Podcast Summary: TBTL: Too Beautiful To Live – Episode #956: Don't Be A Troublemaker

Release Date: November 21, 2011

Hosts: Luke Burbank & Jen Flash Andrews

1. Opening Anecdote: Paranormal Activity Panic

The episode kicks off with a listener, Greg, sharing his intense reaction after watching Paranormal Activity with his siblings.

• Greg (00:00-00:33): Expresses severe anxiety, stating, “I feel like I'm gonna have a panic attack right now. I'm going home, sleeping with all the lights on.”

2. The Great Tomato Soup Debate

Luke and Jen dive into a humorous yet spirited discussion about the nature of tomato soup.

• Luke Burbank (00:33-02:00): Declares, “Tomato soup. It's a drink. There's nothing in tomato soup because I get one almost every day.”

• Jen Flash Andrews (01:24-02:02): Adds, “It's no different than milk in consistency.”

This segment explores whether tomato soup should be consumed with a spoon or as a beverage, ultimately leaning towards the latter in jest.

3. Jen’s Personal Story: Supporting a Passionate Husband

Jen shares an intimate story about her husband Jason's fervent interest in college football, highlighting the challenges of supporting a partner's passion when it doesn't resonate personally.

• Jen Flash Andrews (02:29-09:25): Recounts, “We got home from the Rainn Wilson event on Saturday night real late... He was asking questions and being interested...”

• Sean Detorre (08:20): Inquires, “Was he speaking in binary code?”

The narrative delves into the dynamics of mutual support in relationships, emphasizing the importance of "humoring the other person."

4. Investigations Segment: Shonda Torre’s Commercial Involvement

The hosts address listener Dave's query about whether Shonda Torre is the voice of the high schooler in recent commercials.

• Dave’s Question (18:32): "Is Shonda Torre the voice of the high schooler in the commercials?"

• Sean Detorre investigates (18:36-19:02): Plays a snippet of the commercial, concluding it’s not Sean himself.

This segment showcases their playful investigative approach to listener questions.

5. Granny Time: Scrabble Strategies and Challenges

Jen introduces the "Granny Time" segment, where she discusses her frustrations with Scrabble gameplay dynamics with her husband.

• Jen Flash Andrews (25:49-31:26): Explains the tension between competitive and casual playstyles, saying, “...isn't good sportsmanship.”

• Luke Burbank (26:43-30:33): Offers insights into balancing competitiveness and enjoyment in games, sharing his own Scrabble philosophy.

The discussion highlights differing approaches to gaming and the importance of maintaining harmony.

6. Highlighting Real Time World War II Twitter Project

Jen introduces a unique Twitter account, Real Time World War II, which tweets historical events as if they’re happening in real-time.

• Jen Flash Andrews (31:42-33:04): Describes the project, “he started in 1939... tweets about what's happening in the war as if I'm in 1939.”

• Luke Burbank (32:16): Expresses enthusiasm, “That's really cool.”

This segment underscores the innovative ways history can be engaged with through modern platforms.

7. Movie Review: Twilight – Breaking Dawn Part 1

Greg, the episode’s guest, provides an in-depth review of Twilight – Breaking Dawn Part 1, sharing his mixed feelings about the film.

• Greg (45:15-58:19):

  • Praises Edward's appearance: “Edward looked extremely good in this one. Like, really good.”
  • Criticizes overacting and special effects: “There was a lot of parts in the movie that were super cheesy. I felt like there was a lot of overacting in it.”
  • Comments on inconsistencies in character portrayal: “Kellen Letz, who plays Emmett, kept changing his face... very weird.”

• Notable Discussion Points:

  • The awkward depiction of vampire and werewolf interactions.
  • Disappointment with the film’s execution compared to its predecessor.
  • Technical issues like inconsistent character appearances.

8. Listener Interaction: Greg’s Line Experience and AMA Highlights

Greg shares his experience waiting in line to watch the movie, expressing frustration over scheduling mix-ups.

• Greg (46:07-47:12): “I had to wait in line from one of the shows that started at 5:40...”

The hosts humorously discuss the logistical challenges fans face during high-demand movie releases.

9. Commentary on the American Music Awards

The hosts briefly touch upon the American Music Awards, highlighting notable performances and misunderstandings.

• Greg (59:45-60:24): Criticizes performers’ authenticity, particularly Taylor Swift’s reactions during awards.

• Luke Burbank (60:31-61:07): Relates Greg's observations to his own impressions, affirming Greg’s accuracy.

10. Upcoming Show Highlights and Closing Remarks

The episode concludes with teasers for upcoming shows, including guests Feist and Marc Maron, and festive Thanksgiving content.

• Jen Flash Andrews (62:27-63:06): “Tomorrow we're going to have Feist on. And then on Wednesday, Marc Maron will be hanging out with us.”

The hosts express gratitude to their listeners and sponsors, ensuring fans stay tuned for future engaging content.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Luke Burbank (00:12): “Well, this is gonna be good. Possibly even super duper good.”
• Jen Flash Andrews (02:29): “...she failed as a life partner.”
• Luke Burbank (05:03): “He's strong like all of us Albanians.”
• Sean Detorre (08:20): “Was he speaking in binary code?”
• Greg (45:15): “I had to actually go the next day...”
• Jen Flash Andrews (31:42): “It's pretty cool...”
• Greg (53:04): “...the wedding dress was gorgeous.”

Conclusion:

Episode #956 of Too Beautiful To Live masterfully blends humor, personal stories, and insightful discussions. From debating the essence of tomato soup to dissecting the latest in the Twilight saga, Luke, Jen, and Sean create an engaging narrative that resonates with both longtime listeners and newcomers alike. Greg’s candid movie review adds depth, while segments like "Granny Time" and the exploration of historical Twitter projects showcase the show's versatility. This episode exemplifies TBTL's charm, making it a must-listen for fans seeking relatable banter and thoughtful commentary.