Things Mike Duncan Isn't Dying Of...

Summary

Summary of "Things Mike Duncan Isn't Dying Of..." The Duncan & Coe History Show
Release Date: November 14, 2024

In the episode titled "Things Mike Duncan Isn't Dying Of...", hosts Mike Duncan and Alexis Coe deliver a humorous and engaging discussion centered around the playful notion that Mike Duncan, one of the co-hosts, is not suffering from any dire ailments. Despite Mike being bedridden for a short period, Alexis uses this situation to craft a witty narrative that blends historical anecdotes with contemporary humor.

Introduction: Setting the Stage

The episode begins with Alexis introducing the premise, clarifying that Mike Duncan's current bedridden state is temporary and not as dramatic as it might seem.

Alexis Coe [00:00]: "Mike, my dear co-host, is in reality a fallible human man... he is totally fine."

Mike's Temporary Setback

Alexis explains that Mike's inability to record the episode is due to a minor illness. She reassures listeners of his swift recovery, alluding to his resilience and optimism.

Alexis Coe [00:30]: "He kept texting me all these good ideas and optimistic sentiments about his speedy recovery, which will happen very soon."

Three Myths Debunked: What Mike Isn't Dying Of

The core of the episode revolves around Alexis debunking three fictional ailments that Mike is not suffering from. Each point is delivered with historical context and humor.

1. Sepsis: Calvin Coolidge Jr.'s Tragic Demise

Alexis begins by dismissing the possibility of Mike dying from sepsis, referencing the historical figure Calvin Coolidge Jr.

Alexis Coe [02:15]: "Number one thing that Mike Duncan is not dying from is sepsis. That is what 16-year-old Calvin Coolidge Jr. died from."

She recounts the circumstances of Coolidge Jr.'s death, highlighting the advancements in medicine that prevent such outcomes today.

Alexis Coe [03:00]: "Whereas Mike, if he needs antibiotics for what he has, he can just do a virtual visit and a prescription can be ordered online."

2. Poodle: The Tale of Poodle Pinkerton

The second debunked ailment is a whimsical reference to "Poodle Pinkerton," not an actual disease but a humorous twist on historical detective agencies.

Alexis Coe [04:30]: "Mike Duncan is not dying from Poodle... Poodle Pinkerton was out for a walk. He got tangled in the leash, he fell and... died from gangrene of the tongue."

This segment blends fictional storytelling with historical elements to maintain an entertaining tone.

3. Long-Windedness: William Henry Harrison's Brief Presidency

The final point humorously suggests that Mike isn't succumbing to the consequences of being long-winded, drawing parallels with President William Henry Harrison's fate.

Alexis Coe [06:45]: "He is, in fact, no William Henry Harrison, who... had the longest inaugural address... and then a month later, he was dead."

She playfully implies that despite Mike's tendency to elaborate, it won't lead to his demise.

Reflecting on Mike's Current State

Alexis muses about what Mike might actually be "suffering" from, leaving it to listeners' imagination while maintaining a lighthearted tone.

Alexis Coe [08:20]: "I want to give you a list of three things that Mike Duncan is definitely not dying from."

Closing Remarks: A Lighthearted Send-Off

Concluding the episode, Alexis acknowledges the absence of Mike, teases future content, and thanks the audience for their patience.

Alexis Coe [09:50]: "This has been the Duncan & Coe history show with no Duncan... we will do better. Probably."

Notable Quotes

• Alexis Coe [00:30]: "He is an absolute nuisance because he has thwarted our plan... he thinks we can do it before next Wednesday."

• Alexis Coe [02:15]: "Number one thing that Mike Duncan is not dying from is sepsis."

• Alexis Coe [04:30]: "He is not like Alan Pinkerton of the 19th Century Detective Agency the Pinkertons."

• Alexis Coe [06:45]: "He is, in fact, no William Henry Harrison, who you definitely remember was our ninth president."

