Chucklepedia
89 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 3 years ago - ★★★★★ - 15 ratingsJim Cotter is a Lawyer and writer born and raised in San Francisco. Drew Harmon is a comedian and former TV Weatherman originally raised in a log cabin in Michigan who migrated west almost a decade ago. Together they use each episode of Chucklepedia to discuss some historical figure, event or oddity, as well as chat about what's happening in their personal lives and careers and their home city of San Francisco.
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Episodes
Budd Dwyer
September 08, 2020 22:00 - 43 minutes - 29.8 MBListener note: we were trying a new audio recording technique, and the episode has some audio issues that we were not able to remove while mixing. We'll get better! For this episode: while politics in 2020 are mired in scandals that go nowhere, the saga of Budd Dwyer culminated in one of the most horrifyingly public ways possible, and has become immortalized on the internet. Drew and Jim discuss the crimes that led to Dwyer's notoriety and conviction, the choices made by local news organiz...
Gary Larson
July 27, 2020 16:00 - 39 minutes - 27.2 MBIn the early 80's and into the Nineties, newspaper funny pages were blessed to have some true visionary cartoonists creating daily strips, and none were stranger, bizarre or hilarious than Gary Larson's "The Far Side." Hear about Larson's early forays into creating the strip, how it became syndicated by more than 1900 papers, and his decision to retire at the age of 44 before he thought the strip might become boring, and how his latest content online has appeared out of nowhere and what may ...
Hattie McDaniel
July 15, 2020 16:00 - 38 minutes - 26.2 MBHattie McDaniel was a singer, comedian, and the first African American woman to win an Oscar for her role in "Gone With The Wind," but her life was filled with controversy and difficulty. Hear about her rise to one of Hollywood's go-to actresses for a specific kind of role, the criticism she faced for accepting those roles, and how even as she achieved the greatest heights Hollywood had to offer, there were still painful reminders of America's racist legacy waiting for her.
The Paris Zoo Buffet
June 29, 2020 16:00 - 37 minutes - 25.5 MBWe've seen what happens when people hear that there may be a shortage on toilet paper in 2020, but what about when legitimate food supply lines are cut off in Paris in 1870? Drew and Jim discuss how folks in Paris got hungry, and began to look towards the zoo for a chance to expand their culinary horizons. Rats, dogs, cats, horses, elephants, antelope...it was all on the table. Even more interesting - hear what they still wouldn't eat, and how soon certain types of rodents became high-class ...
The proud nation of Sealand
June 01, 2020 06:00 - 29 minutes - 20.6 MBSealand has its own currency, administration, laws, constitution, and even issues passports. They also have less living space than many 1-bedroom apartments. Jim and Drew take you to the picturesque manmade island of Sealand, founded in the mid-20th century and already the site of multiple invasions and battles, and now a proud novelty souvenir hot spot. Hear about the history, the sea battles, and how pirate radio played a role in the founding of one of the world's strangest - and smallest ...
Andrew Dice Clay vs. Sam Kinison
May 18, 2020 06:00 - 37 minutes - 25.7 MBIn the world of 1980's standup comedy, no comedians were more brash, aggressive, or offensive than Andrew Dice Clay and Sam Kinison. They started as friends but became bitter rivals. In this episode, Jim and Drew dig into how both men became the Kings of the Comedy Store in Los Angeles, what sparked the feud, and what shaped both men's careers as they came to the end of the decade they both reigned supreme in.
The Fountain of Youth
April 27, 2020 16:00 - 39 minutes - 26.9 MBFor as long as mankind has been aware they're going to get wrinkled and grey and pass away, we've been looking for a magical solution to keep us young and vibrant. Join Jim and Drew as they examine the legend of the Fountain of Youth, and a few of the most famous attempts to locate it over the centuries. Spoiler alert: the only definite way to avoid aging is to be J-Lo.
The chips that made the Nineties run
April 20, 2020 06:00 - 34 minutes - 23.7 MBHumanity has always been on the hunt for a guilt-free way to eat complete and total garbage. In the late 90s, Olestra was unleashed upon the world, claiming fat-free, guilt-free potato chips, with one minor caveat: "loose stools." In this episode, Jim and Drew dig into the creation of Olestra back in the 1960s for a completely different purpose, and how it made its way onto grocery store shelves, before becoming notorious and causing multimillion dollar lawsuits.
