(this episode of Cruisin' Together contains grown-up language)
Gregg and Chris are ready to discuss the latest (and last?) in the MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE franchise. But first, they need to set the table before introducing their guest for what they consider a reckoning of their own. And then, with said guest, who'll be named soon enough, they discuss their rider, whether this movie is the last in the franchise or just marketing…and with the guest, who'll be named in a moment, they talk about sleeping in helicopters, a taun taun vs. a bacta tank, Phineas Freak, the usual "Recap Battle," "Top Toms," and "Cruise Control," plus newly minted bits of business. Chris coins the phrase "expositional chop shop," Gregg tries to get sincere with their guest (who'll be named shortly), Chris can't get comfortable, and Gregg assures their guest, cartoonist and author and mononym, Franco, that he is not a hostage. All that, plus in the break, a second special guest?!

As mention in the episode, here's the photo Gregg took of Chris's…position:

Consider supporting CRUISIN' TOGETHER with a donation.

 

 

(Cruisin' Together may contain grown-up language)
Gregg and Chris get on the mics to recognize and/or celebrate the ten real, fun, and inspiring years since the launch of CRUISIN' TOGETHER.

For this "Special Version" episode, they open the lines to take calls from past guests and invited super-fans. But before they do that, there's talk of risk and worst case scenarios, game show cliffhangers and continuity, Tom's hair, and more, as well as declaring a final episode and "directors also not."

And then, with the call-in lines open, Chris and Gregg await whoever might show up. And people do call in! Gregg wonders what's better, CruiseTEN Together or Cruisin' TENgether…there's talk of doxxing, hating the bits, Tom's potential life-and-after-lifespan, Eating Crowe(!), and "take insult by that." Plus, questions like: Is JERRY MAGUIRE a rom-com? Is Tom Cruise pretty? Has this all been a dumb thing?

Plus, a reader-suggested segment: Mashed TOMtatoes!

Thanks to every past guest, every listener-reader who still enjoys the show, and of course thanks to Thomas Cruise Maypother IV.

Check out CRUISIN' TOGETHER merch over at Gregg's TeePublic page. Gregg and Chris appreciate it so much.

As mentioned in the episode, here's the epic photo taken at HeroesCon 2024 with superfan (and friend) Michole:

(Cruisin' Together may contain grown-up language)
Chris and Gregg are back on the mics to talk about Tom Cruise's roughly four-or-so minutes of participation in the 2024 Paris Olympics closing ceremonies with their readers! And while they do that they also cover such topics as: the word for 8-bit video game music, pronoun jokes, ceremoniously vs. ceremonially, Jimmy Fallon's excitement and commentary, a league of mathematical gentlemen, facts about Tom's motorcycle, cargo pockets, who's on the other end of Tom's call, Rocky movies, FIELD OF DREAMS, who forgot about Dre, Olympic skills, Lady Gaga, a Boba Fett/Logan situation, and kismet.

Plus: Chris has eyes on that flag, Gregg doesn't take the click bait, Top Toms, Cruisin' Together, Eating Crowe, and a special guest call-in!

Plus Plus: December 2024 marks TEN YEARS since the launch of CRUISIN' TOGETHER. Gregg and Chris want to commemorate with another "Special Version" episode. What do you, dear reader, want to know or hear covered or discussed? Email Chris here and/or Gregg here with anything on your mind!

Check out CRUISIN' TOGETHER merch over at Gregg's TeePublic page. Gregg and Chris appreciate it so much.



Here's that Lady Gaga halftime show:



 

Chris and Gregg accept their latest mission and are joined by cartoonist Scoot McMahon to talk about the latest entry in the Mission: Impossible franchise! And in doing so, Gregg shares his "close call" with Tom Cruise, Scoot recalls his first meetings with the hosts, Chris coins a new word, they determine who of them is the freshest (and the cleanest), two lengthy recaps vie for supremacy, Gregg's excited about Kittridge's return (but for one thing), Chris keeps track of octane heights, Gregg has a "hot take," Chris assigns himself a cruciform mission, they get into Cruise Control and Top Toms, ask if Ethan Hunt did a Wolverine or a Nightcrawler, discuss grocery self-checkout machines…and Chris can do this all day! Plus, this episode has a post-credit's "scene"!?

