Conversations With My Dummy: Recent Episodes
steve charney
"Conversations With My Dummy" is a throwback to old time radio, featuring original routines, sound effects, voice characterizations and ventriloquism (yes, before you ask about his lips, Steve works on the honor system) It aired for over 30 years on commercial and public radio stations around the country. Steve Charney and his show was profiled in the "New Yorker" magazine. In other words, Steve is a serious artist, doing serious work, who's in serious trouble.
This is it folks. The final CWMD podcast. Why? Listen to this 5 minute show that explains why Steve is hanging it up. No joke.
This is Steve's penultimate podcast. One more and he's outta here. He explains why on his next podcast. But for now, Steve gets locked in Harry's Trunk. He also tries to find a last name for him. And Bobby Braddock, Spike jones and a song from That Was The Week That Was is played (probably a Tom Lehrer song).
Steve uses Harry's head to play an ocarina. Plus Harry wants to add some more monkeys. How about Smell No Evil? And Spike Jones, Homer and Jethro and Dayton Allen. I should note that there are only two more shows before I end this podcast.
Harry brings in a Giant Banana. Plus Junk Food Junkie from Larry Groce. Emo Philips and Spike Jones, too
Harry is wearing his flippers and talks about the illustrious history of the footwear. Did you know George Washington was wearing flippers when he crossed the Delaware? Also Jerry Lewis, Brown Bag Blue Band and John Cleese and David Frost. Also Molly Mason is Steve's guest singing with Harry.
Harry is going to a Music Festival...for dogs! Also Spike Jones, Fats Waller and Jimmy Durante.
The theme is Mules. Literally. Utah Philips, Robin and Linda Williams, Chris Holder, Purly Gates, Molly Mason, The Fendermen, and of course...Harry. They all have their say.
Harry's up to doing impossible things again. I know, I know, he can't do them because they're impossible. Never stopped him before. Plus NPR's Elaine Segal.
It's a potpourri of goofy stuff. Steve's cult following, the ventriloquial syndrome, Harry is a banjo mover (opposed to a piano mover). Plus a bunch of humorous songs like Steve's Cupcake Song, Goober Peas and The Monopoly Song. Plus...Proctor and Bergman, Alice McGill and something called Soup, Soup.
You like slapstick comedy? Neither does Steve but he's stuck with it. Plus Lou Del Bianco sings a song about being a little bit clumsy and Harry sings an oldie "I'm satisfied". Oh...there's also an untrue facts segment. All the facts on this segment are guaranteed to be 100 percent untrue. Call it fake news if you must.
Harry comes in as a man from Jupiter. Bob Berman, the famed astronomer, talks about why he doubts there are aliens visiting Earth. Harry wants Steve to fill out his intergalactic ID card in case Steve gets swept up by creatures from Betelgeuse. And they both sing a song about having the Blues from Earth.
Harry is going to play Romeo. Hilarity ensues. Besides that it's a show with all things Shakespeare.
Milt Kamen gives us a synopsis on Hamlet, Bob Newhart does his thing. And Steve reads from Bill Bryson's book with some amazing facts about the bard. If you didn't like Shakespeare before this podcast, you'll hate him even more after it.
Steve can't think of an idea for the podcast. Wait, isn't that an idea? Also if you've never been turned on to Spike Jones, this is your chance. And an hilarious phone call from Steve Allen to Arthur Goldstein's mother. And we top it off with Ogden Edsel's "My face is Covered with Hummingbirds"
Steve discovers a painting has been stolen from the podcast studio. Now who could have taken it? Certainly not Harry. Bruce Ackerman is a guest playing guitar on a song about NYC in the 1970's (written by Steve). Also the fastest Maple Leaf Rag ever played by Wally Rose. And the Question Man with Steve Allen.
Just what the title says. It's all about black. Big black hats (Rolf Harris) the airplane's black box (Jaspar Carrot) black holes (Bob and Doug Mackenzie), baa baa black sheep (Harry) and a black belt in a bikini (Steve's original song). And Bob Berman, the astronomer, talks about the color black in space.
This podcast teaches you how to do stuff. How to play tennis, meditate, play chess and write a funny song...all with Harry's twisted bent on things. Plus Jimmy Dickens tells us how to catch an African Skeeter, Proctor and Bergman teaches us how to improve our memory and Ray Stevens is teaching his girlfriend how to drive.
You believe in reincarnation? How about laughing about reincarnation? Steve has three guests on the show. Mikhail Horowitz with Jazz Haikus (there are two four letter words in these Haikus which is why I'm labelling this show explicit, but it's really not that big a deal) and Jay Ungar and Molly Mason sing "You can't get to Heaven". Harry and Steve talk about Harry's past lives. You know, as a chandelier, a church door with other profound insights.
The theme is home. We don't mean Steve left the podcast at home...that's the theme. And to help him they have the great blues musician Paul Geremia singing "Devil in his own hometown".
Plus Harry sings a Woody Guthrie song and there's Spike Jones, Ray Stevens and other nonsense. In other words...hilarity ensues.
Mikhail Horowitz is Steve's guest. They're singing a round using the ten Chinese words that are recycled to name every Chinese restaurant in the country.Harry sings "One Meatball"Myron Cohen talks about the Stage DeliBob Warren sings about Fred's DinerPhyllis Diller is having trouble with a Japanese Restaurant. And Steve wants Harry to be a waiter
Steve and Harry open up a Pawn Shop. 'Nuff said. Hilarity ensues. It's hard to explain.Also Steve sings the Australian classic "The Pub with No Beer" but since it's America it's now "The Bar with No Beer"And Dave Van Ronk sings an oldie "Yankety Yank.
Mikhail Horowitz is Steve's guest. He's becoming a regular. His essay is about "Not so Great Expectations". Hilarious.Also Harry is set on performing impossible tasks. And he does them! You want a nail hammered in with Jello? You wanna hear Maple Leaf Rag played on Steve's arm by a dummy who's never played piano in his life and has wooden fingers? Then you've come to the right podcast. Steve also plays "We Are Americans". It's funny, it's original, it's a protest...sort of. And Emo Philips, one of the best stand up comedians ever is featured from the Hasty Pudding Theater.
Mikhail Horowitz is back and we got 'em. He's doing a parody on the blind men and the elephant. Only it's unexpurgated. A little spicy so beware. Also Harry wants to point out that we don't celebrate things we should. Like the 10,000th time we've blinked our eyes. Or the 5,000th time we've brushed our teeth. Now that would be a brushing with all the bells and whistles involved. And to tie it all up, Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer sing "The Therapy Fund". Do your kids need a college fund? Nope. You need to save for their therapy fund!
