Click here for a brief summary of the show
Highs: The $50 bet Lino made with Father Rob over another listener's Lenten penance was amusing, as was he and Father Dave mocking up what Father Rob might sound like conducting a parish mission. But there wasn't really anything major that stood out.
Lows: Fortunately, there wasn't anything major that stood out here, either.
Our take: No real highs, no real lows... this one was about as middle-of-the-road as it gets. But it was entertaining and it had Mark Hart in it, so it deserved better than a C.
Grade: B-
Friday, March 30, 2012
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Show review for 3/27/2012
Click here for a brief summary of the show
Highs: To tell the God's honest truth, The God's Honest Truth was lively, entertaining, and has that awesome disco-esque theme song that makes the whole segment rock. And surprisingly, the discussion about the priest who ad-libbed at Mass kept our interest from beginning to end.
Lows: We usually appreciate the fun news stories found in Tell Me Something I Didn't Know, but this time around the discussions just kept branching off on tangents left and right, which made our heads spin because we were never sure exactly what was being discussed. Let's stick to the stories, kids. And the singing of the Seize The Day theme song during the Lino's Book Club segment is starting to get old... especially when they do it three or four times in the same segment.
Our take: A promising outing that got pulled down by going into the weeds too many times. Lino and Father Rob can do better than this.
Grade: C+
Highs: To tell the God's honest truth, The God's Honest Truth was lively, entertaining, and has that awesome disco-esque theme song that makes the whole segment rock. And surprisingly, the discussion about the priest who ad-libbed at Mass kept our interest from beginning to end.
Lows: We usually appreciate the fun news stories found in Tell Me Something I Didn't Know, but this time around the discussions just kept branching off on tangents left and right, which made our heads spin because we were never sure exactly what was being discussed. Let's stick to the stories, kids. And the singing of the Seize The Day theme song during the Lino's Book Club segment is starting to get old... especially when they do it three or four times in the same segment.
Our take: A promising outing that got pulled down by going into the weeds too many times. Lino and Father Rob can do better than this.
Grade: C+
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Show review for 3/26/2012
Click here for a brief summary of the show
Highs: We're still doubled over in laughter after the clips of Lino's appearance on FoxNews.com LIVE, where the anchor twice mispronounced Lino's name (and don't think that Father Rob's hysterical reaction didn't have a lot to do with it). Also good was the whole discussion of what URL Father Rob should get for his own website and what kind of stuff he should put on it.
Lows: We've loved the Lenten song parodies in the past, but at this point we think it's been overdone and is starting to wear thin. They probably need to give the parodies a rest until after Easter.
Our take: An entertaining show, with the first hour being just brilliant enough to push this one into the top tier.
Grade: A-
Highs: We're still doubled over in laughter after the clips of Lino's appearance on FoxNews.com LIVE, where the anchor twice mispronounced Lino's name (and don't think that Father Rob's hysterical reaction didn't have a lot to do with it). Also good was the whole discussion of what URL Father Rob should get for his own website and what kind of stuff he should put on it.
Lows: We've loved the Lenten song parodies in the past, but at this point we think it's been overdone and is starting to wear thin. They probably need to give the parodies a rest until after Easter.
Our take: An entertaining show, with the first hour being just brilliant enough to push this one into the top tier.
Grade: A-
Monday, March 26, 2012
Show review for 3/23/2012
Click here for a brief summary of the show
Highs: Just having Father Jim on the show for the first time in more than two months was awesome enough. But there's certainly more: we (finally) got to hear some stories from last week's pilgrimage to Italy, we got to revel in Things That Drive You Crazy At Mass, and there's just something about the What's Up With That? segment that's infinitely funnier and more entertaining than the Tell Me Something I Didn't Know segment we usually hear.
Lows: Our only complaint is that, relative to the first three pilgrimages, we didn't hear nearly as much detail about what went on as we would've liked. We can only hope that Lino will fill us in with some more tidbits from the trip in a future broadcast.
Our take: That complaint notwithstanding, shows featuring our favorite campus minister rarely disappoint... and this one certainly didn't.
Grade: A
Highs: Just having Father Jim on the show for the first time in more than two months was awesome enough. But there's certainly more: we (finally) got to hear some stories from last week's pilgrimage to Italy, we got to revel in Things That Drive You Crazy At Mass, and there's just something about the What's Up With That? segment that's infinitely funnier and more entertaining than the Tell Me Something I Didn't Know segment we usually hear.
Lows: Our only complaint is that, relative to the first three pilgrimages, we didn't hear nearly as much detail about what went on as we would've liked. We can only hope that Lino will fill us in with some more tidbits from the trip in a future broadcast.
