Jono, Ben & Megan - The Podcast - FULL SHOW: Will We Get Fired For This?

Episode Date: November 18, 2025

On today’s show: Will we still have a job tomorrow morning? What corporate jargon grinds your gears? We chat with some people who have represented NZ in some niche sports. Ben gets done dirty by auto correct We chat about the concerts on this week, Megan isn't like she was when attending them. Who would you trust to help you cover up a crime? Kelly Gibney and Jesse Mulligan join us to talk about the top 50 restuarants in NZ  Did we just get people out of the Mariah Game on accident? Jack Whitehall tells us about his gift to his stunt double. Instagram: @THEHITSBREAKFASTFacebook: The Hits Breakfast with Jono, Ben & MeganSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thanks to Hello Fresh. Cook easy, delicious dinners the whole family will love because nothing beats dinner time. John O'Bennon and Megan, the podcast, The Hits. Hey, welcome to the podcast. We've had a lot of texts come through about what you represented in New Zealand in. We're hoping for more unique sort of sports. Megan, you went across and you did Roller Derby. In Australia, Adelaide, yeah. We didn't do great.

For the New Zealand too. Well, it was we represented, yeah. It wasn't like called the Blackscape. or anything. Yeah, right. You're the New Zealand representative in that competition. Yeah, that's good. That's something to be proud of.

I mean, I guess we all represent New Zealand in some way when we're aboard. When you're aboard, yeah. We're all, sure. We're all, uh, what do we, uh, something for something? Yeah, that's a, well said. Michelle. Yeah, I'm here. Were you something for something for New Zealand?

Yes, absolutely. Um, so I went over to Oklahoma in 2024 and Wisconsin in 2025 for the World External Championships. Oh, wow. That's impressive. Yeah, it was cold. It was a team both years from New Zealand that went over in different disciplines.

And how did you get into X-throwing? Was it through rage or just interest? Your partner? I was actually living in Australia for a couple of years and it's a lot harder to meet people over there than it as in New Zealand. So you decided to take up X-rowing. Yeah, I saw it on the radio and I was,

I heard it on the radio and I was like, I kind of think that, like, I'm a bit quirky myself. So I was like, I feel like a crew that's like, like, extra, it's going to be my crowd. And I went along and sure enough it was. And then I just got a little bit more serious about it and started really enjoying it. So I've thrown for about five years now. It's one of those sports that looks, you make it look a lot easier than it actually is. We did it the other day.

Yeah, we went on a work lunch. At work lunch the other day and they had it, I thought, very dangerous after a few drinks. But anyway, everyone was all, it was well, you know, they had people, safety people there as well. But it's really hard, the rotation thing. It's like, how many rotations do I need before it sticks into the water? target. I think it's like a one and a half. Yeah, I think what happens is people come along and I think it's a strength game.

So they come along and they kind of try to throw it as hard as they can. But it really is more of an art of kind of, it's almost like a dark flick. You know, like you kind of line it up and flick it because you don't want it to, if you throw it up too harder, it's just overrotate. Gotcha. That's what I was doing. Yeah. Also, where we were, that where the axe throwing was was also the way to leave.

Yeah, no, you walked past before. out and someone chucked it and the axe fell down beside me and I was like, oh, my God. Oh my gosh. I was like, you can't leave. The X throwing wasn't even open then. How there you leave? She wasn't allowed to leave for another hour, that's why. Have you had any axe wounds over the years?

Me? No, actually nothing to do with axe. I was there once watching someone's throw. I was down the side of the cage in the other lane just trying to see because I think they had to get one point to beat me. and they happened to hit bang on a screw and a tiny shard of metal flung into my eye like complete pre-faxed and bad luck

you think it would be an axe right oh geez that was in Australia yeah is your eye all right yeah yeah yeah oh it was just it was just one of those like what's the chances kind of situations but they didn't get the didn't get the shot so I won so that's fine

are you still axing you're still axing hard yes yes I've taken a little bit more of a back step this year because the first year I found the sponsor second year I didn't and I thought, I can't really go to America every year and so I've just actually enjoyed having a couple of seasons off but I am playing this season and I do plan on kind of getting back into it next year and trying to qualify for 2027.

Oh, good, aren't you? What's the New Zealand team called? Oh, when we go over, we go under the All Blacks like B-L-A-X-E. Oh, that's good, I like that. Please tell me that when the coach sits down and makes the selections, and see he goes, I'm going to have to ask you from the team. They're like, does that happen? And they change it every year.

It's always in America because there's such a big following over there. But, yeah, so they just pretty much change up the state each year. And I imagine the Americans, they know anything with weapons, they're bloody good at, aren't they? Yes. They're very, very obsessed with it. And the interesting thing is here in New Zealand, obviously, we have bigger health and safety. and there's like limits on what you can drink when you throw axes and like you have to throw first then drink

or there's low alcohol whereas over there at the World Championships even when you're playing in the World Championships if you want a beer there's like no rules The competitors are drinking beer and throwing axes Yeah you can you can if you wanted to Like there's just no rules around that Around that kind of thing

And if you go along with your buddies You can go to go have some drinks and then go Which is really interesting because I mean it's the dangerous right Yeah well good Bless the USA, eh? Just, no. Let's do stuff over there, don't they? That's just, if they want to do it, they do it.

They do, yeah, absolutely. Hey, well, good on you, Michelle. Really appreciate your phoning through. That's, yeah, really interesting. We'll keep an eye. Can I add that if people want to have a go at the league, at the beginning of the year, they always have, like, adverts out because we're always looking for league members.

It's, like, such a good group to come to, and, like, really inclusive. Yeah, where do people go? Is there a website? Yeah, yeah. So, www. www. Sweetax.co.m.z. So they've got a venue in Auckland and a venue in Wellington and just huge, diverse range. Like you get a mix on the night of people that are really, I guess, been a little bit more competitive and people that are just literally there to meet people.

And it's always just a fun vibe. Awesome. Sweetax. There we go. Sweetax.comco.com. Well, good on you, Michelle. Appreciate you phoning through. Keep us in the loop with the world champs. Perfect. Thank you so much. And there's more New Zealand representatives right now on the podcast. John O'Bennon and Megan, the podcast, The Hits. Something that we've discovered, working with Emily, who's filling in for Patricia Grace for the next couple of days.

Emily, you were saying you have represented New Zealand. You've repped our country in what sport? Ultimate Frisbee. Yeah. Yeah. That's pretty cool. So how did you get into this? I moved in with someone in the halls at AUT, and they were like, y'all come to these pick-up sessions that they run.

