FOT Forum
The Best Show on WFMU => Show Discussion => Topic started by: not that James on June 11, 2009, 07:32:30 PM
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First, let me say that I love those moments when Patton Oswalt, Paul F., John Hodgman, Zach Owlifianakis or any of the other members of the Best Show Comedy Mafia call in or visit for an extended period of time and let us all in; giving us a chef's-table-view, if you will, of the high-end comedy sausage being made. I mean, I bought my Patton Oswalt tickets for October about 2 months ago, and I've been checking the calendar daily ever since...
That said, I've gotta say that the six-hour celebrity marathon, instead of completely sating my Best Show cravings, actually made me feel a little hungry for the old-school, classical model of the Best Show. I mean, this is getting to be a pretty regular thing. Aimee Mann and Patton pay a visit. Paul F. Tompkins co-hosts in studio. The Mike Show hosts Kevin Smith...
Is it just me? I like the suspense of wondering "Is this going to be a three-hour dud?", "Is PBR going to call?" , "Where's Fredricks?", and certainly not least, "Is Julie drunk, AGAIN?" This week's show, which was certainly back in the classical mode, was like a homecoming party for a high-school I wish I had attended. I was home again.
It's probably above my paygrade to even suggest such a thing, but here goes anyway. I propose that for the next three weeks the Best Show goes "NO CELEBRITIES". No Mike Show, not even a Julie Show, no extended interviews... Just the MAN and the microphone, and all you crazy nutballs I've come to love so well.
Humbly submitted,
-Not That James
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I like both the old-school and the celebrity stuff, so it doesn't matter that much to me. But I will say there is lots and lots more old-school stuff in the show's history, so maybe Tom has earned some time with celebrities.
Oh, and the proposal itself is ridiculous. You don't tell The Best Show what to do. The Best Show tells you what to do.
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Whatever I hear every Tuesday night, I always like.
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I understand the sentiment, but I laughed harder during the 6 hour show than I have in ages. Whether or not the show is "true to form" the comedy just gets better.
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Okay... so that's 3 votes emphatically against, and immediately...
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Personally, I don't have a preference. I've enjoyed listening to the likes of Martin Short, John Hodgman, and Lisa Jane Persky over the last few weeks. But I also enjoy the shows like the one from this past Tuesday, when Tom just interacts with the callers.
However, it is Tom's show and he can do whatever he pleases. So my opinion is ultimately irrelevant.
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Creeps who try too hard aside, everybody who calls is a star.
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Creeps who try too hard aside, everybody who calls is a star.
Suddenly paranoid. ???
I propose that for the next three weeks the Best Show goes "NO CELEBRITIES".
It takes stones (or perhaps masochism) to get on the FOT board and make show recommendations, NTJ, because you know - no matter how measured and sincere your suggestion - people are going to come down on you like a one-ton shit-hammer. I sensed the best intentions in your post, so I really hope you are spared!
Personally, I like the variation in the Best Show. I like how Tom might have thirteen guests one week, no JW call another, break into a "go shop for a coffin" fugue state for 30 minutes another, and so on. It is so easy to fall into a pattern, and Tom never allows that to happen. So NTJ, there may be five consecutive weeks of guests coming up, or maybe none. I'm happy not knowing, and I hope you can take some enjoyment from that as well.
Best,
Jon
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Tom is best without celebrities. The end.
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Hey Julie! Can I say, most sincerely, you have shown an amazing growth trajectory over the last several months? I used to cringe when you called. Now, I think to myself, "Oh cool, it's Julie!"
Best of luck to you, my friend!
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Hey Julie! Can I say, most sincerely, you have shown an amazing growth trajectory over the last several months? I used to cringe when you called. Now, I think to myself, "Oh cool, it's Julie!"
Best of luck to you, my friend!
You used to cringe when Julie called the show? Really?
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What can I say? I think it's clear from even this thread that I am a peaceful man, offering nothing but love, but yes, Julie used to drive me nuts.
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I think it's clear from even this thread that I am a peaceful man, offering nothing but love, but yes, Julie used to drive me nuts.
