Digest

The episode begins with host Scott Aquaman introducing the "Going Ham" series featuring John Hamm. He announces this week's episode, "Low Five," and provides details about its release date and guests. The main segment of the episode begins with a humorous introduction, followed by the arrival of John Hamm and the introduction of Al A. Peterson, a smooth criminal played by Paul F. Tompkins. Al reveals his business of helping people fake their own deaths, explaining the process and the number one reason people come to him: calling people Caroline when their name is Caroline. The episode then introduces Marjorie Kershaw, a park ranger who discusses her recent transfer from Pinnacles National Park to a colder climate. Betty, another park ranger, recounts her transfer from Pinnacles National Park to Gates of the Arctic, driven by a desire for a greater challenge. She reveals the high bee population at Pinnacles and Death Valley, contrasting it with the lack of bees at Gates of the Arctic. Betty confirms that Gates of the Arctic is America's northernmost and least visited national park, ranking second worst in a US News poll. She explains the matching algorithm used for park ranger assignments and highlights the unique features of Gates of the Arctic, emphasizing its vast size and lack of roads. Betty discusses the high bear population at Gates of the Arctic and her attempts to identify the leader bear. She explains that she imports hardwood for smoking meat from her pen pal, Stefan, who is a ranger at Badlands National Park. Betty and Scott discuss the prevalence of license plates with names like "Allen" or "Albert" at national park gift shops, speculating on the reason behind the lack of "Al" plates. Betty expresses her desire to increase visitation at Gates of the Arctic, despite the challenges of the park. Scott transitions to discussing Betty's expertise in bee and bear safety. Betty emphasizes the importance of respecting both animals and highlights the unique dangers posed by each. She provides specific tips for dealing with different bear species, including zig-zagging to avoid grizzlies. Scott introduces Dash Grabbum, a Pokemon trainer, who explains the concept of Pokemon as pocket monsters that can be caught and trained for battles. He describes the differences between Pokemon in his region (Canto) and those in Scott's area, highlighting the unique abilities and attacks of each. Dash reveals his ambition to become a Pokemon master and discusses the challenges of catching them all. He explains the process of battling at gyms and earning badges, emphasizing the importance of catching all 150 Pokemon. Dash clarifies the rules of Pokemon battles, emphasizing that it is illegal to use Pokemon against humans in his region (Canto). He explains the process of Pokemon battles between trainers, using the example of a fire-type Pokemon battling a water-type Pokemon. Dash describes his favorite Pokemon, Charmillion, a fire lizard with the power of arson. He explains the importance of respecting Pokemon names and the unique abilities of each species. Scott and Dash discuss the ethics of catching Pokemon, drawing parallels to the prison system. They debate whether catching Pokemon is akin to slavery, with Dash arguing that it's a partnership based on respect and trust. Dash describes the training process for Pokemon, which involves shouting commands and making them perform tasks. He acknowledges the potential for this to be perceived as slavery but emphasizes the partnership aspect of the relationship. Scott questions whether Pokemon are in a state of suspended animation when inside the Pokeball. Dash admits that he doesn't know the answer and suggests that he should be the first human to experience being inside a Pokeball. Scott expresses concern about the ethical implications of catching Pokemon, comparing it to the exploitation of horses. Dash defends his actions, arguing that Pokemon are well-fed and treated well, similar to horses used for carriage pulling. Scott questions whether Pokemon have souls and whether they are truly happy in their situation. Dash asserts that Pokemon have both souls and feelings, but their happiness is difficult to assess due to their limited communication abilities. Dash brings out his Chameleon Pokemon, who only says "Chameleon" repeatedly. Scott asks for a translation, and Dash reveals that Chameleon is crying because he hasn't burned down a building lately. He explains the nuances of Chameleon's communication, comparing it to the different head gestures for "yes" and "no" in India. Scott discovers that Dash earns money from Pokemon battles, leading to a discussion about the pyramid scheme structure of the Pokemon world. They speculate about the existence of a powerful figure at the top of the pyramid who exploits both trainers and Pokemon. Dash defends his actions, claiming that he sees catching Pokemon as a way to fulfill his dream of becoming a Pokemon master and going on a journey of a lifetime. He argues that Pokemon are his best friends and that they are not constantly experiencing existential crises. The conversation delves into the nature of ghosts in the Pokemon world, specifically focusing on the Ghastly Pokemon. The hosts discuss whether Ghastly can pass through physical objects and explore its potential origins and characteristics. The hosts summon Ghastly from its Pokeball and observe its behavior. They discuss its appearance, its ability to interact with the physical world, and its potential gender. The conversation shifts to the concept of death and the afterlife in the Pokemon universe. The hosts ponder what happens to Pokemon when they die and whether they become ghosts like Ghastly. The hosts transition to promoting their own projects and upcoming events. They discuss a movie they are involved in, the importance of filing taxes, and a upcoming battle event.

Outlines

00:00:00

Introduction and Bonus Bang Announcement

The episode begins with host Scott Aquaman introducing the "Going Ham" series featuring John Hamm. He announces this week's episode, "Low Five," and provides details about its release date and guests.