And I was like, okay, this is actually kind of fun. And when I moved up to Auckland, my dad was like, oh, it's such a good way of meeting people playing a team sport. And I was like, dad, could not think of anything worse. I was not a sporty person at all. Yeah. It's like, don't give me playing sport. And then you made it to the national side.

Yeah. She was. Now I cannot imagine my life without Frisbee. So what is like Team Frisbee? How does that work? So you've got like seven people on each side of the field. It's half the width of a football field. And you're just throwing it between each other and catching it in the end zone, like American football.

It's kind of like American football with the frisbee, right? Yeah, but then like netball because you can't move with the disc. Ah, sort of like that. Oh, so you catch it. And then you have a defender waving arms and stuff trying to... Yeah. I see. You've got a couple steps to kind of like slow down because some of the speeds that people are running at is insane.

Can you tackle? No tackle. So once someone's got the frisbee, you can't get it off them. No, that's a foul. Just intercept and things like that. Okay, that's very cool. Now, you've been overseas. You've represented New Zealand.

Yeah. So the under 24s was held in Lugranoa in Spain of this year. Cool. That was, yeah, do not recommend playing sport in 37 degree heat. Oh, wow. The Spanish, how the Spaniards at Frisbee? They, their team wasn't the best. We were all confused.

as to why Spain was hosting. Hosting. Someone wanted to go to Spain against when they organised it was like, it's got to Spain. Who's the best thing in the world? Lo and behold, the creators of the sport in America. Ah.

Where did you guys come in the tournament in the worlds? So for the women's team, we came 10th, which is the highest that particular U-24's team has placed. It was out of 13. Did you beat Spain? We did. Yeah, great.

Yeah, there we go. Okay, so this is what we want to open up. the sport that Jack Black plays, right? Well, yeah, he loves his frisbee, yeah. He's got one of those aerobie ones. He got influenced me into buying, yeah, but I think you don't play with ones that are like... They've got a middle, right? You're full frisbee.

Yeah, the full plastic. Yeah. I'd love to choose a sport where I could just go. You know, there's some sports niche ones out that you can just go and represent New Zealand in. Not that I'm saying I'd make the New Zealand frisbee team. Well, you're trying to say... Emily made the team. You're too many people. I'm not...

I'm just to bring it down. I'd love to be able to do that. that and these sports that no one plays. Emily said, I've never played sport. All of a sudden she's in a bloody national side. She's all of the eggs, though, and put the time in. Okay, 4487 on the text, oh, 800 of the hits. Have you represented New Zealand in anything?

The more unusual sport, the better. I went to an Australian tournament for Roller Derby. And for New Zealand? Yeah. Oh, okay. That's good. That's good. It's getting the ball rolling.

All you need to do, to have a New Zealand team is just crowbar the word blackened to it, too. What were you, the black frisbee's or something? Our team was called the Carriodeo. Oh, okay. That's quite work. John O'Benn and Megan, the podcast, the hits. Same before. We were working with the national representative, Emily, who's in the New Zealand frisbee team.

Yeah. The black discs, as Ben was calling them. Yeah, well, they're not that, are they? Yeah. They went to Spain, represented New Zealand in the world. And have you ever represented our country in England? anything and you were the roller derby team in Australia. Yeah, we had our team go a bit of Australia.

Yeah, I don't think we did great, but we represented. Well, that's fine. That's great, good on you. Have you guys ever represented? Not to New Zealand or to go over this? No, no. You represent us when you go on and interview big celebrities. Not in a good way, but... Yeah, we went on the red chair on Graham Norton, but pretty much every New Zealand has done that.

It's not an unusual thing. The douche blacks. That would be us, right? Let's get Jackie on morning to you, Jackie. represented the country in what? And speed puzzling. Oh, wow. So how does this work? Is it just what I think, yeah, it's like a race against time to basically put the puzzle together, the same puzzle for everyone?

Yes. So it is a 500-piece dixel puzzle, and you have 90 minutes to complete it, and fastest wins. That sounds so stressful. It does. So stressful. What's your tactic? Turn all the pieces over so the colours are facing up and find the corners, do the corners, do the outside?

I mean, how's it work? surprisingly doing the edges first is a misconception it is one of the things that people often do last really yeah yeah where do you start then um for me it's pick out colors flip everything over and pick out the colors that stick out to me fastest so so you can do puzzles that would take people most of the summer like my wife does a puzzle it takes months it sits on the table signing table for five weeks. Yeah, you knock it out in basically 90 minutes. Yeah, my fastest ever time is

38 minutes for 500 pieces. Wow. And so you've placed well over at the world? Yes, I placed 163rd in individuals, 65th in pairs, and 44th in 10th. Wow. Have you ever done those puzzles that don't have any picture on them? Yes, I've done a solid colour one a couple

times. There's a series called Crypt that is just one solid color of black or pink so I've done those before. They're very tricky. Done a wasjig? When they're weird? Backwards. Plenty of was jigs, yeah. Yeah, that's one. Yeah, that's what's tricky.

Oh, wow, that's pretty impressive. So this is a big thing worldwide and you get to represent New Zealand. Congratulations. Thank you. Yeah, the puzzle ferns were very proud to represent New Zealand. Oh, I was about to us. I thought you might have been the jig blacks or something. Puzzle ferns. I like the puzzle ferns. I like the puzzle ferns. I like the puzzle fuzzle ferns. I I like the puzzle ferns. Good on you, Jackie.

Thank you for sharing. Well done on representing New Zealand. Let's get Ryan on. You've represented Altaire and what? Oh, fistball, fistball. I thought you were joking, Donno. No, fistful. No, no, the black fists are real.

Okay, so you call the black fists. So fistball is a sport, a little bit like volleyball and tennis, but you hit the ball with a closed fist on a 50-meter court, and it's allowed to bounce wide. month per hit. So we had a mate who was a bit disgruntled watching the 2016 Bayesian Olympics and he wanted to represent New Zealand so he found a sport that had no New Zealand affiliation. This is what we need to do. Yes. This is what you need to do, yeah. So and then through a bunch of mates we formed the inaugural New Zealand Blackfists.

Oh my God. We went over to the old foe Australia and took them on in the competition. How'd you go? Oh, we lost, but we've subsequently smashed it every time we've gone over. Oh, good are you. You're giving them a fist in. As they say, in the spot, sure that's one of the active fistball is, yeah. That's just sounds like angry volleyball, just punch the ball. First move you learn.

