Podcast Summary: TBTL Episode #4531 - "Possibly Apocryphal"

Release Date: August 13, 2025
Hosts: Luke Burbank and Andrew Welsh
Description: TBTL: Too Beautiful To Live is a daily show where two longtime friends navigate the world with humor and camaraderie. In Episode #4531, titled "Possibly Apocryphal," Luke and Andrew delve into a blend of comedic banter, nostalgic reflections, and intriguing listener interactions.

1. Opening Banter and Setting the Tone (00:02 - 01:37)

The episode kicks off with playful exchanges between Luke and Andrew, invoking quirky references to pop culture and fictional characters.

• Andrew Welsh: "Rick Sanchez, you psycho bag of squanch. Hey, what's up, Squanchy?" [00:02]

• Luke Burbank: "And you must be Beth on squanch." [00:08]

This lighthearted start sets a casual and humorous atmosphere, reminiscent of the hosts' long-standing friendship and their ability to riff on diverse topics.

2. Theme of Perseverance and Introduction of Cleveland Browns (01:37 - 03:20)

Luke transitions the conversation to a more motivational theme, drawing parallels between personal struggles and the enduring spirit of the Cleveland Browns.

• Luke Burbank: "There are times in life when no matter how hard we try... the spirit of the Cleveland Browns." [00:41]

Andrew Welsh humorously interjects with a pop culture reference:

• "I know those words, but that makes no sense. You are tearing me apart, Lisa." [00:59]

This segment blends encouragement with humor, highlighting the show's unique ability to balance serious topics with comedic relief.

3. Welcoming Andrew Welsh and Discussing Joke Development (03:20 - 05:39)

Andrew joins Luke to address listener voicemails and showcase their comedic talents. Andrew shares an original joke, sparking a discussion on its originality.

• Andrew Welsh: "What do you call a progressive sheep?" [03:59]

• Andrew Welsh: "A bleating heart liberal." [05:08]

• Luke Burbank: "That's actually pretty good." [05:13]

Luke verifies the joke's uniqueness by searching online, confirming its originality:

• Luke Burbank: "I don't see anybody else making that joke. I think that that could be an Andrew Walsh original." [05:28]

This exchange underscores the hosts' creative synergy and their engagement with listener contributions.

4. Tribute to Mark Russell, Political Satirist (05:39 - 08:43)

The hosts pay homage to Mark Russell, a renowned political satirist who recently passed away, reflecting on his impact and comedic style.

• Luke Burbank: "Mark Russell, RIP... I remember a lot of promos for it on PBS." [06:04]

• Andrew Welsh: "This is an actual Mark Russell comedy live from Buffalo..." [07:07]

Andrew Welsh humorously likens Russell's performance style to Jerry Lee Lewis:

• "Hilarious Lee Lewis. I kind of like that." [07:54]

This segment honors Russell's legacy while infusing humor, exemplifying the show's respectful yet entertaining approach.

5. Listener Voicemail: "Kids and Fantasy" Joke (08:43 - 10:13)

Using a game-like wheel, Luke and Andrew select a listener voicemail featuring a classic joke setup.

• Andrew Welsh: "Kids and fantasy. Thank you. I like that all three of us got to say it." [09:21]

They present the joke:

• Sarah from Pennsylvania: *"Why did the nurse bring a red pen to work in case she needed to draw blood?"
  "Put it on my bill." [10:12]

• Luke Burbank: "That's pretty good." [10:13]

The hosts discuss the joke's comedic merits and potential origins, highlighting their collaborative and analytical approach to humor.

6. Deep Dive: Old Dirty Bastard's Audition for Mr. Ed (10:25 - 33:26)

A significant portion of the episode explores the intriguing claim that the late rapper Old Dirty Bastard (ODB) auditioned for the voice of Mr. Ed, the talking horse from the classic TV show. The conversation delves into the authenticity of this claim, analyzing available information and sources.

• Andrew Welsh: "Old dirty bastard auditioned for Mr. Ed... It makes more sense that this is not real." [26:29]

• Luke Burbank: "Apocryphal means not real... They’re calling it apocryphal, which means you’re saying it’s made up." [32:59]

Andrew Welsh questions the credibility of the recording, considering its placement on a blog that may lack journalistic integrity:

• "If you think it just means suspicious but it means made up. Right?" [32:43]

• Andrew Welsh: "But you're telling me that this, this thing that you and I just read, that you read out loud, this person is just saying this isn't real, but we don't know what it is without any..." [27:57]

The hosts conclude that the audition recording is likely a spoof or misattributed, emphasizing the importance of discerning authentic information from speculative or humorous fabrications.

7. Reflections on Memory and Relationships (33:26 - 35:30)

The dialogue shifts to personal anecdotes about memory lapses and relationship dynamics, particularly concerning the challenges of recalling shared conversations.

• Luke Burbank: "I have the memory of a goldfish... I will remember it, but I say if you give it two weeks, you've got a 50/50 shot of me not remembering." [24:44]

• Andrew Welsh: "I don't want to do that every year and... you're losing." [25:29]

They discuss the idea of recording conversations to avoid misunderstandings, ultimately acknowledging the complications it brings to personal interactions.

8. Final Voicemail and Episode Wrap-Up (35:30 - 37:12)

As the episode nears its end, the hosts prepare to feature a final listener voicemail, teasing it as an Easter egg for future episodes.

• Andrew Welsh: "Are you going to tell us or you?" [36:34]

• Luke Burbank: "Hey, listeners... Why did the nurse bring a red pen to work in case she needed to draw blood?" [37:02]

Sarah in Pennsylvania leaves a dad joke:

• "Why did the nurse bring a red pen to work in case she needed to draw blood?"
  "Have a great day. Bye. Power out." [37:12]

Luke signs off with his characteristic warmth and humor:

• Luke Burbank: "All right, that's going to do it for today's episode..." [36:34]

The episode concludes on a lighthearted note, inviting listeners to tune in for more engaging and humorous content in future editions.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Andrew Welsh: "A bleating heart liberal." [05:08]

• Andrew Welsh: "The duck went to the bar and ordered a couple drinks. The bartender said, will you be paying for those with credit or cash? The duck said, put it on my bill." [10:12]

• Andrew Welsh: "Old dirty bastard auditioned for Mr. Ed..." [26:29]

• Sarah in Pennsylvania: "Why did the nurse bring a red pen to work in case she needed to draw blood?" [37:12]

Key Takeaways

• Humorous Creativity: The hosts excel in crafting and analyzing jokes, often contributing original content that resonates with their audience.

• Pop Culture Integration: References to figures like Mark Russell and Old Dirty Bastard add depth and relatability, appealing to a diverse listener base.

• Engaging Listener Interaction: The use of voicemails and game-like elements enhances listener participation and maintains an interactive dynamic.

• Thoughtful Reflections: Beyond humor, the episode touches on themes of memory, relationships, and the authenticity of information, offering listeners both laughs and introspection.

Conclusion: Episode #4531 of TBTL: Too Beautiful To Live showcases Luke Burbank and Andrew Welsh's dynamic chemistry, blending humor with thoughtful discussions. From original jokes and tributes to intriguing pop culture debates, the hosts deliver an engaging and memorable episode that caters to both regular listeners and newcomers alike.