Whoa! It's already St. Patrick's Day weekend - Christian and Shonali have way too much to catch up on. We talk Riverdance, Bronies, and walking strategies for New Yorkers. Shonali is dissed by her dad. Christian is in a TMZ phase. Shonali bombed an audition and Christian booked his. We share diatribes on hipster diatribes. Our special guest this episode is comedienne and actress Bridey Elliott. She just returned from Austin, where the film in which she co-stars, Fort Tilden, just won the Grand Jury Prize at SXSW. We talk animal handling, teen age angst, and growing up in a comedy family. Her father is Chris Elliott, sister is Abby Elliott, and grandfather is Bob Elliott. We also talk boyfriends, strategies for avoiding getting raped, Siri and butt dialing. In addition to acting, Bridey does stand up and is also performing in Absolutely, her Maude Night improv group at the UCB Theatre. We had so much fun having Bridey as our guest. You will hear Shonali laughing the ENTIRE episode. GAWSH! Our Episode 22 song is Sunshine Love by Rikki Ililonga.
We Don't Even Know - Episode 21 - Pete Miser - January 21, 2014 →
Happy New Year to all our WDEK listeners. Things are off to a good start in the WDEK studios with Christian and Shonali both getting sick over the holidays. We are having a snow storm right now. Christian talks about story hijackers and Justin lends us his thoughts. Parents think they are better drivers than their kids and that's a fact. Shonali's mom sends Christian a special FB message. Subway sightings include a dancer at Union Square platform and a man with a carryon and a tennis racquet.
Our special guest is Pete Miser, the legendary front man of Five Fingers of Funk from Portland, OR and a rapper who has released 4 full length albums of his own, while helming the board at his own Ho House studios in Tribeca. He's worked closely with Dido and Imani Coppola and is always making new music. Pete comes bearing gifts. This one is especially for Christian and his former thigh chafing issues (as heard on Ep. 4). Pete was a B-boy who started to rap at age 16. He will fill you in on what's happening in hip hop today, and what's not. Did you see the Indian dancing boy star on India's Got TAlent? Are musicians sellouts for putting their music in commercials? Shonali is reading the Miles Davis Autobiography. Sounds are a singular experience. You can hear them by just reading about them. Pete makes his world debut of Hands Up 3.3 on We Don't Even Know! Put your HANDS UP!!!!!
We Don't Even Know - Episode 20 - Shalewa Sharpe - December 11, 2013 →
The trees, the lights, the people, the shopping ....ugh! Shonali has a new look. Marcellus Hall just had a release party and his Afterglow CD is available on Band Camp. Christian calls Shonali "perky." Holiday angst on the subways and streets of New York. Gift giving is not so easy. Christian uses the term "viral vids." Tigers & Monkeys have a new CD, The Animals Will Forgive Us Again coming out January 7, 2014. Episode 20 guest, Shalewa Sharpe is all about gift receiving this year. Christian calls Shalewa "perky." Some people are bold and break into millionaire's homes and throw parties. Some are even bolder and steal snow leopards. Shonali understands animal facial expressions. Did you see the fake sign language translator on the Mandela Memorial? Shalewa is a rising comedian, former adult video store clerk and a new New York transplant from Atlanta. There are some surprises to working in an adult video store. Long ago, Shalewa shared a very important video with Shonali. Shalewa had low expectations of her comedy career when she arrived to New York. Lots of comedians talk about their junk. Dad's stop understanding their daughters after they turn 9. Justin and Shonali are going to Minneapolis for a free Sardines Out of A Can screening party at Varsity Theater, Wednesday, December 18th at 7:30pm. Shalewa is at The Creek and The Cave, December, 16th in Long Island City for Caught On Tape. Deerhunter is a great band from Atlanta. Here is their awesome video Back To The Middle. Happy Holidays! Don't let your family get to you!
