Wasted Words

Show 137 – I’m picking bravery. is that the wrong one?

shekb — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 16:42:29 +0000

Media studies scholar Erin Hill joins Olivia, Stephen, and RJ to discuss why young adult fiction is dominated by dystopia, how our K-12 education system is crippling critical thinking skills, and pretty much being old. Plus! The triumphant return of What Did Tony Zaret Have for Lunch?

Show 136 – It beats sitting at home punching yourself all night

shekb — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 18:05:09 +0000

Mickie Cathers joins Stephen, Leonard and Olivia to discuss what to do after training a lifetime for one achievement that’s over in an instant. Then we talk about self-delusion and eating your way through Wal-Mart. Plus! New segment, Hell in a Handbasket.

Show 135 – Dancing with a Boner

shekb — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 17:38:42 +0000

Pitchfork scribe Nate Patrin joins Andrew, Leonard and Olivia to contrast childhood hometowns vs. towns one lives in today. Leonard’s ire is stoked by a combustible combo of New York talk and Southern Comfort, plus! Quickly Now! bogs down with the Olympics.

Show 134 – Right Next to Each Other on the Mammal Chart

shekb — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 21:09:14 +0000

Channel101 New York producer and animator extraordinaire Ed Mundy (Archer, Sealab 2021, The Electric Company, et al) joins Andrew, Stephen, and Leonard to discuss the various miseries and fleeting joys of commuting. Also: we introduce a new segment, “What’s Cookin’?”, which may or may not resemble previous segments.

Show 133 – This Is What Is Known As An “Edit Section”, Shek

shekb — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 03:03:52 +0000

Wasted Words returns! In a flourish of mysterious volume-level issues, disappearing panelists, and uncomfortable moments of silence (in other words, your average episode), RJ White (Fake Criterions) hands the hosting reins over to erstwhile panelist Shek Baker and takes a turn as guest. The gang discusses mentors and idols, and shouts out to nut-based spreads and “eggs” during the “Say, What’s Good?” segment. Plus – Plug! Leonard Pierce’s new humor collection, Moods from Marbletown.

Show 132 – Sheepdog Shiraz

rjwhite — Wed, 23 May 2012 02:04:09 +0000

Guest Jaime Fountaine [jaimefountaine.com] asks Leonard, Stephen, Tony and RJ about their experiences with those office ladies. You know the ones. ALSO- “What Did Tony Zaret Have For Lunch?” and a kind-of secondary topic. Plus – plugs!

Show 131 – High Energy

rjwhite — Wed, 09 May 2012 23:19:19 +0000

Nate Patrin (Pitchfork, City Pages) asks the panel whether or not today’s media-saturated society is more cynical than in the past. Olivia is bored by this and we end the show. BEFORE THAT, HOWEVER- “Say, What’s Good,” with recommendations on sci-fi and sports books, old NYC photos, good violin music and German tv-movies that The Matrix ripped off.

Also, we will be done in three or four weeks.

Show 130 – Nuclear Treaty? That’s Dumb

rjwhite — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 01:46:00 +0000

Mike Riggs, of Reason Magazine, stops by to ask the panel what they’d rather be doing, career-wise and if they can imagine doing their current jobs for another half-decade or so. ALSO- the stunning return of “What Is Leonard Pierce Looking At On Wikipedia?”

Show 129 – A Place to Not See and Be Seen

rjwhite — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 00:41:10 +0000

Guest Ramsey Ess [ramseyess.net, the Wonderful, Thanks. podcast] asks Shek, Leonard, Olivia and RJ what restaurants they’d open, given the chance. In “Say, What’s Good?” you are advised toward restaurants in Louisiana and Philadelphia, graduate school acceptance letters, mac and cheese and mints. ALSO- appropriate ages for rock operas; whiskey.

BONUS: The special zombie ammo Leonard discusses? Here’s a promotional video.

Show 128 – The Nelson Riddle of Rock Opera & Theology

rjwhite — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 01:28:06 +0000

Matt Vermeulen stops by to ask Shek, Stephen, Tony and RJ if they have any pop cultural litmus tests for the people they know. ALSO- The stunning return of “What Did Tony Zaret Have For Lunch?”, with a slight breach of protocol. AND- a bunch of awesome things to plug in LA and NYC (including a performance of a reworked The Who’s Tommy). Listen to see what they are, or follow us on Twitter or Facebook for specifics.

BONUS DOWNLOAD – As discussed on the show, Tony Z’s Haggadah, for your Seder this week. If you use one Haggadah this year, make it Tony Z’s. [PDF | 5.8 MB]