Little Red Bandwagon

Grab your 7-11 bananas, don your ripped t-shirt from 1979 and hit the ‘down’ button on the elevator: it’s time for all you sneaky snakes to slither out for some smokes and make some questionable life decisions. This week, Mike and Ann are joined by TBTL ‘B-list celebrity’ and public radio pledge drive lover Shanna Gratton Demke to talk about receiving pizza in the mail, the joys of life in Texas, and Six Degrees of North Dakotans. Then we go back in time to the TBTL Chicago live show where the irrepressible Sean DeTore shares the story of a very dubious post-show nighttime excursion.

Startled from falling asleep to Teletubbies again? Join Ann, Mike and Bobby in Ann’s Therapy Corner, where an A is an F, a C is and A, and watching the TV in your Fiero is no problem because you’ve got a police escort from the stadium direct to your impractically hip hotel. So drown your picnic FOMO in forest Eggos and Augustus Gloop fantasies. Plus, Mike likely screwed some ESL students working on their US citizenship in the late ‘80s, and Ann quit her night job and bought a purple Shark. Because if you can’t go crazy with your vacuum color, than what can you do?  

Grab your travel mug of white wine and your fresh-ass backpack, because it’s time to follow Meredith, Bobby and Phyllis Fletcher back to September 2008 for a two-clip phlashback that will make you love Jen and Jason more than you already do. (If that’s possible.) Jason commits a fashion faux pas, Jen abides, and we all learn valuable lessons. Plus, our own drinking-on-the-job stories, hot takes on the abysmal state of public schools, and one of us was recently touched inappropriately at a semi-public pool. Will finding out which one of us it was surprise you? Si señor(e)! This episode includes clips from TBTL episodes 171 (Monday, Sept. 15, 2008) and 175 (Friday, Sept. 19, 2008).  

String cheese wrappers? Check. Authentic teriyaki? Check. Blend of 11 secret herbs and spices? Check.  Enough alcohol to float 1500 Michiganders to Canada? Check. We’re ready for another round of TBTL: The Week That Was. In this episode, Mike, Ann and Meredith talk about, among other things, the extreme hotness of Justin Trudeau, why no one feels sorry for Nick Denton, and how to learn to look at yourself in pictures without dying inside. Plus, we hear all the dirty details from last Friday’s Texas LRB meetup (which I’m referring to as The Debauchery in Dallas, because I can), including steaks, dog behavior and Mike’s manspreading.

  Ann and Christy are joined by PRO-fessional podcaster Naomi Hillyard to talk about TBTL picnics past and future, the evergreen strangeness of Randy Quaid, and drinking The Kraken at the TBTL Summer Slam 2 Electric Boogaloo. Then we head back to 2010 for a clip where Luke (and Jen, by way of Skype) visit Sean’s apartment to check out what’s in his fridge, get the story on a dispute with his upstairs neighbor, and discuss Tila Tequila’s unfortunate treatment at the Gathering of the Juggalos. Additionally, Jen laments her fashion choices in the face of physical activity and shares the circumstances under which she got competitive with “European” children. Oh, and everyone should check out Naomi’s podcast, The Sunday Morning Experience. It’s a fan show about CBS Sunday Morning. (A show about a show? What kind of weirdos would be into something like that??) 

Luke’s back! Luke’s back! And look what he brought us: some peach Fresca, a vacation “beard” and a Bay Kitty (Kittens! Inspired by kittens!)! Last week’s TBTL was chock full of news and notes, and Mike, Meredith and Ann are ready to cover it all. On the docket for discussion: Luke’s relief that he’s been eating the low-carb almonds, Andrew’s chances of qualifying for the Popsicle®-eating Olympics, and whether “Brian Latke” is a dummy or just dumb (can’t he be both?). Over on the LRB front, Mike’s exercising his cheapskate ways while visiting The Island of Lost Groceries, Meredith wants to know if anyone shares her paper product scarcity paranoia, and Ann tries valiantly to defend the practicality of the space program (Jeremy, WE NEED YOU!).

