Wasted Words

Media studies scholar Erin Hill joins Olivia, Stephen, and RJ to discuss why young adult fiction is dominated by dystopia, how our K-12 education system is crippling critical thinking skills, and pretty much being old. Plus! The triumphant return of What Did Tony Zaret Have for Lunch?

Mickie Cathers joins Stephen, Leonard and Olivia to discuss what to do after training a lifetime for one achievement that's over in an instant. Then we talk about self-delusion and eating your way through Wal-Mart. Plus! New segment, Hell in a Handbasket.

Pitchfork scribe Nate Patrin joins Andrew, Leonard and Olivia to contrast childhood hometowns vs. towns one lives in today. Leonard's ire is stoked by a combustible combo of New York talk and Southern Comfort, plus! Quickly Now! bogs down with the Olympics.

Channel101 New York producer and animator extraordinaire Ed Mundy (Archer, Sealab 2021, The Electric Company, et al) joins Andrew, Stephen, and Leonard to discuss the various miseries and fleeting joys of commuting. Also: we introduce a new segment, "What's Cookin'?", which may or may not resemble previous segments.

In a flourish of mysterious volume-level issues, disappearing panelists, and uncomfortable moments of silence (in other words, your average episode), RJ White (Fake Criterions) hands the hosting reins over to erstwhile panelist Shek Baker and takes a turn as guest. The gang discusses mentors and idols, and shouts out to nut-based spreads and "eggs" during the "Say, What's Good?" segment. Plus - Plug! Leonard Pierce's new humor collection, Moods from Marbletown.

Guest Jaime Fountaine [jaimefountaine.com] asks Leonard, Stephen, Tony and RJ about their experiences with those office ladies. You know the ones. ALSO- What Did Tony Zaret Have For Lunch? and a kind-of secondary topic. Plus - plugs!

Nate Patrin (Pitchfork, City Pages) asks the panel whether or not today's media-saturated society is more cynical than in the past. Olivia is bored by this and we end the show. BEFORE THAT, HOWEVER- "Say, What's Good," with recommendations on sci-fi and sports books, old NYC photos, good violin music and German tv-movies that The Matrix ripped off. Also, we will be done in three or four weeks.

Mike Riggs, of Reason Magazine, stops by to ask the panel what they'd rather be doing, career-wise and if they can imagine doing their current jobs for another half-decade or so. ALSO- the stunning return of "What Is Leonard Pierce Looking At On Wikipedia?"

Guest Ramsey Ess [ramseyess.net, the Wonderful, Thanks. podcast] asks Shek, Leonard, Olivia and RJ what restaurants they'd open, given the chance. In "Say, What's Good?" you are advised toward restaurants in Louisiana and Philadelphia, graduate school acceptance letters, mac and cheese and mints. ALSO- appropriate ages for rock operas; whiskey.

Matt Vermeulen stops by to ask Shek, Stephen, Tony and RJ if they have any pop cultural litmus tests for the people they know. ALSO- The stunning return of What Did Tony Zaret Have For Lunch?, with a slight breach of protocol. AND- a bunch of awesome things to plug in LA and NYC (including a performance of a reworked The Who's Tommy). Listen to see what they are, or follow us on Twitter or Facebook for specifics. BONUS DOWNLOAD - As discussed on the show, Tony Z's Haggadah, for your Seder this week. If you use one Haggadah this year, make it Tony Z's. Go to wastedwords.net to download it.