Advertise on podcast: Really? no, Really? with Jason Alexander & Peter Tilden

Hollywood’s latest “anxiety hack” isn’t a new miracle drug — it’s an old medication with a new spotlight. Jason Alexander and Peter Tilden dig into the celebrity buzz around beta blockers with Dr. Nasser Ghaemi, an academic psychiatrist and professor of psychiatry at Tufts University. They break down what beta blockers (like propranolol) actually do, why actors and musicians use them for performance anxiety, and the big catch: they can reduce symptoms without addressing the root cause. Dr. Ghaemi explains when “situational” use can make sense — and when it can backfire with side effects like low blood pressure, cognitive dulling, or added risk for people with asthma or diabetes. Along the way, Jason and Peter riff on Hollywood nerves, guest-star pressure on Seinfeld, and a wild story about “anxiety drugs in rivers” making salmon bolder — because of course it does. The episode lands on a bigger debate: quick-fix culture, rising anxiety in young people, and why AI therapy can’t replace a human clinician (yet). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Waymo’s self-driving cars look futuristic — but what’s really happening behind the scenes may surprise you. On Really? No, Really., Missy Cummings — former U.S. Navy fighter pilot, MIT-trained engineer, and one of the world’s leading AI and robotics safety experts — explains why true self-driving cars don’t actually exist yet, how human “remote operators” may be quietly stepping in, and the hidden technical flaws that keep autonomous vehicles from being as safe as advertised. The conversation dives into phantom braking, transparency problems, Tesla’s camera-only approach, and why the hype around autonomy is racing far ahead of reality. If you’ve ever trusted a robot car, ridden in a Waymo, or wondered where this technology is really headed, this episode will make you rethink everything. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How do art heists actually work — and why do so many stolen masterpieces disappear forever? On Really? No, Really?, Jason Alexander and Peter Tilden talk with art-theft investigator Anthony Amore about the real mechanics of modern art crime. Amore cuts through the Hollywood myths, explaining why museums are more vulnerable than people think, how routine and insider knowledge get exploited, and why stolen art is often hidden for decades instead of sold. The conversation ranges from legendary unsolved heists and forgery scandals to the underground realities of fencing stolen art — plus some unexpected laughs, including Jason’s own “missing” Tony Award moment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Tom Petty died in 2017, but his music continues to live on thanks to hits like "Refugee", "Here Comes My Girl", and "Runnin' Down a Dream." But recently Jason and Peter were stunned to learn that Petty didn’t write those songs alone. Really, no Really! Mike Campbell was an original member of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and co-wrote many of the band's legendary hits and was considered by Petty to be the Heartbreakers’ co-captain. Campbell himself, continues to have an impressive career, now fronting the band The Dirty Knobs and playing and writing music with legendary rockers like Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, George Harrison and more. But that got the guys wondering, what it’s like being the “unrecognized talent” regularly standing just behind and co-writing with iconic names? While much of Mike’s career was alongside Petty, he notably gave Don Henley the music for his 1984 hit "The Boys of Summer" and he worked closely with Stevie Nicks, Aretha Franklin and too many others to name. Campbell just released his first book: Heartbreaker: A Memoir *** ON THIS EPISODE: Where Heartbreaker guitar lines came from. What gives guitarists their “sound”? Mike stores his guitars in a dry-cleaning rack? They say Bob Dylan is “enigmatic” – What does that mean? Tiny clubs vs. stadiums – Which is better to play? On-stage and having to pee. What do you do? How has the music business changed during Mike’s career? Jason has an insane pneumatic couch. ??? Googleheim: Dylan Fans… We gotchu! *** FOLLOW MIKE: Website (tour dates & tickets) - www.thedirtyknobs.com Book - Heartbreaker: A Memoir Instagram: @mikecampbellofficial YouTube - @mikecampbellofficial X - @MikeCampbellHQ Facebook – MikeCampbellOfficial *** FOLLOW ROBERT TILDEN: Spotify: Boyo *** FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY: www.reallynoreally.com Instagram YouTube TikTok Facebook Threads X See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Who isn’t a Paul Reiser mega fan? The dramas like Stranger Things! The comedies like “Mad About You”! How about the action/adventures with The Boys! And who could forget him in Aliens! ALIENS! And now after a 32-year hiatus he’s back on the road doing stand-up comedy again. Really, no Really! Comedian, actor, television