bridesmaids' dresses, and more. Plus, help from the peanut gallery and brief appearances by Al Sharpton, The Green Goblin and Charles Barkley. You want more? Alright: Julio tells a Tom Cruise story, shows Chris how to step his game up, and reveals his three favorite movies of all time.

Gregg brings in a special co-host, Michael (episode: Taps) Levin to fill in for Chris, who could not host on account of the scheduled guest...which Gregg and Mike discuss before introducing said guest to talk about Valkyrie. But even without Chris co-hosting, the show goes as it should, with talk of Al Roker, Gregg's foot injury, adding to the spice, quad negatives, the communist manifesto, a t-shirt design contest, hurt feelings and apologies, Stauffenberg's eye, Johnny Carson impressions, Bozo the Clown's cup and balls game, and plenty of Nazi and Hitler talk. It's a real #NotAllGermans/#YesAllJews kind of a show.

Gregg and Chris welcome the tall and handsome Marshall Mathers artist, Paul Azaceta, to live, laugh, love and breathe over Tropic Thunder. Talk of Hollywood Game Night, Terry Crews and Morris Code precedes a repurcussion-heavy recap battle, followed by discussion of the designated hitter rule, what they'd eat to get into Les Grossman shape, Orndorff on Golf, Robert Downey Jr., and Racism. Plus, Gregg explains Purim.

Chris and Gregg sweeten the pot when they bring "The Candy Geek" himself, Jason Liebig, onto the show to talk Lions for Lambs. The movie maybe doesn't wow 'em, but after some international candy treats it gets them talking about Stuart Kittles, how $30,000 breaks down, Ash v. Ash v. Ash, the movie's casts' superhero movie roles, Tupperware parties, Shakespeare, Ultra Magnus, the Army's buddy system, and so much more. Plus, Jason tells a tale of his game show experience, Gregg uses the word milquetoast, and Chris makes an unprecedented move during one of the show's regular segments.

Gregg and Chris make it another family affair when they bring Mark Mariano (brother to Chris Mariano, episode Magnolia) get into the nitty gritty of Mission: Impossible III. Under the influence of chicken wings, they start with talk of lens flares and continue on to discuss how The Force works, tell a tale of QVC, play a bit of Match Game, engage in "Jabberin' About J.J.", and talk briefly about The Hot Sundaes video from Saved By The Bell. Plus, they ask hard-hitting questions like: where's Greg Grundberg?, is a windmill is a propeller?, and is it a chip bag or a crackling fire?

Chris and Gregg welcome Marcie Colleen on board to unpack and unravel War of the Worlds, including much-needed discussions of school mascots, Marcie's secret Tom Cruise history, Chris' "mental illness" theory, Gregg's "bwoooomp", solonoids, spy-bots on Hoth, three-legged dogs, how to defeat various alien invasions. And also, Marcie finally gets to tall about Tim Robbins, Gregg learns the term "gantry crane", and Chris keeps talking about food. Plus: a knock at the door?!

Gregg and Chris start the meter running with Branwyn Bigglestone as their passenger to talk Collateral. Branwyn's love for Debi Mazar and hate for slow jams are the tip of the iceberg in a chat that includes The Transporter, covers of "Ben", uncletagonists, the power of a photo of an island, segments upon segments, a series of jinxes, and plenty of talk of Tom running.

Chris and Gregg welcome Drew Gill for his distinctive perspective to talk The Last Samurai. Said discussion includes talk of Dio and "Rainbow in the Dark", Republica's "Ready to Go", people v. peep hole, The Terminator, samurai code, samurai culture and the pluralization of samurai, Gregg's new sneakers, a surprise episode of "SandLearning", much praise for Ken Watanable, how Last Samurai's like Top Gun, and ninjas, ninjas, ninjas! Plus, an arguably epic mid-show break featuring listener mail and a highly questionable impression.

