Podcast Summary: TBTL: Too Beautiful To Live
Episode #894: Let's Party Down
Release Date: August 25, 2011

Hosts: Luke Burbank and Andrew Walsh
Description: TBTL is a daily show hosted by two longtime friends who navigate the world with humor and camaraderie. In Episode #894, titled "Let's Party Down," Luke and Jen delve into a variety of topics ranging from personal anecdotes to pop culture discussions.

1. Introduction and Banter (00:00 - 02:08)

The episode kicks off with Luke proudly displaying his personal awards, leading to playful banter about the origins of each accolade.

• Luke Burbank [00:17]:
  "These are my awards. The seal is for marksmanship, and the gorilla is for sand racing."

• Jen [00:09]:
  "Mother from army."

The hosts then segue into a light-hearted discussion about Luke's recent weight loss and his less-than-successful attempt at a healthy lunch.

• Luke Burbank [00:03]:
  "I've lost hundreds of pounds and gained hundreds of confidence."

2. Breaking News and American Life (02:08 - 04:05)

Luke shares unexpected news about his involvement with "This American Life," revealing that his segment was ultimately not aired.

• Luke Burbank [03:19]:
  "I was like, it was like 8:00 at night, Seattle time, 11:00. And I thought, that's not good news."

• Jen [04:05]:
  "I'm sorry. Sorry."

The conversation touches on creative differences regarding how his personal story was portrayed, leading to mutual understanding about keeping certain projects off the show.

3. Poster Party Announcement (04:05 - 08:03)

Luke and Jen announce an upcoming "poster party," encouraging listeners who donated to TBTL to participate in mailing out signed posters.

• Luke Burbank [05:39]:
  "There will be pizza, there will be soda to drink, and there will be fun."

They emphasize the limited availability, urging listeners to respond quickly to secure a spot.

• Jen [07:05]:
  "So just keep the people away who want to come help us for free to get the posters that they paid for."

4. Party Down Reuniting on Children's Hospital (08:03 - 15:04)

The hosts discuss the reunion of the "Party Down" cast on the Adult Swim show "Children's Hospital," expressing excitement and nostalgia.

• Jen [11:38]:
  "So the Party down cast all got together and they filmed apparently an 11 minute little sketch."

They reminisce about past live shows and the notable personalities involved, highlighting both the successes and the challenges faced during performances.

5. Top Story: Jen's Email Issue (15:04 - 28:39)

Jen shares a personal predicament involving her father-in-law unintentionally distributing her email address, resulting in unwanted mass emails from distant acquaintances.

• Jen [16:12]:
  "I want to call your dad because I don't want him to give out my email."

• Luke Burbank [22:16]:
  "I do think that it's something that happens to all of our listeners too, in this world of emailings."

The discussion explores generational differences in communication and the challenges of managing personal boundaries in the digital age.

6. Email Valedictions Discussion (28:39 - 45:33)

Inspired by an article from Hairpin.com, Luke and Jen delve into the nuances of email sign-offs, humorously analyzing various valedictions and their implications.

• Jen [35:27]:
  "It's called the valediction. Really is your sign off."

• Luke Burbank [36:43]:
  "I like it because it's kind of sort of formal enough, but it's not overly formal and it's wishing them something positive."

They discuss options like "Regards," "Best," "Warmly," and "Cheers," debating their appropriateness in different contexts and the potential perceptions they evoke.

• Jen [38:51]:
  "'Cheers' is a little dangerous because she says the alternatives to cheers are pip pip cheerio or pip pip cheerio."

The segment is filled with witty exchanges and relatable insights for anyone navigating the complexities of professional and personal email communication.

7. Day in TBTL History: John Supernow's Email and Reaction Time (45:33 - 49:26)

Luke reminisces about a past interaction with a listener, John Supernow, who initially sent a negative email to TBTL. However, the discovery of John’s song "Reaction Time" transformed the nature of their relationship.

• Luke Burbank [46:29]:
  "Reaction Time seemed to be the perfect."

He highlights how blending the negative feedback with the music created a more positive and humorous outcome, suggesting a creative way to handle critical feedback in the future.

8. Listener Emails and Hat Dilemma (49:26 - 56:56)

The hosts read and react to various listener emails, including stories about learning new words from pop songs and the ongoing debate about the appropriateness of wearing fedoras.

• Jen [50:09]:
  "My brother loved MTV from a young age and he, thanks to our babysitter, he was obsessed with Bobby Brown's 'My Prerogative'."

• Luke Burbank [51:32]:
  "He was sort of knee jerk and so Reaction Time seemed to be the perfect."

A significant portion is devoted to Luke’s dilemma over choosing a suitable hat for an upcoming cruise, leading to humorous discussions about fashion choices and listener input.

• Jen [55:03]:
  "Charlie shop wrote, maybe you should eliminate what you should not wear and see what's left."

9. Conclusion and Wrap-up (56:56 - 58:36)

As the episode winds down, Luke and Jen recap the highlights, express gratitude to their listeners, and tease future content. They play a musical piece, referencing classic songs and maintaining their signature blend of humor and camaraderie.

• Jen [56:56]:
  "Is that right, Jen? Did we manage to stumble through another hour of imaginary radio?"

• Luke Burbank [57:46]:
  "And good luck to all."

The episode concludes with a final musical interlude, leaving listeners with a sense of warmth and anticipation for the next installment.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Luke Burbank [00:17]:
  "These are my awards. The seal is for marksmanship, and the gorilla is for sand racing."

• Jen [05:39]:
  "There will be pizza, there will be soda to drink, and there will be fun."

• Luke Burbank [16:16]:
  "Really, Columbo?"

• Jen [35:27]:
  "It's called the valediction. Really is your sign off."

• Jen [50:09]:
  "My brother loved MTV from a young age and he, thanks to our babysitter, he was obsessed with Bobby Brown's 'My Prerogative'."

Episode Highlights:

• Personal Anecdotes: Luke discusses his recent weight loss journey and his humorous take on a less-than-ideal lunch experience.

• Behind-the-Scenes: Insight into Luke’s interaction with "This American Life" and the challenges of portraying personal stories accurately.

• Listener Engagement: Announcement of the poster party and active encouragement for listener participation.

• Pop Culture Insights: Discussion about the reunion of the "Party Down" cast and its appearance on "Children's Hospital."

• Email Etiquette: An entertaining breakdown of email sign-offs, exploring their meanings and appropriate usage.

• Fashion Debates: A lively exchange about the popularity and practicality of fedoras, especially in the context of an upcoming cruise.

• Reflective Moments: Reminiscing about past listener interactions and how negative feedback can be transformed into positive experiences.

Conclusion:

Episode #894 of TBTL: Too Beautiful To Live offers a rich tapestry of conversations that blend personal stories, pop culture commentary, and practical advice, all delivered with the hosts' trademark humor and warmth. Whether discussing the intricacies of email sign-offs or navigating the complexities of social interactions, Luke and Jen provide listeners with an engaging and relatable experience. This episode is a testament to their ability to transform everyday topics into entertaining and meaningful discussions, making it a must-listen for both regular followers and newcomers alike.