Indeed you are, good sir.
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Any suggestion that amounts to "less PFT" should be punishable by DEATH.
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Any suggestion that amounts to "less PFT" should be punishable by DEATH.
Hear that, VH1 executives? (shakes fist)
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First off, these celebrities are people I never knew I needed more of. But now I do. And that six-hour show was incredible. That an environment was created for that sort of chemistry to happen demands gratitude. Wurster calls, guests, topics: it's pure alchemy. Advocating anything other than "Do what you're doing" is a tactical misstep.
That said, the relatability of a great topic is what got me into The Best Show in the first place, and remains my favorite element.
Any DJ can take a caller (or book a guest,) but I still remember accidentally finding Lighthouse Confessions for the first time and just thinking "This is the thing I've ever heard, flat-out."
Top 100 Movie Quotes, Getting To Know You, What Celebrity You Look Like, etc...topics catalyze the best dynamic between audience and host in any medium, perhaps ever. But that's just me.
Maybe I'm reading too much into your post, Not that James, but are you suggesting Tom's more interesting than any guest?
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i get nostalgic too sometimes, but overall it's better that the show naturally goes wherever it goes
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"This is the thing I've ever heard, flat-out."
New T-Shirt?
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I disagree with the topic of this thread.
I also like to think that the famous FOTs are above what qualifies as a "celebrity" these days. Heidi and Spencer are celebrities. All those tabloid targets are celebrities. Octo-mom is a celebrity.
Patton, Galifianakis, Scheer, Tompkins, Huebel, Woliner, Daly, Hodgman,Leslie Ami Mann, etc. They are above meer "celebrity." They are TALENTED PEOPLE who are creating long-lasting, respectable careers for themselves.
But it is easier to just say "celebrity," and cut to the chase.
Nevertheless, it's Tom's show and Tom controls who gets on the air, famous, talented or otherwise.
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definitely more Leslie Mann. hubba hubba!
(http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i252/lonestarverve/01-08/vf-Leslie-Mann-02.jpg)
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definitely more Leslie Mann. hubba hubba!
(http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i252/lonestarverve/01-08/vf-Leslie-Mann-02.jpg)
Fixed, and yes, More Leslie Mann would be welcome. I was fortunate enough to meet her while nannying for Nate on Drillbit Taylor (she played Owen Wilson's love interest, but I know all you FOTs own a copy of the DVD, so you already knew that) and she is absolutely radiant. I think I forgot my name while I was shaking her hand.
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I wrote a long reply to this thread. Then I deleted it. Let's just say that I am going to do what I want to do every week.
Tom.
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"This is the thing I've ever heard, flat-out."
New T-Shirt?
Oh boy. Insert "best."
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I wrote a long reply to this thread. Then I deleted it. Let's just say that I am going to do what I want to do every week.
Tom.
I wish you would re-write it and post it! Use a fake name or something.
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Oh, and I wasn't trying to tell Tom Scharpling what to do. Just giving my opinion about which shows make me laugh hardest. I like the shows with celebrities, too.
PLEASE DON'T HATE ME, TOM SCHARPLING!
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Oh, and I wasn't trying to tell Tom Scharpling what to do. Just giving my opinion about which shows make me laugh hardest. I like the shows with celebrities, too.
PLEASE DON'T HATE ME, TOM SCHARPLING!
where's your dignity, Julie?
Oh wait...
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where's your dignity, Julie?
Oh wait...
What does dignity mean?
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man...you gotta love when people complain about something they get for free.
if you didn't laugh out loud at the absurdity of a gajillion "celebrities" all calling in back to back then I don't know what to tell you.
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man...you gotta love when people complain about something they get for free.
if you didn't laugh out loud at the absurdity of a gajillion "celebrities" all calling in back to back then I don't know what to tell you.
There is a little bit of something brown sticking on your nose.
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Hey you know who needs to be told how to be funny and entertaining? The guy who created that long-running, hugely popular, and feverishly adored radio show that has never been more on top of its game. I mean, that was all just a lucky streak right?
