So I am up late tonight downloading neooffice on my macbook so I can actually write papers for school on my computer. I can't believe apple gives you garage band free but doesn't give you a word proccessor in the ilife suite. Anyway the show filled in that hour gap of time I needed to down load it so thank you. I have to say I am not shocked with the John Tarvolta thing, I knew he has gay when I was 14.

Amanda I am sorry you can not find a guy. You should really get Fausto to stop posting bad pictures of you. The picture on the homepage looks bad and I always thought you were and ugly woman but then I went through the flicker and found some real pictures of you. You are a really good looking lady. So take down the bad pictures and put up the real ones. Now back in July you said I should try a woman out, and now you are coming to California so can I try one out? You don't have to worry about turning me gay.

Great show guys. Thank you.

Said by: Jonathan at September 4, 2006 05:17 AM

ASBO=antisocial behaviour order...is that what you guys were on about? well if it was there you go :) and who would not be totally enthralled and appreciative to be able to hang out with you true celebs!? damn that atlantic ocean that keeps us apart! :( (i think that's the right one...) anyway loved the show nice to hear you again Amanda! oh and why would you want to change that voice of yours!? :)

Said by: Oli at September 4, 2006 06:52 AM

Amanda: Please stop being such a negative know-it-all. Almost every time Fausto brings up a point she has to jump in and question it, put it down, or make some comment that doesn't seem to be too supportive of Fausto's efforts. It's way too many "no's" and not enough positivity! "No, no, no, no, no...what are you on crack?" She says. Do we need our beautiful host berated and made too feel dumb so much? Cynicism is so boring Amanda! And who is Noah and why is he on the show? Please don't have him back on.

Said by: Anonymous Fan at September 4, 2006 09:35 AM

Well, don't hold back, Anonymous Fan, please let us know exactly how you feel! LOL

I happen to like Amanda and Ronnie and they way they can hold their own against Fausto. They give spice and variety to the show, and the show would be lesser without their brilliant input. I will not propose to speak for Fausto, but I'm sure he doesn't feel "dumb" for having Amanda on the show. In case you didn't notice, he tends to give at least as much as he gets, and often more.

Ok, now that I've gotten that off my "tit taped" chest, I did want to say that this was another great show. My jury is still out on whether or not John Travolta is gay, and this kiss photo proves nothing. Maybe the blond guy is gay and John is kissing him as a sign of respect and friendship. Ok, that might be a stretch, but it just because John is giving a guy a chaste kiss does not mean that more is going on.

Personally, I could care less who in Hollywood is gay. Hollywood having been characterized as diversity-friendly has been used sucessfully as a weapon in the political arena, a tactic which is already showing up in this year's election cycle. If gay people are basing an political strategy on Hollywood's support or the number of out gays in the entertainment industry, then we are in serious trouble. I think that Fausto, Marc, and company are doing a great job of presenting a positive, intelligent, articulate and (mostly) wholesome image of LGBTQ people--not to mention, a gay couple, but their efforts may still not be enough to generate the political momentum necessary to guarantee equality for all.

The key to getting this result will be GLBTQ people living their lives in an open, respectful manner. Once people understand that the person ringing your purchases at Kmart, or the person serving you at Applebee's, or the person teaching a deaf child to sign and lip-read in a public school, or the doctor who finds a cure for MS, or the same-sex couple with children who just moved into you family-intensive neighborhood can be LGBTQ and still make positive contributions to society, then we will see the equality movement pick up some steam.

Once again, great, thought-provoking show.