Pretty much. You play a fistball, isn't it? So how do you rank in the world now? Well, the New Zealand women's team and the men's team now go to the world games as well, like the disc golf stuff and. So they go over, I think they're in the top team. The women's team, they're probably a little bit better than the men's team. You started this.

It's standard. How cool is this in New Zealand? Wait, what is the women's team called? They're the white fist. Oh, okay. Blackfish and whitefish? What else would they be? It's New Zealand.

Yeah. The world really struggles to get around the way we. Oh, yeah, it sounds weird when we say. Blacks, ferns, or blacks, yeah, whites. John O'Bennon and Megan, the podcast, the hits. I spoke yesterday about how my wife was, you know, who's had a back surgery is at home at the moment and not going into work.

Yeah, and she got a bit upset that I didn't invite her along to an event during the week. Despite the fact that she can't go and the practical side of me was like, well, this was a redundant conversation. I get that now, like. You didn't ask. Yeah, I should have asked.

Talk it up as a learning lesson as a husband. You know, you have these little tent pole moments. And I did think about that yesterday. I was walking the dog around the neighborhood and I ran into a friend of ours. And, you know, just having a chat with the dog, as you do. And she was saying in the week,

She was asking about my wife, and she was saying in the weekend she was having a bit of a, you know, some girls over. And she said, hey, if you want to mention it to Amanda, again, knowing that we all know that Amanda's situation. So this strange, you knew that Amanda would like to be invited. Well, she did say, hey, but knowing that, you know, she probably comes. Yeah, which is the right thing to do, Ben. Yeah, and so I text, and I text as well. I said, hey, I just ran into such and such a friend. I'd like, you know, I just thought you'd get you eye, you'd like to know they're having a few drinks, few girls.

I know you can't come but I'd ask And then I got a text back to Amanda From Amanda my wife saying oh Thanks for text but you didn't need to give me grief And I was like what? And I looked back and I'd ask And order corrected to old ass So you couldn't make it

Old ass And I was like what You couldn't make it And I was like Dusty old hands couldn't get there And I was like I thought old ass And I just sent it on my

What Again, the words that are like Why, the actual words is I'd ask That seems like a term that I'd use all the time Yeah, at what point in the English language Did Predictive ever think that was the preferred option? This is what, confusing me Sometimes I get it where you're like, you misspell a word

But other times you're like, well this was the words That I thought I'd put in And they were the ones I wanted I was telling you that the other day When Palmer at a basketball tournament It was a whole lot of parents Where kids were playing in the tournament And there was George and Virginia

were on a group text and I said to them Have a great day George in Virginia And that auto-corrected Have a great gorgeous sand vagina And it's like what Predictive you meant to be helping us

I know But some time Speed up the communication Maybe it's having a laugh Maybe this is just literally More of what you guys text Maybe you do call her old ass And I don't know what you're doing

Jono There's some gorgeous sandy ones out there Johno Ben and Megan The podcast that's in this corporate environment you kind of get used to some people on the team just chucking out some corporate buzzwords from time to time and they kind of

they have their popular period don't they? Their time in the sun the corporate buzzwords but I think yesterday I think I got the most corporate buzzword email I've ever read in my life and corporate jargon is great it's like you can just say a whole bunch of stuff for 40 minutes and none of it really means

anything, none of it makes sense it's like listening to this radio show for 40 minutes they're saying some words Do any of them match up? Probably not. But this is a group, like a spam email I got from a real estate agent. And every time there's a buzzword, I'm going to sound a buzzer because this is really impressive.

Okay, so the first one was, Hello, Jonathan. Just, how do I turn that off? I just want to do both and I can't. Oh, there we go. Stop that. Okay. Hello, Jonathan, just looping you in.

First one, to provide you top-line visibility on this future-focused market, leading solar-powered panel solution. The system is a trend. true blue sky opportunity, designed to drive all energy efficiency KPIs and capture all the low-hanging fruit in your current power spend. It's a setup perfectly aligned with next-gen sustainable objectives. Moving forward, I'm happy to, oh, moving forward's one too. I'm happy to deep dive and action next steps and realign around our shared outcome of a win-win with this deal.

This is a prime moment for you to shift the needle on your annual spend and maximize a solar return on investment If there's any uncertainty, we can park this for now And circle back in the new year What do they want? Yeah, I know, I'm very confused so you can say a whole bunch of words I know, you're right, yeah, I'm just like, what was all that about? Do you know our boss is so many of those?

Let's park this, let's circle back, so many of those Park this is, let's never talk about this again that was a terrible idea. I hope you forget about it. I think she was like, well, just park that for now. Circle background's kind of the same vein, is it, well, circle background on that one.

You're like, oh, you hate this idea, we'll never hear of it again. What is the corporate jargon, the jargon that people use? We need this by EOB. At your workplace. Wasn't it EOD like a year ago? What's EOB?

I think it was an end of business. Oh. See, there you go. Sometimes I'm like, I don't know what that means. You just nod your heads with the acronyms, don't you? Yeah, okay. Well, what's the ones that really annoy you that grind your gears.

John O'Ben and Megan, the podcast, the hit. Corporate jargon, the jargon that, you know, just kind of grinds your gears. Our old boss, Brad, from the Rock, he would try it, but never quite nail it, which was always quite amusing, right? Oh, you're here this one, and the balls to the floor. Yeah, set of balls to the wall. Come on, go, really, right, busy time, balls to the floor, balls to the floor, balls to the floor. Like, okay. Why are we crouching down?

Yeah, we're all kind of looking at each other like, he's in the ballpark, we kind of know what he said. I don't know what he said. I don't know what he said. What does that even mean? After the conversation, it was to do with planes and stuff and they used to have a ball kind of on there. Basically, balls to the wall was pushing up. The throttle.

Yeah, to go faster, putting the ball to the wall to go faster. That's where it came from, yeah, because we're all squatted on the ground. We're like, what does this actually mean? Busy time, I guess. We'll just stay down here. This is the rock. It makes sense. Yeah, yeah.

All right, corporate jargon that grind your gears. It's Danielle, it's great to have you on. What are you hearing every day in your office? Hi, learning. It's not my office. I'm a teacher, but my husband, learnings, and it drives me nuts. Not even a word. What are the learnings we can take from this?

How does he use it in a sentence? Oh, so we're going to take these learnings away from us and reflect on the outcomes and, oh, drives me. When it does come home into your personal life as well, I can see how it's done. What are the learnings from this situation? Yeah, we must be. On the rugby, the rugby players are in their post-nature interviews and stuff,

I will take these learnings away from us. Not even a word. You don't like when they sort of pluralised players' names. Oh, yeah. They're like the John Alomu's of this world. There's only one John Alamu. Yeah. You know, that's what I'll say that, you know?

