Podcast Summary: TBTL: Too Beautiful To Live – Episode #808
Release Date: May 3, 2011
Hosts: Luke Burbank and Megan McArdle
1. Introduction
In Episode #808 of TBTL: Too Beautiful To Live, hosts Luke Burbank and Megan McArdle dive into the pivotal event of the day: the death of Osama bin Laden. The episode blends insightful discussions with their characteristic humor, covering public reactions, media portrayals, and personal anecdotes.
2. The Death of Osama bin Laden and Social Media Reactions
a. Misattributed Martin Luther King Jr. Quote
One of the central topics discussed was a widely circulated quote attributed to Martin Luther King Jr.:
"I mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy."
— Attributed to MLK Jr. [Timestamp: 13:10]
Luke and Megan explored the origins of this quote, revealing that while a similar sentiment exists in MLK’s writings, the specific wording circulating on social media was not actually from him. Jen Andrews, a correspondent from The Atlantic, elaborated on how the misattribution occurred and the impact it had on public sentiment.
b. Public Reaction and Media Coverage
The hosts highlighted the varied public reactions to bin Laden’s death, noting a significant portion of the population was unaware of who he was:
"Yahoo reported that the number one search question yesterday was, who is bin Laden?"
— Megan McArdle [Timestamp: 05:06]
They discussed how media personalities like Jon Stewart and Jimmy Kimmel approached the news with humor, contrasting it with their more measured response on TBTL. Luke shared his appreciation for Stewart’s candidness:
"Jon Stewart's like, yeah, you know what? We shot bin Laden through both of his eyes, and now he lives in a pineapple under the ocean. And I was just like, you, sir, are badass."
— Luke Burbank [Timestamp: 04:34]
3. Misuse of "Counterterrorism" in Political Discourse
The episode also touched upon the confusion surrounding the term "counterterrorism" in political speeches. Luke recounted an interview with a Republican from Michigan on Morning Edition who repeatedly misused the term:
"He kept saying counterterrorism when he meant either just terrorism."
— Luke Burbank [Timestamp: 09:45]
This misuse sparked a discussion about the clarity and precision in political language, emphasizing how miscommunication can lead to misunderstandings about serious issues.
4. Team Six and Navy SEALs
The hosts speculated on the likelihood of photos of the Navy SEALs (Team Six) involved in the bin Laden mission being released:
"I would be surprised if the photos are not out within the next six hours."
— Luke Burbank [Timestamp: 24:00]
They humorously debated the public image of these elite forces, imagining staged photos and lighthearted scenarios post-mission. Megan expressed a desire to see pictures of the SEALs:
"I would, however, very much like to see pictures of the Navy SEals."
— Megan McArdle [Timestamp: 25:21]
5. Charlie Sheen's Touring Performances
Shifting focus, Luke and Megan discussed Charlie Sheen’s performance tour. They debated whether Luke should attend, weighing the potential entertainment against logistical challenges:
"I'm gonna have to go up and buy them from a scalper, which I imagine that they'll be going for less than face value."
— Luke Burbank [Timestamp: 51:07]
Megan and Luke shared their skepticism about Sheen’s performances, referencing mixed reviews and previous tour outcomes:
"He went on stage. He complained about his custody battle. He blamed his pasty complexion on someone named Gabe..."
— Luke Burbank [Timestamp: 51:07]
6. Listener Emails
The episode featured interactive segments where listeners' emails were discussed.
a. Mariners Game and House Signs
Listener Luke inquired about creating signs for a Mariners game:
"I have two Mariner related questions... is it appropriate for two men in their 20s to make a cheesy sign and hang it over the edge."
— Listener Luke [Timestamp: 60:35]
The hosts encouraged creativity, suggesting humorous sign ideas related to Eric Wedge's evolving mustache.
b. The Office UK Finale Recap
Listener Gray provided a detailed recap of the British version of The Office finale, challenging Luke and Megan's memories:
"David Brent has a blind date with a girl who actually seems to accept him... they kiss."
— Listener Gray [Timestamp: 62:38]
Megan admitted to forgetting these pivotal moments, acknowledging Gray’s accurate summary and reflecting on the emotional depth of the series.
7. Upcoming Chicago Shows and Event Plans
Towards the end of the episode, Luke and Megan previewed their upcoming live shows in Chicago. They discussed logistics, sponsor mentions, and the excitement surrounding meeting fans:
"We're just busy little beavers getting ready for these Chicago shows because we're gonna make them so much fun for you guys."
— Luke Burbank [Timestamp: 71:07]
They also highlighted opportunities for fan engagement, such as meetups at local venues and promotional offers from sponsors like James Hotel and Chateau St. Michel.
Conclusion
Episode #808 of TBTL: Too Beautiful To Live offers a blend of timely political commentary, media analysis, humor, and personal interactions. Hosts Luke Burbank and Megan McArdle effectively navigate through complex topics like Osama bin Laden’s death and its socio-political reverberations while maintaining an engaging and relatable tone for their audience.
Note: All quotes are attributed to the respective speakers with corresponding timestamps for reference.