Join us FRIDAY at the Cadieux Café for Soul Night! Two bands, lots of great VIP experiences and free swag for Soulmates are on tap, along with Max Prokop and TWO of his bands. ML, Shawn, Erika and Marc will be there to mix and mingle.

STRAIGHT DOPE: This week’s outstanding intro sets up a discussion of what’s on tap for Soul Night at the Cadieux Café on Friday night. Soulmates – members of our Patreon supporter group – get in free. (Soulmates should have received an access code to the email address you used to sign up.) In addition to free admission, Soulmates get free feather bowling with the crew from 7 to 8 p.m., and some free swag. EVERYONE gets free Miller Lite from 8:45 to 10 p.m.

If you’re not a Soulmate but want to get in at a discount, save $5 on admission by buying your ticket in advance on EventBrite using this link.

Back to that intro, which is from the C. Thomas Howell movie “Soul Man.” ML, Marc, Shawn and Max discuss whether it could be made today. The rub is that Howell plays a white guy who pretends to be a Black guy – something no one thought twice about back in the 1980s.

Shawn wonders whether a much more recent movie — “Tropic Thunder” — could be made today, because Robert Downey Jr. is a white guy who pretends to be a Black guy. Marc and Max think it could be made. Listen and learn why.

While we’re on the subject of cultural appropriation, Marc asks whether “White Chicks” could be made today. ML and Shawn say yes.

Why is casting people in roles that don’t match their race, nationality or sexual orientation so controversial? The crew acknowledges that opportunity is one factor, then debate whether acting talent should also be a factor, prompting ML to share an anecdote about what Sir Laurence Olivier said to method-acting maven Dustin Hoffman during the filming of “Marathon Man.”

One thing we can all agree on is that Eddie Murphy’s Saturday Night Live skit in which he dresses up as a white guy is one of the funniest skits ever!

Musician Max opines on the poignancy of Ozzy Osbourne’s final performance with Black Sabbath. ML – with no disrespect to Ozzy intended – says it’s about time someone’s final tour will REALLY BE THEIR FINAL TOUR!!!

Speaking of dearly departed entertainers, Shawn recounts his encounter with Hulk Hogan last year at Detroit Lions’ training camp.

Marc recalls how the Hulkster’s sex video killed Gawker. ML loves the First Amendment – and is willing to tolerate some extremes to protect the routine – but even he says the news site crossed the line when it published Hulk and a buddy’s wife cavorting.

Shawn talks about his attempt to visit a psychic while in Las Vegas. Spoiler alert: The psychic didn’t know Shawn was coming! Here’s his column on the mountains, the mob and trip to Sin City.

ML mentions his latest columns on the mayoral candidate who was convicted of beating his first wife back in 1993. Read them here.

Looking for a great gift for a friend, relative or even someone you don’t particularly like? A Free Press subscription is a bargain! Hit this link to get a deal.

Please support the show by becoming a Soulmate. For as little as $5 a month, you can enjoy benefits like early access to new episodes, the video version of the show, no insertion ads and access to our monthly bonus episode. Sign up here.

GEEK OF THE WEEK: Listener Dawn picks this week’s geek, and asks ML if her choice should step down from his official duties until his case is resolved.

ROOM 7609: Max Prokop of The King’s English, Shasta Fox and The Smiths United debuts a new solo song and video, “Time to Run,” prompting a lengthy discussion of anxiety and the writing process – two topics that often converge. And Shawn confesses: He HATES writing! Send us your favorite tune or deep cut or track from an obscure band – along with a story about the ditty – by writing to [email protected].

LATEST SOULMATE: Nick is our newest Soulmate – and Vince TRIPLES his contribution. GO, VINCENZO!!! To sign up for our Patreon supporters club and find out how you can get perks by supporting the show! Use this link: Get more from ML Soul of Detroit on Patreon 

FEEDBACK: Mike Decent – who has an awesome DJ name – and Soulmates Thomas B (aka Yopar) and Susan LOVE Erika’s selection for Room 7609 last week. Sabrina asks ML about where Detroit mayoral candidates have laid their heads. We welcome all your questions, comments – and constructive criticism – at [email protected]

DONATE OR SPONSOR US: Support us on Patreon or make a donation via Venmo or PayPal at mlsoulofdetroit.com. Or drop us a line at [email protected] to find out how cheap and easy it is to advertise on our show!

LISTEN AND LEARN: Find out more about the podcast at www.mlsoulofdetroit.com, where you’ll find previous episodes and so much more!

SUBSCRIBE/SHARE/RATE/WATCH: Subscribe to the podcast at iTunes, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher or wherever quality podcasts are found! When you check out the podcast, remember to rate it (even if you hate it)!!! Your endorsement is very powerful! 

Get podcast news on Twitter @elrick or on Facebook at “ML Elrick”

Podcast: Play in new window | Download