Gobbledygeek episode 480, “Elvis,” is available for listening or download right here, on Spotify, and on Apple Podcasts.

From Tupelo to Memphis, from Hollywood to Vegas, Elvis Presley conquered America–and now, telling his story, an Australian filmmaker has conquered the biopic. The operatic, maximalist, subtlety-eschewing Baz Luhrmann returns to the screen with Elvis, delivering the glitzy, excessive tribute this mythical/kitsch-ical icon deserves. Paul and Arlo share their personal connections to Elvis, rave about Austin Butler’s transformation into the King, discuss how the film’s portrayal of Elvis’ racial and sexual impact stack up to the real deal, and behold Tom Hanks’ embodiment of Satan. Here comes Sandy Claws! 

NEXT: when the last streaming podcast deletes, our job will be finished. Eric Sipple joins us to discuss Netflix’s adaptation of The Sandman.

BREAKDOWN

• 00:00:21  –  Intro
• 00:03:08  –  Our histories with The King
• 00:29:48  –  Elvis
• 01:54:05  –  Outro / Next

LINKS

• “Rumors of Elvis Racism in the ‘50s Still Cloud Presley’s Musical Legacy” by Alan Hanson, Elvis History Blog

MUSIC

• “Hound Dog” by Big Mama Thornton, Hound Dog: The Peacock Recordings (1992)
• “Steamroller Blues” by Elvis Presley, Walk a Mile in My Shoes (1995)

GOBBLEDYCARES

• Abortion Funds in Every State: https://bit.ly/AbortionFundsTwitter
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ 
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• Support the AAPI Civic Engagement Fund: https://aapifund.org/
• Support Black Lives Matter and find anti-racism resources: https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/
• The Trevor Project provides information and support to LGBTQ youth: thetrevorproject.org
• Trans Lifeline: https://translifeline.org/ 
  • US (877) 565-8860
  • Canada (877) 330-6366
• National Center for Transgender Equality: transequality.org
• Advocate for writers who might be owed money due to discontinuance of royalties: https://www.writersmustbepaid.org/ 
• Help teachers and classrooms in need: https://www.donorschoose.org/
• Do your part to remove the burden of medical debt for individuals, families, and veterans: https://ripmedicaldebt.org/
• Register to vote: https://vote.gov/