172 - The Past Times with Katie Boyle

In this episode of The Dollop, hosts Dave Anthony and Gareth Reynolds welcome comedian Katie Boyle to explore a 1947 issue of the Concord Monitor from New Hampshire. The conversation begins with playful banter about Katie’s arrival in Edinburgh, her show 'Therapy,' and a lighthearted dig at her abortion rights-themed special, 'Roe v. Wade versus Katie.' The team dives into a series of bizarre and humorous historical headlines, including a 64-year-old construction worker rescuing a sick coworker on a scaffold—misinterpreted at first as a fight—leading to a surreal digression about Conor McGregor’s penis, which becomes a running joke. The hosts also explore a missing toddler, a man who died of shock after finding his granddaughter, and a congressional rope twirling act that allegedly inspired the term 'congressional whip.' Other highlights include a jitterbug contest at a state prison, a failed attempt to create a 20,000-voice anvil chorus, and a $50 reward for capturing a monkey named Bob Hope—revealed to be a circus escapee. The episode closes with a darkly comedic take on a disabled veteran shot during a hold-up, sparking a debate on policing, veterans, and systemic failure. Throughout, the tone remains irreverent, absurd, and deeply satirical, blending historical curiosity with modern cultural commentary.