Gregg and Chris dig deep with Austin Powers in Goldmember - a movie where Tom Cruise has at most four minutes of screen time - and they're joined by erstwhile gentleman, Paul McMahon, who breaks the seal and presents gifts*, before they talk schlägers, Susanna Hoffs, the "Baby Hands-Up" doll, the secret to wedded bliss, and impressions of Michael Caine and Billy Crystal's Fernando. Plus, "Round Robin Plot Recap" is no more, replaced by something new...and competitive!

Chris and Gregg discuss Minority Report with a first for them: a non-human guest, Wally Wackiman! Wally answers all kinds of questions about puppets and puppetry (including materials, diets, and their people), plus talk of continents and oceans, the technology and relevant brands in the year 2054 and Tom Cruise playing a drug at. Plus, Wally tries to keep it clean, Chris disputes the viability of the set-up in the movie, and Gregg presents an idea for a parody song.

Gregg and Chris are at it again, literally, as their original recording covering Vanilla Sky had some audio issues. But they're joined by one of the original recording's guests, Stephen Mayer (and past guest, Carly Mayer), to talk about what happened and then start fresh. From there, they cover the movie as well as the many definitions of "jacked", Tom Cruise's nationality, five interpretations of of the movie with just five words each, a special transformed "Eating Crowe" segment, the math of Renée Zellweger + Cameron Diaz, musical stingers for scene changes, and Muzzy vs. Rosetta Stone before devolving into Brian Regan bits and '90s X-Men cartoon chat. Plus, Chris has his own sound effects now...for better or worse!

Chris and Gregg are LIVE in front of an actual audience at Acme Comics Presents in Greensboro, NC, to talk about Mission: Impossible 2. Before they do, they touch on Night & Day with their guest, Val Moran, and then get into M:I2, MI:2/superhero movie trivia, Paperboys (the video game and the actual job), Chris opens his Science Corner, Gregg continues his search for signs of a bad Tom Cruise movie, bird talk, and an important question: "Who is James?". All that, plus appearances by Clark, Jacob, Ian, Carly and Michael, for a truly unique CRUISIN' show.

Gregg and Chris get into the cracks and crevices of the ensemble tapestry that is Magnolia, and guest, Chris Mariano, joins as a willing participant. After some talk of Far and Away, a truly epic Round Robin Plot Recap gives way to talk of cabins, disappearing, and magicians...1-800-TAME HER...Chris Giarruso talks science...more "Hanks a Lot"...and matters dancing with respect to animated cats (and how they might relate to our Top Cop in Pop, Paula Abdul).

Presenting a Special Version Episode! Chris and Gregg break their regular chronological order to get on the mic just after seeing the new Tom Cruise movie, Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation! Joined by past guests, Traci (Endless Love) and Jacob (Risky Business), they talk some spoilers, yes, and also get into which of us is John McEnroe, Jeremy Renner's fingernails, Tom Cruise's running, gun transformers, opera, admiration of the female lead and impressions of the movie's villain. Recorded 7/31/2015.

Gregg and Chris make it a family trilogy when they're joined by Gregg's uncle, Marty, father to Cousin Mike (Episode: Taps) and Cousin Mike's Brother Cousin Joey (Episode: The Firm), to set their eyes on Eyes Wide Shut. A most rousing Round Robin Plot Recap gets the ball rolling as the discussion covers such topics as: fitness, the '60s, theories about the movie, Opa Locka, SNL, Orange Julius and Tang, and Dippin' Dots for astronauts, the ice cream of the future that is now.

Chris and Gregg get Jen Grunwald on mic to lend a lady's voice to discuss the love story that is Jerry Maguire. We ask the big question "What is love?", coin and define "Zellweggering", observe the "Buttgeist", recognize the Top Cop in Pop's influence on the film and the film's influence on The Matrix, introduce another new segment, drop Slingblade impressions, and much more!

Gregg and Chris have John Green on to talk through Mission: Impossible, wherein John can't help but rant over the plot, and we respond in turn...but not without interruptions to cover Metadent toothpaste, brief talk of U2, Mac Tonight and Herb the Nerd, other potential Tom-casts, the rule of gum in drama, and did someone mention The Fall Guy?

