Topic: Leo Laporte

Sir Eric from Seattle recalls the "tweet days" and a humorous incident involving Leo Laporte. The note details Eric's transition from a "war dialer" in the 80s to a U.S. Marine. Sir Harry Pilgrim also upgrades to "Viscount of the Coastal Empire," requesting malted barley and hops to continue brewing artisan ales for the peerage.

The group discusses the early days of No Agenda and its strategic scheduling following Leo Laporte's This Week in Tech (TWiT). Adam Curry acknowledges that the show originally aimed to capture the audience already online for TWiT, often starting an hour after Leo's show ended. Jason Calacanis reflects on his own appearances on TWiT and the political polarization that has affected guest lineups in recent years.

Andrew Horowitz recounts his 18-year history with John C. Dvorak and his early interactions with Leo Laporte's TWiT network. He describes launching The Disciplined Investor podcast in March 2007 at the suggestion of his publisher, Harcourt, despite initially not knowing what a podcast was. Horowitz also details his transition from a nasal-voiced radio host known as "The Money Doctor" to a successful podcaster and money manager.

Jason Calacanis reveals that his long-running impersonation of John C. Dvorak was actually based on the actor Edward G. Robinson's "Little Caesar" persona. He recounts how the bit started on "This Week in Tech" to annoy Dvorak and how Dave Chappelle's own Robinson impression influenced the performance. Curry and Calacanis reminisce about Dvorak's reaction to the "gangster" portrayal of his curmudgeonly personality.

The show concludes with a series of "end of show mixes" produced by Sir Chris Wilson and others. The mixes feature clips of John C. Dvorak's most famous catchphrases, his "cranky" rants, and musical tributes. The guest hosts sign off from "FEMA Region 5" and "Pretentious Connecticut," promising to return for the Sunday broadcast.

Sir Clint Tillius recalls John C. Dvorak referring to soy sauce as "bug juice," a term also used by his late father. Sir Daniel Jay Lewis of Burlington, Kentucky, discusses the history of podcasting, mentioning how iTunes 4.9 "stole" podcasting from Adam Curry and reflecting on Dvorak's departure from the TWiT network.

Marty, a former joke writer and collaborator, recounts working with Dvorak on early CNET pilots alongside Leo Laporte. He describes Dvorak as a polymath who could converse expertly on topics ranging from Oswald Spengler and modern art to the direction of the music industry. The segment touches on Dvorak's "avuncular" but grumpy personality and his history of leaking Microsoft development secrets to the press.

Curry and Horowitz trace the origins of their respective shows back to 2007 and 2008. Horowitz recalls starting "DH Unplugged" after a series of long, private phone calls with Dvorak during the onset of the 2008 financial crisis. Similarly, Curry and Dvorak began "No Agenda" by recording their casual Skype conversations while Curry was living in London and Dvorak was in San Francisco.

Jeremy recalls first seeing Dvorak on MSNBC's "The Sight" and later on ZDTV. He fondly remembers Dvorak "terrorizing" Leo Laporte on TWiT and Adam Curry on No Agenda. He dedicates his donation to the memory of his late brother, Sir Zachary.

John C. Dvorak discusses his post-surgery recovery and the lack of communication from former peers like Leo Laporte. He notes that his health situation was featured in "Pod News," marking a rare moment of industry publicity. Plans for an upcoming meetup are discussed, though Dvorak remains uncertain about his ability to attend so soon after his double bypass.

Following a teleprompter glitch during a Kamala Harris town hall, the hosts recount their own professional experiences with prompter failures on TechTV and MTV. They discuss the skill required to write for prompters and the difficulty of transitioning to paper scripts during live broadcasts.

The history of Rush Limbaugh’s rise in the late 1980s is discussed, noting how the repeal of the Fairness Doctrine allowed for the growth of conservative talk radio. Limbaugh’s success in syndication eventually displaced local talk show hosts like Leo Laporte. The hosts argue that podcasting has since solved the problem of centralized media control.

A donor promotes "Metal Spirits," a new vodka and whiskey brand. The hosts discuss the release of the RODECaster Pro II, criticizing tech manufacturers for sending free units to "dipshit YouTubers" while ignoring established podcasters. The lack of honesty in tech journalism, specifically regarding Apple and Leo Laporte, is critiqued.

The professional background of Becky Worley is reviewed, including her early days as a producer for Leo Laporte on MSNBC and TechTV. Her transition from behind the camera to an on-air role at Good Morning America is highlighted. Comparisons are made to veteran broadcasters like Diane Sawyer and Barbara Walters.

A historical anecdote reveals that Rush Limbaugh's syndication success led to Leo Laporte being bumped from his radio slot on KNBR. Despite this, Limbaugh later recorded a promo for a computing show hosted by Laporte and one of the podcast hosts, as Limbaugh was a known "Mac head." A personal meeting with Limbaugh at New York's 21 Club is described, noting his surprisingly average height and pleasant demeanor.

A listener criticized the "Security Now" podcast for running advertisements for Manscaped, a male grooming company. The critique highlighted the contrast between traditional ad-supported podcasts and the "Value for Value" model, which avoids awkward product placements. The listener expressed discomfort with host Leo Laporte discussing personal grooming kits during a technical security program.

The hosts conclude the episode with a series of audio mixes featuring Donald Trump, Leo Laporte, and various "evergreen" clips. They remind listeners to support the show via the "Value for Value" model and sign off with their traditional "Adios Mofos."

A listener from San Antonio sent in "Fiesta pins" featuring Beto O'Rourke on a skateboard and a vintage copy of "Twit Magazine." The magazine, a gay lifestyle publication from Texas, is used to prove that the name "Twit" was in use long before Leo Laporte's "This Week in Tech" network. The hosts humorously compare the two entities and discuss the "hunky" imagery in the vintage publication.

An NPR special on the late hacker Adrian Lamo, who turned in Chelsea Manning, featured a clip of tech host Leo Laporte from "The Screen Savers." The program's framing was criticized for treating Laporte as an obscure figure from the past rather than an active leader in the podcasting industry. The segment also touched on Laporte's recent comments regarding the Green New Deal.

The effectiveness of podcast advertising is questioned, specifically the trend of long "live reads" at the beginning of shows like The Joe Rogan Experience. While hosts like Leo Laporte are praised for their sincere delivery, others like Ben Shapiro and the Pod Save America crew are criticized for sounding disinterested in the products they promote. Data suggests a 15% listener drop-off during donation or ad segments.