TBTL: Too Beautiful To Live

Luke is bummed about the way the US Men's World Cup journey ended, and about the way people talk about CBS News and The Washington Post. Andrew is excited to see that TBTL's small town media blitz is bringing in new listeners. And they're both blown away by the origins of Tim Gunn's famous "monkey house" phrase, as well as a Mike Tyson interview with a student journalist. 

Luke and Andrew are getting ready for the TBTL-a-Thon in Valley City, which is only ONE WEEK away! Plus, Luke has an update on his neighbor relations after finally getting his field grass mowed before the Fourth of July fireworks. And Luke is feeling very conflicted about tonight's World Cup match now that Donald Trump got involved to overturn a red card.

Luke, Jon and Andrew kick-off the holiday weekend by announcing this year's plans for a virtual TBTL party during the  upcoming 'Thon. They also go over some newly suggested names for their soon-to-be pet frog. And they revisit the alternative concerts (and alternative legwear) of their youth. 

A dark question from a teenager somehow leads to a conversation about Luke and Andrew's respective showering routines. They also discuss the State Of Mickey Rourke (it is not strong) and the perfect salad bowl for mice. 

Luke and Andrew discuss what they've been watching lately; Luke's pick is a new, edge-of-your-seat docu-series, while Andrew's is…less current. They also review old Seattle TV listings to see what was airing on July 31, 1987. And Luke realizes that when you point one "bunk journalism" finger at someone, you're pointing three "bunk journalism" fingers back at yourself. 

Luke and Andrew revisit some of their cringier moments in the public eye and unearth memories of an eating competition Luke wishes he could forget. Plus, NPR accidentally pre-publishes a Justice Alito retirement story. And a pilot calls in to answer some of TBTL's questions about airline announcements.  

Luke had QUITE the adventure with the dogs he's petsitting this weekend. One of them ended up on the roof? Plus, the New York Times realizes something that hard-core Wordlers have known for years -- that playing on "hard" mode isn't actually more difficult. And David From The Basement calls.

TBTL listener and volunteer frog watcher Simeon joins Luke, Andrew and Jon to help identify frog songs and pick the best contender for the upcoming Valley City Frog Jump. Plus, Luke is very nervous about the US soccer team's next match. And Jon reminds Andrew of one of the weirder DC comic book characters.

Luke is trying to navigate a delicate situation with one of his neighbors, and Andrew is NOT helping. Plus, a listener unearths the infamous audio of Burt Reynolds reading Moby Dick, and it lives up to its baffling reputation. And Luke finally unleashes his two Subway Takes-esque opinions into the world. But is the wo rld ready?

Andrew attempted to limp his broken car to the mechanic this morning, and recorded himself doing it. He and Luke also discuss the ethics of choosing aging actor photos for IMDB and Rotten Tomatoes. They also re-examine their feelings about two major Bruce Willis projects from the height of his popularity. And Andrew's first visit to a public dog park left him with lots of feelings. 

Andrew is going on a cross-town adventure tomorrow that may leave him crying by the side of the road.  Luke is continuing to have a grand old time dog sitting his new best friends. Andrew is proud of himself for not going full "Dr. Rick" in the grocery store, although his claims of restraint quickly fall apart upon further inspection. 

Luke has found himself pet-sitting not one but TWO  poodles this week, and he's loving it! He and Andrew also discuss their fondness for physical magazines, some of which cost $15 an issue these days? And Luke accidentally notices how much he's been paying for his New Yorkers for the past several years.  

Jon swings by to review some of the names submitted by listeners that could be used for their pet frog while they're in Valley City next month. Plus, Luke has mixed feelings about the way he greeted Chuck Schumer yesterday. And Andrew is excited to head into the heart of chaos this afternoon as the USA World Cup match and a big Mariners game come together in Seattle. 

Andrew is beyond excited about the new pole saw he just bought. Luke is seeing hope and love on the streets and in the soccer fields of New York City. And a guy named Guy found Alice Cooper's credit card stuck in a gas station pump and successfully returned it.

Luke and Andrew discuss the new Burger King commercial that makes Andrew feel bad for liking Burger King. Plus, Luke had a really nice time connecting visiting some old colleagues yesterday, but was also reminded of the bureaucracy that often comes along with public radio. And Andrew reminisces about the first satirical newspaper he fell in love with. 

Andrew's attempts to get Luke to appreciate the cookies of their youth fall short. Plus, Luke is headed to New York to hang with some old American Public Media friends. And a promise of free money ends up falling through for Andrew. 

