NEW Jim and Frank Podcast!

Go here to play the episode. (It's number 14 on the list!)

https://archive.org/details/TheDawnOfANewEraVol.Iii

Episode 22: Ruth gets hypnotherapy!

Click here to play the new episode!

New Season! Brand new episode: Sky High with Spy Guy!

Click here to hear the first episode of the new season!

Crouton Investigations

Click here to listen!

Dark streets! Drifting Fog! Footsteps in the night! You won't find any
of these stock film noir elements in this new edition of the PodCast.
Yet we traffic in the seamy underbelly of the American experience--the
world of the private investigator.

Frank's still on the lam--from what, we don't know. Jim found a clue
which leads him to a discussion with "Harve" Marsden, a most unusual
"peeper" who operates (and we mean, "operates!") from a sleepy town in
New York state.

Ol' "Harve" (short for Harvard!) proves a classic character. His
gravelly voice... his singular opinions on life, work and popular
culture... his keen memory... his keen mastery of delegation and his
willingness to share confidential information with you, the listening
public... this fella's a keeper!

Jim finds out the intimate details of the "gumshoe" racket in this
special one-on-one, hard-hitting, no-bars-held, mano-a-mano interview.

We also learn of a shocking imitation of our proud sponsor, Quail
Hut--the detestable Pheasant Pharm. The very idea! Shame, shame... We
do what we can to sway Marsden from his errant path to the divine and
right road! Let's make it a Quail Hut Life!

Jim & Frank PodCast 15--One For The Books!

Listen to this episode!

Frank's gone missing once again--big surprise! He's dropped the responsibility of a podcast in the lap of his partner-in-improv, Jim!
Jim comes through with an exclusive, on-site interview with Len Stoverson, reclusive "bookman." Surrounded by his dusty tomes and crusty cats, Mister Stoverson talks turkey about his literary friends (which include Madame Bovary and Farwell's Baseball Facts, 1951 edition).
Before this interview, we finally hear from another reclusive fellow--Charles McCullough, Creative "veep" of Quail Hut! He's emerged from hiding, and, via his appearance, we hear a dynamite new QH jingle from legendary Caucasian rhythm-and-blues septet the War-blers. They were once known for their toe-tappin', danceable anti-war ditties.
Now they're hawking "The Big Q" [TM]--but expect to hear more from this dynamic seven-man outfit PDQ!
(By the way, none of William H. Finnegan's books are currently in print. Fenneman's "hand-car" novels are somewhat easier to find--they're well worth a look!)

Just Click Here to subscribe to the Jim and Frank Audio Podcast on iTunes!

If the link above doesn't automatically subscribe you, try this link.

"Kevin! Kevin! Kevin!" Podcast Number 13

In these hard times, we've all felt the pinch. Keep your sunny side up, say Jim and Frank.

And that's exactly what they DON'T do in this bipolar special episode!
First, we feature a hidden audio jewel: out-takes from a circa 1975 commercial overdub session, featuring the non-redoubtable genius of American mass media...
GERSHON VERNE!!!
Verne, known for film classics such as Citizen Quail (1941) and The Terrific Thurmistons  ('42), plus the film noir gems The Dame From Shame-High ('48) and Touch of Hunger ('58), had fallen on hard times--much like us all today!--by the 1970s. Reduced to doing novelty children's recordings and TV-radio commercials, the understandably irate Verne never hesitated to show his bark and bite to trembling clients.

Here, we hear him, in high dudgeon, tackle with several choice Quail Hut jingles and commercial voice-tracks, in a freezing barn-slash-studio somewhere in Pennsylvania. We're betting you've never heard this notorious "audio verite" anywhere else, and we're pleased to present it to you!

Then, after a brief salute to THE JIM AND FRANK LOCAL BUSINESS OF THE WEEK--Renton, Washington's fabulous JUST PARROTS (364 Renton Center Way Southwest

Renton, WA 98057-2378; 425-277-4555). No kidding, folks, this must be one of the finest small businesses in existence! Please go to them immediately for your real (or imagined) parrot-related needs!

The vibe goes down, down, down as we further explore Renton and Skyway, Washington's dilapidated and abandoned business district. Man, it's depressing--no two ways about it! We'll post the pictures in a special update here, later today. Then you can see what we're going on about, as we confront the shriveled, encrusted husk of Modern America!

(Don't worry. There's a happy marching song at the end to set things right!)

All this--and less!--in a special double-length episode of the world-acclaimed PodCast!

