FOT Forum

The Best Show on WFMU => Show Discussion => Topic started by: JonFromMaplewood on August 14, 2007, 11:17:07 PM

Title: What happened?!
Post by: JonFromMaplewood on August 14, 2007, 11:17:07 PM
Jon from Maplewood here. I came in for the last 15 minutes of the show this week (had to show out-of-town guests the City), and was surprised to hear Tom talking about ending the show. His tone did not seem tongue-in-cheek at all.  What went down?  What could bring about this cataclysm?  If it's a gag, I was duped.  If not, please shed some light.

Thanks, fellow FOT's.
Title: Re: What happened?!
Post by: Gregory on August 14, 2007, 11:51:35 PM
listen to the archive,

reading about it isn't the same
Title: Re: What happened?!
Post by: John Junk on August 15, 2007, 12:28:39 AM
Check out the monkfish thread for clues.
Title: Re: What happened?!
Post by: bookem_dan-o on August 15, 2007, 03:45:24 AM
Jon from Maplewood here. I came in for the last 15 minutes of the show this week (had to show out-of-town guests the City), and was surprised to hear Tom talking about ending the show. His tone did not seem tongue-in-cheek at all.  What went down?  What could bring about this cataclysm?  If it's a gag, I was duped.  If not, please shed some light.


I can't say much more, other than this: Save up some money for a Sirius Satellite radio receiver.

Title: Re: What happened?!
Post by: Richard_From_CHI on August 15, 2007, 10:58:50 AM
Doing a weekly show, albeit a podcast, I have to admit, after 104 shows or so I regularly consider hanging it up. If people were leaving threatening packages with dead animals for me that would certainly help my decision making process.

While I don't think Tom intends to end it after last show after 6+ years I do think this might push him closer to saying enough it enough, he's a busy guy, with a career and a lot of outside interests, the show is something he clearly enjoys doing but I am sure it is taxing.

I would completely understanding calling it a day, but I do hope when that time comes, and it will, there is a more graceful and reflective exit.

But hell a monkfish would be more than enough for me.

Title: Re: What happened?!
Post by: John Junk on August 15, 2007, 11:38:27 AM
I would think (hope) that he'd at least finish out the year and tie up loose ends.  I still think this probably won't have been the LAST show, but I could honestly see it hastening Tom's exit.  Like what Richard said.  It's too bad because the show has been particularly awesome this year.  In a way maybe the show has grown so much that it's grown out of itself (??).
Title: Re: What happened?!
Post by: Chris L on August 15, 2007, 11:45:19 AM
I would think (hope) that he'd at least finish out the year and tie up loose ends.  I still think this probably won't have been the LAST show, but I could honestly see it hastening Tom's exit.  Like what Richard said.  It's too bad because the show has been particularly awesome this year.  In a way maybe the show has grown so much that it's grown out of itself (??).

Exactly what I was thinking, John.  If anything, the show has outgrown WFMU in terms of security and reward.  The balance of what Tom gets from the show and what he puts in is tipping further in the wrong direction even as it becomes more popular.  Yet where else could the show thrive with total artistic control?  I expect Tom will come back in a couple of weeks but I'm afraid the writing is on the wall.  Hopefully not, though. 
Title: Re: What happened?!
Post by: Mainiac FOT on August 15, 2007, 11:50:33 AM
No chance this is Tom pulling our legs, kinda like his weekly reports on people unsubscribing from the podcast?
Title: Tom, I mean this in all seriousness
Post by: steely damn on August 15, 2007, 12:36:19 PM
Did we give up when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?
 No!


well, ok.
The notion of TBS ending makes me really, really sad.

Title: Re: What happened?!
Post by: dave from knoxville on August 15, 2007, 01:09:04 PM
I have a theory for how it shuts down.

With the mayorutorbial race ending in Tom's time slot being granted to Hot Rockin Ronny.

But it's just a theory.
Title: Re: What happened?!
Post by: Richard_From_CHI on August 15, 2007, 01:12:01 PM
It would be funny if that happened and then Tom raised an army to take it back by force.
Title: Re: What happened?!
Post by: erika on August 15, 2007, 01:12:07 PM
No chance this is Tom pulling our legs, kinda like his weekly reports on people unsubscribing from the podcast?

I appreciate your optimism...

