From the brains behind Brains On It's Smash Boom Best. The show for people with big opinions.
Hi, I'm Molly Bloom, and this is Smash Boom Best. The show where we take two things, smash them together, and ask you to decide which one is best. Today's debate is full of frights and delights.
Grab your popcorn and watch your backs because it's Ghostbusters versus Jurassic Park.
We've got podcast producer Tracey Mumford ready to take the call for Team Ghostbusters.
Molly, my hostess with the ghostess!
It's so good to be here.
I hope everyone's ready to take a roller coaster ride.
Am I right? And we have journalist and author Tom Webber ready to roar for Team Jurassic Park.
If you're ready for a dino -mite debate, then as they stay in the movie, Hold on to your butts!
And here to judge it all is Eleanor from St. Paul, Minnesota.
Eleanor is a softball player and a writer and not only is she an avid debater in her high school debate league, she also judges younger debaters in a middle school debate league.
Hi Eleanor! Hi! So Eleanor, how did you become a judge for middle school debate?
I did my first year of high school debate in freshman year and then I got an email in March from my debate league being like, we please need judges.
Please come judge. And what about debates like this one?
This is probably a little different than the middle school debates, but maybe it's not so different after all.
Yeah, there's you're not directly asking each other questions, which is the big difference.
But that's usually kind of a mess in middle school debate.
So maybe we've dodged a bullet.
Okay, you're also a writer.
So tell us what kind of fiction do you write?
I like writing fantasy.
I'm not very good at it, but we're working on it.
That is what matters.
Yeah. What kind of stuff do you like to write about?
Ummm... I like dragons.
I think dragons are super cool and I kinda just like creating worlds.
I think that's super fun.
Have you created any dragon characters?
No. Okay, so it's time.
It's time. Maybe today's debate will inspire a dragon character.
Step up. So, you're a pro debater and judge.
What advice do you have for our debaters today?
Mostly I have to yell at kids, because they're never loud enough so feel free to yell into for the mic.
Any other advice you wanna give?
Be fun! Have fun. Debate's supposed to be fun.
It's not supposed to be boring, so...
We like fun here at Smash Boom best. Will Eleanor side with Tracie or Tom?
Only time will tell, but first let's review the rules of the game.
Every debate consists of four rounds, the declaration of greatness, the micro round, the sneak attack and the final six.
After each round, our judge Eleanor will award points to the team that impresses her the most, but she'll keep her decisions top secret until the end of the debate.
Listeners, we want you to judge too.
Mark down your points as you listen.
At the end of the show head to our website, smashboom .org, and vote for whichever team you think won.
Tracy, Tom and Eleanor, are you ready?
Yeah. Then it's time for the declaration of greatness.
In this round, our debaters will present a well -crafted, immersive argument in favor of their side.
Then they'll each have 30 seconds to rebut their opponents' statements.
We flipped a coin, and Tracey, you're up first. Tell us why Ghostbusters is the series to call for a haunting good time.
Okay. So you were on the hunt for an after -school part -time job, and you were looking through of all the flyers that they posted up at the coffee shop.
It's like a dog walker, okay, maybe.
Hmm, wait, for 11 dogs.
Arf, arf, arf, arf, arf, arf, arf.
Oh, too much. Okay, car wash assistant, hmm, too many bubbles.
Dress up as a pickle and hand out samples at the grocery store, ha, not again, pickle people.
Then you see it, the flyer.
They are looking for a new Ghostbuster.
Are you brave? Check.
Do you like to explore the unknown?
Uh -huh. Do you want to use the fireman's pole instead of stairs?
Always. This is the job for you.
There's one more add -up for like an assistant at a dinosaur DNA lab but it has a big warning sign that all of the previous employees are missing.
So not that job. What I'm saying is you're looking at these options and like which phone number are you gonna dial?
Like I guess what I'm saying is, who you gonna call?
The Ghostbusters are iconic.
Their story stretches back to the 1980s when a team of scientists in New York City noticed something strange in their neighborhood, and they banded together to investigate the paranormal and bust some ghosts.
