Hungry For Laughs!

In episode 40, Chuck talks about The Inbetweeners! Chuck understands that this episode isn’t particularly funny, but this show sure is! It’s a Britcom mentioned in episode 25, and it’s one of Chuck’s favorites! Yes it’s cringe-worthy, but that’s what makes it so great! If you’re a fan of this show, too, tell Chuck what...

In episode 39, Chuck sits down with his friends Catherine Louise and return guest Alan Tecktiel to talk about live music! Catherine and Alan enjoy live music more than just about anyone Chuck knows—and Catherine is a multitalented musician! We talk about our first concert experiences, various music venues, and live music festivals. You can...

In episode 38, Chuck talks about sushi! This Japanese cuisine is more than raw fish—it’s all about the rice! After he gives a brief history of sushi, Chuck lists the types of sushi, and then he talks a little about sushi in film. Chuck forgot to mention that the Chewing on Comments comment was left...

In episode 37, Chuck sits down with his friend Maggie Connell to talk about Wisconsin! Maggie was born and raised in Wisconsin. There’s more than cheese, beer, and brats in America’s Dairyland. There are also Ducks and Spotted Cows. How does Wisconsin feel about its neighboring states? Give us your thoughts regarding this state’s offerings.

In episode 36, Chuck talks about coffee! This drink made from roasted, ground beans has been around for hundreds and hundreds of years, but Chuck has only been drinking it since he’s been an adult. Chuck likes his coffee black and bold but not burnt! Let Chuck know what kind of coffee you like and...

In episode 35, Chuck sits down with his friend Scott Kraus to talk about South America! Scott spent some time in Colombia and Ecuador, while Chuck has spent no time in any of the twelve sovereign nations or three territories. The largest country in South America, Brazil, has already been covered in a previous episode....

In episode 34, Chuck talks about Cooking Shows! He spends too much of his time watching these how-to shows. There was a time when the only place to see an entire show devoted to cooking was on the local Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) station. Now there are entire cable channels devoting to cooking, but Chuck...

In episode 33, Chuck talks over the phone with his friend and return guest, Joel Albright, about hamburgers. Chuck and Joel talk about the origin of this meat patty on a bun—it may not be as straightforward as you think! Besides the chains known worldwide, there are regional ones as well. Joel tells us about...

In episode 32, Chuck talks about Barney Miller! It’s a classic sitcom from the 1970s. The men, and occasional women, of the 12th precinct were a diverse bunch who served the Greenwich Village neighborhood in Manhattan, New York City. Throughout its eight seasons, Captain Miller runs an incorruptible squad of detectives. Barney Miller is very...

In episode 31, Chuck sits down with his friend Pat Nevis to talk about Philadelphia! Pat spent the first eight years of his life there—well almost. Chuck visited there in November 2015 and had a great time! Lots of firsts happened in Philadelphia and it’s where Larry Fine of The Three Stooges was born! Chuck...

In episode 30, Chuck talks about Christmas! It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Chuck very briefly talks about some of the history and traditions of this joyous holiday. Childhood memories are shared, and there’s yet another harrowing journey to the desert—that was one rip-roaring flight. There’s a lot of Christmassy stuff that Chuck...

In episode 29, Chuck talks with his friend, Laurie Fieffer, over the phone. Chuck and Laurie talk about board games! They grew up together and played many board games together. After discussing the history of board games, Chuck and Laurie reminisce about some of their favorites. Chuck learned about German-style board games during his research...

In episode 28, Chuck talks about Thanksgiving! It’s that time of year when family and friends gather to give thanks for all that they have. Chuck talks about the origins of this American holiday. Remember it’s celebrated in the United States of America and in Canada. Childhood memories of this holiday are brought up, as...

In episode 27, Chuck sits down with his friend John Swinford to talk about running! John has been running since 2004 and has since run in many, many marathons. He ran in his 19th marathon, the 2016 Bank of America Chicago Marathon® after we recorded this episode! Did John’s story of why he started running...

In episode 26, Chuck talks about Italian beef! It’s another one of those Chicago things. Like hot dogs, there are plenty of places to get these delicious sandwiches. Dry, wet, or dipped and with or without sweet peppers, mild giardiniera, or hot giardiniera—so many choices! Oh I suppose you can also top it with cheese....

In episode 25, Chuck talks with his friends Mary Catherine (Britty) Pastoret (the first return guest) and Joe Osowski about Britcoms! These are British situation comedies. We talk about some well-known shows like Fawlty Towers and Absolutely Fabulous and other lesser-known shows like Steptoe and Son and Till Death Us Do Part. These last two...

In episode 24, Chuck talks about Sudoku! It’s not “math”! It’s logic! It’s fun for Chuck just about every Saturday after he’s done eating his bagel. What do bagels have to do with Sudoku? Nothing! Leave it to the Japanese to come up with a puzzle that can be simple one day and next-to-impossible the...

In episode 23, Chuck talks with his friend Gene Varnado about his blog, The Franklin Chronicles! It’s more than a just a blog: there are films, podcast episodes, and music! Speaking of more, there is video to accompany this episode, and it’s the first episode recorded outside of Chuck’s home studio. Did this make Chuck...

In episode 22, Chuck talks about summer Olympics! From the opening ceremony to the closing ceremony and the events in between, there’s…the thrill of victory… and the agony of defeat…. That’s from ABC’s Wide World of Sports—but it’s still fitting here. Chuck does enjoy watching the summer Olympic Games, but does he enjoy the commentary...

In episode 21, Chuck talks with his cousins Alan and Adriana Kurtzweg about Brazil! There’s more to the largest country in South America as well as Latin America than beaches and Carnival. The capital is Brasília, not Rio de Janeiro as some silly, scary movie might have us believe. Alan talks about the futuristic architecture...