I want so badly for the bad guys to lose.
Title: Re: What happened?!
Post by: Sarah on August 15, 2007, 01:16:56 PM
I can't let myself get started dwelling on this.  I was wounded too badly by the Sirius hoax.  My trust was shattered, and I was a changed woman afterward: a harder, colder, more suspicious one.  As a result, this time around, I will remain skeptical until the sky has actually fallen.
Title: Re: What happened?!
Post by: moonshake on August 15, 2007, 01:36:30 PM
I am optimistic too. I just have a gut feeling Tom isn't 100% serious. The show is only going through a bad spell. There have been many great shows this year, and there are many more to come.

I was glad August called- although it didn't get to be a very interesting call, it was good to know he's still listening.
Title: Re: What happened?!
Post by: jane on August 15, 2007, 02:10:22 PM
I don’t get what’s so disgusting.  Gee, I wish someone would send me a beautiful monk fish packed in ice in a cooler with a little drawing of a barnacle on top, accompanied by a cute little pail and shovel.  Louie is obviously a big fan.  Receiving it from a kid is kind of sweet too.  And how is an oversized jacket a “costume”?  Most kids I know live in oversized clothing – kinda’ au courant if you ask me.       

And the note was pretty friendly, too:

Hello Timothy,

It’s always a pleasure.  Jack would have delivered this fish himself but I sent him off on holiday to enjoy a spit roast with two mermaids of the evening.  He thinks he’s going to a barbecue (thought Jason might enjoy that one).  I’ll be having tea with the ever smiling duchess of  Percalvey.  Hope she’s not late.  Got to run.  When I get back from Rishikesh we’ll knock back a pint or two.   You’re a down girl, Timothy.

Louie the Liverpudlian


Notice it’s not even from Captain Jack.  It’s from Louie.  The opening, “It’s always a pleasure,” is pleasant enough.  Well, he did call Tom Timothy by mistake, but don’t we all make mistakes at times.  Nobody’s perfect.  I think the monk fish, lobsterlike in its delectability more than made up for it.  I mean how bad can a guy who is visiting Rishikesh be?  Rishikesh is the gateway to the Himilayan pilgrimage.  He ends the note with an amicable offer to meet with Tom to share a libation and possibly recount anecdotes about his trip to Rishikesh.  The closing, “you’re a down girl”  made me chuckle too.  I thought the whole thing was quite charming.  I’m confused.   
Title: Re: What happened?!
Post by: Richard_From_CHI on August 15, 2007, 02:16:36 PM
Seriously though. People calling and being trolls is one thing, people coming to where you work/live/hang out/do radio shows and dropping off dead animals in quite another. Honestly this is a very threatening thing, if I was Tom I'd be damn angry about it, it is crossing a line. It is no longer fun and games. What next? CJ gets mad that Tom made fun of him and shows up to confront him psychically. Not acceptable at all.
Title: Re: What happened?!
Post by: Sarah on August 15, 2007, 02:25:07 PM
1. I have no doubt Tom would win any psychic confrontation with le capitaine. 

2. Jane?  You are a peach.

3. Did anyone notice the copyright symbol on the drawing that adorned the top of the cooler?  I don't know whether it was the art or the band name that was under its seal, but the fussiness of it amused me
Title: Re: What happened?!
Post by: Chris L on August 15, 2007, 02:28:17 PM
1. I have no doubt Tom would win any psychic confrontation with le capitaine. 

But he's got nem powers!
Title: Re: What happened?!
Post by: John Junk on August 15, 2007, 02:51:12 PM
I'm sure Captain the Liverpudlian thought he was being clever and charming, which is all the more reason to be scared of him.
Title: Re: What happened?!
Post by: LostInReno on August 15, 2007, 03:21:18 PM
It can't be over. please don't let it be so
Title: It's a crisis of existential proportions
Post by: Fido on August 15, 2007, 03:21:49 PM
Let's assume, for a moment, that the ugly fish was meant as a threat to Tom.  In that case, I really wouldn't blame Tom for eighty-sixing the Best Show and never coming to the studios again.  But as Sean Hannity might say, that's the wrong kind of thinking:  if we give up, the terrorists win.  However, it's a really unusual threat -- it's not a horse's head in a bed -- but that only underscores the conclusion that this is clearly the work of madmen.  Or as Sean Hannity might say, we've got to go after these lunatics -- Zero tolerance.