And from the very start, they did everything in style.
They've got sweet matching jumpsuits made for comfort and style complete with the ghosty logo.
They carry Proton packs on their backs.
There are these special machines that fire powerful rays of energy that catch ghosts like a neon lasso.
And don't forget their sweet digs.
The Ghostbusters live and work in an old converted firehouse complete with actual fireman's pole that they slide down during ghost emergencies.
Plus, they cruise around town in the ectomobile, which is a tricked -out vintage 1959 Cadillac Miller Meteor Sentinel.
Beauty! So they've got wheels, accessories, uniforms, cool headquarters.
Check, check, check, check.
Another key thing about being a Ghostbuster?
You're never alone.
Ghost hunting is a team sport.
Someone always has your back.
There's something behind me, isn't there?
Is it a very slimy ghost that is kind of dripping on me?
Yep. Could you just ...
Say no more. I got you.
Yeah, Toasty Ghosty.
I gotta say when you look at Jurassic Park, it's a lot harder to form meaningful friendships with people when you're running for your lives from a T.
rex! Hey! You wanna, like, see a movie or something?
A movie? All I see are that thing's giant claws!
I mean, not now, but I'd just be like maybe later if we'd all get chopped?
Also, Ghostbusters are using science and research to solve problems. Unlike a little franchise I know where they used science to make problems. Like some very big problems. Ghostbusters like to nerd out on formulas and experiments and go to the library.
And they use everything they learned to solve problems. Giant rivers of slime?
Solved it. Haunted portraits?
Not a problem. 100 -foot tall marshmallow walking around and crushing skyscrapers?
The Ghostbusters have it handled.
Is there anything better than a group of people who you can call to solve your problems?
And of course, because I think everything should end with a dance party, you have to acknowledge the Ghostbusters theme song.
Can you dance to this?
You can't not dance to this, but can you dance to this?
Just slowly and not with a lot of feeling.
So, to fully proton -pack my argument here, they're styling, you're dialing.
They fight ghosts. They're good hosts.
They're useful. They're crucial.
They've never been beaten.
They're not being eaten.
They've got a good song.
I'm not wrong. They're ghostbusters.
wow a rhyming declaration of greatness that got us all busting a move for Ghostbusters Eleanor what stood out to you about Tracy's declaration of greatness I really liked how you talked about how cool they were and how like stylish they were and how fun it was to live in their little firehouse and I liked that you played the theme song so much I love the theme song that's right you're invited over for a dance party.
That's what I'm saying.
All right, Tom, it is time for your rebuttal.
You've got 30 seconds to tell us why Ghostbusters is a feeble franchise.
And your time starts now.
Well, my music rebuttal is coming.
So stay tuned on that.
I wanna point out that the science of why the proton stuff actually catches ghosts was never actually fully explained unlike the science in Jurassic Park.
Also stay tuned. I also just wanna point out something Tracy didn't bring up.
the first Ghostbusters movie, 1984.
And it wasn't until 2016, 22 years later, that they finally decided to have women Ghostbusters.
I'm seeing some ghostbusting equality problems in the franchise that I think really need to come to light.
And time. Tracy, anything you'd like to say?
I just hear a lot of jealousy in that voice, I don't know.
And someone who doesn't understand ghost theorems, but you know, go on, go on.
All right, Tom, it is your turn.
Please tell us why Jurassic Park is a dino delight.
Usually, I type my arguments myself, but after three hours of button mashing the wildly popular Jurassic Park arcade game, my thumbs are sore.
So, I'm dictating to my new AI assistant.
I should clarify, I don't mean AI like artificial intelligence, I mean ancient intelligence.
My assistant is a T -Rex. And in retrospect, asking an animal with notoriously short arms to use a keyboard might not have been the best idea.
But you know what? I don't need fancy typing to make my case.
I have living proof right here, a T -Rex, in the flesh!
Down girl, down girl, you'll get your meaty num nums in a minute.
My point is, Jurassic Park wows us because we get to see the most epic creatures ever come to life.
I remember being a kid seeing the original movie with my grandma.