Download the mp3 by right clicking (Mac users: control>click) on the following link: JimNFrankNum13

Jim & Frank PodCast #12-- This One's For The Kids (And Their Huts!)

Like donuts and eggs, the Jim and Frank PodCast comes in dozens! This week's farm-fresh, cauterized episode caters to the kids!

Charles McCullough, like other American executives, has gone into deep hiding, in the wake of recent Wall Street shocks. Thanks to his faultless "QuailGram" system, he gets word to us.

His message: let's do one for America's tots and tykes! Good sports to the bitter end, that's just what we did!
Debuting on this week's J&FPC is the dynamic "Kid's Hut," a show by the young for the young! It's got kid interests at heart! Hear Frank tell a true-life story of his childhood mischief. He also displays a hint of latent sociopathy, as he cackles warmly at his youthful misdeeds. At least no one got hurt--it was really all in fun, honest!

For the adults, there's a special introduction by America's own Leonard Maltin, some talk about the early history of the Quail Hut franchise, a mention of the remarkable panelologist, Mason Moray (visit his astounding blog at http://panelologicalpantheon.blogspot.com/ - well worth your time!), and the usual back-and-forth frothy banter that's made the Jim & Frank PodCast the toast of seven nations (including Belgium)!

You know by now that it's futile to resist! Drop what you're doing and give us a listen!

PS: Don't forget to sign up for our newsletter--and get a genuine retro Quail Hut menu sent to you free of charge! Look below for the easy, painless instructions. C'mon, America--let's make it a Quail Hut life! [TM]

Jim & Frank Podcast #10: Let's Make It a QuailHut Night!!

Who among us doesn't like those tender, gentle quails? And aren't we all just a little bit fond of huts?
I thought so! Therefore, please join us in a hearty welcome to our new sponsor, QuailHut Family Restaurants!
After last week's program, in which we parted ways with a former long-time sponsor, we were  bit leery of an immediate hook-up with a new corporate "parent."
We're proud to say that we've found an understanding, compassionate and caring home in QuailHut.
In this week's extra-length, super-spectacular show, we chat about things that matter to us, spend some time with the always-surprising Ruth Belson, and then hear from the official Jim & Frank Political Maven, Ira Dgrdsgy. You'll find him a changed man, with news and views that show his courage and outrage--often in the same ragged breath.
We'd like to thank Charles McCullough, Creative Vice President of QuailHut, for appearing on this show, and we look forward to a bright, happy future in alliance with "the Hut," as the kids call it.
So... let's make it a QuailHut night! And, in the meantime, please make it a Jim & Frank afternoon and hear our new podcast! Just click and enjoy!

"Cooooooooomin ATCHA!:" Jim & Frank Podcast Goes Ultra-Commercial!

On this week's Jim & Frank Podcast, to quote the phrase of our political correspondent, Ira Snsodsst, "the doo-doo hits the fan blades!"

Our allegiance with the Corectto Foundation has never been, shall we say, harmonious, but this week, things come to a head. "Honey," our executive liaison with the Foundation, has imposed a new, "now" format for the program.

We now "do our thing" before a live studio audience, complete with "mod" musical sounds and a professional announcer. They made us use one of those APPLAUSE signs, as seen above.

This episode marks a turning point for the Podcast. You'll just have to hear it for yourself. Just understand this... after this episode, everything you think you know about the Jim & Frank Podcast will never be the same again!

Oh--and we almost forgot... there's the Corectto Dancers! Hold onto your armchair, folks... this one's a doozy!

Ten Minutes Without A Miracle: Episode #8 of The Jim & Frank Podcast

Just in time to reach our monthly quota of four episodes, here's the newest Jim & Frank Podcast!

This week, romance and new love are afoot at the Jim & Frank Media Compound. Ruth Belson returns as... prepare yourself for the shock... Mrs. "Uncle" Dicky Johnson--or, as they now bid us call them, The Great DiJon and Wife!

Ruth looks pretty remarkable in her spangled blue Spandex one-piece gown. You see, she's now the official stage assistant of The Great DiJon!

But it's not all bunnies and flowers, being hitched to a world-acclaimed master of legerdemain. Ruth confides in us, and tells all about the ups and down, the highs and lows, of being the intimate partner of a great magician.

Through a new scientific process we call ThoughTunes, Ruth's inner state is "painted" for the listener in music! You'll be able to track Ruth's highly volatile emotional condition as it changes--from second to second!