Let's assume for a moment that this was a carefully staged, elaborate hoax.  It's delightfully insane.  That note -- dios mio.  In which case, maybe Tom takes a vacation, or goes out to LA to work on a project for a while, and then comes back to Newbridge and the Best Show.  Whatever the case, I wish you the best Tom!  You can't imagine the number of times you've made me laugh or brought a smile to my face.
Title: Re: What happened?!
Post by: LostInReno on August 15, 2007, 03:25:29 PM
Well said Fido
Title: Re: What happened?!
Post by: Sploops on August 15, 2007, 06:15:25 PM
Let's examine the symbolism behind this "message" ---

A MONKfish (we all know what that's in reference to) is consuming some STARfish (CJ has accused Tom of going hollywood and getting a big head ala the steretypical "star") and a crab (I haven't the slightest.)

So what does it all mean? .... Only CJ knows.  I'm sure in his twisted cerebellum it's logic is as clear as an unmuddied lake.  While the rest of us are left scratching our heads and terrified that it's some kind of Godfatheresque threat on Tom's life.

I wouldn't blame Tom if he took a loooooooongcat vacation after this incident.  I only pray it isn't for more than a couple months.
Title: Re: What happened?!
Post by: Kibblesmith on August 16, 2007, 10:03:03 AM
All I know, is that this whole incident makes me feel a lot better about my ongoing campaign to kidnap David Letterman's son.
Title: Re: What happened?!
Post by: Richard_From_CHI on August 16, 2007, 10:25:31 AM
Let's examine the symbolism behind this "message" ---

A MONKfish (we all know what that's in reference to) is consuming some STARfish (CJ has accused Tom of going hollywood and getting a big head ala the steretypical "star") and a crab (I haven't the slightest.)

So what does it all mean? .... Only CJ knows.  I'm sure in his twisted cerebellum it's logic is as clear as an unmuddied lake.  While the rest of us are left scratching our heads and terrified that it's some kind of Godfatheresque threat on Tom's life.

I wouldn't blame Tom if he took a loooooooongcat vacation after this incident.  I only pray it isn't for more than a couple months.

You think the douche who cannot be named was clever enough to put that all together? I think that might be giving him too much credit.
Title: Re: What happened?!
Post by: Miss on August 16, 2007, 10:57:51 AM
All I know, is that this whole incident makes me feel a lot better about my ongoing campaign to kidnap David Letterman's son.

That made me laugh aloud for the first time this morning. Nicely done!
Title: Re: What happened?!
Post by: Sarah on August 16, 2007, 11:04:53 AM
You think the douche who cannot be named was clever enough to put that all together? I think that might be giving him too much credit.

Of course he's clever enough to do that; it ain't exactly subtle.  In fact, to me, it reeks of the fellow's heavy-handed approach to what he deems wit.
Title: Re: What happened?!
Post by: John Junk on August 16, 2007, 12:14:55 PM
We'll never know until the cops raid his house and find the wall of marble composition notebooks filled from end to end with teeny tiny printed writing.  Then after 5 years of studying we can create a HWSNBN rosetta stone and we can finally understand the mysterious works of this man's underappreciated and overwritten alcoholic acid casualty humour.
Title: Re: What happened?!
Post by: erika on August 16, 2007, 12:35:00 PM
he's thriving off the very existance of this thread/discussion.
Title: Re: What happened?!
Post by: Deric W. Haircare on August 16, 2007, 12:40:01 PM
I agree. We need to stop talking about this and thereby continuing to validate it.
Title: Re: What happened?!
Post by: Ason on August 16, 2007, 09:39:09 PM
Does anybody remember the CJ call where he has some unidentified "mermaid" call in
with him using French accent and they did a duet together?

I thought that was kinda cute
Title: Re: What happened?!
Post by: erika on August 16, 2007, 09:47:24 PM
STOP.TALKING.ABOUT.HIM.

Just stop.
Title: Re: What happened?!
Post by: JonFromMaplewood on August 17, 2007, 07:49:30 AM
Well, I guess I started this thread, and as others have pointed out, since it is now giving strength to Captain J_ck, I will try to end it.  Thank you all for letting me know what happened.

I really hope Tom stays on WFMU for a long time.  I moved from Bklyn to New Jersey in early 2006. I will admit that I had serious prejudices against the Garden State and dreaded moving here (especially b/c I grew up in CT).  I started listening to TBSOWFMU almost exactly when I moved, and Tom singlehandedly changed my opinion. If New Jersey could give us someone like Tom, then it must be a lot more than an overpopulated swamp teeming with superfund sites.  No, it is the home of Edison, baseball, the ruins of the original Penn Station, ultimate frisbee (originated in Maplewood!), the Hamilton-Burr duel, mighty oak and pine trees, the Delaware Water Gap, the Leeds Devil, and best of all, Tom Scharpling.

Huzzah Tom, and huzzah to Wikipedia for making the previous paragraph possible.