Digest

The podcast "Past Times" features hosts Garrett Reynolds and Dave Anthony, along with guest Adam Katen Holland, as they delve into a 1927 edition of "The Las Vegas Nevada Age." The episode begins with a playful guessing game to determine the year of the newspaper, which Adam wins with a surprisingly accurate guess. The hosts then embark on a journey through the newspaper's various articles, uncovering a fascinating glimpse into the social and cultural life of Las Vegas in the 1920s. The episode highlights a school play titled "Stop Thief," which features a comedic plot involving a family preparing for a wedding and two crooks posing as a maid and an accomplice. The hosts also discuss a marshmallow roast for junior girls, a collection of Indian baskets sold for a significant sum of money, and a proposal to keep the Stuart basket collection within the state of Nevada. The newspaper also reports on a car accident, the concept of "divorce colonies," and "Engineers Day" at the University of Nevada. The hosts explore the cultural context of these events, highlighting the absurdity of some of the situations and the humor inherent in the language used to describe them. The episode concludes with a discussion of a meeting of the Las Vegas Rotary Club, where an argument breaks out over remarks about Northern Ireland. The hosts find humor in the situation, particularly in the resolution of the argument through a duet of an Irish song. Throughout the episode, the hosts and guest engage in witty banter, sharing personal anecdotes and offering insightful commentary on the events described in the newspaper. The episode provides a unique and entertaining perspective on the past, showcasing the humor and absurdity of everyday life in 1920s Las Vegas.

Outlines

00:00:00

Analyzing the Past: A 1927 Las Vegas Newspaper

The podcast hosts, Garrett Reynolds and Dave Anthony, introduce their guest, Adam Katen Holland, and discuss the format of the show, which involves analyzing an old newspaper from a random date in history. They reveal that the show's format is not entirely improvised, as they had previously scripted a riff about the "Cheesecake Show" with Adam. They emphasize the importance of improvisation and the fun element of the show. The hosts and Adam engage in a game to guess the year of the newspaper. Adam makes a wild guess of 1916, while Dave provides a more informed guess based on historical context. Dave reveals that the newspaper is the "Colorado Rockies Weekly" from 1927, making Adam the winner of the guessing game. The hosts discuss the rules of the game and the importance of losing with grace.

00:05:19

The Las Vegas Nevada Age: A Glimpse into 1927

The hosts discuss the newspaper, "The Las Vegas Nevada Age," and a front-page story about a school play titled "Stop Thief." The play's plot and the school's theatrical activities are discussed. The hosts discuss a debate topic from the newspaper, "Resolved that all European war debts owing this country should be cancelled," and speculate about the racial context of the school play "Stop Thief." The newspaper describes a marshmallow roast for junior girls, where they hike in the desert, build a bonfire, and tell ghost stories. A coyote encounter adds a touch of suspense to the event. The hosts discuss a story about a collection of Indian baskets sold for a significant sum of money. The story highlights the value of Native American art and the role of a "basket dealer" in the market. The hosts discuss the appropriation of Native American culture, specifically the use of baskets for popcorn and the white man's adoption of Native American tricks. The newspaper discusses a proposal to keep the Stuart basket collection within the state of Nevada. The hosts discuss the potential financial benefits and the debate over preserving cultural artifacts. The hosts discuss the newspaper's attempt to portray a positive image of Las Vegas, contrasting it with the reality of the city. They speculate about the casting of the "Stop Thief" play and the potential for racial tensions.

