Podcast Summary: TBTL: Too Beautiful To Live – Episode #918

Release Date: September 28, 2011

Hosts: Luke Burbank and Jen Flash Andrews
Title: Episode #918

1. Opening Banter and Audio Challenges

[00:03] Luke Burbank:
The episode kicks off with playful banter involving characters Cathy Mitchell and Dr. Steve Bruhl discussing the "Griddleman" and panini sandwiches. Luke humorously questions the term "panini," leading to a light-hearted exchange about Italian language and culture.

[03:01] Luke Burbank:
Transitioning from humor, Luke opens up about a personal challenge: a hearing disability affecting certain audio frequencies. He shares,
"I have been making a huge mistake... I've been making a huge mistake."
This revelation explains recurring listener feedback about audio levels, as Luke explains his difficulty in hearing specific frequencies. This segment is both candid and relatable, offering listeners insight into the behind-the-scenes challenges of producing the show.

2. Andy Rooney's Retirement from 60 Minutes

[01:19] Luke Burbank:
The main topic of the day centers on the retirement of Andy Rooney from "60 Minutes." Luke shares,
"After over 260 years on the air, Andy Rooney is going to be calling it, calling it a day after next week."
Acknowledging the humorous exaggeration of Rooney’s tenure, the hosts delve into Rooney's influence and legacy. Jen adds,
"It's getting harder and harder for him to do it,"
highlighting the challenges faced by long-standing personalities in adapting to changing media landscapes.

3. Social Media and Tweet Controversy

[07:15] Luke Burbank:
Luke discusses a recent social media mishap where a tweet about a Ted Nugent lookalike at a bar led to backlash.
"People are basically accusing me of being a big fat liar. Lying is like 95% of what I do."
He clarifies that his absence from the show was due to illness, not irresponsibility, and humorously critiques the nature of online judgment.

4. Suggestions for Andy Rooney's Replacement

[20:34] Jen Flash Andrews:
The conversation shifts to potential successors for Andy Rooney’s role. Jen humorously suggests,
"Jamie Lee Curtis... Zach Galifianakis... Robert Krulwich... Mike Pesca,"
highlighting a mix of humor and sincerity in finding a fitting replacement. Luke concurs,
"Jen, you would be awesome at this because you're doing a version of that every day on tbtl."
This segment showcases the hosts' creative thinking and camaraderie.

5. Music Segment and Listener Engagement

[16:01] Dr. Steve Bruhl:
Intertwining music with discussion, the hosts play clips from bands like Sea Pony and Land of the Loops.
"This is a song called Dreaming... Goodbye by Land of the Loops,"
they share their musical tastes and engage with listeners through song identification challenges. Notable moments include:

• [44:29] "Lived in Bars" by Shawn Marshall (Cat Power):
  Jen identifies the song and discusses its lyrical depth and Cat Power’s vocal prowess.

• [50:22] "Multifamily Garage Sale Tomorrow" by Land of the Loops:
  Luke credits the band’s unique looping style and shares insights into their creative process.

6. Sponsorship and Promotional Segments

[34:37] Luke Burbank:
The show features a humorous sponsorship segment for Chateau St. Michel wine.
"If you're in the grocery store or wine shop... just grab a bottle of Chateau St. Michel."
Luke and Jen playfully promote the wine, weaving it seamlessly into their conversation and adding a layer of satire to typical promotional content.

7. Recommendations: Movies and Books

[37:05] Jen Flash Andrews:
Jen recommends the film "Drive," praising Ryan Gosling’s performance and the movie's modern film noir aesthetics despite its violent second half. She remarks,
"It's totally gripping and cool and shadowy and it asks a lot of really interesting questions about what it is to be a human being versus what it is to be a hero."

[38:50] Luke Burbank:
In the book segment, Jen suggests "The Hypnotist" by Lars Kepler, highlighting its fast-paced murder mystery and engaging plot twists.
"The chapters are two pages long. You move, you'll read it in a weekend... it's a really fast-moving murder mystery."

8. Drink Preferences and Recommendations

[40:22] Luke Burbank:
Luke and Jen delve into their beverage preferences, particularly focusing on vodka choices.
"I switched at some point to vodka soda... with cucumber infused vodka, it was so good."
Jen contrasts this with beer choices, emphasizing moderation and taste, while Luke humorously contemplates carrying cucumber extract for enhanced flavor without additional calories.

9. Listener Emails and Interactive Segments

[43:54] Jen Flash Andrews:
The hosts address listener emails, attempting to identify songs based on partial lyrics. Despite some challenges, they engage in playful attempts to recognize tracks like Shawn Marshall’s "Lived in Bars" and a mysterious pop culture-infused song that blends elements reminiscent of The Strokes and Smash Mouth.

10. Closing Remarks

[51:46] Luke Burbank:
As the episode wraps up, Luke humorously comments on the show's ongoing audio quirks and the lack of detailed music listings,
"Someday we will have a team of interns and a bitchin website and it'll have all of the music we play listed every day."
Jen and Luke sign off with light-hearted goodbyes, maintaining the episode’s engaging and whimsical tone.

Notable Quotes:

• Luke Burbank:
  "I have made a huge mistake." — [03:03] (Discussing audio levels and hearing issues)

• Jen Flash Andrews:
  "Twitter judging is the worst kind." — [10:13]

• Luke Burbank:
  "The show just gets better and better, doesn't it?" — [11:31] (On audio level feedback)

• Jen Flash Andrews:
  "I love Jesus, but I drink a little." — [02:05] (On her relationship with faith and drinking)

Conclusion:
Episode #918 of TBTL: Too Beautiful To Live offers a blend of humor, personal insights, and topical discussions. From addressing technical challenges and personal health to analyzing media figures and engaging with listeners, Luke and Jen maintain a dynamic and entertaining dialogue. Their recommendations on movies and books, coupled with interactive music segments and playful sponsorships, create a rich and varied listening experience for both regular and new audiences.