Our take: That complaint notwithstanding, shows featuring our favorite campus minister rarely disappoint... and this one certainly didn't.
Grade: A
Friday, March 23, 2012
Show review for 3/22/2012
Click here for a brief summary of the show
Highs: The outrage that oozed from both Lino and Father Rob when they found out that the other had broken their Lenten penances in a big way without fessing up to them was a hit. Also good was the nice interview with October Baby star John Schneider, and hearing Father Rob's girlish glee in anticipation of singing the Seize The Day theme song during the book club segment was priceless.
Lows: Today's Lenten song parody, Lent Is A Bear, was incredibly bad even by Lino/Father Rob standards... and then they went and sang it again.
Our take: As the old Scottish folk tune goes, "You take the high road and I'll take the low road". And that leaves the middle road for this show: nothing really bad, but nothing really great either.
Grade: B-
Highs: The outrage that oozed from both Lino and Father Rob when they found out that the other had broken their Lenten penances in a big way without fessing up to them was a hit. Also good was the nice interview with October Baby star John Schneider, and hearing Father Rob's girlish glee in anticipation of singing the Seize The Day theme song during the book club segment was priceless.
Lows: Today's Lenten song parody, Lent Is A Bear, was incredibly bad even by Lino/Father Rob standards... and then they went and sang it again.
Our take: As the old Scottish folk tune goes, "You take the high road and I'll take the low road". And that leaves the middle road for this show: nothing really bad, but nothing really great either.
Grade: B-
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Show review for 3/21/2012
Click here for a brief summary of the show
Highs: What bigger highlight could there be than Mama Rulli coming back on the show to make her son squirm with a new game? (We couldn't think of one, either.) Also good: Lino forcing Father Rob to run the board to see how hard it is, their disagreement over the punishment handed out to Saints coach Sean Payton, and a rip-roaring book club segment where Father Dave got dragged into belting out the Seize The Day theme song with Lino and Father Rob. However...
Lows: As fun as the singing was, all of the frivolity resulted in the book club segment getting ditched after only the first question, which was hardly fair to Gus Lloyd and his new book. Also, the whole discussion about Lino's new look with the beard and glasses did nothing for us and barely kept us awake.
Our take: This show was like a second-class sandwich: two slices of freshly baked artisan bread (the first and third hours) surrounding some deli meat that had been sitting in the fridge for a few days (the last 2/3 of the second hour). But thanks to Lino's mom, this one still gets a pretty good grade.
Grade: B+
Highs: What bigger highlight could there be than Mama Rulli coming back on the show to make her son squirm with a new game? (We couldn't think of one, either.) Also good: Lino forcing Father Rob to run the board to see how hard it is, their disagreement over the punishment handed out to Saints coach Sean Payton, and a rip-roaring book club segment where Father Dave got dragged into belting out the Seize The Day theme song with Lino and Father Rob. However...
Lows: As fun as the singing was, all of the frivolity resulted in the book club segment getting ditched after only the first question, which was hardly fair to Gus Lloyd and his new book. Also, the whole discussion about Lino's new look with the beard and glasses did nothing for us and barely kept us awake.
Our take: This show was like a second-class sandwich: two slices of freshly baked artisan bread (the first and third hours) surrounding some deli meat that had been sitting in the fridge for a few days (the last 2/3 of the second hour). But thanks to Lino's mom, this one still gets a pretty good grade.
Grade: B+
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Show review for 3/20/2012
Click here for a brief summary of the show
Highs: What's Father Rob Humming was as brilliant as it's ever been. It was also a good show for hearing Lino squirm: 1) When he got criticized for not backing up the files he lost, 2) When he was forced to apologize to Father Rob for the whole wearing cologne debacle, and 3) When a caller made him feel bad enough to give him a copy of Sinner after declaring he wouldn't get one. Good stuff.
Lows: As we've complained before, Free Therapy Tuesday gave us almost nothing from Lino's therapist's point-of-view... why emphasize the therapist if we never hear from her?
Our take: A little bit better than yesterday's show (due in no small part to Father Rob's humming skills), but still very middle-of-the-road as TCGS goes.
Grade: B
Highs: What's Father Rob Humming was as brilliant as it's ever been. It was also a good show for hearing Lino squirm: 1) When he got criticized for not backing up the files he lost, 2) When he was forced to apologize to Father Rob for the whole wearing cologne debacle, and 3) When a caller made him feel bad enough to give him a copy of Sinner after declaring he wouldn't get one. Good stuff.
Lows: As we've complained before, Free Therapy Tuesday gave us almost nothing from Lino's therapist's point-of-view... why emphasize the therapist if we never hear from her?
