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Scharpling & Wurster / The Best Show On WFMU

Started by Paaaaul, July 13, 2009, 09:31:02 PM

Previous topic - Next topic

Dusty Substance

Quote from: Paaaaul on April 20, 2018, 07:46:09 AM
No.
L (from M).

I used to quite like her from the FMU days but didn't know she was back. I'm a few weeks behind.

Personally, I can't stand Mary Houlihan. To me, she is the epitome of that particular brand of modern "quirky" comedian and just find her appearances absolutely cringe-worthy.

Quote from: Tairy_Green on April 26, 2018, 09:27:51 PM
Current main offender: Cat from Raleigh. Although they've been quiet for a few weeks.

I went off Cat from Raleigh a bit after their repeated calls but then they broke the news about their health problems and, call me an old softy (but I'd prefer if you called me a distinguished gentleman with a flagging erection)  my heart really out went out to Cat. Plus, Sid is a really cool name for a cat.





chveik

Does anyone know where I could download The Best Show's archives? The links in this thread don't work.

colacentral

If no one else responds I can PM you a link on the weekend when I'm home from work.

chveik

Quote from: colacentral on October 02, 2018, 11:35:39 PM
If no one else responds I can PM you a link on the weekend when I'm home from work.

That'd be great!

Dusty Substance


Is anyone else still listening to The Best Show? I lagged behind last summer and slowly caught up over the rest of the year before binging on November to February in the last couple of weeks and am now all caught up. I've also gone back through a bunch of You Tube clips and Best Show Gems and Best Show Bests.

The Wurster calls truly are some of the funniest things I've ever heard and I can re-listen to certain phone-ins again and again.

Tom was away in Toronto in November and December working on What We Do In The Shadows and when he returned it was like having grumpy circa 2008 Tom back for a while. He just turned 50, too, and was in no mood to talk about his half century.

He's also working on a book, which is bound to brilliant, especially if he records an audio version of it (perhaps with A.P Mike doing some of the voices, ala Adam Eget did in Norm MacDonald's audiobook).

Tom also mentioned plans to record an album (citing the Richard Harris/Jimmy Webb collaborations as a main influence) but that might just be a joke.

I know it's not always the done thing to bump these threads but The Best Show is fantastic and I highly recommend to those on here who have never heard it.



notjosh

Quote from: Dusty Substance on March 12, 2019, 12:38:11 AM
Is anyone else still listening to The Best Show? I lagged behind last summer and slowly caught up over the rest of the year before binging on November to February in the last couple of weeks and am now all caught up. I've also gone back through a bunch of You Tube clips and Best Show Gems and Best Show Bests.

The Wurster calls truly are some of the funniest things I've ever heard and I can re-listen to certain phone-ins again and again.

Tom was away in Toronto in November and December working on What We Do In The Shadows and when he returned it was like having grumpy circa 2008 Tom back for a while. He just turned 50, too, and was in no mood to talk about his half century.

He's also working on a book, which is bound to brilliant, especially if he records an audio version of it (perhaps with A.P Mike doing some of the voices, ala Adam Eget did in Norm MacDonald's audiobook).

Tom also mentioned plans to record an album (citing the Richard Harris/Jimmy Webb collaborations as a main influence) but that might just be a joke.

I know it's not always the done thing to bump these threads but The Best Show is fantastic and I highly recommend to those on here who have never heard it.

I've listened to a lot of the Wurster calls and like them a lot, but find they get a bit repetitive after a while. Could you point me to a few other best bits of the show?

sevendaughters

not listened much since the switch from WFMU, still in the FOT periphery on Twitter so I get bits filtering through and I still find it all very amusing. For me everything peaked in a really glorious way with Weirdos Exposed and sometimes I struggle to regain the mojo even if it is still doing what it does well.

Crabwalk

I still listen to the show every week. It's just an ingrained part of my life at this stage and I still really enjoy it. It went through a run of having lots of guests (and appearances from Gary the Fucking Squirrel), most of which I didn't find particularly interesting or funny. I think he came around to the view that the show is strongest just with him and callers and the occasional call from Jon. It just means Tom can control the pace, vibe and themes better, and I think the show is at its most distinctive in that format.

