Blog – Gonzo Greg: Recent Episodes
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Mike Armstrong quickly became a favorite guest on the Big Dumb Show, after this, his first visit on April 11, 2003. This is when we first learned of his previous career in law enforcement, and some of the fun stuff he used to do when he was a cop. And oh yeah, he met “The Rock“.
One of our favorite guests, comedian Tammy Pescatelli suffers through Indianapolis traffic, bull sperm news, and guest hosts ‘Sports Talk With The Azz’. Plus questions the coolness of “Stuck In The Night.” From April 2, 2003.
Australian comedian Kevin Bloody Wilson gets roped into visiting the Big Dumb Show, and shares a musical tale of gastrointestinal excitement.
How much would you pay for a snack treat of unusual size? On the morning of February 26, 2003 The Big Dumb Show was well on our way to being on the hook for north of six grand for a giant Cheeto Ⓡblob we spotted on eBay.
It should be noted that this entire fiasco was Beau‘s idea*.
(*Beau maintains that he was, in fact, very much opposed.)
Regardless, as far as we are aware, no other broadcast in American history has ever achieved quite this level of stupid.
Yes, it became national news: https://www.cnn.com/2003/TECH/internet/03/05/offbeat.big.cheeto/index.html
Actor/Comedian Harland Williams visited the Big Dumb Show a number of times. In this visit from August 5, 2004 he has thoughts on Gonzo‘s latest hairstyle, what goes in Don Stuck‘s mouth at night, and robots.
Comedian Drew Hastings visits for an update on his backwoods, hermit lifestyle and shares some keen insight into where most men go wrong when entering relationships. And other stuff, from July 14, 2004.
Comedian AJ Jamal shares why he became vegan early in life, some aspects of his relationship with his wife, as well as his parents’ unique interactions. Originally aired July 2, 2004.
Comedian Rob Little comes in and matches the early morning manic energy of the Big Dumb Show. He shoots the sh!t about being a Detroiter living in California, boogie boarding, and karaoke with adult film stars. And about a million other things inside of about 10 minutes.
This is from August 17, 2004.
Chili was cool enough to hang out with us a few times; this time was August 15, 2002, and he shared some fun riffs on drinking, driving (not together!), and the Amish.
He was a thirty year comedy veteran, and for a time, a staff writer for the Tonight show with Jay Leno, who dubbed him “Chili”. He was a teacher and mentor for budding comedians around the world, and famous for his comedy do-jo workshop.
Chili left the planet on October 9, 2018 after a sudden illness. It is a pleasure to remember him for a few moments here.
Ever a friend of the show, Uncle Larry Reeb gets drawn into the petty stupidity of the Big Dumb Show in this visit from April 3, 2004. Larry does share a breakthrough regarding a hidden side of his personality, and delivers a stellar idea for improving the level of excitement in baseball.
The radio show that pioneered the questionable practice of hand puppets on the radio … we’re looking at you Dr. Shotski … was happy to welcome Triumph The Insult Comic Dog on November 13th, 2003.
It was also a pleasure to meet Triumph’s “handler”, Robert Smigel.
It's "Tater Salad," Blue Collar Comedy Tour veteran Ron White, returning to the Big Dumb Show in early November of 2003 with a few samples of his unique perspective on life's absurdities.
It's a Friday show, so Fat Johnny's there to put the hurts to the catering truck, and to serve as Beau's faithful assistant.
It’s a sick world and he's a happy guy. Our ol' Uncle Lar' stops by and walks into a classic Big Dumb Sh!tstorm.
This mostly off-the-rails show is from Friday October 3, 2003.
Fat Johnny returns to torment Beau, and consumes an entire catering truck’s worth of food in the process.
Plus, Don finds another rare Frito-Lay artifact on Ebay that clearly we must own, no matter what the cost.
I met Pat Godwin when I started working at WMMR in Philadelphia in 1991. He's been kind to remain a friend ever since, and even sneakin' around behind the backs of the "bigger meaner show" to come slum it with the alt-rock kids down the hall.
