Little Red Bandwagon

"You're all liars!" That was Jen's message in 2009 to Tens who assured her night guards are fine. Well, they're not, and LRB is putting the system on trial: we're taking the dental industry to Night Guard Court. In this month's Phyllis Phave, Meredith and Phyllis recount their histories with night guards, bite splints, retainers and other humbling dental apparatuses. So suck up that saliva, admit your lack of sex appeal and grind that piece of plastic into a fine dust as we look back on Luke and Jen's failed attempts to improve their bites in their sleep. From the TBTL archives: Feb 5, 2009 (ep 261) Apr 7, 2010 (ep 532, archived by HistoriTen Colleen Rozillis) Shout-out to Linh Pham's marsupialgurgle.com for audio spackle between clips. BONUS: See if you catch Phyllis' math error before she does!

Mike, Meredith and Bobby are DTP—that’s “down to pod”—and heading over to the mercado for a muy caliente deal on limes before recapping the latest week of TBTL, but only after taco talk, and taking a tour of the greatest consolation party ever dreamed in the theatre of the mind. All four of our economical and efficient Toyota cylinders are fired up and there’s a seat left open for you, so climb in, hold tight, and make sure you only use the towel with the Karen Pence “Adam and Eve, Not Adam and Steve” charm on it, because there’s no telling where the others have been.

March is #trypod month! (As if you didn’t already know.) In that spirit, we at Little Red Bandwagon have compiled clips of some of our favorite non-TBTL podcasts to expand your horizons, along with a little background on why we love them. Join Ann and Bobby for this special tour through our wide-ranging tastes. And when you’re done, find a luddite, and teach him or her how to download a podcast, because sharing is caring!  Here are our picks with each series’ title, followed by the episode or segment, and timestamps for the clip, in case you want to seek them out. (Or, skip past them. You do you.) Bobby: Crimetown (Ep. 1, Divine Providence) 3:35 to 16:10 Ann: Crime Writers On… (Tickled) 21:00 to 29:06 Meredith: Adventure Zone (Here There Be Gerblins) 32:10 to 36:47 Be sure to check out the animation! Christy: Anna Faris is Unqualified (Ep. 88, Joel McHale) 38:57 to 52:10 Jeremy: Whatever Happened to Pizza at McDonalds? (Episode 2) 54:32 to 58:15 Phyllis: Takedown Podcast (Ep. 98, Mo Knows Snacks) 60:38

This week, we’re all heroes at LRB. Mike saved his family from conflict by sharing a heartfelt moment, even if it was only because his wires were tapped. Ann brazenly rejects the idea of “Gleeification,” despite only being our third-favorite babysitter. And Bobby offers to put his life and body on the line to settle whether or not Taco John’s is any good—if you’ll pay for the trip. And on top of all of that, we take time off from our important work to recap the latest week of TBTL. So join us as we climb the pyramid of deliciousness all the way to its pork peak, and feast on an idealized Dagwood from our favorite Mongolian Quiznos. It’s sure to make for some exciting at-plates.  Be sure to check out Bean Baxter's ridiculously adorable old house, and the chocolate buffet at the Langham in Boston.

This week, Mike and Ann are joined by Sarah Mulrooney, proud BosTen, shaper of young minds, and someone who likes a nice bottle of Pinot Grigio. Mike repurposes an old game for a round of Make Sarah Mad, Ann has questions about culinary offerings at boarding schools, and Sarah shares the time she got into a Facebook beef with Luke. Then we go back to the “Saddest Day in TBTL History” and listen to Luke telling the Tens about his break up with Vanessa. It sounds like a downer, but we embrace the emotion and have a long talk about finding the courage to end something that you know isn’t working. Don’t skip this one, guys.

