Podcast Summary: The Dollop with Dave Anthony and Gareth Reynolds Episode 137 - "The Past Times with Nato Green" Release Date: August 8, 2025
Introduction
In Episode 137 of "The Dollop," hosts Dave Anthony and Gareth Reynolds invite the comedian Nato Green to delve into fascinating and bizarre historical newspaper excerpts. The episode offers a humorous exploration of archival news, blending sharp wit with historical oddities.
Guest Introduction and Stand-Up Comedy Tour [00:04 – 01:45]
Gareth welcomes Nato Green, introducing him as a guest who, like Gareth, is encountering the chosen newspaper for the first time. Nato humorously mentions his reluctance to share the live show with his children, saying, “I invited my children to come to the live show and they were like, no, just listen to the podcast” [00:29].
Nato then outlines his upcoming stand-up tour dates across various cities, impressively listing them “all off the top of my head” [01:26]. Dave playfully teases Gareth, comparing Nato's memory skills to Gareth's own website mishaps.
The Year Guessing Game [03:00 – 04:38]
To kick off the analysis, Gareth and Nato engage in a game where they guess the year of the newspaper excerpt without context. Nato confidently guesses “1877” [03:42], reflecting his inclination towards labor movements. Dave reveals the actual year as “1893” [04:05], highlighting Nato’s close but incorrect guess. The hosts humorously discuss White Oaks, New Mexico, clarifying it as a ghost town with no current population [05:06].
The Enoch Arden Story [04:53 – 09:12]
The primary article centers on Enoch Arden from White Oaks, New Jersey, who seeks legal means to reclaim his wife after a 12-year absence. Gareth quips, “He Left and wants her back” [08:03], while Nato adds, “He would like to get ownership back of his wife” [08:14], poking fun at the archaic language used in the report. The conversation takes a darkly comedic turn as Nato shares a personal anecdote about a friend’s botched circumcision, relating it to the newspaper's peculiar storytelling [06:43 – 07:45].
Ice Monopoly and Folding Bathtubs [14:05 – 30:51]
The discussion shifts to an advertisement about Virginia’s ice monopoly, where a man named Emilio has purchased all the ice from the Wo Springs Ice Company [14:05]. The hosts mock the practicality of hoarding ice in a hot climate, with Dave commenting, “He bought all the ice” and Nato humorously suggesting, “Give you a dollar for a big block” [14:10 – 14:44].
Transitioning to another ad, Dave introduces the concept of the “folding stand-up bathtub,” a quirky 1893 invention attempting to save space by folding into walls. Gareth marvels, “A hot tub that you put into your wall” [21:12], while Nato and Dave joke about the bathtub’s functionality and inherent flaws, including water spilling and messy installations [19:02 – 30:51]. The humorous banter highlights the impracticality and novelty of Victorian-era home innovations.
Patriotic Flag Speeches [30:51 – 37:50]
An excerpt describes a crowd at a hotel stove listening to patriotic oratory praising the American flag. Dave narrates, “Gentlemen, after several bursts of patriotic oratory, every man and woman who is a true American loves the good old flag” [31:10]. Gareth and Nato mock the fervent yet superficial patriotism, with Gareth remarking, “It’s like how you feel during the national anthem where you're just like, jesus” [36:14], and Nato humorously suggests countering with Danish flags to advocate for light socialism [37:50].
Black Buck Hunting in India [44:22 – 48:10]
The hosts move on to an article about hunting the black buck in India, appreciating the animal’s description but satirizing the hunting practices. Dave reads a passage detailing the hunting equipment and methods, prompting Gareth to joke, “Hey, how good is Rush?” [35:18], linking it to their earlier conversation about tight bands. The segment satirizes colonial hunting narratives and the glorification of hunting in historical contexts.
Gold Mining and Abandoned Pipes [48:10 – 62:58]
An article about prospectors finding gold in old, uncleaned pipes leads to a humorous discussion on abandoned mining practices. Dave reads, “Langston and Owen cased their new well 6 miles north of town with some 8-inch pipe” [60:50], while Gareth and Nato mock the futile search for gold, with Nato stating, “You can't get new gold out of old gold” [62:37]. The dialogue underscores the folly and desperation often found in gold rush stories, blending historical facts with comedic exaggeration.
Arranged Marriages in Japan [58:04 – 60:23]
A peculiar newspaper announcement about Japan abolishing the custom of furnishing husbands for women sparks a comedic exchange. Gareth quips, “I have him on layaway” [58:17], while Nato humorously interprets the article as American old maids being matched with Japanese husbands [59:35]. The hosts playfully mock arranged marriage concepts, blending cultural misunderstandings with sharp humor.
Conclusion and Final Thoughts [62:07 – 63:23]
Wrapping up the episode, the hosts reflect on the absurdity of the historical articles, with Dave lamenting the lack of meaningful news: “Everything's falling apart. Who named a better place” [33:35]. Nato and Gareth continue to infuse humor into their analysis, ultimately thanking Nato for his participation and promoting his comedy ventures. Gareth signs off with smiles, inviting listeners to enjoy both the historical insights and comedic elements of their journey through "The Past Times."
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
- Nato Green [00:29]: “I invited my children to come to the live show and they were like, no, just listen to the podcast.”
- Dave Anthony [03:54]: “NATO wins because it is 1893.”
- Nato Green [04:38]: “I'm on tour. Look, look it up. Mr. NATO Green @ Instagram.”
- Gareth Reynolds [06:03]: “You can just like, imagine now to America to be like, oh wow. So that fresh, where is that fresh air?”
- Gareth Reynolds [21:12]: “A hot tub that you put into your wall.”
- Nato Green [37:50]: “But some Swedish flags to be like, we just want some light socialism.”
- Gareth Reynolds [54:00]: “To live at a time where you have a watch and yet are not.”
Final Remarks
Episode 137 of "The Dollop" masterfully combines historical exploration with comedic flair, guided by the engaging interplay between Dave, Gareth, and Nato. Their lighthearted mockery and insightful commentary make for an entertaining deep dive into the peculiarities of 19th-century newspaper journalism, appealing to both history buffs and comedy enthusiasts alike.
For more episodes and to follow Nato Green’s comedy tour, visit nato green’s Instagram, Blue Sky, and nato green.net.