Friday Creature Feature - Perry the Platypus

“Hey. Where’s Perry?”

I couldn’t let the summer pass without spotlighting the king of summer vacation, Perry the Platypus (maybe Phineas is the king of summer… but I think he’d abdicate to Perry). The first round of new Phineas and Ferb episodes have finished airing on Disney Channel (I finished them weeks ago on Disney Plus) so it’s the perfect time to talk platypus. 

To the general human populace, he’s just a pet platypus. They don’t do much. The Flynn-Fletcher family adopted him when he was small and adorable. As far as they know, he wanders around town in between bouts of sleeping and eating. Originally the boys named him Bartholomew, but thankfully they renamed him to give us OWCA-regulation alliteration. 

Unbeknownst to most humans outside of OWCA (Doofenschmirtz, Vanessa, Stacy, and random unnamed civilians) the famed platypus is a secret agent who thwarts Heinz Doofenshmirtz on a daily basis. Because Doof is so incompetent at being evil (hence his break from evil between seasons four and five) Perry doesn’t have to do much to stop the mad scientist—especially if there’s a self-destruct button involved. Really it’s more like Perry is Doof’s exasperated buddy who puts up with the crazy antics. Literally went with him to run errands. 

The duck-billed secret agent deserves an Emmy for his acting as a derpy pet. A whole episode exists around “They don’t do much” while the pet platypus is off fighting an evil scientist. The concept is so ridiculous (much like the show in general) and I think that’s why we love Perry. Where else can you find an obscure crime-fighting pet with an alliterative name and a theme song?

I look forward to more antics from Perry and Doof in the next string of episodes (and maybe more Perry and Stacy). And maybe I can get my kids to join me in a dance party to his theme song. I could always use more platypus in my life. 

"Oh! There you are, Perry!"

LDS Geeks Podcast #19: Bandit Heeler is #DadGoals

Of all TV dads in recent years, one stands above all else, Bandit Heeler. Maybe it's because he's a cartoon dog–maybe it's because he's from a kids' show– but parents love it too. As for me, I think it's because dads find him so relatable. So for Father's Day this June, Kenton and I decided to discuss #DadGoals himself.

--Spencer

Listen to Episode 19 on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube

Check out Spencer's recent blog posts: click here

Check out Kenton's recent blog posts: click here

Show Notes:

        Spencer's Recommendations: Phineas and Ferb

        Kenton's Recommendations: Merlin

Phineas and Ferb Workout

"There's 104 days of summer vacation..." Wait. Where are Phineas and Ferb at that they have three months off school? Regardless of where the Tristate Area is and why Danville has a summer that lasted four years, I can assure you that students (and teachers especially) are ready for a relaxing break. So if you've been putting off exercise until the summer, now is the time. And you can work out to the tune of Phineas and Ferb's shenanigans. 

Disclaimer: While I am a licensed physical therapy provider, I am not a personal trainer or a medical practitioner. Partner as necessary with your doctor prior to engaging in any diet or excise programs. If any of these exercises cause increased pain, stop the exercise immediately.

• Theme Song - Jumping Jacks 
• “I know what we’re gonna do today” - Lateral Lunge 10 reps 
• “Where’s Perry?” - Front Raise 10 reps 
• Doofenschmirtz scene begins - Frog Bridges 10 reps 
• Candice shouts for Mom - Prone Scap Squeeze 10 reps 
• “Whatcha doing?” - Sit to Stand Squats 10 reps 
• Perry gets his mission - Seated Marches 15 reps 
• Perry fights Doofenschmirtz - Reverse Curls 10 reps 
• “Curse you, Perry the Platypus” - Adductor Squeeze 10 reps 
• “There you are, Perry” - Butt Walk 30 seconds 

***This workout is intended to work without any equipment, but feel free to add small dumbbells or bands as you're safely able.

LDS Geeks Podcast #7: Christmas Episodes

Merry Christmas! We're excited to discuss some of our favorite Christmas episodes from television at this special time of year!

--Spencer

Before They Were a Community

True story: I was inspired to go back to school while watching Community with my wife. Fortunately/unfortunately, my education wasn’t as easy as one at Greendale. But what matters is where it got me. We’ve come a long way, me and Community. Now it doesn’t matter what I’m watching, if I see a Community actor, my eyes light up. Here are just some of my favorites from before they became Greendale Human Beings. 

Jim Rash (Dean Craig Pelton) - Friends

I swear he could have been the same character in Friends. During a Friends rewatch (which happens constantly in our home), he could be seen as Rachel’s plane-mate in the series finale. One mention of Phoebe’s “feelings” and this nervous passenger was out the door. In a way, he was the hero of Ross and Rachel’s love story (even though I don’t like them together); if he hadn’t freaked out Ross might not have made it to the plane on time. It’s just a good thing no one asked him about spare phalanges at Greendale.

Joel McHale (Jeff Winger) - Spider-Man 2

As they hit Netflix recently, my wife and I just watched the Tobey Maguire Spider-Man trilogy (worth watching, especially after his appearance in No Way Home). I knew it was coming, but I was still smiling to see Joel McHale as a banker in the movie. He was a bit of a sleazeball, attempting to pocket some of the bank’s cash during the attack, until Aunt May hit him. Could have been Jeff in a pre-lawyer life.

Danny Pudi (Abed Nadir) - Gilmore Girls 

Another constantly running staple in our home, we’ve always got a run of Gilmore Girls going. The first time I watched it with my wife (she’d seen it countless times by then) I was surprised to see Abed running around the Yale newspaper with Rory Gilmore. He was part of the uncomfortable episode where Lorelei and Christopher took the newspaper staff out for dinner… despite the protests. Awkward.

Alison Brie (Annie Edison) - Hannah Montana 

Once Disney Plus came out, we immediately started watching Disney Channel series, including Hannah Montana. I was surprised to see Alison Brie, but I guess I shouldn’t be too surprised. I’m sure more actors than I realize had appearances on Disney Channel before their break. She only appeared in one episode (as part of a scheme against Jackson), but there she was.

Yvette Nicole Brown (Shirley Bennett) - That’s So Raven

Another Human Being with a history in teen dramas. She appeared in That’s So Raven and iCarly in nameless roles. But the lack of name didn’t stop the sass, as she acted as the bouncer, keeping Raven and Chelsea from tracking down their latest pop star obsession. Enter Disney Channel shenanigans.

Ken Jeong (Ben Chang) - The Office

Before he was a deranged former Spanish teacher (and after he was a medical doctor), we got to see Ken Jeong as one of the other students in Michael’s improv class. He was one of Michael’s “gunshot” victims in his ridiculous production. Back in 2020 he was a guest on the “Office Ladies” podcast, discussing his breakout role. 

It was hard to narrow down the Community cast for this blog post. I could have included Leonard being in The Pagemaster or Magnitude attending Hogwarts as Lee Jordan. But I’ll leave it with these six. And of course, whenever Gillian Jacobs appears in anything, we have only one reaction: