Hotline Feature – Germain Lussier: Shrinking Easter Eggs, YouTube Filmmaking, and Predator’s Resurgence

Dave Weekly checks in with Pat Strader for Beer Friday as he calls in from a trout stream in Webster County. Pat highlights a classic American-style lager and discusses supporting West Virginia breweries, including Give It a Try, Ursus, and Big Timber. The segment blends fishing stories, sunshine on the creek, and a review of an IPA pulled straight from the cooler in Hacker Valley.

Dave Weekly, Dale Cooper, Ryan, and Matt tackle another round of Buy/Sell, starting with the corporate “concept unification” that erased Showbiz Pizza in favor of Chuck E. Cheese and whether obscure pop culture history deserves preservation. The panel debates knowing how to fake your own death in the digital age and the rise of services that help people disappear. They close with a spirited discussion on the subscription economy and whether consumers have quietly accepted paying forever for products they once owned outright.

Dave Weekly welcomes former boxing champion Christy Martin for an in-studio conversation about her groundbreaking career and being honored at the West Virginia Legislature. Martin reflects on fighting under Don King, her signature pink gear, the 1996 bout that helped elevate women’s boxing, and overcoming life-threatening violence outside the ring. She also discusses the long journey to bring her story to film, working with actress Sydney Sweeney, and her current role promoting fighters while advocating for domestic violence awareness.

Dave Weekly talks with Kathy Mattea about Mountain Stage heading to Athens, Ohio for a live show at the Memorial Auditorium. Mattea reflects on the program’s regional reach across Appalachia and previews the lineup, including Peter Holsapple, The Steel Wheels, Lily Thomas, Russell Best, and Sam Weber. The conversation also revisits R.E.M.’s memorable 1991 Charleston appearance and highlights how Mountain Stage continues to connect artists and audiences throughout West Virginia and beyond.

Dave Weekly and Coop talk with Germain Lussier of Gizmodo about Jodie Foster’s Contact and why the 1997 sci-fi film may be more appreciated now than when it was released. Lussier shares his personal connection to the movie and reflects on how science fiction has changed over the past three decades. The conversation also dives into the behind-the-scenes drama surrounding the latest Scream installment, including Nev Campbell’s return, script rewrites, and the financial stakes tied to the franchise’s future.

Dave Weekly and Coop welcome Ryan for a Video Game Report covering Elon Musk’s attempts to use AI tools to improve his play in Baldur’s Gate 3 and Diablo 4, along with backlash from the gaming community. The segment also examines major leadership changes at Xbox, concerns about AI’s role in game development, and what the future could hold for consoles. Plus, a look at Pokémon’s 30th anniversary and the franchise’s continued cultural impact.

Dave Weekley and Dale Cooper welcome Logan Scott of V100 and “Shockley” of 98.7 The Mountain for a spirited roundtable on the 2026 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominees. The group debates whether the Hall has drifted beyond rock, weighs first-time nominees like Phil Collins and Pink, and argues over legacy acts including Iron Maiden, Oasis, Mariah Carey, and Wu-Tang Clan. From one-album cases like Jeff Buckley to genre-crossing artists like Shakira and Sade, the panel narrows their personal ballots to five picks.