writer, producer, author and musician Paul Reiser is one of Hollywood’s most prolific creatives. Voted by Comedy Central as one of the Top 100 Comedians of All Time, Reiser – who came up alongside folks like, George Carlin, Robert Klein, and Jerry Seinfeld. His most recent standup special – his first in 30 years – Life, Death, and Rice Pudding, was released late last year. *** IN THIS EPISODE: Comedian or actor? Which is it? Why can’t robots recognize crosswalks and bicycles? Why the 30+ year break with stand-up? How do comedians decide what to wear on stage? Jason’s feet are smaller than you can possibly imagine. Can couples switch which side of the bed? How a comedian bagged a role in Jim Cameron’s Aliens. When Paul realized Mad About You was a hit.  Jason pushed Helen Hunt into accepting Mad About You! How Paul cowrote a book with Doobie Brother’s frontman, Michael McDonald. Columbo’s Peter Faulk was… difficult. How’d “The Problem with People” get written? Is Paul Broadway bound? *** FOLLOW PAUL: Comedy Special: Paul Reiser: Life, Death, & Rice Pudding Stand-Up: Comedy & Magic Club/Hermosa Beach/April 17 Website: paulreiser.com X: @PaulReiser *** FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY: www.reallynoreally.com Instagram YouTube TikTok Facebook Threads X See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

She’s written several classic Seinfeld episodes including “Lip Reader” and “Rye Bread.” She’s also written more Oscar telecasts than any other woman… but neither of those facts are this week’s “Really”. No… she’s on to promote her new book with a really long title. Really, no Really! Emmy-nominated six times for her writing on such classic television shows as Seinfeld, The Larry Sanders Show, Saturday Night Live, and The Oscars, Carol Leifer won her first Emmy Award in 2024 for Outstanding Comedy Series as a co-executive producer of the HBO Max show Hacks. She’s also written for other shows such as Modern Family, Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Ellen Show, and many more. *** ON THIS EPISODE: Jason reveals his post-Seinfeld epiphany Never before revealed alternate ending to Marine biologist! The unique way writers pitched episodes to Jerry and Larry. Writing jokes for the Oscars is hard. On becoming a writer, not only a standup comedian. When Jason hosted SNL and why he won’t be asked back. Inside the Curb Your Enthusiasm writer’s room. Carol’s mission to help regular folks make better speeches. Jason shares his "favorite” 2 Seinfeld episodes. Is Jason tired of being asked about Seinfeld? Carol shares a never-before-heard story of she and Jason on the Seinfeld set. Do not zoom in on the menu board at the back of the Diner! The quizzical comments Frank Sinatra made about Carol. *** FOLLOW CAROL: SEE: April 2nd, 2025 - BOOK SIGNING - BOOK SOUP WITH CO-AUTHOR RICK MITCHELL Book: “How to Write a Funny Speech: for a Wedding, Bar Mitzvah, Graduation & Every Other Event You Didn't Want to Go to in the First Place” Website: carolleifer.com Instagram: @carolleifer X: @carolleifer Facebook: @CarolLeifer *** FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY: www.reallynoreally.com Instagram YouTube TikTok Facebook Threads X See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever pondered leaving the country… permanently? Dreamed about a perpetual change of scenery? International job opportunities caught your eye? Moving abroad is not only possible but it’s actually easier than ever! Really, no really! If you’ve ever found yourself musing about any of those possibilities, we’ve got you covered. This is how you do it. Known in the travel industry as “The Travel Detective,” Peter Greenberg broadcasts breaking news and investigative reports from around the world each week as Travel Editor for CBS News. Additionally, Peter hosts The Travel Detective with Peter Greenberg, The Royal Tour, and Eye on Travel. *** IN THIS EPISODE: What’s a golden passport? It’s easier than it used to be to move abroad. What prevents people from moving overseas? The most popular states Americans are relocating to. Where to move? Follow the strength of the US dollar. The top 4 considerations when thinking where to move to. Secret flights the airline industry doesn’t want you to know! Gangs, drugs, political instability… are these reasons to avoid countries? Lost luggage? Not with these tips! Drip pricing, change fees, and other avoidable costs! Don’t be a loser! Don’t book flights online. Reasons to avoid room service. Reasons NEVER to stay in a hotel above the 7th floor. How to spot the Air Marshall! The best beds in the hotel business. No vacancy. Really? Is there a trick to beating jet lag? YES! The best app for travelers is…? *** FOLLOW PETER GREENBERG: Website: petergreenberg.com Instagram: @petergreenberg Facebook: @PeterGreenbergWorldwide YouTube: @PeterGreenberg X: @PeterSGreenberg *** FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY: www.reallynoreally.com Instagram YouTube TikTok Facebook Threads