SmartDrivel

Jon and Kurt decide to be topical (that is funny in so many ways with these two) for once and have an entire episode dedicated to bizarre, funny, and interesting stories around elections. With the U.S. election just a few weeks away, they look back at memorable moments in campaigning, curious balloting from around the world, funny nicknames for presidents, and, of course, get caught up in succotash.  

The boys are back with a new episode dedicated to all those little tasks that take no time off the clock but take a lot of time off our souls. We all have them…tiny things to do that trigger big resistance. Transferring the plates into the dishwasher? Putting on a new roll of toilet paper? You get the idea. Typing liner notes? Oh my….

Ah, the wonder of comforting childhood rhymes–such sweet innocent word play to amuse, soothe, and educate young children. At least that is what we all thought until Jon and Kurt did some digging, some intensive research, some literary forensic analysis. What they found is unsettling to say the least. Turns out, some of our most beloved nursery rhymes have morbid, lascivious, and/or creepy origins. Leave all your peaceful childhood memories behind, and join the boys as they dig into the true history of some iconic rhymes.

Finding humor, joy, and moral intrigue in select words, Jon and Kurt play a little game. One of the co-hosts comes up with a favorite or interesting word and explains the reasoning behind his choice. The other co-host then has to come up with a compelling entry of his own – but it has to start with the last letter of the other’s word. Of course, this being Smart Drivel, they seldom stay on task or on topic. The conversation that ensues is entertaining, if nothing else.

Jon and Kurt decide to get patriotic, historic, and caloric–ok, not caloric, but it did fit the rhyme scheme–as they share unique, surprising stories about our 46 U.S. Presidents. From the scientifically interesting (which is the only President to hold a patent) to the physically interesting (who was the shortest President) to the curiously interesting (who was the only President to kill someone in a duel) and onwards, they unearth some pretty cool facts about those who hold our highest office.

The first go round with fun phrases was such a hit, Jon and Kurt decided to give it another whirl. Not wanting to "Let the Cat Out of the Bag," but proving to not be a "Flash in the Pan," they wanted to see if they could do it again. Enjoy their presentation of more fun phrases and from whence they came.

Jon and Kurt dig deep to bring you little nuggets you can use to dazzle your friends at your next dinner party. What words in the English language don’t have a rhyme? Who is the model for the NBA logo? Where did the word suede come from? Why do we have Gin & Tonics? And many more truly relevant facts.

The fanny pack. Spray on hair. Corsets. Beanie Babies. Eating placentas. Polyester leisure suits. Yes, in this episode, Jon and Kurt explore fads and trends of the past that have, thankfully, passed us by.

You are probably asking yourself right now, “solo synchronized swimming…Isn’t that an oxymoron?” And while you would be correct, it didn’t stop it from being a honest-to-god true Olympic sport in not one, but three, Olympic Games: 1984, 1988, 1992. We guess that by 1992 a dictionary or thesaurus ended up at the IOC headquarters and they quietly got rid of it. All of which leads Jon and Kurt to have fur this episode sharing absolute true stranger than fiction legitimate crazy (getting the idea) Olympic sports. Like chorus singing (1912-1948), live pigeon shooting (1900), hot air ballooning (1900), etc. Nothing needs to be embellished here…the authenticity of these events generates the humor. Take a listen and be amazed at what humans can come up with to compete for medals. Olympic bobbing for apples anyone?

Part of the explanation of what makes humans on top of the food chain is our ability to govern ourselves and make communal laws. However, like all things humans touch, invariably things get out of control. In this episode, Jon and Kurt talk about some of the most ludicrous, head-scratching, obscure laws that are still on the books in cities across the globe. Whatever you do, do not have an ice cream cone in you back pocket on a Sunday in Georgia.