It’s time to rinse and spit, as Christy and Ann get together to conduct an examination of the dental experiences of TBTL hosts past and present. We’ll hear the epic story of ol’ Barnacle Mouth Burbank, wonder where Jen gets her impressive supply of prescription drugs, and ponder what those poky gum test numbers Andrew’s so proud of actually mean. Plus, the only radio show that considers it good content to have its producer come to work high as a kite, and the best (or worst?) lies to tell your hygienist. Remember, if you fall up the stairs just let everybody know that it’s okay because you took a Xanax.

Our vagabond friend may not have been able to score us any whiskey, but Meredith, Bobby and Ann have loaded up on Sucrets®-flavored slushies cut on the dais, and are ready to recap your latest week of TBTL. Together, we find out that StuBot has a great radio voice, Sean DeTore has a conveniently located Dumpster, and Aaron Roden is “woke,” whatever that means. Plus, misadventures in music, fertility talk where the rubber hits the road, and the story of how the Salieri of Software got her groof back. Seriously, thanks for all the recent donations, Wagoneers. Tonight we’re lighting a gratitude-scented candle in your honor that we bought from a clerk with a masters’ degree.

Straight from Papa Q’s English No. 1 Playlist, Mike pours salt in his FOMO wounds by coaching Team LRB—Christy, Jeremy*, Bobby and Meredith—through the HolmesGetsWise All Around, including Freestyle Dive Bowling, the Hotel Room Bundle Dash, and the highly anticipated Triathlon of Cake. Plus, medal ceremonies for Wedding Toast Synchronized Drinking, a 5-year-old’s flawless floor routine, and one host’s breakout success in High Fencing. Note: Things do get a little emotional, and as a result, the entire men’s field was disqualified from the ~90-minute Holdinyourtearsathon. *While generally disqualified from LRB events, Jeremy was allowed to participate in this episode because, like the IOC, we are extremely corrupt. On an unrelated note, thanks for the recent donations!

Clear your Monday, because Mike, Ann and Bobby have won the raffle* and the neighborhood pool is ours for the day. Luke is on vacation, and according to Andrew’s caffeine intake, everything on the TBTL lot must go! Plus, Vieves’ job is awesome, Sean’s terrariums are suspect, and the Aryan Mason’s hobby is indefensible. So put your arms under your shoulders, chug some garbage milk, and keep your Shrek-like hands out of your small, small mouth, because there aren’t any locks on the studio doors, and anything could happen.  *moderated by PricehelpyourselfCoopers

Phyllis Fletcher joins Mike for a one on one episode where they play and discuss a clip from the radio days in 2008. Luke has his HS girlfriend on to talk about the proms they attended, then Jen tells the story of the bizarre junior/senior banquet at Jesus Creek. Then Phyllis and Mike swap stories about their own prom experiences. Also, Christy's future in Seattle politics is discussed.

Break out your 90’s fashion, rev up your awesome minivan, and refresh your knowledge of speed stacking as Mike and Ann are joined by special guest co-host and Texas firecracker Hillary Livingston Butler for this week’s TBTL Week in Review. We’re defending suburbia, trying to remain calm about alphabetical picnic details, and shaking our heads over Luke’s continued ability to avoid completing his Thrive process. We also learn new and interesting things about all three of our hosts, although Mike’s totally wins (the second one, not the first one).

Hop in your New Dodge and turn up your podcatcher—Meredith, Bobby and special guest Stu the StuBot Newman (#10imperfectsips) present selections from a special summer jamz (with a z) playlist sure to make you the coolest kid at the Hector Community Pool. One thing is for sure: This is NOT your Grandpappy Walsh’s Song of the Summer. All of the songs featured on today’s show (plus many more we didn’t have time to talk about) are available on our LRB Summerjamz Spotify playlist.

