"Mac To-Fight with Evan Susser & Van Robichaux" is Episode 89 of Doughboys, hosted by Mike Mitchell and Nick Wiger. "Mac To-Fight with Evan Susser & Van Robichaux" was released on February 16, 2017.
Synopsis[]
The writers of the new film Fist Fight, Evan Susser and Van Robichaux, join to discuss two topical McDonald's stories: the Big Mac's new offshoots the Grand Mac and the Mac Jr., and The Founder, the biopic about trailblazing but controversial McDonald's CEO Ray Kroc. Plus, the theme of the 2017 Tournament of Chompions is revealed.
Nick's intro[]
| “ | Now on the sidewalk, huh huh Woo Sunday morning uh huh |
” |
Louis Armstrong "Mack the Knife"
That's a selection of lyrics from "Mack The Knife," a pitch-black song about a serial murderer composed by two German leftists as part of a Marxist post-World War I opera. The song in isolation was translated into English and became a hit in the United States after the Second World War, performed first by swing legend Louis Armstrong, and later by lounge singer Bobby Darin.
In 1986, the world's largest and most powerful fast-food outlet needed a new ad campaign for its signature burger and opted for a series of surreal spots featuring a quarter-moon-headed jazz pianist named Mac Tonight who sang a jingle to the tune of "Mack The Knife."
The restaurant chain had grown exponentially under the leadership of Ray Kroc, the controversial CEO who'd converted the fledgling hamburger chain of two Southern California brothers into an internationally-franchised juggernaut, but then cutting the men whose name was on the buildings out of the process.
The chain's most popular sandwich was, and continues to be, the Big Mac, a transparent ripoff of Bob's Big Boy's signature Big Boy Burger, and it features two beef patties, lettuce, pickles, onions, and a Thousand Island-adjacent special sauce served on a three-piece sesame bun.
The "Mac Tonight" commercials were startlingly popular and the crater-faced crooner, and in turn the song "Mac The Knife," became forever affiliated with the Big Mac, a sandwich that remained unchanged until this year when, in the wake of an unauthorized biopic about Ray Kroc, the restaurant released two Mac variants - one smaller, one larger.
So is the original Big Mac the "just right" in this Goldilocks story?
Or is it bested by its big and/or little brothers?
This week on a special Doughboys, we discuss McDonald's new Mac trio and the film The Founder.
MacRankings[]
In this episode, the Doughboys are not rating McDonald's, but just specifically taking a look at the three Big Macs - the traditional one, and two new varieties at the time, the Grand Mac (1/3 lb. of beef and two slices of cheese) and Mac Jr. (one patty, no center bun). They were unanimous in their #MacRankings.
| guest / host | Big Mac | Mac Jr. | Grand Mac |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nick Wiger | 1st | 2nd | 3rd |
| Mike Mitchell | 1st | 2nd | 3rd |
| Evan Susser | 1st | 2nd | 3rd |
| Van Robichaux | 1st | 2nd | 3rd |
Dinner is the Movie[]
The Founder
Sometimes, The Doughboys have a deep-dive discussion about one specific film.
For this episode, to go with their review of the Big Macs, they watch the movie about the founding of McDonald's, The Founder. Mitch went alone to see it in a theater on Valentine's Day, and ran into Paul Rust and Lesley Arfin there.
They question the mixed tones of the film, and compare it unfavorably to some more famous biopics, but still seemed to enjoy the movie in the end.
They all decide that Fist Fight is better than The Founder, but otherwise don't really offer any rating of the film.
Munch Madness Announcement[]
The Commissioner of Munch Madness announces the upcoming Tournament of Chompions: Chicken Fight.
Roast Spoonman[]
Dr. Robotnik and his Mean Bean Machine
| “ | Dr. Robotnik on a Mean Bean bender | ” |
–T.K. Wilson | ||
Quotes[]
| “ | The Big Mac feels like America. | ” |
–Mike Mitchell | ||
| “ | My pickles were really sporadic. I felt like there was an island chain of pickles that weren't contiguous at all. | ” |
–Nick Wiger on the Grand Mac | ||
| “ | Look at the shape of the Grimace. Doesn't he look like a Klansman wearing a hood? | ” |
–Nick Wiger | ||
#hashtags[]
- #WigerWasRight vs. #ThatsInsane-MikeMitchell
- #MacRankings or #MacTo-Fight
- #TeacherFight vs #FistFight
- #RightToUseTeacherFight or #ShouldveUsedFistFight
The Feedbag[]
| “ | My question is not related to food as much as it is to the dining experience itself. Specifically, seating. Where the group is placed in the restaurant is a huge part of the dining experience, in my opinion. There's no sound sweeter than when you walk into an eatery and the host asks you if you'd like to grab a booth. A bad spot like a center table in a crowded, cramped restaurant has the capability of really ruining an outing. How do you guys feel? Do you mind if the table is a little tight or your only option is the bar? | ” |
–Danny Boiko | ||
| guest / host | seating |
|---|---|
| Mike Mitchell | the u-shaped booths cause a lot of problems, but loves a big comfy booth. |
| Evan Susser | booth rankings: regular booth / half-booth / bar / table in the middle |
| Van Robichaux | loves to sit in a big booth alone. doesn't like a half-booth/half-seat situation. |
Plugs and Drops[]
| references | notes |
|---|---|
| Fist Fight | Evan & Van's plug |
|
in Mitch's drop (by Remington Chandreaux) |
Related Episodes[]
Photos[]
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