X See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Earlier this year we collectively watched in horror as Los Angeles burned. In all, at least 29 people were killed, 200,000 were forced to evacuate, and more than 18,000 homes and structures were destroyed. Many, like our own Peter Tilden were forced from their homes. While thankfully his house wasn’t destroyed, it remains covered in a toxic soot, consisting of noxious chemicals and other unknown particulates. Months later his home, like so many others is still uninhabitable. Really, no really. As Peter and other Angelinos struggle with insurance companies, shady contactors, temporary housing, and more, we wondered: How are people, whether by fires or floods, hurricanes or tornadoes, able to go home again? That’s why we invited James Mayfield CEO of Mayfield Environmental, to educate us on what we all need to know in the aftermath of catastrophe. For two generations James and his family have served Southern California as General Contractors for environmental cleanups. From biohazard and homeless encampment removal to Crime scene and drug lab clean-ups, Mayfield Environmental has seen it all and has a litany of certifications - making sure that when the worst happens, they clean it up the right way without taking you to the bank. *** IN THIS EPISODE: Peter’s house is still standing but... Testing for safety – What tests are really necessary? How traumatizing is it to cleanup a crime scene? Secrets to hiring the right firm to detox your life. HEPA vacuuming? What’s that smell? Can noxious smells be removed? Improper cleaning can actually create a second ecological disaster. So… what was in that smoke & how do you get rid of it? Hoarding, exploding rats and the threat of Hantavirus! FOLLOW JAMES: Website: mayfieldenv.com X: @mayfieldenviro Yelp: Mayfield environmental solutions Facebook: Mayfield Environmental Engineering *** FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY: www.reallynoreally.com Instagram YouTube TikTok Facebook Threads X See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While Sex in Hollywood movies goes in and out of style, we seem to be in an upswing moment with Academy Award wins for nudity-containing films like Anora and The Substance. Jason personally has some scenes, mostly for comedic purposes but even then, performing it is complicated and often very, very uncomfortable. The #metoo movement brought increased scrutiny to on-screen contact, and with that a relatively new position called an Intimacy Coordinator was born. Coordinators have recently become more common on set but… what does that person do? What qualifications does one have to have to be one… and does it really give performers a feeling of safety, security and control? To answer that question, we brough on one of the industry’s pioneers in the field. Yehuda Duenyas is a SAG-AFTRA accredited Intimacy Coordinator who provides full-service Intimacy Coordination for film, TV, and theater productions. Yehuda’s work and collaborations have received a Primetime Emmy award, 2 Webby awards, 8 Cannes Lions, 11 Clios, 2 Facebook awards, an OBIE award, among others. *** IN THIS EPISODE: Yehuda describes how and why he became an intimacy coordinator. What does a SAG-AFTRA certified intimacy coordinator actually do? The Blake Lively / Justin Baldoni lawsuit exposes potential on-set dangers. Many actors like Michael Douglas, Jennifer Aniston have questioned intimacy coordination. What happens when an actor changes their mind? That time an actress asked Jason to help her during a dramatic sex scene. Jason’s Game: Have they gone nude… or not? Google-HEIM: Other potential on-set coordination! *** FOLLOW YEHUDA: Website (Coordinator): yehudaintimacy.film Website (Director): xxxyehuda.com Instagram: ___x_x_x_y___ LinkedIN: Yehuda Duenyas *** FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY: www.reallynoreally.com Instagram YouTube TikTok Facebook Threads X See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Friend of the show, Howie Mandell is filling in for Jason Alexander. He’s the only man balder than Jason so… it works! Lately, TikTok has been in the news with claims that it’s an arm of the Chinese Government - but with 170 million Americans on the app, is there a danger? Billionaire Frank McCourt thinks this perceived danger can be turned into a positive by using TikTok’s American userbase to supercharge a brand new and improved internet. Really, no really! Frank McCourt, Jr. is a civic entrepreneur and the executive chairman of McCourt Global, a private family company committed to building a better future through real estate, sports, technology, media, and capital investment industries. Additionally, he's the founder of Project Liberty, a far-reaching, $500 million initiative focused on leading a movement of people who want to take back control of their lives in the digital age by reclaiming the internet. Frank also owns the French football club Olympique de Marseille and formerly