Podcast Summary: "Nadie Sabe Nada" (28/05/2016)

Hosts: Andreu Buenafuente & Berto Romero
Podcast: SER Podcast
Date: May 28, 2016

Overview

This episode of “Nadie Sabe Nada” continues with the beloved improvised banter between Andreu Buenafuente and Berto Romero, recorded with a live audience. The pair riff on random topics—some contributed by listeners, others inspired by their own day-to-day experiences—delivering a mix of absurdity, witty observations, and honest reflections. As always, they dive into tangents, play with language, and experiment with whatever props or situations arise in the studio. The tone is playful and irreverent, with frequent self-mockery and genuine moments of laughter.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Improvisation and Its "Vital Value"

• Improvisation at Home: Berto confesses growing addicted to improvising even in his private life, which leads to humorous interruptions and repartee about the “art” of not planning (01:35).
• Improvisation as Life Philosophy: Andreu reframes their embrace of unscripted radio as a conscious vital choice, not just laziness or chaos (01:28).

2. Musical Tangents: Imaginary Instruments, Scottish Bagpipes & Gaiteros

• Invisible Instruments: Andreu muses on the prevalence of “air guitar” and “air drums,” wondering why nobody mimics wind instruments when dancing (03:15).
• Bagpipe Encounter: Berto recounts seeing a young bagpiper in London, leading to jokes about the divisiveness of bagpipe music and its impact on listeners at a physiological level (04:10).
  • "Se divide la gente entre la que ama la gaita y la que al sonar una gaita se tiraría por un edificio." — Berto (04:18)
• Gaita Technique & Cheeks: They reminisce about famous musicians puffing out their cheeks and joke about Berto’s relative developing a “trompetista” technique just to talk without stopping (07:02).

3. Wordplay and Listener Questions

• Street Names and “Calle Pez”: The duo riff on the honesty of Madrid’s Calle Pez, using it as a springboard for more nonsensical improvisation (00:57).
• Card Games and English Names: Ricardo from Pontevedra submits a question about adding English words to traditional card games, leading to the invented name “Little Five Pontevedra Inferno” (09:43).
  • "No es lo mismo Poker Texas Holdem que el torneo del cinquillo de Pontevedra. En todo caso, ponle 'Little 5 Pontevedra Inferno.'" — Berto (10:03)
• Philosophy of Poker: Both hosts admit to being mediocre at strategic games like poker and chess, with Andreu joking he can only play Tetris because he can focus on one shape at a time (11:03).

4. Siri Fails & Artificial Intelligence

• Berto vs. Siri: The duo attempt to interact with Siri, with technical hiccups and misunderstandings, culminating in their iPhones failing to answer audience questions seriously (14:00–17:01).
  • "Para estar así, mejor muerta." — Andreu (16:10)
• Imagining AI-hosted Radio: They muse on a nightmarish future where radio shows are hosted by two emotionless AIs, making fun of how formulaic this could become (17:04).

5. Gender, FIFA, and Video Games

• Women and Video Games Stereotypes: A listener sends a question about why a girlfriend would join a FIFA game night, prompting both to challenge the sexist premise, admit their own lack of FIFA interest, and discuss stereotypes in gaming.
  • "Esto está muy machista. ¿Y a las chicas también les gusta jugar al FIFA? Las hay que sí." — Andreu (17:29)
• Value of Video Games: Andreu argues for the cognitive benefits of video games, including shooters, poking fun at people who dismiss them as unproductive or “for raritos” (18:05).