Said by: David at September 4, 2006 10:27 AM

Yeah, ASBO's and tit-tape are more British than American phenomena! :) Tit-tape is what bimbos use to keep their boobs covered (very effective :P) when they wear dresses that don't allow a bra to be worn (i.e. very revealing)...nothing to do with jogging I'm afraid... :S xx

Said by: meshaped at September 4, 2006 10:29 AM

Hey Anonymous Fan, I think a guy who's been doing performance art as long as Fausto can handle criticism--you haven't been listening too long if you haven't noticed that! One of the many things that is cool about Fausto is that he doesn't get flustered if he gets something wrong--he just goes, 'oh, okay' and moves on to something else. So take a clue from him and move on, quit being nasty to Amanda!
And in the spirit of letting Fausto know when he is wrong, I'd like to defend my home state of Wisconsin--we are not, in fact, the fattest state in the U.S. Wisconsin doesn't even make the top half! (Honestly, I was really surprised by that last fact too). The fattest state is Mississippi, and 9 of the top 10 fattest states are in the South (the only northern one is Indiana). The leanest states are Colorado and Hawaii.All of that is from an August 2006 report by Trust for America at www.healthyamericans.org, in case you want to see where your state ranks. Illinois is 23rd!
I was really chuffed (British for pleased) to hear my name on the shout-outs today. . .hope my tiny contribution helps you all make it to L.A.

Said by: Sarah in London at September 4, 2006 11:50 AM

You're right Sarah! However according to Men's Fitness magazine via Prezkennedy.org, Chicago's still #1 as one of the fattest places in America (and probably one of the fattest places on earth.)

We're #1!!!

Top 10 Fattest Cities in America:
1- Chicago, Illinois
2- Las Vegas, Nevada
3- Los Angeles, California (didn't see this one)
4- Dallas, Texas
5- Houston, Texas
6- Memphis, Tennessee
7- Long Beach, California
8- El Paso, Texas
9- Kansas City, Missouri
10- Mesa, Arizona

To be fair, here are the "fittest" places in America:
Top 10 Fittest Cities in America:
1- Baltimore, Maryland (The charm city is also the healthiest city)
2- Honolulu, Hawaii
3- Virginia Beach, Virginia
4- Tucson, Arizona
5- Milwaukee, Wisconsin
6- Colorado Springs, Colorado
7- San Francisco, California
8- Seattle, Washington
9- Louisville-Jefferson, Kentucky
10- Boston, Massachusetts

Still, I think it's hard to shake the concept of midwesterners being enormous. Ever been to the Mall of America?

Said by: Fausto at September 4, 2006 12:21 PM

Men use tit tape? I'd have to agree with meshaped, tit tape as far a I am aware is (basicaly) double sided sticky tape to stop the ladies boobies falling out of those vile low cut tops that go all the way down to the belly button somwtimes. SERIOUSLY, PUT UR TITS AWAY. I am unaware of men using it for jogging however. Bless u all, keep up the good work. Also I have noticed that in recent pics Fausto arms are getting bigger I swear. That working out must be paying off. TTFN

Said by: Jamie (la Disco Ponies) at September 4, 2006 12:22 PM

I am going to put together an audio tour of Amanda's negativity and post it online. I think you'll agree with me after you listen to it that they know-it-all attitude leaves most people unsatisfied. And I would be surprised if Fausto didn't politely decline commenting truthfully, but I'm sure it is no fun to sit there and have the first rule of improvisational comedy broken over and over and over again. Don't say "no," say "yes, but..." that is better to move things along. It's the Feast of Fools, it's not the Feast of Let's be Contrarian.

Said by: Anonymous Fan at September 4, 2006 12:24 PM

Since I live in the greater Los Angeles area, I would say there's an obsession with health in L.A. but then the public transportation in L.A. is so bad, that it's practically useless unless you just have too much time on your hands and would like to get to your destination as late as possible.

Anyways, as a member of PFLAG and our local PFLAG speaker's bureau (we go to local colleges and schools to put on a discussion about homosexuality), the topic of "choice" comes up a lot.

I disagree with Amanda, in the sense that, it is not a slippery slope if you separate sexual orientation (identity) and homosexual life style (behavior), as most people who are not familiar with homosexuality have a hard time understanding.

One can be a homosexual, but choose not to live a homosexual life in the same sense that you can be straight, but choose not to have heterosexual relationships.

