ASHER GRODMAN OF CBS'S GHOSTS REJOINS US AND THE BATTLE OF THE SEXES RAGES ON!
Apr 05, 2024
Eden Kendall and Amadeus
AI says that this episode is chock full of fun!
Get ready to be charmed by the ever-engaging Asher Grodman, who not only brings laughter to our screens on "Ghosts" but also shares a passion for the Jacksonville Jaguars and a surprising twist of fate that led him to love golf. In our electrifying chat, Asher opens up about his adventures at the TPC, gives us a sneak peek into the Jaguars' inner workings, and playfully speculates on how to outdo the success of their last viral schedule release video. Plus, he reveals the genius of "Ghosts" writers, who artfully spin real-life situations, like an actor's pregnancy, into the show's captivating fabric.
Strap in for a thrilling segment of Battle of the Sexes, where the indomitable Cookie Mama, a sage of Jeopardy lore, engages in a brain-teasing showdown that will leave you in awe. We tackle a smorgasbord of trivia—from the erudite realms of AAA-related questions and the enchanting world of children's literature to the iconic visages of food mascots. With each rapid-fire tiebreaker, you'll be clutching the edge of your seat as we test our wits and revel in the lighthearted rivalry that only adds to the fun and frolic of this remarkable episode.
Get ready to be charmed by the ever-engaging Asher Grodman, who not only brings laughter to our screens on "Ghosts" but also shares a passion for the Jacksonville Jaguars and a surprising twist of fate that led him to love golf. In our electrifying chat, Asher opens up about his adventures at the TPC, gives us a sneak peek into the Jaguars' inner workings, and playfully speculates on how to outdo the success of their last viral schedule release video. Plus, he reveals the genius of "Ghosts" writers, who artfully spin real-life situations, like an actor's pregnancy, into the show's captivating fabric.
Strap in for a thrilling segment of Battle of the Sexes, where the indomitable Cookie Mama, a sage of Jeopardy lore, engages in a brain-teasing showdown that will leave you in awe. We tackle a smorgasbord of trivia—from the erudite realms of AAA-related questions and the enchanting world of children's literature to the iconic visages of food mascots. With each rapid-fire tiebreaker, you'll be clutching the edge of your seat as we test our wits and revel in the lighthearted rivalry that only adds to the fun and frolic of this remarkable episode.
Speaker 1:
Welcome to Eden and Amadeus. The podcast.
Speaker 2:
A couple of things before we get to our big guest this morning. The Battle of the Sexes did not air all five days this week because Amadeus was off on Friday, so we had four episodes, but they're quality episodes featuring our friend Cookie Mama, who is a past Jeopardy contestant.
Speaker 2:
She's a smarty, it's hard to take her on, so you'll have an opportunity to listen to all of those battles and find out if she's still around for you to play against. And now let's talk about our guest, somebody we consider a friend, somebody who has become a staple in Jacksonville just because of his passion for our Jacksonville Jaguars.
Speaker 1:
We've had a few guests on over the last. I guess we've been doing this for a couple of years. That really really get me super excited. Neil deGrasse Tyson is the first one that comes to mind, but whenever we talk to Asher Grodman, I get super excited. And you've met him, I think, twice now. Right, yeah, I have. I haven't even run into him around town, but I just love the show Ghosts so much I feel like we're friends.
Speaker 2:
If you haven't watched Ghosts on CBS, you are missing out. This show is so funny, it has so much heart, it is so well made and the cast.
Speaker 2:
The cast is brilliant, he's brilliant. He's so cute. And let me tell you how much I love Ghosts. I binged all of the BBC versions of it too, because it was a show that was inspired by the BBC and the first season of the BBC show Ghosts is pretty parallel to what they did in the first season of CBS, but it's still great to watch both. The jokes are different. It's just got kind of the same plot lines, but then it deviates from there. It is such a genius show and we love talking to our pal Jaguar fans, since he was nine years old, or even sooner than that, I guess. Asher Grodman, Hello.