Crazy Russian Orgy Spies
April 13, 2020 06:00 - 34 minutes - 23.6 MBWe all imagine international super spies as being super suave, hyper-organized and regularly having crazy orgies all over the world. Turns out, some of that is true! On this episode of Chucklepedia, James and Drew dive into the tale of Karl Koecher, the Czech spy who started as an awkward kid who eventually found his way into the highfalutin' world of the 80's NYC party scene even while he was double-and-triple-crossing everybody.
James Joyce's filthy letters to Nora
March 23, 2020 06:00 - 37 minutes - 25.7 MBJames Joyce is a writer known for his beautiful prose, but he also penned some outstanding filth to his lover and wife Nora, some of which helped to inspire the sexual innuendo that fills the inboxes of everybody on Tinder, Bumble and other dating/sex apps in 2020. Hear about their love affair, Joyce's sexual awakening at the hands (literally) of Nora, and get a personal reading of some of the most remarkably crude sexts ever created by a literary genius.
Chucklepedia: NYC Opera Murder
March 16, 2020 07:00 - 25 minutes - 17.5 MBIn 1980, New York City was transfixed by the story of a beautiful young violinist who was savagely murdered at the Metropolitan Opera House during a show. Hear the details of this forgotten tragedy and the murderer who was sent to jail and is still attempting to be paroled.
Chucklepedia: President James Garfield
March 02, 2020 09:00 - 39 minutes - 27.2 MBPresident James Garfield was born in a log cabin, fought in the Civil War, was a fringe Republican when it meant something very different than it does in 2020, and only served six months as President before being assassinated. James and Drew discuss his fascinating life and political career, and eventual slow and painful passing.
A Very Special Krampusode
December 08, 2019 22:00 - 58 minutes - 40.4 MBLike your weird uncle, Chucklepedia is showing up after being away for a year and expects you to be pretty excited about it. Like every December, Drew and Jim talk about the magical holiday goat-demon Krampus, and just maybe catch up on what's been happening in their lives since they put a pin in the podcast a year ago. Pour yourself an eggnog and gather round the old podcast machine with the whole family!
Chucklepedia: the end
December 09, 2018 17:00 - 57 minutes - 26.2 MBAfter 5+ years and 75 episodes, Jim, Drew and Leila bid farewell to Chucklepedia - but not until they do the final Krampusode ever. Thanks to everybody who ever downloaded and listened, we appreciate it!
Chucklepedia Episode 75: Samhain
October 14, 2018 04:00 - 41 minutes - 19.1 MBHow did Halloween get its spooky, terrifying beginning? As a ritual celebration of the harvest and portents of the grim, cold season about to begin, of course! Hear all about how the holiday started as a Gaellic tradition and morphed into the fun-size extravaganza of sexy nurses we know today. Also on the show: a big update about Chucklepedia's future AND a sneak preview of music from A Horse Named Pancho's new record.
Chucklepedia Episode 74: Lizzie Borden
August 26, 2018 04:00 - 53 minutes - 24.4 MBIt was a trial that captured the imagination of America in the late 19th Century with a "did she or didn't she?" mystery that many of us think we know all the details about...but do you really? Hear all about the story of Lizzie Borden and the death of her father and stepmother. Did she murder them with an ax?
Chucklepedia Episode 73: Jack Johnson
August 03, 2018 04:00 - 1 hour - 65.1 MBJack Johnson stands as one of the greatest boxers of all time, hailing from an era when boxers fought frequently and hard. Johnson also faced extreme racial prejudice from as high up as the President of the United States and came through to prevail.
Chucklepedia Episode 72: Margot Kidder
May 27, 2018 04:00 - 1 hour - 32.3 MBJim, Leila and Drew are joined by friend of the show and former guest Scott Armstrong to discuss actress and activist Margot Kidder.
Chucklepedia Episode 71: Harry Anderson
April 23, 2018 04:00 - 53 minutes - 25.1 MBThere are comedians and there are magicians, but few can actually succeed as a comedy-magician like Harry Anderson. From his origins learning traditional back-alley hustles and card tricks to being the main player on an NBC sitcom, hear the story of the man also known as "Harry the Hat" on "Cheers." Also discussed: new 4/20 holiday traditions, maaaaaaaaan.
Chucklepedia Episode 70: Moms Mabley
March 24, 2018 04:00 - 55 minutes - 25.3 MBA true ground-breaker in the world of comedy and performers, Moms Mabley started life in rough circumstances and went on to be a notable comic for six decades. Hear about how she overcame every possible obstacle in her historic career. Also discussed: Leila had quite the St. Patrick's Day, and your social media accounts are betraying you.
