Film Junk Presents… Episode #1 of ‘CANTANKEROUS’
CANTANKEROUS (kăn-tăng’kÉ™r-É™s)
Adj.
1. Ill-tempered and quarrelsome; disagreeable.
2. Difficult to handle.
So here it is. Myself (Jay) and Reed Farrington decided to get together and record our very own podcast, discussing whatever thoughts or ideas we feel like sharing. There’s no real film related content to this show outiside of a few random references, so Film Junk podcast listeners who simply listen for movie news and reviews won’t be missing out on anything. But all of you Reed Farrington supporters are in for a half hour of borderline dull discussion of the following banal topics:
1. Friendship.
2. Reed finds out about the shuttle columbia disaster; almost four years after the fact.
3. Reed attempts to talk a suicide jumper down at the Golden Gate Bridge.
Music Cue’s:
1. Try a Little Harder – The Rolling Stones
2. Ominous Cloud – Broadcast
3. Firebrand – William Orbit
4. Busy Working – Plone
5. Candidate – David Bowie
6. Colours From Nowhere – William Orbit
7. Mambo Sun – T.Rex
So go ahead and check out episode #1 of Cantankerous. One 28 year old caucasian male. One 45 year old Asian male. 73 years of cantankery.
Comments (63)
This has to be the best thing since sliced bread!
Posted by Julien on December 7th, 2007There it is! You’ve found the correct outlet for Mr. Farrington. This podcast was immensely enjoyable, and I think the reason that it worked so well is because it was off the cuff. There wasn’t a flow to be interrupted or a set path to divert from. This podcast, as Reed coined during the show just “let it go”. Thumbs up. Can’t wait for episode #2.
Posted by Rian on December 7th, 2007awesome. I like the music cues it’s usually the best part of my podcast. A topic for the future might be Reed’s previously alluded to misogyny.
Posted by Ian on December 7th, 2007Not bad.
Posted by joe on December 7th, 2007this is fucking the best thing ever. the only problem i have is that this is where i think mr. guest should use his real name. its charming but at some point you have to make yourself relevant. its immensely entertaining.
i cant believe that the guest is 45 years old though. almost as old as my parents! WTF man?!? I enjoy you and I laugh and feel entertained, enlightened and content with you, but…. I don’t know. I can’t figure it inside my head that a 45 year old man collects Star Trek action figures and is seemingly as clueless and flustered about the world as you are. I mean I think you’re hilarious and entertaining, but.. I hate to say this, but you should be further than this. Even though I am glad you are not.
Posted by Henrik on December 8th, 2007fucking the best named podcast ever, gotta fucking mention that.
Posted by Henrik on December 8th, 2007I can’t wait to hear this. Next to Greg, Reed is the best. Is there any way to subscribe to this via Itunes?
Posted by deadpaul on December 8th, 2007This could be just the thing to fill void left left by Karl Pilkington. Only with tears instead of laughter.
Posted by rusty james on December 8th, 2007I was under the impression taht reed farrington was reed farrington’s real name. Was I naive?
Yes rusty james, you are naive. Reed Farrington’s real name is ‘The Man With No Name’.
Posted by Jay C. on December 8th, 2007Reed doesn’t need a name, he’s that cool.
Posted by paulm on December 8th, 2007i have a hard time believing he’s 45. wow.
anyways, agree with Rian, this is the correct outlet, and was a good listen. seemed to just end abruptly though.
Posted by Goon on December 8th, 2007Reed Farington does have a name, it’s Darth Nameless.
Posted by Drew on December 8th, 2007Could’ve gone on for a lot longer and I’d still be happy. The ending was fun though.
The return of Karl Pilkington
Posted by Andrew James on December 9th, 2007^wow, Andrew you hit the nail right on the head with that reference.
Posted by Goon on December 9th, 2007this had to be one of the funniest, most awkward podcasts I’ve ever heard. Jay, that story about your friend was fucked up…like Reed said, it’s something you see in movies.
Keep up the good work, or lack thereof
Posted by Julien on December 9th, 2007At the start is seemed like this was going to be a therapy session with Reed as The Patient and Jay as The Psychiatrist. Reed sounded nervous, which was surprising (maybe because the topics were more personal). But the show just got funnier as it went along, particularly when Jay was being sarcastic. When Jay misheard Reed’s “clam up” as “climb up” I cracked up. You two have a chemistry that just works. Your discussion may be as deep as a puddle but it was very enjoyable. A well produced podcast with excellent use of music. There is real potential here, I’m just not sure how to categorise this show. It will be fun listening to it evolve over the coming months.
Posted by TheSnowLeopard on December 9th, 2007‘There is real potential here, I’m just not sure how to categorise this show. It will be fun listening to it evolve over the coming months.’
