3 Things: A Crime A Day, David Rees, and Susan Orlean by Chris Duffy

Hi friends,

It's Saturday! Every week, I send out an email with my upcoming shows, one thing I think is great, one thing that made me laugh, and one thing I found interesting. 

Upcoming Shows

EVERYWHERE:
A new episode of You're the Expert is out just in time for the end of the year. Recorded live at National Geographic, marine ecologist Clare Fieseler tells Aparna Nancherla, Hari Kondabolu, and Maeve Higgins how to avoid sharks, save coral reefs, and what not to put in the washing machine. Link

My full schedule with all upcoming dates is online here.

This week's list

GREAT:
Who could have guessed that a list of obscure federal laws could bring the world so much joy? And yet, the geniuses behind A Crime A Day have created a hilarious and fascinating database of ways you can break the law. Some of my favorites include the federal code that makes it a crime to "release a bird into a house in order to scare another bird." Or the one that makes it a crime to "try to change the weather using lasers without filing a report 10 days ahead." There are countless fantastic laws to pick as a favorite of your own. Enjoy going down the rabbit hole: A Crime A Day


FUNNY:
At the end of December, it seems like just about everyone you know is putting together their best of 2017 lists. But the best "best of" lists belong to David Rees. The Best of 2017


INTERESTING:
It's cold. So very, very cold. Since I can't escape to a beach in Hawaii, I'll do the next best thing: read Susan Orlean's legendary profile of surfer girls in Hawaii. Orlean is such an talented writer that you'll forget the snow for a few minutes. (Also, fun fact: this is the story that inspired the movie Blue Crush.) Life's Swell by Susan Orlean

Ok, that's a wrap on 2017. Thanks for reading! 

If you like these emails, feel free to forward to a friend or come say hi at a live show. If someone sent this newsletter your way and you want to join, you can subscribe here

Happy New Year!
Chris

3 Things: Jessie Ware, Colin Nissan, and Mona Chalabi by Chris Duffy

duffy3things.png

Hi friends,

It's Saturday! Every week, I send out an email with my upcoming shows, one thing I think is great, one thing that made me laugh, and one thing I found interesting. 

Upcoming Shows

EVERYWHERE:
Make those long car trips or flights home for the holidays go a little faster with someYou're the Expert episodes. Our two most recent are about the hunt for Earth 2.0 and whale hormones. Link

SEATTLE:
SOLD OUT Wednesday, December 27 at 7:30 p.m. at the Annex Theater. You Get A Spoonwith music from The Westerlies, a performance by Bianca Giaever, and jokes from me. Link

My full schedule with all upcoming dates is online here.

This week's list

GREAT:
Jessie Ware is a singer who's simultaneously famous and constantly referred to as a "best kept secret." I'm a big fan of her music and I love this profile of her that starts with her insisting she's vegan and ends with her snacking on soppressata and cheese. She seems like she'd be a lot of fun as a friend. As you're heading home for the holidays (or choosing not to head home), Jessie Ware's "Sam" might be the perfect soundtrack. A song about getting past her own childhood and building a family of her own.  


FUNNY:
I may just send this same story out every year for Christmas because I've yet to see another holiday piece that makes me laugh as hard. Colin Nissan's The Twelve Days of Christmas is a masterpiece.


INTERESTING:
Mona Chalabi is equal parts visual artist and investigative journalist. In her role diving into data for The Guardian, she's managed to make illustrations that are informative, beautiful, and often hilarious. Whether she's examining what America would look like without immigrants or the number of decapitated chickens in New York City parks, her work always has a unique and memorable style. Mona's also got a fantastic British accent which makes her the perfect podcast guest (she's a frequent contributor to Maeve in America) or television host (she's the face of a program on Viceland). Mona Chalabi  (also check out her Instagram here)

Ok, that's it for today. Thanks for reading! 

If you like these emails, feel free to forward to a friend or come say hi at a live show. If someone sent this newsletter your way and you want to join, you can subscribe here

Happy holidays!
Chris

You Get A Spoon with Joanna Rothkopf, Anielle & Matthew, and Mona Chalabi! by Chris Duffy

A great final NYC show of 2017 tonight!

Joanna Rothkopf told us about the odyssey that is an America's Got Talent audition and then recommended:

1) CeraVe moisturizing lotion

2) Ginger-peanut butter chews  

3) Betty’s Summer Vacation by Christopher Durang

Anielle and Matthew played amazing music and then recommended:

1) Everyday Witch tarot

2) Sprinkled cookies

3) Evian water

Mona Chalabi took us on a colon-based adventure and then recommended:

1) Chewing gum

2) Raspberry candy

3) Vanilla cake

And then Jason won the spoon!