Freedom of speech and the press are values vital to American democracy. But the First Amendment doesn't really define free speech, and plenty of expressions are restricted. Learn all about the ins and outs of this cherished right in today's episode.
AI Summary
# Summary
Get ready to dive deep into one of America's most fundamental rights—freedom of speech—as Josh and Chuck explore how this protection has been shaped, tested, and refined through decades of landmark Supreme Court cases. From the tricky question of what counts as speech (spoiler: it's way more than just words) to the messy business of defining obscenity, this episode unpacks how the courts have balanced individual expression against public safety and community standards. You'll discover why protecting even the speech you find most offensive is actually essential to keeping democracy healthy, and why the Klan's right to rally is oddly connected to the civil rights movement.
Body Heat
1981
R
1h 53m
★ 7.0
"Body heat's not that old. Very good movie. Was it Kathleen Turner? — Mentioned in conversation about movies with Kathleen Turner, related to Carnal Knowledge discussion."
— Josh
Carnal Knowledge
1971
1h 38m
★ 6.6
"Carnal Knowledge was the Mike Nichols film with Jack Nicholson, Candice Bergen, and Art Garfunkel — Discussed as example in obscenity court case Jenkins v. Georgia where theater manager was arrested for showing it."
— Josh
"HeyDude the 90s called, David Lasher and Christine Taylor, stars of the cult classic show, HeyDude — Referenced in advertisement for the HeyDude podcast spin-off series about the 1990s."
Night of the Comet
1984
1h 35m
★ 6.2
"Katherine Mary Stewart of Night of the Comet played the older sister, Reggie — Actor Katherine Mary Stewart who appeared in the film reached out to the podcast hosts."
— Chuck
Saturday Night Live
1975
★ 7.0
"Like you see what's going on with Saturday Night Live right now. They've had a long tradition of political satire — Discussed as example of protected political satire and parody in American media."
— Josh
The Onion Movie
2008
1h 30m
★ 6.2
"you start like poking at that and the onion and some of the great satirical publications — Referenced as an example of protected satirical publication in the United States."
— Josh
The People vs. Larry Flynt
1996
2h 10m
★ 7.0
"People versus Larry Flint is a very good job of that spelling out that case — Referenced as a film depicting the obscenity and free speech case involving Hustler magazine."
— Josh
The War of the Roses
1989
1h 56m
★ 6.9
"The War of the Roses. Man, that is a great movie. I can watch that movie a thousand times — Josh mentions it as one of his favorite all-time movies starring Kathleen Turner."
— Josh
Weekend at Bernie's
1989
1h 38m
★ 6.4
"and was also in The Last Starfighter and Weekend at Bernie's — Listed as films featuring Katherine Mary Stewart; Josh jokingly offers to act it out with her."
— Chuck
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