Cantankerous Episode #8: Obsessive Compulsive Frugality
Cantankerous is an irregular podcast where Jay and Reed Farrington get together to bicker and pick each other’s brains about such random topics as philosophy, science, and Reed’s obsessive collecting.
It’s that time again! What a wonderful treat! Cantankerous #8! I just checked the archives to find out when our first show was recorded: December 2007. We’ve done 8 episodes — INCLUDING the video special — in almost a year and a half! That’s gotta be some sort of record for the least prolific podcast on the internet. Anyways, it’s time to get down to business. This week/month/year we talk about, among other things, Reed’s physical deformities, the benefits of plastic surgery, the best way to preserve Star Trek waffles and Reed tries to figure out why Asian people’s eyes are the way they are. Stimulating, yes? Go ahead and give’r a listen and let us know you’re thirsty for more!
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Comments (52)
For some reason the minute I read the word waffles I had too have one, so congrats on that.
Posted by Drew on August 13th, 2009Another classic guys…keep em coming!
Posted by ProjectGenesis on August 13th, 2009I haven’t even listened to this episode yet, but I already want more……
Posted by Joe C. on August 13th, 2009On the Blu-Ray stuff, the one thing you guys are not even considering is that DVD worked on the same TV as VHS, but Blu-Ray requires a new TV. If it didn’t, I would be much further into the HD shit, but buying a whole new TV is a pretty big investment for a lot of people, especially casual users don’t want to have to buy a new TV to play movies.
Posted by Henrik on August 13th, 2009In my opinion, anyone who is still using a tube television as their main set isn’t even a part of the blu ray conversation. It’s totally understandable if someone isn’t interested in upgrading, but its certainly not any sort of indication of the quality or relevance of the technology. HD sets are now the norm and they’re affordable. We’re now at a point where anybody considering a new TV or replacement set will go HD. If it’s not because of the upgrade in picture quality and compatibility with current technology, it’s because of the fact that most retailers simply don’t stock CRT TV’s anymore and the ones that do carry very limited numbers and sizes.
Posted by Jay C. on August 13th, 2009What happens if you plug a Blu-Ray player into a tube TV? Does it just not play at all, or is your picture scrambled and unviewable? I’m cheap like Reed and I thought I could buy the Blu-Ray player when my DVD player dies (which inevitably will be the first thing to happen), then use that with my tube TV until that dies or I move into a bigger place that warrants a bigger screen. No good?
Posted by Mason on August 13th, 2009I can’t see myself getting a Blu-Ray player anytime soon. The TV I have in my room is from ’89, but I just use it to play DVDs off my Xbox. Though I will probably upgrade my computer to a Blu-Ray drive in the future.
Posted by Nick D on August 13th, 2009More Cantankerous!
Posted by Kasper F. Nielsen on August 13th, 2009Was that one of Sean and Jay’s song during the end credits? Sounded like Jay.
If so, can we get a download link for that?
Posted by RJ on August 13th, 2009wow! again I feel I’ve been through a sad and pointless war.
Lx
Posted by LOUIS on August 13th, 2009“What happens if you plug a Blu-Ray player into a tube TV? Does it just not play at all, or is your picture scrambled and unviewable?”
What happens is that the information overload that comes from the massive BD discs can pretty much ruin your tube TV, almost melting the insides of it in some cases.
No. NOTHING happens, you watch it just as any DVD. Blu Ray is just DVD, nothing more and you can watch it on anything.
Posted by Swarez on August 13th, 2009Great – I’m going to enjoy this ! Thanks folks.
Posted by Paul Andrews on August 13th, 2009I know Reed thinks I dislike him but I don’t. Tough love. An interesting idea for Cantankerous would be to use it as an avenue for Reed to work through what sounds like some life changing decisions. Hear me out, Reed seems to have questions about career path, level of socializing, etc. Why not use the the show as a framework to try some things. Of course Reed’s frugality would have to be dealt with so some ideas could be:
1. all major universities and such have free therapy services – have Reed go see some of these people to determine if he truly is obsessive compulsive.