owned the Los Angeles Dodgers. *** IN THIS EPISODE: How influential are apps like TikTok? The weaponization of social media has empowered mob rule. McCourt founded Project Liberty to take control of our data & privacy. TikTok poses an existential threat? People should have the right to own and sell their own data. Would Howie lose his 11 million followers if Frank buys TikTok? TikTok influencers don’t know who their followers are unlike other platforms. Influencers, not social media platforms should own their followers. The Chinese Government can feed disinformation to 170 million Americans; to get them to believe what the Chinese want them to believe. Mr. Beast, Kevin O’Leary… …and maybe Howie, are joining Project Liberty. But will Byte Dance actually sell U.S. TikTok? Jason returns and has thoughts! *** FOLLOW FRANK: Website (McCourt Global): mccourt.com Website (Project Liberty): projectliberty.io Website (Fix TikTok): thepeoplesbid.com Instagram: @pro_jectliberty X: @pro_jectliberty *** FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY: www.reallynoreally.com Instagram YouTube TikTok Facebook Threads X See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fatal and devastating fires recently upturned the lives of many Los Angelenos. Even now, with the fires thankfully extinguished, things aren't back to normal. As you may know, we record several episodes in a day, that's allowed us to keep publishing during these difficult days. Some on our staff are still dealing with significant issues in the aftermath which have unfortunately prevented us from recording a show for you this week. As we take care of some real-life business, we wanted you to know we aren’t going anywhere, we’ll be back NEXT WEEK with more of the zany, mind-blowing, off the wall science, pop culture, news of the day nonsense you’ve come to expect from us. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeff "Skunk" Baxter is a missile defense expert and a counter-terrorist authority who has consulted for Congressional Committees, the Pentagon, and the US intelligence community… he’s also a legendary guitarist who performed that sick solo on “Rikki Don’t Lose That Number”. Really, no Really! Skunk is universally recognized as a legendary guitarist. Best-known for his work with Steely Dan (as a founding member) and the Doobie Brothers, his versatility and highly developed technique as a soloist made him a hugely in-demand session guitarist from the '70s on to today. In the mid-1980s, a series of chance encounters led Baxter to a second career working in the defense industry where his natural ability to look at existing technologies and to see alternate ways to use them, led to multiple security clearances and contracts consulting for a litany of major intelligence and defense agencies. *** IN THIS EPISODE: Explaining how musicians translate improvised melodies on stage from their mind to their fingers. Discovering his would-be passion – playing the guitar. How a founding member of Steely Dan end up being a missile defense thought maker. Predicting why and how the bad guys do what they do. What happens when government agents need you when you’re playing with Ringo Starr? Explaining Russia’s motivations in 5 seconds. Were Steely Dan’s founding members really taskmasters? What makes for a good rock solo? Insight into working with Elton John, Donna Summer, Eric Clapton, Dolly Parton and more… The difference between a good guitar player and an excellent one is…? *** FOLLOW SKUNK: Website - jeffskunkbaxter.com Facebook – SkunkBaxter Instagram - @JeffSkunkBaxter Album – Speed of Heat *** FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY: www.reallynoreally.com Instagram YouTube TikTok Facebook Threads X See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As TikTok America’s legal limbo continues, Australia became the first country in the world to ban minors under age 16 from social media. Australia’s eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant warned the world saying, tech companies aren’t doing enough to protect kids online. Really, no Really! While the powers of social media apps are undeniable, the harms they cause are more… enigmatic. Even if harmful effects of social media are established, are bans an effective response? As this international debate rages on, there are millions of parents and young people looking down at their smartphones wondering what if anything they should do differently. To break down the pros and cons of social media we’ve invited Dr. Jacqueline Nesi to make sense of it all. She’s an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Human Behavior at Brown University, where she studies how technology use affects kids and how parents can help. She’s published over 50 peer-reviewed publications related to youth and technology use, and her work has been funded by organizations like the NIMH, NICHD, and NSF. She’s also testified before U.S. congressional subcommittees at both the national and state level on