Episodes

Most folks know by now that Viagra was not originally intended to solve a sexual issue, but they’d be amazed how Lysol was first marketed. In this episode, Jon and Kurt investigate products that became accidental commercial successes in different ways than initially contemplated. Listerine was supposed to cure gonorrhea? Oh boy.

In this episode, Jon and Kurt ponder “what ifs” that will undoubtedly spark good discussions among listeners wondering about the same questions. If you could...be a sports hero, reverse anthropomorphize into a car, time travel, be a famous movie character, paint like an old master or a surrealist, have a superpower, etc....what would you choose? And why?

Join Jon and Kurt in the greatest, funniest, smartest, drivelest episode ever. Yes, indeed, they reveal the biggest, oldest, smelliest, highest, “ests” of all time. Oldest piece of art? Highest IQ? Strongest animal on earth? Shortest novel ever written? Smallest country? Geeze, this is just the best.

The boys are back at it with a third episode dedicated to fun phrases and their origins. This time, we learn where “pull out all the stops” and “put a sock in it” and “rule of thumb” come from, among others. We also learn the provenance of “best man” and “honeymoon”. And, we learn the correct way to spell pom-poms er pom-pons.

Jon and Kurt set out to find the truth behind certain “givens” that we have always been told: is it safe to swim right after eating? Is the earth round? Did Vikings have horns on their helmets? Was there an apple in the Garden of Eden? Were the pyramids of Egypt built by slaves? Is Everest the tallest mountain on earth? And what the hell does Chuck Yeager have to do with all of this?

Who was “The Minister of Defense”? Which President was called “His Accidency”? Can you guess what Tolstoy’s nickname was? Jon and Kurt jump into the world of nicknames and unearth some absolute gems...like Grover Cleveland’s.

Jon and Kurt have fun guessing famous slogans that were funny, had double meanings, or were just blatantly bad. From the disaster of the Chevy Nova in foreign markets to the hilarity of a Sega print ad to explaining the beauty that is Guinness, the two hosts share, laugh, and marvel at some of advertising's most interesting attempts at selling products.

Are you sick of hearing people tell you “to be honest, we should circle back to the parking lot so we can think outside the box and undergo a paradigm shift.” Well, Jon and Kurt sure are and, in this episode, they submit their recommendations for expressions that should be eradicated from all conversations.

While both countries share a common language, the words don’t always mean the same thing in England as they do in America. Jon and Kurt dig into this and expose some of the potentially embarrassing situations that can arise...such as a Brit in America asking a co-worker for a rubber or a Yank in England not knowing his chips from his crisps from his aubergine.

Jon and Kurt fantasize about the type of stores and establishments they would love to have lining their ideal main street. From a dive bar to an old time movie theatre to a newly created James Bond Experience to a Cajan food stand, they propose favorites and give rationale...albeit not very convincingly.

Jon and Kurt dive deep into the shallows of many different types of oxymorons. Trying not to be buttheads, they hope this episode doesn’t meet with deafening silence. It’s even odds that after listening, you might make Smart Drivel a new tradition.

Ever wonder where the Bloody Mary was first concocted? How the martini gots its name? The story behind the Tom Collins? Why we call it a Negroni? What the difference is between a Boilermaker and an Irish Car Bomb? Well, Jon and Kurt are here to help in this episode as they provide the dirt, the anecdotes, and the backstories of your favorite cocktails.

Hamburgers or hot dogs? Rap or Disco? Mountains or Beach? Manual or Automatic transmission? Jon and Kurt give impassioned pleas for their choices in a rollicking debate of all things important in life.

Brandy. Mandy. Roxanne. Rosalita. Chantilly Lace. Eleanor Rigby. Yes, there have been so many songs with women’s names as the title. So, Jon and Kurt decided to dig in and share the backstories, the motivations, the urban legends behind them. Oh, and they also take a side on the whole sweet vs. savory crepe debate.

Jon and Kurt wax poetic about places they would love to visit for vacation. However, the twist is that they can go anywhere in any time in history. They discuss being in ancient Greece for the invention of the shower, ancient Alexandria for the books, England during King Arthur’s reign, seeing Jackie Robinson score his first MLB run, and other smart-drivelly places.

Having washed ashore a deserted island, Jon and Kurt have the good fortune to be granted things to help them to survive: one book, one music album, one food selection, one household item, and a 3rd person to join them. Now they just have to agree on their choices.

Jon and Kurt invite you to peek in on their conversation about Homophones which will hopefully pique your interest and make you think they have reached the peak of podcasting. You guessed it, you are the guest of the episode. So contemplate your navel or run off and engage in naval warfare, this discussion won't be a bore if you listen while eating some boar .

Trying not to be schmucks or to make it too kitschy, Jon and Kurt have carte blanche in this episode to act like prima donnas and take their figurative mopeds for a spin as they point out some great words we use everyday that come from abroad.

The first go round with fun phrases was such a hit, Jon and Kurt decided to give it another whirl. Not wanting to "Let the Cat Out of the Bag," but proving to not be a "Flash in the Pan," they wanted to see if they could do it again. Enjoy their presentation of more fun phrases and from whence they came.

Jon and Kurt dig deep to bring you little nuggets you can use to dazzle your friends at your next dinner party. What words in the English language don’t have a rhyme? Who is the model for the NBA logo? Where did the word suede come from? Why do we have Gin & Tonics? And many more truly relevant facts.

From Animal House to Shawshank Redemption and everything in between, Jon and Kurt put forth and debate the attributes of their favorite movies: the ones that scare them the most, make them laugh out loud, or truly have an impact on their lives.

Jon and Kurt spend a full episode discussing fun phrases and how they came to be. “Mind your Bees Wax,” “One for the road”, and “Freezing the balls off a brass monkey” are just a few sayings they take on, masticate over, and share.

From toilet paper to Neil Diamond, Jon and Kurt discuss the advances in civilization we can’t live without that, while popular, are not seen as being worthy of the Mt. Olympus of inventions.

From toilet paper to Neil Diamond, Jon and Kurt discuss the advances in civilization we can’t live without that, while popular, are not seen as being worthy of the Mt. Olympus of inventions. This is the first part of a two part episode.