Lyn Hardy and Diane Senabria are Steve's guests singing an oldie "Beware Ladies, Take Care"Also the comedy inspector arrives. He has to make sure Steve's comedy license is up to date. Guess what? It isn't and Steve and Harry are in serious trouble. No jokes until it's updated and passes inspection.Also Bob Warren sings "I Want Some Quiche, Lorraine." (Lorraine is the waitress's name)
Bill Keith, the great banjo player is playing Old Joe Clark with Steve. Harry emulates the sculptor Christo, the one who wraps buildings, bridges and put up beautiful flags in Central Park several years ago. Granted, Harry has to start small by wrapping the recording studio's pencils and CD player but, hey, it's a start. Also an oldie, Frank Crumit doing "The Song of the Prune."
Mikhail Horowitz is back with Haikus from Japan about baseball. We LOVE Mik and Harry LOVES the guitar and turns everything into one. And we mean everything. Also Washboard Jungle singing a nutty version of "Momma don't Allow" and Libby Riddles with Fishhead stew. Also if the midwest is America's Heartland, Harry wants to know where the Liverland is.
The theme is romance. Crazy Romance. To start it off is Ed Sanders (From the Fugs) doing "The Belle of Avenue A". A story song about a truck driver in the 60's on the Red Ball express heading into the East Village to get some hippie noogie. It satirizes the hippie movement beautifully. Then Les Vegas sings his original song "I'm in Love With A Big Blue Frog". The same one that Peter, Paul and Mary had a hit with.Harry's girlfriend is a broom and he wants Steve to make her talk.And Allan Sherman sings a parody of 5'2 Eyes of Blue only this girl is from outer space.
Harry really, really, really wants to be a dog. Eventually an operation is in order. And keeping up with the dog theme, is Thieme. Art Thieme that is singing a tall tale "The split dog". And Harry sings "Hound Dog". You wanna hear a bunch of dogs barking out "Jingle Bells"? Then you're at the right site.
Mikhail Horowitz is back, right in the front of the show talking about the acts performing at the 50th anniversary of Woodstock. I'll give you just one band that's playing: Asleep at the Wheelchair.And Steve is dried up. He can't come up with anymore ideas for the podcast. So Harry goes to work. First order of business, make sure Steve's no long dried up by getting his brain hydrated. It's funnier than it sounds. We also got Uncle Floyd doing "Deep in the heart of Jersey" and Andy Breckman singing "How I met your Mother."
Dollars? I used to live in Dollars. Dollars, Texas. In other words it's all about the almighty dollar folks. Livingston Taylor is singing an Andy Breckman song. Harry and Steve perform an old vaudeville routine that Abbot and Costello stole first. And we got Oscar Brand as well.
Mikhail Horowitz is Steve's guest again! He and Steve sing a Tibetan Sea Shanty called "Bonny Lama". Mik is going to become a regular guest if he's not careful. Also Harry has various jobs. He's working in a store where he's over a guy named Under but he's under a guy named Over. Then he becomes a cloud inspector rating all the clouds from G to X rated. And finally he has trouble finding the right profession. A baby sitter? Who wants to sit on babies! A Naval surgeon? Who wants to operate on bellybuttons! Well, you get the idea.There's also Gracie Allen talking about her Uncle Amazon Allen and Skiles and Henderson doing a bit as well.
Harry convinces Steve he has a superpower, comedy! And he should become Comedyman to foil thugs. Yep, it's as stupid as it sounds. But funny. Kind of. That's because Steve IS Comedyman! There's also a Burns and Allen recording and other nonsense.
Mikhail Horowitz is Steve's guest again. This time doing an homage to Lord Buckley called "Swingin' Cicadas" And Steve's thrown in a Lord Buckley recording as well for those who never heard of him (shame on you). And Harry explains to Steve how on the podcast, special physics apply. Normally 1 and 1 is 2, but not on CWMD! Here, 1 and 1 is 5. And then he proves it. Newton's law of inertia doesn't apply either. Stuff just moves spontaneously without the benefit of an outside force...well you get the idea. There's also a Strange Facts segment and Steve sings a song he wrote called "Oh My Darling Porcupine".
Steve always wanted to have a band called "Double Entendre". Every song would be, well, a double entendre. Since he never pulled it off, he did the next best thing. He used GarageBand creating a podcast where all the songs sung by Steve and/or Harry on one level are G rated, nothing risqué about them, looked at another way, the songs are quite spicy. Helping him in his task is Bessie Smith and Dinah Washington.
Harry has a chemistry set. Do I really have to tell you the shenanigans that go on? You can imagine. Also Robin and Linda Williams are guests singing an original song about being on the road. Burns and Allen too!
Harry has a new business. Instead of repairing stuff he breaks things cleanly and expertly with style and panache. Also Camille West is singing about the time she and her friends broke into a factory in Paris and liberated the escargot.There's a strange facts segment and a featured comedian's classic routine.
It's all about baseball folks. An old song called "I Love Micky" is featured (Micky Mantle makes a guest appearance on the recording) and Steve teaches Harry how to play baseball with disastrous results...of course.Steve has his most esteemed guest Mikhail Horowitz (who is responsible for 20 arts organizations losing their federal funding). He introduces a new take on Casey at the Bat with a hip 50's style twist. It's a cool version and you'll feel cool listening to it. Don't applaud, snap your fingers in approval.
It's all about Harry's allowance. He needs one! Also the great Paul Geremia is a guest singing "My Money Never Runs Out". Soupy Sales is talking about the day he asked all the kids to send him money on his TV show. And Jimmy Durante's A Dollar a Year Man". In other words, it's a money show.
The Aliens have landed and they want bananas! Harry brings them to the studio. Cue the hilarity. Plus more on...bananas! I Like Bananas because they have no Bones, Harry sings Chiquita Banana and When Banana Skins are Falling.
Harry is into folding paper airplanes...like you've never seen before. Steve sings "Heaving on a Jet Plane". There's a strange facts segment about airplanes. Harry calls up an airline thinking he's reached a Ferris Wheel company and wonders why a ticket onto the Ferris wheel is going to cost him $700 and go 35 thousand feet into the air. Also Wes Harrison, the great SFX man does a bit about Duck Hunting with a jet. And Oscar Brand sings one of Steve's favorites when he was a kid "Teterboro Tower". That, along with Homer and Jethro makes this podcast chock full of hilarity.
