Roderick on the Line

Recent episodes

1. Ep. 634: "Turnkey Friend"

   Jul 27, 2026

   <p><span class="full-image-block ssNonEditable"><span><a style="border-style: none !important; border-width: 0 !important; border: 0 !important;" title="College Village." href="http://www.merlinmann.com/roderick/ep-634-turnkey-friend.html"><img style="border-style: none !important; border-width: 0 !important; border: 0 !important;" src="http://www.merlinmann.com/storage/rotl/rotl_634.jpg" alt="College Village." /></a></span></span></p> <p><strong>The Problem</strong>: Gateway to Recreation</p> <p><em>(Recorded on July 27, 2026.)</em></p> <hr />

2. Ep. 633: "The Grandmother of Europe"

   Jul 13, 2026

   <p><span class="full-image-block ssNonEditable"><span><a style="border-style: none !important; border-width: 0 !important; border: 0 !important;" title="He's more beer can than dad now" href="http://www.merlinmann.com/roderick/ep-633-the-grandmother-of-europe.html"><img style="border-style: none !important; border-width: 0 !important; border: 0 !important;" src="http://www.merlinmann.com/storage/rotl/rotl_633.jpg" alt="He's more beer can than dad now." /></a></span></span></p> <p><strong>The Problem</strong>: They’re all iconoclasts.</p> <p><em>(Recorded on July 13, 2026.)</em></p> <hr />

3. Ep. 632: "Lady Applause"

   Jul 7, 2026

   <p><span class="full-image-block ssNonEditable"><span><a style="border-style: none !important; border-width: 0 !important; border: 0 !important;" title="Crusty buns full of mustard and sauerkraut." href="http://www.merlinmann.com/roderick/ep-632-lady-applause.html"><img style="border-style: none !important; border-width: 0 !important; border: 0 !important;" src="http://www.merlinmann.com/storage/rotl/rotl_632.jpg" alt="Crusty buns full of mustard and sauerkraut." /></a></span></span></p> <p><strong>The Problem</strong>: John tries to see the people who are singing.</p> <p><em>(Recorded on July 6, 2026.)</em></p> <hr />

4. Ep. 631: "European Party"

   Jun 29, 2026

   <p><span class="full-image-block ssNonEditable"><span><a style="border-style: none !important; border-width: 0 !important; border: 0 !important;" title="The Jonas Salk of Regret." href="http://www.merlinmann.com/roderick/ep-631-european-party.html"><img style="border-style: none !important; border-width: 0 !important; border: 0 !important;" src="http://www.merlinmann.com/storage/rotl/rotl_631.jpg" alt="The Jonas Salk of Regret." /></a></span></span></p> <p><strong>The Problem</strong>: You can still save this.</p> <p><em>(Recorded on June 29, 2026.)</em></p> <hr />

5. Ep. 630: "Until There's Shame"

   Jun 22, 2026

   <p><span class="full-image-block ssNonEditable"><span><a style="border-style: none !important; border-width: 0 !important; border: 0 !important;" title="It had a remark." href="http://www.merlinmann.com/roderick/ep-630-until-theres-shame.html"><img style="border-style: none !important; border-width: 0 !important; border: 0 !important;" src="http://www.merlinmann.com/storage/rotl/rotl_630.jpg" alt="It had a remark." /></a></span></span></p> <p><strong>The Problem</strong>: John could tell by his hair.</p> <p><em>(Recorded on June 22, 2026.)</em></p> <hr /> <p> <iframe width="400" height="300" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GwWW742T0Wc?si=6VuVe6xkKigSPuat" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe> </p> <p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwWW742T0Wc"><strong>Talking Heads - Live in Rome (1980)</strong></a></p> <hr />

6. Ep. 629: "Popper Girlfriends"

   Jun 15, 2026

   <p><span class="full-image-block ssNonEditable"><span><a style="border-style: none !important; border-width: 0 !important; border: 0 !important;" title="Reversion to the bowl." href="http://www.merlinmann.com/roderick/ep-629-popper-girlfriends.html"><img style="border-style: none !important; border-width: 0 !important; border: 0 !important;" src="http://www.merlinmann.com/storage/rotl/rotl_629.jpg" alt="Reversion to the bowl." /></a></span></span></p> <p><strong>The Problem</strong>: Merlin’s education is somewhat spotty.</p> <p><em>(Recorded on June 15, 2026.)</em></p> <hr />