Based on Luke’s holiday accent and the sharp spike in the number of phone-throwings lately, it seems the Luck o’ the Irish has been too busy partying every weekend to grace us. But have no fear: Bobby, Ann, and special guest co-host Mike Farnan (i.e. the new and improved, two-legged Mike) are here to navigate this not-technically-a-blimp through your frustration, patch up any rough spots with red duct tape, and whisper in your ear (non-sexually, of course) why you’ve been listening to TBTL all this time. And we even get right down to business—no Maddow-sweeping the quarter-hour here! All that plus a recap of this week’s shows (Girl Scouts! Boner pills! ASMR! … Not all at once!) and Mike opens his WAGON FULL OF LOOT LIVE, and it’s almost as awe-inspiring as Milton Berle’s junk. Almost. When you’re done, check out this article on blimps from the New Yorker, and this great Key & Peele sketch, both mentioned by Mike. We should all be more like Mike. This episode recaps TBTL episodes 2335 (Wallingford Wurst,

Our pal Luke: charming, witty, fun, and ever-so-slightly unethical. From his intense desire for Charleston Chews and his childhood pal Aaron’s “muscle pullover hoodie” to helping himself to unpaid-for fast food lemonade, Luke’s always willing to share his experiences with minor larceny. And so, to celebrate these trivial transgressions, Christy and Ann are here to bring you a collection of TBTL clips about petty theft in the TBTL universe. In addition to Luke’s antics, we cover Jen’s story of a nefarious yard gnome theft ring and debate strategies for minimizing vehicular property damage. Plus, stories of our own petty thefts (and you thought we were such angels!). FYI: The app Christy mentioned in the show for helping figure out when to go to the bathroom during movies is called "RunPee" and you can find it at www.RunPee.com 

It’s been a rough week on TBTL, but there’s no need to Get Jesse James/Jones, because the I-35 Crew of Mike, Meredith and Ann is on the job. We’re fortified by 8 “cups” of coffee and enough Buffalo Frito Pie that the government won’t even want to watch us through our televisions. Our breakdown of last week’s shows includes agreeing that Luke’s pushing the bounds of the concept of the late checkout, deciding that you’re not a “cat person” until you get that third cat, and a refusal (mostly) to continue hashing out The Great Phone Incident of 2017. Also in the hopper: we talk about our own small anxieties at the gas station, the produce section, and the checkout counter. Mike shares his rage and frustration at being called a liar, Ann’s got the Tangent Tracker™ at full power, and Meredith has been single-handedly populating our Amazon purchases list. Remember, it’s only for techno-geeks with spreadsh

This week, Christy and Ann are joined by Andrea Ballard, co-host of the Preheated podcast and the person you go to when your coworkers won’t stop posting inappropriate pictures on the company intranet. We spend way too much time talking about dessert before stepping into the Wayback Machine to listen to the time Luke and Andrew inexplicably agreed to do a podcrawl review of the “classic” movie Look Who’s Talking Too. So many questions: how does someone’s career trajectory simultaneously include ‘cabbie’ and ‘licensed commercial jet pilot’? Is it possible this is a Scientology-influenced film? How can they critique this with straight faces? Why do all of Luke’s impressions turn into Bill Clinton?

We may not be that new podcast about Richard Simmons, and we may not be Roomba rich, but we’ve got a solid Mexican martini recipe, a sturdy case for our phone, and a bumper crop of Midwestern accents. Join Christy, Mike, Bobby, Meredith and Ann for a very special Little Red Bandwagon Week in Review that also includes the stories of how each of us caught the hot potato of responsibility that is the role of Podcast Host. It’s a well-done episode of LRB, and we couldn’t care less if you smother it in ketchup.  Here’s that SNL Casey Affleck Dunkin’ Donuts commercial Bobby won’t stop talking about.   This week recaps TBTL episodes 2325 (Claim Jumper, Twin Peaks, Hooters, Port Townsend Film Festival, Oscars, Twitter), 2326 (Garfield, Amazon AWS ACS, Trump steak, hot dogs, Weird Al), 2327 (Food, Claim Jumper, fat, Tiesto, Skyjinx, taste on planes, umami, baseball intentional walk, butter on sandwiches), 2328 (Catch 22, Dr. Strangelove, Sauconys, New Day TV, publicists, Cat tongues, drool, douche nozzle), 2329 (Starb