That said, I did love the stretch where they were inserting snippets of fake radio stations last year. That was really ambitious, inviting callers to play along without ever explicitly asking them to, and it yielded some brilliant results. I wish 'Whip Talk', 'Beatles Talk' and 'A Porno Home Companion' would return. They were so funny.

Quote from: notjosh on March 12, 2019, 10:09:49 AM
I've listened to a lot of the Wurster calls and like them a lot, but find they get a bit repetitive after a while. Could you point me to a few other best bits of the show?

Outside of the Wurster calls it's a tricky show to appreciate in bite-size pieces, but the Best Show podcast feed uploads a classic clip every week and they're not always Wurster calls. Otherwise, there's a compilation of the legendary e-cigs for legs caller on youtube, although a lot of the fun of those calls is that they pop and catch Tom out at random.

You've heard the Gathering of the Juggalos chat with Paul F Tompkins, I'm guessing? That's one of the most popular bits from the show's history.

notjosh

Quote from: Crabwalk on March 12, 2019, 10:50:26 AM
You've heard the Gathering of the Juggalos chat with Paul F Tompkins, I'm guessing? That's one of the most popular bits from the show's history.

Nope, nothing outside the Wurster stuff, so I'll give this a go. Cheers.

The Gathering of the Juggalos bit is an all-time great segment, though useful to note that it took place before making fun of the Juggalos became cliche. I vividly remember listening to that episode live, and it was the first I'd heard ICP mentioned since the late 90s.

I'd also recommend a sampling of Spike calls (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=scharpling+spike), one of the highlights being his long-running claim to have written a book ("Weirdo's Exposed") that very obviously did not exist. One of the sad things about the show moving off WFMU is that you no longer get random radio listeners calling in to the show or getting confused by what it is. Now all of the callers are more or less identical 30-something hipsters.

McQ

Quote from: Pearly-Dewdrops Drops on March 13, 2019, 12:46:38 AM
Now all of the callers are more or less identical 30-something hipsters.

And Avalanche Bob.

Quote from: McQ on March 13, 2019, 08:43:39 AM
And Avalanche Bob.

Yes, though the AB calls are not as fun because it seems like there might be something genuinely wrong with him.

Crabwalk

He's sharp enough when it comes to relentless self-promotion. He strikes me as more of a mild eccentric than seriously mentally ill, but sometimes I do think Tom crosses the line with him a bit. His exasperation is usually very funny though in the face of AB's relentlessness.

I like it when kids call. Tom usually strikes just the right balance between encouraging them and gently teasing them.

sevendaughters


grassbath

Never been a regular listener (not really a podcast/radio kind of guy in general, too much commitment), but the clips I've heard, largely through here, have become some of my most treasured comedy things. Essential hangover listening. I just love Scharpling's dry, derisory tone.

The paintings of Ringo Starr: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjdOYo7KLX4

Ripping the shit out of Anthony Kiedis' autobiography: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YTdfcuAFys

Return of the Jedi (7.00 onward is gold): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSH-dQEwDxE


Dusty Substance

Quote from: notjosh on March 12, 2019, 10:09:49 AM
I've listened to a lot of the Wurster calls and like them a lot, but find they get a bit repetitive after a while. Could you point me to a few other best bits of the show?

Other than the already suggested Juggalo  and Anthony Kiedis clips, I recommend H. Jon Benjamin's Smirnoff Ice call -   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvIErbJ8Jx4, Tom's rant about Kevin Smith - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgWk_nf7QGc, The Invisible Hipster - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdUZ8zObh0Y and  Tom and Mike talking about Pigpen from The Grateful Dead - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpgjwoMlqZ8.

There's also a bunch of Best Show Sound Collages on You Tube which are always a highlight of the show but contain a bunch of 'in jokes' which might not be the best way in for the uninitiated.


Dusty Substance

Quote from: Pearly-Dewdrops Drops on March 14, 2019, 04:04:59 AM
Yes, though the AB calls are not as fun because it seems like there might be something genuinely wrong with him.