This is from Pat's visit on October 1, 2003 ... so yyyeah ... two decades ago. But let's just focus on the funny, how 'bout? And, oh yeah, visit https://patgodwin.com
Also, further proof of one of the only absolutes of working in a rock radio station environment. There will always be two things. One: pizza. And two: weird sex stuff.
Plus, the crime wave that hits communities when you can't buy beer on Sundays.
Tammy Pescatelli visits at the end of September 2003; she was always a favorite guest and demonstrated a very impressive ability to tolerate our boundless stupidity. Plus, she shares a great story about her visit to the Playboy Mansion.
Plus ... it's like going to the dentist ... another round of Don Stuck's Hillbilly Hits!
One of our most favorite guests, Comedian Greg Morton … back in September of 2003 … long before everybody became a fan when he took a turn on America’s Got Talent about three years ago. He’s @GregMortonComic on Instagram and whatever Twitter is called this week … and he’ll be at the Brad Garrett’s Comedy Club here in Vegas September 4th - 10th.
Also, it was always a pleasure to visit with Patty Spitler, and get her out of the presumably stuffy TV news bubble on Fridays. She’s on Facebook, and doing lots of pet adoption stuff … and will definitely be highlighted when we bring back the wildly popular hotchickseatingcorndogs web site.
Greg Morton Visits the Big Dumb Show in Indianapolis
Gonzo with Greg at Laugh Factory in Las Vegas
Don Stuck Assaults Greg Morton
Patty Spitler Dining With Fat Jonny
Patty Spitler, Corndog Model
Tommy Chong visits the Big Dumb Show in August of 2003 and shares some behind the scenes stuff about "That 70's Show", and what it's like to be indicted for selling bongs.
Plus, you can play along to another nails-on-a-chalkboard-like edition of Don Stuck’s Hillbilly Hits.
A visit from a favorite guest, Mark Eddie who delivers a song that is suddenly very timely 20 years later.
Plus, a little planning for "Thong Day", and a great example of what made our show "#2".
This all aired originally on Monday, July 21, 2003.
The refined and demure Untamed Shrews came in for a visit on July 30, 2003 and were enormously helpful in explaining the subtleties of the interpersonal dynamics between men and women.
Plus, Don Stuck takes issue with the “bigger, meaner show’s” associate producer Jimbo’s claim that he has a bigger ladder. Clearly, fighting words.
"You've Got A Friend in Jimbo!"
Gonzo & Jimbo, St. Patrick's Day?
Comic Lord Carrett, and his perfect pompadour, visit on Friday, July 25, 2003. But first, Intern Sideburns gets a gentle morning wakeup call from Hellhorn. We get some insight into the possible origins of the "Beau 'Fro". Plus, Hillbilly Hits with Don Stuck.
Finally. An answer to the question, “Can an intern in a hot dog costume catch a fish in a flooded transmitter field using bait from a catering truck?”
Plus, brief appearances by comics D. Cameron and Kivi Rogers.
And, an especially brain-numbing round of “Don Stuck’s Hillbilly Hits”.
If there were ever any question as to why it’s called The Big Dumb Show, this Flashback should provide the definitive answer. But, to our credit, we did find a way to give away concert tickets that did not in any way involve caller nine.
Big Dumb Show favorites Da Vinci’s Notebook return for this magic moment from June 6th, 2003. Way back before Covid, there was a virus called SARS. Anybody remember? There’s a fond tribute tucked away in the second song.
Plus, a brief look into the luxurious lifestyles of the members of the Second Most Popular Morning Show in the City of Indianapolis, as well as a mercifully brief bit of banjo music from Don Stuck.
Once again, a visit from the Greatest Band In The History of Recorded Music, The Fuglees visit in early June of 2003 to promote their Battle of the Bands appearance. In the process, they debut a new Fuglees classic, “Heavy Metal Girl”, and deliver a craftily self-censored, radio version of “Crazy Girls”.