Speaker 2:
Hello, we are great, we are so good. Amadeus just said to me right before we got the call remind me again, is there like a specific reason we reached out to Asher and I said no, because we love him?
Speaker 1:
That was the reason, but we were talking about you because you were here at TPC.
Speaker 4:
I was.
Speaker 2:
I was. Did you have the best time?
Speaker 4:
I did have the best time. I think now it's become just a yearly thing that I just always want to do and I really have no like I've never been interested in golf. It's not something that you know has ever spoken to me and so the first year I was there it was just seeing the Jaguars and the people in the organization and actually at CBC last year is when I was first approached about the schedule release idea, and so then going back this year was a no-brainer and wanted to catch up with people, and this year being there, I actually got into golf, especially the way the tournament ended. I was like I was riveted. That last day was incredible.
Speaker 1:
When I was a little kid, I worked for ESPN one year holding the microphone in the middle of the course for when the ball hits the green. I was fascinated by them, but I never really went back for it.
Speaker 4:
Oh really.
Speaker 1:
Yeah.
Speaker 4:
It was fun. Maybe it'll be a letdown next year, because I don't know if those finishes get as dramatic as it was this year.
Speaker 2:
It was a good one.
Speaker 4:
I was really like I got into it.
Speaker 2:
Well over the course of getting into it and getting to hang out with your chums. Did you guys discuss another schedule release video or are we on a need-to-know basis on that?
Speaker 4:
I'm not doing it this year. They have an idea they're running with which sounds fun, so I just got updated on that, but it was great to see everyone.
Speaker 4:
I mean I think there's so many great personalities in that organization and I really love the way they work. It was obviously a thrill for me to do it last year to see everyone. I mean I think that there's so many great personalities in that organization, um, and I really love the way they work. It was obviously a thrill for me to do it last year. Um, and maybe you know it's kind of there has to be.
Speaker 4:
It would always be fun to do, but there always has to be, like I think the North star is. Are we doing something that I feel like I could? I we're doing something that I feel like I could really make a difference in making, and it's the idea. You know you don't want to create something that you're not confident is going to work. So it's kind of finding the timing work and the idea work is something that I feel like I could add something to. So if those stars align again, I'm always down.
Speaker 1:
It's going to be almost impossible to top what you guys did last year. I agree with that.
Speaker 2:
That would be really tough to top, it was the best. We have so many questions right now about ghosts, and here's why.
Speaker 2:
Because, I love that you posted On your Instagram once when it was the Halloween episode, because obviously with the writer's strike, you guys had a lot of the timing is a little weird and you're like like just go with it, just go with it, you just kind of have to go with it. But but also like the stuff with flower um, genius, like right isn't, isn't she? Wasn't she having a baby? Isn't that what really was going on behind the scenes? Was that a genius just way to let her have some time, or was that just because it was a genius thing to do?
Speaker 4:
I think I, I don't. I can't speak for um our showrunners, joe port and joe weisman I can't speak for them in all of their thought process for this, but I'm sure that that played a role. Um, obviously we had the cliffhanger at the end of season two with who got sucked off, and then I'm sure there were a lot of factors that went into it. I'm sure you know Sheila and the baby were part of that. And then also, I think, not only the decision for it to be flour, but also the way that they have kind of.
Speaker 4:
You know, it's always fun to kind of leave the audience trying to guess what's going to happen next. So I think they did a great job of kind of like dropping crumbs each episode to kind of tease. So it's been really fun to play. And then for us it's also been great because we knew that Flower was coming back and it would be a dark day if we ever lost one of our, our teammates, because we really, the group, gets along really well. It wouldn't be the same if we were missing someone. Uh, and sheila especially has such she's lovely um, but she also what she does on the show is so hard because while we're all in this kind of like um ensemble vibe where we're keeping the ball in the air and bouncing off each other, she's doing that while also living in this like psychedelic world that only she can see. So she, her job is twice as hard as the rest of us, um, so it would be we would miss her if we ever actually lost her.
