They said it couldn’t be done. They said it was statistically improbable and scientifically impossible. But nonetheless, it has happened: I’m officially sick of the sound of my own voice. 

Hello, everyone! Welcome to the latest installment of the TBTL Newsletter. I hope this finds you well. 

Listen, I’m not saying I didn’t have fun this week while Luke was away on vacation. I had an absolute blast talking to all of our special guests who joined me on the show. And I sincerely appreciate all the supportive, encouraging emails I received from listeners telling me that the shows sounded good, even though it wasn’t our usual TBTL fare. 

But let’s not lie to ourselves: That’s a lot of Andrew for one week. 

That is why I think it’s best if I don’t record a Hey Dummies video for this newsletter. You don’t need to hear more of my drivel, I don’t need to hear more of my drivel, nobody needs to hear more of my drivel right now! Let’s be like one of those drivel-less cars I hear they have in San Francisco. 

However, I know you are accustomed to a certain amount of video content in these emails, so I won’t leave you completely high and dry. Here are a few little YouTubies to get you through the weekend. 

First off, if you want to watch the 1995 KIRO TV News piece about the Clint Eastwood CD-ROM release, I’ve got you covered. But remember my warning -- the story cuts-off halfway through. I found this on an old VHS tape that I grabbed a garage sale a couple years ago:

Thanks again to listener Brandon, who tracked down the actual CD-ROM on eBay and sent it to us after hearing us talk about it on TBTL and After These Messages. It will hold a special spot in my growing collection of outdated media. 

On Tuesday’s show with Nick Jarin, I also mentioned my (admittedly weird) TV choices when I’m looking for something to put on in the background of our rumpus room. One of my go-to videos lately has been this 10 minutes of footage from inside a McDonald’s in 1984.

And if you like that (a big assumption on my part, I know), I highly recommend just typing “1980s Mall” into YouTube, too. You’ll find a plethora of time-travel people watching gems, like this: 

I know this isn’t the content that is currently burning up the prestige television charts, but it gives me a nice cozy feeling, and maybe it will do the same for you. 

By the way, I am excited to report that Luke is back from vacation on Monday, and we’ll have a whole new week of shows for you! Together again, at long last!

I should also mention that this newsletter is going on hiatus for the next couple of weeks.  But we’ll be back bigger, badder and boring-er in mid-September. 

Have a great weekend, everybody! We’ll talk to you on Monday. 

Andrew

Music For Your Weekend

Andrew’s Pick: Tonight, Tonight by Snail Mail

I’ve been a fan of Snail Mail (the solo project of Lindsey Jordan) for a little while now, but I admittedly lost track of what she’s been up to since her debut album. So I was delighted when Spotify recommended I check out her new track, a cover of The Smashing Pumpkins’ Tonight, Tonight. It’s fun to hear new life breathed into the song, especially with such great vocals. My only nitpick would be the production and instrumentation. Snail Mail recreates the same, big, orchestrated sound that scores the original song, so it’s almost like she’s doing a karaoke version, instead of a cover that would make it more her own. I like to imagine this scaled back a lot, with a more intimate sound. But this is the version we have, and it’s pretty dang good!

Listener Max’s Pick: This Far South by Tommy Prine

I took a trip to the Twin Cities this last weekend and did my best to fit in a secret tour of TBTL hot-spots amid my traveling group's agenda. I ended up seeing Tommy Prine performing at the MN State Fair and 1) had no idea he was a musician, and 2) was super impressed. Felt this would make a great submission for MFYW. A little melancholy, but a very haunting and beautiful tune.

Ten Of The Week

What’s your name and where do you live? 

Sophia C. Berlin, Germany

When did you start listening to TBTL? How did you find the show?

I started listening back in 2011, so you could say I'm a relatively new listener. Like many, I heard about the show after hearing Luke on Wait, Wait. The name "Too Beautiful To Live" piqued my interest. It promised something weird and different and did not disappoint! It was just what I needed as I wrapped up my first year of college and it's been my week-daily companion ever since.

How would your friends describe you?

Tall and stubborn.

What was your favorite cereal when you were a kid?Is it still your fav? 

It's a toss up between Reese's Puffs and Oreo O's (can't remember if it was on TBTL or ATM but yes, they missed an opportunity to call it OreO's). I've moved on from sugary cereal and mostly eat müsli now.

What food do you love to eat the most of?

Any type of pasta situation OR a supermarket sheet cake with about ten pounds of frosting.

What’s the best or worst nickname you ever had?

I've gone by my initials (SAC) and when you read it out loud, it's not very flattering.

If you could play one song on TBTL, what would it be?

It's not uplifting or anything, but Construção by Chico Buarque. The lyrics are surreal and impactful and the music makes it a true masterpiece.

What’s a special skill that you have?

I'm very good at waiting in lines without getting impatient or annoyed.

What’s a skill you *wish* you had?

I wish I could play an instrument. I tried learning the violin, the guitar and the piano and failed miserably at all of them, and I really admire people who have any type of musical talent.

If you were driving down the street and you saw Luke and Andrew on the sidewalk, what would you yell at them as you drove past?

"What you do is so important!"

Hey, it’s Andrew here again. Just a reminder that you can find our Ten of the Week form here! If you’ve never been a TOTW before  (or if it’s been a really, really long time) fill out our little questionnaire. And check out our Ten of the Week archive here!

This Week On TBTL

#4279 Good Girls And Bad Boings 
Monday, August 26
Genevieve stops by the studio to challenge us with a recent New York Times quiz about dreams and dreaming!

#4280  Mute First, Ask Questions Later
Tuesday, August 27
TBTL Friendo and film buff Nick Jarin swings by to talk about movies -- but not just any movies! He and Andrew compare their top 10 lists of Movies To Watch On Mute At A Bar. 

#4281  A Real Ship Show
Wednesday, August 28
Phyllis “P-Fletch” Fletcher joins the show to get an update on the TBTL friendship bracelets and to hear some listener voicemails involving hookworms, dirty-minded grandmas, and a mortifying bathroom experience that will haunt us all forever. 

#4282 Paws For Effect 
Thursday, August 29
The TBTL answering machine continues to fill-up with listeners sharing the silly songs they sing to their pets. We listen to a new batch of pet sounds with special guest Navya, a longtime TBTL Ten who also has some bad news to share with Andrew about his role on TBTL. 

#4283 The Ballad Of Beth Debbie
Friday, August 30
TBTL Friendo Cassie joins the show from Oakland to talk about the new Cabbage Patch Kid in her life and to share listener stories about Cabbage Patch Kids of yesteryear.