Some questions are really too visual to be answered in an audio podcast. Others are a bit too apt to get us into trouble. This question from Sharon from Glasgow falls in both camps:
At a fancy dress party last year I dressed as Jimi Hendrix and blacked up. My friends were split between whether this is racist or not. I think I looked great. Answer me this: is blacking up racist?
p.s. I have attached photos for your judgement.
p.p.s. I am definitely not racist.
Sharon in her normal state
After: is Sharon racist, or just misunderstood?
Never mind blacking up - that person next to Sharon is GREEN.
It doesn’t seem quite as wrong as the film Soul Man, but I think we should have a poll all the same:
It’s been a long series and at this point we’re weary, trudging the podcast-path with just some Kendal Mint Cake and warm Lucozade to keep us going. So we’re taking a month off after next week’s episode – oh, don’t look like that! We’ll come back; we always do. And in the meantime, there’s Episode 97:
[ This classic episode is available to BUY NOW for just 79p, through iTunes or a secure PayPal server, without DRM restriction. CLICK HERE to find out more and support our podcast. (This helps keep our most recent episodes free)
In which we speak of:
Eraserhead
kilts
acromegaly
Portmeirion
what sperm and Tony Blair have in common Charley’s Aunt
ceilidhs
cannabinoids
toastmasters
HMP Loose Women
Matthew McConaughey
polari
and
the Evil Eye.
Also, Olly gives TMI about his urinary tract; Helen is sniffy about a psychedelic risotto; and Martin the Sound Man reveals the secret to his wisdom. It’s a real disappointment, frankly.
Before we head off on our holidays (or rather, before Olly heads off on a glorious roadtrip of the US and Helen and Martin sit tight in Crystal Palace), send us your QUESTIONS: call 0208 123 5877, Skype answermethis or email answermethispodcast@googlemail.com. ‘Twill give us succour during our darkest hours.
See you next week, when we will be telling you what our party plans are for our forthcoming 100th Episode, and how you can be a part of that party!
The Britain’s Got Talent final looms, and you kids are getting somewhat overwrought about it. Firstly, Mark (14):
What is all the fuss about Susan Boyle?! Yes she can sing, but why do the papers only refer to her as “Susan Boyle: the virgin” as if it’s her defining feature?
So many questions, Mark, in one brief missive. My guesses are:
a) who can resist a woman who looks like a whiskery Happy Face biscuit singing showtunes?
b) the media hardly ever get to write about virgins, so it’s a rare treat from them.
Now here’s some strong stuff from Carla from London Town:
I was watching Su Bo on YouTube do her latest performance but that Amanda Holden woman was crying which put me off the whole thing. She looks to me like one of those girls who was in the year above and enjoyed sneering at anyone who wasn’t as attractive as she was.
Is there anyone- ANYONE- A single one of your listeners who likes her? I would love to know whether there is one speck of humanity who finds her bearable.
As a BGT-ignorer, I have no opinions at all about this Holden creature, so must instead impeach you lot to share your feelings upon the erstwhile Mrs Les Dennis bearable.
We have some feedback from Episode 96, firstly courtesy of Meg from Carlisle in response to Laurence from York’s question about external news reports:
When I’m not being an Answer Me This! Listener (and sometimes when I am), I am a hot young journo very much like Lois Lane. While I actually work for a newspaper, I often encounter TV reporters when I’m out on the road. So, to answer the fellow with the sweaty-pitted teacher:
1. TV news is a visual format and as such needs to be interesting, or at least varied, to look at. You’d soon notice if it was just some people in a room.
2. TV news needs to be different from its radio/newspaper/internet-based brethren, otherwise what’s the point?
3. Believe it or not, those guys usually aren’t being told what to say. In my experience, TV journalists just turn up on the scene and do what we all do – ask a few questions and try and work out what’s going on. I’ve seen a News 24 girl report to camera completely off the cuff, without any notes, seconds after admitting she had no idea what she was about to say.
A thrilling insight into the fast-paced world of tv news! And now a thrilling insight into the world of programming languages, thanks to James in Cornwall:
This, #!, is a shebang. It is a bit dull really, but it is used in a few programming languages on Unix.
Yup, I think that’s just the answer James from Glasgow was expecting us to give…
Oh deary dear, we’ve had a Strongly-Worded Letter of Complaint arising from my allusion to ironic 1980s cookbook Real Men Don’t Eat Quiche in Episode 95:
OI! I’ve got a bone to pick with you (which in itself is an odd phrase; answer me this – where did it originate?)
But onto my point. I like football, I swear a lot and I have tattoos. In short, I am a real man.
I ALSO LIKE QUICHE.
It is not unmanliness, it is simply a lush foodstuff that goes nice with salad (which is also manly, if you omit the celery). I demand you make a public apology.
Yours
Slightly Miffed from Treorchy
Well, here’s your public apology, Slightly Miffed; and I hope you don’t get similarly riled by my reference to the culinary classic Salad Cream is for Dickwads in the forthcoming Episode 97.
