Lumpia and Latkes

"For Oscar considerations...no not really" Sitcoms are meant for laughter and hijinks for entertainment and a break from reality, but then you get "the very special episodes"--you know the ones: the episodes that get "real" to make some sort of social commentary. This is our "Topic of the Week". At "The Coffee Table", we read more of "the darwin Awards" and a different take on "The Emperor's New Clothes". For "This, Ya Call News?", Mitch has an airport animal and Jay has a t-shirt.

Nintendo, Sega, Sony, and Microsoft: the big 4 in console gaming have storied histories spanning decades. Guess it's up to us to do a half-assed job summing it all up in about 40 minutes. We're not scrambling alone though as we welcome our first official streamer guest: Anthony of "Knightcap Games" to give us more gravitas. We're switching up books again at "The Coffee Table": we say hello to "the darwin Awards" by Wendy Northcutt and "Politically Correct: The Ultimate Storybook" by James Finn Garner. We wrap up this episode with "This, Ya Call News?": Mitch has Kit-Kats and Jay has "Doom".

"What is can I buy a vowel for the block as a double dare with no whammys no whammys big bucks and I can name that tune in 6 notes? Final answer." If you guessed "Game Shows" is our "Topic of the Week", then come on down because you could be the next listener of "Lumpia and Latkes". Then, we shift to "The Coffee Table" with "The Philadelphia Project" and doorknob hijinks.. To wrap it up, Jay has "Coldplay" couple news and Mitch has a beer injury for "This, Ya Call News?".

"I think, therefore I am." The human mind is complex--way more involved than we really have the understanding to approach. Ain't gonna stop us from trying. This week it's: "Thoughts On Thoughts". Grab your morning joe and join us for a royal conspiracy and a tale of the morgue at "The Coffee Table". Wrapping it up: Mitch has horses and Jay has cameras for "This, Ya Call News?".

"Hey, pal? Where do you think you're goin'? Ah, ah, ah. Ain't goin' nowheres without a membership. Now, get back to the end o' the line." We tackle subscriptions and memberships and the constant requirement for everyday folk to pay. At "The Coffee Table", Mitch addresses THE secret society (that's NOT so secret) and Jay has a Halloween ghost tale. Finishing up this episode, Jay talks "Dollar Tree" and rich people while Mitch talks NASA for "This, Ya Call News?".

Hello. How are you? I'm fine. In this episode, Jay and Mitch have a normal conversation. Totally normal. At "The Coffee Table", Mitch reads about the United States landing on the moon and Jay has a sea tale. Jay kicks things off for "This, Ya Call News?" with a story on trading card scalpers and Mitch reports on wings versus wyngz.

"MY DRINK?!? HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO EAT THIS PIZZA WITHOUT MY DRINK?!?" We are picking things back up this week with the second half of our Fast Food conversation for our "Topic of the Week". We have a new book joining our "Coffee Table": "Unsolved Conspiracies" by Bill Price. This go around: it's all about streetcars. We also have another ghost(?) story. Wrapping up this episode, Mitch has gas and Jay has computer parts in "This, Ya Call News?".

"Would you like fries with that?" Fast food is a multibillion dollar industry that you just cannot seem to get away from--including right here on "Lumpia and Latkes" as it is our "Topic of the Week". So much to say, it's a 2 parter. We introduce a new book to "The Coffee Table": "Phantom Phenomena: Tale's of the World's Most Terrifying and Supernatural Events" by "castle". We also discuss moving or rather helping others move. Mitch has check fraud and Jay has thrifting for "This, Ya Call News?" to wrap it all up.

Do the "Slip It In Game" again, you say? Ridiculous! Well, it would be if that was not exactly what we are doing for this week's "Topic of the Week". 2 players, three sentences or phrases per turn, and multiple rounds of funny. At "The Coffee Table", we dive into the animal world and get more "Stupid History". For "This, Ya Call News?", Jay has a story on carts and Mitch has mirrors.

They say it's the most important meal of the day. This week, we rise and shine by talking Breakfast foods and Breakfast joints for our "Topic Of The Week". From breakfast to coffee, we read about small talk and opinions then get more "Stupid History". In "This, Ya Call News?", Mitch has car insurance and Jay has a yearbook.

Are you tired of the same old retail rut: drive to the store through rush hour traffic, walk endless aisles of things you don't need and people you would rather be at another store, and a checkout process that feels inefficient? "There must be a better way!" Well, now there is: Infomercials - our topic of the week. We read about chairs in both of our books at "The Coffee Table". We end the episode with a feline court date from Mitch and mall madness from Jay for "This, Ya Call News?".

