No Agenda
Encyclopedia
No Agenda is a podcast which takes place two times a week on Thursday and Sunday in the morning, hosted by Adam Curry
and John C. Dvorak
on the mevio
network. The show is a free-flowing conversation that deconstructs recent news and media memes. Much of the appeal of the show comes from the odd couple relationship between the hosts. Adam Curry usually suggests theories about the news or world events, whereas John C. Dvorak is intended to present a more reasoned perspective, and as acting as the "Straight man" to Curry.
The show has no advertisers, instead relying on its listeners to voluntarily donate in either lump sums or a recurring plan. The show also relies on their listeners (known as "Producers") to provide artwork and audio clips. Numerous fan sites have sprung up to facilitate this interaction.
In September 2009, the show was nominated for Podcast Awards
in two categories, "People's Choice" and "General".
In December 2009 the show announced they had reached 450,000 listeners.
have an unfiltered dialogue. The impetus for starting the show, according to Adam Curry (the show's self-described bi-curious host), was a 4 minute phone call made to Dvorak saying that they "should do a show together." Little thought was given to what the show would be about, in fact only the name was agreed upon before the first show was recorded. The original tagline of No Agenda was that it would be the show with "no sponsors, jingles, and of course no agenda." The show's only sound effect would come during the closing minute, where a sedate jazz number would play as the hosts signed off. Topics included the news of the day, restaurant reviews, and family. The song played at the end of the show is "On the Seventh Day" by the Mariott Jazz Quintet.
No Agenda continued to evolve over time with Adam and John cultivating a more consistent structure to the show, as well as gradually moving the show more in the direction of libertarian news and political commentary. Jingles have been introduced, and have evolved into catch phrases the listeners (called producers) promote to the benefit of the show. The show is dedicated to discussing Current news and conspiracy theories, with the hosts de-constructing topics in response to their belief that the mainstream media glosses over what they see as the real facts. Celebrity-type gossip and other soft news stories are brought up for ironic effect, with the one that has garnered the most attention often being named "Distraction of the week".
Special numbers have been central to the show, both in the de-construction of the media stories, and press releases. Some of the most common number-related themes are; 3 is the "magic" number, "double nickels on the dime" (55.10) as the amount to become a No Agenda Minuteman, and $999.99 being the amount of donation to become a No Agenda "Knight". Episode #250 introduced the "Quad Niner" donation level: Whenever someone donates $99.99, Curry is obligated to bark: "niner, niner, niner, niner!" -- a reference to his use of "niner" for "nine" in show openings.
The show was greatly influenced by the run up to the 2008 Election, the financial crisis starting that September (the September 13th show carried breaking news of the collapse Lehman Brothers
which signaled the beginning of the most apocalyptic phase of the crisis), and the transition to the Presidency of Barack Obama
.
Both hosts are self-proclaimed independents, having no allegiance to one political party or ideology. Much of this is attributed to their belief that there is little difference between the two main United States political parties, whether by accident or design. Adam Curry endorsed Republican Presidential Candidate Ron Paul
during the 2008 Republican Primaries
.
Additionally No Agenda was named to Talkers Magazine
's Frontier Fifty list for 2011, a list 'Outstanding Media Webcasters.'
. During the week of March 15, 2009 Curry began to experiment with running the audio stream 24/7, carrying music when No Agenda was not being recorded. Throughout the week the stream became more advanced and automated. By March 19 the stream contained computer speech integration and an auto-DJ. After a few songs the station would break for podcast promos, news updates, and Twitter messages sent to the No Agenda Twitter account from listeners.
The music and speech integration has since been replaced by a loop of podcasts currently consisting of the latest episode of the show Tech5, music interludes and DH Unplugged. In 2011 the No Agenda Stream added a new daily live show, Dirty Boxers. In between each podcast are one or two No Agenda jingles or soundbites. On Thursdays and Sundays the loop is interrupted for the Pre-show of the No Agenda live recordings, which most often occur in the morning, thus the catch phrase "In The Morning"; and lasting up to forty-five minutes. During this time Adam plays music and voice-overs while reading feedback from and interacting with the audience until he is joined by Dvorak.