Episode 19 - Jeffrey Gamblero - November 4, 2013 →
Happy Halloween! Happy Diwali! Happy November! Shonali just got her tooth drilled at the dentist office. Tooth ash was spewing everywhere. Christian was beligerant on Halloween, not just beligerant, but the Beligerant Yogi. Pictures are up on our FB page. Christian's landlord took his family on vacation to Burning Man and we're not judging. Christian, Shonali, Justin and special guest Jeffrey Gamblero have never been to Burning Man, so we don't even know. Bathroom attendants are a thing of the past, thank goodness. It's always so awkward. Christian ponders whether its the noises or the smell that would be the worst Have you seen the Jumbotron at Barclays Center during a Nets game? If so you definitely saw our Ep. 19 guest up there! Our "Uber" guest is Jeffrey Gamblero, a super fan of Brooklyn Nets, former professional poker player, graffitti writer, artist and current Lofty Goals NYC art collective partner. There is a viral meme out now with him on it regarding the Nets win over the Heat. Jeffrey did not have gambling groupies while he gambled. His beautiful wife to be, Kristi Evans, with the beautiful hair, is his partner in Lofty Goals. Jeffrey and Kristi will be hosting interactive art shows - ie. gambling for art. Our special music comes from Four Tet, a song called Parallel Jalebi in honor of Shonali's newlywed friends.
Episode 18 - Rashida White - October 8, 2013 →
Christian celebrates his birthday in a new graphical Urban Outfitters sweatshirt. Disclosure, WDEK Ep. 18 does not cover the Government Shutdown, Miley Cyrus or twerking. Shonali and Christian question the intentions behind gift giving. Christian is impressed by Shonali's first official home office chair with movable arm rests and lumbar support. Shonali is screening her short film Sardines Out of A Can in NYC on Oct. 24th at Wythe Hotel. Christian had a role on Guiding Light, better than that, he auditioned for All My Children via a self taped video and we have the proof. The next generation of techies are gamers. Kids today can sneak on to planes, steal SUVs and hack phones and tablets. The empathy sucker - smartphones as per Louis CK and Christian. Our special guest is a former Apple technician, teacher, writer, musician and DJ extraordinaire Rashida White. Rashida and Shonali met as volunteers at Willie Mae Rock Camp for Girls. Have you tried Alchemy Vegan Ice Cream. Shonali tried to make a video letter for Bloomberg. Our song of the episode is Lazy Soldier by Sam Jayne (Love As Laughter).
Episode 17 - Greg Johnson - September 10, 2013 →
Christian and Shonali are back with a summer recap! Highlights include Chuck. E. Cheese, a 20 year old Ford Aerostar Van, a special summer care package and a dirty driver's license. Christian has a special relationship with the TSA and body scanners. The heated NYC Mayoral race brings out the best in our current Mayor. Robots are taking our jobs. Did Watson, the Jeopardy computer ever lose? We are hiring fact checkers at WDEK. Our special guest is comedian and longtime friend, Greg Johnson. Christian, Shonali and Greg worked in a major Manhattan lawfirm together. Greg is a former "Chron King" and "Bros Blog" writer. He is known as the "best blogger alive." Greg teaches us complex job exit strategies and how to get Cher to respond to your tweets. Greg coined "war dialing." Remember our story from Episode 16? What's with all the hoax viral videos these days? Our music this week comes from the American brother and sister folk duo (Brad and Jessical Lauretti),This Frontier Needs Heroes with a song called George Clooney.
Episode 16 - Dakota Hall - July 16th, 2013 →
Happy Heatwave to all of you. Christian and Shonali discuss the unique New York City sights, sounds and smells that happen during a week long scorching heatwave. Our latest episode is brought to you from Justin's apartment in Bushwick recorded live in front of a studio audience; Justin's mom- Dorie, Dad - Mark, and little brother Dakota who happens to be our special guest this episode. Krissy Chula has a meltdown along with our friend who is responsible for inserting the term "war dialing" into our vernacular. We discuss phone etiquette and Christian's rules for modes of communication. Our special guest, 16 year old Dakota Hall is from Walker, Minnesota, knows everyone at his high school, plays the piano, and listens to Jack Johnson and John Mayer (whew! for a second there we thought he was going to be listening to someone we had never heard of - turns out we were way off. We probably heard of them before he was born.) Shonali would like to go to Walker for the weekend Eelpout fishing festival they have in February in an ice village on a lake along with 10,000 people. It may just be the heat. Savages are an English all woman band that rocked Shonali's world a few weeks back at Webster Hall in NYC. Here is the first song of their debut full length Silence Yourself. The song is called Shut Up.