Chucklepedia Episode 69: Russ Solomon and Tower Records
March 12, 2018 04:00 - 58 minutes - 26.9 MBA tale as old as time: baby boomer loves music, starts business based on music, loves partying and hanging out but also loves going into millions of dollars of debt even as he charges up to $20 for a CD until the world decides music should be (mostly) free. On this episode we delve into the life and times of Russ Solomon, all-around nice guy and bad businessman who still somehow became the head of one of the biggest music retailers in the world for nearly four decades.
Chucklepedia Episode 68: Neil Diamond
February 25, 2018 05:00 - 59 minutes - 27.2 MBAs one of America's great songwriters retires, we delve into the life, times and catalog of Neil Diamond. Turn on your heart light! Drew, Leila and Jim also attended a performance of Northern California's premiere Neil Diamond tribute/cover band to prepare for the episode and we catch up on Jim's recent grappling matches and poetry readings and the next I Think I'd Be Good At That.
Chucklepedia Episode 67 - Judy Garland
February 06, 2018 05:00 - 1 hour - 44.2 MBIn our era of nonstop Hollywood scandals and drama, for this episode we delve into the life and times of one of Hollywood's greatest stories: the life of Judy Garland. Hear about her childhood rise to fame, her time as one of MGM's most valuable workhorses and the pills, marriages and turmoil that did her in. Also on this episode: it's been almost two months since our last episode, lots to catch up on.
Chucklepedia Episode 66: A Merry Krampusode
December 17, 2017 05:00 - 1 hour - 40.4 MBThe kids were nestled in their beds and it's time for the annual Chucklepedia Krampusode! Drew, Jim and Leila discuss the traditions of Christmas, the legend of Krampus and trying to be Woke while watching old Christmas movies and specials.
Chucklepedia Episode 65: The Winchester Mystery House
October 15, 2017 04:00 - 1 hour - 35.9 MBWhat do you do when you're a widow with an endless supply of cash, a fear of ghosts haunting you from how you got your fortune AND an apparent hatred of architects? You build one of the biggest, spookiest and weirdest houses in the world. On this episode Drew, Jim and Leila discuss the Winchester Mystery House and its builder, Sarah Winchester. Also discussed: spooky Halloween stuff!
Chucklepedia Episode 64: Bobby The Brain
September 24, 2017 04:00 - 1 hour - 32.6 MBBecause Drew told Jim there could be another episode about a wrestler when a wrestler of note died, on this episode Drew, Jim and Leila discuss Bobby the Brain Heenan, one of the greatest Heel characters ever in wrestling AND one of the few decent human beings to have emerged from the sport! Also on the show: Politically correct movies, Drew performs for hundreds of people and then five people and you, there, boy! What day is it? Why, the Folsom Street Fair!
Chucklepedia Episode 63: Coast to Coast
September 04, 2017 04:00 - 1 hour - 32.2 MBBefore Breitbart, before Alex Jones, before subReddits, one radio show gave the weird, disenfranchised nutjobs a place to spout their insanity: Coast to Coast. Drew and Jim (and Leila!) discuss this syndicated marvel of aliens, conspiracy theories, and Satanism.
Chucklepedia Episode 62: Dance Mania
August 13, 2017 04:00 - 1 hour - 30.4 MBDuring the Middle Ages hordes of people were infected by Dance Mania, and somehow David Bowie, Mick Jagger and Cocaine were NOT involved. Jim and Drew discuss this hysteria, as well as modern hysteria in America featuring political turmoil and that classic go-to villain, Nazis.
Chucklepedia Episode 61: George Romero
July 23, 2017 04:00 - 1 hour - 34.8 MBGeorge Romero almost single-handedly created the modern zombie genre that is all over TV, movies and comic books with "Night of the Living Dead." Drew and Jim (and special guest Leila) discuss his life and career, how the zombie movies were not his favorite work and his recent passing. Also discussed: Drew and Leila just got back from Cuba, and Drew gets to reveal some big news.
Chucklepedia Episode 60: The Creator of Wonder Woman
July 09, 2017 04:00 - 1 hour - 29.8 MBWilliam Moulton Marston was polyamorous psychologist who decided to start writing comic books and used the women in his life to inspire the creation of Wonder Woman. Hear about his life and the women who pushed him to create the first female superhero. Also on this episode: we haven't done an episode in two months, so we catch up on what's been happening and Jim takes an entire episode to make a Civil War joke.