Seeing Jurassic Park makes you think, wow, these amazing dinos really walked the earth.
Nature is full of wonder.
Meanwhile, the rubbery looking ghouls and Ghostbusters make you think, wow, was this ticket really worth 15 bucks?
And there's a reason why the dinos in Jurassic Park look so realistic.
Most of the jaw -dropping special effects were computer -generated images or CGI.
In fact, the first Jurassic Park helped develop this technology and introduced us to a whole new era of movie magic.
Every CGI movie, from the Avengers to Avatar, owes a debt to Jurassic Park.
Ironically, it's the special effects and Ghostbusters that are prehistoric in comparison.
After all, the first Ghostbusters movie came out almost 10 years before Jurassic Park.
That's the cinematic dinosaur .fuck you Thanks, it was a sick burn.
And unlike Ghostbusters, Jurassic Park is based on real science.
Yes... In the movies, scientists use DNA from ancient dino -blood to recreate these magnificent creatures.
Well, scientists are actually doing this kind of thing, but not to bring back dinosaurs.
Instead, they're using it to help build up populations of endangered species.
And some researchers are hoping to bring back the woolly mammoth.
The only thing Ghostbusters is bringing back are the careers of washed -up 80s actors.
Those are dinosaurs I don't want to bring back.
And if you need even more reasons to love this movie, the first Jurassic Park was so inspiring that it led to a boom in people studying dinosaurs.
Some researchers say that's why in recent years we've been discovering tons of new dinosaurs—about one every week.
And on a side note, how fun would it be to be friends with real dinosaurs, like Chris Pratt is with those velociraptors in Jurassic World?
Way cooler than being friends with some booger ghost like Slimer.
Oh, right, I should mention the soundtrack.
You know the one. Chills.
That is the handiwork of composer John Williams, the genius behind the music of Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Harry Potter, Jaws and E .T.
Sure, Ghostbusters had a silly novelty song that's fun around Halloween, but try listening to it more than once without wanting to shove Stay Puft marshmallows in your ears.
Meanwhile, I could play the Jurassic Park soundtrack all day.
But Tom, you're forgetting the best part of Ghostbusters.
The ghosts, like me, boo.
I'm sorry, what? Yes, people love scares, and nothing scares like a ghost. Ooohhh.
Oooooohhhhh. Is that a tyrenasa -sa -sa -saurus?
Ooh? Aaaah! Get me out of here!
See, you don't need glorified exterminators to bust ghosts.
Jurassic Park gave us CGI, some awesome real science, amazing music and the fright of our lives.
What more could you ask for?
Alright, meaty num -nums, here you go, T -Rex, yes.
Who's a good T -Rex?
Yes, you are. Oh, watch the fingers.
Those aren't snacks.
Here's some more steak.
Yes, yes, you deserve it.
Very good. Tom, sounding sharp with his T. rex hype person.
You know it. Hype creature.
Eleanor, what stood out to you about Tom's Declaration of Greatness?
I didn't know that Jurassic Park was the reason we have CGI in the way we do now.
And I think I need a Dino AI for myself.
Absolutely. All right, Tracy, it is time for your rebuttal.
Tell us why Jurassic Park puts the stink in extinct.
You've got 30 seconds, and your time starts now.
Look, thomasaurus rex, can I call you that?
Yeah, okay. I am very glad that they let you off your island, that's a big step.
And you know what? Dinosaurs are cool.
I'm not gonna argue with that.
Bring them back to life so I can see them even cooler.
But you know what Jurassic Park did was a huge accident.
They keep doing it in every sequel.
I'm just for responsible dinosaur science like don't let them out.
Drask Park is supposed to be a cool Island to visit.
And instead, people are running for their lives.
It's like if you went to Disneyland and the teacup ride tried to eat you.
That's not the vacation I'm looking for.
Look, I know people sometimes can see ghosts, sometimes can't.
But you can see a dinosaur every day of your life.
They're called birds.
And so they are here, they are with us, and we love them.
And I seem to recall some people running for their lives with the Stay Puft marshmallow.
