TBTL: Too Beautiful To Live

Luke hooked-up his new record player yesterday, and it truly is a game changer in his life. He and Andrew also discuss the new season of White Lotus -- which Luke has started, but Andrew hasn't -- and the latest episodes of Severance. And they hear from a friend who has very personal feelings about the weird soap opera called Passions.

Andrew feels a little guilty over something he did at a pizza shop this weekend. Luke spent his weekend binge-watching a surprisingly powerful docuseries from 15 years ago. And Luke introduces Andrew to the wild TV show Passions, a soap opera about a witch and her doll who comes to life. It's bananas!

Luke and Andrew do some on-air sleuthing to figure out why Luke suddenly has to take an FCC-mandated training course about the Emergency Broadcast System. Turns out, it involves a wayward CBS radio producer and an episode of Young Sheldon.

Luke filled out a survey yesterday to remind himself why he never fills out surveys. Andrew is excited about some McDonald's-related beverage news. And for reasons still unclear, they stumble down an Alfred Molina rabbit hole.

Seattle's mayor made one of the worst jokes possible in his State of the City address. Luke and Andrew also investigate new and old claims regarding NBA players pooping their pants on the court. And a listener tells us what it's like to be friends with a Blue Man.

Luke got quite the scare during yesterday's TBTL recording, but he learned a valuable lesson. Meanwhile, Andrew's sense of smell is going haywire. And they finally talk a little (or maybe a lot) about season 2 of Severance.

Luke found himself in an unexpected broadcast on his frantic trip to Heathrow Airport. Andrew solved a problem with his new computer that is still boggling his mind. And Luke apologizes for a misinformed hot take last week.

Luke has a difficult decision to make regarding his trip home from London. They also weigh-in on a listener's conundrum about splitting the fee for a rental car. And Andrew is looking forward to spending a weekend all by himself.

Luke finds himself in Liverpool, where he took a Beatles tour that blew him away. He and Andrew also finally weigh-in on the Totino's Super Bowl commercial starring their two favorite guys.

Luke is thinking about attending a soccer match in England, which makes Andrew a bit nervous. Plus, Andrew has been eating a lot of cookies lately, and he has some thoughts.

Luke visited some of London's finest attractions yesterday, including a stop at the British Supreme Court. Unfortunately, he also had to go clothes shopping, since his luggage is STILL in Seattle…

Luke successfully made his way to Europe, but unfortunately his luggage didn't. He and Andrew discuss his journey and their very different experiences watching the Super Bowl yesterday.

Luke survived his first colonoscopy and has a full report. Meanwhile, Andrew has some exciting news about his sock organization system.

Luke and Andrew chat with TV's Chris Hayes backstage before his event at Town Hall Seattle. They discuss the important issues of the day: Luke's colonoscopy and Chris' imitation of Abraham Lincoln, and how cable TV began in Astoria, Oregon. (Episode photo from @jeanniecw on Instagram)

Luke and Andrew recap their evening at Town Hall with Chris Hayes (and identify the person who took the mixed nuts out of the green room.) Plus, Luke gets a very special gift from a listener and gets some good news from Great Britain.

All three Business Boys convene to announce a new TBTL project that they could use your help with. Luke is also gearing up for his Town Hall appearance tonight with Chris Hayes.

A "rant" in today's Seattle Times has Luke and Andrew up in arms. Plus, Luke reconnected with a childhood memory via pizza this weekend. And the Blue Man Group says goodbye to New York.

Luke is caught in a battle of wills with the British government. He's also trying to get Andrew to undergo a "regret-ectomy."

Luke believes he remembers a very specific scene from a Steve Martin movie that history has mostly forgotten. We check the tape to see how good his memory actually is. He and Andrew also discuss a fascinating story about how Astoria became the location for Kindergarten Cop.

Andrew's trip to the pet store yesterday leads to a conversation about the relative happiness of guinea pigs and lizards. He and Luke also have an update on the 11-year old kid who found a ridiculously valuable baseball card in a pack of Topps.

Luke has a big update on the state of his old iPhone. Andrew is mad at himself for taking a walk. And Pete Carroll, the newly minted head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders, is "uncommonly consistent" in a press conference that is nothing but word salad.

Luke went on a whale-watching adventure last week, and he has some notes for the tour guides of the world. He also needs a new phone, but if he gets one, he won't be able to download TikTok! He and Andrew also talk about eggs a lot.

Andrew breaks down his favorite moment of Chris Hayes' appearance on the Dan LeBatard Show and why he feels like he personally influenced it. He and Luke also discuss Luke's plans to go whale watching and Andrew's trippy experience on dramamine in 1996.

Luke is in Hawaii, but he might not be exactly where he's supposed to be in Hawaii. He and Becca also almost missed their flight out there after a series of bad decisions. Also, Andrew finally tells the travel-related bathroom story nobody asked for.

Andrew is excited to see that there's a new Hollywood Squares on CBS, but he has a lot of questions. He and Luke also swap stories about their experiences with caricaturists.

Luke and Andrew process their feelings after a very tough day of very awful news. They also discuss the unstoppable force known as "anxiety cleaning," and Luke gets some good news about Dick Butkus.