Chucklepedia Episode 59: The Creationism Museum
May 02, 2017 04:00 - 1 hour - 28.3 MBAs any Historian who watched The Flinstones knows, men and dinosaurs existed at the same time and often performed household tasks together! So says the Creationism Museum in beautiful Kentucky. Jim and Drew discuss this ode to modern science and also chat about some of their favorite music festivals.
Chucklepedia Episode 58: Frederick Douglass
February 12, 2017 05:00 - 1 hour - 33.2 MBEverybody had to read Frederick Douglass' autobiography in high school, didn't they? Since it appears our President didn't, we thought we'd revisit famed Orator, Author, Abolitionist and Freedom Fighter Frederick Douglass and discuss his life. Also on the show: Drew and Jim are exhausted but for very different reasons, we see just how young and hip we are with modern music and possibly the greatest obituary of all time.
Chucklepedia Episode 57: Rodrigo Duterte
January 08, 2017 05:00 - 1 hour - 28.8 MBIt's 2017, so obviously people aren't going to elect documented sociopathic megalomaniacs with a history of lying to office, right? As we found in America, Authoritarianism has an allure to some voters, and in this episode we discuss Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who was elected on a platform of killing drug addicts and who claims to have murdered people himself. Also discussed: it's our first episode in two months! What has been going on and what's coming up for the year?
Chucklepedia Episode 56: Jack Chick
November 06, 2016 04:00 - 1 hour - 35 MBNothing helps spread the loving word of God like hateful cartoons, and nobody did it better than Jack Chick. Jim and Drew discuss the artistic endeavors of the one and only Jack Chick, whose Chick Tracts have helped convince weirdos for decades that board games and Halloween will send you to Hell. Also discussed: the election, alcoholic radio DJs, why Americans are so dumb and how getting older can be a good thing.
Chucklepedia Episode 55: H.P. Lovecraft
October 09, 2016 04:00 - 1 hour - 39.7 MBWriter H.P. Lovecraft was a timid, shy man riddled with anxiety and doubt. So of course he wrote about epic uncaring gods who will destroy all of us. Drew and Jim discuss his life, how he became enamored with worlds of fantasy and the mental illnesses that plagued his family. Also, it's Halloween! And Donald Trump might be President! SPOOOOOOKKYYYYY!!!
Chucklepedia Episode 54: The Battle of the Sexes
August 23, 2016 04:00 - 1 hour - 34.6 MBTo celebrate the spirit of the Olympics and rampant sexism, Jim and Drew discuss the epic Tennis match dubbed The Battle Of The Sexes - how it came to happen, the aftermath of the victory that almost nobody expected and how it changed the sport forever. Drew also discusses the effect being a busy comedian has on a marriage and job and Jim makes fun of Drew for trying to read Infinite Jest on a plane.
Chucklepedia Episode 53: Tex Avery
July 17, 2016 04:00 - 1 hour - 35.4 MBTex Avery was a groundbreaking cartoonist and storyteller who pioneered the comedy that many kids grow up with. Jim and Drew discuss his early life, how he got started at Warner Brothers before moving to MGM studios in the Golden Age of cartoon shorts and how his work still influences cartoons today. They also chat about Pokemon Go, Drew's trip to Michigan and driving across the Midwest in a muscle car with Tom Petty blaring.
Chucklepedia Episode 52: Satanic Panic
June 12, 2016 04:00 - 1 hour - 34 MBIn the late 80's America was caught up in blaming the worst of all for EVERYTHING: the DEVIL! Drew and Jim discuss why, how and when it just sort of....stopped. They also chat about Drew's new job at a tech startup, Jim quits smoking and...sigh, more politics.
Chucklepedia Episode 51 - The Great Molasses Flood
May 01, 2016 04:00 - 1 hour - 27.6 MBBack in 1919 one of the most dangerous things in Boston wasn't just post-industrial boredom or Rusty Worker's Lungs, it was a giant tank of molasses exploding, flooding the streets of Boston and killing dozens of people. Drew and Jim discuss the incident, as well as delve into how Jim is still living in a house filled with MMA dudes, Drew hustles hard and how one of the cohosts of their second-favorite podcast is leaving.
Chucklepedia episode 50: The Nintendo World Championships
March 29, 2016 04:00 - 1 hour - 33.4 MBWhen 8 Bits ruled the world, a select few were able to A-B-Select their way into the winner's circle at the Nintendo World Championships in 1990. Drew and Jim discuss these epic competitions, as well as some big new developments in Jim's life, a recent incident that led Drew to flip off some old man and the recent epic divorce case of Batman V. Superman.
