You asked, and we got ‘em. Here are some of the joke origin stories we left on the cutting room floor—most of them because we simply couldn’t choose a favorite appearance. Let us know your favorite moments!
# 11: “HERE COMES THE FLUTE PART”
Origin: Episode 55: Music Vol. 1 (with Reggie Watts)
When to listen: 46:11-48:15
In a nutshell: The gang decides that Neil Diamond should announce “the flute part” for the Indigo Girls
Best application: If Tig were a sportscaster, and Neil Diamond announced her segment: “Here comes the Tig part” (Episode 103: Photography (with Steve Agee), 3:27-3:55)
PLAY EPISODE 55
PLAY EPISODE 103
# 12: NIGHT GUY
Origin: Episode 125: Catching Up
When to listen: 0:53-4:44
In a nutshell: “Daytime” Kyle (aka Afternoon Guy) makes smart dietary decisions, but all good intentions go out the window once the sun goes down… and Night Guy comes out to play
Best application: Night Guy makes an appearance between shows in Chicago (Episode 161: Cults (with Leslie Wilson) 6:18-7:34)
PLAY EPISODE 125
PLAY EPISODE 161
# 13: teach
Origin: Episode 132: Teaching (with Andy Bishop)
When to listen: 32:47-35:27
In a nutshell: Kyle explains how he would be a cool teacher, in order to get through to disinterested students, like Li’l Tig
Best application: The gang goes back in time to relive the encounter between Teach’ and Corey, where he assures that losing the ability to taste is okay, since he won’t have to worry about bad breath when making out with chicks (Episode 144: Sensory Science (with The Fire Theft Project’s own Corey Beilstein), 27:51-29:43)
PLAY EPISODE 132
PLAY EPISODE 144
# 14: swamp rock
Origin: Episode 37: Sustainability (with Steven Yates)
When to listen: Backstory @ 1:09-3:14, “Swamp Rock” voice @ 1:06:27-1:08:16
In a nutshell: Once, while Tig and David were listening to Creedence Clearwater Revival together, David asked Tig if she liked CCR. She responded: “Swamp rock, ya kiddin’ me?”
# 15: harmonizing jazz note
Origin: Episode 35: Oceans (with Taylor Semingson)
When to listen: 56:12-57:53
In a nutshell: Kyle adds a little off-key pizazz to the end of the gang’s harmonies.
# 16: “Happy birthday, Dan”
Origin: Episode 79: Elections (with Wyatt Cenac)
When to listen: 1:12:14-1:15:55
In a nutshell: After wishing a listener named Dan a happy birthday, every following shout-out also received a “Happy birthday, Dan” greeting… from then on
# 17: kyle’s fan mail (from kyle)
Origin: Episode 48: Astrobiology (with Emily Rittershaus) & Episode 53: Self Esteem
When to listen: Ep. 48 (1:01:29-1:01:53); Ep. 53 (1:07:39-1:07:56)
In a nutshell: When David reads Blastoff fan mail, Kyle reads mail from his fans… mostly ButterNugget55
PLAY EPISODE 48
PLAY EPISODE 53
# 18: Name that punky
Origin: It came to life over time… Episode 82: Voice (with Lake Bell); Episode 90: Live at SF Sketchfest; Episode 96: Character; Episode 97: Viruses (with Eric Kane)
When to listen:
Ep. 82: Tig provides the subtext, Kyle provides the “Punky” (32:52-34:50);
Ep. 90: First dubbed “Name That Punky” (1:08:19-1:09:33);
Ep. 96: Introduction of theme song (17:36-29:29);
Ep. 97: Introduction of Punky Corns (51:33-1:06:00)
In a nutshell: A game show hosted by Kyle, in which he says “Punky!” with various inflections, then Tig, David, Aaron and the guest have to guess the context.
PLAY EPISODE 82
PLAY EPISODE 90
PLAY EPISODE 96
PLAY EPISODE 97
Thanks for help from The Podcast Database Wiki.
—ANGELA JONES