Our take: A little bit better than yesterday's show (due in no small part to Father Rob's humming skills), but still very middle-of-the-road as TCGS goes.
Grade: B
Show review for 3/19/2012
Click here for a brief summary of the show
Highs: Lino and Father Rob going through the "enthusiasm" chapter of Gus Lloyd's Magnetic Christianity was a good start to what should be a fun series showing just how un-magnetic these two clowns can be at times. And Father Rob yelling at Father Dave for abstaining from alcohol during Lent (including St. Patrick's Day) was hilarious.
Lows: We were a little disappointed that today's Minor Confessions segment was so short.
Our take: Not a lot stood out either high or low, so this one ends up being pretty neutral.
Grade: B-
Highs: Lino and Father Rob going through the "enthusiasm" chapter of Gus Lloyd's Magnetic Christianity was a good start to what should be a fun series showing just how un-magnetic these two clowns can be at times. And Father Rob yelling at Father Dave for abstaining from alcohol during Lent (including St. Patrick's Day) was hilarious.
Lows: We were a little disappointed that today's Minor Confessions segment was so short.
Our take: Not a lot stood out either high or low, so this one ends up being pretty neutral.
Grade: B-
Friday, March 9, 2012
Show review for 3/7/2012
Click here for a brief summary of the show
Highs: The announcement of the winner of the Saints, Sinners, and Salami contest was the highlight of the show... especially when the winner's bride came on air to deliberately not apologize to all the other people who didn't win. (Did we also mention that the winner went on the last listener pilgrimage? You can't make this stuff up.) Also entertaining was Father Rob deliberately taking only positive calls after singing the latest Lenten parody song.
Lows: Hot Tub Bible Time Machine was a clever name in search of a decent segment to go with it... in-depth descriptions of Biblical places are lackluster enough for TCGS, but all of the unusual pauses Lino had during the conversation made us want to pull our hair out. And the premise of today's Catholic Guy Advice was more complicated than it should've been, which didn't lend itself to attentive listening.
Our take: A pretty blah way to transition into two weeks of best-ofs.
Grade: C
Highs: The announcement of the winner of the Saints, Sinners, and Salami contest was the highlight of the show... especially when the winner's bride came on air to deliberately not apologize to all the other people who didn't win. (Did we also mention that the winner went on the last listener pilgrimage? You can't make this stuff up.) Also entertaining was Father Rob deliberately taking only positive calls after singing the latest Lenten parody song.
Lows: Hot Tub Bible Time Machine was a clever name in search of a decent segment to go with it... in-depth descriptions of Biblical places are lackluster enough for TCGS, but all of the unusual pauses Lino had during the conversation made us want to pull our hair out. And the premise of today's Catholic Guy Advice was more complicated than it should've been, which didn't lend itself to attentive listening.
Our take: A pretty blah way to transition into two weeks of best-ofs.
Grade: C
Show review for 3/6/2012
Click here for a brief summary of the show
Highs: The whole second hour was scary yet brilliant, what with Lino broadcasting from his in-room jacuzzi with a constant threat of electrocution looming. That hour also featured the very welcome return of the No Dumb Questions segment, with some truly excellent answers to questions of the Faith. Also fun: hearing Lino get ridiculed by Father Rob and the listeners for declaring keyless ignition in cars a useless innovation. And a good set of Mysteries rounded out a show that was almost perfect. We say "almost" because...
Lows: Answer The Question didn't live up to expectations because 1) Lino was trying to be a perfectionist control freak during the whole thing, and 2) the first contestant got cheated out of a Popener when Lino and Father Rob mistakenly counted one of his answers wrong. Shame, shame, everybody knows your name.
Our take: An excellent show that took an unfortunate hit because of the Answer The Question shenanigans.
Grade: B+
Highs: The whole second hour was scary yet brilliant, what with Lino broadcasting from his in-room jacuzzi with a constant threat of electrocution looming. That hour also featured the very welcome return of the No Dumb Questions segment, with some truly excellent answers to questions of the Faith. Also fun: hearing Lino get ridiculed by Father Rob and the listeners for declaring keyless ignition in cars a useless innovation. And a good set of Mysteries rounded out a show that was almost perfect. We say "almost" because...
Lows: Answer The Question didn't live up to expectations because 1) Lino was trying to be a perfectionist control freak during the whole thing, and 2) the first contestant got cheated out of a Popener when Lino and Father Rob mistakenly counted one of his answers wrong. Shame, shame, everybody knows your name.
Our take: An excellent show that took an unfortunate hit because of the Answer The Question shenanigans.
