FOT Forum

The Best Show on WFMU => Show Discussion => Topic started by: Stupornaut on April 16, 2008, 03:16:17 PM

Title: Best Show Origins
Post by: Stupornaut on April 16, 2008, 03:16:17 PM: So I'm going through my archives, listening to the 3/13/01 [OK JEEZ TYPO FIXED] "Listener Appreciation Show", and Tom berates a hanger-upper named Henry who is described as listening to the show on an old transistor radio while sitting on an orange crate. I always kinda thought orange crates were associated with Spike, or in some other way a relatively recent thing, so it got me wondering as to what some of the originating points of other, much-beloved Best Show tropes and characters were:

-What was the first GOMP?
-What was the first "official" Philly Boy Roy call? He or a Roy-equivalent did call in during the first archived show ("Yankees vs. Mets") but it seemed kind of prototypical and he actually claimed to not care about baseball, which seems kind of inexplicable given his recent New Year's activities. 1/15/02 sounds like a pretty early example of Roy As We Know Him, and Tom seems completely bewildered by now-familiar pronunciations such as "nem".
-When were the first appearances of Petey, Officer Tom, Purple Shirt and that one maritime-obsessed weirdo who has since been written out of continuity?
-What was the first attribution of a new movie role going to Andy Milonakis?
Title: Re: Best Show Origins
Post by: Josh on April 16, 2008, 03:35:53 PM: Quote from: Josh on March 16, 2008, 09:51:17 AM
LISTENER APPRECIATION WEEK, MARCH 13, 2001

"Henry, if you're out there listening, sitting in front of your old transistor radio, probably sitting on the orange crate in your apartment, or in your parents' basement, you got where you got because of that attitude, buddy!"

also features Listener Danny, webmaster of "Hannibal's Domain":
"Come on, you can't tell me you've never been to a rock concert and wanted to, you know, play your little guitar."
Title: Re: Best Show Origins
Post by: yesno on April 16, 2008, 03:37:03 PM: There was a "who would you throw into space"-type topic (for real) in 04.
Title: Re: Best Show Origins
Post by: buffcoat on April 16, 2008, 03:38:58 PM: I can answer one question. The war with Goshen started with this little skirmish WAAY before the real war started.

October 28, 2003: Tom Fights Goshen (2:05)
Title: Re: Best Show Origins
Post by: Pete Velcro on April 19, 2008, 12:36:21 AM: Is Consolidated Cardboard part of Newbridge, or does it just exist "somehere" in Jersey? Or is it somewhat dismaying that I'm wanting to over-analyze Best Show lore in this way - even if it's for an entry in the fan fiction contest?

And for that matter, does the fan fiction contest exist?
Title: Re: Best Show Origins
Post by: buffcoat on April 19, 2008, 01:00:57 PM: Consolidated Cardboard is definitely a "corporate citizen" of Newbridge, New Jersey, itself the beating heart of Newbridge County. The Jewel of the Quint Cities!
Title: Re: Best Show Origins
Post by: Pete Velcro on April 19, 2008, 01:29:07 PM: Quote from: buffcoat on April 19, 2008, 01:00:57 PM
Consolidated Cardboard is definitely a "corporate citizen" of Newbridge, New Jersey, itself the beating heart of Newbridge County. The Jewel of the Quint Cities!

I Love It
Title: Re: Best Show Origins
Post by: yesno on April 19, 2008, 02:00:59 PM: Someone should make a map of Newbridge along the lines of the Springfield map that was made a few years back. And I have no talent.
Title: Re: Best Show Origins
Post by: Denim Gremlin on April 19, 2008, 02:31:51 PM: Quote from: yesno on April 19, 2008, 02:00:59 PM
Someone should make a map of Newbridge along the lines of the Springfield map that was made a few years back. And I have no talent.

neil numberman where are you when we need you?
Title: Re: Best Show Origins
Post by: Sarah on April 19, 2008, 02:38:20 PM: Someone proposed this before, a couple of years ago, I think. Don't know if it ever went anywhere. Good idea, though.
Title: Re: Best Show Origins
Post by: jed on April 29, 2008, 09:59:39 AM: Young Petey is given Supercaller status 01/07/2003 .
Title: Re: Best Show Origins
Post by: Stupornaut on April 29, 2008, 12:13:34 PM: I think the first Augie Richards call (6/26/01) is also the first mention of Muffler Row (which Tom mistakes for "Toilet Row" later in the call). In fact, I think it might actually be the first mention of Newbridge.
Title: Re: Best Show Origins
Post by: neilnumberman on April 29, 2008, 12:32:29 PM: Quote from: Colin 2000 on April 19, 2008, 02:31:51 PM
Quote from: yesno on April 19, 2008, 02:00:59 PM
Someone should make a map of Newbridge along the lines of the Springfield map that was made a few years back. And I have no talent.

neil numberman where are you when we need you?

