The weekly round-up of the best moments from DZ's season 452 (8/17/26-8/21/26)

The weekly round-up of the best moments from DZ's season 452 (8/17/26-8/21/26)

There’s more news and less comprehension today than any historical period that didn’t involve literal witch trials, and trying to stay on top of it all can feel like playing a game of telephone with 30 people, except everyone’s speaking at the same time and like a third of them are openly racist for some reason. From Cracked co-founder Jack O’Brien, THE DAILY ZEITGEIST is stepping into that fray with some of the funniest and smartest comedic and journalistic minds around. Jack and co-host Miles Gray spend up to an hour every weekday sorting through the events and stories driving the headlines, to help you find the signal in the noise, with a few laughs thrown in for free.

The Daily Zeitgeist

Listen to this collection of top episodes from iHeartRadio and iHeartPodcasts. 

Listen to this collection of top episodes from iHeartRadio and iHeartPodcasts.&nbsp;

Podcasts from iHeartRadio

Weekly Zeitgeist 444 (Best of 8/17/26-8/21/26)

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/b9bdd693-ce10-43ac-ac32-b4af005310b0/transcript

In episode 2113, Jack and guest co-host Sofiya Alexandra are joined by co-host of Pod Yourself A Gun & Mad Yourself A Man, Vince Mancini, to discuss… Gwyneth Paltrow Allegedly Hosting “Off-The-Record” Sam Altman Dinner, GTA VI Incentive Being Used to Get Soldiers to Reenlist, Dirtbike Hero, Wait Turtles Is Birds? A Janky Cartoon About A Cow Is A Surprise Box Office Hit In China and more!
Gwyneth Paltrow is rumored to be throwing a party for AI mogul Sam Altman. People don’t love the optics
Gwyneth Paltrow’s Goop Has Embraced Tech for Years. Now She’s Hosting Sam Altman at Her Hamptons Home
Gwyneth Paltrow allegedly set to throw dinner in honor of Sam Altman
Gwyneth Paltrow Just Goopified Drone Warfare
If Your Business Doesn’t Offer Workers a 401(k) Plan, Maybe Now Is the Time
Anduril Partners with OpenAI to Advance U.S. Artificial Intelligence Leadership and Protect U.S. and Allied Forces
Anduril eyes major Israeli defense deals, expanding partnership talks during CEO's visit
From Goop to ‘Gwynocide’: why is Gwyneth Paltrow starring in a luxury Israeli real estate ad?
Army unit offers 4-day pass to play Grand Theft Auto VI as reenlistment incentive
Dirt bike rider leads police on erratic chase through Los Angeles County
What, Exactly, Is a Turtle?
Niu Lai full movie (Bootleg)
‘Bad in every aspect’: derided low-tech animation Niu Lai rivals blockbusters at Chinese box office
Movie that went viral for terrible animation becomes China box office hit
Chinese Animated Feature ‘Niu Lai’ Turns Online Mockery Into Big Box Office Bucks
Low-Budget Animated Movie About A Cow Gets So Popular Theaters Are Using Ridiculous Hand-Drawn Posters
Niu Lai (lit. Cow Come) was released without a press kit. Movie theaters in China have begun making their own posters.
Director of ‘bizarre’ Chinese film Niu Lai says creators didn’t want to let precision get in way of story
'Niu Lai': Chinese Animated Movie Mocked Online Turns Into Box-Office Sensation
How ‘disaster’ film Niu Lai became a hit in China—hand-drawn posters, $47 budget
China’s Ugliest Movie Is a Gen Z Masterpiece
China’s most ridiculed animation ‘Niu Lai’ is the resistance against AI slop that we need
China Lands in Cannes With Robots, AI Films and a Very Clear Message
'Morbius' memes helped give the movie more buzz. But it bombed in theaters after re-release.

