First Calls: The Thrills, The Spills, The Horrors

[iAmBaronVonTito]

OK, all things working out, I am calling on Tuesday. I have something to contribute.

one day, this will happen to me.  in the meantime, i remain an internet loudmouth.

[Gibby]

I came, I saw, I flopped, life moves on, ground is unshaken. Try again in a few months!

[yesno]

I came, I saw, I flopped, life moves on, ground is unshaken. Try again in a few months!

Next time, don't use a fake accent.  Tom sees right through those.

[Gibby]

I came, I saw, I flopped, life moves on, ground is unshaken. Try again in a few months!

Next time, don't use a fake accent.  Tom sees right through those.

Hah. That was/is my voice!

[samir]

Next time, don't use a fake accent.  Tom sees right through those.

Fortunately for me, Philly Boy didn't see through mine.

[crumbum]

It's too bad I was busy this past Tuesday night, cause I could have made a half decent first call re: Oh, Family! This one happened to me when home for the holidays.

While sitting in front of the fire by the Xmas tree, discussing the Bernie Madoff scandal with my uncle, he pointed out that it was especially astounding that the guy had convinced a bunch of 'Jewish groups' (not sure who he was talking about) to invest, because 'they're pretty clever about money'.

What does one do in these situations? I just excused myself to go get some more tea, literally thinking to myself, 'Oh Family!'

[dave from knoxville]

Many of my "Oh family" stories are heartbreakingly racist, so I just didn't bring it up.

[crumbum]

I just finished off the last hour of the most recent podcast and now I'm truly thankful I didn't call in with my mildly amusing little tale of anti-semitism -- nothing could compete with the mighty Hugman.

[hugman]

Oh boy.  Thank you crumbum.  I could write a novel about my first call. That was probably the hardest phone call I ever had to make (and I once had to call a friend of mine's secret agent dad and apologize for another friend prank calling his house so said secret agent dad wouldn't tell my dad - I was about 11 years old and s.e.d. didn't tell m.d.). Seriously, my wife had to help me build up the courage to call in.

Tom taking umbrage at my nickname was like getting clocked coming right out of the corner. I did not see that coming and it threw me for a loop, but I think it helped me to be present in the call and focus on telling my story so that this nickname that I love would not sully one of my favorite things. It should also be said that I hadn't heard the first hour or so and I was completely unaware of Tom's whole "if you say you're nervous I'll take it easy on you" thing and about five people before me mentioning how nervous they were.

I shook for the rest of the show, and upon listening to the podcast, started sweating just like I was making the call.  I've subsequently listened to it until it stopped making me sweat (about the fourth time).  I find all this kind of amusing because I'm an actor and don't get nearly this worked up shooting something or watching it on tv.  I guess I just love The Best Show so much I didn't wanna blow it.

I'll stop now.  Thrills for sure.

PS-I've probably analyzed the call way more than anyone else would and should probably let it lie, but I do know the difference between a prologue and an epilogue.

[Regular Joe]

I shook for the rest of the show, and upon listening to the podcast, started sweating just like I was making the call.  I've subsequently listened to it until it stopped making me sweat (about the fourth time).  I find all this kind of amusing because I'm an actor and don't get nearly this worked up shooting something or watching it on tv.

You just nailed this thread for me, hugman. I still cannot for the life of me figure out why being a random caller on this radio show is infinitely more intimidating than acting in front of an actual audience, or even doing improv (which I'm not good at). Those moments spent waiting for the static indication that you are now on Tom's air are some of the most terrifying minutes possible!

[dave from knoxville]

Oh boy.  Thank you crumbum.  I could write a novel about my first call. That was probably the hardest phone call I ever had to make (and I once had to call a friend of mine's secret agent dad and apologize for another friend prank calling his house so said secret agent dad wouldn't tell my dad - I was about 11 years old and s.e.d. didn't tell m.d.). Seriously, my wife had to help me build up the courage to call in.

Tom taking umbrage at my nickname was like getting clocked coming right out of the corner. I did not see that coming and it threw me for a loop, but I think it helped me to be present in the call and focus on telling my story so that this nickname that I love would not sully one of my favorite things. It should also be said that I hadn't heard the first hour or so and I was completely unaware of Tom's whole "if you say you're nervous I'll take it easy on you" thing and about five people before me mentioning how nervous they were.

I shook for the rest of the show, and upon listening to the podcast, started sweating just like I was making the call.  I've subsequently listened to it until it stopped making me sweat (about the fourth time).  I find all this kind of amusing because I'm an actor and don't get nearly this worked up shooting something or watching it on tv.  I guess I just love The Best Show so much I didn't wanna blow it.

I'll stop now.  Thrills for sure.

PS-I've probably analyzed the call way more than anyone else would and should probably let it lie, but I do know the difference between a prologue and an epilogue.

You were awesome, Hugman. A natural.

[Kid Pain]

I have to say, "Oh family" was the perfect topic to dip your toe in the waters. Lots of leeway from Tom. I was down 0-2 but wound up getting a laugh out of Tom. Well worth it!

[mcphee from the forum]

The Hugman call was one of the few times I've actually gone back to a podcast to listen to a real call a second time. I've even played it for a friend. The drama of Tom coming around on the nickname, and the story itself. it's all so great.

[iAmBaronVonTito]

tonite's my second chance to call in.  but if PFT is going to be there...maybe too much for the first time. 

[Spoony]

Paul brings out the devil in Tom, no doubt.