Episode 16: Dakota Hall, Justin's 16 Year Old Brother - July 20, 2013
Episode 15 - WDEK Moms - May 5, 2013 →
For our Special Episode 15 Mother's Day edition of WDEK, we talk to the WDEK Moms. Shonali avoids getting spit on in the subway. Christian shares a story about a boy and his piggy bank. We first talk to Shonali's mom, Shubha Bhowmik who lives in Nashville, TN. She loves comedy and tv shows on TV Land. Giving birth to Shonali was no big thing.
As for Justin, his mom, Dorie, lives in Walker, Minnesota and was a radio broadcaster and host of her own variety radio show. She tells us about Justin the lost adventurer. On one of his trips, Justin was confused when he was in Frankfurt, Germany instead of Frankfurt, Kentucky. Dorie also is a musician and has released some albums. We will play her Polka, Waltzes, and Foxtrots soon.
Christian's mom, Madeleine lives in Evanston, IL and tells us some unexpected stories about Christian. Madeleine like Christian has a beautiful way with words. Teasers are Mother Theresa, to-do lists, and a hole in the wall. We all love our mothers so much. Now that may seem obvious, but heck it's not true for everyone. We feel lucky. Thanks Moms! We love you. Tame Impala takes us out with Why Won't You Make Up Your Mind!
Episode 15: Shonali's Mom - Shubha, Justin's Mom-Dorie, Christian's Mom-Madeleine - May 5, 2013
Episode 14 - Nimesh Patel - April 21, 2013 →
Our hearts go out to the city of Boston and all those affected by the awful attack they endured last week. Due to the high pollen count in NYC, Shonali's asthma has been flaring up and Christian is of no help. Christian's barber knows foreign policy. Little things can get under your skin, like babysitting the babysitter or an entitled toddler in Prospect Park.
Our WDEK Episode 14 special guest is Nimesh Patel who comes straight out of Jersey. He is Indian, but grew up in Jersey, lives in NYC and is a comedy finance guy. Yup, very unique. He promised us on Friday he would be hung over on Sunday morning, and he accomplished his goal although we couldn't really tell. He was as fiesty and belligerent as he usually is. Ep. 11 guest Marcellus Hall turned Shonali on to Nimesh's comedy. Nimesh advises Shonali to use Vicks for her asthma and informs us on a number of Indian cure alls. Nimesh killed it at his office holiday party and gained mad respect. Ladies, Nimesh is on Tinder (the Grinder for straight people) if you need some tenderness. Ever heard of the "We Just Got of Jail" comedy show? Nimesh hosts a Monday night show in Williamsburg, at Bar Matchless called Broken Comedy. He wants you to come to his show on April 29th. He's hosting a special pilot taping of Minority Report. Our new music, comes from the amazing, Shannon Wright. She has a new release titled In Film Sound coming out next month. This is the first song, Noise Parade. She is currently on tour in Europe and will be in the US next month.
Episode 13 - Reno Villacis - March 29, 2013 →
Happy Spring everyone! Here at WDEK Headquarters we are eagerly awaiting the warm weather which brings sunlight, vacations, drinking, working out, the beach, wearing short shorts, speedos, and mini skirts. To help us look good and laugh hard for the spring is our special guest Renaud "Reno" Villacis, Shonali's physical trainer and comic relief in the gym. Shonali got a new haircut and is wearing her high waisted jeans. Christian is wearing a headband. Justin is going to his godmother's for Easter. Christian coins the term "life fans." WDEK is blowing up on FB with new "likes" from all over the country. The current North Korean dictator looks like a lonelier version of his dad. Team America is hilarious. Reno will not date a woman that litters. Listen carefully to Reno's eating and exercise tips. Reno's favorite girl is his dog Chloe. Guess which one of us wears Speedos? Reno has a tattoo on his neck and he regrets it. If you want to check out some of Reno's work outs on his youtube channel at RockReno1. Reno will not return to Ecuador. Reno met a special woman via a smoothie. Boney M's Rasputin has 26 million views.
