Punctuation and Strippers

Posted on August 8, 2014 by James

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 48:50 — 33.8MB)

This week, after a quick elucidation of the scandalous non-flipping pancake race, we discuss the proper way to say “data,” then Mollie clarifies coffee, literally. Then I reveal my formula for creating the perfect American name, and Jochen quizzes us about British vs American punctuation. Later, Sam takes the quiz, and tries to guess what an “Oriole” is, while Johnson gets a hat trick by failing to stay above the waist for a single guess. As if all this wasn’t enough, it’s followed by a gripping, tie-breaking game of Rock Paper Scissors.

Kancakes!™

Posted on July 25, 2014 by James

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 43:15 — 30.0MB)

This week, we read some listener letters, which leads to the invention of the official show drink (Beerbon™) and an education on how important pancakes are in a certain Kansas town. Then we tease our trip (triptease, ha) and later, Cocker takes the quiz and tries to figure out who “Rosie The Riveter” is, while Johnson tries “Gurning.” And for those who missed it, the number for Beano’s Kebabs in Westgate-on-Sea is 835532.

Ed Gamble, Ed Gamble, Ed Gamble.

Posted on July 18, 2014 by James

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 29:32 — 20.5MB)

This week, we phone it in and shamelessly exploit our tenuous association with Ed Gamble, star of BBC America’s new show Almost Royal. A trip down memory lane in which Ed Gamble does rather well on the quiz, and I tell my Bree Walker / Jack Nicholson / Scott Baio story, which Johnson (gasp) makes dirty. A proper show next week (honest) but in the meantime, enjoy the sheer Ed Gambliness of Ed Gamble. Ed Gamble.

We Have Unicorns!

Posted on July 12, 2014 by James

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 36:17 — 25.2MB)

This week, we discuss my (possibly irrational) bitterness towards Argentina, and then listen to a German hit song about their rubbish collectors. We get a letter from Ron about how beermaking relates to coffee, and a letter from Chris Morris about (song cue) the correlation between hyphenation and pronunciation. Then, Johnson and Jennifer face off in a quiz testing their knowledge of British trivia and American citizenship questions. The winner gets to sleep with me!

Happy July of the Fourth!

Posted on July 4, 2014 by James

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 40:26 — 28.0MB)

Lots to talk about this week: Johnson and Jochen give me heat about England’s lack of World Cup progress; I complain about fireworks; the Kansas Cricks send a letter about British date format; ex-quiz guest Ed Gamble becomes a BBC America star; a 97-year-old lady accuses me of soliciting prostitutes; we marvel at the menu at British McDonald’s restaurants; and Stephen Merchant makes a case against American independence. Happy Birthday, America!

World Cup Special

Posted on June 27, 2014 by James

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 33:33 — 23.3MB)

Something different this week: to help us cope with England’s early departure from the World Cup, my friend Des Gallagher and I complain at length about the state of English football: the media buildup, pampered stars, the impact of the Premier League, foreign managers, and which team we’ll be supporting for the rest of the tournament. This inevitably gets a little “football-y” so apologies to any of you who have little or no interest in football, but the rest of you can nod knowingly along. Normal service will be resumed next week, when we’ll be back to talking about Ribena.

Teasmade!

Posted on June 21, 2014 by James

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 46:46 — 32.4MB)

This week, we discuss my recent trip to Florida, everything from endangered shellfish to something called a “Silver Alert.” Then, listener Mollie writes to discuss the wacky world of coffee, which leads us to game show prizes in the seventies. Later, Scott calls in from PA to take the quiz, and tries to figure out what a “filbert” is, while Johnson goes to “the Nick.”

John Logie Baird (And Boo Boo)

Posted on June 3, 2014 by James

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 40:26 — 28.0MB)

A vaguely Scottish theme this week: We discuss the “reality” show called “I Wanna Marry Harry,” and then hear from a listener about an unforgivable mispronunciation of a pretty common name. Then we learn the relationship between condoms and comedy Scottish hats, talk about some more zee/zed confusion, and hear about a kids’ handicraft that gave its name to a cartoon character. Later, Sam returns for the quiz and tries to guess what a “Maine Coon” is, while Johnson needs to “spend a penny.”

Some links to things we mention: Scottish Star Trek, Z. Cavericci pants, Scoubidou.

I know, I know.

Posted on May 31, 2014 by James

You astute listeners will have noticed that I still haven’t posted this week’s show. Feeble excuses include: it was my birthday this week; we’re preparing for a trip; work was a bit nuts. It’ll be up soon, but will be the last show for a couple of weeks while I’m on me summer hols. Check back here for updates!

Zed’s Dead, Baby. Zed’s Dead.

Posted on May 23, 2014 by James

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 34:49 — 24.2MB)

This week, we talk about some things I learned to spell or pronounce wrong, a subject brought about by my dog’s recent operation. Then we dip into “The Ed Files,” violate some copyright, test our knowledge on U.S. geography, discover what a Cadbury’s Creme Egg was known as in my school, disparage Florida, and find out some (possibly apocryphal) word origins.

Transatlantically Speaking

A weekly Anglo-American podcast about British and American culture