As gay men, we understand, that we do not choose to be homosexual, but we choose to accept ourselves and hence to comeout and live as homosexuals, having homosexual relationships. Of course we could choose not to live homosexual lives, but it means we would stay in the closet and deny who we are and not to behave as we truly are -- which, arguably, is exactly what the Christian bible preaches against.

Said by: Lucas at September 4, 2006 02:26 PM

I really appreciate Amanda's contributions to the show, and sincerely hope that anyone won't take offense when anyone disagrees with each other on the show.

We wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for Amanda Steinstein. She provides a vital role on the show, is a pleasure to work with and is very professional.

We all can use feedback on what we do here, because we want to be good at what we do. So please keep that in mind when making your constructive comments.

And last but not least, I want to get a hold of that "gay cure" so I can reverse engineer it and use it to help Jake Gyllenhall not rely on "method" acting so much.

Said by: Fausto at September 4, 2006 03:07 PM

You can be gay, but choose to not date anyone, be married, go to a bathouse every day, be a leather daddy, etc...

Said by: Fausto at September 4, 2006 03:42 PM

Be with a short guy, a muscular guy, a swedish hunk, japanese stud or a nigerian cutie.

Or even a (gasp) woman. Just cause you are in love with a woman, have sex with a woman, and have children with her doesnt mean that deep inside your heart you prefer the emtional, sexual and intimate company of another guy.

Said by: Fausto at September 4, 2006 03:45 PM

A few thoughts...

1. Anonymous Fan should come right out and say who he/she is. Otherwise his/her comments are taken with a grain of salt. A tiny, half-dissolved grain of salt.

2. Amanda provides a very important discussion technique when she disagrees with what Fausto (or anyone else) says on the show. It's called COUNTERPOINT. Would you want to listen to a show where everyone is saying "Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes!" all the time? Having a difference of opinion - OR - simply another viewpoint on something makes things interesting and opens things up for discussion. That makes for interesting listening. And when Amanda does it, it's not only interesting but fun as well.

3. Anonymous seems to have a chip on his/her shoulder that is larger than the Amanda issue anyway. I have NO idea what that chip may be, but such vitriol is not necessary unless you have some sort of reason to back it up. So it's hard for me, as a fellow listener, to take it seriously.

Whew. I feel better now.

Said by: RcktMan at September 4, 2006 06:17 PM

She may disagree, she may be negative she may be alot of things, but one thiing she is for sure is fabulous! I love having Amanda on the show. I'm sad that I haven't been able to be with her on the last couple of shows because of work. She adds a wonderful dimension to the show and I don't think we would be the People's Choice Award winning podcast without her.

Keep the donations coming please. We need all the help we can get.

Said by: Marc at September 4, 2006 06:38 PM

So...I'm a nattering nabob of negativity? I suppose I could explain myself, but here's the thing about explaining: Your friends don't need it and your enemies won't believe you anyway.

Suffice it to say I don't want to give away the magic behind the show.

And I'll bet I have more improv training in my boobs than you have in your whole body, Anonymous. "Yes, And" is the first rule, but it isn't the last. Not that I feel like arguing the point with you, but that's one thing you don't want to go toe to toe with me on, my little Anonymousketeer.

Thanks for leaping to my defense to all you guys who did. You all say such nice things. I don't even know if I believe them all, but so what? I appreciate the sentiment.

If this fellow has the free time to put together a "Best Of" on my negative comments, well bless his soul. I'd love to hear it. I could use another demo reel.

Oil...you've hit the nail on the head...we are completely anti-social people, us "celebs." Just look at me...I'd rather whine into a microphone than hang out with some people.

David and Lucas...the whole "choice" concept is so complicated I don't think I have the depth to understand it myself. I believe in the Kinsey scale...that most people are at least a little bi but identify to one or the other end of the scale.

My fear is that the reprogramming advocates will leap on the idea that anyone has "chosen" that part of their life and use it as ammunition to prove that gays can then choose to be normal in the eyes of programmers' misguided perception of God.

