Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:29 — 1.3MB)
No show this week, but instead, something exciting! We made a short “behind the scenes” type film. I know! Here it is:
We had fun making it. Hope you enjoy watching it!
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 44:57 — 31.1MB)
Scott’s sitting in for Johnson this week, and I take him on a reluctant dialect journey around the UK. This somehow gets us into the state capitals (real and imagined) and why gridiron is called that. Then we talk about the upcoming Disney cricket-related film “Million Dollar Arm,” which gets us into a terrific Amex ad done by Jerry Seinfeld a while back. Then I explain the complex color-mixing rules of snooker, and finally Jon takes the quiz, trying to guess what “Duck Duck Goose” is, while Scott enjoys some “seaside rock.”
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 39:50 — 36.7MB)
This week, we finally learn why there is so little blackcurrant in the US, and listener Jochen enlightens us about the real name of the German national anthem. Then, we hear some tips for French people traveling in the USA, everything from firmness of handshake (firm) to when to cut in line (never.) Zut alors!
Oh: the Colbert bit mentioned in the show is here. Seriously, that guy is WHITE.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 43:49 — 30.3MB)
We open this week’s show talking about our recent (small) earthquake, then hear about a huge example of the French national anthem used in popular culture. Then Johnson tells us what he learned at the Queen Victoria exhibit at the Getty, and we talk about the mystery that is the huckleberry, via 80s television. Later, Johnson takes on Sam (and the entire United Kingdom) in the quiz.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 40:07 — 27.8MB)
In this week’s show, our listeners come through for us and explain Tony Hancock’s use of the phrase “salt cellars” hanging over from last week. Then we chat about national anthems, specifically which ones we can sing; then I warm up Johnson for the quiz by asking him to identify the meanings of various Victorian expressions. Later, Cocker calls in for the real quiz, and tries to guess what an “odometer” is, while Johnson guesses at “throwing a wobbly.”
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 40:14 — 27.9MB)
Something new this week: we talk about our relative gaps in cultural knowledge, then I attempt to bridge one of them by playing “The Blood Donor,” the most popular episode of “Hancock’s Half Hour.” Through this, we discover that Edina’s mother in AbFab used to be hot, what cricket stumps are, why Cliff Richard hates coming to the United States, and what we used to call greasers in 1961. If you want to watch the full episode without us chiming in, it’s here. Enjoy!
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 38:35 — 26.7MB)
It’s almost St. Patrick’s Day, so naturally we chat about St. George’s and St. David’s Days, along with Marie Curie and wheelie bins. Then we get to the previously overlooked Fat (Shrove) Tues (Pancake) Day, and people who smear dirt on themselves on Ash Wednesday. Listener Beth clears up chaw and dip, and we discuss synesthesia and Big League Chew – both, amazingly, real things. Later, Lil & Ryan take the quiz and try to figure out what an “October Surprise” is, while Johnson inserts a “Rawlplug” where the sun doesn’t shine. Sigh.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 41:34 — 28.8MB)
This week, we chat about Black History Month (or the lack of it), and how I can’t understand anyone in The Wire – sometimes even the people from England. We also talk about rain, and how it affects the Oscars, London’s streets, and spiders the size of Mini Metros. Rob then takes the quiz, at least until the planet Mercury (or possibly the ghost of Harold Ramis) causes us to lose him forever, forcing Sam to step into the red tights. Johnson sort of keeps “wide boy” above the waist, Sam has a guess at “chaw”, and we go to yet another gripping tiebreaker!
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 42:16 — 29.3MB)
This week, we discuss something that British McDonald’s have that American ones don’t; we also compare school potatoes, and I say the word “metadata” a lot. Then, after a brief foray into a list of some words that have different meanings in our two countries, my mum returns to the quiz. It’s a close match, finally decided by the most gripping round of Rock Paper Scissors ever recorded. Oh: the Flanders & Swann song that mentions an omnibus is here.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 42:12 — 29.2MB)
This week, after briefly discussing the terrible weather Britain is having, we chat about the exchange rate between Scottish and American tooth fairies. Then, we list some surprising phrases in common use that were written by William Shakespeare. Later, my big bro Jon takes the quiz, and tries to guess what a “tagalong” might be, while Johnson sets a new record for going below the waist with his guess for “wetting the baby’s head” (2.3 seconds.)
Couple of links for things mentioned: Billy Bragg’s “Milkman of Human Kindness”, and Homer saying “trampoline” wrong.