It’s September 17, 1998 and Machine Bolt and Él Farto are consulting crystal balls, entertainment news reports and super callers during the 8 o’clock hour of the morning show today. Tune in so you don’t miss the latest from Crazy Sign Guy, a plea for information on the whereabouts of Bloodhound, and information about the first remote the KPODD morning show will be doing at a bar since the incident! Very little discussion of gangrenous wounds or animal inseminations gone wrong. Just some great, positive alternative rock vibes to start your day!

One Rung Shy of the Top of the Ladder

A comedy fiction podcast from Ben Harrison (The Greatest Generation) and Dan Kennedy (McSweeney's, founding host of The Moth Podcast ). Someone drinking at Casa Vega described the show as, "It's like Alan Partridge but at a 90's alternative rock station. Or like Comedy Bang Bang, but 90's radio." That person was killed by shadowy members of a nautically themed gang. Here's how we describe KPODD 101.3 since we're still living: Two L.A. morning radio DJs return to the airwaves in the 1990s after being suspended and sent to rehab. Machine Bolt and Él Farto are on a savage journey to better living. The mics are always on a little too early and each episode starts with the accidentally aired unvarnished small talk that lurks behind their positivity personas. The oddest characters invade their lives, and the occasional mysterious rips in the space-time continuum add a note of science fiction weird to the morning drive. You may have questions: Are they the only ones trapped in the 90s? Why did a giant python constrict the HR lady's Chihuahua? Why does this version of reality include the SeVan® conversion kit that turns most economy sedans into custom vans by appearance at most angles? Is Station Manager Gene from the future? Why does Producer Lynn dress like Kurt Cobain if he hosted a bird watching show on NPR? Start with a recent episode. Then jump around.  Because there's no right way to travel back or forward in time. Everyone knows that. Right?

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The 90s Are Alive and Well. 

Machine Bolt and Él Farto take a moment to look back on some special guests from Season 1 of KPODD 101.3
Some people (Gene) say that these are some of the most brilliant people in public radio, literary culture, or TV writers and producers simply playing funny characters in a period comedy about a Los Angeles radio station in 1997-1998. Literally, is Gene insane? Is he, like, from the future? Guests: Jesse Thorn (NPR’s Bullseye, “Jordan, Jesse, Go!”); Laurie Kilmartin (Conan/Team Coco, Author and Comedian);  Mike Sacks (Vanity Fair, Author); Paul Myers (Gravelberrys, The Paul & John, Author); Jessica Lee Williamason (Netflix’s “F is For Family”, Showtime’s “I’m Dying Up Here”, The Moth, This American Life);  Lauren Weedman (HBO’s “Hacks”, “Arrested Development”, “The Daily Show”, Comedian); Alison Rosen (“Upworthy”, “Alison Rosen is Your New Best Friend”, The Angoras); Colin Nissan (McSweeney’s, The New Yorker); Josh Gondelman (Showtime’s “Desus & Mero”, HBO’s “Last Week Tonight” Author, Comedian); Dave Holmes (Editor at Large, Esquire Magazine, Author, Co-Host of “Homophilia” and “Troubled Waters”); Ophira Eisenberg (The Moth, NPR’s “Ask Me Another”, Author, Comedian); Tim Stevens (Automotive Journalist at CNET and Author). And last but not least, Nathram! (Ted Travelstead from F/X’s “The Great North”, “Making History” and “Wilfred”). We love you, Tim from Tower.

The 90s Are Alive and Well. Season 1 Guest Recap!

Él Farto and Machine Bolt have an announcement. Super Caller Mike is milking a venomous spider into thimbles and condoms after the spider was smuggled to him in a Band Aid box. The competition is out of their coma and you’ll never guess what jump-started them. Plus: Listener Review! Also: The phone line is sponsored by Fruitopia® and everyone in the world is filled with deep regret and painful awareness with regard to this. God save us all.

Black and White Flat Screen (with Mike Sacks!)

Radio consultants Genevieve Haas and Andrew Walsh, hired by Gene to whip the morning show into shape, give on-air advice to Machine Bolt and Él Farto on how to get jiggy with it and bring the ratings fight to Chudd and Carl (still in comas). Get your whips and your latex, and tune in for weather, listener calls, and some deeply inside-baseball radio strategy on this morning’s broadcast!

No More Mister Nice Hosts

There’s never been a better time to buy a Toyota, but time is a construct. Rocktober came in without warning and is winding down with a certain flair as Machine Bolt and Él Farto wade into a swag swamp of Bacardi guitars and KPODD T-shirts! Heavy Kevy calls in! New details emerge about Chudd Cuddler and Carl Cannibal’s dirt bike crash in Elsinore! Machine Bolt and Él Farto hover near number two in the ratings while Chudd and Carl hover near death in comas! The phrase that truly pays: As long as you’re free from fear and the tyranny of your brain, you’re truly free and you’ll be fine!

To Kill A Rocktober

Call 818-85-FARTO and tell us all your thoughts on ROCKTOBER! Él Farto and Machine Bolt (real names) have been accused of stealing their format from a competing morning team, and they start the broadcast getting a lot off their chests about that. The new AlternativeRockMobile™ has been christened, and is out there on the 405 this morning! If you’re a lucky listener with the KPODD bumper sticker you could get a free guitar! Tune in to this morning’s broadcast for a sad update on local radio heroes Chud Cuddler and Cannibal Carl, plus some static the guys are having with Anthony Loud’s sidekick Stump.

One Rung Shy of the Top of the Ladder

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