Chris and Gregg welcome Erica Henderson on board for a chat about the ins and outs of Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles. But lest you think we only talk vampires, vampire powers and vampire rules, we also get into vampires and homosexual subtext and the fabulosity of vampiric transformations. Plus, a vampire trial, a vampire job interview, and of course, Tom Cruise!

Gregg and Chris get Gregg's Cousin Mike's* brother, Cousin Joey, to get into the underbelly of The Firm. Joey brings his expertise to discuss the film's accuracy...there's a lot of discussion of Tom Cruise's running, back-flipping and Spider-Manning...we agree on the greatness of Gene Hackman...plus Chris speaks to Wilfred Brimley's scariness, Joey watches all of Quantum Leap, and Gregg channels Holly Hunter. That's just the tip of the iceberg to a jam-packed show!

*You might remember Cousin Mike from Cruisin' Together: 2 - Taps

Chris and Gregg get a good man, Rob Lemon, to discover the truth about A Few Good Men. A raucus Round Robin Plot Recap gets us going before we run the gamut, covering Sleepy Hollow to the four horsemen to horns of plenty to piñatas. Following that, Chris and Rob reenact a key scene, we embark on an epic mega-Top Toms sandwich, talk Noah Wiley and Rocky Roadrunner cartoons, and then, Christopher Walkens show up. Plus, "Doin' the Butt".

Gregg and Chris bring Patrick J. Reilly on to have a chat about Far and Away, starting with the debut of the "Round Robin Plot Synopsis", and taking the conversation far and away to things like: corkers and scrappers, true stories of stabbings, the hard truth about horse heads, and a real examination of merry-go-rounds vs. carousels.

Chris and Gregg are talking Days of Thunder with Sarah Smith, and along the way they get into what NASCAR stands for, Chris's arm situation, what defines a trophy, automotive euphemisms, Sarah's love of redheads, and so much more.

Gregg and Chris welcome Randall Trang to talk over Born on the Fourth of July. Chris does a card trick, Gregg makes his "best tank top in a movie" nomination, Randy imagines some outtakes, and the matter of Chyna v. Chynna v. China gets some healthy debate. And in a rare turn, things get real and even a little serious as they talk about the "G-Word" and touch on the Vietnamese refugee experience.

Chris and Gregg definitely talk to Patrick McGrath about Rain Man. Definitely. But also: Our o'clocks positions, the the "Iko Iko" grandmas' beef, the parachuting Mets fan, Rain Man sequel thoughts, Tim Curry's demon work, lot's of Wilfred Brimley talk, and the hits of Foreigner! Uh oh.

Gregg and Chris welcome Jared Osborn for a lively discussion of Cocktail and it's message, as well as receipt archives, verbal brinksmanship, meatloaf sauce talk, Russell Crowe, actual cruise control...and some serious.

Chris and Gregg are joined by Drew for talk of The Color of Money, which includes matters of calendars, tax forms, cargo shorts, hairlines, and "it's in the way that you use it!". Plus, a cameo by Van Hammersly in the first appearance of a new segment: Cruise Control!

A blockbuster movie deserves a blockbuster guest, so Gregg and Chris use internet technology to get Jason Howard on as the wing man to talk TOP GUN. They get into Will Smith's discography, call signs and how they're earned, jingoistic movies of Ronald Reagan's second term, the worst-ness of Rod Stewart, the golden ratio in relation to teeth, Top Gun 2 talk, and so much more. Plus, Skype technical issues!

Chris and Gregg cruise with Brian "Smitty" Smith to talk about LEGEND, where Tom Cruise isn't shirtless for the first time in a movie! That, and talk of hover boards, Brendan Fraser's Golden Globes clap, Groovin' with "you and me and Leslie", and going deep with The Fall Guy!

Gregg & Chris are joined by...no one! It's just the two of them, talking t-shirts, the top cop in pop, Coach from COACH, and of course, ALL THE RIGHT MOVES...eventually.