I've thought about it, but yikes, that would be a daunting task
Title: Re: Best Show Origins
Post by: dave from knoxville on April 29, 2008, 04:16:56 PM: Quote from: neilnumberman on April 29, 2008, 12:32:29 PM
Quote from: Colin 2000 on April 19, 2008, 02:31:51 PM
Quote from: yesno on April 19, 2008, 02:00:59 PM
Someone should make a map of Newbridge along the lines of the Springfield map that was made a few years back. And I have no talent.

neil numberman where are you when we need you?

I've thought about it, but yikes, that would be a daunting task

I have seen your work; "daunt" is your middle name! Look up "daunt" in the dictionary, you'll see a picture of Numberman.
Title: Re: Best Show Origins
Post by: perry on April 29, 2008, 05:21:08 PM: even though i know he wouldn't do this for his first book after talking about doing one so much, i always thought tom should put out like...a visitors guide to newbridge and it's residents. i'd really like something like that to use as reference, especially when i have friends over who are sort of new to the show and are wondering what some of the inside jokes are.
Title: Re: Best Show Origins
Post by: Josh on April 29, 2008, 06:39:47 PM: Quote from: Stupornaut on April 29, 2008, 12:13:34 PM
I think the first Augie Richards call (6/26/01) is also the first mention of Muffler Row (which Tom mistakes for "Toilet Row" later in the call). In fact, I think it might actually be the first mention of Newbridge.

Brad Somerstant called on Nov. 7, 2000, about his bid for Water Commissioner of Newbridge County, NJ , but I don't think there was mention of a town called Newbridge. Listener Danny called to talk about the movie "Hannibal" on March 13, 2001, and mentions that he was in a Rocky Horror troupe at the multiplex at the Newbridge Commons.
Title: Re: Best Show Origins
Post by: buffcoat on April 29, 2008, 10:37:10 PM: Quote from: perry on April 29, 2008, 05:21:08 PM
even though i know he wouldn't do this for his first book after talking about doing one so much, i always thought tom should put out like...a visitors guide to newbridge and it's residents. i'd really like something like that to use as reference, especially when i have friends over who are sort of new to the show and are wondering what some of the inside jokes are.

If someone else did this Tom could sue them and then break down on the stand crying about "my creation."
Title: I started making one for the Video/Art contest
Post by: steely damn on April 30, 2008, 03:40:05 PM: Quote from: yesno on April 19, 2008, 02:00:59 PM
Someone should make a map of Newbridge along the lines of the Springfield map that was made a few years back. And I have no talent.
The idea being, doing a pixel art isometric map of Newbridge, for "leaked" screenshots of Radio Hut Software's newest title:
SIM Newbridge 2000™ (exclusive to the Radio Hut GamezBlox 2000™) Just tracking down places and descriptions was a huge task, and the real problem being -I thought the thing lived or died on the quality of the characters in it, and I just couldn't get them to really be engaging enough. I just suck at doing people in this style. But I did get a start on some choice locations:

Bryce's Shanty:
(http://www.mindspring.com/~sinistar/fot/bryce.jpg)
Note- objects that were supposed to act as power-ups. Bong, Jerry's Toilet, Scootch's Sheaf, Log/Broham
Radio Hut:
(http://www.mindspring.com/~sinistar/fot/radiohut.jpg)
Gene Simmons Toyota:

(http://www.mindspring.com/~sinistar/fot/gstoyota.jpg)
Title: Re: Best Show Origins
Post by: Martin on April 30, 2008, 05:06:02 PM: I love it!
Title: Re: Best Show Origins
Post by: AaronC on April 30, 2008, 05:12:56 PM: That is awesome!
Title: Re: Best Show Origins
Post by: Chris L on April 30, 2008, 05:16:05 PM: Fantastic.
Title: Thank you- and
Post by: steely damn on April 30, 2008, 05:28:41 PM: if anybody out there is any good at doing pixel art style characters, I would looooove to finish off some more of this-

for the ones above originally planned-

Bryce's Shanty: Bryce and Ruttiger have a "discussion"
Radio Hut: Horse & Co playing smash the unclaimed computer (interface read SMASH 10 COMPUTERS IN 60 SECONDS TO ADVANCE, PANSY)
Gene Simmons Toyota: Gene chasing a customer with his axe bass. (interface read ESCAPE FROM GENE SIMMONS TOYOTA)

Not pictured but started:
Augie Richards Batter Butler, fully engulfed in flames
Panty Boy & the sink-hole on Old Muffler Row.
Tom's House - for the super-secret final level: Tomageddon - a suburban house with everyone who ever threatened to kill Tom coming down the street towards Tom and Dogmo in the driveway, fists up and teeth bared.

The one that was entirely beyond my ability, but the one I wanted worst was Mother 13 on Mount Everest, with the Polyphonic Spree jumping off a cliff, etc. You had to fight Clarence Clemons to advance.
(http://www.mindspring.com/~sinistar/fot/lm.jpg)
Title: Re: Best Show Origins
Post by: masterofsparks on April 30, 2008, 07:37:38 PM: How about Power Pop Pop Pop's barging?
Title: Re: Best Show Origins
Post by: Stupornaut on May 01, 2008, 05:40:05 PM: So am I wrong in guessing that the the 7/3/01 episode (the one where Tom bashes Frank Zappa and then gets a call from Augie Richards about how he's gonna sue Tom and start up a mobile Batter Butler) is also the first GOMP? There's some extremely drunk guy who works for Warners in their CD-pressing department and Tom "debuts" (?) the saying after the caller claims to be Andy Breckman. About 1:36:30 in the archive.