As if that weren't enough (and it isn't), The Great DiJon will perform one of his astonishing, complex feats on the air. It's an unforgettable experience. Of this we assure you.




Frank and Jim Podcast by James Gill and Frank Young is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 United States License.
Based on a work at www.archive.org.
Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available at http://www.trickcoin.net/search/label/podcast.

Podcast #7: Up, Up, Up With Senior People on the Jim & Frank Podcast!

On behalf of our corporate sponsors, The Corectto Foundation, this week's special podcast focuses on the wants, desires and wisdom of the senior citizen people!

Hear them "rap" on what matters most to them. The weather! Presidents Dewey AND Kroger! Egg nog! The funny papers! Shoes! Memories! The war!

We also speak with a big-wig from Corectto, a guy we only know as "Honey." You'll get a glimpse of what our dealings with this powerful scion of public service are really like!

Ruth and "Uncle Dickie" are on a whirlwind vacation in Palm Springs, so they're regrettably absent from this, our seventh broadcast in this new, Non-Pandering Direction.

Senior citizen people are our biggest demographic, so let's hope this special episode will "tell it like it is" for our devoted listeners!

Special musical guest this week: legendary jazz clarinetist Jimmy Noone!




Frank and Jim Podcast by James Gill and Frank Young is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 United States License.
Based on a work at www.archive.org.
Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available at http://www.trickcoin.net/search/label/podcast.

Could This Be Magic? Episode Six of "The Jim & Frank Podcast!"

There's magic in the air at the Jim and Frank Podcast Studio this week.
We interview legendary Puget Sound children's prestidigitator "Uncle Dicky" Johnson, who regaled us with surprising and inspirational stories about his almost four-decade career as the Seattle area's go-to guy for birthday shows, bar mitzvahs and Kiwanis meet-'n'-greets!
We also hear about the real Canada, from our pal, Ruth (America's voice of the senior citizen) and hear about the latest sinister doings in Washington, courtesy of our phone-in political maven, Ira ______! (We have committed his first name to memory!)
All these thrills and more in this jam-packed episode of THE JIM & FRANK PODCAST!
(a tip of the magic top-hat to Jay Sankey, by the way, for the dog's sphincter!)




Frank and Jim Podcast by James Gill and Frank Young is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 United States License.
Based on a work at www.archive.org.
Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available at http://www.trickcoin.net/search/label/podcast.

Podcast #5: A Hungry Legend of The Blues Talks with Jim & Frank!

We're honored to feature a candid, exclusive interview with the one and only Blind Willie Jefferson, blues legend of the 1930s and '40s, on this week's Jim & Frank Podcast.

As you may know, Blind Willie has resided in France since the early 1950s. He just happened to be in town this week. Like millions of others, all over the world, Blind Willie knows and respects the Jim & Frank Ethos, and he kindly agreed to tell the poignant story of his career in a revealing conversation with Jim.

(Frank is trapped in British Columbia, along with Ruth. But that's another story.)

Tune in and listen to a previously unknown chapter in the history of the blues!




Frank and Jim Podcast by James Gill and Frank Young is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 United States License.
Based on a work at www.archive.org.
Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available at http://www.trickcoin.net/search/label/podcast.

Frank and Jim do Comedy Improv!

This is an improvised one hour show (a Harold) performed on March 2, 2009 at the Historic University Theater in Seattle Washington. The show was directed by Adina Gillett of Jet City Improv (Yes, even completely improvised shows need a director!).

The Harold starts with a series of overlapping voices (like a wiretap, see?). Some of the ideas and characters from the introduction make their way back into the subsequent narrative and twist and turn around themselves during the performance.

I'm the guy with the beard and light Kaki pants. Frank is the tall guy.
The sound is a little poor at the beginning of the video, but gets better after a minute or so.

Hope you enjoy it!

Online HypnoDisk / Yes, and...

From this page.

This site also features the complete text of James Braid's book "Neurypnology, or The rationale of nervous sleep considered in relation with animal magnetism" (Braid disputed the supernatural interpretation of mesmerism . He coined the word "hypnotism" in 1843).

Here's Richard Feynman's account of his experience with hypnosis:
He [a hypnotist] started to work on me and soon I got into a position where he said, 'You can't open your eyes.'

I said to myself, 'I bet I could open my eyes, but I don't want to disturb the situation: Let's see how much further it goes.' It was an interesting situation. You're only slightly fogged out, and although you've lost a little bit, you're pretty sure you could open your eyes. But of course, you're not opening your eyes, so in a sense you can't do it.

