1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:08,400 The comedy4cast network. Let's dog ear that for now. 2 00:00:08,483 --> 00:00:14,863 This is comedy4cast Episode 799, Heading Towards the Light. 3 00:00:16,123 --> 00:00:22,363 It's time once again for the Dog Days of Podcasting, a call for podcasters to 4 00:00:22,363 --> 00:00:25,603 try to put out a podcast every day in August. 5 00:00:25,903 --> 00:00:32,063 For more information and to hear all the shows, go to dogdaysofpodcasting.com. 6 00:00:32,063 --> 00:00:38,343 Here at the comedy4cast Studios, we've been working on a new format for this year's Dog Days. 7 00:00:38,723 --> 00:00:45,283 Sure, like in years past, there will be an actual odd news story, but that's not all. 8 00:00:45,563 --> 00:00:50,483 So, let's get started with Odd News Plus. 9 00:00:51,143 --> 00:00:56,543 Here are our odd news stories for Wednesday, August 7th, 2024. 10 00:00:57,283 --> 00:01:02,523 First up, tax-free holidays. Now offered in some 19 states, 11 00:01:02,863 --> 00:01:08,623 these events can last from two to ten days and offer the average consumer a 12 00:01:08,623 --> 00:01:12,503 break from having to pay sales tax on certain purchases. 13 00:01:13,043 --> 00:01:17,583 But a growing number of individuals are pushing back on this concept. 14 00:01:17,823 --> 00:01:21,643 They claim that what is happening violates the spirit of the event, 15 00:01:21,823 --> 00:01:28,143 that stores are crowded and customers end up spending hours making purchase after purchase. 16 00:01:28,443 --> 00:01:32,403 The group says that in order to truly celebrate a tax-free holiday, 17 00:01:32,683 --> 00:01:38,423 stores should remain closed to allow employees to spend time with their families. 18 00:01:39,532 --> 00:01:43,472 But also liquor stores and McDonald's should remain open all the time. 19 00:01:43,952 --> 00:01:48,192 Now, let's get to our actual for-real odd news story. 20 00:01:48,852 --> 00:01:55,772 Lightsabers, an elegant weapon of a more civilized age, or a pricey overstimulated flashlight? 21 00:01:56,312 --> 00:02:01,692 You decide. However you look at it, the art of lightsaber dueling is rapidly 22 00:02:01,692 --> 00:02:07,492 becoming something you can Jedi Master. For instance, France's fencing federation 23 00:02:07,492 --> 00:02:10,492 now recognizes it as an official sport. 24 00:02:11,392 --> 00:02:17,132 Yes, in a true crossing of the streams, you can have a lightsaber duel in the federation. 25 00:02:17,912 --> 00:02:23,132 Personally, I think France recognized proper lightsaber training to stop their 26 00:02:23,132 --> 00:02:25,412 younglings from practicing with baguettes. 27 00:02:26,292 --> 00:02:31,752 Lucien, no! Stop playing with your food. Now go mail this letter. 28 00:02:32,752 --> 00:02:36,132 Maman, this stamp smells like a lightsaber. 29 00:02:36,792 --> 00:02:39,852 Boom! Callback to yesterday's episode. 30 00:02:40,412 --> 00:02:44,572 But the popularity of lightsaber training is not limited to Europe. 31 00:02:44,792 --> 00:02:51,812 In Mexico, the Jedi Knight Academy teaches fencing, quote, in the style of the Jedi teachings. 32 00:02:53,112 --> 00:02:57,332 I wonder if that means you get lessons 4, 5, and 6 before 1, 33 00:02:57,412 --> 00:03:03,432 2, and 3. The Academy offers what one 18-year-old student described as a playful 34 00:03:03,432 --> 00:03:06,792 sport with lightsabers in a safe and fun way. 35 00:03:07,312 --> 00:03:10,572 I think Darth Maul would be beside himself with joy. 36 00:03:11,772 --> 00:03:14,932 What? He came back? For a while. 37 00:03:16,092 --> 00:03:20,892 The Academy has spread to several states in Mexico and recently held a national 38 00:03:20,892 --> 00:03:27,152 tournament of lightsaber duels, open to all enthusiasts from Padawan to Jedi Master. 39 00:03:27,792 --> 00:03:31,212 Hopefully everyone in the immediate area knew what was going on, 40 00:03:31,272 --> 00:03:34,992 otherwise all the buzzing and lights might have had people wondering if the 41 00:03:34,992 --> 00:03:36,372 bees were up to something. 42 00:03:37,875 --> 00:03:42,075 And finally, with the huge success of Deadpool and Wolverine, 43 00:03:42,335 --> 00:03:47,835 every movie studio in Hollywood and beyond is rushing to cash in on the phenomena. 44 00:03:48,195 --> 00:03:52,795 This is sure to lead to some odd pairings. Our entertainment reporter, 45 00:03:53,055 --> 00:03:57,355 Danny Hillcrest, suggests you be on the lookout for some interesting matchups 46 00:03:57,355 --> 00:03:59,095 coming to a theater near you. 47 00:03:59,455 --> 00:04:05,475 These will include Sauron from The Lord of the Rings and that creepy girl from The Ring, 48 00:04:05,475 --> 00:04:13,775 Indiana Jones and Bridget Jones District 9 and Oceans 11 And Lilo and Stitch 49 00:04:13,775 --> 00:04:17,335 and Thelma and Louise And the Princess and the Frog And Mr. 50 00:04:17,515 --> 00:04:20,655 And Mrs. Smith And Percy Jackson and the Olympians And 51 00:04:20,655 --> 00:04:23,455 Pride and Prejudice And Dumb and Dumber and 52 00:04:23,455 --> 00:04:26,535 Beauty And the Beast and Willy Wonka And the Chocolate 53 00:04:26,535 --> 00:04:29,275 Factory And Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them 54 00:04:29,275 --> 00:04:32,395 And Smokey and the Bandit And the Cowboys and Aliens 55 00:04:32,395 --> 00:04:35,495 And Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man and James and 56 00:04:35,495 --> 00:04:40,735 the Giant Peach and Monty Python and the Holy Grail and Butch Cassidy and the 57 00:04:40,735 --> 00:04:45,375 Sundance Kid and the Fast and the Furious and Lady and the Tramp and Judas and 58 00:04:45,375 --> 00:04:49,155 the Black Messiah and a Boy and his Dog and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of 59 00:04:49,155 --> 00:04:53,275 Azkaban and an Officer and a Gentleman and Three Men and a Baby and Lock, 60 00:04:53,275 --> 00:04:56,755 Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle. 61 00:05:00,355 --> 00:05:03,895 That about wraps it up for today's Odd News Plus. 62 00:05:04,335 --> 00:05:09,335 A big thanks to the comedy4cast patrons for helping make this show possible. 63 00:05:09,775 --> 00:05:15,815 Story, voices, and original music by Clinton Alvord. Copyright 2024. 64 00:05:16,415 --> 00:05:21,755 All rights reserved. Talk to you next time. But for now, that's it. 65 00:05:21,875 --> 00:05:24,375 We're done, done, done, done, done. Bye-bye. 66 00:05:24,720 --> 00:05:35,624 Music.