Harry is silliness personified and for this podcast he pulls out all the stops. The podcast also features Ed Kohn singing "Six". No matter what the math problem, the answer is always six. and John Twomey plays "The Stars and Stripes" on his hands which sounds a lot like farting. It really is one of the funniest things you'll ever hear. And let's not forget Harry's version of Hi Heel Sneakers with Steve on piano.
Harry's bummed out. No matter what Steve does he can't convince Harry to come out of his trunk to do the podcast. He entices him with all kinds of craziness with no luck. Harry's sulking, man!Also Jay Ungar and Molly Mason (and Steve) perform a song from one of Steve's albums called "Michael Finnegan".
For those who know about the CWMD store you know you can buy anything. This place makes Amazon and Walmart look like a little mom and pop shop. You need sheet music for your chicken who's learning flute? You want a feeblevetzter? A doohickey? A square balloon? Do you want to be king of Siam? It's all in stock. Also the Rude Girls are singing "I can see your Aura and it's ugly".
Trout Fishing in America play "It's Better Than That" a Peter and Lou Berryman song. Betty Walker does her great stand up act with her friend Ceil. Plus Steve and Harry play "Goober Peas" an old Civil War favorite. And of course Harry brings in his collection of Large Objects. You gotta hear it to believe it.
Vladimir Zero is a hero to some, to others a bum. Harry thinks he's a genius. Who else would create a composition with his orchestra conducting a piece of cheese on the end of his baton, waiting for a mouse to nibble through rope that drops a hammer onto a giant gong. Or the Yawning symphony. Mikhail Horowitz and Gilles Malkine play Separation Blues, a song about the separation of church and state. And Emo Philips does his stand up routine on how to escape death.
Harry always has fun bringing in Alternative Facts, Fake News or as he likes to call it Untrue Facts. He also discusses plurals such as one post on a fence is a fent. Trout Fishing in America play "Dead Egyptian Blues" and Peter and Lou Berryman sing "Your State's Name Here". Steve and Harry sing the old Lovin' Spoonful song "Bald Headed Lena".In other words it's business as usual with all the antics included.
Steve and Harry read letters from listeners. Harry demands a salary and they compare living in NY or LA. They also sing "Bully of the Town".Two great performers are featured. "Amoeba Hop" by Christine Lavin and "College" from the great standup Emo Philips.
According to Harry, everyone should change their name to match their profession. A farmer should be Barney, a fireman- Bernie, a telephone operator- Gabby, and a comedian- Josh. Well, you get the idea. He has hundreds of them. Plus, Christine Lavin is Steve's guest singing about a great big bug in the bathroom, and Steve plays Piano Roll Blues on the...duh...piano.
When Orion's belt loosened and his pants dropped to his knees, all the other constellations laughed at him. There's a fake news segment and Robin and Linda Williams are guests. Emo Philips, the great stand up comic is featured, as well. In other words, the podcast is chock full of hilarity.
The store is open again! It's hard to describe how much stuff this store sells. Suffice to say, it makes Walmart look like a little mom and pop shop. Amazon is a little start up company compared to this store. No point describing what they have, you gotta hear it for yourself. Also, Andy Breckman is doing a hilarious song called "Railroad Bill," and Steve and Harry sing "Side By Side" as a duet.
It's Steve and Harry's 100th podcast and they've decided to celebrate by having a podcast about celebrations. The backwards birthday party with Tom Chapin, The Perfect Couple about a wedding night told by Betty Walker. Harry gives Steve the keys to a vintage car etc.etc.etc.
Steve has his weekly psychiatric appointment. The only problem is, his doctor keeps sounding like Harry and it's Harry who's the problem! It gets more and more macabre as the episode wears on, I mean goes on. Also, Mikhail Horowitz and Gilles Malkine perform Mik's poem, "The Last Of The Beats, The Last Beatnik Alive."Woodstock Podcast Network is in association with http://www.radiowoodstock.com/
Harry is finding deep meanings in Nursery Rhymes. He then adapts them for intellectuals such as 'Three Rodents With Defective Vision.' Also, Emo Philips does a standup routine and Andy Breckman sings about how he had a real good day.
This is a potpourri of stuff. Steve's sad and Harry's trying to cheer him up. Then we find out how they met and finally they discuss how 'either' should be pronounced. Also featured is Nancy Tucker, and Steve plays Hesitation Blues on the piano.
It's all about chickens, my friends. Helping Steve and Harry do it is Washboard Jungle, Whitman and Pantell, and Cab Calloway. You want chicken jokes? No? Tough. That's all you're gettin' here.
Harry's hung up his shingle. He's now a psychologist...for pets. Hilarity ensues. Also featured are Nancy Tucker and Daniel Pinkwater.
The Xmas store is open again and in order to compete with Walmart and Amazon, Steve and Harry need to have everything. You want the North Pole? They have it, as well as the East and West Poles too. You want a Santa suit? Which one? The three piece suit he wears to weddings or the swim suit he wears on vacation in Florida? Well, you get it. The store has everything.
The theme is nature, with recordings by Daniel Pinkwater and Ed Kohn; and of course Harry is up to his usual antics.
Steve and Harry play checkers like you've never heard the game played before. Michael Cooney is a guest and sings the great song, "The Bankers And The Diplomats Are Going In The Army."
Steve and Harry continue with their shenanigans. Plus, Jay Ungar, Molly Mason, and Peter Davis are guests. Steve and Harry sing "Candyman" and Mae West sings a song called "Page 54."
Steve and Harry went to a yard sale of a deceased scientist and bought all kinds of cool stuff...except for the slime virus that they accidentally unleash upon the world. Hilarity ensues.
Harry has a book that talks about how different sports evolved. Did you know that tennis was once played with tomatoes? Golf was played on a baseball field with a bowling ball. Yep. Also, Camille West sings "The Candidates Wife."
In order to complete with Amazon and Walmart, Steve and Harry's store has everything. No, no, really everything, and that's not hyperbole... They have hyperbole too, by the way. Five different kinds. Trout Fishing In America sing "Weary Deer." Yes, that's a real name for a musical group.
Steve loves Halloween. Harry has written a pamphlet on how to get more candy. Camille West is in the studio singing her original "The Monster In The Fridge." Chris and Judy sing a funny song about when Chris' mother made him dress up as a girl for Halloween. There's a Radioman episode, "Chickens And Zombies," and Family Arts Theater sing "Where Do You Keep Your Brains?" In other words, Halloween as usual.
Harry is writing his memoirs and trying to spice his life up a bit. Plus Nancy Tucker is a guest.