6. Observations on Body Parts and Old Magazines

• Why Don’t Knees Have Wrinkles? A listener’s question leads to a tangent about “transitional” body zones and their functional, non-glamorous nature, riffing humorously on bodily comparisons (19:02).
• Dentists and Outdated Magazines: They poke fun at the ubiquitous old gossip magazines in waiting rooms and the existential terror of catching up with public figures’ ancient diet stories (19:54).
  • "Las revistas para mí del corazón no tienen sentido... cuando le quitas el factor actualidad es una cosa ya terrorífica." — Berto (20:14)

7. Musical Interlude & Identity

• Soul Train & Dance Envy: After a musical break, Andreu reminisces about “Soul Train” and its legendary dance segments, expressing envy at not having the same moves and confidence as the show’s participants (23:28–24:49).
  • "Mi cuerpo es un instrumento para el deseo." — Andreu (25:05)

8. The (Failed) Piano Moment — "Improvejación"

• Berto’s Improvised Piano Recital: Berto, unable to play piano, decides to perform a “no canción” called “improvejación,” inviting the audience to declare “piano” when the music (quickly) goes off the rails (33:04–37:16).
  • "No es lo mismo improvisar que hacer cosas a lo loco, al tuntún y a sabiendas de que son errores." — Andreu (33:20)
• Audience Participation: The audience joins in, playfully heckling at the agreed cue.
• A Real Pianist Saves the Day: Joaquina, an audience member, is invited to play. Her performance is met with genuine admiration and gives Andreu a reflective moment about the uplifting power of music (40:00–42:13).

9. Toy Philosophies & Time

• Lego vs. Reality: Andreu ponders whether there are more LEGO/Playmobil reproductions of things than actual things in the world, genuinely unsettling himself (43:42–44:48).
  • "¿Puede ser que haya más de Lego que de realidad?... Eso me inquieta bastante." — Andreu (44:48)
• Relojes vs. Tiempo: Berto’s counter-reflection involves the surplus of watches in the world compared to actual time, prompting more comedically deep thinking (45:07–45:24).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Estoy volviéndome adicto a la improvisación en casa." — Berto (01:35)
• "La gaita es muy esclava." — Andreu & Berto (04:41–04:42)
• "Me pone muy nervioso ese póker de gente que parecen malos de peli barata." — Andreu (10:17)
• "Conviértete en gasolina y llénate el mechero." — Andreu, on the sad fate of dinosaurs as gasoline and plastic (12:03)
• "Eso está muy machista." — Andreu, challenging the idea that women don't belong in FIFA nights (17:29)
• "Para estar así, mejor muerta." — Andreu on the uncooperative Siri (16:10)
• "No es lo mismo improvisar que hacer cosas a lo loco..." — Andreu (33:20)
• "Mi cuerpo es un instrumento para el deseo." — Andreu, mocking his own dance skills (25:05)
• "¿Puede ser que haya más de Lego que de realidad?" — Andreu (44:48)

Important Timestamps

• Introduction & Improvisation Discussion: 00:00–02:01
• Bagpipe/Rock Music Tangent: 03:15–09:10
• Poker, Games, & Tetris: 10:01–11:17
• Siri Segment & AI Speculation: 13:02–17:01
• Gender & FIFA, Video Game Chat: 17:23–18:28
• Body Parts & Magazines at the Dentist: 19:02–20:33
• Soul Train/Dancing Envy: 23:28–25:08
• Piano Segment ("Improvejación"): 32:30–37:39
• Audience Member Performs Piano: 40:00–42:52
• Lego/Reality Reflection: 43:42–44:48
• Relojes vs. Tiempo: 45:07–45:24

Episode Flow / Tone

“Nadie Sabe Nada” maintains a carefree, spontaneous atmosphere, with the hosts building comedy from digression and self-deprecation. Their chemistry—marked by playful correction, deadpan humor, and philosophical goofiness—draws the audience in both physically (live reactions) and intellectually. Even serious moments (e.g., pondering LEGO’s ontological implications) are offset by absurd setups and relentless comedic riffing.

Final Thoughts

For fans and newcomers alike, this episode is a quintessential example of Andreu and Berto’s improvisational approach: the show is simultaneously about nothing and about everything—from failed Siri commands to the metaphysics of toy bricks. In between, the audience gets impromptu musical performances, witty cultural references, and an enduring appreciation for the comedy found in reflexively not knowing.