"Should old acquaintance be forgot"--but not "Lumpia and Latkes"! We are winding down 2025 with a list of New Year's traditions from around the world and what is it really like to see the ball drop in person in NYC Times Square. At "The Coffee Table", we return to Mike Nelson's musings--this time on passwords and more "Stupid History". We finish out this episode with "This, Ya Call News?": Mitch has an explosive story and Jay has New Year's Eve lights that are not of this Earth(?). Happy New Year!

'Tis the season for...blackface and spiders? Christmas traditions vary the world over and we try to wrap our minds around some of the most unusual and some downright controversial. Mitch and Jay tell the story of Hanukkah in all new ways with the help of ChatGPT: "The Hilarious Eight" and "Willy Wonka-bee and the Eight Crazy Nights" at "The Coffee Table". "This, Ya Call News?" also goes Christmas as Mitch finds the legality of vehicle lighting and Jay has a Christmas gift for the heart. Merry Christmahanukkwanzaa, everyone!

"You remember that thing from that place with the stuff and the people from back in the day? Good times. Good times." Time marches forward with or without us...as well as places and things. We have a discussion of things we believe to be on the path of the dinosaur (extinct) in our "Topic of the Week". Mitch reads about schoolin' from "Mind Over Matters" and Jay has a classic Christmas tale with a twist at "The Coffee Table". In "This, Ya Call News?", Mitch reports on "The Goatman" and Jay has soup.

"As with every Thanksgiving dinner, let's start by each stating what we are most thankful for. Jimmy?" "I'm most thankful for the great deals we can all get only at Walmart tomorrow with guaranteed doorbusters and savings galore!" "Me too, son. Me too." This conversation never happened in real life, but it's what corporate America wants. Black Friday/Cyber Monday/Cyber Week/Prime Day is our "Topic of the Week". 2 new books take their place on "The Coffee Table": Mike Nelson's "Mind over Matters" and Leland Gregory's "Stupid History". We wrap up with "This, Ya Call News?": Jay has a report on Gamestop's "Trade Anything Day" and Mitch has a report on a casino ghost contest.

*Movie Spoilers In This Episode*   "Two Thumbs Up?"...maybe...maybe not. Mitch and Jay trade off movies to review ala Ebert and Roeper: Jay reviews "Highlander" (1:57) , Mitch reviews "Knives Out" (23:25), and both of us review "Tremors" (32:25). At "The Coffee Table", we tackle a case of suspected fakes in archaeology for "Further Five Minute Mysteries" and we talk about doing "To Do" lists. We wrap up this episode with Mitch reading about a robot fail and Jay reading about lost mail in "This, Ya Call News?".

Why does Hollywood do when they run out of fresh ideas or need easy money? Time to make a reboot or remake! For our "Topic of the Week", we discuss the (generally) unsound idea to redo a beloved intellectual property and many examples of Hollywood's failures. At "The Coffee Table", we deal with dead bodies in a parking lot and the taboo of the "Easy" button. We wrap up this week with a story on a car sale gone wrong read by Mitch and another story of beauty salon woes read by Jay for "This, Ya Call News?".

"We're out of job." *Cue Jeff Goldblum* "Uh, don't you mean EXTINCT?" Special guest Brian joins us for the second part of our discussion on AI: job security or the (possible) lack thereof as well as Hollywood's take on "progress". At "The Coffee Table", can we get 2 right in a row for "5 Minute Mysteries" as we crack open "Further Five -Minute Mysteries" by Ken Weber. We also dare to ask "How are you?". In "This, Ya Call News?", Mitch has "Reese's" from Halloween and Jay has one of many examples of bad parenting.

After a short hiatus, we are BACK! In this episode, we welcome another of our coworkers: Brian to the show as our guest. The topic for this week is a doozy that you just cannot avoid: Artificial Intelligence. There is so much to say, we broke it down into 2 episodes and this is part 1. With Brian's help, will this be the first "5 Minute Mystery" we actually solve? Also, Mitch reads about self-worth/self-doubt at "The Coffee Table". To take us out, Mitch has the makings of a new "Netflix" movie and Jay does "Spirit Halloween" in "This, Ya Call News?".

Happy Halloween! 'Tis the season for ghosts aplenty! Mitch and Jay tackle All Hallows' Eve by recounting scary movies and their trick-or-treating days. At "The Coffee Table", Jay reads another "5 Minute Mystery" and Mitch speaks on the concept of earning. So far, we are 0.5 out of 3--will this new mystery put us at 1.5? To wrap up the week, Mitch has a new take on school fundraising and Jay reads a report of a gas leak in "This, Ya Call News?".

Yes, you read that title right. This "Topic of the Week", we wanted to try to play a game that was on clearance at "Kroger" and (an iteration) was used in the South Korean variety show "Running Man": "Slip It In". Mitch and Jay use random phrases/words/sentences in ad-libbed stories and attempt to guess each other's slips. At "The Coffee Table", Jay reads another "5 Minute Mystery" and Mitch has an excerpt on warranties. Closing out this episode, Jay has old bread and Mitch found the answer to your high grocery bills in "This, Ya Call News?".