Sheesh, let the maestro work.
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I like the suspense of wondering "Is this going to be a three-hour dud?"
I have never wondered that. I'm surprised no one has commented on this.
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I don't feed trolls.
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Most of the time, anyway.
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Well, ok. So sometimes I do. But not this time.
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It's fine. Some people like some shows more than others. I take the notion of wanting more of me talking and less guests as a compliment ultimately. But again, I'm going to do run the show how I see fit.
Tom.
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Naturally, you (T.Scharpling) should run the show as you see fit! That's why it's been such a funny genius fest for so long!
Also you should hang up on more people. Let me know if you need any other advice, as I am very happy to oblige.
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I like the suspense of wondering "Is this going to be a three-hour dud?"
I have never wondered that. I'm surprised no one has commented on this.
Yeah, I've never thought that. Even the shows where the callers are soul-crushingly bad, Tom finds a way to make it funny or entertaining.
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Yeah, I've never thought that. Even the shows where the callers are soul-crushingly bad, Tom finds a way to make it funny or entertaining.
yes, exactly.
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It's fine. Some people like some shows more than others. I take the notion of wanting more of me talking and less guests as a compliment ultimately. But again, I'm going to do run the show how I see fit.
Tom.
I guess I should've checked back to this thread earlier...
It was definitely meant as a compliment. Just to clarify... I'm not complaining! I thought Aimee and Patton were great! I had no idea just how charming and witty Aimee was until that show. I also thoroughly enjoyed the six-hour marathon... I just felt a little pang of nostalgia, and used the "proposal" as a way to elicit conversation...
I have to say, it bothers me to think what might have been in that original posting from Tom... So Tom, if you're still following this thread, and if you took offense in any way, please know none was intended. You are, indeed, the best!
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I imagine there were people who would have wanted to help Kubrick "fix" the "problems" with 2001, as well.
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Good evening, Dave. Everything's running smoothly. And you?
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I imagine there were people who would have wanted to help Kubrick "fix" the "problems" with 2001, as well.
I love other Kubrick films, but I hate 2001 with a passion.
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I've been thinking about the celebrities thing for awhile and I'm not surprised I wasn't the only one. The show doesn't need no stinkin' celebrities to be good. It's always good but I definitely dig the no celebrities for 3 weeks idea.
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I want Tom on everyone else's show as well as everyone else on Tom's show.
I would be more in sympathy with the thesis of this thread if I didn't have five more years of archives to hear for the first time, I think. Tom talking is what originally made me laugh about the Best Show and will always be my favourite bit. But who could not love such guests?
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The show is going to be good at the very least with or without guests. Tom's not bringing Reality stars and American Idols on, he's bringing quality.
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The show is going to be good at the very least with or without guests. Tom's not bringing Reality stars and American Idols on, he's bringing quality.
Well said.
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The problem is not the celebrities but the SELF CONGRATULATION TELLING EACH OTHER HOW GREAT THEY ARE. The best show is not the sammy maudlin show.
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The problem is not the celebrities but the SELF CONGRATULATION TELLING EACH OTHER HOW GREAT THEY ARE. The best show is not the sammy maudlin show.
The thing is that when a great person (me) talks to other great people (my guests) we all end up admiring the collective greatness that is going on. You've clearly never been where we live every day, Sherbet. Nobody has ever told you that you're great.
And that makes me sad.
Tom.
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The best show is not the sammy maudlin show.
It's not?
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I actually agree with mrsherbet. What the show needs is a more Morton Downey, Jr type feel, where Tom yells at John Hodgman and flips a cigarette at his face.
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[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKBYMrKUXj8[/youtube]
Heh.
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Man do I miss MDJ... so good, so good. I like when he includes himself in the statement of things that "we" in the music business don't "dig". Classic.
On the topic, I think the celebrities are great. It's like being a fly on the wall listening to everybody, very cool. Bring on the 6 hour Best Show!
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TOM: Today our guest is John Hodgman. Hi, John, how are you?
HODGMAN: Great, Tom. Thanks for having me.
