The comedy4cast network. Let's dog ear that for now. This is comedy4cast Episode 799, Heading Towards the Light. It's time once again for the Dog Days of Podcasting, a call for podcasters to try to put out a podcast every day in August. For more information and to hear all the shows, go to dogdaysofpodcasting.com. Here at the comedy4cast Studios, we've been working on a new format for this year's Dog Days. Sure, like in years past, there will be an actual odd news story, but that's not all.
So, let's get started with Odd News Plus. Here are our odd news stories for Wednesday, August 7th, 2024. First up, tax-free holidays. Now offered in some 19 states, these events can last from two to ten days and offer the average consumer a break from having to pay sales tax on certain purchases. But a growing number of individuals are pushing back on this concept.
They claim that what is happening violates the spirit of the event, that stores are crowded and customers end up spending hours making purchase after purchase. The group says that in order to truly celebrate a tax-free holiday, stores should remain closed to allow employees to spend time with their families. But also liquor stores and McDonald's should remain open all the time. Now, let's get to our actual for-real odd news story.
Lightsabers, an elegant weapon of a more civilized age, or a pricey overstimulated flashlight? You decide. However you look at it, the art of lightsaber dueling is rapidly becoming something you can Jedi Master. For instance, France's fencing federation now recognizes it as an official sport. Yes, in a true crossing of the streams, you can have a lightsaber duel in the federation.
Personally, I think France recognized proper lightsaber training to stop their younglings from practicing with baguettes. Lucien, no! Stop playing with your food. Now go mail this letter. Maman, this stamp smells like a lightsaber. Boom! Callback to yesterday's episode. But the popularity of lightsaber training is not limited to Europe. In Mexico, the Jedi Knight Academy teaches fencing, quote, in the style of the Jedi teachings. I wonder if that means you get lessons 4, 5, and 6 before 1,
2, and 3. The Academy offers what one 18-year-old student described as a playful sport with lightsabers in a safe and fun way. I think Darth Maul would be beside himself with joy. What? He came back? For a while. The Academy has spread to several states in Mexico and recently held a national tournament of lightsaber duels, open to all enthusiasts from Padawan to Jedi Master.
Hopefully everyone in the immediate area knew what was going on, otherwise all the buzzing and lights might have had people wondering if the bees were up to something. And finally, with the huge success of Deadpool and Wolverine, every movie studio in Hollywood and beyond is rushing to cash in on the phenomena. This is sure to lead to some odd pairings. Our entertainment reporter, Danny Hillcrest, suggests you be on the lookout for some interesting matchups coming to a theater near you.
These will include Sauron from The Lord of the Rings and that creepy girl from The Ring, Indiana Jones and Bridget Jones District 9 and Oceans 11 And Lilo and Stitch and Thelma and Louise And the Princess and the Frog And Mr. And Mrs. Smith And Percy Jackson and the Olympians And Pride and Prejudice And Dumb and Dumber and Beauty And the Beast and Willy Wonka And the Chocolate Factory And Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them And Smokey and the Bandit And the Cowboys and Aliens
And Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man and James and the Giant Peach and Monty Python and the Holy Grail and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and the Fast and the Furious and Lady and the Tramp and Judas and the Black Messiah and a Boy and his Dog and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and an Officer and a Gentleman and Three Men and a Baby and Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle. That about wraps it up for today's Odd News Plus.
A big thanks to the comedy4cast patrons for helping make this show possible. Story, voices, and original music by Clinton Alvord. Copyright 2024. All rights reserved. Talk to you next time. But for now, that's it. We're done, done, done, done, done. Bye-bye. Music.