I'll Be Dashed: A Wodehouse Podcast
16 episodes Last Updated: May 01, 24
A podcast about the works of PG Wodehouse by a father, who has read most of the Wodehouse bibliography, and a daughter who had read none of it before the two decided to do a podcast together. We will go through all the novels and short story collections, including Jeeves, Blandings Castle, Psmith, and all the Mulliners, Bodkins, and Ukridges that you can throw a stick at, not that you should be throwing sticks. We'll discuss the stories and how they read 50-100 years later, as well as keep track of all the saving from drowning attempts, stealing a police officer's helmets, breaches of promise, and awful aunts, as well as doing some meandering of our own that would make Wooster proud. Right ho!
Episodes
May 01, 2024
A Prefect's Uncle
On this podcast, Scott and Robyn discuss A Prefect's Uncle, Wodehouse's second published novel, and another book that involves school boys and cricket. This is one of Wodehouse's shorter works, and we try to have the podcast length be in according with it, but there is a lot of talk about small talk, Robyn's problems with the second to last chapter, and more insight into the workings of the familial eccentricities.
Apr 01, 2024
A Damsel in Distress
In this episode Robyn and Scott discuss A Damsel in Distress, published in 1919. It reads much like a Blandings Castle novel, with an earl harried by his sister and employees trying to make him write family histories, when all he wants to do is work in his garden. His daughter is trying to reconnect with the man she met the summer before, but in doing so, runs iinto George Bevan, who in a change for a Wodehouse novel immediately falls in love with her. Soon there is mistaken identity and servants warring against each other, as well as Robyn completely hating a character in the last few pages.
Mar 01, 2024
Love Among the Chickens
Robyn and Scott discuss Love Among the Chickens, published in 1906 and having the first appearance of Stanley Featherstonehaugh Ukridge, possibly Wodehouse's longest-running character (by duration, not appearances). Things get heated over discussion of the character of Jeremy Garnet, and Robyn displays a previously unknown black belt in debating. She will also be hit by an egg in six weeks and won't understand why. Also, are chickens and ducks different?
Feb 01, 2024
The Little Nugget
Scott and Robyn read the 1913 novel The Little Nugget, one of the money Wodehouse novels that seems to concentrate inordinately on the kidnapping of an odious child. Robyn continues her woes about the string of books without the "lovable idiot" characters she loves so much. Wodehouse uses an American dialect that makes Americans, particularly those recording a podcast about this book, think his opinion of them was somewhat low. Wodehouse had either a hidden vicious side or a lack of knowledge about feeding chocolate to dogs. And Robyn hates children.
Jan 01, 2024
Leave It To Psmith
Scott and Robyn discuss Leave It to Psmith, the second Blandings Castle novel AND the final Mike and Psmith (now with almost no Mike) novel--but Robyn and Scott still have Psmith, Journalist to read. This podcast continues Robyn's eternal hate of Psmith, as well as her confusing love of Freddie Threepwood. Now, let us throw some flower pots through the window, steal a necklace or two, and find some way to fire the efficient Baxter!
Dec 01, 2023
Frozen Assets
Set in Paris and London, this stand-alone novel published in the 1960s opens with one of Wodehouse's funniest scenes. We have love at first sight--well, second sight, after a bit of recognition--and a dog inserted into the plot for the sake of one corny joke, plus two male friends...who actually like each other? Is this a Wodehouse novel? Plus, a lawyer with stomach issues who ends up being the best character in the novel, according to one of us. Plus, Scott and Robyn go off on a tangent--again--discussing what it means to be a functioning alcoholic.
Nov 01, 2023
Carry On, Jeeves
We discuss the third book of Jeeves and Wooster adventures, including a story of how they first met and the only story written from Jeeves's point of view. Some of the stories in this collection are the same as in the first collection (with slight modifications). Have our opinions changed? Sir PG Wodehouse is buried in New York. Why am I telling you this? You'll understand. Don't tell Robyn. That topic is just one of the ones we went off track on, as well as Robyn railing against climbing down water pipes, the demonic nature of young girls, and whether Bertie Wooster is a sadistic, if ineffective, criminal.
Oct 01, 2023
Psmith In the CIty
We discuss Psmith in the City, the second in the Psmith series and with one of Robyn's "favorite" characters. Psmith and Mike have left school and are prepared to start university before circumstances send them to the world of banking. Psmith sets out to teach someone a lesson, and Mike just wants to play cricket and not be in awkward circumstances. Do we go off on tangents? You bet we do! Does Robyn curse more than she has in any other podcast? You're darn tootin'!
Sep 01, 2023
The Pothunters
Scott and Robyn discuss The Pothunters, Wodehouse's first novel. It's a short book with a wide cast of characters. Who's the main character? We're not really sure. What's it about? It has something to do with burglary. And sports cups. Also, whatever Plunkett is doing. And there's a quarry. And an egg enthusiastic. Listen, we both read it, and neither of us is really sure. All we know is it's enough to make Scott go slightly bonkers over the course of the podcast.There was an issue with the podcast, so that the last 5min, 45 seconds are silence. Our apology.Scott's Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6XlA1wY7TgAnSc7GB3ezogRobyn's Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ahobbitsreadinglist
Aug 14, 2023
Quick Service
This is another one of Wodehouse's standalone novels. It had a large cast with a revolving door of plots, nearly all of which center around a painting. Scott and Robyn, as always, go off into odd tangents about how you pronounce the verb for valet, kissing, and monkeys, as well as many, many other topics.