Grade: B+
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Show review for 3/5/2012
Click here for a brief summary of the show
Highs: Lino trying to trick Father Rob into using part of his Lenten text allowance... and Father Rob seeing right through his trickery... was highly amusing. And the first hour in general (with Lino describing his environs and the whole Purell at Mass discussion) was pretty decent as well.
Lows: Most of the last two hours of the show. It's not that it was bad per se... it was yet another example of "all talk all the time" that just got very boring very fast. That's a shame considering that the topics were actually pretty good.
Our take: A promising show that got done in by shoving too much jabber into it. Certainly they can give us a bit more variety even with Lino in the Great White North all week long. If they can't... well, it's gonna be a long week.
Grade: C-
Highs: Lino trying to trick Father Rob into using part of his Lenten text allowance... and Father Rob seeing right through his trickery... was highly amusing. And the first hour in general (with Lino describing his environs and the whole Purell at Mass discussion) was pretty decent as well.
Lows: Most of the last two hours of the show. It's not that it was bad per se... it was yet another example of "all talk all the time" that just got very boring very fast. That's a shame considering that the topics were actually pretty good.
Our take: A promising show that got done in by shoving too much jabber into it. Certainly they can give us a bit more variety even with Lino in the Great White North all week long. If they can't... well, it's gonna be a long week.
Grade: C-
Show review for 3/2/2012
Click here for a brief summary of the show
Highs: The entire first half of the show was top notch... from reading the comments about Lino's hotel in Canada, to Lino and Father Rob bickering over the latter's text allowance, to the song parody of Move Like Jagger. And what better way to end the show than with some of Father Rob's Righteous Anger that actually turned out to be more sinful than righteous.
Lows: The whole "sinful behaviors" discussion didn't really pique our interest.
Our take: Apart from the second half of the second hour, not a bad way to spend your afternoon.
Grade: B+
Highs: The entire first half of the show was top notch... from reading the comments about Lino's hotel in Canada, to Lino and Father Rob bickering over the latter's text allowance, to the song parody of Move Like Jagger. And what better way to end the show than with some of Father Rob's Righteous Anger that actually turned out to be more sinful than righteous.
Lows: The whole "sinful behaviors" discussion didn't really pique our interest.
Our take: Apart from the second half of the second hour, not a bad way to spend your afternoon.
Grade: B+
Friday, March 2, 2012
Show review for 3/1/2012
Click here for a brief summary of the show
Highs: It's always fun to hear Lino getting smacked into a corner, and never was that so apparent than during the Eleventh Commandment segment where he attempted to defend his view that ordering the same meal from a restaurant as a friend was a no-no. And Mark Hart's appearance on the show was stellar as usual.
Lows: Ever seen Les Miserables? Lino's quest to force Father Rob to admit that he has an emotional side felt a little like Inspector Javert's incessant pursuit of Jean Valjean... it was almost petty.
Our take: Good in some parts, mildly amusing in others. We've heard better.
Grade: C+
Highs: It's always fun to hear Lino getting smacked into a corner, and never was that so apparent than during the Eleventh Commandment segment where he attempted to defend his view that ordering the same meal from a restaurant as a friend was a no-no. And Mark Hart's appearance on the show was stellar as usual.
Lows: Ever seen Les Miserables? Lino's quest to force Father Rob to admit that he has an emotional side felt a little like Inspector Javert's incessant pursuit of Jean Valjean... it was almost petty.
Our take: Good in some parts, mildly amusing in others. We've heard better.
Grade: C+
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Show review for 2/29/2012
Click here for a brief summary of the show
Highs: The song parodies and resulting discussions were excellent, but Father Rob missing a cue during the middle of the first parody was spectacular.
Lows: We caught a pretty good nap during most of the first hour… the whole discussion about singing/not singing at Mass didn't deserve nearly as much time as it was given. But that was nothing compared to the rambling out-of-the-blue discussion during the third hour about TV shows they watched in their youth, the movie Something Borrowed, and who's seen what romantic comedy... that was just plain bizarre.
Our take: It may be (by his own admission) the "best" leap day show Lino's ever done, but we're glad he's not doing another one for another four years.
Grade: C
Highs: The song parodies and resulting discussions were excellent, but Father Rob missing a cue during the middle of the first parody was spectacular.
Lows: We caught a pretty good nap during most of the first hour… the whole discussion about singing/not singing at Mass didn't deserve nearly as much time as it was given. But that was nothing compared to the rambling out-of-the-blue discussion during the third hour about TV shows they watched in their youth, the movie Something Borrowed, and who's seen what romantic comedy... that was just plain bizarre.
Our take: It may be (by his own admission) the "best" leap day show Lino's ever done, but we're glad he's not doing another one for another four years.
Grade: C
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