Best Show Conversion

[Ojingeo]

Hey, FOTs. I'm mostly a lurker, but I have been feeling especially down today for various reasons and feel the need to testify. I started listening to The Best Show in 2008. I started as an WFMU fan, and started listening to Clay Pigeon's great show. I put some Best Show episodes on my iPod because I was interested in anything WFMU-related. Also, at the time, I had started a teaching job in Korea and I didn't have a TV or even a computer. I downloaded podcasts at work and listened to them before I went to bed, in lieu of TV. The first episode I listened to was one with Marky Ramone--I don't know the exact one. I was quite surprised to here Marky Ramone call in. But I was convinced it was really Marky. And I thought he was strange and hilarious. Do you know the clincher, the exact moment that hooked me to the Best Show? It was Tom's fantastic story about Papa Roach. That was one of the funniest things I had ever heard. Tom is a master storyteller. Even without Wurster, this would be a great show. And I have since become a devout listener. I have been feeling really down lately because of my employment situation, and I have been listening to the archives, and they cheer me up. So, thank you Tom and friends. Also, I was wondering what were "I have seen the light" moments for other FOTs have been.

Oh, and can someone tell me the appeal of the FOTChat? I've logged in, but it just seems to detract from my enjoyment from the show. Am I missing much by not bothering with the Chat?

[mackro]

meltmaster, you're not alone.  While I've known about the Best Show for many years since I first got that Best Of S&W Release or is it the second one? Whichever has "The Music Scholar" on it, that's what hooked me.  I quickly made the connection back to "Rock, Rot, And Rule" which I heard as a stray Mp3 in 1999.

But I didn't actually listen to the Best Show until just months ago.  Part of it was just the right technology at the right time. The WFMU App v 1.0 really helped out.  I was fighting my ass off to get a job between August and December of 2009.  I got a contract in 2009, but right around the same time I started listening, I got a full time offer for a job with the company (as a software engineer) at the same time.. so I associated Best Show with good things that come to me. The show has been better than doctors to me in regards to anxiety, and helped in me re-prioritizing what I want to do in my free time.

I wouldn't be surprised if many people listen to the show for therapeutic reasons.  Hang in there, melt.  You'll have to fight hard and deal with a lot of bullshit, but you will be fine.

[buffcoat]

The FOTchat is full of jerks.


You know who we you are.

[DoodleJump!]

I used to log into the chat every Tues, but in the end I really just didn't...care. I feel like it just makes my listening experience more complicated, which after a full day of school and work is not pleasant. Not to say that it's a negative thing- the chat is mostly great and full of witty things. Just not for me.

I first heard The Best Show through a close friend of mine who played a cd for my brother. We were in the car driving back from Disney World, and I sat in the backseat watching a movie. I kept hearing them laugh, and as they disrupted my dvd-viewing pleasure I took the headphones off to listen to what they were laughing at. After a few seconds, I was thoroughly turned off by what I heard. A 2 inch tall man? Who drove a Barbie convertible? And who was a Nazi idealist? I thought it was so so dumb. It wasn't till much later I gave it another try- my brother made me listen to Tom's neighbor. I finally became hooked when Pft called in one time and he and Tom talked about Gerald Ford jokes (this was shortly after Ford's death.) This is also when I decided that Pft and Tom Scharpling were two of my favorite people living.
And of course, every time Ted Leo called in I was charmed off my feet! Still am. The Best Show provides for me mirth, music AND mayhem, and I will continue to support the station in order that others may know its joy!

[betheboy]

Meltmaster - First of all, I'm sorry to hear you're going through a tough time. I'm glad that The Best Show is making it a little easier.

I guess I was lucky because I saw the light the very first time I heard the show. It was a little over 3 years ago; I had been a regular WFMU listener but hadn't gotten wise to the Best Show. After seeing one of the Scharpling and Wurster CD's referenced in review I was reading I purchased Rock, Rot & Rule and ten minutes in I was hooked. I purchased all of the S+W stuff, tuned in the net Tuesday and have listened ever since.