He went through a lot of stuff and decided that I was pretty good.

When the real demonstration came he walked on stage and he hypnotized us in front of the whole Princeton Graduate College. This time the effect was stronger; I guess I had learned how to become hypnotized. [Confirming what I have said tends to happen - there is learning with practice and experience.] The hypnotist made various demonstrations, having me do things I couldn't normally do, and at the end he said that after I came out of hypnosis, instead of returning to my seat directly, which was the natural way to go, I would walk all the way around the room and go to my seat from the back.

All through the demonstration I was vaguely aware of what was going on, and cooperating with the things the hypnotist said, but this time I decided, 'Damn it, enough is enough! I'm gonna go straight to my seat.'

When it was time to get up and go off the stage, I started to walk straight to my seat. But then an annoying feeling came over me: I felt so uncomfortable that I couldn't continue. I walked all the way around the hall.

Dylan Morgan, a Braid enthusiast, has a rather charming book here, in which he describes hypnotic induction as a state of focused rapport. In his explanation, hypnosis is achieved by inducing a series of "yes moments".

I'm reminded of the "yes, and..." rule of improvisational theater. I wonder if there is a connection.

Bed Bug Cartoon

WireTap!

Frank and I make our improv stage debut on Sunday. Please come!

It is guaranteed to be one of the following:

a. A high-water mark in the history of long-form improv that will change the lives of all those who come to see it.
b. A reasonably entertaining show by a group of well meaning people.
c. A complete catastrophe that will shame us and our families and hang over us like the dripping severed head of an E.C. corpse for the rest of our lives.

In the words of Gene Wilder: "The suspense is terrible, I hope it lasts!"

Patton Oswalt's High School Graduation Speech

"First off, I want to thank the teachers and faculty of Broad Run High School for first considering and then inviting me to speak here. It was flattering, I am touched and humbled, and you have made a grave mistake. . ."
The full speech is here.

Video Interview with Genius Cartoonist Steve Willis

Perception is 90% Memory?

This excerpt from a recent article in the New Yorker is quite interesting. I wonder if it's true. I'm not as impressed as I used to be when someone quotes a scientific study to bolster his argument. I've worked in advertising long enough to know how easy it is to play with phrases like "scientists have found...".

Still, it feels to me like there is something worth considering in the claims made below. Certainly, most (perhaps all) stage magic depends on this "filling in" phenomenon. (Darius once remarked to me that he was getting tired of magic tricks because they all seemed to depend on just one thing: "hiding something.") I realized he was absolutely correct. Every great magic trick depends on the viewer automatically (and unconsciously) "filling in" for something that isn't there. Propaganda, marketing, advertising, public relations, philosophy, art, fiction, animation ... all work on the same principle. It's what happens when I look at the cracks in the floor or the bark on a tree and instantly see a cartoon face (or even an exquisitely drawn picture). In his book "Influence", Robert Cialdini calls this the "Click, Whir" effect.

Here's the excerpt:

...Or consider what neuroscientists call “the binding problem.” Tracking a dog as it runs behind a picket fence, all that your eyes receive is separated vertical images of the dog, with large slices missing. Yet somehow you perceive the mutt to be whole, an intact entity travelling through space. Put two dogs together behind the fence and you don’t think they’ve morphed into one. Your mind now configures the slices as two independent creatures.

The images in our mind are extraordinarily rich. We can tell if something is liquid or solid, heavy or light, dead or alive. But the information we work from is poor—a distorted, two-dimensional transmission with entire spots missing. So the mind fills in most of the picture. You can get a sense of this from brain-anatomy studies. If visual sensations were primarily received rather than constructed by the brain, you’d expect that most of the fibres going to the brain’s primary visual cortex would come from the retina. Instead, scientists have found that only twenty per cent do; eighty per cent come downward from regions of the brain governing functions like memory. Richard Gregory, a prominent British neuropsychologist, estimates that visual perception is more than ninety per cent memory and less than ten per cent sensory nerve signals.

(End of excerpt)

It also occurs to me that this may be one reason why my life feels like it's passing by more quickly as I get older. With each new experience, I'm actually processing less and less new information. In other words, the larger my frame of reference, the more likely I am to depend on past experience to process what's happening right in front of me. The genuinely "new" sensory experiences I had in an hour of "kid time" are progressively crowded aside to share room with my past sensory experiences during an hour of "adult time".

What do you think?