Speaker 1:
Can we talk for a second about Carol? Because I have to tell you something. I'm not saying I don't like Carol, but she has not grown on me yet. I feel like she's an outsider with the core ghost group.
Speaker 2:
Oh, we loved her in Mrs Maisel. Yes, we did.
Speaker 4:
Well, she's definitely an outsider because of all the history with her and Pete and I don't think there's ever going to come. I, I don't know, I don't think there's ever going to come. A ghost, he's going to join and suddenly like be, part like where the eight will expand to nine.
Speaker 4:
I think the eight is going to be the eight, but it's it's nice to have someone who I think at any, because we're so trapped in this house and they were so limited what we can do. Anyone who trapped in this house and we're so limited in what we can do, anyone who comes in and creates a new dynamic and new kind of relationships, whether it's destroying Pete and his happiness.
Speaker 4:
It's always fun, and so Carol's going to. I don't want to give anything away, but Carol's going to find her way into, she'll find her role in this endless existence as the season goes on. But, yeah, the episode it's nice that you brought her up the episode coming out next week when Trevor's brother is actually going to come to the house. The other storyline is going to be a big Carol-Pete storyline that I just got to see and it is very fun, and Richie and Carolyn, who plays Carol, carol and Aaron, who plays Carol they kill it. It's so, yeah, I think there's going to be a lot of gifts that are going to come out of the next episode.
Speaker 2:
Well, because we don't want to keep you longer than we promised, because we want you to always be willing to talk to us. So I don't want to go on and on.
Speaker 4:
I'm always willing to talk to you guys. Oh, thank you so sweet.
Speaker 2:
But I want to know you said you got to see the episode. Do you guys sit down and do a screening? Do you get to do that, or does somebody just send you a link?
Speaker 4:
No for this. They just send me a link because there's a lot with Trevor and his brother and so I just wanted to be prepared, and they kind of like doing press and that kind of lead up to the episode.
Speaker 4:
But if we're on set in the times where we are shooting and the shows are airing at the same time, you know, we'll try to figure out ways to do screenings and stuff like that for just the cast and then also the crew. A lot of it depends on schedules and our job at any given moment is making our deadlines.
Speaker 4:
I got it. But if we can do the screenings, they're always fun and our showrunners and CBS are great about setting them up. And it's also great for us because I would say this to my acting students the only person you're never going to see act is you. So there's always this kind of like understanding what you're doing and then how that translates. So it's great to kind of see the mirroring back of getting these episodes. As we're shooting, they kind of be like oh okay, that's how that landed, so now maybe that informs what I'm going to do next. Um, it's a great kind of way to orient yourself well, one thing you are is generous to a fault.
Speaker 2:
I mean you never post anything without crediting your showrunners, your the photographers, the directors. I mean you are. I've never seen anybody do what you do, as far as the way you dole out the credit. It's really. It really reminds everybody how big of an ensemble you are, even behind the cameras, and we love that. So you're in Canada right now, right.
Speaker 4:
No, no, I'm back in New York. We wrapped in early March.
Speaker 4:
It's funny actually. No, I'm back in New York. We wrapped in early March. It's funny actually, Last year at TPC, when I got the first time to I'll just bring this back to the Jags for you guys the first time I got to spend time with Trevor, that was something that we both talked about Because he was like oh, that's the same for us Because you're on a television show and you're the actor and so people associate a lot of what they're seeing with you because it's your face or you're telling the story. But there are so many people who behind the scenes who are making this happen and unless you're in it.
Speaker 4:
Until I was in it, I had no idea how much of a team sport it is, and it was funny because Trevor was like oh, that's what my job is too. I get all the blame if it goes badly and all the praise if it goes well. But there are a lot more people involved who are making this thing go on a daily basis. So it's a funny little parallel there between football and television.