Luke and Andrew's minds are blown by an email from a listener revealing another layer of coincidence regarding a bad joke told on TBTL. On a related note, Luke's interview with Keith Urban was cancelled over journalistic boundaries this weekend. And speaking of journalism, Andrew's reading a book that's making him question the legacy of American newspapers. 

Luke, Andrew and Jon announce the details of this year's TBTL-a-Thon, which is just around the corner! Plus, lifelong Knicks fans Andrew and Luke ask Jon how he's feeling ahead of game 5 of the NBA finals this weekend. And Luke has a huge revelation about a joke *someone* told during his visit to Office Hours Live yesterday. 

Luke had a fantastic time on the set of Office Hours Live yesterday, and even made an appearance on the show. Plus, Andrew is surprised how everyone -- including non-basketball watchers like himself and Genevieve -- seem to be swept up in the NBA finals. And they try to set the record straight on Dirty Dancing, Flashdance, Footloose, and Fievel Goes West. 

Luke is excited to watch Tim Heidecker live stream his podcast today. He and Andrew also break their silence on the Scooter Libby scandal of 2003. And they check the TBTL voicemail line, where listeners have stories of found money, Mission: Impossible easter eggs, and Russian HVAC.

Luke and Andrew dig into the latest conspiracy theory surrounding Guy Fieri. Is it possible that he's never actually swallowed food on television? They also discuss their feelings about the upcoming season of Hard Knocks, which will feature the Seattle Seahawks, and why Andrew doesn't want to get a pneumonia shot in the back of his grocery store. 

There's much, much kismet in today's podcast, as Luke and Andrew's conversations about sandwiches and podcasting are echoed by the listeners. Plus, the Osbourne family plans to resurrect Ozzy using A.I. and "digital DNA", and Luke wants to sunset a slang phrase that he's heard enough of. 

Luke had an uplifting interaction with his neighbor this morning. Meanwhile, Andrew's hunt for some misplaced office supplies offers a deeper look into his problematic personality. They also discuss the young baseball umpire who went viral with his mature handling of a tough situation with an adult coach. And they find out what happens when a comedian just tells the same joke over and over and over again on the same stage. 

Luke had some uncomfortable experiences during his rideshares in Houston this week. Andrew is getting ready for a two-hour trek to see his doctor in his new East Side offices. They relive the drama around Reggie Jackson and Spike Lee, now that the Knicks are back in the playoffs. And they get the details about a man who calls himself "Roy Donk" as he slings baklava and merch around NYC. Photo: "Glowsticks in the Stade De France" by Richard King

A piece of mail on Andrew's desk leads to a story about Luke's relationship with his local Eagles Aerie. A piece of music submitted by a Dazzling Donor leads to a confession about TBTL's ongoing Spotify issues. And a lost cat in Andrew's neighborhood leads to a fascinating tale of pets gone wild in Bellingham. 

Luke and Andrew discover that they both share the same irrational fear regarding glassware. They also reconsider Nick Nolte's famous mugshot photo in a new light…and learn that it wasn't actually a mugshot photo at all. And they hear a very tender voicemail from a listener paying tribute to her pooch. 

Luke was recognized then un-recognized at the CrimeCon he visited this weekend. Andrew created his own weather system in his car on Saturday night. They also discuss the rich world of hotel ice buckets and mini-fridges. 

Andrew unearthed a couple of messages on the TBTL voicemail line that took his breath away. He and Luke also discuss an amazing coincidence that they accidentally stumbled into regarding a popular 90s film. And a Dazzling Donor message takes them on an absolute emotional rollercoaster of tree-related content.  

Luke had an incredible time at an incredible Jr. Sluggers game yesterday, as TBTL's little leaguers wrapped up their season. Plus, Andrew helps Luke solve an audio-related mystery, and the Dodgers organization is considering stopping its "bat dog" program after a player got injured stepping over a pooch. 

A huge industrial accident in Southern Washington has shaken the community that Luke lives in. He and Andrew also discuss the so-called "Steroid Olympics", which have been described accurately as an "abject failure." And a listener shares a Twisted Tea-inspired memory from the days of the pandemic. 

Genevieve joins Luke and Andrew to explain why she's in trouble with the law AGAIN, and how she might get out of it. Plus, Luke's wondering if his neighbor is mowing the lawn too early in the morning. And Erik from Sweden offers a captivating tale of murder, literature, and coincidence. 

Luke and Andrew talk about Stephen Colbert's return to television -- this time, cable access television in Monroe, MI. And they get a very inspiring update about the TBTL Junior Sluggers! 

