Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 43:12 — 29.9MB)
An exciting weekend that brought us both the prognostications of a large rodent and some sort of sporting event involving a bowl that is, apparently, far from ordinary. Obviously we discuss the works of one William Murray, and later, Chris White calls in from the orient to take the quiz. How does Johnson fare against a man from the future who can speak Chinese? Not very well.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 46:49 — 32.4MB)
We open with an amazing but true fact about the British and American Dennis The Menaces. Then, to celebrate our first letter from a listener in Germany, we discuss European aristocrat-swapping, which leads to Paul rating the Queen’s hotness; then we list the many German words in everyday use in English (turns out, it’s not just cars, food and dogs.) Then Jon returns to take the quiz: Paul attempts to figure out where Paxo goes, and Jon tries Alpo. Yum!
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 50:38 — 35.0MB)
We celebrate President Obama’s 2nd Inauguration by examining the diverse melting-pot that is American society, and we do it by painstakingly dissecting some terrible jokes. Later, Sam takes a slightly modified quiz in which the boys try and identify British and American products: Sam tries to figure out what Aunt Jemima might be offering, while Paul guesses from which supermarket aisle he can procure some Horlicks. Sigh.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 46:59 — 32.5MB)
In our MLK Day show, we discuss the British connection to Dr. King, then move on to tooth fairy inflation. This gets us on to change jars and piggy banks, and British TV shows that became American. We talk about the storm in a teacup that was the royal portrait, and then Sully joins us for the quiz, where Johnson defines “skiving” and Sully ponders where the “boondocks” are.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 50:31 — 34.9MB)
Mostly about sport this week: we chat about how a bar themed entirely on breasts — not to mention a sport where young girls show their undies — became socially acceptable in America; this leads to the subject of the unceremonious way Brits leave school. Then James gives proof that he’s going senile, and tells of the time his entire softball team spontaneously became Australian. Later, Lily takes the “That’s Not English” quiz and tries to guess what a “scalper” might be, while Paul tries to identify the British food item known only as “soldiers.”
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 49:49 — 34.5MB)
It’s all about the wacky world of dialects this week. After learning how a scotsman would say “Pittsburgh,” and hearing a phrase that midwesterners can’t say properly, Johnson attempts to identify a variety of British regional accents and (spoiler alert) fails miserably. Later, Jon and Marie call in to play “That’s Not English” and learn that a sweep can be something other than Dick Van Dyke singing Chim Chim Cher-ee. Happy new year, everyone!
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 54:20 — 37.6MB)
For our Boxing Day show, Paul Johnson tries Marmite for the first time ever. Ordinarily, that should be enough for any show, but we also look at some British problems, wonder what’s going on with New Yorkers’ pronunciation of “hot,” argue about cakes vs. pies, and chat about words that are more rude in one country than the other. Later, James’ mum calls in for the quiz and, unfortunately, gets ornery.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 49:29 — 34.2MB)
We prepare for the earth’s imminent destruction by talking about the time James met Bob Hope, the Manchester derby, and the origins of cockney rhyming slang. Later, the “That’s Not English” quiz continues the family theme from last week as James’ big brother Jon calls in and quite possibly cheats … or at least takes a suspiciously long time guessing what “the lower 48” might be.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 40:14 — 27.9MB)
In our Pearl Harbo(u)r Day show, we talk about Noah Webster, the man most responsible for Americans spelling things wrong. We also make fun of an international protocol guide, and wonder how much HALF a shave and a haircut might cost. Later, James’ dad crushes the “That’s Not English” quiz with the cunning use of dramatic fiction, while Paul can only sit and gaze in wonder at the majesty of a “cat’s eye.”
Happy birthday, dad!
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 55:16 — 38.2MB)
This week we discuss the musical Rorschach test that is the show’s opening theme, Johnson suggests improvements for soccer, we chat about the “Twinkies” ads in old Marvel comics, and complain about how x-ray specs never worked. We also get political talking about British vs American imperialism, but that quickly gives way to the more weighty issue of sandwich-ordering. Later, the infamous “That’s Not English” quiz pits Paul against Paul as Cocker calls in to play — and while one Paul wrestles with the definition of a “boffin”, the other tries to guess what a “bear claw” might be.