You got on you, Danielle. Well, sounds like you two need to be aligned on learnings. Please know. All right. We'll loop back around later on. Gide, Elaine. How are you? I'm good, thank you, how are you?

We're good, the corporate jargon that's grinding your gears. Yes, low-hanging fruit. It means, like, the easiest job that somehow still won't be done. That's low-hanging fruit. Yeah, you're right. So easy. Anyone could do it, but no one could be asked to it. You're right, Elay, that's brilliant.

Hey, we'll get us to give you a double pass to Wicked. Do you want to go along? Oh, yes, please. Thank you. Oh, enjoy that. It's awesome. Joining us, Laura, all right, the jargon that grinds your gears. in the workplace?

Let's take this offline or let's pick this up offline. Yeah, do you hear that a lot day to day? Yes, every day. Most meetings I'm in. It's just like most meetings should be an email. Can we take this online? Can you just put all this in an email? No one ever says let's take this online.

Yeah, but do people read the emails is the thing. No. That's the problem. I don't want to stick up with the management there, but a lot of times I'll be like, It's an email for that. You guys are like, oh, I missed it. It's two seconds to delete it, and then it's out of my life.

That's what I mean. That's why they have these meetings, Megan. And then they go, did you read the email? Me and Jono say no, and then they give us a short summary. Yeah. Or you miss something. You go, we should do that playlist without Maria Kerry. I'm like, yeah, it was an email about that.

Yeah. So that's right. And you can't, you can't really defend yourself when there has been an email scene. No, yeah. All right, Laura, well, listen, we'll pick this up. What, should we circle back on this conversation? Pick it up offline. Look, I find myself saying them in my personal life now.

now and I hate myself for it. What are you saying in your personal life? Well, if I say something, I'll be like, let's circle back to this and I'm like, oh my God, stop. We must reach out to them to see if they want to come over for a barbecue. Yeah, no, I hear. Hey, well, you have a great day, Laura. Really appreciate you tuning in. Okay, cool.

Thanks. Bye. Bye. Hey, text here too. We have a saying at work. Let's flex into that space and lean into it. We're not even a gym. He just leaks into that space.

John O'Bennon and Megan, the podcast, the Hats. Metallica in town today in New Zealand, 40,000 people at Eden Park. It's going to be epic. Evan essence play beforehand as well. I'm excited about that too. Yeah, that's very cool, actually. Didn't you get confused for Amy Lee from Evanescence?

When I was in Vegas once, someone asked for my autograph, and I was like, who do you think I am? And they were like, you're from Evanescence, you're Amy Lee. And I was like, no, I'm not. And they're like, come on, just sign it, you are. Talking a New Zealand accent, too. Yeah, boom, boom, down. Were you going through a goth sort of era, were you?

There was, I mean, the heavy eyeliner, dark hair. They must have been huge Evanescence fans. No, true. I can see a similarity, but they... Well, you just imagine somewhere in the world, Amy Lee from Evanescence has been mistaken for Megan Puppers from the Hits breakfast. I signed it, too. Did you?

Sign the autograph. Well, they wouldn't buy, they wouldn't take your word for it that you weren't hurt. I just did a squiggly starting with A. Good one, Amy. Classic U. That's classic Amy. Metallica though tonight it's loaded, they take one full day to load in everything. There's 25 trucks,

19C containers worth of gear, half a plane of gear from overseas as well. 106 crew plus 96 locals. A huge team putting together what's going to be an epic concert. We're all going along tonight and my daughter's like the other day. like, oh, that's where Metallica's going to be.

She's like, oh, you're going to a parent concert, are you? Yeah, you are. Well, yeah, but to be fair to Metallica, a lot of their fans were parents as teenagers, too. So they've always been a parental band. Yeah, so we decided, well, we thought we'd throw it out there to you. Should we play a Metallica song or not? 4487 on the text, oh, 800 the hits.

It's your show, as I said before, New Zealand's breakfast, so we get to decide. So our options are Harvester of Sorrow. Seven minutes of Harvester Restore. Okay, you got fuel. Give me fire. Give me double time to sigh. That's a good time.

Yeah. Or we can do something that I think our boss will be a little more on board with. Nothing else matters. Oh, we're all banners. But yeah, but nothing else matters seems like, yeah, right. If we're going to get into less trouble with this one, but still, you know. If we're going to get hauled into an office, we want to have a defense. Yeah, okay. Well, anyway, it's Metallica.

Mandatory Metallica. Are we going to be clogged out this morning? Ah, Tasha, you're big Bogan. What are we doing? Absolutely, Playa, I need to be woken up. I'm driving to work with my coffee. Okay, we'll do it, okay. We're all sharing this.

If we're getting trouble, it's with all of us. Tasha said we could do it. They'll be like, who's Tasha? We're like, Tasha. You know, Tasha. We're like, hey, Tasha, she went on to her phone. Yeah. Caroline?

I want nothing else matters. Oh, okay. Okay. Okay. Nothing else matters to Caroline. Yeah. Okay. Fiona, welcome. Three from three. We're going to play Metallica.

Fuel. Oh, fuel. Oh, John, I likes fuel. Yeah, it's a good song. I mean, I love fuel, but I also love having a good job. Paying off a mortgage. Now, Fiona, are you going along to the show? I certainly am with hubby and my son. You went to the store yesterday, producer Troy is telling us.

You what, sorry? Did you go to the store yesterday? Was there a pop-up store? Yeah, yeah. So my eldest son, who's going to. with us tonight was he's a hard hard out fan wanted the limited edition of vinyl for Auckland the splatter vinyl oh wow we were in the queue from uh six o'clock yesterday morning we didn't get into the store until 20 to 10 oh my god four hours of queuing up and so they had what exclusive people there from 5 30 uh from um 10 30 gee was and so they had like exclusive merch as well

and stuff in there did they yeah and um posters he collects posters and vinals my my son um yeah It's quite a classic taste in music, my son. One minute he's listening to Beatles, next minute he's listening to... Oh, I love it. Well, welcome to the hits, where we can do all of it. Does that happen all the time? Like a separate pop-up store of merch?

Not normally. I never want to do it at the gig, because you're like, well, I want to watch and it's busy. Metallica have done it everywhere. That's a great idea. Go around the world on their printing money tool. Oh, they need it. And, you know, these days, probably, you know, with music right.

