5 S&W calls for the uninitiated

[rhelly]

Say I wanted to get my girlfriend into The Best Show. What are the 5 calls she should listen to, having no frame of reference to the S&W in-jokes? I know the first call would be Rock, Rot, and Rule. But then what?

[Nicholas Tanek]

- Marky Ramone's romance novel and reunion of the Ramones.

- Philly Boy Roy

- The Gorch

[Mike Desert]

I did this recently actually... on a road trip I played her:

Gas Station Dogs
Terrence, a Hipster From Billyburg
Author Steven Jennings Talks About His Bruce Springsteen Book
Marky Ramone's Romance Novel
A Visit from Zachary Brimstead, Esq. (originally aired on May 6, 2008)
Hammerhead Talks About the Newbridge Hardcore Scene
Rick DeBetto from DeBetto and Nephews Fine Dining

personal favorite though is:
A Call from Bernie Taupin
the Gene Simmons call
the first Zachary Brimstead
Power Pop Pop Pop

[Denim Gremlin]

all the ones on the cd's are really great S&W primers, if you don't already own them buy them and give them to her but I'd particularly recommend Kid Ebay, Andy from Lake Newbridge, the the two part audio guru call. they are all great at showing the weird slow build then sharp left turn that is the S&W trademark.

I second all the calls recommended so far, Mike beat me to Hammerhead, my all time favorite but here's few other favs you can get at the best show gems

1. Brock Peuchk, Neighborhood Hero - rivals Kid Ebay for going off on amazing tangents and completely forgetting its premise then circling back beautifully
2. Big Bill, Little Bill and Mr. Sherbert - the height of S&W surreal absurdity
3. RB calls about the Gathering of the Juggalos - what can I say, it's just amazing
4. Philly Boy Roys calls to talk about the world cup - I think this is a good one not only as a good PBR call but the presence of funny guests, Hodgeman and John Oliver being as bewildered by it all will make a newcomer feel less alone if they're confused
5. Darren from work shakes his money maker to that greasy funk - this is one of my all time favorite Darren calls

[rhelly]

Thanks, everyone.

Yeah, the CD ones are great primers, I agree. I like the deep cut suggestions too. Some of which I haven't even heard yet. I just got into the show about a year ago. It was always in my periphery, but seemed so daunting with the sheer amount of content.

[Nicholas Tanek]

Gas Station Dogs
Terrence, a Hipster From Billyburg
and the one where his cousin is always lying and his mom has to put pretty much everything he owns on top of the fridge.

[rhelly]

Gas Station Dogs
Terrence, a Hipster From Billyburg
and the one where his cousin is always lying and his mom has to put pretty much everything he owns on top of the fridge.

Is this last one a Gem? Is it his cousin Hutch?

[Bridgey]

Rick Spangler's "Sucks" songs.

[Nicholas Tanek]

@rhelly No, it's not but I think it from 2012/13 era. I think it is Hutch too. It's so good.

[Nicholas Tanek]

How can I forget?

RB Hatchetman calls about The Gathering of The Juggalos. 

(it goes perfectly if you listen to Paul F. Tompkins and Tom talk about the gathering first.)

[Bull Shannon]

Big Bill and Little Bill was the call that was recommended to me, and I'd say Rick Spangler was the one that really made it click for me.

[olliegrind]

I always suggest the gem "A Call from a Poor Millionaire."

[Ojingeo]

I second the poor millionaire. I also HIGHLY recommend Andy from Lake Newbridge. It is the first thing I was able to get people to listen to. My 8 year old nephew enjoyed it. Sowing seeds. (Mind you, most S&W calls seem to go places I don't think children under the age of 25 should listen to.)

[JRSly]

I second the poor millionaire. I also HIGHLY recommend Andy from Lake Newbridge. It is the first thing I was able to get people to listen to. My 8 year old nephew enjoyed it. Sowing seeds. (Mind you, most S&W calls seem to go places I don't think children under the age of 25 should listen to.)

"Yeah, I'm talking about wedding night area fun."

@rhelly No, it's not but I think it from 2012/13 era. I think it is Hutch too. It's so good.

That was Cousin Sherm, from Dec 27, 2011. Hutch was the cousin who had been on a "health food kick" at Whole Foods, eating all their fresh organic pizza made with the finest moosarella cheese.

[Quilombo]

A few favourites:

The call from the editor of Pizza Aficionado magazine- gets into the absurdity right from the start, ridiculous delusional ideas for supergroups and concerts which Tom is expected to organise, some great quotable lines and a little bit of JW creepiness which includes an amazing ending.

The call from school bully Troy Dershman- JW's overly dumb and aggressive voice and character is fantastic- a bit like Hot Rockin' Ronny (would also reccomend any one of his calls). More of a character based call without any surreal tangents.

The first call from Mike Sayjack- Epic

The Mike Heally dvd call- arguably only one joke but it works