It's all about Columbus. A fake news segment about old Chris, Harry's written a report on the old explorer. Jim Kweskin's Jug Band sings a titular song and The Foremen sing one of the greatest protest songs of all time, "Send 'Em Back". THAT one I highly recommend you tuning in for.
Steve and Harry have a hat contest and oh what a contest it is. Hats with particle accelerators, hats that give you a peek into the 7th dimension, hats that contain miniature universes, the hats get more and more complex as the podcast wears on. Harry sings a goofy song, "The Day that Willie Died," and they also play an old recording of "Barnacle Bill the Sailor."
In order to compete with Amazon and Walmart, Steve and Harry have to be well stocked, and they are! Anything you want, they have...and we mean anything. Square balloons, nails as big as a tree, a rocket to send your kid to the moon when he's not behaving...and a doohicky, a doodad, a thingamajig, and dingusmadoodle. Steve sings an old song from the 20's with a modern update on the lyrics, "Then I'd be Satisfied with Life."
Harry brings in a "What if" machine. In other words, what would the world be like if, for instance, Harry had gone with another ventriloquist, or if the dinosaurs hadn't become extinct. Through state-of-the-art technology, complex computer algorithms, and a goofy imagination, we find out! Also, the Rude Girls do a great song called "We Don't Need The Men" and Harry and Steve sing the old Benny Bell song "Shaving Cream."
Harry brings in a potion that Steve stupidly drinks. What do you think happens? He turns into Mr. Hyde, of course. Also, the great Robin and Linda Williams are Steve's guests singing "Rubber Blubber Whale." Harry sings how he made his millions. As usual, hilarity ensues...
Seems Steve has multiple personalities and it's going to take a therapist like Harry to cure him. But when Harry does find the cure, guess who disappears! Also, Nancy Tucker sings "Everything Reminds Me Of My Therapist."
The store is open again! Steve and Harry are well stocked. In order to compete with Amazon, they have to sell everything and anything. If you want a candy cane big enough to use if you have a limp, they got it. You want a cloud? No problem.
Steve and other guardians of children (and dummies) have written their congressman and have a law passed to outlaw peanut butter. But Harry has his jones's, man, and needs his fix. Also, Washboard Jungle, a crazy fun group, sing "Bas Tat" about walking the moors without a hat, and Harry sings a song called "Skippetybopbebop" based on the old blues song "Diddywadiddy."
You've heard of Grandma Moses, the primitive painter? Well, Harry accuses Steve of being a primitive comic. So Harry gives Steve lessons to up the quality of his work. Also, Nancy Tucker is Steve's guest singing a song she wrote, "Piano," and Steve and Harry sing an old Tin Pan Alley song "Goofus."
Tom Chapin sings his most excellent song, "Uh Oh, Accident" about being a klutz. Harry also brings in his personal care products, like anti-gravity shampoo and slow motion lotion or faster than light aftershave, only he gets into trouble with the FDA. Hilarity ensues.
Harry has a get rich scheme. He's created some very unusual alarms, like the alarm that goes off if a bowling ball is about to roll off the table and fall on your toe. Or if your significant other is going to make liver for dinner. 'Nuff said.
For those of you who like one of those Dadaesque episodes, you might like this. Harry's hands are in love and he has to keep them separate to observe decorum. I mean, you know, they either get married or they have to stay separated. That's why one of them has a glove on. Also, Robin and Linda Williams are guests. They were regulars on Prairie Home Companion.
Harry's gotten some very interesting tattoos. Don't worry, they're the kind you can just rub off...except his don't. Sandpaper anyone? Peter Schickele, Grammy award winner and creator of PDQ Bach, sings his original "Fat Cats." Steve and Harry sing the school song for National Embalmers.
Steve really gets a kick out of opening the Store. It makes Amazon or Ebay look like a little startup company. It dwarfs Walmart. You want liver flavored soda? They got it. You want a yeti egg, a tulip egg? They got it.
Harry is getting fed up with his new found religion (The Nut Religion) when he finds himself thrust in the middle of a holy war against The Nudnik Religion. He just wants to act like a nut, not start fighting the nudniks. But his supreme teacher Marmalade Ice Noggle insists. Also, David Heitler-Klevans sings a Charlie King song, "No one get killed at our house." Why? Because he doesn't own a television. Harry sings a song about a really crappy car he has to drive. The fuzzy dice are made of lead, when he goes 'round a bend, they smash him in the head...
Harry has joined the Nut Religion. He finds spiritual solace in acting like a nut, and the nuttier, the better. Also, Lyn Hardy and Diane Senabria sing a Mark Graham song "Zen Gospel". Steve and Harry sing how they miss New York City of the 70's when there were rats in the streets and lots of crime. You know, the good old days.
You like tall tales? Steve and Harry do. Steve's guest, Bill Gordh does also, and that's what we have here. Tall tales upon tall tales. As well as Dr. Fentermacher's song "The Longest Strand Of Spaghetti In The World."
Harry tells us about the importance of marshmallows through history. Michael Cooney sings a great song by Peter Berryman called "Vegetables," one of Steve's favorites. Steve and Harry sing a song about their cat, one mean son of a gun.
If Judy Garland married Howdy Doody her name would be Judy Doody. Get it? There are a lot more where that came from. Also, Trout Fishing In America are Steve's guests and they're singing an original, "Boiled Okra And Spinach." Steve sings a song that he wrote after he had a dream (true story). It's called "They Are A Hairy Bunch," and Harry sings his own song, "I Married My Shoe."
Steve and Harry's store has everything, and this is not an exaggeration. It makes Walmart look like a little mom and pop shop. Amazon pales next to it. Whatever you want, they have it. Even stuff you don't want, they have that too.
Christine Lavin is Steve's guest again. She sings a song about not being able to find her glasses. Sound familiar? Also, Harry's three long lost brothers have taken the inheritance from their uncle and bought a hat factory. Steve doubts it'll be a successful. I mean, after all, they are dummies. Also, Steve and Harry sing an old song from 1893, "I've been to Gay Paree."
Multiple grammy award winner, Peter Schickele, creator of PDQ Bach and very funny guy is singing a song he wrote, "Fat Cats." Also, Harry's three long lost brothers have put an ad in the paper looking for Harry so he can claim his inheritance from an uncle. They show up in the studio and man, it's going to be tough for Steve to make four voices talk at the same time.
You like knock-knocks? No? Then skip over this podcast. But if you do like 'em, then this is the place for you. Not only does Harry have like a million knock-knocks, but Steve plays with Jay Ungar and Molly Mason from his Scholastic album, "The Riddle Kings Riddle Songs." There's also a live segment from Steve's first CD where Harry wrecks havoc with one particular knock-knock joke. In other words, a good time is had by all.
