Roderick on the Line

The Problem: That’s fighting the last war. (Recorded on Monday, March 30, 2026.)

The Problem: It was like fighting a dumb bear that thinks you’re playing. (Recorded on Monday, March 23, 2026.)

The Problem: John didn’t have his good glasses on. (Recorded on Monday, March 16, 2026.)

The Problem: John didn’t make it this far because there was any plan. (Recorded on Monday, March 9, 2026.)

The Problem: By the time the world comes around, you’re not in charge of it anymore. (Recorded on Monday, March 2, 2026.)

The Problem: You can’t assign specialness. (Recorded on Monday, February 23, 2026.)

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

The Problem: cats are not afraid to send a message. (Recorded on Monday, February 9, 2026.)

The Problem: John took an impact (Recorded on Monday, February 2, 2026.)

The Problem: John had to enter the order portal. (Recorded on Monday, January 26, 2026.)

The Problem: John doesn’t see an apple. (Recorded on Monday, January 19, 2026.)

The Problem: They just want you mad. (Recorded on Monday, January 12, 2026.)

The Problem: His family was run on guilt. (Recorded on Monday, January 5, 2026.)

The Problem: There are people who always want to know things. (Recorded on Monday, December 29, 2025.)

The Problem: it was the nadir of hand chocolate. (Recorded on Monday, December 22, 2025.)

The Problem: All the people with taste died. (Recorded on Monday, December 15, 2025.)

The Problem: John is the most left-alone person in the whole region. (Recorded on Monday, December 8, 2025.)

The Problem: You can feel the sheep. (Recorded on Monday, December 1, 2025.)

The Problem: They’re already having enough trouble getting the shrimp out of the rice. (Recorded on Monday, November 24, 2025.)

The Problem: John wasn’t made to leave it. (Recorded on Monday, November 17, 2025.)

The Problem: It felt like a future dream. (Recorded on Monday, November 3, 2025.)

The Problem: John was in dignity emergency mode. (Recorded on Monday, October 27, 2025.)

The Problem: There’s no there there. (Recorded on Monday, October 20, 2025.)

The Problem: It was like sitting on two Reubens. (Recorded on Monday, October 13, 2025.)

The Problem: John is more than a large cat. (Recorded on Monday, October 6, 2025.)

The Problem: John has a very curious tongue. (Recorded on Monday, September 29, 2025.)

The Problem: You don’t expect it to be sharp where it is. (Recorded on Monday, September 22, 2025.)

The Problem: He had eaten all the cool. (Recorded on Monday, September 8, 2025.)

The Problem: John had one child. (Recorded on Monday, September 1, 2025.)

The Problem: He commutes on a magic carpet. (Recorded on Monday, August 25, 2025.)

The Problem: What are you prepping for? (Recorded on Monday, August 18, 2025.)

The Problem: John is one of the happiest dads. (Recorded on Monday, August 11, 2025.)

The Problem: John couldn’t make lawn bowling. (Recorded on Monday, August 4, 2025.)

The Problem: They fix the problem they feel like solving. (Recorded on Monday, July 28, 2025.)

The Problem: Doesn’t John have Merlin today? (Recorded on Monday, July 14, 2025.)

The Problem: Nobody smokes anymore. (Recorded on Monday, July 7, 2025.)

The Problem: Another one of John’s classic hamburger choking parties. (Recorded on Monday, June 30, 2025.)

The Problem: Cynical always sounds smart. (Recorded on Monday, June 23, 2025.)

The Problem: Somebody was trying to nail John to the carpet. (Recorded on Monday, June 16, 2025.)

The Problem: She was watching basic-ass cable. (Recorded on Monday, June 2, 2025.)

The Problem: Merlin doesn’t know how to make a bird horny. (Recorded on Monday, May 26, 2025.)

The Problem: People almost have an accident all the time. (Recorded on Monday, May 19, 2025.)

The Problem: John just wants one big card. (Recorded on Monday, May 12, 2025.)

The Problem: John put eggs in the ravine. (Recorded on Monday, May 5, 2025)

The Problem: John and Merlin are bookends. (Recorded on Monday, April 28, 2025.) Support Roderick on the Line on Patreon.

The Problem: Nobody puts John in a corner. (Recorded on Monday, April 21, 2025.) Support Roderick on the Line on Patreon.