7. Ep. 628: "My Legacy"

   Jun 8, 2026

   <p><span class="full-image-block ssNonEditable"><span><a style="border-style: none !important; border-width: 0 !important; border: 0 !important;" title="Emotional Debt." href="http://www.merlinmann.com/roderick/ep-628-my-legacy.html"><img style="border-style: none !important; border-width: 0 !important; border: 0 !important;" src="http://www.merlinmann.com/storage/rotl/rotl_628.jpg" alt="Emotional Debt." /></a></span></span></p> <p><strong>The Problem</strong>: Nature is healing.</p> <p><em>(Recorded on June 8, 2026.)</em></p> <hr /> <p><a href="https://www.ebay.com/usr/morganridesfree">👔 You can buy some of Roderick’s garments via eBay</a>.</p> <hr />

8. Ep. 627: "American Morning"

   Jun 1, 2026

   <p><span class="full-image-block ssNonEditable"><span><a style="border-style: none !important; border-width: 0 !important; border: 0 !important;" title="In the cool light of wherever you are." href="http://www.merlinmann.com/roderick/ep-627-american-morning.html"><img style="border-style: none !important; border-width: 0 !important; border: 0 !important;" src="http://www.merlinmann.com/storage/rotl/rotl_627.jpg" alt="In the cool light of wherever you are." /></a></span></span></p> <p><strong>The Problem</strong>: Most of us don’t think of ourselves as a project.</p> <p><em>(Recorded on June 1, 2026.)</em></p> <hr />

9. Ep. 626: "Chili Dog Meetup"

   May 25, 2026

   <p><span class="full-image-block ssNonEditable"><span><a style="border-style: none !important; border-width: 0 !important; border: 0 !important;" title="Magda crank." href="http://www.merlinmann.com/roderick/ep-626-chili-dog-meetup.html"><img style="border-style: none !important; border-width: 0 !important; border: 0 !important;" src="http://www.merlinmann.com/storage/rotl/rotl_626.jpg" alt="Magda crank." /></a></span></span></p> <p><strong>The Problem</strong>: The top bunk is the worst bunk.</p> <p><em>(Recorded on May 25, 2026.)</em></p> <hr />

10. Ep. 625: "Sixteen-Hour Train"

    May 4, 2026

    <p><span class="full-image-block ssNonEditable"><span><a style="border-style: none !important; border-width: 0 !important; border: 0 !important;" title="Demonstration Hole." href="http://www.merlinmann.com/roderick/ep-625-sixteen-hour-train.html"><img style="border-style: none !important; border-width: 0 !important; border: 0 !important;" src="http://www.merlinmann.com/storage/rotl/rotl_625.jpg" alt="Demonstration Hole." /></a></span></span></p> <p><strong>The Problem</strong>: Loved ones are always the weak point.</p> <p><em>(Recorded on May 4, 2026.)</em></p> <hr />

11. Ep. 624: "All the Words"

    Apr 27, 2026

    <p><span class="full-image-block ssNonEditable"><span><a style="border-style: none !important; border-width: 0 !important; border: 0 !important;" title="The Teen Facilitating Industrial Complex." href="http://www.merlinmann.com/roderick/ep-624-all-the-words.html"><img style="border-style: none !important; border-width: 0 !important; border: 0 !important;" src="http://www.merlinmann.com/storage/rotl/rotl_624.jpg" alt="The Teen Facilitating Industrial Complex." /></a></span></span></p> <p><strong>The Problem</strong>: I don’t like the way you are.</p> <p><em>(Recorded on Monday, April 27, 2026.)</em></p> <iframe style="width: 100%; height: auto; aspect-ratio: 16 / 9;" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8a_wzZAyqno?si=rjEoYoch3BWYWxQw" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe> <hr />

12. Ep. 623: "Local Tony"

    Apr 20, 2026

    <p><span class="full-image-block ssNonEditable"><span><a style="border-style: none !important; border-width: 0 !important; border: 0 !important;" title="I'm a pizza, you're a pizza." href="http://www.merlinmann.com/roderick/ep-623-local-tony.html"><img style="border-style: none !important; border-width: 0 !important; border: 0 !important;" src="http://www.merlinmann.com/storage/rotl/rotl_623.jpg" alt="I'm a pizza, you're a pizza." /></a></span></span></p> <p><strong>The Problem</strong>: An abundance of respect and caution.</p> <p><em>(Recorded on Monday, April 20, 2026.)</em></p> <hr />

