Well Maybe I'll Watch!

Summary

Armstrong & Getty On Demand

Episode: "Well Maybe I'll Watch!"

Date: June 16, 2026 | Host: iHeartPodcasts

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Episode Overview

This episode of "Armstrong & Getty On Demand" features a lively discussion on the quirks of American language—specifically, the pronunciation of common words and city names—mixed with humorous commentary on food (especially sweet potatoes and french fries), and ends with a satirical take on making soccer (football) more entertaining for non-fans. The episode blends playful banter, personal anecdotes, and the show’s trademark wit, anchored by a segment inspired by satirical site The Babylon Bee.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Pronunciation Pet Peeves (01:17–04:14)

• Sweet Potatoes Debate:
  The hosts riff on a clip featuring a couple humorously arguing about the emphasis in "sweet potatoes"—is it "sweet potatoes" or "sweet potatoes"?

  • Quote:
    • “I think I say sweet potatoes. I do emphasize the second.” – Armstrong (02:11)
  • The conversation extends to the grammatical function of 'sweet' as an adjective and which part of the compound noun should receive stress.

• Personal Preferences & Doctor’s Orders:
  The hosts share their fondness for sweet potatoes and french fries, with Michael relating his doctor's advice to avoid carbs but sharing a loophole:

  • Quote:
    • “I said, what about sweet potato fries? He said, Oh, I have at it. Those are way, way, way better.” – Michael (02:51)

• French Fry Hierarchies:
  Armstrong and Michael debate their preferences for styles of fries, from steak fries to thin crispy ones, and lament the health consequences. The discussion blends humor and relatable self-control struggles.

  • Quote:
    • “If I find out I’m dying, I’m not only buying a fryer, I’m buying a guy to run it. And he is gonna make me french fries fresh in my kitchen every damn day.” – Michael (04:14)

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2. How to Say ‘Los Angeles’ (04:28–06:02)

• An audio snippet features a spirited debate over the ‘correct’ pronunciation of "Los Angeles," with references to celebrity Jamie Lee Curtis and the peculiarities of regional dialects.
  • Quote:
    • “Jamie Lee Curtis says Los Angeles. That’s because she grew up… dad was a movie star or something. Los Angeles. Nobody.” – Armstrong (05:09)
  • The hosts note how non-locals (especially British speakers) sometimes over-pronounce it, and the subtle distinctions between "Las Vegas" and "Los Angeles."
  • Armstrong jokes that he can’t tell the difference, comparing the difficulty to his craving for thick steak fries.

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3. Satirical Proposals to Fix Soccer (06:10–08:49)

• Background:
  Inspired by a Babylon Bee article, Armstrong presents a list of absurd, tongue-in-cheek ideas to make soccer more appealing to Americans:

  • Goalies must be double amputees
    • “No more scoreless draws. And I like this. Any two limbs will do.” – Armstrong (06:52)
    • Michael finds this "too dark," but plays along.
  • Little people as goalies
  • Taser-wielding enforcers on each team
    • “Finally, the guy thrashing on the ground won't be faking.” – Armstrong (07:07)
    • Michael: “Oh, the histrionics are hilarious. Oh, and in the replay, you could see the guy barely touched him.” (07:13)
  • Random quicksand pits
  • A drunk hobo decides when each half starts or ends
  • An enraged bull to liven up boring games
    • “Release an enraged bull onto the field. If things are boring.” – Armstrong (08:07)
  • Switch to American football rules (‘oblong ball to an end zone’)

• Michael protests lightly about the loss of soccer’s “poetry, beauty, and elegance” and facetiously pledges to call it “football” to sound sophisticated (08:32–08:36).

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4. Childhood Soccer Memories (08:42–08:49)

• A brief nostalgic moment surfaces about playing youth soccer without shin guards and the physical consequences:
  • Quote:
    • “I remember being in league soccer when I was a little kid and I forgot my shin guards. Oh, that hurt. Oh, that hurt.” – Guest/Caller (08:42)
  • Armstrong jokes about 1970s tough-love parenting: “They just let you get kicked, huh?... Teach you a lesson.”

