This week kicks off with thoughts on breaking-in new stuff, a tutorial on washing blue jeans, and, regrettably, the official retirement of Barrel Week. Eighties comedies are problematic, Richard Dawson had a pretty sweet mic, and our calendars are still such a mess.

John’s got beef with deliberately-distressed stuff, Merlin commits to a new lifestyle, and John helps you find photos of his dog. John also provides encouraging updates in Dog Follow-Up. Merlin wonders why all schools smell like boy pee.

This week’s main topic is all about Full Media Blackout. Todd is heavily credited with originating the term, which describes the ultimate no-spoiler, zero-information lockdown to which one may wish to commit in the run-up to the release of new media. What even is FMB, why would you do it, and how do you choose which stuff gets the total treatment? Just as important, how far will you go to stay unspoiled?

Things wrap with a quick cut at Things That Need to Leave the House. You know that sideboard, those baby shoes, and all the rock ‘n roll t-shirts? Gone. Out. Done-zo. You must reverse the flow diagram!

(Recorded on Thursday, July 6, 2017.)