Adam Curry
Adam Clark Curry is a broadcasting and Internet personality well known for his stint from 1987 to 1994 as a video jockey on the music video channel MTV. In the mid-1990s, Curry was a World Wide Web entrepreneur and one of the first celebrities to personally create and administer a Web site...
and John C. Dvorak
John C. Dvorak
John C. Dvorak is an American columnist and broadcaster in the areas of technology and computing. His writing extends back to the 1980s, when he was a mainstay of a variety of magazines. Dvorak is also the Vice-President of Mevio and well known for his work for Tech TV...
on the mevio
Mevio
Mevio Inc., is an American internet entertainment network, whose properties include PodShow+, PodShow Podcast Network, PodShowPDN, Podcast Alley, CastBlaster, the Podsafe Music Network and, BT PodShow...
network. The show is a free-flowing conversation that deconstructs recent news and media memes. Much of the appeal of the show comes from the odd couple relationship between the hosts. Adam Curry usually suggests theories about the news or world events, whereas John C. Dvorak is intended to present a more reasoned perspective, and as acting as the "Straight man" to Curry.
The show has no advertisers, instead relying on its listeners to voluntarily donate in either lump sums or a recurring plan. The show also relies on their listeners (known as "Producers") to provide artwork and audio clips. Numerous fan sites have sprung up to facilitate this interaction.
In September 2009, the show was nominated for Podcast Awards
Podcast Awards
The People's Choice Podcast Awards, better known as the Podcast Awards, are an annual set of awards given to the best podcasts as voted by the people...
in two categories, "People's Choice" and "General".
In December 2009 the show announced they had reached 450,000 listeners.
History
No Agenda first aired in October 2007. Its premise was a simple one: the co-founder (Curry) and vice-president (Dvorak) of mevioMevio
Mevio Inc., is an American internet entertainment network, whose properties include PodShow+, PodShow Podcast Network, PodShowPDN, Podcast Alley, CastBlaster, the Podsafe Music Network and, BT PodShow...
have an unfiltered dialogue. The impetus for starting the show, according to Adam Curry (the show's self-described bi-curious host), was a 4 minute phone call made to Dvorak saying that they "should do a show together." Little thought was given to what the show would be about, in fact only the name was agreed upon before the first show was recorded. The original tagline of No Agenda was that it would be the show with "no sponsors, jingles, and of course no agenda." The show's only sound effect would come during the closing minute, where a sedate jazz number would play as the hosts signed off. Topics included the news of the day, restaurant reviews, and family. The song played at the end of the show is "On the Seventh Day" by the Mariott Jazz Quintet.
No Agenda continued to evolve over time with Adam and John cultivating a more consistent structure to the show, as well as gradually moving the show more in the direction of libertarian news and political commentary. Jingles have been introduced, and have evolved into catch phrases the listeners (called producers) promote to the benefit of the show. The show is dedicated to discussing Current news and conspiracy theories, with the hosts de-constructing topics in response to their belief that the mainstream media glosses over what they see as the real facts. Celebrity-type gossip and other soft news stories are brought up for ironic effect, with the one that has garnered the most attention often being named "Distraction of the week".
Special numbers have been central to the show, both in the de-construction of the media stories, and press releases. Some of the most common number-related themes are; 3 is the "magic" number, "double nickels on the dime" (55.10) as the amount to become a No Agenda Minuteman, and $999.99 being the amount of donation to become a No Agenda "Knight". Episode #250 introduced the "Quad Niner" donation level: Whenever someone donates $99.99, Curry is obligated to bark: "niner, niner, niner, niner!" -- a reference to his use of "niner" for "nine" in show openings.
Influences
Curry tends towards a more counter-cultural outlook of the world. He often discusses perceived links between current world events and a large number of conspiracy theories, most of which center around supposed global plans to bring about the New World Order. Dvorak is much more mild tempered, often referencing his knowledge of history and his own life experience to shed light on the topics of the day, however, he appears to share many of the same opinions as Adam. Inside jokes and references to previous topics recur with great frequency in each episode which may take time for new listeners to fully grasp. The hosts prefer not to provide a recap or explanation of a phrase or anecdote unless necessary, and Adam will often sound an alarm if John begins repeating something previously discussed.The show was greatly influenced by the run up to the 2008 Election, the financial crisis starting that September (the September 13th show carried breaking news of the collapse Lehman Brothers
Lehman Brothers
Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. was a global financial services firm. Before declaring bankruptcy in 2008, Lehman was the fourth largest investment bank in the USA , doing business in investment banking, equity and fixed-income sales and trading Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. (former NYSE ticker...
which signaled the beginning of the most apocalyptic phase of the crisis), and the transition to the Presidency of Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
.