And what happens when you're the meaty num -nums, Tom?
That's just one of the most...
No, no, no, no, no, no, no. It's all about charming them, they have great personalities.
They almost took your fingers.
That was on tape, that was on tape.
Okay, Eleanor, it is time to award some points.
Please give one point to the declaration of greatness you like best, and then one point to the rebuttal that won you over.
You get to decide what makes a winning argument.
Did one team's jokes make you laugh?
Was another team's argument unbeatable?
a word your points but don't tell us who they're going to have you made your decision yes excellent Tom and Tracy how are you two feeling so far dino refik mm -hmm amped up excellent it's time for a quick break grab some popcorn and take a quick rest and we'll be right back more smash, boom, best. You're listening to State of Debate, home to raging rhetoric and awe -inspiring argumentations.
Meow, that's cat for hello.
I'm Taylor Lincoln, debate maven and cat person.
Woof. Woof. That's dog for feed me.
And I'm Todd Douglas, the dog, dude and debate powerhouse.
And we're here at our local animal shelter to cuddle some canines and kitty cuties.
And catch some logical fallacies with our claws and paws.
Logical fallacies are uncool debate techniques that help you lose your debates.
And I just snagged a nasty one.
Wanna hear it? A -woo -oo -oo -oo!
That's Dog 4, of course.
Let's listen in and see what the cat dragged in.
Oh, look at these little kittens in need of a home.
What do you think, Amos?
Should I adopt one?
Meh. Aren't they adorable?
Listen to their little meows.
I don't really like cats.
Wait, what? Why? And why didn't you put that on your dating profile?
I don't know. I just think that they're mean.
How so? Cause they can scratch and bite.
Dogs can also scratch and bite.
Oh, this little furball seems to love the way I'm petting him.
They're mean because.
They're just not nice to people.
3. Cats are mean because they're not nice to people.
2. And they're not nice to people because they're mean?
3. Our friend just said the same thing twice.
That argument didn't take us anywhere.
4. And that's because it was a circular argument fallacy.
That's when a debater ends their point with the argument they started with.
It's an argument that goes around in circles.
3. Like a dog chasing its tail.
Our friend Amos needs to come up with some fresh ideas about why cats are mean.
Which is a losing argument anyway.
I don't know, Taylor.
I've had a few gnarly run -ins with my neighbor's cat, Salt -solito.
Watch it, Todd. My claws are coming out.
To quote the great Scooby Doo, rah -roh.
Yes. Ahhh! We'll see you next time on State of Debate.
Brains on Universe is a family of podcasts for kids and their adults.
Since you're a fan of Smash Boom Best, we know you'll love the other shows in our universe.
Come on, let's explore.
Here we are in Brains on Universe.
Home to my favorite podcasts.
Brains on. Smash Boom Best. Forever ago.
I found one. Ba, ba, ba, ba, ba, ba, ba, ba, ba, brains on.
Brainz on, a science podcast for kids and family.
Let's start with our pal, the sun. Did somebody call their favorite star?
It's me, the sun. The sun is made up of a very, very hot electic.
Uh, uh, what a great show.
Listen to brains on wherever you get your podcasts.
You're listening to Smash Boom Best, I'm your host Molly Bloom.
And I'm your judge Eleanor.
And we love getting debate suggestions from our listeners.
Take a listen to this ancient debate idea from Gael.
Hi I'm Gael and I'm from Australia.
My debate idea is Romans versus Vikings.
Now that's a debate for the history books.
We'll check back in at the end of this episode to see which side Gael thinks should win and now it's back to our debate Ghostbusters versus Jurassic Park.
That's right and it's time for round two, the micro round.
For the micro round challenge each team has prepared a creative response to a prompt they received in advance.
For Tracey and Tom And the prompt was, baddie reputation.
In this challenge, a villain from a debater's movie needs to clear their reputation.
They want to set the record straight about how they're really not that bad.
Will they redeem themselves?
It's up to our debaters to decide.
Tracy went first last time, so Tom, you're up.