Cost of living crisis out there. Tid them hard. Here we go, we're doing it. New Zealand. We'll get a place of Metallica. for you. Jono Ben and Megan, the podcast, the hits. Playing our Mariah Carey game,

you can jump on board if you want to just see how long you can avoid listening to Mara Carey's All I Want for Christmas. If you hear it anywhere, you're out of the game. We're still in the game. So we thought we'd take a few risks this morning. We just heard the story before of someone... Jayden.

Yeah, getting out by Alexa. Patty. Patty. Gary. Patrick. Michael. Yeah. Patty got out while cleaning his room,

I got out and just said to Alexa you know like play me a Christmas song and the first song I played was Mariah Carey's Now you don't blame Alexa for that of course If you're going to pick If you're someone said do you play a Christmas song It's probably the first one you go on to And that's what the text says

It says don't do it I play a lot of Christmas carols And Alexa always plays that song the first time And Patty not only took himself out of the game He was on the phone to his friend Jaden This text through and Jaden was listening As well He heard it through the phone

Oh he's out of the game as well She's Patty was busy that day He's listening to Christmas music on the phone cleaning the room, doing a lot. Multitasking. So we don't have Alexa in the studio, but we do have Siri on, you know, producer choice phone right now, so we thought we'd plug it in, and each one of us,

we just did this before. So you could be safe listening right now if Mariah Carey did pop up, okay? Okay, all right. Here we're going. I'll go first. Hey, Siri. Now playing Christmas hits.

Oh, what's that? That's Arianna Grande. Let's Santa tell me Santa tell me. Oh, okay, your turn. It's okay. So I like to come in here on this. Hey, Siri, play me a Christmas song.

Tyler the Creator. I'm still in. I'm still in the game. Megan. I'm a great Christmas song. Oh, it's a meme, Mr Grinch. Tyler, creator. I'm still in the game.

Okay, you got your chance. Oh, me. Oh, Neer. Okay, good luck, good luck. This feels really. risky it does yeah okay sorry i'll just uh hey sirry can you play me a christmas song christmas hits now playing oh it's wham last christmas christmas yeah wow we made it out live oh that was that was real it was high risk really wasn't it

now by our saying hey sirry you play christmas song have we set off other sirs people listening My phone. Yes, apologies. They text us through. Do we tell us your Siri right there? I just quickly turn it down. Imagine we put people out of the game with their series just by doing that. Oh, no.

That would be bad. That would be a savage terrorism attack. My Siri! Was going to play all I want for Christmas. It's playing Mariah. It's turned down. You just set off my Siri and it played Mariah Carey. Have we got people out?

Guys. But we did play it on radio in our defense. And we recorded that, but oh my goodness. That's why I don't have a Siri. in my phone. I don't like it listening. He doesn't like, you know, he turns off all that stuff. No, it's like, yeah, I don't need my phone listening to me. You do, actually, for it to.

No, I don't need Surrey. I can do it the old-fashioned way. Siri's not going to help me. You want to talk to me? You meet me in a pool with no wires. John O'Benon and Megan, the podcast, The Hits. Helen Herald's Viva has released its annual top 50 restaurants for 2025. If you're in Auckland or coming to Auckland, you need to check it out.

Some amazing places and the people that get to judge it, Jesse Mulligan from The Project You'll know him on TV Also a food critic And Kelly Gibney Who's a food writer They're with us in the studio Thanks for coming in

Hi Nice to see you guys Lovely to see you guys A lot of pressure It's weird being interviewed By a couple of broadcasters Who look like they've never Had a decent meal in their life

Jono and Ben The two skinniestest men In New Zealand media John spends most of the day Not eating Not eating Not even choice This is not the job for you

That Jesse Mulligan's really right And also you've probably got a very like fine pellets whereas John is like loves a grubby I still eat fish fingers Jessie and Kelly he microwaves creptus Crancy sausages he doesn't even like put them in the pan he just microwaves

it. Do you know what though I've been reviewing restaurants of 15 years and for me it's always been about the experience as much as the food you know you talk about palate but then this year I did it with Kelly here who's worked in restaurants you know New York to Melbourne to Auckland and it's really interesting to eat food with someone who has

been there for the making of it you know we would be like halfway through a dish, and she would look at me and she'd say, something's going on in the kitchen. And what she could tell from one like little season thing out, yeah. Well, I mean, when you've worked in restaurants, you know all the little bits that go to making it happen. And so you just, I can't help but be aware of all the things that are happening. In fact, our best dining experiences were when I stopped noticing

and I just really enjoyed it because it was so clear they had it under control. So what's the thing you notice that, Sean Tells having an affair with Gary? No, no, no. I mean, I'm not a psychic. That would be really, really fun. By the way, Shantel's moved on from Canada. What happens when you, like, the pair of you walk into a restaurant, they must be like, oh, Jesus. Oh, God. Oh, no. So, I mean, Kelly's been pretty anonymous this year.

They didn't know she was a judge. And for me... It's just all like you were having an affair. Forget about Gary, here's the real cost. For me, I reckon they recognise me maybe kind of 60% of the time. The thing is, by the time I sit down... it's too late to change the menu or the music or the waiter or the chef table all they can really do is sort of hang around like a bad smell

so how many restaurants have you been to if you can narrow it down to me like almost 100 yeah it's just tough work then yeah I know you have the best gig honestly I was going to say I don't see any looks of sympathy on your face your family are like oh no dad's out for dinner again tonight okay before you say the winner is the winner your favourite and second of all what other criteria, like what makes it your favourite? That's a great question, yeah. Well done. I know, she's

high quality interviews. Sorry, I'm over here. He's from R&Z too. Oh, that's a great compliment. Not every restaurant will be perfect for every occasion, but this is the best right now. It's definitely there, yeah. They meet the moment really beautifully. And one of

the key criteria, I think, is that you would be super excited to send someone there, and you would be certain that they'd have a really good time. And that's definitely the case. I feel funny saying it. Yeah. The winner is Tala in Parnell.

Incredible modern Samoan, fine dining, just a beautiful, beautiful experience. It's an incredible chef who lived in poverty in Samoa and has taken all the things he remembers eating as a kid and reinvented them as kind of high-end fine dining. When he was a kid, he ate bits of fruit and they would sprinkle, if they had enough money, they'd sprinkle Raro on it. It was a way of sweetening the not yet ripe fruit. Yeah, green fruit, yeah. But this time it's sprinkled with dehydrated plum and sumac and chilly. Like a fancy raro. So every dish has a story, you know, and...

Is that important? It's unique. And lots of chefs try it, but this is just so authentic. And, you know, the best thing is he told me about a third of his customers, us are more on, you know, so he's actually bringing... It's not like this is a restaurant for white people. Yeah, right, yeah. Can I ask about tipping culture in New Zealand?

