The Mess Around

Richard is trying to regain fitness because , as he explains , its the only thing in his life he can control.
It is ,however, a long journey & therefore requires a soundtrack .
This is discussed in some detail.
It leads us naturally to a conversation about TV themes & Andrew mourns the lost genre of the explanatory theme.
Under the theme of recovery, Richard asks "Would a bit of steroid use be so bad ? "
Two uninformed middle-aged men then discuss , you will not be any better informed at the end of it all .

We find the resolution to the story of Andrew living in a high-rise with no functioning lift .

Christmas has come and gone ,you'll hear tales of family gatherings ,presents & backyard cricket matches .

A terrible day for bracelets - or was it ? Richard tells the story then asks "is the bottle half full or half empty ?"

The subsequent discussion will help to guide our view of what's a win in 2021 

Richard feels he could do other things .Andrew points out that other things would make a wonderful Comedy Festival show .This then gets workshopped , some ideas are better than others.
We find out why the phrase "end of night sushi" triggers Andrew & ,oddly ,his hatred of Duran Duran.
Andrew is living in Hell, what does that look like I'll let him tell you...
Also, how do you answer the phone? I mean what do you say ?
Richard is not sure and Andrew is no help  

Episode 23 is the Christmas Precursor.
Some podcasts wait until the last minute to actually talk about Christmas, but not at The Mess Around.  No, we get in early to prepare you for the oncoming storm. 

And it's not just Christmas, the significance of birthday cards is debated heavily as well.
Richard reveals his son's unique, emotionally detached and yet amusing way of signing off cards to his father.

But mostly this episode is a  tale of two Christmases. 
We get a glimpse into the olympian level of preparation that goes into Christmas decorations at Richard's house, as well the frankly stunning indifference and apathy at Andrew's. 

The stockings are hung by the chimney with care, and the giant inflatable Santa is lurching violently in the wind scaring small children. 

" Warmest regards "

It's difficult to explain this week's episode.

For starters, Richard has a tree named after his son.  Make of that what you will.

Which is nothing compared to Andrew who names his plants, and the cars he has owned... 
one of which was a literal tiny red clown car.
He even occasionally talks to them, the cars, not the plants. 

Meanwhile some irresponsible business is advertising dangerous digging equipment to Richard.    Speaking of dangerous digging, stunningly, the saga of the Mattock continues.  
Let's just say there's a giant hole, a wheelie bin, and a terrible late night incident involving Richard's partner.   All roads lead back to the Mattock.

Finally Andrew gets over excited about his favourite reality shows, some of which involve waving heavy sharp instruments. but all of which people hurting themselves. 

It all makes sense, somehow. 

Oh and the bird is a " Bush-Stone Curlew "... you'll thank me later. 

In this episode you will learn why we should all strive to become Happy Idiots.
Richard and Andrew appear to have nailed at least one part of that description, you be the judge which one.

Unusually there's a plethora of useful advice this week, most of which would be found in the Richard Stubbs Self Help Book, were it not for the fact that this seems to be one of the worst ideas in publishing history. 

The giddy excitement of the short cut is mentioned, and Richard's stories of campervan excursions function less as advice, and more as a cautionary tale. 

Oddly, we discover that Andrew doesn't really know Eric Bana, and has a strange obsession with Chris Hemsworth and effluent. 

After listening your chances of being both happy and an idiot, will go up considerably.  

In this episode we take the time to look back at the Compilation Episode that could’ve been, but ultimately wasn’t.

But first we present insights into sleeping, waking, being grumpy and all the nuances in between. 

Andrew comes to the terrible, realisation that his partner is purposely laying a trap for him every morning, and Richard presents a piece of bedroom advice that will surely come in handy, one day. 

Publicly showcasing his knowledge  of Get Smart allows Andrew to once again become the object of scorn and ridicule amongst the young folk. 

While Richard’s  gives us historical insight into perhaps the most one sided case of sibling rivalry ever. 

We have a brief update on the dog hair jumper saga for those of you that have been kept awake worrying, and once again we hear the further adventures of the Mattock. 

Episode 20 - The Compilation Episode, that’s not a compilation Episode. 

Andrew finally tells the story of the time he travelled to Rome with his dog . Without spoiling it , lets just say the story wasn't as simple as "we both got on a plane , we both got off a plane and were in Rome " 
This is a true saga and a testament to what can happen to a young person with a dream but who doesn't think it thru 
There's other stuff in the podcast but its this story that will most leave you uplifted as you realize , again , your gratitude at not being Andrew or Richard

Andrew talks elections - no not that one , his local council. He voted but not without disappointment . This leads to the heartwarming story of his dog who loved elections and we learn why.

An idle question triggers Richard & there's a realization that the sins of the father may have also been visited on the grandchildren.

As usual , film references are scatted throughout the podcast , oddly so is Rome .

A lot is talked about that will happen in later episodes . This includes, stunningly , the story of Andrew taking his dog to Rome. Literally.

Is this talk of things to come  clever teasing to get you to listen more episodes or laziness that could've been sorted in a production meeting ? Are the repeating references and linking up of subjects revealing of the podcasts complexity or just the call backs that  desperate comedians do so it looks like things have a point ?

You be the judge.