issues surrounding tech and mental health. *** IN THIS EPISODE: How do we define social media and would a ban even work? So… how does social media affects us? Should kid’s online activities be treated like getting a driver’s license? Default privacy settings. Teaching media literacy is an important facet of modern parenting. What age should kids be allowed to use social media? The social media changes kids are actually asking for. Speaking to kids about dangers like bullying and pornography. Deleting, taking a break, downloading again… deleting again… and again. How Jason altered his social media algorithm in 6 weeks! REAL or FAKE: Jason stumps the panel on potentially actual websites. Google-HEIM: Mistakes! *** FOLLOW JACQUELINE: Website: jacquelinenesi.com X: @jacquelinenesi Substack: Techno Sapiens *** FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY: www.reallynoreally.com Instagram YouTube TikTok Facebook Threads X   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Survivor: Borneo – the very first season of Survivor, debuted on Network Television in the year 2000. And with it, reality TV began to transform America’s television industry. 25 years later the Hollywood Reporter proclaims that “Reality TV is on Life Support. Sure, shows like Love is Blind, Real Housewives and new, up-and-comers like The Traitors are still very popular. But at the same time, more and more reality shows are being canceled, less episodes are being produced, and dramatically smaller budgets are being offered for any of it - indicating to both audiences and industry leaders alike that reality shows may be becoming extinct. Really, no Really! Today, the guys will be talking to Emily Nussbaum, a Pulitzer Prize winning television critic and the author of: Cue The Sun!: The Invention of Reality TV. She’ll reveal some of the reality behind reality television and how much of it isn’t reality at all. Plus, she’ll discuss the long history of the genre, and the practicalities and impracticalities of its success and possible failure. Which leads me to say this episode of our show should be called: Reality. No Reality! In 2014 she won a National Magazine Award for Columns and Commentary and in 2016 she won thePulitzer Prize for criticism. She’s written for The New Yorker, New York Magazine, Slate and The New York Times. *** IN THIS EPISODE: Is Reality TV dead? Reality TV was birthed by radio “audience participation shows”. Alan Funt was a sneaky guy with a hidden microphone that invented prank shows! “Cinéma véritéto” to Abject Bull$%*t - Defining Reality TV Non-Disclosure Agreements are WAY worse than you think. Most morally compromising?  The Bachelor! Why Jason doesn’t think he’d do well on Survivor. Punking the guy who made “When Animals Attack”. Live Executions? Really? “Don’t try this at home!” born on Woody Frasure’s “That’s Incredible!” Forget Reality TV for a sec, will TV survive? Don’t miss Jason on Netflix’s “The Electric State” REAL REALITY TV SHOWS OR FAKE? Jason stumps the panel. Google-HEIM: The most watched TV EVER! EVER! *** FOLLOW EMILY: Website: emilynussbaum.com Instagram: @emilynussbaum *** FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY: www.reallynoreally.com Instagram YouTube TikTok Facebook Threads X See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ratings for professional sports are booming! Football is up, the WNBA continues to break records, people are even watching Major League Baseball! But despite record amounts of money flooding into professional basketball the ratings are actually sinking. Really, no Really! And while neither Jason nor Peter are known for their athletic prowess, they both had the same question. Why? Is it the number of games, the officiating, a marketing flaw or has the game itself changed? To answer those questions, we’ve brought in a true expert, four-time NBA champion, John Salley, he was the first player in NBA history to win championships with three franchises and he was a long-time host of The Best Damn Sports Show Period. If he doesn’t know… nobody does. IN THIS EPISODE: Basketball’s success led to a much more competitive sports consumption market. Streaming’s global impact on how we all consume sports. Caitlin Clark’s star power created tremendous excitement around the WNBA. Has the normalization of the 3-point shot broken the game? Refereeing can make or break the game. How NOT to be distracted by excitable spectators. The moment John fell in love with basketball wasn’t on the court. Talking to the Media in the locker room… naked. Cannabis, cocaine, and women in the NBA. How marijuana changed his life… after retirement. John’s scariest life moment was on a television set and what it taught him. *** FOLLOW JOHN: Website: johnsalley.com Instagram: @johnsalley TikTok: @johnsalley22 X: @thejohnsalley *** FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY: www.reallynoreally.com Instagram YouTube TikTok Facebook Threads X See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices