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Why Does A One-Off Sitcom Detective Parody Make Me Laugh?
Why does an absurd job title like “library cop” make me laugh? Philip Baker Hall treating overdue books like federal crimes is surprisingly hilarious — and here’s why it works.
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How the Savannah Bananas Are Changing Baseball
Baseball’s no longer just peanuts and warm 8th inning beer. Contributing Author and Historian Bill Bois touches ’em all, and shows how both the Savannah Bananas and one hammy first baseman-turned-TV cowboy taught America that the real object of the game might just be “fun.”
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Madness
“Our House” might’ve been your first stop, but it was far from the end of the line on the Madness nutty train. Contributing Author JJ Live At Leeds takes us through all the hits, hijinks, history, and the glorious mayhem America mostly missed.
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Why Relative Humidity is a Hot Mess
Ever wonder why some hot days feel like a sauna and others just feel…hot? Contributing Author and Honest-To-Gosh Actual Hydrologist Link Crawford breaks it all down with wit, science, and even a little K-pop. (Bonus points for the boss-move-deployment of “evapotranspiration.”)
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It’s The Hits Of July-ish 1995!
It’s all here: rock star rage, sitcom boyfriends, monkey-faced Britpop legends, and a 14-year-old R&B prodigy singing about dem days. As one does.
Contributing Author DJ Professor Dan dives into the pop-cultural snapshot that was July, 1995 and dares to ask: was “You Oughta Know” really about good ol’ Uncle Joey?
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Why Does An Extremely Ill-Timed Gift Basket Make Me Laugh?
This might start out as a weird gift basket story, but it’s really about creativity, and loyalty – and how a pretty good joke can turn even a public firing and corporate chaos into something funny.
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The Norman “Hurricane” Smith Story
Norman “Hurricane” Smith may not be a household name, but his fingerprints are all over some of music’s most iconic sounds.
In this captivating profile, Contributing Author and Music Historian Bill Bois unpacks the understated brilliance and surprising turns of a man who went from EMI engineer to become an unlikely pop star.
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Who Wins This Cross-Language Showdown?
In this good natured but spirited cross-language clash, Contributing Author and Bueno Amigo Rollerboogie pits fiery Spanish covers against beloved English #1 hits.
Put on your favorite pair of auriculares – the showdown starts now.
Five Classic Billboard Chart Books
Contributing Author Ozmoe spins through five classic Billboard publications with the same wit and sharp eye that built his own AC reference book.
Enjoy these playlist-worthy reviews through pop’s printed past.
Volume 8: The Pride Edition
From Elton and RuPaul, to Stevie and Destiny’s Child, this playlist spins with the full-spectrum brilliance of sometimes obscure pop partnerships.
Contributing Author Chuck Small curates this sparkling Pride month finale mixtape with flair, finesse, and the heart of a record collector.
It’s The Hits Of July-ish 1985!
What do you get when you mix wartime statistics, jungle yodels, Prince’s five-and-dime fantasies, and Madonna’s, um, armpits? A bonkers 1985 summer soundtrack, expertly unpacked just 4 U by Contributing Author DJ Professor Dan,
Why Does A Two-Minute British Comedy Sketch From 16 Years Ago Make Me Laugh?
A masterfully crafted sketch from comedy duo Mitchell and Webb serves up quintessentially British wit, brilliantly skewering professional arrogance – and with a punchline that’s as sharp as it is satisfying.
A Fourth of July Song Quiz for Music Buffs
I set out to write a quiz and somehow ended up smelling like sulfur, and humming “You’re a Grand Old Flag.”
But good news: the M80s are spent, my attention span has returned (briefly), and this red, white, and riddled music quiz is ready for you.
Chrissie Hynde And Holly Beth Vincent
Contributing Author and Punk Historian Bill Bois unravels a riveting dual portrait of two women who dared to chase guitars across continents. Expect sharp insight, sly humor, and a soundtrack you’ll be humming all week.
Dexys Midnight Runners
From stolen tapes to faked Irish names, Dexys Midnight Runners weren’t just a band – they were a controlled explosion of style, soul, and stubborn vision.
Rediscover their chaotic brilliance in this sharp and scholarly portrait from Contributing Author JJ Live At Leeds.
Casey Kasem’s Best Random “Specials” Selections
Who else but Contributing Author Chuck Small could deploy the word “yuck” with such panache? Wander in chartland with Chuck in this Part 2 look at Casey Kasem’s AT40 Special Countdowns with a grin, a wince, and perhaps the occasional cringe.
Strap in for a boogie back to June of 1975, where piccolos seduced, Aerosmith double-entendred, and ABBA sent out the saddest distress signal ever sung in sequins. It’s a jam-packed nostalgia bomb from DJ Professor Dan who proves that 50 years ago, music was groovier, weirder, and fond of bumping hips.
Why Do Just Three Little Words from an Obscure 80s Western Sitcom Make Me Laugh?
What do you get when you cross an obscure 80s Western sitcom, a Broadway-trained villain, and one perfectly timed line? Three little words from Leonard Frey – and a big laugh.
The lightning fast pointing of the finger couldn't possibly have been in the script. That's all Hall's doing. He imagined…
Seinfeld was buried deep in the UK schedule, midweek on BBC2 after 11pm in a double bill with The Larry…
The kiss-cam comment was especially timely, JJ.
Thanks for the kind shout-out, MT. And, yes, that whoop you might have just heard was me celebrating the end…
I second this.