LISTEN: Vibe (If I Back It Up) by Cookiee Kawaii

In episode 2113, Jack and guest co-host <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thesofiya/?hl=en">Sofiya Alexandra</a> are joined by co-host of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.patreon.com/frotcast">Pod Yourself A Gun &amp; Mad Yourself A Man</a>, <a href="https://vincemancini.substack.com/">Vince Mancini</a>, to discuss&hellip; Gwyneth Paltrow Allegedly Hosting &ldquo;Off-The-Record&rdquo; Sam Altman Dinner, GTA VI Incentive Being Used to Get Soldiers to Reenlist, Dirtbike Hero, Wait Turtles Is Birds? A Janky Cartoon About A Cow Is A Surprise Box Office Hit In China and more!
<ol>
<li><a href="https://www.fastcompany.com/91592424/gwyneth-paltrow-sam-altman-ai-party-not-going-over-well-is-it-real">Gwyneth Paltrow is rumored to be throwing a party for AI mogul Sam Altman. People don&rsquo;t love the optics</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.inc.com/moses-jeanfrancois/gwyneth-paltrow-goop-embraced-tech-for-years-now-hosting-sam-altman/91393387">Gwyneth Paltrow&rsquo;s Goop Has Embraced Tech for Years. Now She&rsquo;s Hosting Sam Altman at Her Hamptons Home</a></li>
<li><a href="https://techcrunch.com/2026/08/19/gwyneth-paltrow-allegedly-set-to-throw-dinner-in-honor-of-sam-altman/">Gwyneth Paltrow allegedly set to throw dinner in honor of Sam Altman</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2026/06/gwyneth-paltrow-just-goopified-drone-warfare/">Gwyneth Paltrow Just Goopified Drone Warfare</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.inc.com/mike-hofman/business-offer-workers-emplouyees-401k-plan-human-interest-ceo-jeff-schneble/91385150">If Your Business Doesn&rsquo;t Offer Workers a 401(k) Plan, Maybe Now Is the Time</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.anduril.com/news/anduril-partners-with-openai-to-advance-u-s-artificial-intelligence-leadership-and-protect-u-s">Anduril Partners with OpenAI to Advance U.S. Artificial Intelligence Leadership and Protect U.S. and Allied Forces</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.jpost.com/defense-and-tech/article-900917">Anduril eyes major Israeli defense deals, expanding partnership talks during CEO's visit</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jun/12/gwyneth-paltrow-51-park-israeli-real-estate-ad">From Goop to &lsquo;Gwynocide&rsquo;: why is Gwyneth Paltrow starring in a luxury Israeli real estate ad?</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/grand-theft-auto-army-reenlistment-bonus/">Army unit offers 4-day pass to play Grand Theft Auto VI as reenlistment incentive</a></li>
<li><a href="https://ktla.com/news/local-news/live-lapd-officers-chase-fleeing-dirt-bike-rider/">Dirt bike rider leads police on erratic chase through Los Angeles County</a></li>
<li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20260814112947/https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/turtle-origins-evolution-archosaur">What, Exactly, Is a Turtle?</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XdeI0cOWSs">Niu Lai full movie (Bootleg)</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/aug/17/niu-lai-derided-animated-film-challenges-blockbusters-at-chinese-box-office">&lsquo;Bad in every aspect&rsquo;: derided low-tech animation Niu Lai rivals blockbusters at Chinese box office</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4g4r0mrmlpo">Movie that went viral for terrible animation becomes China box office hit</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.cartoonbrew.com/box-office-report/niu-lai-chinese-feature-surprise-265707.html">Chinese Animated Feature &lsquo;Niu Lai&rsquo; Turns Online Mockery Into Big Box Office Bucks</a></li>
<li><a href="https://kotaku.com/niu-law-cow-film-meme-hand-drawn-posters-2000724980">Low-Budget Animated Movie About A Cow Gets So Popular Theaters Are Using Ridiculous Hand-Drawn Posters</a></li>
<li><a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:o5vbe6tbcs3prcl7pwu2e2s6/post/3mtbdxhm36k2r">Niu Lai (lit. Cow Come) was released without a press kit. Movie theaters in China have begun making their own posters.</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/films/news/niu-lai-chinese-viral-film-xin-yumeng-b3034860.html">Director of &lsquo;bizarre&rsquo; Chinese film Niu Lai says creators didn&rsquo;t want to let precision get in way of story</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.ndtvprofit.com/business/entertainment-cinema-niu-lai-chinese-animated-movie-mocked-online-turns-into-box-office-sensation-11925648">'Niu Lai': Chinese Animated Movie Mocked Online Turns Into Box-Office Sensation</a></li>
<li><a href="https://theprint.in/feature/niu-lai-hit-film-china-hand-drawn-posters-47-budget/3017309/">How &lsquo;disaster&rsquo; film Niu Lai became a hit in China&mdash;hand-drawn posters, $47 budget</a></li>
<li><a href="https://radii.co/article/niu-lai-ugly-movie-gen-z-hit">China&rsquo;s Ugliest Movie Is a Gen Z Masterpiece</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.tatlerasia.com/lifestyle/entertainment/niu-lai-film-reaction">China&rsquo;s most ridiculed animation &lsquo;Niu Lai&rsquo; is the resistance against AI slop that we need</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/china-cannes-2026-robots-ai-films-clear-message-1236591298/">China&nbsp;Lands in&nbsp;Cannes With Robots, AI Films and a Very Clear Message</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/pop-culture-news/morbius-memes-helped-give-movie-buzz-bombed-theaters-re-release-rcna32108">'Morbius' memes helped give the movie more buzz. But it&nbsp;bombed in theaters after re-release.</a></li>
</ol>
LISTEN: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pf4Be8xeD9c">Vibe (If I Back It Up) by Cookiee Kawaii</a>

