TUES PT 4: How did the Richard Gere gerbil up the butt rumor begin?
The enduring urban legend of Richard Gere having a gerbil surgically removed from his anus—first rumored in 1984—remains one of pop culture’s most persistent myths, despite no credible evidence. The podcast dives into the rumor’s origin, tracing it to a long-standing feud between Gere and Sylvester Stallone during the filming of *The Lords of Flatbush* in 1974, where Stallone claims Gere’s messy eating habits (a greasy mustard chicken in a car) provoked a physical altercation. Though Stallone denies spreading the gerbil tale, the story took root in the pre-internet era and now lives on as a viral punchline. The episode contrasts this with other infamous celebrity rumors—like Marilyn Manson removing a rib to suck his own dick or Will Smith and Tom Cruise being gay—highlighting how absurd myths can outlive facts. The hosts also reflect on how modern media amplifies such stories, with one guest noting that even a false rumor can become truth in the public mind once it’s repeated enough. The episode ends with a meta-commentary on the absurdity of it all: a news anchor’s fabricated gerbil story from the 1980s, now treated as folklore, while real tragedies—like a man stabbed in a river or a referee denied entry to the World Cup—get overshadowed by internet lore.
The Richard Gere gerbil rumor began in 1984 as a result of a feud with Sylvester Stallone, though Stallone denies spreading it.
No credible evidence supports the claim that Richard Gere ever had a gerbil removed from his anus.
Rumors can become cultural facts even without evidence, especially when repeated across decades.
The 1984 gerbil myth is one of the most enduring celebrity urban legends, rivaling myths about Marilyn Manson and Mike Tyson.
Modern media amplifies absurd stories, often overshadowing real-world tragedies like the river stabbing or the Somali referee’s denied entry to the World Cup.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Podcast Intro and Guest Teases
The episode opens with promotional clips for various podcasts including Hey Jonas, Family Secrets, Rebel Spirit, and I Am Rap Report, setting up the show's format of blending news, humor, and pop culture commentary.
Listener Call on Self-Defense and Knife Use
Bill from West Palm Beach shares a personal story about being shoved and reacting with a punch that caused a seizure, arguing that presenting a weapon like a gun or knife could prevent lethal outcomes. He questions the morality of stabbing someone in the heart.
The Apple River Stabbing Video and Justification Debate
The hosts analyze a viral video of a man being pushed into a river and stabbed. They debate whether the stabbing was justified, with one host calling it justified due to the surrounding violence and intimidation.
The Sikh Stabbing Case in England and Knife Laws
A controversial case is discussed where a Sikh man stabbed a teenager, claiming racial taunts. The police ignored his claims, and the man was arrested. The hosts debate whether religious knife carrying should be banned, noting England’s strict knife laws.
England’s Knife Ban and Cultural Contradictions
The hosts discuss how England bans box cutters and small knives but allows Sikhs to carry ceremonial knives. They question the logic and hypocrisy, using satire to highlight cultural misunderstandings.
“Because that rumor started my whole life. That's been, that was the, everybody tells you, just so you know, that guy did this. And when you're in junior high or elementary school, that's a fact.”
“Once that happens to you, you can't argue about it. Because then it looks like you're spiraling out about it, and then everybody just assumes you did it.”
“I would leave so fast. It's good to do when you're 18, though. It looks like you're dedicated. The other news guys will be like, this guy's dedicated. But he won't last long because he'll be dead.”
Host
Richard Gere
person
Rover's Morning Glory
media
Sylvester Stallone
person
CBS Channel 5 Meteorologist
person
FIFA World Cup
other
Katie Thomas
person
Marilyn Manson
person
Nick Reiner
person
Greg Catlin
person
Dave Chappelle
person
TUES FULL SHOW: The police had a talk with Tomas, the dildo culprit has been identified, and how the Richard Gere gerbil up the butt rumor began
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Hour 3: More Myles Garrett to Rams Reactions with NFL Insider Tom Pelissero
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TUES PT 4: Rover thinks about giving his BMW to JLR
43m • 6/2/2026
TUES PT 3: Rover saw something strange in his office
42m • 6/2/2026
TUES PT 2: Duji's excuses on why she couldn't drop JLR off
47m • 6/2/2026
TUES PT 1: Did JLR talk to his landlord about his refrigerator?
45m • 6/2/2026
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