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “If I find out I’m dying, I’m not only buying a fryer, I’m buying a guy to run it. And he is gonna make me french fries fresh in my kitchen every damn day.” – Michael (04:14)
• “No more scoreless draws. And I like this. Any two limbs will do.” – Armstrong (06:52)
• “Release an enraged bull onto the field. If things are boring.” – Armstrong (08:07)
• “I disagree. The poetry, the beauty, the elegance of soccer.” – Michael (08:32)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 01:17 – Playful debate on how to say "sweet potatoes"
• 02:51 – Doctor’s sweet potato loophole revelation
• 03:38 – French fry preferences and guilty pleasures
• 04:28 – The "Los Angeles" versus "Los Angeles" pronunciation segment
• 06:21 – Babylon Bee-inspired soccer reforms and comic exaggerations
• 08:42 – Childhood soccer without shin guards memory

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Tone and Presentation

The episode is relaxed, irreverent, and peppered with sarcasm and affectionate teasing among the hosts. It’s a quintessential Armstrong & Getty episode: digressive, rooted in pop culture and humor, and never taking itself too seriously—making it accessible even for new listeners.

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Summary

Listeners are treated to a lighthearted meander through arguments over language and food, before the show launches into a satirical critique of soccer’s perceived dullness, complete with outlandish suggestions for improvement. Personal anecdotes and well-timed jokes provide relatable laughs throughout, making for an entertaining listen even for those unfamiliar with the show’s usual fare.

Transcript

[Podcast Host]

This is an iHeart podcast.

[Armstrong]

Guaranteed Human

[America 250 Announcer]

this July 4th, come celebrate at America's Block Party, hosted by America 250. America's Block Party is a can't miss 4th of July concert happening at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Experience music, performances from major artists, patriotic tributes, and the kickoff to giving 4th, helping to make July 4th the largest day of giving in American history. It's more than just fireworks. Learn more about this landmark celebration at america250.org,

[Karen Kilgariff]

hi, it's Karen and Georgia from My Favorite Murder.

[Georgia Hardstark]

We cruised around LA in the Hyundai Ionic 5 and dove into the fascinating life of actress and inventor Hedy Lamarr.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Want the full story? Take a listen.

[Georgia Hardstark]

She starts dating Howard Hughes and in fact, she helps him design a faster plane. So she finds the fastest bird and the fastest fish and sketches out a drawing of what the two would look like as a plane. And that becomes the plane that we know today. And he calls her a genius. Check out our new episode spotlighting groundbreaking innovators like Hedy and Lamar and Billie Jean King.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Presented by the Hyundai Ioniq 5. Goodbye.

[Armstrong]

Maybe then I would watch. It's one more thing. Armstrong and Getty.

[Michael]

One more thing.

[Armstrong]

Babylon Bee laid out some new rules they suggest for soccer to get those of us who aren't interested in soccer to might maybe possibly watch.

[Guest or Caller]

They're kind of.

[Armstrong]

Kind of funny. I'll hit you with some of those in a second. But first, this, which I don't quite understand what this is. Somebody upset about the way other people pronounce words, I guess. Anyway, let's listen to it.

[Podcast Host]

Sweet potatoes.

[Co-host or Friend]

And what am I saying?

[Podcast Host]

Sweet potatoes.

[Co-host or Friend]

I don't hear this.

[Podcast Host]

Say it.

[Co-host or Friend]

Sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes.

[Podcast Host]

Not sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes.

[Co-host or Friend]

I don't hear sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah, good.

[Co-host or Friend]

Oh, what was I saying before?

[Podcast Host]

Sweet potatoes.

[Co-host or Friend]

What were you saying?

[Podcast Host]

Sweet potatoes. This emphasis.

[Co-host or Friend]

Sweet potatoes.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah, good.

[Co-host or Friend]

That's what I've been saying.

[Podcast Host]

No, you've been saying sweet potatoes.

[Co-host or Friend]

Sweet potatoes.

[Michael]

Ah, they're young and in love. So cute. Oh, boy.

[Armstrong]

I think I say sweet potatoes. I do emphasize the second.

[Michael]

Sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes. Yeah. This emphasizes the potatoes. Or I'm sorry, it modifies potatoes. So should receipt the emphasis.

[Armstrong]

No, no, no, the. That was what?

[Guest or Caller]

What?