Those Avalanche Bob calls certainly aren't as fun or novel as they once were. I don't know if there's something "wrong" with him, possibly on the spectrum (aren't we all?), but definitely old (wasn't he around making music in the 50s?), probably a bit deaf and out of touch.


sevendaughters

AP Mike's interview with Kevin Smith based on his time as a View Askew messageboard troll is brilliant, with Tom playing producer and pretending he'd never had years of beef.

Dusty Substance

Quote from: Crabwalk on March 12, 2019, 10:50:26 AM
I still listen to the show every week. It's just an ingrained part of my life at this stage and I still really enjoy it. It went through a run of having lots of guests (and appearances from Gary the Fucking Squirrel), most of which I didn't find particularly interesting or funny. I think he came around to the view that the show is strongest just with him and callers and the occasional call from Jon. It just means Tom can control the pace, vibe and themes better, and I think the show is at its most distinctive in that format.

That said, I did love the stretch where they were inserting snippets of fake radio stations last year. That was really ambitious, inviting callers to play along without ever explicitly asking them to, and it yielded some brilliant results. I wish 'Whip Talk', 'Beatles Talk' and 'A Porno Home Companion' would return. They were so funny..

You ever called in to the show? I did a couple of years ago and, although it was very nerve wracking with an unhelpfully quiet trans-Atlantic line and I was terrified of getting "Bad Company-ed", it went pretty well.

Totally agreed about Whip Talk, Beatles Talk etc. Really good inventive stuff. I also used to like the similar bit they used to do at the start of each episode with the stupid phone-in Star Wars puns.

Even though it's only been about eight years since I got into The Best Show Universe, I can't remember what life was like before it.

sevendaughters

I called in once and got GOMPed hard. It is a tough path to walk. The FOTs in the chat loved it though. Very forgiving fanbase, I like them.

no_offenc

Anyone bothered with Meet My Friends The Friends yet?

edit - I have and I don't like it

edit edit - I LOVE IT

Crabwalk

Quote from: Dusty Substance on March 14, 2019, 09:59:03 PM
You ever called in to the show? I did a couple of years ago and, although it was very nerve wracking with an unhelpfully quiet trans-Atlantic line and I was terrified of getting "Bad Company-ed", it went pretty well.

Well done! I've only ever listened to one episode live, and that was the last ever show on WFMU, so the chance has never arisen. Not that I have the cojones for it, to be honest. I'm pretty sure i'd dry up horribly.

What did you talk about during your call? I used to enjoy that Scottish guy, Angus. He was good, but then stopped calling. DCT of this parish called a few times too and did a good job.

Quote from: sevendaughters on March 15, 2019, 12:34:40 PM
I called in once and got GOMPed hard. It is a tough path to walk. The FOTs in the chat loved it though. Very forgiving fanbase, I like them.

Do you have a recording, or remember what show it was? I'd like to hear that! The trick is to not take a GOMPing personally, but I'm sure that's easier said than done...

Quote from: no_offenc on March 15, 2019, 01:28:00 PM
Anyone bothered with Meet My Friends The Friends yet?

edit - I have and I don't like it

edit edit - I LOVE IT

I like it. Jason is an excellent heel, and I'm enjoying the mythology around Don Strong that's building up. I haven't listened to 'Taking the Leap' episode 2 yet, but I'm looking forward to that.

McQ

It's been a bit of a hard listen, recently, because Tom seems really noticeably depressed. When he's extra grumpy, it can make the show even better, mind you, because of the way he takes it out on the callers. But I'm starting to get a similar vibe from him that he had not long before he wrapped up the WFMU show. And he mentioned on the pre-recorded episode this week that he wants to keep the show going but that it might change shape. I wonder what that's all about, then?

no_offenc

Another pre-record this week, it seems. He was alone last week - maybe Tom's working through some stuff and just wants to do the show alone for a few weeks? He seems on good terms with the crew on Twitter so who knows. Seems to have coincided with the upcoming premiere of What We Do In The Shadows, and given that it's his first big writing gig since losing his job on Divorce at the same time (ish) as his dad passing away (which also hit its anniversary recently) I'm not shocked that he's not in the best spot emotionally at the mo. He sounds fucking fed up at the minute in a way I'm all too personally familiar with and it's kind of upsetting to listen to despite it being my favourite show

Dusty Substance

Quote from: Crabwalk on March 22, 2019, 02:30:26 PM
Well done! I've only ever listened to one episode live, and that was the last ever show on WFMU, so the chance has never arisen. Not that I have the cojones for it, to be honest. I'm pretty sure i'd dry up horribly.