13. Ep. 622: "Internationally Embarrassing"

    Apr 13, 2026

    <p><span class="full-image-block ssNonEditable"><span><a style="border-style: none !important; border-width: 0 !important; border: 0 !important;" title="Fellatiolelagh." href="http://www.merlinmann.com/roderick/ep-622-internationally-embarrassing.html"><img style="border-style: none !important; border-width: 0 !important; border: 0 !important;" src="http://www.merlinmann.com/storage/rotl/rotl_622.jpg" alt="Fellatiolelagh." /></a></span></span></p> <p><strong>The Problem</strong>: Merlin also finds himself elusive.</p> <p><em>(Recorded on Monday, April 13, 2026.)</em></p> <hr />

14. Ep. 621: "Son of the Turf"

    Mar 30, 2026

    <p><span class="full-image-block ssNonEditable"><span><a style="border-style: none !important; border-width: 0 !important; border: 0 !important;" title="Military-Grade Capitalization." href="http://www.merlinmann.com/roderick/ep-621-son-of-the-turf.html"><img style="border-style: none !important; border-width: 0 !important; border: 0 !important;" src="http://www.merlinmann.com/storage/rotl/rotl_621.jpg" alt="Military-Grade Capitalization." /></a></span></span></p> <p><strong>The Problem</strong>: That’s fighting the last war.</p> <p><em>(Recorded on Monday, March 30, 2026.)</em></p> <hr />

15. Ep. 620: "Blown Glass Float"

    Mar 23, 2026

    <p><span class="full-image-block ssNonEditable"><span><a style="border-style: none !important; border-width: 0 !important; border: 0 !important;" title="Never touch another man's lobster." href="http://www.merlinmann.com/roderick/ep-620-blown-glass-float.html"><img style="border-style: none !important; border-width: 0 !important; border: 0 !important;" src="http://www.merlinmann.com/storage/rotl/rotl_620.jpg" alt="Never touch another man's lobster." /></a></span></span></p> <p><strong>The Problem</strong>: It was like fighting a dumb bear that thinks you’re playing.</p> <p><em>(Recorded on Monday, March 23, 2026.)</em></p> <hr />

16. Ep. 619: "Dad Island"

    Mar 16, 2026

    <p><span class="full-image-block ssNonEditable"><span><a style="border-style: none !important; border-width: 0 !important; border: 0 !important;" title="Squirreling Behaviors." href="http://www.merlinmann.com/roderick/ep-619-dad-island.html"><img style="border-style: none !important; border-width: 0 !important; border: 0 !important;" src="http://www.merlinmann.com/storage/rotl/rotl_619.jpg" alt="Squirreling Behaviors." /></a></span></span></p> <p><strong>The Problem</strong>: John didn’t have his good glasses on.</p> <p><em>(Recorded on Monday, March 16, 2026.)</em></p> <hr />

17. Ep. 618: "The Bishop of the Past"

    Mar 9, 2026

    <p><span class="full-image-block ssNonEditable"><span><a style="border-style: none !important; border-width: 0 !important; border: 0 !important;" title="The Incuriosity of the Repairing Class." href="http://www.merlinmann.com/roderick/ep-618-the-bishop-of-the-past.html"><img style="border-style: none !important; border-width: 0 !important; border: 0 !important;" src="http://www.merlinmann.com/storage/rotl/rotl_618.jpg" alt="The Incuriosity of the Repairing Class." /></a></span></span></p> <p><strong>The Problem</strong>: John didn’t make it this far because there was any plan.</p> <p><em>(Recorded on Monday, March 9, 2026.)</em></p> <hr />

18. Ep. 617: "Sandy Pockets"

    Mar 2, 2026

    <p><span class="full-image-block ssNonEditable"><span><a style="border-style: none !important; border-width: 0 !important; border: 0 !important;" title="Closet Botanist." href="TKURL"><img style="border-style: none !important; border-width: 0 !important; border: 0 !important;" src="http://www.merlinmann.com/storage/rotl/rotl_617.jpg" alt="Closet Botanist." /></a></span></span></p> <p><strong>The Problem</strong>: By the time the world comes around, you’re not in charge of it anymore.</p> <p><em>(Recorded on Monday, March 2, 2026.)</em></p> <hr />