00:01:37

Welcome to Comedy Bang Bang and Introduction of Al A. Peterson

The main segment of the episode begins with a humorous introduction, followed by the arrival of John Hamm and the introduction of Al A. Peterson, a smooth criminal played by Paul F. Tompkins. Al reveals his business of helping people fake their own deaths, explaining the process and the number one reason people come to him: calling people Caroline when their name is Caroline.

00:31:19

Back from the Break and Beirut Discussion

The episode returns from a break with John Hamm discussing his new film "Beirut," a political thriller set in the 1970s. He mentions a fun Easter egg for fans involving the phrase "Oh, look at that" whenever a tree or sea is seen in the film.

00:35:29

Park Ranger Introductions and Transfers

The episode introduces Marjorie Kershaw, a park ranger who discusses her recent transfer from Pinnacles National Park to a colder climate. Betty, another park ranger, recounts her transfer from Pinnacles National Park to Gates of the Arctic, driven by a desire for a greater challenge. She reveals the high bee population at Pinnacles and Death Valley, contrasting it with the lack of bees at Gates of the Arctic.

00:41:01

Gates of the Arctic: America's Least Visited National Park

Betty confirms that Gates of the Arctic is America's northernmost and least visited national park, ranking second worst in a US News poll. She explains the matching algorithm used for park ranger assignments and highlights the unique features of Gates of the Arctic, emphasizing its vast size and lack of roads.

00:45:14

Bear Population and Betty's Mission

Betty discusses the high bear population at Gates of the Arctic and her attempts to identify the leader bear. She explains that she imports hardwood for smoking meat from her pen pal, Stefan, who is a ranger at Badlands National Park. Betty expresses her desire to increase visitation at Gates of the Arctic, despite the challenges of the park.

00:51:20

Bee and Bear Safety with Betty

Scott transitions to discussing Betty's expertise in bee and bear safety. Betty emphasizes the importance of respecting both animals and highlights the unique dangers posed by each. She provides specific tips for dealing with different bear species, including zig-zagging to avoid grizzlies.

00:55:05

Introducing Dash Grabbum, a Pokemon Trainer

Scott introduces Dash Grabbum, a Pokemon trainer, who explains the concept of Pokemon as pocket monsters that can be caught and trained for battles. He describes the differences between Pokemon in his region (Canto) and those in Scott's area, highlighting the unique abilities and attacks of each.

01:02:13

Pokemon Battles and Ethics

Dash reveals his ambition to become a Pokemon master and discusses the challenges of catching them all. He explains the process of battling at gyms and earning badges, emphasizing the importance of catching all 150 Pokemon. Dash clarifies the rules of Pokemon battles, emphasizing that it is illegal to use Pokemon against humans in his region (Canto). He explains the process of Pokemon battles between trainers, using the example of a fire-type Pokemon battling a water-type Pokemon. Scott and Dash discuss the ethics of catching Pokemon, drawing parallels to the prison system. They debate whether catching Pokemon is akin to slavery, with Dash arguing that it's a partnership based on respect and trust.

01:16:35

Ghastly Encounters and the Afterlife

The conversation delves into the nature of ghosts in the Pokemon world, specifically focusing on the Ghastly Pokemon. The hosts discuss whether Ghastly can pass through physical objects and explore its potential origins and characteristics. The hosts summon Ghastly from its Pokeball and observe its behavior. They discuss its appearance, its ability to interact with the physical world, and its potential gender. The conversation shifts to the concept of death and the afterlife in the Pokemon universe. The hosts ponder what happens to Pokemon when they die and whether they become ghosts like Ghastly.

Keywords

Q&A

• What is the number one reason people come to Al A. Peterson to fake their own deaths?

  The number one reason people come to Al is because they have called someone Caroline when their name is actually Caroline.

• What is the fun Easter egg in John Hamm's new film "Beirut"?

  Whenever a tree or sea is seen in the film, John Hamm's character says "Oh, look at that."

• What is the significance of Pinnacles National Park in the episode?

  Marjorie Kershaw, the park ranger, was previously stationed at Pinnacles National Park, which is known for its rock formations resembling Earth's jazz hands.

• What is the main reason Betty transferred to Gates of the Arctic?

  Betty was seeking a greater challenge after successfully managing the bee population at Pinnacles National Park.

• What are some of the unique features of Gates of the Arctic?

  Gates of the Arctic is a vast park, comparable in size to Belgium, with no roads and a rigorous application process for camping.

• How does Dash train his Pokemon?

  Dash trains his Pokemon by shouting commands at them and making them perform tasks. He believes it's a partnership based on respect and trust, despite the potential for it to be perceived as slavery.

• What are the ethical implications of catching Pokemon?

  The ethics of catching Pokemon are debated, with some seeing it as a form of slavery and others arguing that it's a partnership based on respect and trust. The analogy of the prison system is used to highlight the potential for exploitation.

• What is the significance of the pyramid scheme structure in the Pokemon world?

  The pyramid scheme structure suggests that there is a powerful figure at the top who exploits both trainers and Pokemon, creating a system of subjugation and exploitation.

• Can Ghastly pass through physical objects?

  Yes, Ghastly is a Ghost-type Pokemon and can pass through solid objects. However, it leaves behind a residue of ectoplasm, suggesting that it still interacts with the physical world in some way.

Show Notes