For those who care, the mid-show break clocks in at a righteous forty minutes!

(this episode of Cruisin' Together contains grown-up language)
Gregg and Chris are back in their first actual, non-Special Version Episode in nearly four years!!! And on this auspicious occasion they are joined by fitness expert and Chris' lifelong friend, Michael Marasigan. After a lot of runway introducing the guest and breakdown the podcast and movie release timelines, things take flight with a recap battle (with an incorrect invoking of "by virtue of the ping pong") and then: bird talk, the relative value of "real Gs," was Gregg's pre-cap more accurate than anyone thought?, the tale of the four-minute mile, Chris explains the biggest surprise of the movie, Gregg saves and important "Cruise Control" for last, Mike gets into Tom Cruise's running form, a video game guessing game, and Gregg cusses...twice!

Plus, in the mid-show break, hear: corrections to the first half of the show, Kittridge talk, Bruce Lee analogies, imbort and the Swedish fish, twitter comments, and plugs

It's been a while and this show's the longest episode ever…which may or may not be related data points.

Consider supporting CRUISIN' TOGETHER with a donation

Chris and Gregg are on the road, literally cruisin' while recording another "Special Version" episode, their 10th! TOP GUN: MAVERICK has been delayed once again, but this was an opportunity to record that couldn't be passed up. Put your metaphorical (or literal) seat belt on for Six Degrees of Top Gun, Cruise Controlling the previous "Special Version" episode's precaps, Chris tastes gray Skittles, Gregg forgets the third thing he'd use a time machine for*, the number that's nearly 70, and talk of the second recording session that failed.

(Cruisin' Together may contain grown-up language)

Gregg and Chris return with another "Special Version" episode after a full calendar year...and what a year it's been. 2020 brought upon many things, but none of them was the new Tom Cruise movie, namely TOP GUN: MAVERICK. But the cruse must go on, and there was no shortage of Cruise news to peruse: Tom in Italy at the start of the pandemic. Tom seeing TENET in a theater. And of course, Tom's leaked audio rant on the set of MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE 7!  Chris and Gregg get to the bottom of it, plus: Chris' Science Corner…a Cruisin' Carol…who is You the Listener?…toy spoilers…bit on a bit, broken bits, and bit battle…sh*t for grapes…Goldie Hawn?!…a heaping helping of a whole lotta Hanks a Lot…and spoilers abound in the very first ever precap battle!!!

Chris and Gregg saddle up for a very special "Special Version" episode, joined by "fan since day 2" Jon Thurmond to delve into the mystery of the curious case of the Cruise cowboy cameo in the movie YOUNG GUNS. Amidst talk of the 1980s, Rubik's products, and witches, they examine roughly 7 seconds of footage to determine if a rumored cameo is indeed Tom Cruise in cowboy disguise.

And if it is Tom Cruise, how do they resolve YOUNG GUNS' omission from their comprehensive and chronological assessment of Tom Cruise's filmography?

That comes in the form of an unprecedented point-five episode inside a "Special Version" episode, where Gregg and Chris welcome "fan since day 2" Jon Thurmond to break down YOUNG GUNS, Cruisin'-style - plot recap battle is waged, Top Toms are told, and Cruise Controls are called out in between discussions of Jon Bon Jovi's YOUNG GUNS 2 soundtrack, unused takes from YOUNG GUNS 2, high-pitch basketball, what's the best Batman movie, a good bit of music talk and some singing, lot's of apologies from Gregg, and...recoil!

Not to be outdone, during the break, there's debate over pie, consideration of John "Bowser" Bowman, Chris ventures to name four listeners, and Gregg brings up another questionable Cruise cameo.