• Alexis Coe [09:50]: "This has been the Duncan & Company history show with no Duncan, a dash of company and a lot of nonsense."

Key Takeaways

• Humor in Adversity: Alexis skillfully uses Mike's temporary illness as a backdrop for humor, making light of the situation while keeping it relatable.

• Historical References: The episode is rich with historical anecdotes, blending them seamlessly with contemporary issues to engage history enthusiasts and casual listeners alike.

• Engaging Storytelling: Alexis' narrative style ensures that even listeners unfamiliar with Mike Duncan or the hosts can follow and enjoy the episode.

Conclusion

"Things Mike Duncan Isn't Dying Of..." serves as a whimsical interlude in the Duncan & Coe History Show series. Through a blend of humor, historical references, and engaging storytelling, Alexis Coe keeps the audience entertained while playfully addressing Mike Duncan's temporary absence. The episode highlights the hosts' chemistry and sets the stage for future discussions in the series.

Transcript

[A]

Hello and welcome to the Duncan and Company show. I'm not Mike Duncan. I'm Alexis Ko and today this is our amuse bouche of a show. Because Mike, my dear co host, is in reality a fallible human man. And this very week he has been felled. He is bedridden, if I want to describe it in the most dramatic way possible, which is my want, but is also misleading because he's totally fine. As I was working today, he kept texting me all these good ideas and optimistic sentiments about his speedy recovery, which will happen very soon, but not before. He is an absolute nuisance because he has thwarted our plan, which was to record a new episode and review the ones we have in the can, which we will do. He thinks we can do it before next Wednesday. All very fitting for season zero of the Duncan & Company show, which, as we promised you, drops some Wednesdays. And we do want to acknowledge that you are sticking it out with us. You were there from the very beginning, the teaser, episode one, episode two. And now you're going to anticipate our third episode, which we will not make you wait two years for. But to really honor your contributions here, I want to give you a list of three things that Mike Duncan is definitely not dying from. Because he is not dying, even just a little bit. He seems totally fine. So number one thing that Mike Duncan is not dying from is sepsis. That is what 16 year old Calvin Coolidge Jr. Died from. He was playing tennis on the White House lawn with his older brother, he got a blister and that happened in late June. He was dead by early July because it was 1924 and antibiotics were still four years into the future. And I do mean the discovery, not the distribution. Whereas Mike, if he like needs antibiotics for what he has, he can just do a virtual visit and a prescription can be ordered online and dropped off at his house before end of day. The second thing that Mike Duncan is not dying from is Poodle. If you've seen his Instagram, he seems to be a cat person. I'm allergic. I can't relate. I'm sure he's fine with dogs, but he is not like Alan Pinkerton of the 19th Century Detective Agency the Pinkertons, who met his end. As the tale goes by, Poodle Pinkerton was out for a walk. He got tangled in the leash, he fell and in that process he bit his tongue. And then his tongue got infected with gangrene. So he died from gangrene of the tongue. And finally, the third thing that Mike Duncan is not dying from this one, you're going to wonder if it is, in fact a possibility. Long windedness. We all know that Mike can go on and on and on, but he is, in fact no William Henry Harrison, who you definitely remember was our ninth president. He had the shortest presidency and the longest inaugural address. And the two are very much related because he delivered those 8,500 words in the rain without a coat. And then afterwards, instead of going to do the normal things or just changing into dry clothes, he was like, no, no, no, I gotta get to work on my to do list. I'm going to the market. I'm gonna shake everyone's hand. So a month later, he was dead. And now people believe it was from contaminated drinking water. But I just think, you know, Mike, take the warning. By now, surely you have wondered, what is Mike actually suffering from? I encourage you to imagine the most embarrassing thing that you can think of. And I just want you to know that that is 100% it. And if Mike wants to correct the record, he can do so when he deigns to show his face in our zoom again. And until then, this has been the Duncan & Company history show with no Duncan, a dash of company and a lot of nonsense. That's our show. We will do better. Probably. I don't know. Come back next week to find out. Thank you.