Gwyneth Paltrow Has Left Earth, Dirtbike Hero 08.21.26

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/f8e65b92-9dcb-4c86-a8a9-b4ac01480f07/transcript

In this edition of Trendpa Smurf, Jack and special guest co-host Sofiya Alexandra discuss Angie Nixon vs. professional astronaut/mean girl Gayle King, California losing Prince Harry, Nithya vs. Karen Bass on Zoom Livestream, ‘Dune 3’ selling preorders months in advance and much more!

In this edition of Trendpa Smurf, Jack and special guest co-host Sofiya Alexandra discuss Angie Nixon vs. professional astronaut/mean girl Gayle King, California losing Prince Harry, Nithya vs. Karen Bass on Zoom Livestream, &lsquo;Dune 3&rsquo; selling preorders months in advance and much more!

Trendpa Smurf 8/20: Angie Nixon, Prince Harry, Nithya Raman, 'Dune: Messiah'

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/a97e7a7d-0f1b-45e0-a865-b4ac0143d734/transcript

In episode 2112, Jack and guest co-host Andrew Ti are joined by comedian and co-host of Lady To Lady, Brandie Posey to discuss… The Crumbles Are Here--And It’s Not As Delicious As That Sounds, Google VIP Spam Filter, Vaccine Exemptions For Kindergartners Hits “Record High”, The GOP – Not Abdul El-Sayed – Are Hurting Puppies, NASA Addresses Conspiracy Theory and more!
Cyclosporiasis cases now total 15,716: CDC
Navy destroyer went days without power in the South China Sea, leaving sailors without toilets
Google Just Made It Easier for Campaigns to Send You Fund-Raising Emails
Vaccine exemption rate for kindergarteners reaches record high: CDC
Kindergarten Vaccine Exemptions Hit Record High as US Suffers Worst Measles Outbreak in Decades
Measles Used to Be in Our Rearview Mirror. Now Cases Are Reaching Record Highs.
Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed didn't run 'dog slaughterhouse' in Detroit, despite claims
Debunking MAGA’s Puppy-Killer Smear Against Abdul El-Sayed
‘Over 4,000 dogs and cats killed’: Abdul El-Sayed’s ‘pet massacre’ record goes viral
El-Sayed in the hot seat after 'sickening' animal control record goes viral on social media
Abdul El-Sayed oversaw animal 'slaughterhouse' as over 4,000 puppies and kittens killed under his watch
NRSC Unveils New “Dogs Against Abdul” Merchandise
American voters support animal welfare — and MAGA is seizing on it
Farm Bill Moves Forward with Mixed Results for Animals
Animal abusers are getting let off the hook. Trump and his Supreme Court are partly to blame.
Aspiring Fraudsters Had a Great Day at the Supreme Court
The Supreme Court just lit a match and tossed it into dozens of federal agencies
ASPCA: Repeat-offender puppy mills face no consequences for violations
Mass. animal shelters overwhelmed as immigration enforcement leaves pets behind
The Pets Left Behind When Their Owners Are Deported
NASA forced to debunk viral claim Earth will lose gravity for seven seconds today

