Show Notes

This week, Mike and EB pay tribute to Dolly Parton, reflecting on a career and a spirit that somehow united an entire divided country in genuine admiration — from her decades of quiet, unpublicized generosity to the way Dollywood itself became an extension of who she was rather than a monument built in her name.

In Quick Hits, the guys cover a CNN investigation into a string of serious injuries on X2 at Six Flags Magic Mountain, including a wrongful death settlement tied to a 2022 incident, and talk honestly about whether this ride will ever run again. There's also news on expansion plans spotted near Monsters Unchained at Universal's Epic Universe, and Six Flags St. Louis's rebrand to Mid-America Adventure under new ownership.

After the break, a Kings Island trip report on the reimagined dark ride Phantom Theater: Opening Nightmare, plus the Coaster Radio mailbag packed with rare international park maps. Then Emmy-winning WGN-TV Chicago anchor and longtime friend of the show Marcus Leshock returns for the first time in over a decade to talk about his own personal history with Dolly Parton — including firsthand stories from spending time with her both on and off camera — and shares his take on this year's Halloween Horror Nights lineup at Universal Orlando, from the scale of the original haunted house concepts to what changes as the season progresses.