For your music list I nominate Jack Jones’ “This Is That Time Of The Year” from Firestone Presents Your Favorite Christmas Music #6. Sure, he sang the theme from The Love Boat. But that song, maybe because it wasn’t ubiquitous, was the kickoff to Christmas season in my childhood brain every year. My Dad owned a car repair shop and we had every last one of those Firestone albums and the Goodyear ones too, which he got gratis from his tire vendors every year. Iconic.
Wow, some fantastic emails! Re: Accidental Swatter. He did the right thing. Been in situations where I've acted, without a single regret, when others simply passed by a person seemingly in distress, acting as though the person didn't even exist (usually a homeless person or drug addict). If someone gets angry with you (which clearly didn't happen in the emailer's situation) for showing care for their well-being, then they have bigger issues than most of us capable of fixing. Re: Navy Chaplain. We have clergy in the Fifdom?!? Why does that surprise me? (Also figured out fairly quickly who wrote the piece and his name has been mentioned at least a handful of times on the pod!)
I (why?) asked chat gpt "Why do we feel like the blocked and reported or smoke em if you've got em podcasts are junior to The fifth column?"
Answer below, and there is one oddity, if you can find it..
The perception that podcasts like *Blocked and Reported* or *Smoke 'Em If You've Got 'Em* might feel junior to *The Fifth Column* could be due to several factors related to the tone, content, audience, and overall approach of each podcast. Here's a breakdown of what might contribute to this feeling:
### **1. Tone and Style**
- **The Fifth Column** is often seen as more polished and formal, with a blend of intellectual rigor, humor, and thoughtful analysis. It has a well-established reputation for discussing current events with a mix of political insight, history, and a clear structure.
- **Blocked and Reported** and **Smoke 'Em If You've Got 'Em**, by contrast, have a more casual, irreverent style. While they are thoughtful and intelligent in their own right, they might sometimes feel more conversational or less polished, which can make them seem more "junior" or less weighty in comparison.
### **2. Audience and Reputation**
- **The Fifth Column** has been around longer and built a strong following of listeners who appreciate its blend of humor, politics, and analysis. This longer track record often gives the impression of more authority and credibility.
- *Blocked and Reported* or *Smoke 'Em If You've Got 'Em* might still be in the process of developing that level of reputation or might appeal to a more niche audience, influencing the perception of them as being less established or seasoned.
### **3. Content Complexity**
- **The Fifth Column** dives deep into complex political and social issues, often involving a nuanced and intellectual analysis. It presents its points with a sense of authority, which can elevate its perceived stature.
- On the other hand, *Blocked and Reported* tends to focus more on media, cancel culture, and free speech issues with a strong emphasis on individual stories or events. It can come off as more focused on contemporary "culture war" topics rather than long-form, philosophical debates, which might contribute to the perception of it as less serious or "junior."
### **4. Host Dynamics and Chemistry**
- **The Fifth Column**'s hosts (Katherine Mangu-Ward, Michael Moynihan, and Matt Welch) have a long history of working together, which often leads to a strong and cohesive dynamic that listeners enjoy. Their banter and deep expertise can contribute to a sense of sophistication.
- In comparison, *Blocked and Reported* and *Smoke 'Em If You've Got 'Em* may feature hosts who are relatively newer to podcasting or who have a more distinct style of conversation, which might come across as less polished or formal in comparison to the seasoned dynamics of *The Fifth Column*.
### **5. Subject Matter and Focus**
- **The Fifth Column** often covers global politics, historical perspectives, and cultural analysis, which can make it feel more substantial or "serious." It also tends to be more globally focused, dealing with a wide array of subjects that feel more weighty.
- *Blocked and Reported* and *Smoke 'Em If You've Got 'Em* tend to focus more on specific issues within certain spheres (media, culture, etc.), which might make them feel more niche or specialized. This narrower focus can sometimes make them seem less comprehensive or mature compared to *The Fifth Column*.
### **6. Production Quality**
- **The Fifth Column** has high production values, with clear audio and a consistent editing style that reflects its status as an established podcast. This can give it a professional, authoritative feel.
- While the production of *Blocked and Reported* and *Smoke 'Em If You've Got 'Em* is likely solid, they might not always have the same level of polish or consistency, leading to a perception of them as less "polished" or "mainstream."
### **Conclusion:**
In summary, the feeling of *Blocked and Reported* or *Smoke 'Em If You've Got 'Em* being "junior" to *The Fifth Column* is likely shaped by factors like tone, subject matter, audience, production quality, and the overall dynamics between the hosts. *The Fifth Column* has established itself as an intellectual, polished, and authoritative podcast, while the other two may still be building their audiences or focusing on niche topics that lend themselves to a different type of conversation.
Big thanks, Taylor for doing the work! I loved that Michelle Shocked album and have tried to find it on the web/streaming for years. Now I know why I can't.
Last one, I promise. All mailbuckets are great but this one was top tier excellence. Thanks for this Noviy God gift, Matt. Absolutely delightful
Totally. Just top tier. Each one. I’m increasingly confident that the TFC listenership does justice to its great hosts.
I really want to hear all of the Santa Fe “so & so was an asshole” stories
Seconded, hook it up Taylor, we got all day here
that was a really good one. =) thanks Matt!
Seems like as good a place as any to plug our book club Zoom meeting on Sunday afternoon: https://fifthcolumnbookclub.substack.com/p/link-and-time-sowell-migrations-and.
If you haven't already, it's time to start reading Migration and Cultures by Thomas Sowell.
The book club's motto: "You may not finish, but you can still come."
As a burgeoning media fact checker, I need to verify that claim about pics for Moynihan.
I LOLed at "C. Montgomery Snrub". Gads, that first decade of The Simpsons was just so, so good. Generation-defining.