[Armstrong]

Just the word. The potatoes, I think, is where the problem was. Do you say no potato, potatoes or potatoes?

[Michael]

No, no, it was a question of sweet potatoes or sweet potatoes.

[Armstrong]

Oh, okay, I gotcha.

[Michael]

Is potatoes modifying sweet or a sweet modifying potatoes? Of course, there are many sweet things you could eat. This is sweet Potatoes.

[Armstrong]

I really like sweet potatoes. So then in that case I would. Yeah, yeah. I would emphasize the sweet.

[Michael]

My doctor told me I really need to cut down on carbs and like french fries and stuff. I said, what about sweet potato fries? He said, oh, I have at it.

[Armstrong]

Oh really?

[Michael]

Those are way, way, way better.

[Armstrong]

I didn't know that. I knew they were better. I know they were way, way better. My son always gets the sweet potatoes instead of the regular.

[Michael]

Yeah, I love them.

[Armstrong]

Really? I. I think they're delicious. Yeah, and some places are like really great. They're like a dessert or something.

[Michael]

Yeah.

[Armstrong]

I didn't know you ever even ate french fries.

[Michael]

Me?

[Co-host or Friend]

Yeah.

[Michael]

Oh, I friggin love.

[Co-host or Friend]

Are you kidding?

[Michael]

Nah, I don't eat fast food, but man, I go to like a nice restaurant with a really good burger and the really good fries. Like the steak fries

[Armstrong]

with a big meaty. I like a big thick potatoey steak fry with ketchup.

[Michael]

Oh God, that's good.

[Another Guest or Caller]

Yeah.

[Armstrong]

Of course my head starts sweating just saying it.

[Michael]

I don't mind the crispy thin ones either.

[Armstrong]

I like those too. I like all french fries.

[Michael]

Right? Big tent here. Come on.

[Armstrong]

French fries are great. And they're horrible for you, right?

[Michael]

Oh, they're like the worst. Terrible. Yeah. And I love them so much.

[Armstrong]

Your doctor told you not to eat them too, Michael.

[Guest or Caller]

Yeah, I still sneak a few in.

[Armstrong]

I often if I'm at a restaurant where they have a cheeseburger that you have the option of a little side salad instead of the french fries. And I do that. And watching my kids eat french fries while I eat a salad like a loser.

[Michael]

Instant regret. Yeah. I find out I'm dying. We're all dying slowly from time. If I find out I'm dying, I'm not only buying a fryer, I'm buying a guy to run it. And he is gonna make me french fries fresh in my kitchen every damn day.

[Armstrong]

Oh man, we got another one of these arguing over words.

[Another Guest or Caller]

Things that you had come back to Los Angeles that you had gone through. You just said Los Angeles. Okay, we had this argument and I'm just Los Angeles. Okay, but what do you call it? Los Feliz. Yes, but we're not talking about. You don't say Los Angeles unless you say Los Angeles. You don't. And if I had like a jury here, everyone would vote for me.

[Podcast Host]

Go ahead.

[Another Guest or Caller]

Hey, who says so annoying. But from now on I'm gonna say, okay, you probably live there. Do you live there in Los Angeles? Do you say Los Angeles? So you Say Los Angeles. Nobody says that. Okay, well, and you guys, please, God, let's move on.

[Armstrong]

Jamie Lee Curtis, the actress. Jamie Lee Curtis says Los Angeles. That's because she grew up. The dad was a movie star or something. Los Angeles. Nobody.

[Michael]

Brits who say Los Angeles.

[Armstrong]

I know lots of people who live in Los Angeles, and none of them say Los Angeles.

[Michael]

Los Angeles would be wrong. To Los Loss. Is it like we had two wins and one loss? Los Angeles.

[Armstrong]

What do you say?

[Michael]

It's like short o Los Angeles.

[Armstrong]

Yeah.

[Michael]

As opposed to like Las Vegas, which is subtly different.

[Armstrong]

Oh, I can't tell the difference between. We just said there.

[Michael]

Las Los. Not Los. Las Los.

[Armstrong]

Yeah, you're cutting it too thin for me. Like the big. I need to cut. Like the big thick potato fries.

[Michael]

I didn't invent the Alphabet. I just learned it.

[Armstrong]

I think I say Las Vegas and Los Angeles the same way.