Totally agreed. As far as categorizing it, it’s hard. I know Jay is not gonna like this but the formula makes me think of Kevin Smith’s Smodcast which I’ve just started getting into a few weeks back. But I can hear Smith ramble on about personal life for a mere 6 hours on his dvds overpriced at HMV. This is genuine, it’s priceless, or worthless, depends on which side of the fence (Reed haters) you stand.
Posted by Julien on December 9th, 2007Glad to see so many positive responses to the show! It was fun to do and I’m up for doing more if Reed is.
Also, stay tuned for the triumphant return of Tomas Bajuk in a special one-off episode of Fishing With Tom! This will possibly be available as a video podcast as well, not 100% on that yet though.
Stay tuned…
Posted by Jay C. on December 9th, 2007deadpaul: We’ll try and get an itunes thingy up here at some point.
Posted by Jay C. on December 9th, 2007thanks. I was going to make the Smodcast reference too. Except you guys didn’t talk about having sex with your wife, your weight, and small penises (sp?) like Smith does. I liked when Reed got emotional, I pictured you two hugging after the show. Great job.
Posted by paulm on December 10th, 2007This show only works when you are nice. So I was disappointed to hear Jay call Reed an idiot on the filmjunk podcast. When he’s there it’s fine, but when he’s not there it comes off not as nice.
I enjoy the niceness and comfort zone of this show. Now all I want is the 1h10m that you have kept for yourself!
Posted by Henrik on December 10th, 2007Henrik: The raw form of Cantankerous actually ended with me calling him an idiot.
It’s hard to resist.
Just think of us like Walter Matthau and Jack Lemon in Grumpy Old Men. I will now be telling Reed to pull his lip over his head and swallow.
Posted by Jay C. on December 10th, 2007This was classic. Just what I’d hoped for.
Reed, surely you could have helped out the guy on the bridge a little more. “Hey, don’t jump! The mind is an illusory construct of evolution and life doesn’t mean anything!”
Also, I’m not sure I agree that the show should necessarily be “nice” .. I wouldn’t want it to be nasty either, but Jay’s never been vindictive and Senor Farrington has shown that he can handle being called an idiot occasionally. I prefer that it be honest. I’m eagerly awaiting another installment.
Posted by Bunyip on December 10th, 2007I personally don’t listen to any podcasts regularly, and I don’t understand why people bother to listen to “non-celebrities” like us. But TheSnowLeopard made me think with this comment, “Filmjunk lives or dies on whether you think Jay, Sean, Greg and Reed are guys you’d like to hang out with.” Frankly, you guys are more or as interesting, and no doubt more eloquent than I am, so I feel somewhat inadequate to have the privilege of being on this side entertaining you guys. We do, however, find your comments entertaining. This paragraph isn’t turning out like I wanted.
There’s so much more I wanted to say about friendship. Jay sort of sidestepped my query as to why he chose to be my friend. One thing I want to add here is that people usually pick a friend that in some way can be of some purpose. So as adults, people choose friends that can get them further in their careers, or that can get them laid, or something like that. With Jay, I don’t get a sense of why he likes hanging around me.
Oh, I wanted to mention something peculiar. Jay and I don’t have the same tastes with most things, but I genuinely and sincerely think that his creative endeavours in film, music, and art in general are great. Strange, huh?
Oh, and another thing. I know “show business” isn’t fair, so there’s no guarantee that a talented person will ever make it in the business. But I really hope Jay does become a celebrity so that we can all say that we followed him back when he was a nobody.
For some reason, all the entertaining stuff that was edited into this podcast wasn’t so cantankerous, so I think this particular podcast got named incorrectly. I realize my performance was subpar, so I thank you all for your generous encouragement.
Posted by Reed Farrington on December 10th, 2007Reed…you had me at hello…
I agree that the first episode wasn’t very cantankerous, but I’m sure it will evolve. I’d like to hear you guys discuss a variety of topics in upcoming shows like religion, politics, current events, Star Trek, etc. I enjoyed how seriously you took the first show, but please don’t be afraid to have fun too. Plus, I’m happy to hear how old you are. I’m 40, going on 41, and it’s nice to hear an older voice in podcasting. It should be interesting hearing you and Jay compare on different issues. Good Luck.
Posted by deadpaul on December 10th, 2007p.s. I think a Greg and Reed show would be hilarious
So, if people at an older age choose a friend based on whether he/she can get them further in their career or get them laid, then what is your reason for choosing Jay as a friend, Reed?
Posted by Alicia on December 11th, 2007Alicia: Zing! I was thinking the same thing.
I did think it was weird that Jay sidestepped the question, but it seemed like he was more concerned with his actual topic-in-mind which was the story of the guy leaving your house. Which is fine, especially if it’s after 30minutes of no content at all.