TOM: Have I ever told you how much I hate your apple commercials? Horrible. Just horrible. God, and that annoying and unsteady voice of yours. Heave ho!
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The problem is not the celebrities but the SELF CONGRATULATION TELLING EACH OTHER HOW GREAT THEY ARE. The best show is not the sammy maudlin show.
This is the dumbest thing I have read all day.
...and I just read Palin's resignation speech transcript.
(But, orator...you short Best Show Fan Fiction was funny!)
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At least they pod MD Jr. down.
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I had no idea GG was a "sidewalk walkin'" guy.
I agree with Tom on the larger point. But Tom, please be respectful. His name is Mr. Sherbe"r"t. Your correction imperialistically threatens his right to misspell simple words.
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The problem is not the celebrities but the SELF CONGRATULATION TELLING EACH OTHER HOW GREAT THEY ARE. The best show is not the sammy maudlin show.
Yeah Mr. Sherbet yer right, Tom should invite guests on the show and refrain from talk of their accomplishments. Better yet, maybe he should invite guests who he doesn't like all that much to the show, to avoid the whole mutual admiration thing, and stick to the basic interview questions. I mean, why would a radio host want to share with his listeners the things and people he loves? Does he think our time is free??
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The problem is not the celebrities but the SELF CONGRATULATION TELLING EACH OTHER HOW GREAT THEY ARE. The best show is not the sammy maudlin show.
Yeah Mr. Sherbet yer right, Tom should invite guests on the show and refrain from talk of their accomplishments. Better yet, maybe he should invite guests who he doesn't like all that much to the show, to avoid the whole mutual admiration thing, and stick to the basic interview questions. I mean, why would a radio host want to share with his listeners the things and people he loves? Does he think our time is free??
Yeah, maybe Tom should just do a weekly interview with Kevin Smith, Zach Braff, and any podcasters who have the energy to put on pants and show up. Seriously though, I've never heard a show that consistantly has the caliber of guests that Tom does. Not kissing ass, just being honest. How could anyone complain?
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The problem is not the celebrities but the SELF CONGRATULATION TELLING EACH OTHER HOW GREAT THEY ARE. The best show is not the sammy maudlin show.
The thing is that when a great person (me) talks to other great people (my guests) we all end up admiring the collective greatness that is going on. You've clearly never been where we live every day, Sherbet. Nobody has ever told you that you're great.
And that makes me sad.
Tom.
Tom, I could hear the centurian quality in your voice on this post. Haha. Love it.
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"Centurian quality"?
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"Centurian quality"?
Stentorian, perhaps.
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[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKBYMrKUXj8[/youtube]
Heh.
MDJ kinda made me laugh in this clip when he sang "That's Entertainment" after discussing Mr. Galin's habit of throwing doody.
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"Centurian quality"?
Stentorian, perhaps.
Nope. Centurian.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiXrIl-3ruI
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At least they pod MD Jr. down.
Pot not pod. As in potentiometer.
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"Centurian quality"?
Stentorian, perhaps.
Nope. Centurian.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiXrIl-3ruI
Jeez, man. My ears are bleeding. Those guys suck.
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Wait, whuuuut?
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And to continue this pleasantness: G.G. on a very early episode of the Jerry Springer Show, when he was still in Oprah mode. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2LvZd_9aMU[/youtube]
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Mankowski? Really?
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Actually, she looks none the worse for wear! http://www.facebook.com/people/Liz-Mankowski-Miller/1141172784 (http://www.facebook.com/people/Liz-Mankowski-Miller/1141172784)
I don't think that's her
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Can I suggest a 3-week moratorium on "tiny-text-as-punchline" humor?
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Why the gloves, GG?
Is this small enough for you todd? Seriously, though, I agree that this is played.
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Is Paul F. moving back to L.A. soon? If so, shouldn't there be an in-studio farewell of some kind?
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Can I suggest a 3-week moratorium on "tiny-text-as-punchline" humor?
As a key proponent of the footnote joke, I'll say that you can.*
*but you may not.