Phan Phavorite Phyllis Fletcher returns to take Mike and Bobby back in time via shame spiral to a divey, smoky “steakhouse,” and the time an emboldened Jen “Flash” Andrews tried (and, unfortunately for Jason) succeeded in talking her way onstage with the band. Her actual performance? Not so hot. If only that band knew anything from the catalog of Bonnie Raitt. While we have her, Fletch updates us on her recent shameful manual transmission woes on a wet, slippery Capitol Hill, and how women apparently have fantasies of forced mental vacations by way of non-life-threatening hospitalization. Next time, Jen and Phyllis should just both stick to playing bass. Pretty much anyone can do that. Amirite?   This episode features a TBTL clip from Feb. 28, 2008, hour 2.

Noted anti-anti-semite Meredith Mahan is on the road, coping with some sad news with help from a Mexican martini from an off-mic Frizzell, and an opinionated, interrupting Edith in Orkin Studios at the Kyle Insect Museum. Hover on over to our pod-hovel where she joins Bobby “in league with Emma Watson at FedEx Office” Pape and Ann “put your ass on the seat!” Lundholm for a gluttonous smörgåsbord of TBTL topics fit for a Ron Upshaw +1, helps explain a Burbank family not-quite paradox, and throws one hell of a hospital happy hour. It’s an episode great for any office space! If you want more Luke Taco Bell talk, check outthis recent episode of Stack of Dimes. If you want more Birthday Paradox info check out this website. If you want to make Duff’s not-quite-trail mix, check out this recipe. And if you want to be able to make phone calls, listen to music AND take pictures on the go, check out this little bit of genius technology.

We are joined by EvereTen and LRB alumni Dana Steele to play a clip, of a clip, of a podcast that was played on the podcast that this podcast is about. If it sounds confusing, don't worry just take a leap of faith and stick with us as we talk about how hearing this TBTL segment was a turning point for Dana's life and new beginnings.  As discussed on the show:  Hear Dana on LRB #33: "Wolf Magic" The TBTL clip on this episode is from TBTL #1634: "What Are Ya Doin’ Here… Day Jobs Edition" Hear all ten episodes of "Day Job" at http://www.northwester.org/dayjob 

Grab your LOL shirt, pour a big bowl of Steak O’s and milk, and get ready for some snuggle time with Eddie, because it’s time to review last week’s TBTL.  Meredith, Mike and Ann are ready to play 20 Questions about the topics they’ll need to cover: 1)Is it a hot dog? 2)Is it a magnet? 3)Is it a hot dog magnet? They discuss the meaning behind teenage Andrew’s visit to his driving instructor’s apartment, share some close calls (with good and bad outcomes) regarding bathroom emergencies, and try to separate the George Michaels from the George Michaelses. While they have slightly differing opinions about Valentine’s Day, they’re in complete agreement that under no circumstances should Luke be allowed to take flying lessons. Additionally, Meredith tells us about the disease with the best/worst name ever, Ann silently cringes as the other two discuss something they refer to as a “space turd grabber”, and Mike is excited for Luke to get his Light Phone, if only for the rich vein of mockery he can mine. Oh, and if we

We’ve popped the champagne, spread the rose petals on the bed, and put on the sexy, sexy music. All that remains is to ask the question: will you be our Valentine? Ann and Christy are here with a clip show about TBTL and Valentimes Day, and boy, is there a lot to talk about. Topics discussed include: how we feel about this dubious holiday, conversation hearts – yay or nay?, the horror that is ‘work spouses’, Luke’s disregard for online restaurant reservation systems, management of romantic expectations, and how it is that two 40-year-old men in long-term relationships can’t seem to figure out how Valentine’s Day works. Plus, a look back at the TBTL Dating Game, with Sean “Guy Smiley” DeTore as the most amazing host ever. P.S. Here’s a bonus ‘work spouse’ joke Christy wishes she had thought of during recording: “The closest thing I have to a work husband is Mike, mostly because I hate him as much as Emily does. ZING!”

