The Gist: Today’s Show is About a Different Show That is Not About Tapirs
Release Date: April 12, 2025
Host: Mike Pesca
Producer: Peach Fish Productions
Introduction
In this intriguing episode of The Gist, host Mike Pesca delves into a meta-discussion about creating a podcast episode that is explicitly not about tapirs. Embracing the show's signature provocative and thoughtful style, Pesca navigates the challenges and humorous contradictions inherent in attempting to avoid a specific topic while inadvertently bringing it into the conversation.
Concept Exploration: The Not-About-Tapirs Show
00:00 - 01:04 | Initial Setup
The episode begins with a brief nod to the unconventional premise: producing a show that purposely avoids discussing tapirs, yet the mere act of defining such a concept makes it impossible to remain oblivious to the subject.
Colin McEnroe introduces the idea:
“We decided that we would do a show that is not about tapirs... It is specifically a show that is not about tapirs or tapirs.”
[02:35]
Team Reactions: Embracing the Absurdity
The production team grapples with the paradox of avoiding a topic that becomes a focal point by definition.
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Josh Nalea expresses strong opposition:
“I just don't think should be on the air.”
[04:25] -
Jonathan McNicoll shares his confusion:
“I'm starting to get really confused.”
[05:07] -
Josh further critiques the concept by comparing it to an episode of Seinfeld pitched to network executives:
“As soon as you sort of, like, state your intentions to do a show that is not about something, then it becomes a bad idea.”
[05:32]
These reactions highlight the inherent difficulty in maintaining a show centered around the absence of a topic, as the mere mention of tapirs undermines the premise.
Analogies and Reflections: Seinfeld and Beyond
Colin McEnroe draws parallels to Seinfeld's "about nothing" concept, placing the not-about-tapirs show on a spectrum of thematic focus:
“If Seinfeld were truly a show about nothing, it would be zero on the scale... we would do something that is a negative number.”
[06:00]
This analogy underscores the innovative yet flawed nature of the endeavor, emphasizing how defining a show by what it excludes can inadvertently define it by what it includes.
The Tapir Dilemma: Unintended Focus
Despite efforts to avoid the topic, tapirs inevitably surface in discussions:
“See, now, see, look what's happening. We're talking about them, Mike. We're trying to do a show that's not about them, and we're talking about them.”
[15:33]
The team acknowledges that complete avoidance is nearly impossible, leading to humorous and self-aware reflections on their predicament.
Guest Insight: Conversation with Mike Pesca
As The Gist hosts Mike Pesca, a guest appearance by himself adds a layer of meta-commentary to the episode. Colin McEnroe engages Pesca in a conversation about the challenges of avoiding a topic in podcasting:
“What if we tried to do a show that was not about a topic?... it would certainly waste the listener's time.”
[13:13]
Pesca contributes by likening the concept to improv techniques, pondering the futility and potential of creating content without a central theme. This segment deepens the exploration of thematic absence and its implications for content creation.
Satirical Commentary: The Trump Tariff Speech
In a departure from the main theme, the episode includes a satirical rendition of a Donald Trump speech addressing tariffs. This segment serves as a humorous interlude, showcasing the show's ability to critique and parody political discourse.
Satirical Trump declares:
“No other president would have done what I did.”
[19:43]
Colin McEnroe humorously analyzes the implications:
“The President has started with the truth... he got into the world trade picture.”
[20:11]
This segment satirizes political rhetoric, aligning with The Gist's tradition of reasonable critique across the political spectrum.
Conclusion: Embracing Imperfection
As the episode wraps up, the production team reflects on the experiment's outcome. Jonathan McNicoll encapsulates the experience:
“I just want to say we've afforded ourselves the option of failing during this show.”
[09:46]
Colin McEnroe acknowledges the inherent challenges:
“We can still live with that. That'll be okay.”
[10:09]
Despite the struggles, the team appreciates the humorous and thought-provoking nature of their attempt, embracing the imperfections that come with such an unconventional approach.
Key Takeaways
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Nature of Content Creation: Attempting to exclude a topic can inadvertently highlight it, making thematic absence challenging to maintain.
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Team Dynamics: Diverse opinions within the production team reflect the complexities of innovative content strategies.
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Meta-Commentary: Engaging with the concept of not focusing on something offers a unique lens through which to examine podcasting and thematic development.
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Satirical Elements: Incorporating satire enriches the episode, aligning with The Gist's mission to critique and analyze ideas thoughtfully.
Notable Quotes
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Colin McEnroe:
“This is fundamentally different from all the other shows, ostensibly not being about tapirs.”
[05:32] -
Josh Nalea:
“This is the only kind of show we've ever done. We've always done shows that were not about tapirs.”
[04:58] -
Jonathan McNicoll:
“This moment right here is about Tierce.”
[09:50] -
Satirical Trump:
“I could say, here's a wall. I'm going to go through it.”
[17:05]
Final Thoughts
The Gist successfully navigates the humorous and philosophical challenges of creating a show that intentionally avoids a specific topic. Through candid discussions, team dynamics, guest insights, and satirical elements, the episode offers a reflective and entertaining exploration of thematic absence in podcasting.
Produced by: Corey Wara & Michelle Pesca
Brought to you by: Progressive Insurance