Woo woo, listeners, it’s almost the weekend, and a three-day weekend to boot! We’re going to spend ours lazing, faffing and tarrying; how about you? Have you time in your hectic schedules for Episode 96? It’s just a click away:
This classic episode is available to BUY NOW for just 79p, through iTunes or a secure PayPal server, without DRM restriction. CLICK HERE to find out more and support our podcast. (This helps keep our most recent episodes free)
The minutes of the podcast:
venison hearts
jury service Only Fools and Horses
Rageh Omaar
the surprise common ground between Ricky Martin and the Stone Roses
poppies
Harold Robbins paperbacks
correct newsreader attire
piñatas
@
Carl Linnaeus
Aberdeen Steak House
and
rhinoplasty.
Plus, Olly emulates Marlon Brando’s Oscar acceptance; Helen finds steam-baking wanting; and Martin the Sound Man gets bullied for his appearance, poor lamb. Cheer him up by subscribing to his podcast on its new feed, why don’t you?
We know how much you love to ask us QUESTIONS, so by all means keep doing that: call 0208 123 5877, Skype answermethis or email answermethispodcast@googlemail.com. Also if you have a care for such a thing, post comments below with your toppest advice for people moving to the UK, because the vagaries of Britain can prove overwhelming to the newbie…
Ok, gotta dash, but we’ll see you next week, right?
Here’s a sorry tale from Rob in Sampford Peverell, Devon:
Following your discussion of sniffer dogs getting hooked on cocaine in Episode 95, it became clear you haven’t heard of the sad story of sniffer dog Max, from the Avon and Somerset constabulary:
Attention fellows! AMT! jingle alum Gavin Osborn has a new album out this week; it is called Meeting Your Heroes and you can buy it from: iTunes, Amazon or Banquet Records. Which we recommend, because it will be very good.
In other musical news, according to Hugo from London the ‘Hitler has only got one ball’ song is founded in truth! He writes:
You may be interested to know that despite your research Hitler did in fact only have one ball! As did Franco!
An apparently all too common injury from the first world war it seems.
But the chat about said song in Episode 94 has caused some consternation for Sarah from Gaytown:
I’m entirely confused about this “Hitler only had one ball” thing.
I’ve never heard this song – but desperately wish I had.
I asked my history teacher and he sent me an email back asking him to stop being inappropriate over emails so that I don’t get into any trouble.
What’s going on? I don’t really mind one way or the other about Hitler’s man bits, but a think you guys singing this song for us would definitely make my email embarrassment go away.
I’m not sure us singing monorchid wartime ditties would help anyone’s embarrassment go away, but if you want to read up on Hitler’s nads, Sarah, then here are a couple of useful articles upon the matter. Study them well, and you are bound to ace your Political Undercarriages of History exam!
We sure know how to have fun, listeners! For tonight is the most euphonious night of the year – Eurovision Song Contest – and because the best way to enjoy a night of spandex, caterwauling and elaborate dancing is with your face down in a laptop, we’re going to be liveblogging it. Right here. Well, Olly isn’t, because he smells has got proper stuff to do; but I am, along with Martin the Sound Man, Matthew Crosby and some other fine Friends of Answer Me This!.
So get your barbed comments ready, and from 8pm CLICK HERE to join the liveblogging extravaganza!
We’ve got something that will make you laugh. It’s the video at the bottom of this blog post. But before you scroll all the way down there, have a listen to Episode 95:
This classic episode is available to BUY NOW for just 79p, through iTunes or a secure PayPal server, without DRM restriction. CLICK HERE to find out more and support our podcast. (This helps keep our most recent episodes free)
Wherein we expound upon:
All Tomorrow’s Parties
the V&A hat exhibition
Biblical symbolism in Come Dine With Me
Winegate The Insider
Portuguese custard tarts
sports massage
one half of Hue and Cry
the New York Dolls Watchmen
Assyrian hat theory
and
Pete Doherty’s cat.
Plus our post-match report from the Sony Awards: Olly shakes the hand of a man named after a car; Helen swoons to be in the same room as Rolf Harris and the Proclaimers; and Martin the Sound Man pisses with some of Britain’s finest radio talent. Come back here later if you care to see photos of us larking about at the shindig; and by all means send us QUESTIONS! Said means include calling 0208 123 5877, Skypeing answermethis or emailing us at answermethispodcast@googlemail.com. Also, listen out for us on Steve Wright in the Afternoon on Radio 2 tomorrow when we’ll be unfurling some of the web’s greatest mysteries…or just talking about stuff on the internet, as one does. (update: here’s the link on iPlayer if you missed it: fast-forward to 1.35.30 to hear our bit)
Here’s some fun! Friend of Answer Me This! and Episode 84 alumnus Josie Long recently appeared on Australian improv show Thank God You’re Here; watch her think on her feet in impressive fashion:
Excellent stuff, eh? And she looks very lovely, right? Not sure the same can be said about listener Dave, whose cheeky wife Felicity sent in these somewhat NSFW snaps:
Click on the thumbnails to enlarge at your peril; and click HERE to buy your own AMT!P bag with which to protect your modesty.
in 
Answer Me This! Podcast 