Open Tabs #009: The Studio is The Show of 2025

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Once again, the internet delivered—loud, weird, and wildly committed to nicknames.
We’ve got recurring guest, breakout stars, and a show that might just be too good.
Also, back again, is 1440 News as our sponsor this week. Definitely check them out for good quality unbiased news. Alright, let’s jump into it!

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✨ Vibe Shift

Cleetus McFarland is a real-life Ricky Bobby
Yes, there’s really a race car driver named Cleetus McFarland. Not since the legendary Dick Trickle has a NASCAR driver’s name been so elite. Okay, fine — his real name is Garrett James — but he’s fully committed to the bit.

Thing is, he can actually drive. He got a shot to race in ARCA (3rd-tier NASCAR) this past weekend and even led the race at one point. Then he hit the freaking pace car and caused a pileup. That’s some next level ADHD. Despite all that, he still finished 9th.

Total legend.

“Wham! Gave her the beans” and “I zigged and then I zagged” are quotes that deserve a leading role in Talladega Nights 2: The Ballad of Cleetus McFarland. He’s got a new fan! Here’s the interview of the aftermath as well as the wreck in question:

🏎️💥 Fan’s view of the pile-up

@brracing

yet another iconic cleetus interview #nascar #nascarracing #racing

Guy quits job, sails from Oregon to Hawaii…with his cat.
This chap, Oliver Widger quit his job, bought a sailboat, and set off for Hawaii all the way from Oregon with just his cat, Phoenix, and a GoPro. His TikToks are oddly calming and kind of addictive watching him navigate the open sea.

After 25 days at sea, he finally made it. The Coast Guard escorted him the final stretch. Fans even literally airdropped a care package to him mid-ocean. Unreal.

Celebration of his arrival | Coast guard escort

@sailing_with_phoenix

WHAT JUST HAPPENED @e.l.f. Cosmetics #sailing #sailinglife #fyp #dream

Brazilian nun beatboxes on Catholic TV.
Yes, this is real. One nun beatboxes. The other starts moving like she’s about to break into capoeira. If she beatboxes through an entire Sunday sermon, I’m converting.

@nbcnews

A nun goes viral after unexpectedly beatboxing on television.

Fired up kid graduates first grade
This kid gets off the bus after finishing first grade and immediately hits a full Stone Cold Steve Austin tribute. Crushed it. Popped beers—sorry milk cartons. And the bus driver was fully invested. Pure cinema.

@maxpreps

Lil bro is HYPED 🤣🥛 (via @ro_knows_wrestling) #school #wrestling #milk #schoolbus #hype #schoolisover #youthsports #wilding #athlete #spor... See more

There’s a freaking competition for everything.
Apparently there’s really something called a frog-jumping competition. Sure. But you’ll never guess how this girl gets her frog to jump. The crowd reacts like she just nailed a 360 dunk. America’s still got it.

@geckbro

Rules: you have one minute to get the frog to jump. The frog must start completely on the pad. You cannot touch the frog once it leaves th... See more

🧠 One Big Tab: Mr. Jerry Deserved Better

Barstool Sports was set to drop a new kids show called Mr. Jerry, starring Jersey Jerry — and pulled it hours before launch. Jerry’s known for gambling content and unfiltered takes. But earlier this year, he pitched something different: a silly, heartfelt kids show. He and producer Quigs went all in. The teaser dropped Wednesday and Jerry said kids were losing it for Mr. Jerry. The jingle? Certified bop.

The jingle? Certified banger.
🎵 Watch it here

Turns out, Barstool and partners like DraftKings couldn’t back a kids show with a gambling crossover risk. It’s understandable, but also disappointing. Mr. Jerry was a bit over the top, yes — but also vulnerable, funny, and filled with real effort.

It deserved a shot. Hopefully one day, it gets one. For now it’s shelved indefinitely but just wish the suits would have realized the conflict sooner!

Okay, now that we got that somewhat serious segment outta the way—it’s back to hilarious shit.

🚨 Aggressive Call: The Studio Is the Best Show of 2025

Let’s just say it: The Studio is the best show of the year.

