7 chapters across the catalog
The show concludes with the "Tip of the Day," featuring BizToc.com, a business news aggregator and scraping operation backed by Mark Cuban. The hosts sign off with their traditional "Crackpot and Buzzkill" personas, followed by a series of end-of-show music mixes and classic audio clips.
The hosts describe the labor-intensive process of show preparation, which involves filtering hundreds of emails and monitoring global news. They review recent listener-submitted artwork, including a "Terror Leader" piece by Matt Boisvert. A discussion on AI-generated art and copyright ensues regarding a "Peanuts" themed image used in the newsletter.
C-SPAN Addiction, Show Prep and the Freedom Controller
Adam Curry and John C. Dvorak discuss their heavy reliance on C-SPAN for show material, praising its unedited coverage and searchable video archives. Curry describes his "Freedom Controller" system for organizing show notes and links using Gmail labels and specialized software. They often send each other real-time alerts to watch specific C-SPAN segments, comparing themselves to the Muppets' Statler and Waldorf.
Clip Collection, H2 Recorders and Spousal Feedback
Dvorak describes his constant state of clip collection, using an H2 recorder to capture audio even while watching movies with his family. Curry admits to testing his "raps" on his wife, Mickey, though she often "shoots him down." They emphasize that while the show notes are extensive, the actual on-air discussion is driven by finding one or two "zingers" that will resonate with the audience.
Show Prep Logistics, H2 Recorders and Spousal Feedback
Dvorak describes his "unorganized" show prep, which involves printing out piles of articles and using an H2 recorder to capture clips from movies or TV. He admits to occasionally testing his "rap" on his wife, Mickey, though he usually gets "shot down." Curry reiterates that his preparation is more structured through the Freedom Controller.
Show Prep Logistics and Production Costs
The hosts contrast their preparation styles: Dvorak collects clips and articles spontaneously, often using an H2 recorder while watching movies, while Curry builds a more structured outline. They address a question about production costs, arguing that "time is money" and the "Value for Value" model accounts for the hours spent on research and studio setup.
Adam Curry describes the "grind" of producing the show while living in an RV, noting the difficulty of finding stationary spots with reliable connectivity for show prep. The hosts also criticize PBS for experimenting with commercial interruptions every fifteen minutes, comparing it unfavorably to their own value-for-value donation model.
