“I would point to episode 7, The Enemy Within: the good and evil Jim Kirk.”
Our title this week is from the “Humanity Testing” piece (Season 4, Episode 8), wherein Paul tours a new product testing facility set up by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (the notorious anti-seal hunt crowd) where new products are tested on celebrity volunteers:
FRAS: There, on the other side of the glass, we are testing a new shampoo, determining whether the product can irritate the eyes. PAUL: And if I'm not mistaken that's Captain Kirk strapped to the chair. FRAS: Yes, William Shatner is our test subject, they are now applying the solution to his eyes. In the past they would do this to bunny rabbits. PAUL: Very cruel. SFX: Suddenly blood curdling screams from within. FRAS: And you can see that there is some irritation. PAUL: A question of methodology here Mr. Monchy, William Shatner is ... well he's not a thespian known for his light touch. FRAS: You think he may be over-acting? PAUL: I would point to episode 7, The Enemy Within, The good and evil Jim Kirk. FRAS: In the end the two Jim's have it out. PAUL: Right (hums fight theme) FRAS: (joins in)
I so love that piece....
Paul's 1963 world spelling bee triumph leads this episode, which is also a treat.
Also added this week are episodes 9, 12 and 16 from that season, making our collection complete up until then end of 1997. Episode 9 (Nov. 1, 1997) features a great visit to the psychic “Miss Betty”:
BETTY: No, it's a desert ... or a prairie... beams of light ... an airship... and ... there are strangers examining you with devices... PAUL: Probes... BETTY: Ya, there's a wee little one, and a great huge one... PAUL: (breathing hard) BETTY: ...and you're screaming ... PAUL: Don't probe me!
I've started a collection of the various "Don't probe me!"s from the Great Eastern ... also the numerous “Hey Paul”s and “Stop hounding me”s. Somewhere in there, is a song.
Episode 12 (Nov. 22, 1997) is a rebroadcast of the Economology episode from season 3, which I include for the sake of completism and the fact that there's a different head and tail to the show.
Episode 16 (Dec. 20, 1997) is a Christmas disk spin show for which there has been no audio or exceprts available until now. The highlight, for me, is Paul's sordid tale of a booze-sodden Christmas in Guadalajara with Pepito El Grande.
Season 4, Episode 8
Season 4, Episode 9
Season 4, Episode 12
Season 4, Episode 16
Humanity Testing Script
Psychic Script
Pepito and the Wild Man Script