Don Stuck was on vacation, so the traffic center underwent a major upgrade with AJ Sterling from WISH-TV 8.
In an admittedly ill-advised and insensitive attempt to better understand the lives of lifelong conjoined twins, we duct-taped Tad and Sideburns together and sent them out into the world to perform everyday tasks, and then report back on their experience. The results are predictably asinine, and are all captured in this time capsule from June 4, 2003.
By the way, Dave Duganwas actually on the show that day, but we opted to not sully his stellar reputation and enshrine him in this particular podcast.
Long before The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, actor, comedian, impressionist and podcast host Kevin Pollak was a fairly regular guest on The Big Dumb Show. Enjoy this visit from May 2004. And if you haven’t already, check out the outstanding Kevin Pollak Chat Show Podcast.
Also, a quick check of the X-FILES, just before MayDay 2004, featuring news from Linkin Park and Metallica.
When Dave Attell visits the Big Dumb Show, it’s essentially the opposite of an AA meeting. Early estimates of the total blood alcohol level in the room are somewhere north of point-eleventy-billion.
In the world of stand-up comedy, there are few that consistently captivate audiences quite like Dave Attell. With a career spanning over three decades, Attell has become a household name for his unique brand of humor, which combines razor-sharp wit, impeccable timing, and an uncanny ability to find hilarity in even the darkest of subjects.
Dave Attell is on tour this summer; check daveattell.com.
Also in this episode, imagine you possess the ability to spontaneously vomit on anybody. Choose your target wisely.
And Doctor Shotski’s back with the guide to the man’s “perfect breakfast”.
We’re not sure if there’s a comic that you’d think was less likely to appear on the Big Dumb Show than Etta May, but sure enough, here she is. Back before she started hangin’ around with Oprah and showing up on CBS Sunday Morning, she was on our show discussing fancy dessert offerings that typically begin with crushed Oreos.
Also featured in this episode, a few moments with hopeful future broadcaster Intern Sideburns who was dispatched for an “appearance” on morning television, and also receives some “constructive criticism” and “helpful career advice” from Gonzo, Don, and Beau.
And finally, the delicate subtext of “Return of the Jedi” is explained in an episode of ADD Theatre.
Tad and Sideburns: A Cojoined Twins Experiment
A tight fifteen of highlights from the Big Dumb Show in the summer of 2003, featuring a great segment with comic Daniel Tosh. Plus a chat with Eric Shotz, the brilliant mind behind the original incarnation of “101 Things Removed From The Human Body“, a Fox TV special that was/is exactly what it says. And speaking of TV, what’s the Taliban watching tonight?
It’s an action-packed Flashback Podcast, featuring Indy’s own Blue Monkey Sideshow, a visit with comic John Bizarre, and a phone sex line for married guys.
Plus some other stuff unearthed from right around twenty years ago.
There are far too many of our favorite guests that have left the planet since we had the pleasure of hanging out with them in the early aughts. Please take a moment to remember comic John Fox from this visit in 2002, and take a moment to read this awesome tribute to the man from another friend of the show, Scott Long.
Also included in this Flashback Podcast: Fat Johnny and Drunk Tad with more Big Dumb Fun in the Fall Creek parking lot, Don Stuck is clearly President of the Sebastian Bach Fan Club, and the announcement of the biggest concert event of the summer of 2002.
Our 25th-Episode Anniversary: A fun reunion, and a fabulous first timeIn the early 90’s, Gonzo landed at legendary rock station WMMR in Philadelphia, which is where he met the super-talented singer/songwriter/comedian Pat Godwin. This episode of the Flashback features their first reunion after nearly a decade. Enjoy Pat’s in-studio performance of “C’est La Vie”, a touching love-gone-slightly-wrong song, as well as a special romantic Springsteen-style performance dedicated to Angela, our favorite Hooters girl.