[Michael]

Oh, no. What town is even talking about?

[Armstrong]

I can't tell. I drove to the town you said. Now I am 600 miles away. Okay. To the Babylon.

[Michael]

Hey, how's that train coming along? That's gonna fly, go from Los Angeles to Las Vegas.

[Armstrong]

I don't know. Probably slowly, but that would be a good one. That'd be a good one.

[Michael]

Oh, yeah.

[Armstrong]

Okay, so Babylon be with a way to make the World cup more exciting, to make soccer more exciting for those of us who can't understand the enjoyment of watching. For instance, Spain and some Cape Verde tie. 00 yesterday 90 minutes. Ish. Because nobody knows how much time of soccer and it was 00. And you're supposed to be thrilled with that. Anyway, all 10 of these aren't good, so I just grabbed some of them that are funny. Number one goalies must be double amputees. No more scoreless draws. And I like this. Any two limbs will do.

[Michael]

Oh, God, that's too dark.

[Armstrong]

It is pretty dark, but, you know, if you want to do it was both legs, you'd score a lot.

[Michael]

How about little people? All the goalies have to be little people.

[Armstrong]

Supply one enforcer on each team with a taser. Finally, the guy thrashing on the ground won't be faking.

[Michael]

Oh, that's a good one. Oh, my God, the histrionics are hilarious. Oh, and in the replay, you could see the guy barely touched him.

[Armstrong]

Random quicksand pits. I would add excitement.

[Michael]

I'm sorry, Sagan.

[Armstrong]

Random quicksand pits.

[Michael]

Quicksand pits.

[Armstrong]

I like this one. Have a drunk hobo decide when each half starts and ends. Bound to be more sensible than whatever the current system is a drunk hobo just says it's over.

[Michael]

You know, I like the quicksand idea because, you know, your.

[Another Guest or Caller]

Your.

[Michael]

Your teammate accidentally stumbles in there and he's sinking, and you got away. All right, how good a player is he versus the flow of the game? We've got a scoring opportunity, and I'm supposed to be up there. Sorry.

[Armstrong]

So I could save your wife. You loved her, right? Release an enraged bull onto the field. If things are boring,

[Michael]

I'm not sure that would lead to more scoring. Well, it might if your defenders run for their lives. Yeah, they might clear the. The area in front of the goal.

[Armstrong]

And finally, this one, which I.

[Michael]

Penalty area.

[Armstrong]

Finally, this one, which I enjoyed, is a shot. Instead of kicking a round ball toward a goal, players carry, oh, I don't know, an oblong ball towards kind of an end zone. Yes, that is a more exciting American.

[Michael]

I disagree. The poetry, the beauty, the elegance of soccer.

[Armstrong]

00.

[Michael]

I'm gonna start calling it football just to show how sophisticated I am.

[Guest or Caller]

I remember being in league soccer when I was a little kid and I forgot my shin guards. Oh, that hurt. Oh, that hurt.

[Armstrong]

They just let you get kicked, huh?

[Michael]

Yeah.

[Armstrong]

Teach you a lesson.

[Guest or Caller]

That's exactly what they did back in those days. Well, I guess that's it.

[America 250 Announcer]

This July 4th, come celebrate at America's Block Party, hosted by America 250. America's Block Party is a can't miss 4th of July concert happening at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Experience music, performances from major artists, patriotic tributes, and the kickoff to giving free helping to make July 4th the largest day of giving in American history. It's more than just fireworks. Learn more about this landmark [e-mail]

[Karen Kilgariff]

hi, it's Karen in Georgia from My Favorite Murder.

[Georgia Hardstark]

We cruised around LA in the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and dove into the fascinating life of actress and inventor Hedy Lamarr.

[Karen Kilgariff]

Want the full story? Take a listen.

[Georgia Hardstark]

She starts dating Howard Hughes, and in fact, she helps him design a faster plane. So she finds the fastest bird and. And the fastest fish and sketches out a drawing of what the two would look like as a plane. And that becomes the plane that we know today. And he calls her a genius. Check out our new episode spotlighting groundbreaking innovators like Hedy and Lamarr and Billie

[Karen Kilgariff]

Jean King, presented by the Hyundai Ioniq 5. Goodbye.