(Yeah, I've been listening to the shows in order at work.)
Title: Re: Best Show Origins
Post by: Steve in North Hollywood on May 02, 2008, 05:27:34 AM: Quote from: Stupornaut on May 01, 2008, 05:40:05 PM

(Yeah, I've been listening to the shows in order at work.)

You're doing the Lord's work.
Title: Re: Best Show Origins
Post by: yesno on May 04, 2008, 12:18:29 PM: First reference to President Baseball: 04/12/2005. Rick from Newbridge pitches the idea to Tom, and Tim & Eric. (Not the Postal Slap Fight call!)
Title: Re: Best Show Origins
Post by: buffcoat on May 04, 2008, 10:45:14 PM: Quote from: yesno on May 04, 2008, 12:18:29 PM
First reference to President Baseball: 04/12/2005. Rick from Newbridge pitches the idea to Tom, and Tim & Eric. (Not the Postal Slap Fight call!)

Part of a "night of a thousand Wurster calls":

April 12, 2005: Rick [Newbridge] (1:29), Mel [Westbridge] (2:35), Pierre [E. Scandinavia] (2:43), "I Hate Most Things" (2:58)
Title: Re: Best Show Origins
Post by: joanna on May 05, 2008, 01:59:21 AM: Quote from: Chris L on April 30, 2008, 05:16:05 PM
Fontastic.
Title: Re: Best Show Origins
Post by: yesno on August 23, 2008, 08:26:44 PM: Quote from: yesno on May 04, 2008, 12:18:29 PM
First reference to President Baseball: 04/12/2005. Rick from Newbridge pitches the idea to Tom, and Tim & Eric. (Not the Postal Slap Fight call!)

Wow, there was actually a passing reference to President Baseball on January 2, 2001, by Myrlyn Hogan!
Title: President Baseball
Post by: Jan. on August 24, 2008, 01:52:32 AM: I am at the point where I am not sure if President Baseball is a real movie or not.

I think I am just going to believe that it is. My days are brighter because of it.
Title: Re: Best Show Origins
Post by: daveB from Oakland on August 24, 2008, 02:24:24 AM: Quote from: Josh on April 29, 2008, 06:39:47 PM
Brad Somerstant called on Nov. 7, 2000, about his bid for Water Commissioner of Newbridge County, NJ , but I don't think there was mention of a town called Newbridge.

I listened to that Brad Somerstant call at the Best Show Vault (http://bestshowvault.blogspot.com/). It was one of the funniest calls, ever. I was thinking Brad Somerstant would make a good mayubunatorial candidate, given his previous electoral experience.

Quote from: Jan. on August 24, 2008, 01:52:32 AM
I am at the point where I am not sure if President Baseball is a real movie or not.

I think I am just going to believe that it is. My days are brighter because of it.

I listened to the Best Show 4 or 5 times before I figured out that Newbridge, NJ was not a real town. Seriously.

I've never played any of that SIM stuff, but I could seriously get into it if SIMulated Newbridge gets off the ground.
Title: Re: Thank you- and
Post by: daveB from Oakland on August 24, 2008, 02:02:59 PM: Quote from: steely damn on April 30, 2008, 05:28:41 PM
Tom's House - for the super-secret final level: Tomageddon - a suburban house with everyone who ever threatened to kill Tom coming down the street towards Tom and Dogmo in the driveway, fists up and teeth bared.

Awesome! Next door to Tom's house is the house belonging to his neighbor Keith Kinkaid. (http://www.recidivism.org/2006/09/foxdog_sacrifice_brings_the_fl.html#more) ... Keith is Tom's annoying neighbor who's constantly badgering Tom to maintain his yard to Keith's exacting standards, and to attend the neighborhood watch meetings that Keith organizes. Oh yeah, Keith is also the High Priest of the Newbridge C.O.S. (Church of Satan) and wants Tom to attend one of his "Blood Sacrifices".

(Newbridge C.O.S. -- another possible SIM location?)

(Omar's entry about Keith Kinkaid also mentions Newbridge Colonial Days, which sounds like it also has great potential as a game element).
Title: Re: Best Show Origins
Post by: John Junk 2.0 on August 24, 2008, 03:36:49 PM: Holy Shit, Dave B: Second Life Newbridge. Someone (else) must make this happen!
Title: Re: Best Show Origins
Post by: daveB from Oakland on August 24, 2008, 05:48:08 PM: Quote from: John Junk 2.0 on August 24, 2008, 03:36:49 PM
Holy Shit, Dave B: Second Life Newbridge. Someone (else) must make this happen!

I concur. This is a very important job for somebody else. If you build it, I will pay for the finished product. Maybe. Within my means.