As for the chat, it took me about a year or more to start checking out the forum and chat. I check in to the forum at least once or twice a week and say a few words when I feel like I can add to the topic. It's hard for me to tune into the chat during the show because I'm usually working when it's on. When I do, it's fun but it's not essential to enjoy the show.  While I don't chat that often I am connected to many fans of the show through Twitter and Facebook and THAT has greatly enhanced my enjoyment of the show because the FOT community is an outstanding group of people.

[mackro]

With FOTChat, I think you just gotta dive in there and get into it. I like the chat myself, and I've made a few more virtual acquaintances because of it. But if it's not your thing, no need to join. Have never seen jerks in chat to be honest. Sometimes one annoying person desperate for attention crowds the chat window for a few then leaves. (and then I come back for more attention.)

[badgrammer]

Meltmaster --I'm kind of in a similar situation, so I know how you feel!

I returned from teaching in Japan last August and have yet to really find steady work. 

TBS not only cheers me up now when I'm having a stressful day, but it did wonders for me while I was abroad. It was one of the few things that made me feel connected, I guess you could say, to America, to pop culture --to my favorite stuff! I lived in a tiny, isolated town in the Japan countryside and if wasn't for the podcasts that were readily available every Thursday, I'm sure I would have gone bonkers. (There are only so many times one can watch THE OFFICE on their MacBook and feel OK.)

I've recently started to really enjoy being in the chat while listening to the live stream. I haven't decided which I like better: being a part of the show discussion while it's happening or waiting til later to listen and comment.

As I've said in some previous posts, I've been listening for about two years now and just recently decided to officially become a FOT. Be the Boy --you are right! This is community of awesome, like-minded people--I'm really grateful that it exists! 

[Hunter_S]

I've been listening since 2007 (and never called in), have all the S&W albums, and it's all definitely helped me though some really rough times.  This is my first post on the forum, although I registered in October of '08.

[dave from knoxville]

If you don't have anything good to say about the FOTchat, don't say anything at all.

Unless you pledge at least 75 bucks. Then feel free to say anything you want.

[Ojingeo]

Dave, I pledged the FOT requisite 75. (I wasn't able to pledge for the emergency marathon, and I felt really bad about that.)

I'm not a chat-hater. I'm chat-curious. Obviously it adds to the experience for some people. And Tom seems to expertly glean what he needs from it.

Anyhow, thanks for reading/responding to my post. And thanks for the words of encouragement.

[DoodleJump!]

I annually pledge 75 bucks to the station, but this year has seen some serious cutbacks for me for numerous reasons, so I am only pledging $25 this year. I feel terrible about this, but there is just no way I can pledge premium level. Garr...Next year if things are financially looser with me than I will make up for this year's slack!

[herbsweal]

My TBS journey started about a month ago. I read about it on A Special Thing's message board, so I decided to check it out. I started out by listening to some Best Show Jems podcasts. I guess the moment I was hooked was during the Gorch's 2007 in-studio appearance. It was just something about the stories he was telling, so zany but delivered in a deadpan, believable way.

[buffcoat]

The gun welded to the chain is an incredible piece of comedy work.

[LesSavyFan]

The first time I heard Philly Boy Roy say ste-puncle. I was stopped at a red light and people around me were giving me funny looks I was laughing so hard. It was around a year ago and I've been hooked since.

As for the chat I have nothing against it but it's not my thing. If it increases peoples enjoyment of the show then it's all good but I usually don't listen live anyways.

[Harpsichord]

I first heard a mention of the Best Show on an episode of John Oliver/Andy Zaltzman's podcast The Bugle.  John mentioned something about really enjoying the show and suggesting everyone listen to it.  The first episode I heard was pretty good (Wurster as Todd Palin/Fake Guy Fieri talk) and the second one was PFT and the Gathering of the Juggalos.  Discovered PFT and my new favorite radio show all in one night.