Is bending the rules to get ahead in life wrong or is it just playing the game in a system rigged against us? Mitch and Jay have a list of "Unethical Life Hacks" that we mostly do not recommend. At "The Coffee Table", Mitch has a lesson on lessons and Jay has another "5 Minute Mystery". Wrapping up this episode, Jay has more inexplicable emojis and Mitch talks Vegas for "This, Ya Call News?".

Welcome to the first episode of Season 2 where we are starting things off with part 2 of our conversation on "Retail Work Revelations". This latter half goes over Self Checkout, scams/criminal activity, public restrooms, and more. Our new middle segment broadens our discussion to include more coffee table books in "The Coffee Table". This episode brings up Carpe Diem and a play-along mystery. In "This, Ya Call News?", Mitch has a baseball and Jay has emojis.

"Cleanup in aisle 5, Bob. Cleanup in aisle 5." As 2 people who have their fair share of retail work experience, Mitch and Jay both agree that there are some things you just don't know about retail until you've become part of that system. Hear our Part 1 of our "Retail Work Revelations". "Would You Rather?" has us discussing fourth versus shorts, "Donkey Kong" versus "Halo", belly button versus mime, and more. In "This, Ya Call News?", Jay has a rattlesnake and Mitch has coffee.

Facebook, TikTok, X, BlueSky, RedNote, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat, Threads, and so many other choices to consume all the Social Media. Something so ingrained in the pop culture zeitgeist must be discussed and so we did. Hear what Mitch and Jay have to say: the good and the bad. Nail versus razor blades, the battle of bodily wastes, 1980's tech, and more are up for debate in "Would You Rather?". As always, we wrap up with "This, Ya Call News?": Mitch speaks about a Netflix director, Jay has another GameStop story featuring PlayStation, and Mitch has his own follow up to "Chuck's Arcade".

Mind your manners! A unique and solemn situation brings about discussion of proper decorum and manners. Mitch and Jay weigh in on these concepts that many take for granted as "common sense is not common". Sarcasm versus complaints, hopping versus walking backwards, confetti versus glitter, and more are up for consideration in "Would You Rather?". We close out on "This, Ya Call News?" where Jay has a too-coincidental passing and Mitch has a theme park scam unlike any other.

Without a doubt, one of the first things that comes up when you picture yourself winning the lottery is: where am I going to live? If Mitch and Jay had access to unlimited capital: what, where, and with whom would they live? We discuss existing dream homes as well. Future versus past, ancestors versus descendants, edit versus record, and more come up in "Would You Rather?". In "This, Ya Call News?", Jay has "Pizzagate" and Mitch has the "Medicaid Millionaire".

10, 15, 20 percent? Maybe more? In the service industry: tipping is the proper thing to do, but when it is added automatically to a transaction does it lose meaning? Jay and Mitch weigh in on the always hot button issue "Tipping" for "Topic Of The Week". In "Would You Rather?", it's soap versus butter, bone versus nails, famous people etiquette, and more. To wrap it up in "This, Ya Call News?", Mitch goes to the dentist and Jay goes to Costco.

*Explicit Content Warning for "This Ya Call News?"* Ms. Scarlet...in the hall...with the rope. Ever wanted to be "in" the game of "Clue"? Opportunity (and motives) await at a Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre near you. Mitch shares his experience with one he recently completed. Bird versus dog, expectorant versus wind, work problem versus home problem, and more are discussed in "Would You Rather?". Wrapping up this episode, Mitch needs a chimney sweep and Jay has tokens for "This, Ya Call News?".

So, you've heard our last episode about work motivation and now you want to see what job opportunities are out there. You've got an interview, but how to make it a successful one? Mitch and Jay talk about "Nailing The Interview" for this week's "Topic Of The Week". Aliens, toilet versus tantrum, itch versus number 1, and more come up in "Would You Rather?". For "This, Ya Call News?", Mitch has an unorthodox competition and Jay has a follow up for the Switch 2 Staplegate.

Unless you have won the lottery (or are taken care of), you probably have a job. Because you have a job, you have all the stressors that come along with it. When is enough truly enough? This week, Mitch and Jay welcome their former coworker Gerald to discuss "Work And Work Ethic". In "Would You Rather?", it's dinner choices, fame versus power, handwriting versus typing, and more. Gerald speaks about a unique relationship, Mitch talks about a unique medical condition, and Jay has avocados in "This, Ya Call News?".

We wrap up the convo on MBTI from the prior week. After, we switch gears to this week's topic: "Awesome" Google Reviews. You probably use Google Reviews to make decisions where to shop or eat, but have you ever deep dove into them to see the sh*tshow? We did and it's quite something. Mashed potatoes vs. maple syrup, pickle juice vs. mustard, gastrointestinal conflict, and more are discussed in "Would You Rather?". Mitch has a toilet and Jay has a zebra for "This, Ya Call News?".

