The Scribble with Jeremy Bradley

Awards show season has come to an end. And, if viewers largely tuned out, did they really even happen? Entertainment host of 20-plus years, Jeremy Bradley, talks about how people don't care to spend three and a half hours (six, if they watch the red carpet) to tune into an awards show. JB talks about the shifting viewer habits where people watch "moments" instead of the full telecast. With so many avenues and platforms to consume content, are people willing to spend a couple of hours watching a movie? Moreover, are they likely to get dressed up, leave the house, go to a movie theatre and make it an evening? Perhaps not, when we see the struggling box office numbers for some films. Also, in a truly random story, JB goes on about a memorable theatre experience.

It's a little bit of everything with Jeremy Bradley this week. First, a random story about vinegar and JB learning about all of its uses in three different instances in a matter of days. "I had no idea it does everything," he says. Next, JB talks about people oversharing their relationship details. Whether it's on social media or discussing with friends and co-workers, JB explains why he keeps things private -- even with the group with whom he's worked for over 20 years. "We just don't talk about relationships like that with each other," he says.

Imagine not caring about your social status and impressing onlookers. Jeremy Bradley talks about society's need for constant attention and applause from audiences. "Imagine going on a vacation with your partner and not taking one photo," JB said. "It's moments between the two of you. Why is your first thought to snap pics and immediately upload them for the world to see?" Is that a slap in the face to your partner? Later, JB talks about one specific person who, while an adult, constantly shares screenshots of compliments he gets from colleagues. "It's like he's a needy five-year-old girl desperately seeking positive reassurance," JB said. 

Are people really falling for fake AI crap on social media? Jeremy Bradley talks about how scamming is becoming so obvious that, maybe, just maybe, people deserve it. He talks about how the targets used to be seniors, but now with social media, JB is surprised by how many youngsters are getting taken. The tipping point was an obvious AI ad on YouTube and a quick Google search -- and, of course, scanning Reddit forums.

It's a tutorial in broadcasting with Jeremy Bradley this week. He takes aim at YouTubers and podcasters who can't speak two or three sentences without having noticeable edits in their delivery. In particular, JB discusses jump-cut edits where the camera shot jumps because the person has changed the flow of their monologue. "If you can't get your message out without multiple edits, you either need public-speaking lessons, a script to follow -- or to do something different entirely because you don't have what it takes in broadcasting." Later, how often are you told "look" or "listen" when someone begins speaking on camera? JB talks about cable news panels and how people use these words as a crutch.

Do you scoff at the idea of winning "only" $10 million? How about just a million? Jeremy Bradley talks about a colleague who won't buy a lottery ticket if the jackpot is too low. "I've never heard that before," says JB. "A million dollars is a million dollars. I'll take it." Later, JB wonders why people clench their teeth when they pet his dogs. "It worries me. Are they going to bite my dogs?" he laughs when he reminds listeners that it's a bunch of randomness on the show this week. Switching gears entirely, JB talks about eager retail employees who won't stop chatting, asking probing questions and following customers around the store. Also, JB talks about store security that generally stands around and has heads down while playing on their phone during their shift.

In what's become a four-part series, Jeremy Bradley continues sharing thoughts about the food industry. It's driven by responses from listeners who offer their opinions and insights into what they feel is happening at eateries. This time, JB talks about the push to support local businesses that are (supposedly) the heart of a community. Do you do it because it's the "right thing" to do? Or do you base your spending on costs? If the marketing tactic is "shop local" but local is 40 times the price, will you avoid the guilt trip and get what's cheaper/est? JB can't justify spending $8 on a local barbecue sauce when national brands are $2 or $3.

Grocery stores have notoriously put customers to work: scanning items, bagging them (and for many people, adding extra un-scanned items to those bags -- wink, wink). Now, Jeremy Bradley says restaurants are determined to give customers less human interaction. Giant kiosks are in the middle of the area where people would once line up to place orders at fast-food counters. "How soon before we're dishing up and serving ourselves at the counter?" he asks. Plus, JB wonders why -- aside from a data grab -- do restaurants insist on downloading their app just to get discounts. If the price can be lowered for app users, why not just lower prices for everyone and make dining out affordable again?

Restaurant rants on the last episode had listeners react! Jeremy Bradley talks about complaints over restaurant pricing. A $20 hamburger? And $9 for fries? How about $8 for gravy? (Hi, KFC!) Really? Are costs preventing people from eating at restaurants? JB's other issue: wine. "Why do they never fill up the giant wine glass? Give us a smaller glass then, it looks cheap almost empty. If you ordered iced tea, they'd never give you a half glass."

It was a disastrous restaurant visit from the beginning... but the food was great. Is the bad overall experience enough to make you stay away in the future? Jeremy Bradley tells a story about his colleague having a nightmare restaurant experience literally from the moment she walked in the door. Are there situations you can overlook if the food is good? Or, is a terrible employee attitude enough to keep you away forever? Later, JB shares a story about how he turned a laughable restaurant visit into a hilarious newspaper column.