I like both of those things, but I like listening to Tom insult the things I like more than the things I don't. Can anyone tell me where both of those takedowns are located?
TAL takedown =
5/8/07 - Nathan from Richmond, Virginia, calls (starts at 1:00) to question his subscription to the "This American Life" podcast. He never listens to it, but he kept it on his computer thinking that he might fire it up in the background while he cleaned his room. Alas, it never really panned out. He liked the program and the idea of it in the podcast format, but he finally had to cut his ties. Tom thinks "This American Life" is a garbage snoozefest featuring eggheads trying to sound wittier than the next. In short: pure junk. Tom informs Nathan that the Showtime television adaptation is as bad as one could imagine. He didn't think the least dynamic radio show ever improved much with added value of seeing host Ira Glass sit at a desk in the middle of a field. Tom saw it, and he was done with it. He rejects the notion that you're stupid if you don't like "This American Life".
The State and "that scene" =
10/17/06- It’s time (starts at 1:08) for Tom to review and restructure your Netflix queue for maximum enjoyment. First up is Nathan, a student of comedy in the midst of a tour through his favorites of the past decade, including: The Office (UK), The Comedians Of Comedy: The Movie (I saw the s hit out of this and it’s almost as mandatory as Coupon: The Movie), Zach Galifianakis Live (not yet released), and Stella. After a rock-solid start, this earns an “Eww, boy” from Tom. Tom wonders if he really wants to watch it, but Nathan loves the show. Nathan continues with Mr. Show, The Kids in the Hall, SCTV, Strangers With Candy, Upright Citizens Brigade, The Baxter, and Wet Hot American Summer. Tom’s not thrilled with the last two films, but Nathan says he’s simply hitting all the angles of the alt.comedy scene. Nathan finishes with Home Movies. Tom reveals that H. Jon Benjamin will be on the show next week. Nathan is pleased to hear that and says he also can’t live without Andy Kindler.
Tom says it’s a pretty impeccable selection of comedy, but he’d like to see an influx of Alec Guinness into his queue. He recommends three of his classic Ealing comedies: his unbelievable turn as a creep and weirdo in the original The Ladykillers, his eight (!) roles in Kind Hearts and Coronets, and The Lavender Hill Mob. Tom informs Nathan that Guinness is the godfather of all British comedy -- he begat Peter Sellers who begat Peter Cook who begat Monty Python collective. Nathan said he plans to also cram the 100-disc Monty Python box set into his queue. Tom says he gets depressed when he sees Guinness walking around in a stupid, brown robe in Star Wars, saying lines like "Use the force, Luke." Nathan will take Tom’s advice and add the films to his queue.
