8 Minutes On High

Dick Cheney and the W comment on Countless Screaming Argonauts

July 26th, 2010 by Max

“You know that bastard hates America!”

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This Week In Fun

January 15th, 2010 by Max

I listened to two shows of this Leo Laporte (TWIT) produced show.

I love Leo. But this show was two people talking over skype who didn’t seem to like each other that much. There were long gaps of silence and both hosts were popping and percussing their “P”‘s.

There was a segment where they played a game of what was tweeted more on Twitter, which was entertaining, but over all … eh!

2 of 5 smiling Maxes. “This Week In Fun” isn’t really that much fun.

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Countless Screaming Argonauts

December 29th, 2009 by Max

Good podcast.

You should listen to it. They have a new crisp format and the same great guests.

http://www.csapodcast.blogspot.com/

Maqz and TFabP [The Fabulous Penguin] are at it again with vistors like Manhattan Man, Denali and some rules to live by in an internet age.  Listen for ‘em on iTunes.  Vote for ‘em on Podcast Alley!

http://www.podcastalley.com/search.php?searchterm=Countless+Screaming+Argonauts

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Feel the Air Out My Shorts

December 2nd, 2009 by Max

More podcast reviews.

Word Whore.

Say it again, Word Whore. The silky siren voice of a writer. Reading.

That's not The Word Whore ... that's the Air Out My Shorts girl

Maybe it takes a reader. Ya know, if you’ve watched American Idol, you know not everyone can sing. Well I’m here to tell you not everyone can read. Read out loud so that people get it.

And not everyone can write.

Those of us who can’t? Get our stories read on Air Out My Shorts.

AOMS doesn’t provide producer credits but Preston Buttons (really? Preston Buttons?) produces this show and the sound, like TTN, is brilliant. Buttons can also read. Together Buttons and The Whore bring you some of the best, worst writing (and hopefully once in a while some that are not wholly bad).

The thing is you just have to go with it. These two drunk Torontoites (Torontonians?) Indulge their predilection for potables while somehow managing to not mangle the English language. Air Out My Shorts has a good time at their own expense.

Which perhaps is why we just like to listen to them. They take nothing seriously. Well, there’s the booze.

Its just fun.

You just have to listen … and feel it.

93 __ YITCH_clip

Really. This is simply the most fun podcast to listen to (excepting episode 100 which, I hate to say, was godawful!) Its a fun fun show. And if they ever get the phone lines working again, could once again become a “call – out” show, where you could listen to Angry Phone Guy and others.

Preston Buttons and The Whore Whore make my day every time they post a show. Go on. Feel it.

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Total Talk is Total Fun

December 1st, 2009 by Max

Unless you have no sense of humor, or you are very religious. [I know. Sometimes these two things go together.] You’ll love Total Talk Nonsense – the next podcast in my new world of podcast reviews.

Jon and Scott bring you a wacky world of Science News, Movie Reviews, Religious News and Perceptive Political Commentary, in a smart-ass, sarcastic, argumentative and often really intelligent kind of way.

The problem is they love to yap. Especially Scott. Whether it is blowing apart the rules of String Theory, or just plain making fun of the “W”, these two have something to say, that you’ll be glad you heard. Unless you’re a Republican. And if Obama does something that they think should be blasted, they’ll blast him.

And they’re from Chicago!

But they talk a lot. No. A LOT! This reviewer finds them perfect for a long drive in the country when you don’t have to get there in a hurry and you just want to put something on the podcastser and let it go.

1 hour?
Ha!
2 hours?
Ha Ha!
Typically they’ll run longer than two hours. Usually around 2:15, 2:30.

But its worth it. And its worth it because they’re both smart and funny. We know this because they love to laugh at themselves as much as they love to laugh at anyone else (well, except maybe the “W”).

Check this out. Funniest clip I’ve ever heard. http://totaltalknonsense.com/audio/stupid13.mp3

So here they are. Listen to Jon – who they claim was once up for producer of the year in the Parsec Awards for podcasts. Probably true too. [I didn't investigate] Jon’s always ready with a clip, a sound, something to punctuate the moment. And the sound on the show is consistently excellent. Jon knows his shit. And he’s the easy going big guy who listens to Scott grinding his points to their inevitable perfection. Though he occasionally wants to fight such idiots as Rush Limp-paugh.

Jon has his own opinions too and while their not honed to the point where they will slice paper, or dice tomatoes, they’re generally handed down with deference, grace and good humor.

Scott on the other hand, always knows what he wants to say, just, as we heard, has a tough time saying it sometimes. But whether he is commenting on Religion in general, Tom Cruise’s so called religion specifically or some Hollywood disaster (bimbo or movie) that is about to come to its public demise, Scott always has something pithy to say.