What's happening with that? Are we getting more into that? It always pops up awkwardly. at the end of a bill and you go, oops, didn't mean to hit that button. I'm slightly, I'm slightly. Do you guys do that? You're like, oh, sorry, I'm just, oh, it's too late now.

I'm slightly biased to the tip and culture. I used to work in New York in restaurants as a server and a bartender and a restaurant manager. There you work. You have a teeny tiny hourly wage. It was like four bucks. And it's expected over there. And that's how you make your living in it.

So I was really used to being directly rewarded for how good my service was. To me, it is ingrained in me. If I have a really good meal, I will always tip, and I will always tip generously. I've, like, worked the floor of restaurants, and I really... I'm looking right into your eyes.

I want you to think about it. The amount of times you skip that Apple's Terminal, mate. You're like, oops, the wrong button. I am... I always tip generously when I'm spending the New Zealand Herald's money. How much of this bloody NZ means budget if you spend on going out for dinner, mate? But that's a good good girl.

I've got some bad news, John. We can't even get Chris. Topps for the Santa Parade. They're like, we're last year's ones. True story. Just had that email. Oh yeah. Jesse and Kelly, they had a hell of the time out on the town.

Well, thank you both for coming in. And people can check out the top 50 restaurants on the New Zealand Herald. Yeah, or online viva.com.com. John O'Ben and Megan, the podcast, The Hits. We have been doing longer than six days now as the Mariah Carey game. We're trying to, and you as well, trying to avoid listening to all I want for Christmas is you. The original recording. Week three, and lots of losses so far.

Lots of casualties in the game. Trish, another one, bites the dust. Yeah, yeah, guys, it was pretty gutting this morning. Yesterday morning when my son got in the car and I read, Mom, I have to tell you something. I went on to the Alexa, and I asked it to play Christmas carols, and on came Morai Carey. Oh, you didn't think about that, do you?

And that's just like a random thing that Alexis just popped up with. Yeah, he's sitting right here So I've told him he's not allowed to do it Where I can hear it But he is sitting right here So, yeah, Patty, what did you do? I was cleaning my room And then the first song that played on Alexa

Was all I want for Christmas Oh, Petty Good on you for cleaning your room though, Patty And for being honest about being out It's a one and a loss, right? One in a loss, yeah Well, double loss for him here to clean his room And he's out of the game

Patty, it was great having you play though My friend, how old are you? 12. Young victim. Yeah, it happens, eh, yeah. It does. I love your honesty, though, Patty. And that's what it is. It's a game of honesty. You know, you can lie, but you're only lying to yourself. And how do you sleep at night? Probably quite easily.

It's quite, it's not that deep, is it? Yeah, there's no real massive prize other than just, you know, like bragging rights. Why don't we play? Patty? Yeah. Do you reckon we should play that game that you did next? Ben, Megan and myself, we'll all go on and ask Siri or Alexa to play your Christmas song and see what comes up. Is it worth the gamble?

Yes. Oh, you can hear the passion in Paddy's voice. He's like, well, I'm out. He's out of the game now. He's like, oh, do what you want. How do we protect everyone else? We'll have to record it. We have to record it really quickly next and then play it back to you because you're right. So we can guarantee that no one listening will be out,

but one of us could be. Could be. I mean, out of all the Christmas songs, you're right, that's probably one of the first they're going to play. Because it would go off popularity of plays, yeah. Oh, are we going to do it? Nicole keeps playing. baiting us on the text. She just says, still the safest person in New Zealand. No beating me, Lull. She was the one we spoke to her last week, I think.

It's over a year. Sue in from last year. Yeah. Oh, she hasn't stopped. She just even got through Christmas and everything, and the hits playing it pretty much every day through Christmas. I mean, well, from December 26th through to early November year and a day. Yeah, that's what we said. Yeah, you're right.

As soon as it ticks on after boxing day, you're pretty sweet, right? John O'Ben and Megan, the podcast, The Hits. You're in game with Mariah Carey trying to avoid listening to all I want. Christmas, you can play along as well. It really does make you feel a very festive. A Mariah game. You've got to see how long you can last without hearing all I want for Christmas soon as you hear you're out of the game.

It's the unusual places that people are getting tripped up at, you know, like people going to the dentist, they're not being able to move, you know, listening to the songs on the radio. Yeah, things like that, places like that, you know. It's a lot of social media, though, that seems to be the main place getting people out. Yeah, and out in there, out in the wild too. supermarkets or a hot spot can sort of hit you like a drive-by shooting can't they but so far out of us uh the team uh from our show and in the afternoon mattie and pj

only mattie probably the more the most passionate megan and mattie the two most passionate players yeah one of them's out and like you said it's like the all blacks getting out of the rugby world cup and round two yeah yeah it's not quite the same is it but hey he'll be devout as well that he was first out i know and it was his husband so he can't really unleash too hard on ryan uh so yeah mattie's mattie's missing Fallen soldier, gone but not forgotten. And Vicky, another victim. Morning.

Yes, I'm so out and gussed about it. What happened? What happened? Talk to us. I've been so careful with my social media on mute the whole time. Yeah. Our friends see me and it's surreal, of course. And it was so cute because I played it to my kids. Cats and Christmas trees and Mariah Carey.

Yeah, it's a concoction that'll get you every time. I know. Oh, I couldn't believe it. I was playing it, and my daughter was like, you know, that's Mariah. I was like, are you joking? You're so engrossed in the cats. And so it does take... I was so cute.

I know, getting out last year, I know I was called on social media as well. It takes sort of 20 or 30 seconds for it just to sitel in, settle in, doesn't it? And I was just like, no, always on mute, phone on mute, you know, but no. Someone who texts us through just before they got out through there at Alexa as well, too, just saying Alexa play Christmas music as you would in the house and that.

came up with that, yeah. We should do that later on today because we played a game yesterday where I had to scroll through a playlist of 25 songs flick through three times on shuffle. Thankfully, should we do it today? I'll just do a test run, see if it worse. Hey, Siri.

No. Can you play a Christmas song? Don't do it. Don't do it. We can't get everyone out. Don't know. Oh, John Legend. Jeez.

Jeez, it didn't get no warning there, isn't you? No. You could have got the whole lot of people out. Don't do that life. Yeah, that was risky behavior. That was a little bit mean. Yeah, it was. Sorry, there we go.

Thank you John Leeson for saving us there. Jeez. Oh, okay, yeah. Okay, well, I'm sorry you're out of the game, but now you can listen to the song. You know, it's a great song. I will listen to it now then. Just flicking.