Chris and (Cousin) Mike strap in once again for another installment of their ancillary spin-off "InsTOMgram," taking their patented deep dive into the first trailer (teaser?) for TOP GUN: MAVERICK. Lots of bird talk (i.e. ducks and wingspans) , sports talk (i.e. volleyball and football), and Star Wars talk (i.e. Chewbacca and Luke Starwalker). Plus, some dream casting, that show Friends, and they ask and answer the question, "Who is Goost?"

Chris and Gregg present their friends' show, CREWSIN' TOGETHER, about the filmography of Terry Crews. Co-hosts Branwyn, Tyler, and David get right into discussing THE 6TH DAY, complete with segments like "Crucial Crews," "David's Science Nook," "Terry Cloth," trivia and more. They cover a lot of ground and laughs are had, but Gregg and Chris aren't on the same page regarding their feelings about the CREWSIN' crew and the show they did do.

Gregg and Chris return for a new episode, just like Tom Cruise returns as Ethan Hunt, for the sixth installment in the Mission: Impossible franchise, Fallout. And this time they're joined from the other coast by writer, editor and podcaster David Brothers. After shaking off their ring rust, talk quickly turns to tricycles, big wheels and bicycle accidents. The case of Steve Winwood gets re-opened, Wikipedia woes are shared, and Gregg offers a fan theory connecting the Mission: Impossible franchise to another Tom Cruise film, Minority Report. Everyone brings something to a mixed medley of Top Toms and some controversial Cruise Controls. And as they do, Gregg reports on shirtlessness, Chris gives everyone the fitness lowdown, and new words are coined! Plus, another epic-length mid-show break with talk of Duck, Duck, Goose, patents and...the possible return of intern Jeff/Geoff?!

Chris has a new wingman with past guest (episode TAPS) and past guest host (episode VALKYRIE), Mike Levin (AKA Cousin Mike), for an "emergency," "very important" Special Version episode covering Tom Cruise's social media! But worry not, as Mike and Chris have plenty to say on behalf of Gregg and on Gregg's behalf, make a point of keeping to the "classic" CRUISIN' TOGETHER format, including the "classic" themes and jingles you always hear on the show, and are very careful to not talk about movies. You will, however, hear Chris and Mike cover weather forecasting, concrete socks, and Val Kilmer's social media. Is this a Special Version Episode or its very own S-Corp LLC podcast feed? What of hashtag day two? Will Gregg ever get his 5%?

Gregg and Chris strap in to discuss American Made, joined by comics and television writer/producer and Tom Cruise super-fan, Robert Kirkman (The Walking Dead, Outcast, Invincible), who doesn't even wait to be introduced to join the fray. With a Hollywood honcho in their midst, Chris suggests Robert might be a more special guest than others and Gregg addresses the elephant in the room, after which, the gang covers such important topics as: milk mustaches, complete hair sets, the name of that game Chewbacca "wins" in Star Wars, and gender-bending the Dark Universe franchise. Plus, in an epic mid-show break, they analyze Tom Cruise's "Valkyrie Butt," Gregg makes a request to be on another podcast, Chris undersells himself, and Robert talks about night pizza. And not to be outdone, bad puns get dropped, words get misused and mispronounced, tangents are regretted, and Robert births a new segment for the show!

Chris and Gregg rise from their state of rest to talk about The Mummy. With them to discuss it is their old friend, Tim Smith 3. And three is the magic number as they get into numerology, memories of Y2K, and the time Gregg didn't die in a car and Chris might've run into a tollbooth. After covering their expectations for the movie, Gregg coins the word "intermonstral", they rank the monsters, and they talk about mummy mechanics, wrappings vs. fashion, and mummies and draculas getting poofed. And after the break, there are issues with character names, Chris helps Gregg decipher one of his notes, they offer suggestions for Dr. Henry Jekyll, and of Brendan Fraser's Golden Globes clap gets the spotlight. Also, Russell Crowe's in The Mummy, so long time listeners know what that means!