I really think he knows something about particle physics too, so unlike some fans and Richard Dawkins (who thinks he’s “smarmy”) I love to listen to Scott talk science.

Most episodes are closed out with The News from Phil McCraken Whitcomb, who typically shows up at about the 2 hour mark. Bob (aka Satan) and Alphie the Elf make occasional appearances as does God and several others.

Generally there is a musical break with recorded music from their band A Kangaroo Court. A Kangaroo Court is good, though mostly they just to pop speeded up and call it punky. Not too be confused with Punky Radio, a real punkcast that Jon and Scott often talk about.

Total Talk Nonsense is casual, fun, hilarious and it will make you think. Its way too long for most listeners but well worth the investment of time. Where else can you go for two and a half hours of entertainment that will make you laugh and make you think? At 2:30 to 2:45 even, TTN is too short!

Posted in Arts, Podcast Reviews, Science | 1 Comment »

Quirky specials

November 26th, 2009 by Max

After deciding to run some reviews of my favorite podcasts, I’ve kind of fallen down on the job. This I hope to rectify soon.

Meanwhile I do have an update on my Qn / Quirky Nomads.com podcast review.

Thse are just a few QN’s [or Quirky Nomads] that you should listen to:

Surviving the 1950′s 2/16/09
And Lo and Behold
Obviously I Should Not Be Left Alone In The Apartment 3/23/09 – [funny story about fire. Fire? Well ... yeah]
The Secret of the Sparkle 12/26/08 [Wonder what all the "Twilight" hype is about? So does Sage]
The Church of LDD 5/29/08 [There's another one just a week or so before this one that sets up the whole anti Mormon thing. The Mormon boys in the elevator story. She has a thing about Mormons. I'll try to find that specific episode and update here.]
Here it is!
En Flambe 5/27/08 [I just liked this one]
Gin, Television and Social Surplus 4/30/08 [I found it fascinating. Long like "The Sparkle" maybe 18 minutes.]
Paper Doors parts 1 and 2 2/07/08 and 2/08/08 [Starts a bit slow but stay with it]
Fuck John McCain 11/3/08 [passe' now, until you think about the "Internet Freedom Act"]
These are by no means all of the Qn’s to which you should listen. But they are all I’m going to link to now. All of the stories involving Kite [Sage's mother] are revealing and heart warming. And there’s still more on Joseph Smith too I think.

Here are some (probably not all) of the Quirky Nomad / Qn podcasts that I am in.
1970 Mustang 9/7/09 – [ok, I wrote it but didn't read it]

Black Satchel 9/2/09 [that's me saying "Lucas Rice"]
When I Grow Up 7/3/09
Romantic Secrets 5/6/09
Dear Harriet: The Grill Pan Has Caught Fire 2/10/09
Don’t Sleep w Spiderman [really? Spiderman AIDS? - I'll do anything for Sage]
Mount Olympus 12/9/08 There’s almost no “me” on this one. I think I had one word.
Have You Heard From Jack 12/9/08
First World Problem 9/1/08
Patchouli 6/6/08 My maybe favorite episode that I’ve participated in.
I’m the Person Who Gets to Decide 5/6/08 “Canadians Go Home!” That’s acting. My first episode of Quirky Nomads.

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A fine podcast

November 20th, 2009 by Max

www.quirkynomads.com

“If the Republicans get any worse, we’re moving to Canada.  And then, they really did!”

That was the lead in to the OLD QuirkyNomads podcast.  The new show, cleverly recast as Qn is a hit.

Qn is a three day a week 8 to 15 minute podcast (with regular wild web gameshow exceptions) featuring original free form writings from the host Sage Tyrtle.  (I don’t know.  I never asked her, but I think the answer is “yes”!)

Sage writes lyrically personally and with a gentle grace.  She readily features other writers (used with permission) on politics, art and life in Toronto.

Left of left of center, Qn politics fill the airwaves with wit and substance.

Perhaps what makes Qn unique and deserving of the honor of being the first featured podcast here is that Sage perceived the universalism of the web and the intertubes and uses the fact that she can reach people from Canada to Australia at virtually the same time.  Taking advantage of this she literally and literaryally combines disparate widely separated people in mini dramas and shows combining the talents of various people actually all over the world who have never met.

Brilliantly intuitive and funny Sage hosts her “minions” (such as myself – full disclosure). She casts her minions in brief dramas and reconstructions to illustrate her positive world view and warm hearted good humor. Sages personal and generally self depericating essays are worth the moments you lend to these entertainments. The girl can write.
You should try Qn.   Its silly and smart.  I did and though smaller, my world is richer for it.

Posted in Arts, Fun, Other People's Theories, Podcast Reviews | 2 Comments »