Podcast Summary: The Dollop with Dave Anthony and Gareth Reynolds
Episode 109 – "The Past Times with Steve Furey"
Release Date: January 31, 2025
Host/Authors: Dave Anthony and Gareth Reynolds
Guest: Steve Furey
Introduction and Tour Announcements [00:00 – 01:11]
The episode begins with Dave Anthony and Gareth Reynolds excitedly announcing their upcoming comedy tour scheduled for March 2025. They highlight their favorite cities, including Tempe, Arizona, Albuquerque, New Mexico, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Dallas, Houston, and Austin, Texas. Their playful banter sets a light-hearted tone for the episode.
Notable Quotes:
- Dave Anthony [00:00]: "We're going on tour."
- Gareth Reynolds [00:09]: "It's the best."
Meet the Guest: Steve Furey [01:11 – 03:09]
Gareth introduces Steve Furey, noting his Sacramento Kings fandom and playful interactions about Steve's online persona, "Scuba Steve Fury." The hosts share humorous anecdotes about confusing Steve with a guitar teacher named Steve Fury, illustrating their comedic chemistry.
Notable Quotes:
- Gareth Reynolds [01:11]: "Hi, Steve."
- Steve Furey [01:28]: "What's up? Super excited to be here, dude."
- Dave Anthony [03:09]: "Steve Fury will come up, Right. That many of them."
Diving into the Past Times: 1912 Newspaper Stories [05:00 – 17:56]
The trio delves into historical newspaper clippings from 1912, examining peculiar and intriguing stories. They discuss the case of George Ari from Fairbanks, Alaska, who returns home to find his wife married to another man, leading to a bizarre divorce trial. Their analysis is filled with humor as they speculate on the cultural and legal nuances of the time.
Notable Quotes:
- Steve Furey [05:22]: "I want to get, like, you know, like 24 A.D. it's just on papyrus."
- Gareth Reynolds [09:58]: "I can't believe that."
- Dave Anthony [10:52]: "She got his name."
The discussion shifts to Dr. Julius von Berdauer, a phrenologist attempting to match couples based on head bumps, highlighting the pseudo-scientific practices of the era.
Notable Quotes:
- Dave Anthony [60:00]: "He will be tried out first in vaudeville."
- Gareth Reynolds [62:35]: "That's a quotient, dude. Pythagoras."
Absurd and Dark Humor: Human Jars and Bizarre Cases [21:00 – 32:30]
The hosts explore more outlandish stories, including a Chinese woman accused of cannibalizing an Alaskan canary cannery boss by shipping his remains in a human jar. They joke about the impracticality and horror of such actions, intertwining dark humor with historical facts.
Notable Quotes:
- Gareth Reynolds [22:03]: "Whoa."
- Dave Anthony [22:36]: "You can do it."
Steve shares a personal anecdote about a family member who accidentally swallowed a battery, leading to severe health consequences, adding a layer of real-world absurdity to the historical tales.
Notable Quotes:
- Steve Furey [33:24]: "He put a battery. He was too embarrassed to tell his mom."
- Gareth Reynolds [34:14]: "Can we get him on the show?"
Comedic Interludes and Personal Stories [32:30 – 50:55]
The conversation intertwines historical stories with personal anecdotes and spontaneous humor. Topics range from bizarre medical cases, such as a man losing teeth after fitting a pool ball in his mouth for a bet, to fictionalized accounts of entertainers and their eccentric behaviors.
Notable Quotes:
- Dave Anthony [28:21]: "Wasn't the first time you've gotten final?"
- Gareth Reynolds [37:04]: "Rivals, not rivals."
- Steve Furey [39:37]: "I love the mom, too. You're not doing that to my son."
They humorously critique the plausibility and absurdity of the newspaper stories, blending historical analysis with their signature comedic style.
Phrenology and Matchmaking [50:30 – 61:14]
The discussion returns to the topic of phrenology, where Dr. Julius von Berdauer attempts to match couples based on cranial bumps. Gareth and Steve mock the pseudoscience, envisioning exaggerated match-making scenarios and poking fun at the outdated beliefs.
Notable Quotes:
- Gareth Reynolds [60:59]: "You'll be Kathy, just the guy."
- Steve Furey [61:08]: "I love a sense of humor and I love a head with a bunch of bumps."
Finale and Reflections [63:07 – 67:16]
As the episode nears its end, the hosts reflect humorously on the absurdity of past newspaper stories and their own comedic interpretations. They wrap up with playful remarks about their ongoing discussions and the dynamic with Steve Furey, thanking him for his participation.
Notable Quotes:
- Gareth Reynolds [66:57]: "She's lumpy as hell. I've been trying to shave them off."
- Dave Anthony [67:09]: "That was so fun."
Steve expresses gratitude, and the hosts conclude the episode with their signature humor, encouraging listeners to follow their upcoming tour dates and maintain engagement.
Notable Quotes:
- Steve Furey [67:12]: "I really, really, really appreciate it."
- Gareth Reynolds [67:15]: "Go to GarethReynolds.com if you are in Richmond Heights, Missouri..."
Conclusion
In this episode of The Dollop, Dave Anthony and Gareth Reynolds, joined by guest Steve Furey, navigate through a series of bizarre and humorous historical newspaper stories from 1912. Their blend of comedic banter, insightful (and satirical) commentary on past events, and personal anecdotes create an engaging and entertaining exploration of history's oddities. Notable for its rich humor and engaging delivery, this episode offers both laughs and a unique lens through which to view historical narratives.
Recommendation:
For listeners who enjoy a mix of history and humor, The Dollop continues to deliver with its engaging storytelling and sharp wit. Don't miss out on future episodes and the hosts' upcoming tour performances for more insightful comedy.