Ep. 615: "Number One Madam"
The Problem: We were slender then. (Recorded on Monday, February 16, 2026.) Links “Against the Wind” — Bob Seger (1980) — “What to leave in? What to leave out?” Dave Nanian — Mastodon post about his original ’81 copy — the friend who sparked the dB’s conversation The dBs — “Black and White” (Repercussion, 1982) Don Dixon — “Girls L.T.D.” — solo track from the guy who co-produced early R.E.M. Sneakers (band, ~1975) — early NC power pop band featuring Dixon, Easter, and Stamey before they were famous Movies with Mikey — “But, did you knowwww?” Richard Hugo — “Degrees of Grey in Philipsburg” Candide — Voltaire (1759) — third episode running where Merlin has mentioned Cunegonde Claudine Longet — French singer who shot Olympic skier Spider Sabich; married to Andy Williams “Spicks and Specks” — Bee Gees (1966) — Merlin: “one of the purest pop songs ever written” “You Give a Little Love” — These crazy kids and their pies. From Bugsy Malone (1976) Marshall Brodien’s TV Magic Cards — Merlin bought his trick cards at Walgreens Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982) — Roderick cites Cameron Crowe on the film’s tragic subtext about being pressured to lose virginity Groundhog Day (1993) — “what a fucking great movie”; Ned Ryerson as “one of the all time great character actor appearances” Nut Tree (Vacaville, CA) — roadside attraction with amusement park and small airport; Roderick and his dad flew there in a small plane
Audio is streamed directly from the publisher (merlinmann.com) as published in their RSS feed. Play Podcasts does not host this file. Rights-holders can request removal through the copyright & takedown page.
Show Notes
The Problem: We were slender then.
(Recorded on Monday, February 16, 2026.)
Links
- “Against the Wind” — Bob Seger (1980) — “What to leave in? What to leave out?”
- Dave Nanian — Mastodon post about his original ’81 copy — the friend who sparked the dB’s conversation
- The dBs — “Black and White” (Repercussion, 1982)
- Don Dixon — “Girls L.T.D.” — solo track from the guy who co-produced early R.E.M.
- Sneakers (band, ~1975) — early NC power pop band featuring Dixon, Easter, and Stamey before they were famous
- Movies with Mikey — “But, did you knowwww?”
- Richard Hugo — “Degrees of Grey in Philipsburg”
- Candide — Voltaire (1759) — third episode running where Merlin has mentioned Cunegonde
- Claudine Longet — French singer who shot Olympic skier Spider Sabich; married to Andy Williams
- “Spicks and Specks” — Bee Gees (1966) — Merlin: “one of the purest pop songs ever written”
- “You Give a Little Love” — These crazy kids and their pies. From Bugsy Malone (1976)
- Marshall Brodien’s TV Magic Cards — Merlin bought his trick cards at Walgreens
- Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982) — Roderick cites Cameron Crowe on the film’s tragic subtext about being pressured to lose virginity
- Groundhog Day (1993) — “what a fucking great movie”; Ned Ryerson as “one of the all time great character actor appearances”
- Nut Tree (Vacaville, CA) — roadside attraction with amusement park and small airport; Roderick and his dad flew there in a small plane