00:20:11

Life in Las Vegas: Accidents, Divorces, and Celebrations

The newspaper reports on a car accident involving Adam Kramer and a Ford driven by W. McColley. The hosts discuss the language used to describe the accident and the pedestrian's perceived fault. The hosts discuss the concept of "divorce colonies" and the three-month residency requirement for divorce in Nevada. They share a personal anecdote about Dave's father's experience with a divorce in Las Vegas. The newspaper reports on "Engineers Day" at the University of Nevada, featuring a parade, exhibits, stunts, and a banquet. The hosts discuss the significance of the event and its connection to other events mentioned in the newspaper. The newspaper reports on a fire alarm at the high school caused by a burning auto tire ignited by a "smart child." The hosts discuss the cultural context of the event and the perceived heroism of the child. The newspaper discusses a clash of colors, green and orange, and a meeting of the Las Vegas Rotary Club. The hosts anticipate a humorous turn of events involving the Irish and their drinking habits. The newspaper reports on an argument at the Rotary Club meeting, where a member demands a retraction for remarks made about Northern Ireland. The argument escalates, but is resolved through a duet of an Irish song. The newspaper expresses frustration over the lack of legislation to eliminate static on the radio. The hosts discuss the absurdity of the idea and the potential for overregulation. The newspaper reports on a doctor who kicks out the windows of a train car after feeling unable to breathe. The hosts discuss the absurdity of the situation and the doctor's potential for exaggeration. The newspaper reports on a baby born on train 26, highlighting the lack of a doctor on board and the mother and child's subsequent hospitalization. The hosts discuss the potential for a sitcom based on the train's passengers. The newspaper reports on a woman who runs over a fire hose while it was in use. The hosts discuss the firefighters' perceived laziness and the woman's potential for being a modern-day villain. The newspaper reports on the arrival of "hey hats" and the appearance of a bald businessman with a green silk parasol. The hosts discuss the cultural significance of these items and the businessman's potential for being a newspaper sponsor. The hosts discuss a bike camp for children, where they participate in a parade and an obstacle course on a hot day. The hosts express concern about the potential for heat exhaustion and the melting of bikes. The newspaper reports on a dinner for husbands hosted by the Mesquite Club, featuring a splitted dinner, entertainment, and a toast mistress. The hosts discuss the etiquette of the event and its potential for wife swapping. The hosts discuss the etiquette of the Mesquite Club dinner, where husbands are subjected to embarrassing questions. They compare the event to a game of "Cards Against Humanity" and express empathy for the men involved. The newspaper discusses the three-month divorce bill and its impact on a businessman who runs a predatory business. The hosts discuss the businessman's motivations and the absurdity of the situation. The newspaper reports on a French invention, a turnable house that follows the sun, and a desire for a portable house that follows swallows. The hosts discuss the absurdity of the ideas and the potential for a new musical. The newspaper reports on a Turkish woman who is 160 years old and still living. The hosts discuss the absurdity of the claim and the potential for age reversal. The newspaper promotes a magazine called "The National Republic," which promotes true Americanism and patriotism. The hosts discuss the magazine's potential for being an advertisement and the absurdity of its message.

Keywords

Q&A

• What is the format of the "Past Times" podcast?

  The podcast involves analyzing an old newspaper from a random date in history, with the hosts and a guest trying to guess the year of the newspaper.

• What is the significance of the "Cheesecake Show" in the context of the podcast?

  The "Cheesecake Show" is a fictional television show created by Dave Anthony and Adam Katen Holland for the podcast "The Dollop." It is mentioned as an example of a scripted riff that was previously used on the "Past Times" podcast.

• What is the main topic of the newspaper article about the school play "Stop Thief"?

  The article describes the plot of the play, which involves a family preparing for a wedding and two crooks posing as a maid and an accomplice. It also mentions the school's other theatrical activities, such as a marshmallow roast and a debate team.

• What is the significance of the argument at the Las Vegas Rotary Club meeting?

  The argument highlights the tensions between different factions within the Irish community, specifically between those from Northern Ireland and those from the Republic of Ireland. The argument is ultimately resolved through a duet of an Irish song, demonstrating the power of music to bring people together.

• What is the purpose of the "Engineers Day" event at the University of Nevada?

  The event is a celebration of engineering and its contributions to society. It features a parade, exhibits, stunts, and a banquet, showcasing the skills and achievements of engineering students.

Show Notes