Both hosts are self-proclaimed independents, having no allegiance to one political party or ideology. Much of this is attributed to their belief that there is little difference between the two main United States political parties, whether by accident or design. Adam Curry endorsed Republican Presidential Candidate Ron Paul
Ron Paul
Ronald Ernest "Ron" Paul is an American physician, author and United States Congressman who is seeking to be the Republican Party candidate in the 2012 presidential election. Paul represents Texas's 14th congressional district, which covers an area south and southwest of Houston that includes...
during the 2008 Republican Primaries
Republican Party (United States) presidential primaries, 2008
The 2008 Republican presidential primaries were the selection process by which voters of the Republican Party chose its nominee for President of the United States in the 2008 U.S. presidential election...
.
Additionally No Agenda was named to Talkers Magazine
Talkers magazine
Talkers Magazine is a trade industry publication related to talk radio in the United States. Its slogan is "The Bible of Talk Radio and the New Talk Media"...
's Frontier Fifty list for 2011, a list 'Outstanding Media Webcasters.'
The No Agenda Stream
Starting in early 2009 Adam began to stream the audio production of the show live, with both hosts advertising the beginning of the show via TwitterTwitter
Twitter is an online social networking and microblogging service that enables its users to send and read text-based posts of up to 140 characters, informally known as "tweets".Twitter was created in March 2006 by Jack Dorsey and launched that July...
. During the week of March 15, 2009 Curry began to experiment with running the audio stream 24/7, carrying music when No Agenda was not being recorded. Throughout the week the stream became more advanced and automated. By March 19 the stream contained computer speech integration and an auto-DJ. After a few songs the station would break for podcast promos, news updates, and Twitter messages sent to the No Agenda Twitter account from listeners.
The music and speech integration has since been replaced by a loop of podcasts currently consisting of the latest episode of the show Tech5, music interludes and DH Unplugged. In 2011 the No Agenda Stream added a new daily live show, Dirty Boxers. In between each podcast are one or two No Agenda jingles or soundbites. On Thursdays and Sundays the loop is interrupted for the Pre-show of the No Agenda live recordings, which most often occur in the morning, thus the catch phrase "In The Morning"; and lasting up to forty-five minutes. During this time Adam plays music and voice-overs while reading feedback from and interacting with the audience until he is joined by Dvorak.
The Dvorak Interlude
With the turning of the No Agenda Stream into a 24/7 online radio experience the duo have started working on adding more and more content to it. One such piece of content is a 2 hour long show produced by John C. Dvorak entitled "The Dvorak Interlude". This show is essentially a run through of a lot of songs from the last few decades that don't seem to get as much air time as a lot of the more contemporary tracks played on the stream. The show is broken up by John introducing the songs and telling some short anecdotes.Recurring themes and catch phrases
- Bogative- A term originally used once by Bill O'Reilly, 'Bogative' has been propagated by Curry and Dvorak since the 11/20/11 show, "Bogative Charity." It has been defined by Dvorak to mean the combination of 'negative' and 'bogus' (e.g. A charity that scams its donors is a bogative charity.)
- Gitmo Nation- The combined United StatesUnited StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
(Gitmo Nation West), United KingdomUnited KingdomThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
(Gitmo Nation East) and NetherlandsNetherlandsThe Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
(Gitmo Nation Lowlands) whose governments, in the eyes of the hosts, are in the process of stripping citizens of their rights. The phrase comes from the terrorist prison camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. During the introduction to the show the hosts tell the listeners from which part of Gitmo Nation they are broadcasting. John usually is at his home in "Northern Silicon ValleySilicon ValleySilicon Valley is a term which refers to the southern part of the San Francisco Bay Area in Northern California in the United States. The region is home to many of the world's largest technology corporations...
" and adds that location after he states he is in Gitmo Nation West. When he is at his compound in Port Angeles, WashingtonPort Angeles, WashingtonPort Angeles is a city in and the county seat of Clallam County, Washington, United States. The population was 19,038 at the 2010 census. The area's harbor was dubbed Puerto de Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles by Spanish explorer Francisco de Eliza in 1791, but by the mid-19th century the name had...
he says that he is speaking from Gitmo Nation Northwest. Italy is known as Gitmo Nation Pizza - Crackpot and The Buzzkill- Nicknames for Curry and Dvorak respectively. The term stems from Adam usually having wild ideas and theories about the news while John tries to ground Adam in reality.
