170 - The Past Times with Andrea More

In this chaotic and surreal episode of The Dollop, hosts Dave Anthony and Gareth Reynolds welcome guest Andrea More for their signature 'Past Times' segment, where they dissect a 1934 Los Angeles Times article. The episode begins with Gareth promoting his upcoming YouTube talk show, Almost Live, followed by a bizarre, self-aware conversation about dog outfits, ADHD, and the hosts’ own meta-commentary on the podcast’s absurdity. The main story centers on a real 1934 newspaper report about a suspected poisoning plot involving poisoned chewing gum found on doorsteps—only to be revealed as a prank by a Wrigley’s gum sample campaign. The hosts hilariously dissect the passive voice, the absurdity of the 'gumicide,' and the idea of a 'gum fairy.' The conversation spirals into dark humor, with Andrea joking about eating her dog, Dave’s fabricated story about his father faking his death for insurance, and a bizarre digression on polyamory and the 'deadbed polycule.' The episode concludes with a touching but absurd medical tale of a man stricken with appendicitis during a honeymoon in the Galapagos, leading to a surreal, comedic debate about modern medicine, vaccines, and the ethics of 'dabbling' in healthcare. Throughout, the tone remains irreverent, meta, and wildly unpredictable, blending real history with absurdist fiction.