Strap your sled to your most reliable pet, and slide on down to the closest podstore: you can even go ahead and take that spot for the Listener of the Month, you’re entitled to it. Special guest co-host Steve “Stu” “StuBot” “Chris Hayes Follows Me on Twitter” Neuman joins Bobby and Mike to recap the latest week of TBTL, and to update us all on recent news in his life both professional and anatomical. It turns out, the only path more treacherous than the one down Alabama Hill this week is the one to Stu’s vas deferens. We don’t need another gyro—we just need to stop getting outbid by wheelerdealer2000.

Education doctor and San Jose Ten Ellen “Andrew on the Inside” Middaugh takes a break from diagnosing social media’s impact on politics today (spoiler: it’s … not great) to join Ann and Bobby for a celebration of Luke and Andrew’s ability to riff on pretty much anything, as proven in a series of Led Zeppelin song titles funneled through Luke’s impression of Kai Ryssdal. The clip, from October 24, 2014, comes from the same episode as Luke’s legendary dombass note (as we’ve previously covered with Phyllis). Overall the episode is an embarrassment of riches, unlike Luke’s old classmate Brendan Boyd, who is just an embarrassment. Silver Lining Alert: Luke’s impression of Kai Ryssdal gives Ann and Ellen a chance to share a Whole Lotta Love for their favorite “voice crush,” who is still on Ann’s laminated list even though he’s traded in his convertible and Navy uniform for a workhorse minivan. (No one tell Justin Trudeau.)   

Grab a Diet Dr Pepper and some pizza-shaped gummies at the Durn Good Grocery, because Mike, Bobby and Ann are ready to unpack another week of TBTL. We’ll need to pour ourselves a big cup of chicory coffee to go with those sous-vide eggs, because frankly, we’re still recovering from Luke’s “in the rough” encounter with a Florida groundskeeper. Mike shares some blistering hot takes about the latest episode of Entitled Etiquette: Travel Edition, including an inspired analogy between Luke and a Domino’s pizza. Andrew’s story of his recent fall prompts us to share our own unfortunate experiences with gravity, including Bobby’s hand-disfiguring bike injury, wheelchair wisdom from Mike, and why Ann feels weird about the movie Under the Tuscan Sun. Speaking of movies, don’t miss the sure-to-be blockbuster thriller, Anne of Nakatomi Plaza. And we finally learn the motto that adorns the Frizzell family crest. P.S. Don’t forget to check out what’s going on for National Pie Month with our friends over at the Preheated po

The most specific PSA you'll never need in this month's Phyllis Phave edition of LRB. Meredith and Phyllis join their host Christy who guides us through some genuine girl talk: Phyllis and phriends lose 1,000 lbs during the Trump administration, and Meredith prepares to be the belle of the real-life ball. Then we go back in time to the waning radio days of TBTL when Luke and Jen announce what not to do on a live national broadcast when you're interviewing a trauma survivor. We get On Our Media and give you news you probably can't use on this week's Little Red Bandwagon. All that, and we congratulate our first monthly Wagons Full of Loot winner!

Crack open a cold, refreshing Diet Coke, and don’t dare email us about the fake sugar—Showmates Bobby, Ann and Meredith don’t want to hear about it. Instead, enjoy a defense of casual fandom, what to do if you can hear your neighbors peeing, a final Dukakis turkey carcass count, a first-hand Coachella sharpshoot, occasional encounters with an actual EGOT, why you shouldn’t copy your long division test off the Asian kid, and many, many more pitons hammered into the cracks of Mt. TBTL. Plus, Simpsons Watch™, an Anthony Update™, Joe-Joe on the Squat™ and more, all thanks to great contributing Wagoneers. This is the perfect episode to turn up in an effort to drown out the sound of your parents having sex.  Be sure to also check out this Dutch response to the election of Donald Trump, and these awesome Japanese toilets!