Gregg called Chris in to record a Special Version episode for a movie Gregg saw but Chris hasn't...at least, they don't know if he has or not, as Gregg didn't tell Chris what movie until they were recording. And outside of some technical issues, Chris' guessing games and Gregg's clumsy and arduous recap, the fellas discuss squatting vs. homesteading, Mr. Jaws, the difference between an "Easter egg" and a simple reference, double-stuf Oreos, and wonder what VCR stands for. A special version of a special version episode, to be sure.

Gregg and Chris are back to talk about Jack Reacher: Never Go Back, joined by guest, Brian "Full Meal" McBeal (and his Sam Elliott-esque-ness). It's been a while since they last recorded, but despite that, they quickly discuss failed guest-booking plans, Malcolm Gladwell's bibliography, Jack Reacher novel purists, buckets v. pails, Tangerine Dream as the sound of the '80s, and Ghost-inspired movie mash-up mayhem. During the mid-show break they make a call to action for a celebrity guest and have Kittridge news. Plus: a suspense-filled recap battle, confusion between Jack Reacher's powers and Ethan Hunt's powers, Gregg doesn't get a Chris reference, Chris doesn't understand a Gregg reference, Gregg tells a personal story and Chris corrects it...and a fitness report, a shirtlessness report, and new jingles!

Previously, on CRUISIN' TOGETHER...Chris and Gregg watched every movie Tom Cruise ever acted in, recorded a podcast for each one with a rotation of guests, ranked all 39 movies, and posted a survey for listeners. Now, they look back on it all...the show, the survey, and the experience. Joined by Jacob Chabot, they reflect on the show premise vs. its conceit, set off many song triggers, get into the minutia of counter-equipped toys, tally the Recap Battle scores, discuss survey results, address Target's recent commercials, respond to some tweets, read an email, and explore hot sauce's relationship to anger. Plus, Gregg quizzes Chris on his many show-ending "last word(s)", Jacob double-flips "Eating Crowe" and presents a Tom Cruise Quiz, and of course, Chris sings.

Having watched every existing movie wherein Tom Cruise acted, Gregg and Chris look over the full filmography and rank all 39 movies in a manner wholly appropriate to CRUISIN' TOGETHER, which is to say it arguably makes little logical sense and they take the long way to get where they're going, discussing things like relay races, reflection vs. refraction, "light" songs, Tom Cruise tentpole movies, last name hootenanies, '80s fantasy films, tandem motorcycles, tee-ball, Bird Flu vs. Swine Flu, the top cop in pop, Keanu Reeves, and Ace of Base. Plus, Gregg gets political and Chris at his most hostile.

Chris and Gregg engage with Mission: Impossible expert and west coaster, Jonanthan Chan, to talk about Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation, "one of the movies in the Mission: Impossible movies". In this, the last movie-centric episode of the show until the release of a new Tom Cruise, Gregg, Chris and Jonathan pull out all the stops - Recap Battle! A Recap Remix! Cruise Control! Top Toms! Hanks-a-Lot! Eating Crowe! The Fall Guy! - and more, like: an intense high five, an O. Henry plot-twist, Solomon Lane and Owen Davian in conversation, Gregg suggests "Maybe he was deaf punk, get it?", muppet talk that will frustrate past guest, Wally Wackiman (episode Minority Report), who's getting AARP mailers, exclusive audio of a deleted scene from Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and Chris implores to "say what you need to say".

Gregg and Chris bring back a gest-- Gregg and Chris bring back a guest, their FIRST guest, Traci Todd, to talk Live, Die-- Gregg and Chris bring back a guest, their FIRST guest, Traci Todd, to talk Edge of Tomorrow, a conversation that covers-- Gregg and Chris bring back a guest, their FIRST guest, Traci Todd, to talk Edge of Tomorrow, a conversation covering matters musical (the members of U2, the songs of Chicago/Peter Cetera, and Flintstones jams), matters logical (how exactly does the movie logic work), and matters informational (defining kibble, questioning who's in charge, is it based on a manga). There's theme song/jingle madness, denial of opt-outs, a special Tom Tom interlude, a twist on an old favorite, and we ask the question "When is the audience done?"