2. volunteer in some field you are thinking about doing
3. go to a Buddhist temple and quiz them on their meaning of life
4. and of course, pack a lunch and go outside everyday for a few weeks with the goal to to talk with one new woman
Posted by rus in chicago on August 13th, 2009Jay’s angry rant towards the end felt sort of like the climax of Cantankerous as a whole. It summed up everything about Reed and who he is.
Posted by Ethan on August 13th, 2009Just got to the part with the truth in advertising. Reed you should check out the movie Crazy People. The first half is a pretty funny look at that topic. The second half is shit. If you want to borrow it let me know.
Posted by dirrrtyfrank on August 13th, 2009Henrik, did you mean that you don’t see the benefits of a Blu-ray player without a new television?
In any case, I don’t think most people care about the difference in resolution between Blu-ray and DVD.
rus in chicago, I think everyone hates me because I hate everyone. I do appreciate your honest criticisms. People tend to ignore criticism from people on the Internet, but I think every criticism is valid in some way to the person doing the criticism.
dirrrtyfrank, I tend to avoid movies that star both Dudley Moore and Daryl Hannah. But thx for offering to lend it to me.
I wanted to mention how great I think Jay’s text intro/summaries for Cantankerous are. I enjoy reading them. Actually, I’ve enjoyed the written summaries that people have written about Cantankerous in the past, too. Like the ones by Matt Gamble at Where the Long Tail Ends and Joel Cusumano at Persona Don Dada. Come to think of it, maybe I just enjoy reading about myself.
Posted by Reed Farrington on August 13th, 2009Oh, rus in chicago, you have some great ideas for ways of generating interesting material for Cantankerous. If Cantankerous ever gets picked up as an HBO television series, we’ll have to steal all of your ideas.
As it is, I think we’re all of the mind to put the least amount of effort into Cantankerous as possible, with the exception of editing.
And if I followed your fourth suggestion, I think I might end up incarcerated for a long, long time on the charge of creeping out women.
Posted by Reed Farrington on August 13th, 2009fair enough Reed .. but here’s a taste
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_ArDB7AJAI&feature=related
Posted by dirrrtyfrank on August 13th, 2009My similarities to Reed are abundant… it’s a little scary. I really understand what he’s saying a lot of the time. GO REED!
Posted by dirrrtyfrank on August 13th, 2009FOR THE WIN -> 2 unconscious, vague ‘passes’ at Sean “We’d have to kiss for you to see it” + “Are these in your bedroom?”
Posted by Kurt on August 13th, 2009He kept trying to show me his Kirk/Spock nudes collection too.
Posted by Sean on August 13th, 2009can someone give me a link to the place where i can listen to all the cantankeerous episodes? And whats name of the intro/outro song?
Posted by george lucas on August 13th, 2009How does someone make an unconscious pass at someone?
Posted by Matt Gamble on August 13th, 2009http://www.filmjunk.com/cantankerous-podcast/
Posted by Sean on August 13th, 2009The intro song is “A Plan For U” by Devo.
The outro song is “I’m Your Buddy” by The Evaporators. It’s an English language cover of a song called “Je Suis Ton Copain” by Le District Ouest.
Posted by Jay C. on August 13th, 2009As usual I was confused and amused by the latest Cantankerous/intervention. Thanks guys.
Posted by froggiegirl0 on August 13th, 2009To Jay:
The main reason why i haven’t started buying Blu-ray is because of the covers. Some are wider and longer then others, and they are all really ugly. Worse is that unlike DVD boxes that are all unique and one of a kind, the Blu-Rays have box-sets that are same with alot of movies.
Posted by george lucas on August 13th, 2009And you shouldn’t brag to much about Blu-Ray, with your whole ”HD-channels have not same good quality” as Blu-Rays. Ufcourse they don’t! Normal TV channels doesn’t have better quality then DVD movies either! When it comes to movies, the quality is always better then whats on the TV!
Oh I heard the sexual tension Sean, but Reed was most certainly concious.
I’m more worried about what Halfyard does to his wife after he finishes recording the Row Three Cinecast.
Posted by Matt Gamble on August 13th, 2009Freud has something to say about all the the above, Gamble. Both the unconscious passes, and what men do to their wives….