Tell us why we shouldn't judge the baddies of Jurassic Park.
Hello, it's me, the velociraptor from Jurassic Park.
You're surprised I can talk?
well, let's be honest, there's a lot about me that isn't exactly accurate, like how I'm a big, scaly movie monster, when in reality real velociraptors were the size of many poodles and covered in feathers.
I've got a bone to pick with you humans.
And yes, I mean a femur.
Mm. Delicious. You made me out to be the villain, but was I really?
It was you who brought me back from my nice, peaceful extinction.
It was you who stuck me on an island of slow, dim -witted meals of people.
You knew I was a hunter.
You even called me clever girl.
This is on you. In the first movie, you made me out to be a baddie for hunting people in a kitchen.
But if I wasn't supposed to eat them, what were they doing in the kitchen?
It's the place for snacks.
Plus, I have a very high metabolism and I need to eat all the time.
People think I'm terrifying, but I'm really just hangry.
In conclusion, I was doing what I do best, hunting and snacking.
You humans are the one who should be apologizing to me.
Now are you going to finish that?
Oh, oh. It's your arm.
Oh. Oh, and it's still attached to you?
Okay. Well fine. I guess sharing is another thing you humans are bad at.
Sharing is caring. Exactly.
All right, Tracy, now it's your turn.
Show us why we shouldn't judge a ghoul by its cover.
Hi, I'm a steep -offed marshmallow and I'm so tall.
But who doesn't love Marshmallow?
Just because I'm big And sometimes step on cars and buildings whoops Marshmallow's so big but inside I am soft, squishy not villain I come to New York and wanna say hi But when I see people, I...
Oops. I am not Big Hungry Reptile built to snack on you.
I am Snack. Just Big Snack.
And I want to HOG All right, Eleanor, what did you like about Tracey and Tom's micro rounds?
I thought the accents were awesome and I think you both do a good job kind of explaining why they're so misunderstood.
It's tough. It's tough to be a villain.
But it's soft to be a marshmallow!
Alright, Eleanor, it is time to award a point to one of these misunderstood villains.
The criteria is completely subjective and completely up to you.
Did someone make you laugh?
Did someone make you think?
Did someone make you re -think?
Have you made your decision?
Yes! Fantastic. Then it's time for our third round, the super stealthy sneak attack.
This is our improvised round where debaters have to respond to a challenge on the spot.
Today's Sneak Attack is called Greeting Card. Tom and Tracy, you have to write the message in a pretend greeting card based on your side.
You have to write messages for three different holidays, but they can be any occasion you choose.
A birthday, anniversary, Grandparents' Day, whatever you want as long as the message relates to your side.
We'll volley back and forth for three rounds.
Tom went first last time so Tracy, you're up.
Read me a Ghostbuster greeting card for an auspicious occasion.
This one's a no -brainer.
Happy Halloween! Boo -yah!
Why be normal when you can be paranormal?
Ugh. I'm going to give that to all my friends this October.
I can't wait. OK, Tom, it is your turn.
Give me a Jurassic Park greeting card perfect for the holidays.
Yes. Front cover. Get well soon.
Inside cover. Sorry, I ate your leg.
Tommy T -Rex. Very specific.
Admitting to the dangers yet again.
Alright Tracy, let's hear your second greeting card. This is for Mary Bustin' Day, it's a new holiday devoted to busting people's problems. You give someone that card when you feel like they have a problem they could use your help with.
Merry Bustin' day! September 9th.
Ok, Tom, what is your next Greeting Card?
Outside cover! Happy Mother's Day to a great Stegosaurus.
Inside, Mom, your backscales and tail spikes always protected me.
Thanks for being awesome.
Awwww. So beautiful.
Alright, Tracy, let's hear your final Ghostbusters Greeting Card. Happy Birthday!
You get even more birthdays when you're a ghost. Infinite birthdays.
Okay, Tom, let's hear your last Jurassic Park greeting card. Happy Valentine's Day.
May our love be as strong as the pressure of a Triceratops's impaling.
That is not romance, Tom.
It's romantic. Romance in the air.