Episode 12 - Hadiyah Robinson - March 17, 2013 →
Top O' the Mornin' To Ya! I've always wanted to type that! Lucky for us, WDEK was recorded live on St. Patrick's Day, and Irish Christian Felix made us some tasty Guinness Chocolate pudding to enjoy during the show. Our special guest was comedienne, former MTV employee and all around awesome lady, Hadiyah Robinson. She claims she is Irish too. We are all frightened of bed bugs and roaches. Have you been to John Early's Showgasm? It is frighteningly wonderful. There are a number of ways to burn off your hair. Men, we've said it before, please don't groom yourself too much or too little. Easy enough, right? Hadiyah does not like male back hair. Shonali does not like ear hair. Christian tells Shonali to embrace her baby moustache. Do you have a kickstarter campaign? Justin was part of a terrible Kickstarter campaign. If you have one, let us know and we will post the link on to our FB page please. We just may donate to it. We'll have to think about it. Hadiyah is from Michigan. She performs stand up all around the city and on tv. Please check out Hadiyah's 365 Days for Oprah here. Crazy coincidence that Hadiyah is featured in the April issue of O Magazine, which drops on March 19th, her birthday. Today! There is a Brooklyn experimental jazz electronic duo called Live Footage. Their tune Nomadic Ant ends the show. Alright ya'll, we hope you enjoy.
Episode 11 - Marcellus Hall - March 1, 2013 →
Well, well, well, if it hasn't been over a month since our last show. Shonali took off to India with her parents for an entire month. Christian has been working out at the gym. Needless to say, we are happy to be back with our very first WDEK illustrator/musical guest, Marcellus Hall. Shonali shares India traveling tips such as taking your Cipro, drinking bottled water, and making friends with mosquitos. Christian has great disdain for subway aromas and drunk passengers on planes. Is alcohol a truth serum, that is the question? Marcellus knows a crazy friend who uses unusual expletives when he is intoxicated. Christian challenges Shonali's goat meat appreciation. Have you heard of the Harlem Shake? Marcellus Hall, an illustrator for The New Yorker, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, children's books, and his parent's 50th Wedding Anniversary invitation has an awesome website. His music, writings, and artwork are featured there. Shonali has been a fan of his for a very long time. Marcellus was the leader of Railroad Jerk, White Hassle and currently is the leader of Marcellus Hall and the Hostages. He is preparing to do a kickstarter campaign for a new release. WDEK was lucky enough to have Marcellus perform two songs live in the studio, He's No Longer With Us and Soulmate. Hey, did you catch that surprise last tune, a salute to WDEK's Shonali and Christian? Marcellus named the area in Manhattan in which he lives Tribedel. He will be famous for that.
Episode 10 - JJ Sasnowski - January 5, 2013 →
Happy New Year WDEK Listeners! We assume that each and every one of you have a fantastical holiday story to share with us because we have so many to share with you. Christian got to meet Thumper and Bumper. Shonali sits in the back of the plane. Christian's uncle is concerned about his finances. Shonali's five year old niece taunts her. We are in a new studio, Christian's apartment in Park Slope. JJ Sosnowski, professional dancer, educator, yoga teacher joins us as our first guest of 2013. Shonali makes an OD to DD conversion of her niece. JJ spent his holidays in the Northlands. Terms to be banished for 2013. Christian does not like "bucket list" among many others. Don't fall off the (fill in the blank) cliff! Justin has an opinion about "super foods." Shonali is obsessed with Christian's passion. JJ fills in Shonali's blanks..."pundit" and "frame." JJ is now a dance teacher in the NY Public Schools. JJ has been performing as a dancer since he was a little kid. There are two sides to Christian. All kids need attention. JJ shares a sweet story about working with kids. WDEK introduces a new term for 2013, "mist spitting." JJ fills out an incident report on a kindergartner. Kids say the darndest things. Yoga is about meditation, practice and not a substitution for a workout. Local Natives have a new album coming out January 28th. Listen to their song Heavy Feet now.