Steve and Harry's store is open again and they make Amazon look like a little IPO startup. They make Walmart look like a corner deli. Why? Because they have everything. No, no, really. EVERYTHING!
Steve's guest, Christine Lavin is performing her classic, "Bald Headed Men". Harry decides to blindfold himself to enhance his other senses. You can imagine what happens. Harry also sings, "Yes Sir, That's My Baby" with Steve playing a wicked piano accompaniment.
Harry put his tooth under his pillow but missed the little tyke (whose name is Benny) so he asked the Toothfairy to get it back, only she gave him Dracula's tooth instead. Also, David Devine does an excellent song, "Welcome Mat," and Steve and Harry sing "Soda, Soda, Soda" from their YouTube channel. Woodstock Podcast Network is in association with http://www.radiowoodstock.com/
The title says it all. Harry is tired of being treated like a dummy. He wants to liberate dummies around the country and the full weight of the liberation movement will fall heavily on Steve if he keeps treating Harry as a second class citizen. Oh, and one more thing. Harry wants to be called a wooden American from now on. Bob Berman finishes up his series on the planets with Neptune. Interesting factoids. Listen to his podcast, Astounding Universe https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/jim-metzner/astounding-universe
Harry is Timeboy, a superhero who can impact time. He knows when that chair is going to collapse. He can go back to your childhood and give your mother a good talking to if you've turned into a delinquent. He foils the crook who's about to come through the door and rob the station. Plus, Bob Berman, in his penultimate interview talks about Uranus in our continuing series on the planets. Listen to his podcast, Astounding Universe https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/jim-metzner/astounding-universe
Everything in the store is a dollar. No really. You want a box of toothpicks? That'll be a dollar. You want one toothpick? That'll be a dollar. A rocket ship, a dollar. 50 cents? That'll cost you a dollar. Plus Bob Berman, astronomer talks about Saturn in our continuing series on the planets. See previous podcasts to get them all. Listen to his podcast, Astounding Universe https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/jim-metzner/astounding-universe
Steve decides to write a script to make the show more interesting. As he writes, the reality kicks in. For instance, Harry now has suction cups on his hands and feet and is crawling up the building into the studio. When Steve writes that the suction cups fail...well guess what happens. Bob Berman, astronomer, is talking about Jupiter this week. Listen to his podcast, Astounding Universe https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/jim-metzner/astounding-universe
The CWMD store is open again and for those who remember the last time it was, it has anything and everything. You wanna hole for instance? What kind? Pinholes, blackholes, mouseholes, Andy Warhols, keyholes, doughnut holes, knotholes, holes for your sock and holes for your flute. You get the idea. The Store has everything. Plus, Bob Berman, astronomer, is talking about Mars on this continuing series on the planets. Listen to his podcast, Astounding Universe https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/jim-metzner/astounding-universe
Steve decides to give all the socks he's lost over the decades amnesty and they start arriving at the station. They're not always happy about their long lost absence. Oh yea. Plus, Bob Berman, astronomer talks about Earth in this continuing series on the planets. Listen to his podcast, Astounding Universe https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/jim-metzner/astounding-universe
All the songs and routines are real mouthfuls today. Steve and Harry do "Who's on First" and they sing a couple of real tongue twisting songs. Plus, Bob Berman, astronomer talks about Venus in this continuing series on the planets. Listen to his podcast, Astounding Universe https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/jim-metzner/astounding-universe
The Store is open again and this place makes Walmarts look like a little mom and pop shop. You want Gone With The Wind? Which version? You want the one written on sheet metal? The one where all the letters are blurry? The one where Tara is replaced with Flatbush? The one where every other page is missing? The one written upside down? The one where all the vowels have been eliminated or the one in Braille? As we said, the store has everything. Also, Bob Berman, famed astronomer, begins his 8 part series on the planets. First up-Mercury. Listen to his podcast, Astounding Universe https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/jim-metzner/astounding-universe
How appropriate that our 50th podcast is a Valentine's Day card. But also a celebration of the Presidents' birthdays. Harry has a poem about Washington and a song, too. There's lots of love. Also, Cindy Cashdollar on dobro helps Steve and Harry sing that rousing number, "Washington At Valley Forge."
The CWMD studio has been designated as a wildlife refuge and people start showing up to deliver their wildlife. Only these animals are not wild enough, except for the shrimp maybe. But the possum just plays dead. What kind of wildlife is that? Also, Jay Ungar, Molly Mason, and Peter Davis sing a great Fats Waller tune. Love it.
Harry is tired of playing a two dimensional character. He wants roles that let him portray pathos and depth. How about a little Shakespeare? Hilarity ensues. Plus, Eric Weissberg, banjo player extraordinaire is Steve's guest. He's helping Steve, playing a completely ridiculous song but with great banjo work.
Harry has decided to work in a lumberyard because he loves wood so much, only it's dangerous. The carpenters see his luscious wood and want to fondle it. It's #metoo all over again. Lyn Hardy and Diane Senabria are my guests. They're singing "Life Is Hard But Life Is Hardest When You're Dumb" by Mark Graham.
Harry brings in 3D glasses and then moves up the dimensions to 7D glasses. Wow! What you can see when putting on 7D glasses would blow your mind. Also, the great Paul Geremia, blues guitarist, sings Big Bill Broonzy's "Mopper's Blues."
The Ventriloquist Police come in to check whether Steve's lips move when Harry talks. When they catch him in the act, they take him away to jail leaving Harry to host the show alone. Cindy Cashdollar, the great dobro player helps Steve sing "Hey Goodlookin'."
Harry's having a dream that he's saving his class from certain death when Steve wakes him up. He's got to get back to sleep or else! Jay Ungar and Lyn Hardy sing a song that Jay wrote, "You low down dirty dog." Also, Steve sings an original "Spaghetti Slurpin'.
This is our compassion show. Harry is sharing his candy bar with Steve by giving him half of it...again and again and again. Steve sings Bob Blue's great song, "Courage," which is one of his favorite songs of all time, and that's not hyperbole. John Hall is Steve's guest and he's singing a John Sebastian song, "Just another link in the chain."
Harry is doing his annual stint at Santa's workshop dealing with the toy rejects. He brings in a bunch to see if anyone wants one. Also, Kim and Reggie Harris do a really, really funny song, "You Ain't Gettin' Diddly Squat Cause You Really Screwed Up This Year" and Steve and Harry sing "Xmas in Killarney" and "I Wanna Be an Elf."