The cavalcade of A-list talent continues with our first visit with comedian Jimmy Pardo. He covers making the move from his hometown of Chicago to Los Angeles, and somehow along the way we invoke the ghost of Kip Winger* and debate the finer features of the Plymouth Sunfire.
(* Kip Winger is not dead.)
Pat Godwin’s still touring and a regular on the bigger, meaner, show. Jimmy Pardo is touring as well, and hosts the hugely popular Never Not Funny podcast.
Did you ever take a statistics class? It’s a waste of time. Folk-singing hippie extraordinaire Todd Snider explains it all in this October 2002 appearance on the Big Dumb Show.
Plus, we’ve got the best reason ever to not wait ’till the last minute to get your taxes done.
And finally, Fat Johnny embraces his inner Daredevil Santa as he takes a spin on his decidedly hillbilly sleigh in this leftover holiday-season clip, with the able assistance of Drunk Tad.
For the record, Tad was rarely actually drunk. He’s just a naturally enthusiastic person. Fat Johnny however, is actually fat.
Few people give the Big Dumb Show the credit it deserves for helping people with their inter-personal relationships. In this episode of the Flashback Podcast, the lovely Monique Marvez delivers some solid truth about how men and women see each other and the world around them.
Then, our resident life-coach/sock puppet Doctor Shotski Wadsworth offers a perspective that only a repurposed Crown Royal bag with googly eyes can really deliver without any serious blowback, even in 2002.
And, oh yeah … there’s one of the earliest in-studio appearances of Hell Horn.
This Flashback Podcast contains the single biggest Hellhorn disaster in the history of the Big Dumb Show, and you might (not) be surprised to learn that it involved Fat Johnny. Also, Splurgepaid another in-studio visit to deliver a gigantic stack of pornography, as well as the under-rated Big Dumb Show Theme Song. Plus, Don’s fascination with the late Sammy Terry leads to fun with Comedian Mike Toomey and Hitler’s head.
Confused? It wouldn’t be the Big Dumb Show if you weren’t. Listen and let us know if you get it figured out.
Mike ToomeyJohnny blows the bitJohnny w/Hell Horn v1 and local women presumably calling the policeSplurge arrives bearing Halloween gifts
Tradition dictates that if it’s Saint Patrick’s Day, Fat Johnny‘s in Jail. Although all of the clips in this Big Dumb Show Flashback Podcast are from the summer of 2002, Dave Dugan‘s appearance is still, somehow, unceremoniously interrupted by a phone call from an incarcerated fat guy.
Rob Haney has some fashion critiques for Don, and we remember “Wild” Bill Bauer with a brief conversation about Foghat’s tour schedule. Plus, you’ll enjoy a visit from Doctor Shotski and General Admission.
If only there were a fun, friendly place where you could blow the lid of the breathalyzer, and then get behind the wheel and race your friends. Well, now there is. This episode of the Big Dumb Show Flashback Podcast is brought to you by Drink N Race. And also, Barry.
There’s a couple of comedians with us on this one. There’s friend of the show and very frequent guest Scott Long, as well as Pat Dixon, who accidentally stumbles upon the secret homicidal tendencies of the program, and weirdly went on to create and host the NYC Crime Report podcast.
And oh, yeah. Nipples. Enjoy!
Yes, it’s another episode with arguably the greatest band in the history of recorded music, the Fuglees. Emphasis on “argue”. Comedian Dobie Maxwell makes a return visit, and reveals Bo’s secret double-life impersonating iconic 1970’s television characters. (None of them from “Emergency!“.) And the family that enjoys the Big Dumb Show together … obviously has issues.
Enjoy this latest regurgitation from Indianapolis, early in the twenty first century.
Comedian Ron White visits Indianapolis for the first time, and inexplicably decides to spend some time with Gonzo, Don, and Bo. Every comedian has bits about air travel, but Ron takes it to the next level and shared his experience from early December 2002.
Also in this reasonably-sized regurgitation, a quick conversation with Green Bay fans Butch Vig and Shirley Manson of Garbage.