- IN THE MORNING!- Inspired by the Family GuyFamily GuyFamily Guy is an American animated television series created by Seth MacFarlane for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series centers on the Griffins, a dysfunctional family consisting of parents Peter and Lois; their children Meg, Chris, and Stewie; and their anthropomorphic pet dog Brian...
episode "Mother Tucker" where Stewie and Brian become DJs. The phrase was taken from “Weenie and the Butt in the morning 97.1 WQHG” where the two DJs use a lot of sound clip jockeying. Originally used by Adam Curry to mock DJs and traditional radio media, it soon became a popular phrase with both Curry and the listeners. Adam then had the line professionally recorded in a typical Top-40 radio station style, and it now adorns most show bumpers and intros. It is also interspersed at various moments of the show as a "rimshot" or just thrown in by Curry as an ironic sting. The letters ITM are also used (much like the word mahalo is used in Hawaiian) when chatting with other users in the No Agenda show chat room and on Twitter. - The Fractal- A theory put forth by John that the world power structure is based on a mathematical fractalFractalA fractal has been defined as "a rough or fragmented geometric shape that can be split into parts, each of which is a reduced-size copy of the whole," a property called self-similarity...
, an infinite self-replicating shape. He came to this realization after news of the Bernard MadoffBernard MadoffBernard Lawrence "Bernie" Madoff is a former American businessman, stockbroker, investment advisor, and financier. He is the former non-executive chairman of the NASDAQ stock market, and the admitted operator of a Ponzi scheme that is considered to be the largest financial fraud in U.S...
Ponzi schemePonzi schemeA Ponzi scheme is a fraudulent investment operation that pays returns to its investors from their own money or the money paid by subsequent investors, rather than from any actual profit earned by the individual or organization running the operation...
scandalMadoff investment scandalThe Madoff investment scandal broke in December 2008 when former NASDAQ chairman Bernard Madoff admitted that the wealth management arm of his business was an elaborate Ponzi scheme....
broke. Dvorak contends that the Madoff scandal is merely a replication of the larger financial system's deceitful nature and shortcomings. The fractal principle has been used by both hosts to describe similarities between a specific example of wrong doing and the larger failings of the system. - Now Back to Real News- An ironic intro for stories in the news that have little importance or serve only to distract. These tend to be of the celebrity gossip or other soft subject variety. Adam and John mock the media's fascination with stories that appeal to the lowest common denominator, or simply giving the public what it wants rather than what it needs.
- Adam Curry's/John C. Dvorak's Pet Peeve of the Day. - When either Adam and John discuss a topic they find to be most irksome (usually termed a rant) they will nominate it as the pet peeve of the day. The nomination usually occurs after a deconstruction of why they find the topic to be irksome.
- Nothing to See Here!- Usually played when something that the hosts feel is important receives little or no coverage in the mainstream media which is instead focusing on the latest celebrity gossip or other issue of relatively minor importance. Examples may include a debate in the senate over an important law or a presidential visit to a foreign country that may not have received coverage.
- You Will Obey! - Refers to situations where the hosts feel those in power are using their power to control others. An example given by the hosts includes the security checkpoints at airports where people are forced to take off their shoes in the name of security.
- Shut up Slave! - Used with examples of media or government authorities not allowing others to finish their opinion. This also represents situations where in the hosts opinion government officials would rather the public at large just obey laws quietly instead of trying to change things. This is commonly used in conjunction with discussions about the "New World Order."
- Mon-san-to!- played when the duo discuss GMOGenetically modified organismA genetically modified organism or genetically engineered organism is an organism whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques. These techniques, generally known as recombinant DNA technology, use DNA molecules from different sources, which are combined into one...
foods, usually involving the Monsanto Corporation and their agriculture products. - Our formula is this: We go out; we hit people in the mouth!- The quote is from a commercial spoken by the NFL's San Francisco 49ersSan Francisco 49ersThe San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
coach Mike SingletaryMike SingletaryMichael "Mike" Singletary is an American football coach and former professional football player. He is currently the linebacker coach and assistant head coach for the Minnesota Vikings of the NFL....
. In the show this refers to the hosts desire to bring the news and issues to their listeners without being controlled or censored by government officials or any big business sponsors. It is the opinion of the hosts that many mainstream news sources are under the control of their sponsors and/or government officials. - To the gate, to the gate, to the Climategate. - news related to Climategate, or climate change in general.
- Two to the head. - refers to deaths that were reported as suicides, where the victims shot themselves twice, in the head. It is the opinion of the hosts that this is very unlikely if not impossible. In their view being shot twice in the head instead is a result of a professional assassination made to look like a suicide. In their opinion this could be done by a professional hitman hired by big business or by a government agent. In this scenario the gun is often placed in the left hand (assuming the person being 'suicided' is right-handed) further insinuating that the suicide was not genuine.