I agree that we’re all as interesting as Reed Farrington though. We just haven’t stooped to the level of getting friends that will get us on air – yet! No I’m kidding. I could never be as cantakerous as Reed. And I don’t have the life experience to give lessons like “let it go”.
Posted by Henrik on December 11th, 2007I became friends with Reed to get laid AND further my career.
Posted by Jay C. on December 11th, 2007In that department, I would definitely go with team Greg, since he constantly talks about his girlfriends on the podcast. He has more female friends than a gay guy!
Posted by Henrik on December 11th, 2007I guess I could reply to Alicia’s query and Henrik’s thought with a flippant answer, but let me try to be serious at the risk of exposing the cracks in the facade. What I mean is that sometimes when you analyze something too carefully, you end up destroying the magic and causing the structure to collapse in on itself. That is, I run the risk of destroying the friendship.
The fact that Jay seems to enjoy my company is an incentive to be his friend. I haven’t found too many people who can stand me, so maybe that old friend of mine mentioned in the story in the podcast of cutting short his visit with me had valid reasons. (BTW, I know I act obnoxious in party situations, but I think I only do that to overcome my shyness. Since I don’t possess any special talents, being obnoxious seems the only way for me to be outspoken.)
As mentioned previously, I think Jay’s really talented, and I sincerely like being around to witness his creations. He’s a decent guy who so far won’t do anything that I wouldn’t do although I’d treat my girlfriend better if I had one. (Ha, I’m kidding.) He doesn’t ask for much other than my company.
And finally, he reminds me of Tom Cruise. (Oh, that was fey.)
Posted by Reed Farrington on December 11th, 2007Well I havn’t had a chance to listen to the episode yet, but after reading all these comments i am hyped to hear how it turned out. On a side note Reed you are far too hard on yourself man,I for one find your directionless ramblings quite interesting and entertaining, I mean that with all seriousness too.
Posted by Connor G on December 11th, 2007Is there any way to mail in your questions to Reed?
Posted by Drew on December 12th, 2007You can mail them directly to me at jcheel@sympatico.ca.
Posted by Jay C. on December 12th, 2007thanks Reed, i as well thought you did a good job podcasting and i look forward to the next one. tom cruise you say? hmm, the tom cruise/kaite holmes dynamic seems to make sense to me now..
Posted by megan on December 12th, 2007After listening to the most recent FilmJunk podcast…I had to search for this podcast and I see what the fuss is about….or as a former sergeant once said :
“That’s just as fucked up as vanilla flavoured beer!”
In a good way of course.
Posted by Baychuk on December 19th, 2007can you guys please put up a RSS feed?
Posted by Drew on December 28th, 2007I promise we will definitely have one set up by the time the next episode is recorded. (Not sure when that will be, you’d have to ask Jay and Reed.)
Posted by Sean on December 28th, 2007Sweet, i just wanted one because whenever i download the show onto my PSP it dosent show up but whenever get the RSS feed for a podcast it works.
Posted by Drew on December 28th, 20075 things i love about Cantankerous
1. Reed Farrington, he’s a strange mixture of sean and greg which i love.
2. Music, Jay you really hit the mark by playing the music in the background, you have a awesome taste in music and it really fits with the show
3. Subject Matter, Reed dosen’t know what rhe columbia tragedy is? classic
4. Name, I had never even heard of that word, but it rocks.
5. Audio Quality, just like the film junk podcast theres great audio quality, bad audio quality turns me off.
Cantankerous rocks, keep the episodes comin’.
Posted by Drew on January 16th, 2008Reed, a combination of myself and Greg?? Now there’s a scary thought.
Actually I can see the similarities with myself, but I don’t where Greg comes in. Reed doesn’t like sports! (Except for ping pong, volleyball, foosball and soccer. And hockey, sometimes.)
Posted by Sean on January 16th, 2008Reed’s obbsesion with Star Trek equals Gregs Obssesion with Wrestling and The Movie Rudy
Posted by Drew on January 16th, 2008also greg and reed have similar haircuts, bassicaly the way i figured this out is that sean and gregs skin tones, hair and facial features would mix to become Reed, and then the Star trek and Rudy similarites come in, so really it is a perfect equation, Sean+Greg=Reed Farrington
Posted by Drew on January 17th, 2008Is there going to be another podcast anytime soon?
Posted by Jason on January 24th, 2008JASON. I will bug Reed to get this shit going.
Posted by Jay C. on January 24th, 2008NEEEEEEEEED CAAAAAAANTAAAAAAAAANKERRRROOOOOUUUUUUSSSSSSSS!!!!!