Speaker 2:
Well, we're going to say goodbye to you now, just so, like I said, you don't ever feel like you got on the phone with us and couldn't get off. But we love you for so many reasons. It's not just because you're a huge Jags fan, it's because you're just you.
Speaker 1:
Yeah, and we're such huge fans of ghosts too, so thank you for the insight on that as well.
Speaker 4:
Oh, my God, Thank you and thanks for having me.
Speaker 2:
Always, always. You guys are a blast. Well, yay, Yay, and have have a wonderful time in New York. I it sounds like you're teaching and and enjoying, and we'll be tuned in on Thursday night.
Speaker 4:
Sounds great. I hope you enjoy it.
Speaker 1:
Thank you, thanks, asher.
Speaker 4:
Big football-themed episode next week Awesome.
Speaker 2:
We're going to be there. Hopefully we'll be talking to Asher again in the near future when the season starts.
Speaker 1:
I'm so excited about this show hopefully going on for the next several years. You know, usually when I like a show, it's the death Like Greg the Bunny always comes to mind. Like a show, it's the death Like Greg the Bunny always comes to mind. I love that show and then it was gone, like in one season.
Speaker 2:
So you spoke it, and then the universe heard you.
Speaker 1:
It went away, but I think Ghost is going to be around for a while.
Speaker 2:
Let's get into people who might be around for a while. I'm talking to you, Cookie Mama. Here are this week's battles this is a Battle of the Sexes.
Speaker 1:
replay here we go Monday morning Battle of the Sexes. Back for his day number one, two, three, four, five it's Sean.
Speaker 2:
Well, it's no slam dunk for you today, Sean. I'm afraid you're taking on somebody who is a past champion. It is Cookie Mama.
Speaker 1:
Alright guys, today it's a triple A quiz in honor of the jumbo shrimp season kicking off. It's a triple A quiz. All the answers will have three A's in them. First question goes to our returning champion, sean.
Speaker 2:
Sean. This nocturnal burrowing animal, is native to Africa and feeds on bugs like termites.
Speaker 4:
Anteater.
Speaker 2:
No, we're looking for aardvark. It has to have three A's in the name.
Speaker 1:
I had to do the math in my head. I guess Annie Derrame has two. All right, Cookie Mama, that's a break for you. Cookie Mama, this llama-like South American animal is valued for its wool.
Speaker 2:
Alpaca Okay.
Speaker 1:
Absolutely Zero to one. Sean, you can tie it up with this one. But remember three A's necessary the constant feeling, Sean, that you're being watched, even when there's no proof. That's paranoia, Sean. Oh my gosh, Cookie Mama. If you get this one right, this is going to be the upset of the day, Cookie Mama the life-threatening disease transmitted by mosquitoes Malaria, that is it.
Speaker 3:
This is a Battle of the Sexes replay.
Speaker 1:
Here we go. Tuesday morning Battle of the Sexes.
Speaker 2:
Please welcome our returning champion. She's going to be tough to beat. It's Cookie Mama.
Speaker 1:
And here to take Cookie Mama on from Middleburg, it's Steven Guys. Today is International Children's Book Day, so we're going to ask you some questions about some children's books. First question goes to our returning champion, cookie Mama. Maurice Sendak wrote a children's book called when the what Are Wild Things when the Wild Things Are.
Speaker 2:
Yes, Steven Eric.
Speaker 4:
Carle wrote a children's book about a very hungry. What?
Speaker 2:
I don't know. That is a hungry caterpillar.
Speaker 1:
All right, no score for you yet, stephen, but Cookie Mama in the story of Ferdinand. What kind of animal is Ferdinand?
Speaker 2:
He's a bull, he is a bull. Two to nothing, you got to get this one right, stephen, to stay in the game. Stephen in the story of Dr Doolittle what kind of doctor is Doolittle?
