Podcast Summary – The Neighborhood Listen

BONUS ROOM #24: Evident Leigh...The First Chapter: A Read-Through

Release Date: August 29, 2025

Overview

This bonus episode gives listeners a behind-the-scenes, highly comedic look at the cast of The Neighborhood Listen preparing for a read-through of Doug’s original TV pilot script, “Evident Leigh.” Hosts Burnt Millipede (Paul F. Tompkins), Joan Pedestrian (Nicole Parker), and Doug (Brett Morris) riff on the writing process, pilot tropes, theater rituals, and local gossip in Dignity Falls. The episode is intentionally meandering, with the trio diving into witty banter, tangents about theater traditions, and inside jokes before even approaching the script.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Announcement & Context for the Bonus Room

• [00:45] Doug introduces the bonus episode, noting that the sample is being shared with free-feed listeners to entice them to subscribe to CBB World's Maximus tier for full access.
  • “...it takes us a while to get into the meat of the episode. We take like 25 minutes or so to actually get into reading this thing. But there they are. A fun 25 minutes. And we think you’re going to like it. But if you want to hear the script to evidently the pilot I’ve been working on for all this time, we actually get into it and read it line for line.” — Doug [00:50]

2. How to Do a Read-Through

• [02:43] The group debates what a ‘read-through’ entails.
  • Joan jokingly accuses Burnt of memorizing the script; they clown on the literal meaning of the phrase.
  • “Read through doesn’t mean you memorize through the script.” — Burnt [03:06]
  • They briefly discuss homonyms and the origins of the phrase, veering into wordplay.

3. Doug’s TV Pilot & Hollywood Aspirations

• [05:00] Doug reveals more about his long-gestating TV pilot, “Evident Leigh.”
  • He imagines a vast franchise: “At least octology.” [05:14]
  • There’s banter about whether it’s suitable for network or streaming, and a humorous confusion over which TV platforms and shows are still relevant.
  • “He’s really gone all the way to syndication. He’s shooting for the moon.” — Burnt [05:28]

4. The Document-Signing Process for Guests

• [07:23]
  • Doug jokes about sending past guests his pilot via DocuSign and making them sign before coming on the show.
  • Joan and Burnt go on tangents about digital signatures and hacking their own signature systems.

5. Theater Rituals & Stage Door Banter

• [09:11] The trio riff on theater life and “stage door Johnny’s/Georgina’s.”
  • Burnt imagines the classic actor’s dilemma of dealing with fans; Joan embellishes it with melodramatic, behind-the-scenes theatrics.
  • Memorable back-and-forth:
    • “I sit in front of the mirror, still in my grease paint, the sweat dripping down...I look at myself in the mirror and I say, ‘How much longer? How much longer can we do this?’” — Burnt [09:24]
    • The conversation is full of affectionate jabs about backstage traditions and classic New York theater references (Sardi’s, tuxedos, Kermit the Frog on the wall).

6. Broadway Gossip & The Sweaty Oracle

• [11:39] The cast jokes about Broadway rumors and the “Sweaty Oracle,” a fictionalized Broadway tea-spilling TikToker.
  • They report the “news” that the Muppets might be coming to Broadway.
  • “The tea is that the Muppets are actually going to be on Broadway in a Christmas show...” — Joan [12:15]

7. Fan Fiction, Wicked, and The Nature of Adaptations

• [22:42] The group speculates on “Wicked” fan fiction and the nature of the musical itself as a form of ‘fanfic.’
  • “If you ever want a wild ride, look up Wicked fanfic. It is something else...” — Joan [22:55]
  • They touch on “Fifty Shades of Grey” being “Twilight” fanfic, and the strange rabbit holes of adaptation culture.

8. The ‘Evident Leigh’ Catchphrase Controversy

• [18:12]
  • Joan and Burnt recall the awkward proposed catchphrase from Doug’s pilot: “If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go in the other room and play with myself.”
  • Doug reveals that it’s now shortened to just “If you’ll excuse me,” adding a note of mystery while dialing down the innuendo.
  • “I didn’t think it was a good catchphrase for the hero of a show.” — Burnt [18:38]

9. Meta-Reflection on Performance and Celebrity

• [21:18]
  • Burnt confesses to always sneaking out the back at live shows, feeling “it’s a job,” while Joan admits she wants the recognition.
  • “As an actress I just want to go out and have people tell me I did so good.” — Joan [21:46]
  • The fear of audience feedback (positive or negative) and the quirks of small-scale fame are discussed with warmth and humor.

10. The Read-Through Almost Begins

• [26:05] The cast gathers their scripts. Doug will read stage directions.
  • The read-through starts with immediate interruptions—Joan can’t help but give a note before Doug can even get through his first stage direction (“Wipe. Transition from what?”).
  • Tease for Maximus tier subscribers: the actual script reading is cut off, encouraging listeners to subscribe for the full experience.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “At least octology.” — Doug [05:14]
  (Doug’s earnest and grandiose ambitions for his pilot series)

• “Do you have hearing issues, but you love Broadway gossip? Sweaty Oracle is for you.” — Joan [12:09]
  (Parodying influencer culture)

• “I sit in front of the mirror, still in my grease paint, the sweat dripping down, and I look at myself in the mirror and I say, how much longer? How much longer can we do this?” — Burnt [09:24]
  (Melodramatic theatrical monologue)

• “If you ever want a wild ride, look up Wicked fanfic.” — Joan [22:55]
  (Urging listeners to explore the weird, wide world of musical adaptation fan works)

• “Read through doesn’t mean you memorize through the script.” — Burnt [03:06]
  (Kicking off a classic TNL semantic debate)

• “If you’ll excuse me...” — Doug [19:00]
  (The much-discussed catchphrase)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:45] – Doug introduces the bonus episode, describing its purpose and how to access the full version.
• [02:43] – The trio begin their banter about process and semantics (“read-through,” homonyms, etc.)
• [05:00] – Doug shares more about his pilot (“Evident Leigh”) and his vision for it.
• [09:11] – Storytelling and jokes about the theater, “stage door Johnny’s,” and backstage routines.
• [11:39] – Broadway gossip and creation of the “Sweaty Oracle.”
• [18:12] – Discussion of the catchphrase in Doug’s script, and how it’s been softened.
• [21:18] – Honest confessionals about stage door appearances and performer/audience relationships.
• [22:42] – Speculation on “Wicked” and fan fiction as a cultural phenomenon.
• [26:05] – Official preparation to read the script “Evident Leigh” (cut off for the Maximus teaser).

Tone & Style

The episode maintains the classic Neighborhood Listen blend of affectionate ribbing, absurd improvisational humor, deep-dive tangents, and genuine camaraderie. The group’s friendly, self-aware and gently satirical dynamic is on full display—especially as they drag out the anticipation for the actual script reading (in keeping with their running joke about rambling before getting to the main topic).

Final Note

This bonus episode serves as equal parts hangout, satire of Hollywood/theater tropes, and an elaborate teaser for the full read-through of “Evident Leigh.” For regular listeners, it’s a delightful, character-rich detour replete with meta-comedy and inside jokes—ending just as the real content begins, in classic “bonus room” fashion.

To hear the script itself, listeners are nudged (with humor) to subscribe to the Maximus tier at CBBWorld.