- No Agenda Swine Flu Minute - comments on the marketing aspects of Swine FluSwine fluSwine influenza, also called pig influenza, swine flu, hog flu and pig flu, is an infection by any one of several types of swine influenza virus. Swine influenza virus or S-OIV is any strain of the influenza family of viruses that is endemic in pigs...
management - No service for you! - liberal use of this catchphrase from SeinfeldSeinfeldSeinfeld is an American television sitcom that originally aired on NBC from July 5, 1989, to May 14, 1998, lasting nine seasons, and is now in syndication. It was created by Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld, the latter starring as a fictionalized version of himself...
's "Soup NaziThe Soup Nazi"The Soup Nazi" is the title of the 116th episode of the NBC sitcom Seinfeld, which was the 6th episode of the 7th season. It first aired in the United States on November 2, 1995....
." This represents certain services that the hosts feel could be denied to rebellious citizens. A recurring example is the ACTAAnti-Counterfeiting Trade AgreementThe Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement is a proposed plurilateral agreement for the purpose of establishing international standards on intellectual property rights enforcement...
treaty that if signed may be use to cut off Internet service to those accused of file sharing by media companies. - The distraction of the week, on No Agenda. - This refers to a relatively unimportant story that has garnered a lot of media attention which in turn leads to news issued the hosts feel are important receiving little or no coverage. Examples often include celebrities in the news.
- Trains good, planes bad refers to topics regarding the "big business" side of high speed passenger rail, including efforts by government officials, professional public relations corporations, and rail manufacturers to surreptitiously marginalize air transportation. The hosts think that U.S. high speed rail plansHigh-speed rail in the United StatesHigh-speed rail in the United States currently consists of one high-speed rail service: Amtrak's Acela Express runs on the Northeast Corridor from Boston to Washington, D.C...
, as opposed to the ostensible goal of speeding passenger transport, are actually schemes to provide government-funded infrastructure improvements to politically-connected freight railroads, such as BNSFBNSF RailwayThe BNSF Railway is a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc., and is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. It is one of seven North American Class I railroads and the second largest freight railroad network in North America, second only to the Union Pacific Railroad, its primary...
. - Earthquake Machine refers to a constant topic raised by Adam, where every earthquake or natural disaster is because of a secret weapon that can cause earthquakes, or weather modifications.
- Just send your cash refers to the Haiti earthquake and its aftermath, where Adam theorizes that the Haiti earthquake was done on purpose by an earthquake machine so that Bill Clinton can build hotels on the northern shores of Haiti. The "just send your cash" quote comes from George W. Bush during a fundraiser for Haitian relief.
- Hot Pockets the Hot PocketsHot PocketsHot Pockets are microwaveable turnovers usually containing a combination of cheese, meat, and vegetables. Hot Pockets are currently produced by Hylan Steez.- Varieties :...
jingle plays when Adam feels something is inedible or could make a comment generally more enjoyable. During the 9/2/2010 No Agenda show live stream, Curry (wrongly) mentioned that CitizenX, a member of the No Agenda chat room, had created the new catch phrase "Twat Pockets" after hearing a story about people who are tattooing their vaginasVaginaThe vagina is a fibromuscular tubular tract leading from the uterus to the exterior of the body in female placental mammals and marsupials, or to the cloaca in female birds, monotremes, and some reptiles. Female insects and other invertebrates also have a vagina, which is the terminal part of the...
and Curry played the Hot Pocket's ding after the story.
External links
- No Agenda
- No Agenda podcast at MevioMevioMevio Inc., is an American internet entertainment network, whose properties include PodShow+, PodShow Podcast Network, PodShowPDN, Podcast Alley, CastBlaster, the Podsafe Music Network and, BT PodShow...
- LATEST No Agenda complete shows playlist on YouTube
- NoAgendaTV.com - Broadcasting all across Gitmo Nation - All embeddable video's from the show
- Daily Podcast Reviews - No Agenda
- Podthoughts by Colin Marshall: "No Agenda"
- "No Agenda" episodes on SpokenWord.org
- Mevio - the digital media entertainment network hosting the No Agenda podcast
- http://noagendasearch.com - New project related to the No Agenda podcast with input from John C. Dvorak
- http://www.noagendakarma.com/ - Stories of good fortune that befall No Agenda producers after donating
- http://noagendaforums.com/index.php?action=mgallery;sa=album;id=14 Actual chatroom logs during the live No Agenda show
- No Agenda Wall
- No Agenda Jingles Archive
- Adam Curry Interviewed by Maynard May 2011
- No Agenda Numbers