Episode 9 - Terri Girvin - December 12, 2012 →
Happy Holidays! We are smack dab in the middle of the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. We have already attended enough holiday parties and dinners so that we are going to detox before Christmas even arrives. Okay, that's not true, but we wish we had the willpower to do that. In preparation for a special holiday party, Shonali blow dried her hair way too straight for comfort. Christian worked in LA and was given some Man-Up cream. We use the word "girth" a lot in the WDEK studios but this time we've added the words "man boobs" to our repertoire. Our special guest this episode is the multitalented Terri Girvin (comedienne, actress, writer, bartender). Terri and Christian became friends while working at a non-profit organization as performers who created and performed for children in hospitals and care facilities across New York. The work is intense and inspiring. Terri took two years off from her artistic life and enjoyed living a life with more ease. She is now back to performing and created and starred in her own one-woman show called Last Call with over 700 sound cues. Being a good bartender is being a good multi-tasker. Find out how to get good service from a bartender. Waving money in front of a bartender is never a good idea. Learn what word Christian refuses to hear from a bartender even if that bartender offers him a free shot of Jameson. The phrase "will turn from Urkel to Mr. T" were used in this episode. Yeah, guess who said that?
Episode 8 - Mickey Rapkin - November 20, 2012 →
Episode 8 is the first WDEK episode to be taped post Super Storm (was not classified as a hurricane when it hit us) Sandy and the 2012 Presidential Election. Shonali has power, heat but still no internet. Christian has nothing to complain about but for the noise of sirens the day the storm hit, yeah, seriously. Shonali was a poll watcher in Philly. Christian causes a commotion on a flight on election day. Shonali saw Madonna live for the very first time. Special guest Mickey Rapkin joins us in the WDEK studio (Shonali's dining room). Mickey has seen Madonna live before only tickets were much more inexpensive then. Everyone loves Elmo, don't they? Christian has a new nickname for Elmo. Author Mickey Rapkin tells us about his days as an acapella singing group member. The movie Pitch Perfect (currently in theaters - written by the fantastic Kay Cannon and starring Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, Skylar Astin, Adam Devine) is based on Mickey's book Pitch Perfect. How do you write a book? Mickey has written two. His latest is titled Theater Geek. Pitch Perfect's Riff Off made Shonali's Sandy blues disappear. What are your Thanksgiving rituals? Saying thanks? Movies? Commemorating the first Thanksgiving? Eating in front of the television? Christian thinks Daniel Day Lewis is Lincoln. Shonali loves that Anthony Hopkins is opinionated. Mickey saw Life of Pi. More Indians in Hollywood. Mickey interviewed Neil Young TWICE! Mickey is a GQ Docker's Man of Style and Christian has cool new glasses, so there's that. Happy Holidays from the WDEK crew. We are thankful for you, our listeners. The Vince Gauraldi Trio takes us out with Charlie Brown Thanksgiving.
Episode 7 - We Don't Even Know Ghost Stories - October 28, 2012 →
Happy Fall! For all you busy people out there, we shortened the show - so downloading won't be such a pain. Fall has begun. What's wrong with saying "Happy Fall," people? Weddings with comedians. Christian and his white button down. Psy is chubby, 34, a pop sensation and fabulous. Our wonderful guest is the lovely Katina Corrao. She is a standup, actress and comedy writer who just finished her first season writing for the Newlywed Game Show and is the star of Dance School and Separate Checks (check them out on YouTube). Why don't we know anyone that makes sex tapes outside of Christian's barber? Tony Danza is the Boss! New song by Prince Rupert's Drops - their newest release will be out in November!