Posted by Henrik on February 27th, 2008So I was at Jay’s the other day, and we recorded another episode of Cantankerous. It has been a long time since the first episode. I think the editing job Jay had to do on the first episode really got to him. So I think he might release the next Cantankerous raw and unedited!
I was rereading the comments here, and I must admit that the vibes I get from you people make me really happy.
I wish I could say some intelligent things once in a while. I do read a lot, but it’s hard for me to retain knowledge. It’s like I live in a Zen-like state where I’m constantly emptying my mind.
So once again, be prepared to hear me say a lot of nothing. And since it will be most likely unedited, I hope you won’t mind being constantly led nowhere.
And be prepared to hear me insult “flat” people! (That’s not a typo.)
Posted by Reed Farrington on February 27th, 2008I can’t figure out how to get this onto my IPod, can anyone help?
Posted by Drew on July 27th, 2008Cantakerous: The no.1 cocktease on the internet!
Posted by Henrik on July 27th, 2008You can transfer it but it will come up under Music rather than Podcasts.
iTunes does something weird to the files so that when people download it directly from the iTunes store it knows it is a podcast. At one point I looked how to make it recognize this manually but I couldn’t figure out how to make it work.
Posted by Sean on July 27th, 2008But i have a mac and whenever i download it it just plays and won’t let me save the file, could you possibly create an rss feed?
Posted by Drew on July 27th, 2008Drew, you must really be hard up for entertainment to be downloading past episodes of Cantankerous.
Jay and I are currently conducting research for our next Cantankerous. (Not really.) People don’t realize how much effort is required to produce one of these things. (Actually, the only effort is required by Jay to cut out the crap and find 30 or so minutes worth listening to, or at least not offensive.
)
Posted by Reed Farrington on July 28th, 2008I listened to all(!) 3 episodes in reverse order (no special reason) and I have to say I was moved by Reed’s question for Jay as to why he offered his friendship. Does that make me gay too, Jay? But then you 1-upped it with the story of the thieving friend. Male friendship is a topic not often discussed so I enjoyed that. (Gay!)
Posted by Bas on August 15th, 2008“Drew, you must really be hard up for entertainment to be downloading past episodes of Cantankerous.”
What can I say? I love Cantankerous, and I need it on my IPod!!
Posted by Drew on August 15th, 2008Bas, thx for listening!
I’m starting to feel the pressure in making the next Cantankerous as well received as the past podcasts. I’m thinking I should develop some new foibles in order to have something entertaining to talk about.
But I’m thinking Sean and I should gang up on Jay, and point out some of his deficiencies in character. (Sean’s too white-bread to have any deficiencies.
)
Or maybe I could guest on an episode of Fishing with Tom?
And Sean, please feed Drew!
Maybe Cantankerous can become so popular that people will start reciting lines like they used to do with Monty Python skits. (I have no idea who the kids of today are imitating.)
Posted by Reed Farrington on August 15th, 2008This is excellent. For some reason I really enjoy listening to you two ramble on. You and Jay have these sort of unusual personalities and it makes for real good “radio”.
A shame these Cantankerous episodes are so sparse, looking forward to listening to the few others.
Posted by Kasper F. Nielsen on February 3rd, 2009I think we’ve run out of my idiosyncrasies to talk about.
I’ve been working on some material, but Jay and Sean think it’s too stupid. For example, you know how toy guns have to be sold with orange tips so that cops won’t accidentally shoot a kid with a toy gun. Well, I was thinking that bad guys should put orange tips on their real guns! So when they pull out their guns, they’ll get the drop on the cops who will hesitate when they see the orange tips.
Posted by Reed Farrington on February 4th, 2009Haha, what a great idea. I think Jay and Sean are too picky with what they think will make good material. It’s not like it’s the subjects that makes the podcast, it’s the personalities and your interaction.
Posted by Kasper F. Nielsen on February 4th, 2009Pure awesomeness.
What’s the music at the beginning ?
Posted by Mark In Ottawa on September 16th, 2009Mark in Ottawa, it’s nice to have a new Cantankerous fan. I haven’t listened to the show and even if I had, I probably couldn’t tell you what music Jay edited into the beginning. I’m guessing your comment scrolled off the recent comments list before Jay could see it. He doesn’t read my comments, so he probably won’t know you’re wondering what music he used.
I think I’ll be seeing Jay on Friday, so I’ll ask him what the music is (unless I completely forget to ask).
Posted by Reed Farrington on September 17th, 2009Oh, wait, Jay listed the music cues above in his written introduction. So if he listed them in order, then the music at the beginning is The Rolling Stones’ “Try a Little Harder.” I don’t think I’ve heard that song before. I don’t know what album it’s on. (I’m in the Beatles’ camp.)
Posted by Reed Farrington on September 17th, 2009It is really a powerful site which makes me change my usual habit and post things here.
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