Here's the Tower

Smart Home Merle Haggard

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Episode 78

Gather ’round the smart speaker for an old timey radio play.

Frank has just purchased a new digital smart home system that has the voice of country music legend Merle Haggard.

Merle can set the thermostat, start the coffee maker, update Frank’s calendar, and assist with other tasks around the house.

But soon after the device is plugged in, Merle begins complicating Frank’s life.

Here’s the Tower presents
“Smart Home Merle Haggard”
a radio play in three short acts

Starring Ed Nash as Frank Davidson and Scott Ritcher as Merle

Special appearances by Mark Brickey as the delivery driver and Chris Reinstatler as the Hört

Original music score written and performed by Pat McClimans

Written and directed by Scott Ritcher

Based on characters by Chris Reinstatler, Pat McClimans and Scott Ritcher

Associate producer: Betsy McClimans

Hidden references and Easter eggs in this episode:

  • In the opening scene, Frank’s radio is playing “And the Hits Just Keep on Coming” from Here’s the Tower episode 5, June 20, 2018
  • The voice of the delivery driver is Mark Brickey from Adventures in Design
  • Frank Davidson is played by Ed Nash, who you may know as the narrator from NBC’s Vets Saving Pets
  • Some of the cardboard sounds you hear when Frank is opening the box are the packaging of an Apple HomePod
  • When Merle wakes up, the interface sound is a low bitrate version of a guitar riff from Merle Haggard’s “Mama Tried”
  • When Merle confirms a task, appointment or order, the device’s response tone is a low bitrate guitar strum from the beginning of Merle Haggard’s “I Think I’ll Just Stay Here and Drink”
  • After Frank asks Merle to put on his favorite playlist, the song that plays is an instrumental version of “Heads Up, Phones Down” from Here’s the Tower episode 43, March 13, 2019
  • The voice of Frank’s friend who yells “Later, man” is Metroschifter drummer Chris Reinstatler
  • When Frank turns on the TV to watch the news, the show is “The New Walkman” from Here’s the Tower episode 74, July 8, 2020

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