Harry accidentally broke the show and Steve has to operate on it with the help of Nurse Harry. Ask me how Steve comes up with this stuff. Don't ask. Bill and Livia Vanaver are guests. The Vanaver Caravan has been around for decades dancing, playing, and singing up a storm with songs from around the world. Steve sings "Modern Major General" from Pirates Of Penzance, and he knows it by heart! What a nut.
Today we have Tom Chapin on the podcast. Tom's been around forever, winning grammy awards and hosting his own TV show. He plays for kids and adults alike, a total class act. He's doing a song called "State Laughs." Also, Harry's sweater has shrunk which leads him to want to shrink other things, and he does. Oh yes, he does. Steve plays a song he wrote on the piano, "When I Play Piano I Give It A Fast Kick". It's a doozy, and did you ever hear the "Who's On First" routine with a knock knock joke? That's because it has never been done...until now.
Bruce Ackerman is the guest. Bruce is a rennaisance man. He's a sculptor, painter, cartoonist, musician, bon vivant. On this show, he's playing a tasty arrangement on the guitar of Mairzy Doats and Dozy Doats. Also, Harry needs to take his afternoon nap and decides to count sheep like you've never heard anyone count sheep before. Hilarious. From Steve's Best of... CD's volume 4, there's a routine from his stage act performed live, of Harry putting him down. What more could you ask for in a podcast?
It's our Thanksgiving Show! Harry is up to his usual shenanigans and Lyn Hardy and Diane Senabria sing "Turkey In The Straw". Also, Bear from Bear In The Big Blue House sings Steve's song, "Family Tree" and since it's Thanksgiving, thank you to everyone who listens.
Trout Fishing In America are Steve's guests. Nothing to do with fishing, mind you. They hail from Arkansas and are so lovable and fun to hang out with. Great musicians, great songwriters, great sense of humor. They've won so many awards and today, here for you now, they'll be singing "Baby's Got The Car Keys." Lots of you will relate. Harry wants more bananas on the show. Why? Because they're funny. He also reads an essay about the similarities and differences between the banana and the sausage.
Barry Louis Polisar is Steve's guest today. He wrote the theme song to that great movie Juno, "All I want is you." He's also written some great children's songs. You get a funny title and the song writes itself. How about "My Brother Threw Up On My Stuffed Toy Bunny" or "You Can't Say BPPPP On The Radio." Anyway, he's singing a song that was featured on Sesame Street, "I Gotta Dog And My Dog's Name Is Cat." Harry won a dinosaur kit at a Paleontology Festival and is putting up a life size replica of a Tyrannosaurus. It's funny. In the same vein, Steve sings a song he wrote called "The Museum Of Natural History" with a great band behind him.
Today on the show is Bill Keith. Such a banjo player, this guy was. He played with Bill Monroe, Bob Dylan, Jim Kweskin’s Jug Band, Judy Collins, and about a million other people. He’s helping Steve do one of his favorite songs “Bully Of The Town”. It’s sad, Bill passed away but Steve is honored that he got to play with him. Plus, Harry's been visiting a juice bar and then a salad bar. You want puns? This is the home office for them, and Steve and Harry do an Untrue Facts segment .Steve sings a song he wrote, "The Biggest Sandwich I Ever Ate."
It's our annual Halloween show and our guest is Daniel Pinkwater, award winning children's author and long time commentator on "All Things Considered" and other NPR broadcasts. We're reading his book, "The Frankenbagel Monster." Also, Harry's upset that Steve wants him dressed as a ballerina for the holiday.
Jay Ungar and Molly Mason are Steve's guests, helping Harry sing a Richard Morton song, "How Would You Like To Be Made Of Wood." Jay and Molly are the best. Both were in the Prairie Home Companion house band. They've played with anyone and everyone. Jay wrote the theme song to Ken Burns' Civil War documentary on PBS that became a big hit. He's a fantastic fiddle player while Molly plays a great bass. Plus, the door is acting up. You know the old trusty sound effect of the door opening and closing when anyone comes into the studio? It's tired of being a background character and wants to be the star of the podcast. So...every time Steve and Harry open it up, it...well, acts up.
Peter Davis is the guest. The man plays, like, 25 instruments. He was with the Prairie Home Companion house band and his band has become one of the nation’s most requested swing dance bands. He plays clarinet, alto sax, piano, and vocals on the album and Harry and Steve will be helping him sing "You Can't Judge A Book By Looking At It's Cover." Also, Steve's depressed and Harry is worried. The man has a job to do, to make people laugh! Later on in the podcast, Steve plays "Nagasaki" on the piano.
Steve and Harry's guest is Les Vegas. Is that a great name or what? He's performing a hit song he wrote, Peter Paul and Mary's "I'm In Love With A Big Blue Frog." Also, Harry is now a lawyer for Fairytale characters. For instance, he's got a suit against the Farmer's Wife representing the three blind mice, domestic abuse against Peter Pumpkin Eater, and others. Steve is singing one of his favorite songs by Mark Graham "I Can See Your Aura And It's Ugly."
Cindy Cashdollar is a dobro player extraordinaire. She's played with Bob Dylan, Van Morrison, Rod Stewart, Willie Nelson, Leon Redbone, Peter Rowan, The Band, Paul Butterfield, and others. She won five Grammy awards when working with Asleep At The Wheel. Steve rewrote "Cocaine Blues" and made it "Caffeine Blues." She's helping him do it on this podcast. Also, there's a question whether the evil Steve and Harry have taken over the show and locked the good Steve and Harry in the closet. Did they? Stream this podcast and find out. Steve and Harry also sing a song on the piano "The Woodstock Strutter's Ball." All in all, a good time is had by all.
Steve's guest is Tom Paxton. The writer of classics such as "Last Thing On My Mind" and "The Marvelous Toy," Tom's been around forever. He's singing about ketchup with Harry. Steve is also playing a song he wrote for Scholastic on an album called "The Riddle King's Riddle Songs." Helping him on the tune is Bill Keith, John Sebastian from the Lovin' Spoonful, Jay Ungar and Molly Mason, and Doug James on the drums. Harry has brought in a Comedy Wheel. Spin it and the comedy skit writes itself. Hilarity ensues.
Steve's guests today are Mikhail Horowitz, stand up poet and very funny guy. Also, Jay Ungar, fiddle player as well as Lyn Hardy. Harry is upset that Steve isn't paying the actors and crew in his dreams. If he keeps it up he'll end up stranded on a desert island for 8 hours a night. Dr. Fentermacher visits as the agent for these actors who are, after all, only figments of Steve's imagination. But then again...so is Dr. Fentermacher.