What did you talk about during your call? I used to enjoy that Scottish guy, Angus. He was good, but then stopped calling. DCT of this parish called a few times too and did a good job.

The topic that week was about things you never got around to finishing and so I rang in to talk about Twin Peaks (seen the first season, never finished the second and the third was about to be aired) but before I got to talk about the topic, Tom started talking about Dr. Who, a show that isn't quite my cup of tea. He suggested Sharon Horgan as a replacement for Malcolm Tucker, at which point my heart sank, hoping he wasn't going to ask me about Divorce, as I'd not seen it at that point.

I also remember Angus, he had a good knowledge of comedy and I assumed he was a CABer. Don't recall hearing any of DCT's calls although it was great when Tom appeared on Podpit a few years ago.

Quote from: McQ on March 22, 2019, 04:30:22 PM
It's been a bit of a hard listen, recently, because Tom seems really noticeably depressed. When he's extra grumpy, it can make the show even better, mind you, because of the way he takes it out on the callers. But I'm starting to get a similar vibe from him that he had not long before he wrapped up the WFMU show. And he mentioned on the pre-recorded episode this week that he wants to keep the show going but that it might change shape. I wonder what that's all about, then?

Quote from: no_offenc on March 24, 2019, 09:47:27 PM
Another pre-record this week, it seems. He was alone last week - maybe Tom's working through some stuff and just wants to do the show alone for a few weeks? He seems on good terms with the crew on Twitter so who knows. Seems to have coincided with the upcoming premiere of What We Do In The Shadows, and given that it's his first big writing gig since losing his job on Divorce at the same time (ish) as his dad passing away (which also hit its anniversary recently) I'm not shocked that he's not in the best spot emotionally at the mo. He sounds fucking fed up at the minute in a way I'm all too personally familiar with and it's kind of upsetting to listen to despite it being my favourite show

There's a definite difference between Tom's grumpiness when he's got an axe to grind (such as when he came back from Tomronto and had a lot to say about the city) and this recent apparent lowness on recent shows. It's great that he's making the effort but there's been something really bleak about the pop-up shows. The dynamic he has and shit-stirring with the A.P Mike, Pat, Dudio relationship is an important part of the show (at least to me) and I don't like the idea of Tom doing a pre-record, alone in the studio on a Saturday night. That said, he's been very chatty on Twitter lately.


colacentral

I haven't been listening much recently, but when issues about Patreon not paying out and possibly closing down came up I instantly thought of The Best Show. Could that be anything to do with it? Or maybe it just seems like too much to have a job in Canada while doing this New Jersey thing on the side. He got pretty lucky with the location of the Monk gig.

Dusty Substance


I've only just noticed your handle, colacentral. I'll assume you're the same colacentral who's uploaded a bunch of full FMU shows and clips to You Tube - Many thanks for doing so.

no_offenc

Good episode this week. No Wurster, but KV calling in and Gary screaming at all and sundry made up for that.

Mobius

Quote from: Dusty Substance on April 01, 2019, 05:55:26 PM
I've only just noticed your handle, colacentral. I'll assume you're the same colacentral who's uploaded a bunch of full FMU shows and clips to You Tube - Many thanks for doing so.

Ha yeah, just realised colacentral has filled many a dull work hour for me. Cheers fella!

Quote from: no_offenc on April 04, 2019, 07:49:13 PM
Good episode this week. No Wurster, but KV calling in and Gary screaming at all and sundry made up for that.

Oh god, not Gary the Squirrel?? :(