Podcast Summary: The Dollop with Dave Anthony and Gareth Reynolds
Episode 116 - The Past Times with Randall Blythe - Part 2
Release Date: March 15, 2025

Introduction

In Episode 116 of The Dollop by All Things Comedy, hosts Dave Anthony and Gareth Reynolds are joined by Randall Blythe for the second part of their deep dive into historical oddities. This episode, titled "The Past Times with Randall Blythe - Part 2," traverses a myriad of bizarre and intriguing stories from the past, delivering laughter intertwined with insightful commentary.

Rock Star Banter and Guest Introduction

[00:58]
Gareth Reynolds kicks off the episode by introducing Randall Blythe, who brings his unique perspective to the discussion. The conversation quickly veers into playful banter about Randalls' rock star status.

Dave Anthony:
"If I were to refer to myself as a rock star, I would call myself a budget rock star."
[01:38]

Randall Blythe:
"I drive the same truck I've driven since 2009."
[01:46]

This lighthearted exchange sets the tone for the episode, blending humor with genuine discussion about Randall's life and career.

Book Tour and Creative Pursuits

[03:41]
Gareth highlights Randall's multifaceted career, mentioning his upcoming book release and book tour scheduled for February 18th. Randall emphasizes his creative drive, stating:

Randall Blythe:
"I'm constantly running around because I am so creatively obsessed."
[03:57]

This segment underscores Randall's dedication to his craft and his commitment to engaging with his audience through various mediums.

Food Poisoning Tales from the Stage

The conversation shifts to comedic yet relatable anecdotes about dealing with food poisoning during performances.

[05:56] Dave Anthony:
"I did a show at a culinary school in South Carolina... and I immediately got food poisoning. I was the last guy on the show, and I was like in the back throwing up."
[07:31]

[06:00] Gareth Reynolds:
"I think he's running from what's inside of himself."
[06:11]

Both Randall and Dave share their experiences, highlighting the unpredictable challenges performers face, all while maintaining a humorous undertone.

"Guess the Year" Segment: The Elusive Train Mystery

[09:15] Dave Anthony:
"Guard hid hand grenade. Traveler says, oh, boy."
[12:00]

In this segment, Randall, Dave, and Gareth attempt to date a peculiar newspaper story about a security guard who planted a hand grenade in a passenger's purse to test airport security. Their guesses reflect the absurdity of the scenario:

Randall Blythe:
"September 30th, year 1783."
[09:48]

Dave Anthony:
"1899."
[10:30]

Eventually, they settle on the correct year:

Gareth Reynolds:
"It is the Richmond Times Dispatch."
[11:35]

The trio's interplay adds layers of humor as they dissect the flawed logic behind such a misguided security test.

Birds in the Car: A Florida Fiasco

[30:00] Dave Anthony:
"Andrew Alif has had to resort to hitching rides because his car is for the birds."
[31:00]

The discussion moves to a comical yet frustrating story of a man in Florida who abandons his car after discovering sparrows nesting in his glove compartment. The absurdity of the situation is amplified through the hosts' witty commentary:

Dave Anthony:
"He grabbed the hand grenade. Hold the pin for the hand grenade. Intending to throw it away from us."
[13:22]

This segment highlights the lengths to which individuals will go to reclaim their personal space from unexpected wildlife intrusions.

Dog Poop Pickup Service: Entrepreneurship in the 80s

[33:51] Dave Anthony:
"Doug Thompson is an entrepreneur in what most people would call a dirty business."
[34:11]

Randall introduces a local entrepreneur, Doug Thompson, who started a dog poop pickup service using unconventional tools like a rake and fishnet line. The hosts riff on the ingenuity and humor behind such a venture:

Gareth Reynolds:
"He's throwing dog poop from people's yards and then throwing it in others."
[36:10]

Dave Anthony:
"He charges $10 a month for stopping. Buy a one dog yard once a week."
[36:30]

Their playful mockery underscores the entrepreneurial spirit of the era, portraying it through a lens of exaggerated absurdity.

Environmental Catastrophe: Bowling Green's Cave Fumes

[59:38] Dave Anthony:
"Winding for miles beneath the streets of this Southern Kentucky city is the Lost River Cave... the largest city in America built entirely atop a cave system."
[62:19]

One of the most intense discussions revolves around Bowling Green, Kentucky, grappling with toxic fumes seeping from underground cave systems into residential areas and schools. The hosts delve into the environmental and health implications:

Dave Anthony:
"Chemicals entering the cave stream apparently are being trapped underground where they generate toxic fumes that rise through crevices to the surface."
[61:08]

Gareth Reynolds:
"Welcome to the Trash Forest."
[60:11]

The segment balances dark humor with serious commentary on environmental negligence, highlighting the ongoing struggles of the community.

Airplane Payphone Madness

[44:24] Dave Anthony:
"The airplane telephones are designed to be billed directly to your personal credit card... you make a call."
[46:32]

Recounting a bizarre story from the past, the hosts discuss an individual's obsession with using the payphone on an airplane, leading to exorbitant phone bills:

Gareth Reynolds:
"I'm gonna break your hand for your own good."
[51:37]

Dave Anthony:
"As awful as that is, the bill very well could have been as much as $300."
[54:05]

Their exaggerated portrayal of airline telephony struggles offers both nostalgia and comedic relief.

Stroh's Brewery Closure: The End of an Era

[43:36] Dave Anthony:
"Stroh's Brewery, Richmond. This is a column..."
[43:43]

The hosts discuss the humorous tragedy of Stroh's Brewery in Detroit shutting down after 135 years, reflecting on the decline of a once-dominant beer maker:

Randall Blythe:
"Stroh's would just slit its own throat. It's one of the best beers in America and they killed themselves."
[43:43]

The conversation serves as a commentary on corporate self-sabotage, wrapped in their signature comedic style.

Conclusion

[71:19] Randy Blythe:
"We're all gonna die. And just think of how much worse it's all gotten."
[71:26]

As the episode wraps up, Randall, Dave, and Gareth reflect on the various stories discussed, blending humor with a touch of existential musings. The final remarks encapsulate the show's essence: finding laughter amidst the absurdities of history.

Notable Quotes

• Dave Anthony:
  "He grabbed the hand grenade. Hold the pin for the hand grenade. Intending to throw it away from us."
  [13:22]

• Randall Blythe:
  "September 30th, year 1783."
  [09:48]

• Gareth Reynolds:
  "Welcome to the Trash Forest."
  [60:11]

• Dave Anthony:
  "As awful as that is, the bill very well could have been as much as $300."
  [54:05]

Final Thoughts

Episode 116 of The Dollop masterfully blends humor with historical quirks, offering listeners a rollercoaster of laughter and contemplation. Through Randall Blythe's engaging storytelling and the hosts' comedic flair, the episode provides a memorable exploration of the past's most peculiar headlines.