On February 20, 2006 I hit the air for the first time in Las Vegas. To celebrate the 17th Anniversary of “Gonzo In The Morning“, please enjoy this “best-of” compilation podcast.
As it turns out, the Vegas show began on the anniversary of the passing of one of my heroes, Hunter S. Thompson, who had taken his own life exactly one year before. As the father of “gonzo journalism”, he’s the reason for my radio surname, which I chose hastily when I cracked the mic for the first time about twenty years before that in Los Angeles at KNAC.
It was the first time since my time in Philadelphia that the show wasn’t called “The Big Dumb Show”. The alleged “logic” was to simplify the branding, and focus on “Gonzo”. Which I suppose was somewhat successful, given that GITM went on to win two consecutive “Best Radio Personality” Reader’s Choice Awards from the Las Vegas Weekly, and our station, Area 108 won “Best Radio Station.”
Don’t let anyone ever try to tell you that there are not life lessons to be learned from the Big Dumb Show. This Flashback features our first and only visit with the amazingly insightful Jim Wiggins, as well as a return performance by Mark Eddie. Plus, Don Stuck explores new frontiers in morning beverages.
Plus, a little big dumb blasphemy with comedian “Costaki” Economopoulos, and a sneak preview of “Jesus of Knoxville”.
Venture back to a time when Winona Ryder was on trial for shop-lifting, Pam had just broken up with Kid Rock, and Al Unser Junior dumped his girlfriend on I-465. Immature. Politically Incorrect. Wildly Innapropriate. Everything that made the early part of the twenty-first century fun, all wrapped up in one 15 minute capsule of stupidity. Plus, “Splurge!”
Unsuspecting comedian Dan O’Sullivan joins us for the first time, from January 9, 2003, and shares some stellar relationship advice. Brought to you in part by Hellstein’s Jewelers.
A small dose of Big Dumb Holiday cheer from Indianapolis early in the twenty-first century.
Here’s another batch of vintage silliness from Indianapolis early in the twenty-first century.
This episode features “The Black Widow”, the formerly #1 ranked Player in the World by Billiards Digest and Pool & Billiards Magazine, Jeanette Lee. (Coincidentally, ESPN will debut the next installment in the Peabody and Emmy award-winning 30 for 30 series, “Jeanette Lee Vs.” on December 13 at 8 p.m. ET.)
https://youtu.be/e89MN3k4lR0Also in this one, some unfortunate, accidental laughs at the expense of “Bubble People”. (No, we’re not proud of it. Yes we’re sorry. I’m pretty sure we’re more grown up now.)
Plus … some sleepy-time stories from STP, and when’s the last time you thought about “Mama’s Family?” You’re welcome.
This one’s got a little day-drinking with TV’s Patty Spitler, a visit from comic Monique Marvez, and more real rawk from The Fuglees … plus, we discover our favorite player for the Indianapolis Indians. There’s a lot more random stuff, including a pretty good “Joke of the Day”.
Listen, discover, and enjoy. Then, subscribe so you can get this nonsense delivered to you automatically every week.
We never did officially determine how to spell "Bo", although I guess we'll go with the preferred Indiana, and easier-to-type-on-a-phone, two-letter version. At one point I think we were using the more French-Canadian "Beau", but never the full-on cajun-flavored "Beaux". Regardless, Bo Asner, our dedicated anchor of the news and sports desk suffered continuously through a constant barrage of interruptions and basic disinterest from Don and I to eventually deliver something resembling the intended result of entertaining our tens of listeners every morning.
This episode features a visit from your wonderfully inappropriate "Uncle Lar", comic Larry Reeb.
Plus, there's a few moments with long-time friend of the show, musical comedian Tim Cavanagh, who was a guest on my final show in Louisville, just before I was replaced on "100.5 The Fox" by the bigger, meaner "Bill & Ted" show.
