Let’s Talk Dangly Things

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A packed episode this week: First, we talk about the “New” versions of lots of places, then I confess to over-thinking the way to say a colleague’s name. Then, I compare the British “Wagon Wheel” to the American “Moon Pie.” This leads to the Creme Egg fuss currently going on, and the introduction of the Starbucks “Flat White.” Finally, we address the confusion in the U.S. about the names of cable cars (or trams, or gondolas, or sky carts, or whatever the hell they are.)

Some links: the gaming video we watch is here, and the Starbucks “Flat White” commercial is here (and tell me that doesn’t look delicious!)

We’re 100!

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100It’s our 100th episode, and Johnson celebrates by becoming a woman! Not really, but he does have more holes in him than he used to. We discuss what Brits call “styrofoam,” which gets us onto the Stylophone, a kid’s toy endorsed by a convicted paedophile. Then, listener Irene asks us for names like hers that are pronounced differently in each country, and finally we learn about “backronyms.”

Thanks for listening these last 100 episodes, and for your continued support! Some links to things we mention: the Rolf Harris “Stylophone” ad, and the clip of Tony Hancock with Irene Handl.

The Future Is Now!

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MartySeriously, look at the size of that television! And you can hang it on the wall! Yes, it’s 2015, so we take the opportunity to discuss which predictions in “Back To The Future 2” came true, and which they got horribly wrong. Then we discuss an important link between (The Artist Formerly Known As) Prince and Tonka Toys. Finally, Beth Kent gets in touch to fill us in on Red Vines and Twizzlers, and we, in exchange, give her some homework.

Some links to things we mention: Michael J. Fox as he should look now, the Dave Chappelle/Charlie Murphy Prince thing, and the public information film on British currency decimalisation.

A Christmas Quickie

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KwikEThis week, despite a crippling hangover, Johnson bravely pulls some christmas crackers, so we naturally tell bad jokes, wear paper crowns, and discuss the noises made by animals in foreign countries. Hope you all had a terrific holiday, and have a safe New Year’s. Thanks for listening this year, and we’ll talk to you all in 2015!

Kicked in the Bunyans

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Paul Bunyan webA packed episode! First we talk about rain, vol-au-vents, and what color liquorice should be. Then we read some listener mail about Where’s Waldo (and various other people), and the ongoing feud between the show’s Arsenal and Man Utd supporters. Later, Sam takes the quiz and tries to figure out what a “Sooner” is, while Johnson fancies a “dolly mixture.”

Lens Flare Edition

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star-trek-2009-lens-flareJohnson’s back, and after discussing whether or not Yosemite and Yellowstone exist outside of cartoons, we chat about Thanksgiving football and the correct way to say “Detroit.” Then Johnson complains about KPCC stealing our ideas again with a bit called “Americanisms creeping into the UK” and finally we learn some American phrases Brits don’t understand, which somehow devolves into a rant about Greek terms in the American education system. Then we add some lens flare.

Happy Yorksgiving

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PudsIt’s Thanksgiving week, and them’s my wife’s first ever attempt at Yorkshire Pud. Not bad, eh? We also chat about Sirie’s confusion about the Home Depot, and dissect the 1960 Max Bygraves song “Fings Ain’t What They Used To Be,” which brings up everything from Teddy boys to trams to Morecambe & Wise. Happy Yanksgiving, everyone!

Some links to things mentioned: the Max Bygraves song itself, plus the evocative music video to “Come Dancing” by the Kinks, and some Morecambe & Wise.

Englathonocalypseborough 2014!

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ENGSorry again for the delay in posting, but here it is: the big post-trip debrief. We talk about what a great time we had, plus cabbies, toilets, clocks, road safety, pumpkins, toilets, coffee, toilets, card readers, soccer, disabled access and toilets. Also: toilets!

Photo credit: Paul Johnson, cuz he took the most photos.

French Barbarian Comics

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AsterixApologies for the late posting of this show, but as regular listeners will know, we’re in the UK at the moment. In this show, Johnson and I chat about our (then) impending trip, after which the quiz triumphantly returns: Cocker tries to define “Navajo white,” while Johnson has a go at the “coconut shy.” See you when we get back everyone!

Earth, Neutral, Live

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plug-originalThis week, Jennifer and I discuss the word “downtown,” after which I complain about how Americans mispronounce the word “voila.” Then I play a clip of “The Young Ones” parodying the TV show “Dallas,” and finally, the Kansas Cricks get in touch to sing the praises of British ingenuity in the field of not getting electrocuted.

The Young Ones clip is here; the British plug clip is here.