Chucklepedia Episode 49: The Milgram Experiment
February 29, 2016 05:00 - 1 hour - 40.4 MBIn the wake of World War 2 and claims from former Nazis that they were "just following orders," Yale Psychologist Stanley Milgram set out to see just how far normal people would take "following orders." Hear all about the experiment, the results and what it means for society even as versions of the experiment continue at colleges around America to this day. Drew and Jim also discuss the aftermath of having the Super Bowl in San Francisco, ongoing efforts to displace the homeless and some of D...
Chucklepedia Episode 48: Lotto Fever
January 25, 2016 05:00 - 1 hour - 35.1 MBFor the first 'spode of 2016 Jim and Drew discuss the origins of the Lottery, from B.C.-era China to the modern 1.5 Billion dollar Powerball jackpot. They also discuss the Superbowl coming to San Francisco, the spate of celebrity passings and what you should do if a neighbor you hate is going to be evicted.
Chucklepedia Episode 47: A Merry Krampusode
December 20, 2015 05:00 - 1 hour - 30.3 MBBust out the eggnog and Christmas cards. 'Tis the season for Drew and Jim to once again discuss everybody's favorite schnapps-chugging holiday demon Krampus! This year Drew and Jim went to go see the new major motion picture "Krampus" and discuss it at length, as well as discuss their favorite holiday traditions, how they spend the holidays and how Drew is basically a walking NPR tote bag at this point.
Chucklepedia Episode 46: Shel Silverstein
November 15, 2015 05:00 - 1 hour - 29.8 MBDrew and Jim reconvene to discuss the life and times of writer, songwriter, poet and lady's man Shel Silverstein. Also discussed are the recent shootings in Paris, bus accidents in San Francisco, Drew's recent forays into the job market and Jim's trivia glory.
Chucklepedia Episode 45: Halloween!!!
October 25, 2015 04:00 - 1 hour - 30.2 MBTo celebrate the magic of Halloween, Jim and Drew discuss the epic flop that was the attempted reboot of a beloved horror franchise, "Halloween III: Season of the Witch." Drew and Jim also discuss their favorite traditions for the holiday, great scary movies of the bygone video shop days and how it might just be time for one of them to leave San Francisco.
Chucklepedia Episode 44: The Dyatlov Pass Incident
October 04, 2015 04:00 - 1 hour - 28 MBIn Russia in the 50's, a group of hikers went into the mountains for a casual hike. They ended up dying under spooky, mysterious circumstances that have never been explained. Drew and Jim discuss this terrifying ordeal, as well as Drew's recent foray into actually having things go well, the Folsom Street Fair, celebrating Halloween and how Giants fans reacted to being eliminated with a hearty "meh."
Chucklepedia Episode 43: Tony Sparks
September 13, 2015 04:00 - 1 hour - 34 MBHailing from Little Rock, Arkansas, Tony Sparks began his comedy journey before he could even legally vote. Tony was a road comic living in New York before making the move in the 90's to San Francisco, where he began creating open mics for all the aspiring comics who couldn't find a way onstage at the usual clubs. Tony has been running and hosting the notorious Brainwash open mic on Thursday nights for more than 16 years, and the Brainwash is now a nonstop comedy machine and every new comic w...
Chucklepedia Episode 42: Bernie Sanders
August 30, 2015 04:00 - 1 hour - 31.9 MBJim and Drew discuss the political career, willingness to lose and general ideology of Democratic Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders. Also discussed: San Francisco eroding from human urine, Jim's already given up on the 49ers for the year, the sexiest cities in America and Drew put on his big boy pants.
Chucklepedia Episode 41: Donald Trump
August 07, 2015 04:00 - 1 hour - 36.5 MBJim and Drew finally re-enter the Chucklepedia studios to record a new episode and discuss the man, the myth, the hyperbolic nightmare that is Donald Trump. His rich origins, the draft dodging, the climb to become the king of tacky fanciness...it's all here. Drew and Jim also discuss the reasons for the brief hiatus, some exciting comedy news and a slew of deaths, everybody's favorite topic!
Chucklepedia Episode 40: Jeff Cleary
June 21, 2015 04:00 - 1 hour - 36.1 MBJeff Cleary has been behind some of the most infamous comedy open mics around San Francisco, but Jeff is also known for cohosting SF Barkast, co-producing the Comedy And Burrito Festival and has been called the "Mayor of the Mission" as well as the inspiration behind the "World's Most Interesting Man." Jeff joins Drew and Jim to chat about his early life in New England, going to NYU in the 90's, being part of the first Tech Boom and his current life behind the comedy scene, hosting a podcast ...