Speaker 1:
Veterinarian. That is correct. Nice Two to one. But Cookie Mama, if you get this one right, the game is over. Cookie Mama who wrote Treasure Island.
Speaker 4:
Robert Louis Stevenson.
Speaker 2:
Nice work oh my gosh, she's unbelievable.
Speaker 3:
This is a Battle of the Sexes replay.
Speaker 1:
Here we go. Wednesday morning Battle of the Sexes.
And here to take Cookie Mama on from Mandarin, it's Trevor Guys. Today it's a foods mascot quiz. We're just going to ask you some questions about some restaurant and foods mascots. First one goes to our returning champion, cookie Mama. All right, cookie Mama, which McDonald's mascot is famous for stealing food.
Speaker 4:
The Hamburglar.
Speaker 1:
Yes, one for you.
Speaker 2:
Let's see Trevor, which McDonald's mascot is a giant purple blob.
Speaker 1:
Grimace. Yeah, One to one Cookie Mama. What's the name of the Pillsbury Doughboy?
Speaker 2:
Poppin' French yes.
Speaker 1:
Two to one.
Speaker 2:
Trevor. What is the name of the Keebler Elf?
Speaker 1:
Too much time. Trevor we're looking for Ernie. That's a break for you, cookie Mama. If you get this one right, the game is over All right, cookie Mama? Which fast food restaurant used the Chihuahua as a mascot in the 90s? Oh, taco Bell.
Speaker 3:
Oh, yo quiero taco. This is a Battle of the Sexes.
Speaker 1:
replay here we go Thursday morning Battle of the Sexes.
Speaker 2:
She's unstoppable. I mean you can try. Please welcome Cookie Mama.
Speaker 1:
And here, to try, from St John's, it's Robert Guys. Today it's a world geography quiz. All questions from all over the map. First question goes to our returning champion, cookie Mama. What K-word is a type of beef named for a city in Japan, kobe?
Speaker 2:
That is correct.
Speaker 1:
One for you.
Speaker 2:
Robert, what K word do New Zealanders call themselves?
Speaker 1:
Too much time, Robert. We're looking for Kiwis they call themselves Kiwis Cookie Mama With no major mountain range, which continent's highest point is 7,300 feet above sea level.
Speaker 2:
Antarctica.
Speaker 1:
No, australia is what we were looking for. On that one. That's a rare, rare miss for Cookie Mama and a break for you, robert.
Speaker 2:
Robert, the tallest mountain in the world is Mount Everest. What continent will you find that one on?
Speaker 1:
Asia.
Speaker 2:
Yeah.
Speaker 1:
Wow, one to one. Cookie Mama at 650 pounds, the largest and longest living tortoise is native to what islands off the coast of Ecuador?
Speaker 2:
Galapagos.
Speaker 1:
Yes, two to one Gotta get this one right, Robert, to stay in the game.
Speaker 2:
Robert, all species of lemurs are native to what single island country off the coast of Africa.
Speaker 1:
Madagascar.
Speaker 2:
Yeah, Madagascar.
Speaker 1:
Wow, we got a tie score.
Speaker 2:
Okay, the two of you, the first to shout out the answer, is going to win. You will not hear each other, however. What country is known as the Emerald Isle, ireland? Oh, she got you, robert, all right so there you have it. You're going to go off on vacation and come back to Cookie Mama.
Speaker 1:
Yeah, she's going to be here and I believe she's going to win on her day number five and get $100. It's like inevitable. When I pick up the phone and it's Cookie Mama, I'm like well, we're going to lose $100. Corner box.
Speaker 2:
Yep, there are a couple things you know in this world, but you know what. The ghosts thing broke your curse of making shows disappear.
Speaker 1:
Uh-huh.
Speaker 2:
So maybe this time around with Cookie Mama, someone will step up and beat her.
Speaker 1:
And we can save some money.
Speaker 2:
I highly doubt it. Thanks everyone for joining us for Eden and Amadeus, the podcast, and we'll talk to you on the radio.