Steve's guests today are Paul Geremia and Larry Packer. Paul is a legend in his field. He's a great folk and blues musician from Newport, Rhode Island. He's being accompanied by Larry Packer on the fiddle. Also, the General Store is open. It's so big, it makes Walmart look like a little mom and pop shop. Customers ask for the strangest things and Steve and Harry always have them in stock.
Bernice Lewis is Steve's guest, singing Michael Smith's "Dead Egyptian Blues," a wonderful song that should have been as big as Steve Martin's "King Tut." Harry makes the big mistake of asking if there will be an explosion on the show. The rules of "Conversations With My Dummy" means that just mentioning it means it'll happen...again and again and again.
Four time grammy award winner for best comedy album, Peter Schickele is Steve's guest. Creator of PDQ Bach, author, satirist, composer, musician, Peter's done it all. After the interview with Steve, he plays an original about a really lousy day he's having and Harry has an eraser. He erases Steve's finger then draws it back. Same with his nose. He can do it because with audio there are no consequences or karma. In fact, Steve and Harry can do anything without paying for it, and they do. Oh, they do. Then Harry sings an old 40's song and does some mean scat singing. Later, Steve helps Harry with a school test coming up. For instance: Steve- 'Harry, if you put your hand in one pocket and take out 38 dollars and you put your hand in the other pocket and take out 56 dollars, what do you have?' Harry- 'Someone else's pants!'
Kim and Reggie Harris are Steve's guests. Great harmonies and funny songs, they've been playing for decades with the likes of Pete Seeger, Harry Belafonte, Jay Leno, Tom Paxton, and many others. Also, Steve and Harry audition candidates to be the new script girl but all they get is a script guy, script grandma, script dog, and none of them fit the bill. It's funnier than it sounds. Harry also sings the Dummy Song with Steve accompanying him on the piano.
Steve doesn't want to be funny on this podcast and Harry reminds him of the contract he signed at the comedy convention. If Steve refuses to tell jokes, then he must be defrocked or there will be dire consequences. Dragging out the Comedy Convention Handbook, Harry proceeds to do just that. No more propeller beanie, no more whoopee cushion, he rips off his epaulets and of course, the big nose and mustache. Then things get really crazy. Steve's guests are Washboard Jungle. Very, very funny guys playing Ukulele Daily with delightful and funny back up singing.
John Sebastian is Steve's guest. He plays harmonica to Steve's "Soda, Soda, Soda." John is in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and is writer of hits such as "Daydream," "Summer in the City," and "Welcome Back Kotter." Also, we hear Harry's origin story. He started as a toothpick where Steve found him in a dummy orphanage and nurtured him until he grew to the dummy he is today. Steve and Harry also sing a song called "You Killer Kid". It's a goodie.
Michael Cooney is a folksinger from Maine. He performs "I'm My Own Grandpa." Hank Neimark is a banjo player from Woodstock, NY. He performs a new version of "Old Joe Clark" with Steve. Plus, Harry has joined the Poetical Party. Don't ask.
Hester Mundis was the chief writer for Joan Rivers for years, as well as warming up the television audience before Joan's show. She regales us with stories about those times. Also, Harry has become a plant therapist, which is as ridiculous as it sounds. The great fiddle and bass player, Jay Ungar and Molly Mason are also guests. They sing Jay's original "Chicken in a Pot."
Today's guest is Barry Louis Polisar. Barry has been writing and performing songs since the late 70's. His big hit was the theme song to Juno, "All I want is You". His inimitable voice and guitar playing is immediately recognizable. Barry has written other great songs, just from the titles you can tell how funny he is- "I Wanna Be A Dog", "My Brother Threw Up On My Stuffed Toy Bunny", "I've Got A Dog And My Dog's Name Is Cat". Today, he's playing a love song he wrote about his wife but with a twist. "I Love Your Eyes," but he loves a lot of other stuff about her too. Steve's also featuring a traditional song from an album called "Silly Songs About Silly People" that was distributed nationally with the Troll National Book Club called "The Bold Fisherman." He recorded it with Jay Ungar and Molly Mason, two great performers in their own right. Jay wrote the theme song to Ken Burn's Civil War and Molly was a member of the Prairie Home Companion house band for years; and Steve decides to name his cells...yep everyone of them. Yikes!
Steve's guests; Sharon, Lois, and Bram are national treasures in Canada. For decades they had a show on Nickelodeon. Their gentle humor beautiful ,harmonies, and perfect choice of songs makes them attractive to kids and adults alike. Here, they are singing Susannah's A Funny Old Man, replete with snorts, grunts, and whistles. Harry's decided to rejuvenate his deadwood, but after planting himself in his trunk with dirt and water, the cops show up and arrest Steve for concealing a dead body in the studio. No matter what Steve says or does, he can't convince them otherwise and they cart him away. Steve and Harry also sing a rousing rendition of Wahoo, Wahoo, Wahoo. We dare you to not get up and dance when you hear it.
Camille West, Steve's guest, is often compared to Christine Lavin. She's funny. Very funny. The song featured, that Camille wrote, is "The Nervous Wreck Of The Edna Fitzgerald". As she puts it, it's a Yuppie sea shanty. The Free Harry movement has started! Seems some folks are not happy with how Steve treats his dummy and are mounting a protest. Despite Steve's own protestations, he can't convince people that Harry is just...well, a dummy. Also featured is Steve's original "Cupcake Song." It's basically a list of the 52 ingredients Steve once found on the label of some cupcakes he was buying at the supermarket. It's a true story. I dare you to recognize five of them. For instance, what's carboxy methyl cellulose?
Trout Fishing In America are Steve's guests. Trout Fishing was nominated for three Grammys and was named among the Top 100 Most Influential Independent Artists in the past 15 years. They join Harry to sing "All I Want Is A Proper Cup Of Coffee." To hear them is to love them. Steve is going to a Ventriloquists Anonymous meeting to deal with his issues, and boy does he have issues.
Peter Davis is Steve's guest. Peter has played in the house band of Prairie Home Companion and has mastered several musical instruments. His rendition of "Five Guys Named Moe" is exquisite. Harry helps with the scat singing. Plus, Steve decides to practice the Flapdoodle maneuver on Harry, a dangerous move that can cause irreparable damage to the ventriloquist's arm if done improperly. Needless to say, things don't go as planned. Steve plays "Old Dan Tucker" from his album "Silly Songs About Silly People" with Jay Ungar and Molly Mason. You may remember Jay because he wrote the theme to Ken Burns' "The Civil War" and was nominated for a Grammy because of it. Molly Mason was in the Prairie Home Companion house band for several years.