19. Ep. 616: "Accruing Crust"

    Feb 23, 2026

    <p><span class="full-image-block ssNonEditable"><span><a style="border-style: none !important; border-width: 0 !important; border: 0 !important;" title="Little Jazz." href="http://www.merlinmann.com/roderick/ep-616-accruing-crust.html"><img style="border-style: none !important; border-width: 0 !important; border: 0 !important;" src="http://www.merlinmann.com/storage/rotl/rotl_616.jpg" alt="Little Jazz." /></a></span></span></p> <p><strong>The Problem</strong>: You can’t assign specialness.</p> <p><em>(Recorded on Monday, February 23, 2026.)</em></p> <hr />

20. Ep. 615: "Number One Madam"

    Feb 16, 2026

    <p><span class="full-image-block ssNonEditable"><span><a style="border-style: none !important; border-width: 0 !important; border: 0 !important;" title="Golb." href="http://www.merlinmann.com/roderick/ep-615-number-one-madam.html"><img style="border-style: none !important; border-width: 0 !important; border: 0 !important;" src="http://www.merlinmann.com/storage/rotl/rotl_615.jpg" alt="Golb." /></a></span></span></p> <p><strong>The Problem</strong>: We were slender then.</p> <p><em>(Recorded on Monday, February 16, 2026.)</em></p> <hr /> <h3 id="links">Links</h3> <ul> <li><strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vRsEC65NTA">“Against the Wind”</a></strong> — Bob Seger (1980) — “What to leave in? What to leave out?”</li> <li><strong>Dave Nanian</strong> — <a href="https://mas.to/@dnanian/110295453657368625">Mastodon post about his original ’81 copy</a> — the friend who sparked the dB’s conversation</li> <li><strong>The dBs</strong> — <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWN-adiDNtM">“Black and White”</a> (<em>Repercussion</em>, 1982)</li> <li><strong>Don Dixon — <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbIpsPlj7_Y">“Girls L.T.D.”</a></strong> — solo track from the guy who co-produced early R.E.M.</li> <li><strong><a href="https://www.allmusic.com/artist/sneakers-mn0000034474/biography">Sneakers</a></strong> (band, ~1975) — early NC power pop band featuring Dixon, Easter, and Stamey before they were famous</li> <li><strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@filmjoy">Movies with Mikey</a></strong> — “But, did you <em>knowwww</em>?”</li> <li><strong>Richard Hugo</strong> — <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlPzvKE64rs">“Degrees of Grey in Philipsburg”</a></li> <li><strong><em><a href="https://standardebooks.org/ebooks/voltaire/candide/the-modern-library">Candide</a></em></strong> — Voltaire (1759) — third episode running where Merlin has mentioned Cunegonde</li> <li><strong><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claudine_Longet">Claudine Longet</a></strong> — French singer who shot Olympic skier Spider Sabich; married to Andy Williams</li> <li><strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpK7ZmRaeys">“Spicks and Specks”</a></strong> — Bee Gees (1966) — Merlin: “one of the purest pop songs ever written”</li> <li><strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sA_0cvd1EUM">“You Give a Little Love”</a></strong> — These crazy kids and their pies. From <em>Bugsy Malone</em> (1976)</li> <li><strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihN1JLsrVe8">Marshall Brodien’s TV Magic Cards</a></strong> — Merlin bought his trick cards at Walgreens</li> <li><strong><em><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzva_I8WPAg">Fast Times at Ridgemont High</a></em></strong> (1982) — Roderick cites Cameron Crowe on the film’s tragic subtext about being pressured to lose virginity</li> <li><strong><em><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Groundhog_Day_(film)">Groundhog Day</a></em></strong> (1993) — “what a fucking great movie”; Ned Ryerson as “one of the all time great character actor appearances”</li> <li><strong><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nut_Tree_(Vacaville,_California)">Nut Tree</a></strong> (Vacaville, CA) — roadside attraction with amusement park and small airport; Roderick and his dad flew there in a small plane</li> </ul> <hr />