LISTEN: Mala feat. ren & Tiara by Tokyo

In episode 2112, Jack and guest co-host <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/andrewti.bsky.social">Andrew Ti</a> are joined by comedian and co-host of&nbsp;<a href="https://ladytoladycomedy.com/">Lady To Lady</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/brandazzle/?hl=en">Brandie Posey</a> to discuss&hellip; The Crumbles Are Here--And It&rsquo;s Not As Delicious As That Sounds, Google VIP Spam Filter, Vaccine Exemptions For Kindergartners Hits &ldquo;Record High&rdquo;, The GOP &ndash; Not Abdul El-Sayed &ndash; Are Hurting Puppies, NASA Addresses Conspiracy Theory and more!
<ol>
<li><a href="https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/6038649-cdc-cyclosporiasis-outbreak-cases/">Cyclosporiasis cases now total 15,716: CDC</a></li>
<li><a href="https://thehill.com/policy/defense/6036514-uss-benfold-south-china-sea-engineering-casualty/">Navy destroyer went days without power in the South China Sea, leaving sailors without toilets</a></li>
<li><a href="https://archive.is/20260818141844/https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/18/us/politics/google-political-campaigns-email-spam.html#selection-8033.0-8033.72">Google Just Made It Easier for Campaigns to Send You Fund-Raising Emails</a></li>
<li><a href="https://abcnews.com/Health/exemption-rate-routine-childhood-vaccines-us-kindergartners-hits/story?id=135716718">Vaccine exemption rate for kindergarteners reaches record high: CDC</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/us-vaccination-rates-drop">Kindergarten Vaccine Exemptions Hit Record High as US Suffers Worst Measles Outbreak in Decades</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/measles-cases-vaccines">Measles Used to Be in Our Rearview Mirror. Now Cases Are Reaching Record Highs.</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/el-sayed-dog-slaughterhouse-detroit/">Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed didn't run 'dog slaughterhouse' in Detroit, despite claims</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.thebulwark.com/p/debunking-maga-puppy-killer-smear-against-abdul-el-sayed">Debunking MAGA&rsquo;s Puppy-Killer Smear Against Abdul El-Sayed</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/us-news/over-4-000-dogs-and-cats-killed-abdul-el-sayed-s-pet-massacre-record-goes-viral-101786842872643.html">&lsquo;Over 4,000 dogs and cats killed&rsquo;: Abdul El-Sayed&rsquo;s &lsquo;pet massacre&rsquo; record goes viral</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/el-sayed-hot-seat-sickening-animal-control-record-goes-viral-social-media">El-Sayed in the hot seat after 'sickening' animal control record goes viral on social media</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-16047667/Abdul-El-Sayed-oversaw-animal-slaughterhouse-4-000-puppies-kittens-killed-watch.html">Abdul El-Sayed oversaw animal 'slaughterhouse' as over 4,000 puppies and kittens killed under his watch</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.nrsc.org/press-releases/nrsc-unveils-new-dogs-against-abdul-merchandise-2026-08-14/">NRSC Unveils New &ldquo;Dogs Against Abdul&rdquo; Merchandise</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/474383/trump-maga-conservatives-animal-welfare">American voters support animal welfare &mdash; and MAGA is seizing on it</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.aspca.org/news/farm-bill-moves-forward-mixed-results-animals">Farm Bill Moves Forward with Mixed Results for Animals</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/464012/animal-welfare-act-usda-enforcement">Animal abusers are getting let off the hook. Trump and his Supreme Court are partly to blame.</a></li>
<li><a href="https://ballsandstrikes.org/scotus/sec-v-jarksey-supreme-court-oral-argument-fraud-is-good-now/">Aspiring Fraudsters Had a Great Day at the Supreme Court</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.vox.com/scotus/357554/supreme-court-sec-jarkesy-roberts-sotomayor-chaos">The Supreme Court just lit a match and tossed it into dozens of federal agencies</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.kcrg.com/2026/01/30/aspca-repeat-offender-puppy-mills-face-no-consequences-violations/">ASPCA: Repeat-offender puppy mills face no consequences for violations</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.masslive.com/news/2026/04/animal-shelters-overwhelmed-as-immigration-enforcement-leaves-pets-behind.html">Mass. animal shelters overwhelmed as immigration enforcement leaves pets behind</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/23/us/trump-ice-deportations-pets-left-behind.html">The Pets Left Behind When Their Owners Are Deported</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.dexerto.com/entertainment/nasa-forced-to-debunk-viral-claim-earth-will-lose-gravity-for-seven-seconds-today-3397670/">NASA forced to debunk viral claim Earth will lose gravity for seven seconds today</a></li>
</ol>
LISTEN: <a href="https://open.spotify.com/track/4EC2I6gYzn5LPzmIKVRWqL">Mala feat. ren &amp; Tiara by Tokyo</a>

The 7 Second Gravity Eclipse, The Crumbles Are Here 08.20.26

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/30a14cc5-b310-4d5d-8a1e-b4ab01599035/transcript

Weekly Zeitgeist 444 (Best of 8/17/26-8/21/26)

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