Posted by Kurt on August 13th, 2009When Jay questioned whether they were wasting the listener’s time and their own, he really summed up episode #8. That said, there is no question the show has had its good moments and it’s clear Reed has a following. For #8, however, Reed introducing his own haphazard minutia didn’t seem to get it done… and it seems to more entertaining when Jay or Sean impose some structure, and Reed is forced to react “unscripted.†It is becoming increasingly apparent that this show is more like The Michael Richards Show to Film Junk’s Seinfeld. Reed can be intriguingly different in small doses – but Cantankerous spoils, if not over-exploits, his novelty.
Posted by Palladio81 on August 13th, 2009I like Cantankerous just as much because Sean and Jay are more relaxed and a lot more funny in it than the regular podcast.
Posted by Henrik on August 13th, 2009I just like that you’ve moved on from simply mispronouncing words, to outright misusing words. You’re growing, Kurt.
Posted by Matt Gamble on August 13th, 2009dirrrtyfrank, I checked out the Crazy People excerpts. Sorry to say, but I don’t think we share the same sense of humor. The tag line for The Freak was mildly amusing, but the rest of the jokes didn’t tickle me.
As for my subconscious passes at Sean, I am both mortified and outraged at what Kurt and Matt are suggesting. I must admit though that I often wonder what Sean would look like with hair.
I’m happy to welcome george lucas as a member of our Cantankerous listening audience. You’d think that someone who financed the development of THX and created a movie making empire would be into Blu-ray though.
Posted by Reed Farrington on August 13th, 2009In defense of Reed (oh god, help me), as an avid Rock Band player, I can see owning four plastic drum kits if each is a variation. From what I understand they each have their own unique features (more pads, different layouts etc) that significantly change the playing experience. If he never uses them, that throws everything out the window, but there it is. I wanted to ask: Reed – as a “completionist” do you also have all the DLC songs available for the game. Also, what difficulty level do you typically play on?
Also, I was going to ask what Reed’s gamertag was in the off-chance we might one day play together on XBL, but then I remembered he has no Internet and most libraries don’t have a full gaming setup.
Ok, I give up, Reed is crazy.
Posted by James on August 14th, 2009haha yet another hilarious episode of cantankerous! reed mispronouncing ‘suit’ to ‘snoot’ had me in stitches!
want more cantankerous!
Posted by modesilver on August 15th, 2009I’m also assuming you guys have never read Bad Astronomy? Its written by an astronomer (one who worked on the Hubble Telescope) and he became semi-famous eight years ago when he debunked every single conspiracy theory involving the Moon landings.
He’s continued writing his blog since then it is routinely nominated for Best Blog of the Year by places like Time magazine. Its educational and entertaining, and as an added bonus, shows all sorts of NASA photos as well.
Posted by Matt Gamble on August 15th, 2009Sean: i have a few gadgets upstairs that’ll blow your mind
Reed: are they in your bedroom?
*silence*
seriously, i haven’t laughed this much in weeks!
Posted by modesilver on August 15th, 2009James, I did buy the different drum kits so that I could try the different configurations. I really do think the cymbals at a different height level adds another level of fun. As for DLC, (some people could probably guess my answer) if DLC was free, then I would have all the DLC. Depending on which music game software, which song, and which instrument, I’m generally only at the beginner / easy level and sometimes at the medium level. When playing drums, I do have a problem coordinating my foot and hands, and also playing rapid beats. And you’re right, I don’t have access to XBL.
Matt Gamble, I may have come across that astronomer’s web-site. “Bad Astronomy” sounds familiar. Thx. I really do appreciate when listeners follow up in these comments regarding something we talked about in the episode.
modesilver, we should have you edit highlight reels for us. (BTW, I have the feeling my comedic material would really kill in the hands of a real comedian with comedic timing.)
Posted by Reed Farrington on August 15th, 2009I love the show. Nothing really more to say, but keep it up. I know it’s hard to do this and Film Junk,and movie club but I guess that’s what makes this Podcast so special, oh that and Reed of course. can’t get tired of reed i wish i had more Jay and Reed in my daily life. Anyways thank you for an amazing job and keeping me mentally oocupied.