For your music list I nominate Jack Jones’ “This Is That Time Of The Year” from Firestone Presents Your Favorite Christmas Music #6. Sure, he sang the theme from The Love Boat. But that song, maybe because it wasn’t ubiquitous, was the kickoff to Christmas season in my childhood brain every year. My Dad owned a car repair shop and we had every last one of those Firestone albums and the Goodyear ones too, which he got gratis from his tire vendors every year. Iconic.
On the 2024 RIPs —
Setting aside their last decade or two of albums, hearty RIP to Iron Maiden’s original lead singer Paul Di’Anno.
Beers on me (Santa Cruz, CA, or come to a rugby match) if you can get Kmele to sing along with their track, “Phantom of the Opera”
https://youtu.be/y8PZlGt1YKU
Make. It. Happen.
https://youtu.be/qIvy9nSlZf0?si=ReQ6foxk6duuYHPm
Landis, that was an expert retelling and read like a thriller. I was on the edge of my seat.
Thank you kindly.
Small town KY gang represent!
I'm crying with laughter at my laptop. My son is asking me what's wrong with me. All. Time. Email. Indeed...
Wow, some fantastic emails! Re: Accidental Swatter. He did the right thing. Been in situations where I've acted, without a single regret, when others simply passed by a person seemingly in distress, acting as though the person didn't even exist (usually a homeless person or drug addict). If someone gets angry with you (which clearly didn't happen in the emailer's situation) for showing care for their well-being, then they have bigger issues than most of us capable of fixing. Re: Navy Chaplain. We have clergy in the Fifdom?!? Why does that surprise me? (Also figured out fairly quickly who wrote the piece and his name has been mentioned at least a handful of times on the pod!)
I (why?) asked chat gpt "Why do we feel like the blocked and reported or smoke em if you've got em podcasts are junior to The fifth column?"
Answer below, and there is one oddity, if you can find it..
The perception that podcasts like *Blocked and Reported* or *Smoke 'Em If You've Got 'Em* might feel junior to *The Fifth Column* could be due to several factors related to the tone, content, audience, and overall approach of each podcast. Here's a breakdown of what might contribute to this feeling:
### **1. Tone and Style**
- **The Fifth Column** is often seen as more polished and formal, with a blend of intellectual rigor, humor, and thoughtful analysis. It has a well-established reputation for discussing current events with a mix of political insight, history, and a clear structure.
- **Blocked and Reported** and **Smoke 'Em If You've Got 'Em**, by contrast, have a more casual, irreverent style. While they are thoughtful and intelligent in their own right, they might sometimes feel more conversational or less polished, which can make them seem more "junior" or less weighty in comparison.
### **2. Audience and Reputation**
- **The Fifth Column** has been around longer and built a strong following of listeners who appreciate its blend of humor, politics, and analysis. This longer track record often gives the impression of more authority and credibility.
- *Blocked and Reported* or *Smoke 'Em If You've Got 'Em* might still be in the process of developing that level of reputation or might appeal to a more niche audience, influencing the perception of them as being less established or seasoned.
### **3. Content Complexity**
- **The Fifth Column** dives deep into complex political and social issues, often involving a nuanced and intellectual analysis. It presents its points with a sense of authority, which can elevate its perceived stature.
- On the other hand, *Blocked and Reported* tends to focus more on media, cancel culture, and free speech issues with a strong emphasis on individual stories or events. It can come off as more focused on contemporary "culture war" topics rather than long-form, philosophical debates, which might contribute to the perception of it as less serious or "junior."
### **4. Host Dynamics and Chemistry**
- **The Fifth Column**'s hosts (Katherine Mangu-Ward, Michael Moynihan, and Matt Welch) have a long history of working together, which often leads to a strong and cohesive dynamic that listeners enjoy. Their banter and deep expertise can contribute to a sense of sophistication.
- In comparison, *Blocked and Reported* and *Smoke 'Em If You've Got 'Em* may feature hosts who are relatively newer to podcasting or who have a more distinct style of conversation, which might come across as less polished or formal in comparison to the seasoned dynamics of *The Fifth Column*.
### **5. Subject Matter and Focus**
- **The Fifth Column** often covers global politics, historical perspectives, and cultural analysis, which can make it feel more substantial or "serious." It also tends to be more globally focused, dealing with a wide array of subjects that feel more weighty.
- *Blocked and Reported* and *Smoke 'Em If You've Got 'Em* tend to focus more on specific issues within certain spheres (media, culture, etc.), which might make them feel more niche or specialized. This narrower focus can sometimes make them seem less comprehensive or mature compared to *The Fifth Column*.
### **6. Production Quality**
- **The Fifth Column** has high production values, with clear audio and a consistent editing style that reflects its status as an established podcast. This can give it a professional, authoritative feel.
- While the production of *Blocked and Reported* and *Smoke 'Em If You've Got 'Em* is likely solid, they might not always have the same level of polish or consistency, leading to a perception of them as less "polished" or "mainstream."
### **Conclusion:**
In summary, the feeling of *Blocked and Reported* or *Smoke 'Em If You've Got 'Em* being "junior" to *The Fifth Column* is likely shaped by factors like tone, subject matter, audience, production quality, and the overall dynamics between the hosts. *The Fifth Column* has established itself as an intellectual, polished, and authoritative podcast, while the other two may still be building their audiences or focusing on niche topics that lend themselves to a different type of conversation.
Outstanding mailbucket! Strong way to end the year.
To paraphrase the Dead Milkmen, Matt:
If you don't got Mojo Nixon, then your list could use some fixin'
Have you seen the Mojo Nixon doc? My uncle’s band mate made it
Big thanks, Taylor for doing the work! I loved that Michelle Shocked album and have tried to find it on the web/streaming for years. Now I know why I can't.