Personality tests have been around for ages and have had a recent resurgence in the pop culture zeitgeist. One such test is called the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator or MBTI for short. This week, Mitch and Jay compare and contrast their results and the results of America as a whole. For "Would You Rather?": we discuss instant knowledge, pets, time, and more. In "This, Ya Call News?", Mitch has sports and Jay has the Nintendo Switch 2.

"I'm sorry, Dave. I can't allow you to do that." We take security for granted using our banking cards: at the gas pump, at the ATM, at the register--and that is just scratching the surface. Find out what steps you can take to be more aware and safeguard yourself against these and other situations for everyday security. In lighter fare, we take on sneeze versus pee, "American Idol", phone tapping and more for "Would You Rather?". Closing this episode out for "This, Ya Call News?", Mitch has gummy bears and Jay has a tunnel.

Classic comedy lives or at the very least we gave it a shot. This week we try something a little different in place of "Topic Of The Week" with help from Abbott and Costello as well as The Smothers Brothers. In "Would You Rather?", we talk being stuck in a room, money matters, workplace surveillance, and more. To close us out, Mitch has a big boat and Jay has a bear in "This, Ya Call News?".

"In 500 feet, make the next left, for sheezy." David joins us again for part 2 of our views on driving in "Topic Of The Week": we discuss a driver's best friend - the GPS, real maps, and dash cams. 60 versus 100, pick it up versus let it be, and at fault versus hit are the choices in "Would You Rather?". To close out the episode in "This, Ya Call News?", Mitch has a follow up to the Sperm Race and Jay has ice cream.

We welcome our first ever guest to the show: David, a coworker and more seasoned Service Technician. We begin by talking about driving and driver courtesy for our "Topic Of The Week"--we speak from a place of extended experience thanks to our jobs which keep us on the road for a good chunk of our days. In "Would You Rather?", it's the battle of shoes versus contacts, rattlesnakes versus landmines, isolation versus togetherness, and more. To wrap up the episode, Mitch gets coffee and Jay gets "Cheetos" for "This, Ya Call News?".

If you've got "Pac-Man Fever" or have a need to "Do The Donkey Kong", then this episode is for you. Load up your card with credits or insert coins for our "Topic Of The Week": Arcades. Aliens versus Invisibility, "Clapper" versus Plastic Covers, Knife versus Crowbar, and more for "Would You Rather?". Mitch has an incredible inedible and Jay has high art for this week's "This, Ya Call News?". Contact Us: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575155257383

"Would You Like To Play A Game?" You have one hour to escape and Jay and Mitch are here to help: Escape Rooms is our "Topic Of The Week". In "Would You Rather?" we tackle New Year's versus Thanksgiving, Marital Bliss, Putting the Air in Air Jordans, and more. Mitch starts us off with party time at the schoolyard and Jay has a thrift store donation for "This, Ya Call News?". Contact Us: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575155257383

Crying babies and the pleasantly plump: the "Topic of The Week" - Airports And Airplanes continues in a more heated discussion than usual in this part 2. In "Would You Rather?": we ask ourselves about the best fish dish, prom woes, and spinning versus dancing. Rounding out this episode, Jay has an unconventional way to impress your significant other and Mitch has turtles for "This, Ya Call News?". Contact Us: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575155257383

It's a bird! It's a plane!...It is indeed a plane. From baggage to TSA to choosing the right seat, Jay and Mitch throw in their two cents on this ever popular mode of travel. For "Would You Rather?", we start off with more nipple action and pose the question: "To lie or not to lie?". Closing out this week in "This, Ya Call News?", Jay has to go to the DMV and Mitch has a sports report. Contact Us: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575155257383

Are 3rd party food delivery apps worth the tradeoffs that come with them? These apps make lunch and dinner options plentiful, but at what costs? Topic of the Week: Delivery Apps. "Would You Rather" returns as a regular segment of the show. This episode is the right way to count, licking the unlickable, and more. And to close out this week, Mitch has a report on a lottery winner(?) and Jay has a free gift no one would want for "This, Ya Call News?". Contact Us: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575155257383

Welcome to our show: "Lumpia and Latkes". This is an introductory episode for a little insight into who Jay (Lumpia) and Mitch (Latkes) are as well as the show format overview. Contact Us: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575155257383

Our inaugural episode, we tackle the hypotheticals put forth by "Would You Rather: The Outrageous Book of Bizarre Choices". So many classic comparisons from...glass versus grill...to roach versus rat--this book goes weird places and so does our conversation. In this edition of "This, Ya Call News?", Mitch has reports of airplane trouble and Jay has fortune cookies. Contact Us: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575155257383