Episode 277: Ratcheting the Ridiculous

Play Now!

Sometimes, the difference between entertainment between two countries is profound due to cultural differences. Today, I'd like to suggest that there are differences well beyond culture that affect two peoples, even those separated by a common language, in this Episode 277: Ratcheting the Ridiculous.

In this episode, I mostly opine on my take on television, specifically two programs more or less copied from each other. The first show was first British, then American; and the second was first American, and then British. Trust me, the differences are profound in both.

I read from: David McChesney and John Nichols' 2010 book The Death and Life of American Journalism: The Media Revolution That Will Begin the World Again. They've got some great observations and recommendations in there!

I play: Geddy Lee, commenting on the the simple fact that ten bucks is ten bucks. This was ganked from the Bob and Doug Mackenzie album The Great White North, just before Geddy sang the hit single, "Take Off".

(Okay. Fan gush here. Some of you might remember Geddy as the bass player/vocalist from the prog power trio band Rush, right? And others of you might remember that Bob Mackenzie was played by SCTV and later comic movie actor Rick Moranis (the Keymaster in the first Ghostbusters), right? Did you know they attended grade school together? It's true! They were classmates in the same kindergarten (maybe 1st?) through 6th grade school until Geddy's family moved to a different Toronto neighborhood! I got that from Geddy Lee's autobiography. I just thought it was fun!)

Musically, KMFDM backs Dr. Martin Luther King's declaration about advertisers, those gentlemen of massive verbal persuasion. I close today with Julie & Rolf & The Campfire Gang doing "Over the Rainbow."

Episode 276: The Fuel & The Fire

Play Now!

Many minds have speculated about what caused the Industrial Revolution, citing just about every factor found in the world… other, of course, than what is required to actually invent. I continue following the story of steam power's development in this Episode 276: The Fuel & The Fire.

In this episode, I once again read from: William Rosen's book The Most Powerful Idea in the World: A Story of Steam, Industry, and Invention.

Musically, I play: poopy-mouthed Mark Blyth backed by KMFDM in the opening. I'm closing today with Mistle Thrush doing "It's All Like Today."