Luke and Andrew discuss the final broadcast of the Late Show with Stephen Colbert and the end of an era in culture and broadcasting. They talk about a ruling that bans the ubiquitous "Kars 4 Kids" commercial in California. And a listener writes in with a confession about her Facebook Marketplace behavior. 

The TBTL Junior Sluggers have completed their regular season, and we get a recap of their last few games before they head into the playoffs. Plus, Luke had to make a tough decision on his flight out to Chicago.

Andrew had a truly disgusting experience while walking his dog yesterday, and it might have changed his entire worldview. But probably not. Meanwhile, Luke got to see the inside workings of a truly successful podcast yesterday, and it's making him question his own life decisions. And they discuss the Nebraska bar that can't call itself "The Barbershop" anymore because of a very annoying (and disingenuous) business association. 

Luke had a mustard-related encounter on his flight to LA that is straight out of the Curb Your Enthusiasm playbook. He also accidentally forgot to bring his computer on this work trip, but he found a "Life Hacket Buddy" to keep the show on the air. 

Luke learned a new breathing technique over the weekend that sent him down an unexpected shame spiral. Meanwhile, Andrew is realizing one of the most difficult things about having a puppy is learning how to talk to other people. And Luke's unprecedented enthusiasm for a workplace training ends up being unrewarded. 

Luke admits to a regrettable phone conversation he had recently regarding air travel. Meanwhile, Andrew gets breaking news on the show about another mysterious moving violation issued against his family. The director behind Wendy's "Where's The Beef" campaign has passed away, reminding Luke of some of his amazing regional work. And finally, a listener offers an ingenious hack to getting your information updated on Wikipedia...

A sad story of a lost cat in Andrew's neighborhood has one dazzling detail that offers a sliver of delight.  Plus, Luke and Andrew are very excited to hear that the youth of today are getting into hacky sack again! And Luke thinks today is the day someone named Josh is really going to buy his lawnmower. 

Luke and Andrew come into the show feeling a little itchy, but they spin that energy into podcast gold. Luke has an update on his electric lawnmower situation, Andrew explains why he's feeling a little nervous about an event this summer, and listener Tracy shares an inspirational story about facing her own fears bravely. 

Luke had a somewhat unfortunate realization about his lawn mower situation this morning. He and Andrew also discuss a class-action lawsuit against the company that is buying up bowling alleys and turning them into overly expensive hipster bars. 

Luke had an amazing birthday weekend that he is still recovering from, but Andrew wants to instead talk about his lunch on Saturday. They also get a TBTL Junior Sluggers update from Coach Ben, and a listener tries to tell the difference between modern art and a sleeping man. 

Something happened to Luke during his 5K fun run yesterday that forced him to make a very important split-second decision. He and Andrew also discuss the "Blue Dot Fever" that is causing huge pop stars to cancel their summer tours. And Andrew's attempts to make elevator small talk crash and burn. 

An update from Coach Ben about the TBTL Junior Sluggers leads to a conversation about stirrup socks and laundry etiquette. Luke offers an impromptu review of the Sam Rockwell time travel movie Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die. And a TBTL Ten gets a new job that is very relevant to Andrew's interests.  

Luke just landed in Boston after a long flight, and he's already getting ready to turn around and fly back home. Plus, Andrew explains a huge revelation he recently learned about "Honk If…" bumper stickers. And they pick up some interesting Roblox facts via a Tiktok video about infidelity. 

Luke and Andrew reminisce about being young and broke. They also discuss Luke's chastity watch (and what happened when he lost it), and why Red Lobster is playing a dangerous game by bringing back its Endless Shrimp promotion. 

Luke undertook a mechanical project yesterday and is still unsure if it was a good idea. Andrew had the perfect Saturday, until he didn't. And Andrew explains how the imaginary voices of listeners helped him solve a long-standing problem in his bathroom. 

Andrew went to his first Puppy Kindergarten class with Lucy and got a very big surprise! Plus, Genevieve got Lucy's DNA results back, so now we know what kind of dog(s) she is. And Luke is obsessed with a new short form show that has an ingeniously simple premise. 

Luke unlocked a new fear on his flight down to L.A. It involved someone else's bladder. He and Andrew also discuss the state of Washington's lawsuit over "Buy One, Get One Free" pricing schemes. And a listener from Queens tells an amazing tale of a neighborhood spat with "an O. Henry ending." 

Luke and Andrew receive a curious piece of mail that ends up sending them down a salty, slippery memory lane. They also check the voicemail line to find stories of lost phones, perfect days, and -- of course -- filets of fish.