Get that Don’t Be Radicchio™ Salad ready and don’t forget the side of freshly over-crisped cheese crisps—this week’s LRB Week in Review is sure to work up an appetite. Bobby, Meredith and Mike try to remember who used which towel, pick up some sweet moves from a wacky waving inflatable arm-flailing tube man (that they may or may not think is on fire), and learn to never get in a feud with a man who writes revenge raps for a (small portion of his, we hope) living. Plus: Tangent TV talk, a stupid pet name, why dress codes matter, and a passing mention of a song contest run by a guy who celebrates the music of Donovan, and a guy who just did a 180° on Canadian pseudo-reggae 2014 hit abomination “Rude.”

Namaste, friends. This week, Ann and Mike are finding inner peace and tranquility under the guidance of Bay Area Ten and yoga instructor Megan Keane. Unfortunately, in today’s TBTL clip peace and tranquility are in short supply, as Luke’s Big Dog strains at the leash after a prolonged and frustrating run-in with the KIRO IT department. Tensions run high in the studio as Andrew tries (mostly unsuccessfully) to diffuse the situation. Then we witness the birth of an important TBTL institution.

Make sure your phone is fully charged, you’re wearing comfy shoes, and that you watch where you’re going, because it’s time to join Jigglypuff, Meowth and Abra—I mean Ann, Meredith and Christy—for an all-ladies edition of LRB. Although the week was dominated by TBTL Pokémon Expedition 2016, we have plenty of other topics to talk about, including expensive food, cat management, well-meaning but essentially clueless Canadian singers, and guys who get creepy with hairstylists. Also, Meredith reveals a genius idea for her new life as a criminal mastermind and Christy asks whether it would be weird to show up unannounced at Andrew’s apartment.

Ah, summer. The kids are out of school, the pool is ready to go, and hot, hazy days are followed by warm, breezy evenings.  What could be better than a beer, a brat and a ballgame? Mike and Ann are ready to roll back the roof at Safeco Field and talk a little baseball. TBTL baseball, that is. We’ve compiled a collection of clips that involve going to the game, getting on the field, hanging out with Ten friends, and one unfortunate story that probably still has Andrew waking up in a cold sweat.  We promise you don’t need to be a sports fan to enjoy this one.

Mike “You’d Make a Good Santa” Frizzell, Ann “ecstatic ex-president” Lundholm and Meredith “Texas Memorabilia” Mahan take a break from their PBS special of scavingly brilliant political satire to unjam the LRB Roomba in your latest TBTL Week in Review. Could Luke be the new Charles Kuralt? Could Mike be the new Steve Nelson? Could Phil Collins be the new Duff? All this, and Song of the Summer: There can only be three. This episode sponsored by Mike’s Seattle Marines MasterCard.

Chicago- and Gay Ten Kim Marsin joins Bobby and Mike for a look back at a heartfelt conversation from 2012, in which Luke and Andrew talk about bullying thanks to an unexpected segue from comic strips. We also dive into how TBTL handles politics and tragic events like the recent Pulse Night Club shooting in Orlando. On a lighter note, Bobby and Kim both just officiated weddings, and Andrew suggests that it probably didn’t take long for Tom Hanks to spike that damn volleyball in the bone zone. Be sure to listen to the end for a bonus story from Mike about the only time he was bullied by someone other than his brother. And after you’re done, go listen to Melissa Etheridge’s song Pulse, and re-watch Erik Jagger’s animation of the classic “Oops the Dirty Monster” clip.

Join Bobby, Christy and Meredith on LRB’s soybean-bike-powered podvessel as they traverse terrible game fishing, navigate poor ethical decisions, and plunge through the depths of a “captain’s log” jam, if you know what I mean. Plus, Christy is punchy, Bobby is making popovers, and Meredith has a martini strategy she can teach you next time someone else invites you over to her house on short notice. Oh, and spoiler alert: the internet loves adorable cats.