Posted by Lloyd on August 15th, 2009I luv the film junk podcast but this is not film junk, it’s as if there’s nothing is going on outside of Reed’s life it’s as if someone is shuving a bag of apple’s up my ass (Ouch) do a film junk 2 podcast PLEASE! Thank’s.
Posted by jaime on August 15th, 2009Cantankerous: it’s like getting a bag of apples shoved up your ass. Has a nice ring to it.
Posted by Sean on August 15th, 2009Sorry if i’m a bit overbord with my comment but it’s so hard to find a GOOD-podcast’s, there are about five podcast out there that areany good so when you guy’s do a show i’m there but when your not talking about movie’s it’s a SOSO show ,Sorry if i come of as an asshole.
Posted by jaime on August 15th, 2009Lloyd, thx for that uplifting comment. I think most people find me annoying including Sean and Jay and not forgetting Greg, so when someone says they can’t get enough of me, that’s truly surprising. The irony is that I feel like I’ve become a “hikikomori.” (See Sean’s recent Blu-ray review of “Tokyo!” to find out what this means.)
jaime, I’ve been waiting for a comment like yours ever since Cantankerous was created by Jay. I, myself, didn’t think Cantankerous belonged on Film Junk. I wanted to talk about film topics on Cantankerous. In fact, Jay tells me that he edited out our film criticism talk from the recent Cantankerous podcast. I think the Film Junk guys and most of the readers / listeners don’t think I offer any enlightened opinions about movies. Sean brought me on board as a Star Trek expert over a year and a half before the Star Trek movie was released, and then when the movie came out, I didn’t have anything to say about it. Ha ha.
I like to think that Jay edits Cantankerous to make it look like I don’t have a life, but as you surmised, jaime, I really don’t have a life. I go through life dying.
Anyway, jaime, I hope you don’t find me too annoying on my irregular appearances on the Film Junk podcast. I do think Cantankerous should end while it’s on top. (Ha ha.) I was going to pitch a second spoiler-filled Film Junk podcast so that we could have in-depth discussions about recent movies for people who have seen the movies.
Posted by Reed Farrington on August 15th, 2009reed: haha. every episode i listen to (both Cantankerous and FJ), i always say to myself i’m gonna extract the best parts and make a long audio clip out of them, but it never happens lol.
Posted by modesilver on August 16th, 2009“I go through life dying.”
That is so sad.
Considering your eating habits, you should instead say you go through life surviving. Each day is another close escape.
Posted by Goon on August 16th, 2009btw, what the hell is the context of that picture?
Posted by Goon on August 16th, 2009btw, what the hell is the context of that picture?
Posted by Goon on August 16th, 2009
He’s sitting on a toilet?
Posted by Tomas on August 16th, 2009I’m going to pretend he’s leaning over an air hockey table, and he wears a helmet to get into the game.
Posted by Goon on August 16th, 2009Just shuv’ed a bag of apple’s up my ass and OUCH!
Posted by jaime on August 16th, 2009I was doing something with my bike in Sean’s garage. Sean was taking photos and I mugged for the camera. We should really have some art direction when it comes to the photos we use for the Cantankerous posts. BTW, you can’t really see my deformity in the above photo.
Posted by Reed Farrington on August 16th, 2009I think Cantankerous fits here even though it not movie related. It’s not like it overwhelms the movie content or anything. I find Reed interesting, to say the least, but even more interesting are Sean and Jay’s reactions to Reed’s eccentricities. I like how this is more irregular and “life” based, while the FJ podcast gives more than enough regular “film” discussion to the site IMO.
“I go through life dying.â€
I found this statement sad too, although true for all of us in the end. You just have different values than most. Are you happy? If so, good on ya. If not, nobody but you can change your world.
Also, http://bit.ly/fwoTE
Posted by James on August 17th, 2009holy shit James made a post on another website. Did your children die and your wife leave you? Where did you find the time? I’m in shock.
Posted by Goon on August 17th, 2009Leave a Reply