Five time winner of the W.C. Handy award, Rory Block is Steve's guest. Blues guitarist, singer and songwriter, Rory is the real McCoy. She sings "One Thing I Like About That Man Of Mine". Harry is doing impossible things. Really. Going through the eye of a needle, tying a knot in an apple and vacuuming the studio with a black hole. Steve and Harry give a rousing rendition of "It Ain't Gonna Rain No More, No More". What more can you ask for in an audio podcast?
The late, great banjo player, Bill Keith is Steve's guest. Bill played with Bill Monroe and the Bluegrass Boys, Jim Kweskin's Jug Band (with Maria Muldaur), and dozens of other greats. He's playing NOLA and then later in the program, joining Harry with "I Was Born About 10,000 Years Ago". Harry wants to lease out his trunk and prospective renters come by for the interview. It's goofy stuff. Also, Steve wrote a song for Jim Henson's "Bear In The Big Blue House" entitled "Point Of View." On the show, Bear sings the song.
Steve's guest, Cindy Cashdollar is a dobro player who has won 5 Grammy awards and has played with Bob Dylan, Van Morrison, Rod Stewart and Asleep At The Wheel, Willie Nelson, and the Dixie Chicks to name a few. Now she plays with Harry! Sister Kate is an old favorite from the 1920's. Later in the podcast, she performs the Sailor's Hornpipe. Harry has kleptomania and everything starts disappearing. Dr. Fenstermacher comes in to treat him and suggests another mania to replace it. How about Bananamania? Stevemania? Oh, the possibilities are endless.
Jay Ungar and Molly Mason are guests. Jay wrote Ken Burns' Civil War Theme and was nominated for a Grammy as a result. Molly Mason was in the Prairie Home Companion house band. Great fiddle, mandolin and bass players, they're doing two songs on the show. Meanwhile, Steve doesn't have commercials but much to his chagrin the pesky salespeople keep busting down the door or calling up and trying to sell something to the listeners with hilarious results. Steve and Harry also introduce the Steve and Harry do-it-yourself kit.
Steve's guest is Daniel Pinkwater, the long time commentator on "All Things Considered" and other NPR programs. He's also an excellent children's author with dozens of books under his belt. On this podcast, Steve and Daniel read his book, "Ducks" with sound effects and all. Steve also plays a commentary that aired on NPR's "All Things Considered," Harry falls in love with a broom and wants Steve to make her talk so Harry can ask her out on a date. Oy. Earlier in the podcast, Harry two times Steve with Steve's girlfriend. Turns out, she's been dating all of the characters that Steve has created, unbeknownst to him. When he discovers this, he threatens to fire them all and create a new cast of voice characterizations. Steve and Harry also present a Strange Facts segment. Think Ripley's Believe it or not. Or not. And...Steve and Harry sing "Be Kind To Your Web Footed Friends.
Robin and Linda Williams are guests! Robin and Linda were regulars on "A Prairie Home Companion." Harry is joining them on a rousing rendition of "C-H-I-C-K-E-N." Steve and Harry also discuss the parameters of the podcast. For instance, Harry can't read "War and Peace" on the program. That wouldn't be appropriate. But he can hit someone over the head with the book. Steve sings "Miss Lucy Had A Baby" with Jay Ungar and Molly Mason, and Steve and Harry sing "Steve, Steve, Steve", a song he wrote about how there are just too many Steves in the world.
The charming and funny, Christine Lavin is Steve's guest on the podcast. She's talking about her career before being a singer songwriter and sings an original song about finding a puppy on the subway tracks in New York. Or is it? The general store is open and it's so big it makes a Super Walmart look like a little mom and pop shop. It has everything, and I mean everything. You want to teach a chicken to play oboe? They have a book on how to do it. You wanna send your kid to the moon? They have the rocket.
Eric Weissberg is Steve's guest on this podcast. This is the man who played the hit "Dueling Banjos" and has been on thousands of recordings as a studio musician, including Bob Dylan's "Blood On the Tracks." He's played with Barbra Streisand and almost every other well known musician for the last 40 years. On this episode, Steve, in over his head, plays the big hit from "Deliverance," "Dueling Banjos" with Eric. Harry shares his Untrue Facts with listeners. Here he is reading some of his whoppers. Steve and his pal, Paul Jay, wrote the song Pete and his 45 Caliber Pun for The Riddle King's Riddle Songs which was distributed nationally (available at www.stevecharney.com/stuff.html). Helping Steve on this tune is John Sebastian on lead guitar, Bill Keith on banjo, Jay Ungar on fiddle, Molly Mason on bass, and Doug James on drums. Everyone knows an apple a day keeps the doctor away, so when Harry forgets to eat his apple, the doctors start invading.
Our guest on this podcast is John Sebastian, writer of "Summer in the City," "Do you Believe in Magic," "Daydream." and "Welcome Back Kotter". Harry and he sing "The Cat Came Back." Also, the song Steve wrote "Picture Of Health" that played on Jim Henson's "Bear In The Big Blue House" is featured. But the big news is that Steve has a confession to make. He's the funniest man on the planet because he was born on Flypton and has a super powered sense of humor. So why isn't he funnier? Listen and find out.
The wonderful Tom Chapin is in the studio and with the help of Harry they sing Tom's "Whale Song." Harry has to use the bathroom. While he's gone, Steve imitates Harry's voice with such success that when Harry returns, Steve decides he doesn't need him anymore. Harry sues. Steve also sings his original tune "I Wanna Iguana".
Tom Paxton is our guest. The writer of hits such as "The Marvelous Toy", "Last Thing On My Mind" and "Ramblin' Boy," he and Harry talk about Harry's bad attitude and then Tom sings his song (with help from Harry), "My Dog's Bigger Than Your Dog." Also, Steve and Harry open up their Poetry Workshop. It's like the car guys, Click and Clack but for poems. You know, Clicky and Slicky.
The great Peter Schickele (P.D.Q Bach) is our guest! He shares a story about meeting Spike Jones and plays a song he wrote called "Uncle Pooty's Sugar Off." Also, Harry is now working for a company that sells protective gear and wants Steve to buy some. If he doesn't, who knows what accidents might occur. You guess what happens.
Harry wants to foil a thief in the neighborhood by putting mustaches on all the sound equipment. Will it work? Of course it will. This podcast features Steve Charney and Harry being goofballs.
Harry wants to register as a redwood tree with the E.P.A. so they'll protect him from Stymie, the school bully. Hilarity ensues. Steve has also peppered the podcast with funny original songs just to break up the monotony, I mean the botany.