All right, we'll see how long you're still in the game. John O'Ben and Megan, the podcast. The Hits. John O'Bennon and Megan's 10 days of trust with Dilma. Dilma has been named New Zealand's most trusted tea brand for 10 years, in the world a better tea. Do try it in right now, thanks to the Dilma. We wanted to see which one of us would be trusted

with a fictitious scenario that producer Troy threw out to the office. I wouldn't even vote for myself in most of these categories, to be honest. This one maybe you'd be a bit better at, wouldn't you? Okay. Do I take that as a... No, logistics would let him down again. Who would you trust to help you cover up a crime was the question. I mean, I'd be all full of crime.

Don't get me wrong. The back end? Yeah, you'd be keen to, and then you'd be like... Did you put gloves on? And John would be like, oh. Yeah, true, actually, right. Turn up for a ram raid. Did you bring the car?

Oh, I knew I forgot something. Yeah. You'd be keen. Just useless. Yeah. I'm the opposite of organised crime. It would be disorganised crime. So who would you think, okay, I added the three of us.

I think, Megan, I honestly think you'd be the best. Because Ben morally would be against it. Yeah, I could probably plan it, but I wouldn't. I'd hand it over to someone else. I'm immoral and organized. Yeah. Morally, I'd struggle with that. Yeah.

But he would write the crime. He'd design it, architect it. and you'd be like, you take it from here. It's been what sort of crime, but yeah, it depends on what it is. White collar stuff? Yeah, white collar may be a deal with, you know. It depends what prison you're comfortable in. I'm happy in a white collar one, to be honest.

Put in my name on, maybe not. Maybe not my happy place. Yeah, so, okay, well, which one do you think the office voted for? We'll put someone on right now. Bia, welcome. How are you? Hi, I'm good, how are you? Is it Bia or just B?

Yeah, both, both. It's versatile. Firstly, do you like crime? No. No, good answer. Pass the test. All right. Who do you reckon the office voted be for the most likely, the most useful to help them out,

most trusted to help them out, cover up a crime? Well, I said Donna, but now you guys are like saying that. I shouldn't trust them. I'll go with you, go with your six. Go with your six. Yeah, you might be along the same idea as the office. Okay. Okay, well, let's go for 100 bucks.

We'll lock it in, here we go. Who's most trusted to cover up a crime? Who would you trust that are Jono better Megan to help you cover up a crime? Jono, 100%. Um, Megan. Definitely Megan. Thanks, Rob.

Johno, because he's naughty. Johnno. Johnno. Johnno. More too. It's a landslide for you, Johnno. I still think you're keen. Oh, yeah, absolutely.

You'd leave your fingerprints. I'll participate in it, but it'll unravel with me as well. You're right. or beer, whatever you like to be called. You've got yourself $100. Well done, Adolmati, Bryce back. Thank you so much, guys. Yeah, well.

Good on you. I've got a single vote for Ben. That's fine. That's good. That's a lovely representation of his character. Too nervous for that, you know. Too nervous for that, you know. You'd be lying awake for weeks afterwards.

John O'Bennon and Megan, the podcast, the hits. Morning, a lot going on. A week of concerts, as we said this morning. And to Megan, you're doing your best to attend a few of them. Yeah, last night. went to Doja Cat. Does her fans call the kitty litter or something? Something cute like that?

I know what the fans are called, to be honest. Kitty cats. The pussy cats? The kittens. That's cute. Maybe the kitty litter could be your premium VIP experience. You can get into the kitty litter, you know, up the front. I love Doja Cat, but like I just, back in the day I used to be like an album away to the front of general admission and I'd stand up for hours.

and I would like absolutely go nuts. These days, I've realised I'm old. There was a few things last night going to Doja Cat that I was like, I do not belong here. Was it Tuesday night too, and your defence? Tuesday night. You know, Tuesday night. It's the start of the week.

It's not a Friday, Saturday night where you don't have work early in the next morning, you know? These artists don't live by the normal Monday to Friday work. You're good old leader cramist doing a Saturday night. Yeah, yeah. He knew his crowd. We always say because we work early in the morning, so if you do something early in the week, ruins you for the whole week.

But anyway, I've never seen you wear a cat before, you're wearing a cat, hiding your face today. I am behind my face. I always wear a red hat. You guys are both red hats and what, Maga supporters? No, this is maroon with like yellow riding.

Very, yeah. It's a cousin of red. You're a cousin of mega. I don't know what's the show I'm on now. So, last night, first, first indicator, I went along, I was pouring with rain. So I'm wearing a jacket, and I'm, like, covering with, I'm wearing a jacket and pants.

Very, like, proper a tie. sensible footwear? Have you got some sensible footwear? No, okay, unsensible footwear. Unsensible. But it was pouring. And I was looking around and there was like lots of younger girls wearing nothing. Wearing nothing. I saw lots of stuff.

You used to wear nothing. I know, but it was also pouring. Yeah, you wouldn't have cared back here. I told myself going. A bit of gaffir tape around your pelvis. Did my, did their parents see them leave like that or is that I get changed on the way? And then I was like, oh my God, stop yourself. Yeah.

Got in and. my friend had the ticket, she was like, there's sit-down tickets. I was like, hallelujah. I don't mind to sit down. Absolutely, hallelujah. It's always good to rest your legs. That was my second one.

Then she said to me, do you want earplugs? And I had my hair out, so I was like, I'm going to wear these highlighted yellow earplugs because you can't see. I've never even put ear plugs in at a corner. No, you know, just like recently I found,

I'm like, it's really loud. Why is it so loud? Why is it so loud? Because it's your old age. I sat down through the entire Bruno Mars concert. You got someone out of the gym next day. He said there was the only person in that they saw around that was sitting down the whole way. I didn't even have earplugs in then though.

Bruno's working hard. He was working hard. They got on the red hat. I can not get that. The mega supporter over there is not loving this. Just stand up. 24-caron magic. Just one song.

Just one song. Yeah, no, I didn't really stand up last night. I was like, I can enjoy it from my side. seats. I can see the screen. You guys, yeah, come on. I know, I know. And then the final one was, making me sad hearing this. It got to like 10 o'clock. Only an hour.

She started at night and I was like, oh, I've got a decision to make. I can go now and I can get home at a, you know, reasonable time. Beat the crowds. I can stay till the end and get caught in traffic and then be home at midnight. The best songs arose at the end though. They know that. Yeah, I know. So I made the decision to leave at 10 o'clock, got at home

super fast. I was like, great, amazing. Nailed it. And then I looked at the set list this morning and I was like, all my favourites. You missed pretty much half the concert. I know. There's a whole act two without a word of a lie. It was split down the middle. I left right before act two, which were all my favourite songs.