All right. Amazing.
Incredible cards all around.
I can't wait to buy them and hand them out to all my friends.
But Eleanor, only one of these teams can get a point for this round.
Criteria are totally subjective, totally up to you.
Have you made your decision?
Mm -hmm. Wonderful, then it's time for our final round.
The Final Six. In this round, each team will have just six words to sum up the glory of their side.
Tom, let's hear your six words for Jurassic Park.
JPAR -inspired science, movies, and music.
I had six words. I had to do JPAR.
He's JPAR -wonderful.
That's one word. Perfect.
I love that. It's like J -Lo, but Jurassic Park.
It's the next big kid.
It's what the cool kids call it.
The next big girl. Yeah, exactly.
All right, Tracey. It's your turn.
Give us your six words for Ghostbusters.
These are my six words.
No, it's six words.
Oh, incredible. All right.
Two final six is here to really make you think.
But only one of them can get your final point.
Eleanor, have you made your decision?
Yes. Wonderful. Are you ready to crown one team to smash boom best?
All right, drum roll, please.
And the winner is...
Park. My goodness. What was your favorite part of the debate?
I really like the sneak attack.
I thought the cards were super funny.
And I always like a new holiday.
So I having watched the original Ghostbusters movie, and it has been a minute but it's seared.
I never really realized that I didn't know the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man until I heard Tracy's rendition, I guess we would say, and so I really feel a deeper connection to the movie and the franchise.
And for that, Tracy, I'm grateful.
Thank you, Tom. I just wanna say dinosaurs are cool.
I would go to Jurassic Park on vacation when they got their safety record back where I need it to be.
I'm not opposed to it.
So happy to have you in and maybe they can just, you know, work on their brochure and we can all go there.
Once the lawsuits are settled it's gonna be great, it's gonna be so fun!
Well that's it for today's debate battle.
Eleanor, Crown Team Jurassic Park the Smash Boom Best, but what about you?
Head to SmashBoom .org and vote to tell us who you think won.
SmashBoomBest is brought to you by Brainzon and APM Studios.
It's produced by Anna Wegel and Haran Woldesalasi.
We had engineering help from Alex Zipson with sound design by Adarone Woldislasy.
Our editors are Shaela Farzan and Sandin Totten.
And we had production help from the rest of the Brainz on Universe team, Rosie DuPont, Rachel Breeze, Anna Goldfield, Nico Gonzalez -Whistler, Ruby Guthrie, Lauren Humphropt, Jesse Miller, Joshua Ray, Mark Sanchez and Charlotte Traver.
Our executive producer is Beth Proman and the APM Studios executives in charge are Chandra Cavati and Joanne Griffith.
Our announcer is Marlee Feuerwerker -Otto, and we want to give a special thanks to Austin Cross and Taylor Kaufman.
Tracey, is there anyone you'd like to give a shout out to today?
Just wanna thank my cat Go -Go, she's always down to watch Ghostbusters, never complains.
So the Go -Go, this one was for you.
We love you, Go -Go.
How about you, Tom?
Any special shout outs?
My parents and anyone who bought me dinosaur books when I was a kid.
Beautiful. And how about you, Eleanor?
Any special thanks or shout outs?
The kids on my block who are going to listen to this.
Hi, Willa, Lenny, and Elliot.
Yay! Before we go let's check in and see who Gael thinks should win the Vikings vs Romans debate.
Vikings should win because the Vikings defeated the Romans.
If you're between the ages of 13 and 18 and you'd like to be a judge, or if you're any age and you have an idea for a knockdown drag out debate, head to SmashBoom .org slash contact and drop us a line.
And make sure to subscribe to Brainstone Universe on YouTube where you can watch animated versions of some of your favorite episodes.
We'll be back with an extra special Smash Boom Best debate battle next week.
It's Jack and the Beanstalk vs. the Ugly Duckling.
Bye bye, see ya! Dinosaur roar, goodbye!
Gonna ghost you now… Oh, better than the rest It's Smash Bros.
It's Smash Bros. Awwww!