I read someone say this show was “made by cinephiles, for cinephiles” — and that pretty much nails it. While, I’m not going to say I’m an expert, I do love cinema and I love comedy. Also, having had friends in “showbiz” on top of living in LA for so long, it’s very real. This show blends it altogether so well. Hilarious, sharp, dense with inside-Hollywood madness. Every cameo is perfect. The writing is dialed in. It’s weird, smart, and not trying to appeal to everyone.

Oh, and then there’s Bryan Cranston. He’s only in three episodes but he shows his Jupiter-sized range. From Walter White turning into the villainous Heisenberg to this guy, Griffin Mill, wearing a neon dildo on his head while trying to bet lobsters at a Blackjack table, Cranston shows why he’s one of the best actors—period. This scene had me in stitches.

Even though the Sal Saperstein and Adam Scott lore was epic, I found out another tidbit about the show that makes it even better:

If you love movies and like your TV a little messy but very intentional, this one’s for you. Here’s a clip of Seth Rogen, Ike Barenholtz, and Martin, “Marty” Scorcese where Seth has to deliver some bad news.

Okay, I’ll stop gushing over the Aggressive Call Show of the Year but you heard it here first. Alright—one more!

On to Scroll Lore—which is quickly becoming one of my faves since previous OT guests keep popping up. It’s great to see their progress, especially Ellie Bankes but more on that one later. Let’s dig in.

📜 Scroll Lore

Marcus the Worm wants rigatoni.
I know, I know. You are probably asking Adam, wtf is your fascination with Marcus the Worm?? I mean, he is a comedic genius. It’s just the truth. Imagine being stranded in a VR desert, and as you ask where we can find a camel, Marcus stops walking, turns to you and starts asking you about rigatoni pasta. Just pure comedic brilliance.

@roflgatorvr

Still following Marcus through the desert searching for... Rigatoni pasta? #roflgator #vrchat #vrchatmemes #marcus #funny

The Rizzler is on a generational run.
There’s like three people I can think of that are on generational runs. It’s Timothée Chalamet, Dua Lipa, and this cat—The Rizzler. For those who don’t know, he’s a 9 -ear old kid who went viral with the Costco Review bros, AJ & Big Justice and does the Rizz face. But he’s also a huge Knicks fan so Sidetalk—from last week’s Scroll Lore, teamed up with The Rizzler for this vid of him giving free advice. And honestly? He’s wise beyond his years.

Ellie Banke sings with Ed Sheeran!!
OKAY OKAY. THIS IS EPIC. Remember the Articulation Song that she absolutely, positively nailed? Ed Sheeran hears it, says next time I’m in the US, let’s jam. Well, here is the jamming. I’m so happy to see this happening. Sometimes, the internet is a beautiful place. LFG Ellie!!

@elliebanke

Dive WITH @Ed Sheeran !!! Getting to meet and sing with Ed was an absolute dream come true. This was the one of the most surreal and incre... See more

Karl-Anthony Towns is fully zesty now.
Okay, we got more Karl-Anthony Towns this week but he’s now been dubbed Big Zesty. Why? Because he’s just got so much ‘tude. Here’s Knicks fans doing impressions of him on the street and absolutely nailing it lmao. BING BONG!

Top 5 Zesty Moments | Zesty Song

@mario0o0o0o0o0o

💅🤣🗽 #knicks #karlanthonytowns #newyorkcity

🃏Poker Corner

The World Series of Poker is officially underway and so far it’s been way smoother. The new WSOP+ app lets players register, buy in, and get chip updates all in one spot. Definitely a helpful consolidation that was desperately needed.

The only real drama so far has been that the dealers are exceptionally bad this year. Worse than their already low bar for the WSOP. Hopefully that improves as the series progresses. Otherwise, we can definitely plan on good tea popping up as players wallets get lighter and emotions get higher.

I dropped a megathread breaking down the $25,000 fantasy draft if you want to see how the best players in the world stack up.

I’ll make my yearly pilgrammage to Las Vegas later in June but you can expect the Poker Corner segment to be a regular through the summer.

🧹 Outro

That’s it for #009.

• Mr. Jerry got cut.

• Marcus still hasn’t gotten his rigatoni.

• And The Studio might be the best thing on TV this year.

Back next Friday! Catch ya later.