You're making me feel better. I've never used the earplugs or left that early. That's super early, eh? That is super early. That is, yeah, Doja. Yeah, she would have seen you walking out going, well, we. First show of her to her as well. This is not a good star.

To be fair, I've got three concerts in a week, so I'm preserving. Maybe just do one and do it properly. Yeah. That's true. That's all right. Actually, speaking of concerts, Metallica tonight, which is going to be massive. 40,000 people, 100% the hotels around Auckland, which is great at capacity. But we want to next, we want to decide, and you can help us, 4487 on the text.

Should we play a Metallica song or not? It's not normally on our playlist. But it feels like we should, right? No one's asked the boss, right? No, no one is. Because the boss is also away. So we'll do, you know, it's your show. It's New Zealand's breakfast.

And our best caller will get a biomeg. Blamegmy. Some Deervel. With one of those beds that lift up and then vibrate. John O'Bennon and Megan, the podcast, the hits. Huge week in New Zealand for concerts. Yeah, last night you went along to Doja Cats. Yeah, at Spark Arena last night.

And look, she was fantastic. It's nothing on Doja, but you know how they go really late? Well, they're late when you have to get up at the time that we have to get up. else is sweet. You're running on an unusual system. Yeah. Yeah. So she went on stage at nine, loved it, but at like, just after 10, I was thinking,

I'm going to wrap this up. She probably didn't finish until 11, an hour and a half, two hours. And you live quite far away. No, no, so you want to get on the way. It was horrible weather as well, and you missed all the songs that you really wanted to hear. Yeah, because I got, there was lots of, like, the poppets and the singing at the start, and I was like, where's all that? I want that, like, rap stuff.

Mildoja's like I've got, you know, quite a medley of work, a spectrum of work I can sing. And she was smashing through the songs, but I was like, I don't think she's going to do my songs. I don't realize there was a whole second act where she did all the songs that I wanted to hear. So that's upsetting. She would have noticed you'd pop it out too. Yeah. First gig of the show, first gig of the tour, you would have rattled her. Oh my God.

They're already walking out. Also, I wore air plugs off. Oh, did you? Left early, wore air plugs. Now you're wearing a red mega hat. Welcome, welcome. And we sat down at the gig. I was just like, what has happened to me?

I used to be a like mosh pit front row. A comfort is, you know, that's an important part of life, Megan. As you get older. Bunya, the bunions, you're right? Yeah, okay. Okay, good. I went a very different gig, but the same place. It was in a spark arena, but next to Spark Arena there's the tuning fork.

I went along and saw Donovan Franken Rider, which was like a cruising, sort of, very cool gig, actually. Amazing musicians on stage. Does my DJ go Oh, there it goes So just keep talking, bro Let the DJ do his thing, right? You just don't let it rattle your performance

Again though, you know You have a vibe It's very cool As musicians The musicians were amazing The drummer isn't that incredible But the songs that were just jamming You know so I'll be looking at the same as you

Like getting up early I was like three or four more songs to go on the set list But the songs would be like 10 minutes long Because they'd just be like Donovan's in his own And you're like okay Alright get 30 you can play drums and guitar

His son was on stage with him Two plays with him He's like 20 years old And he's amazing guitar and stuff as well. But I thought it must be weird because he's like, I wrote this song about

this guy's mum and it's like a love song. He'd imagine it like someone would be like, oh, dad. Yeah. I slept with you, mum. As well. Of course, Metallica today as well,

which is going to be huge. Yeah, 40,000 people they reckon at Eden Park. Evanescence as well before them. So it's going to be massive. Hopefully the weather holds out. It's not looking that great. So you're saying there's $4,000 tickets?

Yes. If you want to go to the snake I think it's like VIP tickets which you get a whole lot of merch you get to go a meet and greet a conversation with two band members two band members that can be bothered

yeah yeah official photo with the band as well you also get an audio file of the concert at this pre-show party with drinks and food and stuff so that's all supplied yeah it's pretty good it's a lot but you need to set parameters when you say a conversation though because some people's idea

of a conversation is you know like a sit down on chat, but they might just be like, hi, how's it going? Yeah, true. I mean, I'm wanting to dive deep. Oh, you're not going to have a conversation with you. How long do you take you guys to get here? Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. But you'd probably get two questions,

you'd ruin it with like beta. What do you think of the weather lately? And that'll be one, and then just something else that didn't matter. Oh, I blew it. I blew it. Our well, so if you're heading along there tonight, I hope it's a magnificent night. Tool, too, on Sunday, is it?

Yeah, it's a massive week for Ponce as well. Yeah, let's know, 4487, if you're heading along, we'd love to hear from here because after 7 o'clock. Big week for Woodstock bourbon sales. Well, yeah, it's going to be huge. And we might be trying to sneak in a Metallica song after 7 o'clock. If you guys decide that's the case. John O'Ben and Megan, the podcast, The Hits.

Before we leave, you found this audio of actor Jack Whitehall, the charming British gentleman. And he was filming a movie with Dwayne the Rock Johnson. Yeah, Jungle Cruise. Yeah. Jungle Cruz, yeah. And so Dwayne Johnson, you know, each had stunt doubles for some of the scenes. And then, well, we talk about being shown up by a present.

Have a listen. His rap gift to his stunt double was a car. He gave him a truck. Literally on set, gathered everyone around, and gave Tanaway, who is his stunt double, handed him some keys and then pointed at his truck and gave him his truck, which was insane. A guy started crying.

I was stood next to my stunt double. I bought him a candle. For different reasons. A candle. Sorry, man, I've got you a candle where the rock had bought the guy a truck. I mean, the positives of a candle. Less admin.

Doesn't have to get insurance, doesn't have to register. You know, you can't lose the keys. Practical. More practical. Pure opulants are candle. Isn't it? A car, you can crash, can get stolen. Does Jack and the Rock need to have a conversation about, like, gifts?

Like, what's our budget? What's her max? What's the budget this year for this? What are you giving? You'll start double. Yeah. I mean, what's better than the gift of pure ambience? You know, a candle.

The rich berry forest flavor. But also, if you're the Rock, like, you can do. that backstate. You can go, hey, man, I'm just giving you the other. Yeah. It's very performative. If you've invested in a gift, you want people to know. Give it around, man. Maybe Jack should have taken his candle offline. Yeah, exactly.

John O'Ben and Megan, the podcast. The Hits.