Luke was on TikTok when it went dark this weekend, and his feelings about the app might be shifting. He and Andrew also discuss their pal, Chris Hayes, being portrayed on Saturday Night Live. And Andrew's addiction to the NFL playoffs is creating more scheduling problems.

Luke and Andrew remember the life and work of the inimitable David Lynch, who passed away this week. They also introduce a new, cutting-edge podcast segment called The TBTL Community Calendar! (Watch out, local AM radio!)

Luke and Andrew review such films as A Real Pain, The Darjeeling Limited, and the documentary Dig. They also pay tribute to the life and brilliance of Bob Uecker before turning their attention to a hyper-local conversation about the bars and erstwhile restaurants in a 3 block radius of Greenwood.

**Note: The version of this episoded that posted earlier today had a technical glitch, so this is a re-upload of the full show to hopefully correct the issue** Luke finally explains why he is in a knock-out, drag-out fight with his favorite airline. He and Andrew also listen-in on a 1971 phone conversation between Bob Dylan and the man who has spent decades harassing him.

Luke helps Andrew de-Zuckerberg his life. They also discuss Luke's obsession with military machines in San Diego, Andrew's fear of heights, and online reviews of the now-defunct Moose Mcgillicuddy's

A conversation about drones leads to a conversation about Tom Brady which somehow leads to a conversation about the plight of humanity. It's definitely a weird show for a Monday. Plus, Luke got lasered in the sky on his way to San Diego yesterday.

Luke has fallen head-over-heels in love with his new, modern toilet. Andrew is surprisingly excited about something stupid called Super Wild Card Weekend. And, after an investment firm just bought up a bunch of legacy store brands, Luke and Andrew discuss modern mall culture and the olfactory pleasures of Auntie Anne's pretzels.

Luke wrote in to a newspaper today with a correction, but he's not sure how to feel about that. He and Andrew also discuss the massive fires that are upending lives in Los Angeles. And Andrew has some good news after a trip to the post office.

Luke attempted a complicated recipe last night that involved one ingredient and two steps. He also shares a roundup of interesting audio, some originating from outer space, some from Cincinnati, Ohio.

Luke and Andrew each celebrate an anniversary today, which sends them down a memory lane that is perfect for losing any new listeners who may be checking out the show after hearing Luke's story on This American Life this weekend. They also talk about old salad bars, cold restaurants, French-speaking hummingbirds, and personal thermostat preferences.

Changes at HBO Max are getting in the way of Luke's enjoyment of Somebody, Somewhere. Andrew also catches Luke up on the drama surrounding the resurrected mascot at the Pop-Tart Bowl. And they make their plans to profit off of Popeye The Sailor Man, now that he's in the public domain.

Andrew shares one of the cringiest memories of his broadcasting career. He and Luke also go over some of the Top Stories that they accidentally skipped last year, including a story of a stinky milk pond, new rules for Costco hot dogs, and Ralph Nader's campaign to restore his favorite pens to their previous splendor.

Luke and Andrew have a serious conversation about Fresca that they should have had a long time ago. Luke also lets Andrew in on some of the soda scams his family ran in the 90s.

Luke and Andrew assume they have a bunch of new listeners since it's a brand new year. So they try to catch everyone up on what's been happening on TBTL for the past 17 years. They also revisit some of the fancy words they employed in 2024.

Luke and Andrew delve into listener Kristen's list of TBTL vocabulary words that stood out to her in 2024. They also celebrate the life of Andre Braugher and explore the stand-up comedy roots of Richard Belzer.

Luke and Andrew use data and a spreadshee to analyze TBTL's opening tape over the past four years. Plus, Luke discovers a new skill that's perfect for the digital age.

Luke finds himself in an awkward conversation with someone he wrongly assumed had very different political views than himself. He and Andrew also tackle one of the Top Stories that they skipped in 2024: Oxford's "Word Of The Year." Andrew has issues with it!

Luke and Andrew come up with the perfect way to close-out the TBTL year. But are they professional enough to pull it off? They also examine the proud tradition of hiding comic books inside text books.

Luke celebrates Christmas with some personal travel news that he's quite excited about. Andrew almost ruins the holiday by bringing up a nog-related family dispute. And they finally weigh-in on the Elvis stamp debate of 1992.

After MUCH anticipation and an entire episode of build-up, Nick Jarin is back with his official Top Five Movies To Play In The Background Of Your Holiday Party. He also has some strong opinions about casting Muppets in more mainstream movies.

Nick Jarin joins Luke and Andrew to introduce his list of movies to play in the background at your holiday party. They also debate -- old school AM radio-style -- the best time for a server to take your plate at a restaurant.

Luke and Andrew compare the great lengths they each go through to connect their Bluetooth speakers every day. Plus, the mass panic over drones in the New Jersey night sky leads Andrew to discover the "Seattle Windshield Pitting Epidemic" of 1954.

Luke's mind is blown over a new drug commercial song that takes the artform to new levels. He and Andrew also discuss used pillows, mushy rice, and the giant hole in Andrew's ceiling.

Luke and Andrew stumble on their new favorite publication in a newspaper column about bidets. Plus, Andrew is vindicated and validated about a recent news story that he dismissed.