Ep. 6 WDEK weathered the Storm with Magnum PI and Bagelgher
We apologize for being out of touch last month, but we promise that this episode of WDEK will prove to have been worth your wait. Episode 7 is a super special edition of WDEK. We taped the show outside in front of a live audience on the eve of Hurricane Sandy, a few days before Halloween on the Brooklyn deck of our good friend Stephen Vesecky. Stephen shared a Johann Wolfgang von Goethe scary story while ominous sounds of the city howl behind him, literally. Our special guests were the sexy Magnum PI and the one and only Bagelgher. Listening to their tales of fright and horror will make you shake and shiver. Christian finished up his run of shows for the play, Blacken the Bubble. Shonali's gym teacher needs advice about flights to Siberia. Have you heard Hot Cheetos and Takis? Shonali would like to touch Magnum's stache. Christian doesn't like being called a little girl. The Bagelgher doesn't like rap videos. Must see visuals are attached: Bagelgher's Bagelmatic and Bagel Gun. We were quite out of control and feel lucky to have enjoyed such a wonderful afternoon on what would be the eve of a devastating hurricane that ripped apart our city. For those of you that are still affected by Hurricane Sandy, our thoughts are with you and we hope that those of you that can help, contribute time and/or money to the relief efforts going on throughout our city. Special thanks goes to Tory Harris, Matt Carlin, Justin Joseph Hall, Ricardo Rosario and our live audience. Ya'll are the best!
Ep. 5 The Fun Keeps on Rollin' with Charles Scott
Shonali went to the US Open and Christian booked a lead role in a new play. Don't mess with the Bathroom Police. Why do people break lines? The summer has ended and Lupe Fiasco is going to retire. Our special guest Charles Scott is the quintessential endurance athlete, writer, family adventurer - only because we know noone else with all those titles. Charles just ran his 6th Iron Man in which he guided a 69 year old blind competitor. Here are some questions we had for Charles: Why run a 14th marathon, what's wrong with 4 or 5? Why cycle across the entire country of Japan, over 2500 miles in 67 days with an 8 year old? Why leave a 14 year career at Intel Capital and decide to write your first book? Are you crazy? Some people use swords as everyday weapons. Charles is worried about Christian and Shonali's relationship. Is it time for you to make that change? Charles punched a tree. Charles is a truly inspiring character. Catpower's newest release is out.
WDEK was so happy to have Shonali’s long time friend, Charles Scott on the show last week. As an author, athlete, family man and dreamer, Charles dropped some serious knowledge! Check out all of the the cool things Charles has been up to on his HuffPo Page and you can keep up to date with the latest on Mr. Scott’s Facebook Page.
WDEK Ep. 4 - Kenny Lienhardt - August 25, 2012 →
Kenny Lienhardt is a one of a kind individual! He's the legendary soundman of the Bowery Ballroom for 14 years. He is the host of the Urban Angler public access fishing show for 10 years. He was the front man of the death metal band Black Virgin in the mid 80's and he was the producer of Tigers & Monkeys' recent full-length release "The Animals Will Forgive Us Again" and co-produced "Loose Mouth". He is a character that you never forget. He was recently celebrated in the Jan 3, 2014 Village Voice and since we are still talking about how much we enjoyed having him as one of our first WDEK guests, we wanted to share some of the highlights from his visit to the WDEK Studio in Sept. 2012. In case you missed it or want to hear it again - enjoy! Some of the language is offensive, so turn down while listening. Sorry mom.
Ep. 3 Time Flies with John Early
WDEK’s studio (Shonali’s Crib) was graced with the presence of the very funny and brilliant actor, writer, comedian etc etc etc - John Early! His latest project, “The Witchelor” is a hoot and it is currently in the process of being brought back to the stage! Christian and Shonali adore this guy and they think you will too! Below is a screenshot from the Toni Collette Fan Page that John created and loyally maintained in his teen years… enjoy ;-)