You can enjoy it all in under twenty minutes. If there's anything in particular that you remember from the glory days of the Big Dumb Show, please go here and let me know, and I'll see if I can dig it up.
And if you're sick of all the talk, just go here and enjoy altROCK tunes.
His merciless taunting of Bo was just one reason that comedian D. Cameron was one of our favorite guests. It wasn’t until after putting this Flashback together that I learned that D. passed away at the end of July 2014, only six months after discovering that he had a fast-spreading cancer in his kidneys. So, f^ck cancer, and remember him here in this visit from early November 2002. Plus, there's a “touching” self-love song from Stephen Lynch, and Don’s continuing attempts to make banjo music popular with the kids, years before Mumford & Sons.
Almost on-the-nose from this week twenty years ago, it's seasonal stuff from the Indianapolis archives dated early November 2002. We find an unlikely enemy of Thanksgiving, conclusively determine that there’s a lot of “pussy” in Europe, hear a lovely song involving ringworm, and a fat man ends up on the floor.
Thanks to our guests: Comedian Dan Cummins. He's gone on to become kind of a big deal. Visit his site at dancummins.tv
As well as the late Don Davis of Don's Guns.
It was the end of the road for Don's "Rally Chicken" and the close of another less-than-stellar season for the Indianpolis Colts. There's a fun visit from America's favorite "man-band", Da Vinci's Notebook and they deliver their popular hit song about male genitalia. Plus, we'll introduce you to an entirely new genre of music you didn't even know you wanted. Plus, a pretty good and fairly offensive Joke of the Day.
Happy Halloween everybody! Jim Bristow showed up with a cannon that could blast a gourd over a mile for our Pumpkin Propulsion competition … plus, there was Fat Johnny’s catapult-type device. Then, there's a festive visit with the Greatest Band In The History of Recorded Music, The Fuglees. Appropriately, it's all brought to you in part by the Smashing Pumpkins Going Out Of Business Sale!
You can enjoy it all in just 20 minutes, so scroll through all the fun pictures of some of this nonsense, and get busy listening.
Some memories from Pumpkin Propulsion 2003:
Pumpkin Propulsion 2004 featured the 'Pumpkinator', a cannon capable of firing a pumpkin over a mile:
Here's some snapshots of the Fuglees rockin' our broom-closet studio on Fall Creek Road:
At the Big Dumb Show, we've always “believed in the Cheese”, and still do to this day; America’s loudest lounge singer Richard Cheese joins us for a quick number. Also comedian Joel Lindley, who has some good pointers on how to use the original Facebook: the CB radio. Plus more Big Dumb artifacts, mostly from Indianapolis in late October of 2004, along with some other timeless classics, including another side-splitting Joke Of The Day, a great way to listen to the show while you're doing "other things", plus help in defending yourself from litigious rock bands. Most of what you hear was barely acceptable to broadcast in the early aughts; please keep that in mind while enjoying this here in the midst of the substantially more inclusive 20's.
Nobody screws up quite as spectacularly as a rocket scientist. Well, at least that's what we thought until we started talking to our listeners. This snack-sized serving of the Big Dumb Show is mostly from early September 2004 in Indianapolis, and features Comedian Don Barnhart. As always, many thanks to our sponsors, including The Trader.
This snack-sized regurgitation of the Big Dumb Show from early September of 2004 features comedian John Morgan, and is brought to you in part by the No Access Pass.
From Indianapolis; Guest comedians Mike Armstrong and Don Barnhart. Don Stuck is recovering after a road trip with Fat Johnny. And a thigh-slapping Joke Of The Day.
The next-to-last Big Dumb Show in Indianapolis, from August 5, 2005. Sadly, Bo Asner was unceremoniously dismissed by "the company" about a year before this. And, we were supposed to be canceled immediately after this broadcast, but the big boss was unavailable, so ... there was one more show after this on Monday, August 8th.
01/18/2005 – The Colts lose in New England, and Don Stuck collects trash, ’cause that’s cool, right?