And...I can prove Travolta is gay: I used to think he was hot. And as we all know, any guy I think is hot eventually turns (or turns out to be) gay.

Kisses,
-AS

PS: Noah is my best friend, so step off!

Said by: Amanda Steinstein at September 4, 2006 08:49 PM

When I first heard FOF it was a show with Miss Ronnie. I thought nothing and no one could ever make the show better than the Bomba Atomica, then I heard Amanda. I still love and adore the BMW, heck I even played stalker and went to eat at the joint she worked at when I visited Chicago (when she called me "baby" I felt like i was blessed by god), I look forward to Amanda more than any other visitor.

I won't argue with anyone's opinions. Those are yours and you have the right to feel however you want. I just think Amanda should know that at the very least one person sits out here with baited breath for her voice to float out of my MP3 player.

Maybe it is our love of Dr. Who and other scifi, but I feel this grand affinity for and with her. Heck I have even added her to the list of five women who could say "sleep with me, now" and i wouldn't tell them i was a flaming homo.

Love to the whole gang, but extra tanti bacci to Amanda Sylvia Steinstein

~bret

Said by: bret at September 4, 2006 08:59 PM

Hey Amanda, thanks for the shout out!!!
XOXO!
Great show today. Some friends and I went for a drive today and we listened to it in the car. We were all laughuing our asses off. It was their first FOF.

Said by: Dave in Tampa at September 4, 2006 09:47 PM

i happen to love amanda, she's funny and her laughter is contagious! she has got beautiful energy and she makes the show cheerful. keep up the good work amanda, and i hope you find a hot date soon!

Said by: jar at September 4, 2006 10:22 PM

I really don't see Amanda as being negative. I think Amanda has opinions, and she exercises her God-given, Constitutionally-guaranteed rights to express them. I think that she makes thoughtful, insightful contributions to the show, and when she does contradict Fausto, it is no more or less than you hear from Marc, Ronnie, or anybody else. If everybody agreed constantly with Fausto, I doubt the show would have been anywhere as interesting as it has been. The playful conflict keeps things fresh and fun.

Amanda doesn't need mine or anybody else's permission to continue to be as she is, but here is one listner who thinks she is hot, fabulous, and funny!

Said by: David at September 4, 2006 10:24 PM

What I love more about the John Travolta photo isn't the kiss, but that they seem to have caught him without one of his ridiculous toupees!

Said by: kilo hotel at September 5, 2006 04:25 AM

My work here is done. The bell of commentary cannot be unrung as you have heard what was said and the discussion has influenced the show whether one likes it or not. Veni Vidi Podcasti!

Said by: Anonymous Fan at September 5, 2006 06:48 AM

Um, how do you figure "the discussion has influenced the show," Anny Fanny? You've affected this comment board, not the show. All you did was inspire people to pump up my swelled ego even more (stop it you kids!). The show remains the same.

Your work here is NOT done until you post that Know-it-All Nancy audio tour you promised.

-AS

Said by: Amanda Steinstein at September 5, 2006 01:54 PM

Loved the show guys, and as ALWAYS love the Amanda Steinstein! Thanks for the mention of Mayor Bob O'Connor, I didn't vote for him - but I was totally turned around by what a great guy he turned out to be and how much he did for the city. It's nice to be wrong sometimes! LOL, XO all!

Said by: Aaron C. at September 5, 2006 10:58 PM

whoo! go amanda! :D we all lurve you! i bet 'anonymous' is just fausto trying to be clever lol (not really) so yeah; go get 'em!

Said by: Oli at September 7, 2006 03:21 AM

LOVE you Amanda! Thank you for all the laughs and insightful chatter on FoF, you're an amazing woman and I hope some day you'll meet a straight guy that brings you as much joy as you bring us. Can't wait to meet you in LA!!

Said by: Mike J at September 7, 2006 06:52 PM