…instead, we made this exciting movie trailer where we finally eat the delicious, and highly illegal, Kinder Egg Surprise. Neither death nor legal action ensues. Enjoy!
No show this week, but…
1
Like, Totally Bitchin’
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 40:38 — 28.2MB)
This week, after hearing Johnson’s harrowing story about his adventures in Mexico, we discuss my huge voltage adaptor (that’s not a euphemism.) Then I reveal that we’re away for the all-important mid-term elections, and then we discuss the cultural impact of the California accent. Finally, I tease a future Kinder Egg event. Watch this space!
Some links to stuff mentioned: the surfer/valley girl slang documentary, the “Valley Girl” song, the Jon Lovitz interview, the SNL “Californians” skit, plus its bloopers.
Phoning It In
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 45:43 — 31.6MB)
Sorry about this, but I’m shamelessly re-posting our clip show from July of 2013. I’m not even changing the intro, so when I say “out of town” please substitute “a bit poorly and very busy.” It’s a crazy time right now; we have Myrtle’s 98th birthday, the 15-year anniversary party of Jennifer’s business, and of course the big UK trip coming up. Rest assured though, there will be a brand new episode next week!
Did I Mention I’m Sick?
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 21:32 — 15.0MB)
A shorter than usual show this week, because I was, well, not well. But it’s still a good one: we talk about the Scottish referendum result, and get letters from listeners Amy and LaToya. Amy talks about how the “ABC song” doesn’t work when sung the British way (and it’s hard to argue.) LaToya chats about London, flags, and haggis. Then I go and lie down, because, did I mention I’m sick?
Oh, here’s Toyah Willcox, even worse than I remember.
Whatever, Scotland
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 32:44 — 22.7MB)
Inevitably, this week we discuss Scottish independence, which at time of posting is still undecided. We talk about how sad it’ll be, and how it’ll ruin the lovely British flag. Then we dip into the Ed Files to discuss some U.S. products banned in other countries (everything from lipstick to hairstyles) and then some foreign products banned in the U.S. (including haggis. That’s right, Scotland, nobody wants your bloody haggis. Good luck running an economy on haggis! Okay, I’m done.)
The Delicious Bald Eagle
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 39:56 — 27.7MB)
This week, the listeners single-handedly prop up the show. First, Chris Morris sends us some observations and a poem. Then, Beth Kent gives some suggestions for Johnson’s upcoming trip to London, and a list of things some foreigners have observed about America, its citizens, and of course our majestic and tasty national bird.
No Show This Week
It was a holiday weekend in the United States, and we decided to take that literally. So I now have a suntan shaped like a string vest and knotted hankie. See you next week!
Where Fish Go in the Summer
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 39:54 — 27.7MB)
This week, after I complain about an odd inconsistency with our old friend the letter zed, we enjoy listening to some Americans arguing amongst themselves about an unusual American term. Then we hear from listener Lisa, and later, Scott returns to take the quiz and tries to define a “Ponzi scheme”, while Johnson goes “busking.”
Link to the gaming video mentioned here; link to the show we did comparing British and American meaning of words is here.
Snacks: The Great Divide
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 43:39 — 30.2MB)
This week, after I complain about some over-flexibility in American pronunciations, listener Andrea asks how to blend in while on vacation in the UK. Then, we listen to some Irish people trying American snacks, then some Americans trying Irish snacks. Then we hear about some product names which turned out to be rude when translated into local languages, and also some unfortunate domain-name choices.
Oh: the Conan O’Brien clip referenced is here.
Our Friends to the North
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 40:02 — 27.8MB)
This week, Johnson makes an observation on the British version of the magical negro, after which we discover how much (or little) Americans know about Canada. Then, Johnson fields some searching questions about American life, and later we try and guess the meaning of some Australian slang words.
Some links to things we mention: the Not The Nine o’Clock News shoe heist sketch, and some Paul Hogan Foster’s Lager commercials, here, here and here.