Speaker 1: Theme party the podcast Episode four light Bulbs by Tyler Hurchuk.
Speaker 2: Welcome to Litzburg, the home for all of us light bulbs,
from the Incandescence to the LEDs. We all live together
here in harmony, well sort of. A light bulb's life
is based on their type. If you're lucky enough to
be born in led you've got a long live span,
which means you can do more with your life or less.
Speaker 3: Leonard, I told you to look for a job this weekend,
but you've been practically plugged into that couch all day.
Speaker 4: I've got my whole life ahead.
Speaker 5: Of me to be productive. Mummy, Relax.
Speaker 2: What's a lazy Sunday when you're shining bright for fifty
thousand hours by s. Incandescence don't really have that luxury.
Halogens shine longer, fluorescence longer still, but none come close
to LEDs. Speaking of which, Incandescence go through life fast.
Think of it like a dog's life compared to humans.
Dogs fly through their development. And speaking of flying, you.
Speaker 6: A dear, I hope you've been practicing for our warm
up show tomorrow night tomorrow the Fuse Box and then
our big showcase at the Power plant.
Speaker 2: That's my mom Philamina. Her and my dad were two
of the most famous daredevil stunt bulbs in Litzberg, the
city that never sleeps. Literally, we can't turn off. My
parents used to sell out stadiums doing death deifying routines
and flying through the air. They loved living in the
public eye. But last week my dad burnt out mid
show a routine flying triple axle corkscrew that didn't work.
The cable snapped and that was that. My dad's light
was extinguished in a flash. My mom was gutted at first,
as anyone would be, but she's bounced back stronger than
ever since then. Remember that dog thing I said, Yeah,
we process stuff quick. She's not heartless, but she knows
that life is sure. And now she's expecting me to
take my dad's stunt place by her side. But yeah, Mom,
I've been practicing.
Speaker 6: But I uh, what's our first sitting? And we don't sit,
we we shine, we shine. I'm heading out for an
errand I'll be home late.
Speaker 2: Love you, Love you too, mom.
Speaker 6: Oh, and you're responsible for the big finale for the show.
I think you've earned it. It doesn't have to be
perfect for a warm up show at the Fuse Box tomorrow,
which by the way, got pushed up from seven pm
to six pm. But I'm sure it will be and
then at the power Plant show will knock everyone's sockets off.
See you later.
Speaker 2: Wait what, Mom, I can't Mom. That's usually how conversations
with my mom go these days. And wait, now I'm
doing the Big Finale. I've got to talk to my
best bulb.
Speaker 4: Why the frosted face, Hugh.
Speaker 2: Hallie's awesome. She understands that I just want my mom
to be happy with who I am and who I
am not, and I am not a stunt bulb Mom.
Speaker 7: Stuff Ah, filled the pill.
Speaker 4: She must be pumped for your show at the power
Plant though.
Speaker 2: Right, Oh yeah, so pumped that she wants me to
coreo the Big Finale all by myself.
Speaker 4: That's huge, Hugh.
Speaker 8: I mean, oh right, So that means you haven't told
her you don't want to stunt like.
Speaker 2: Your dad didn't get a chance. She's been go, go
go since my dad burnt out, and I just feel
like she needs to take a second to see that
I'm not him. I'm never gonna be him, and I
don't want to be him.
Speaker 6: Oh that's harsh.
Speaker 2: No, No, not like that. He was this larger than
life personality and an amazing entertainer, and he lit up
stadiums with his tricks and stunts. But but what other
Bulbs just saw him as entertainment.
Speaker 4: And you don't want to be entertainment.
Speaker 2: I want to be illuminary, a guiding light for all bolts.
Speaker 4: Well, I think you're pretty luminous, Hugh.
Speaker 2: Thanks, Al, And I have to say you always brighten
my day.
Speaker 7: Gross, it's so bad.
Speaker 6: Oh, this place is beautiful, Electric Avenue, the swankiest lounge
in town.
Speaker 2: Only the best for you, my dear.
Speaker 6: I always wanted to see Bulbar's choice, and her music
has this effect on me. I'm so excited.
Speaker 3: Where's Hugh tonight?
Speaker 9: Oh?
Speaker 6: Probably with Hallie. Those two are inseparable.
Speaker 10: Speaking of inseparable, have you told Hugh that we're seeing
each other?
Speaker 2: No, Phil, you.
Speaker 3: Gotta tell him sooner or later.
Speaker 6: I will, I will, I just I don't want him
to think I'm moving on too fast.
Speaker 3: Life is short, Phil.
Speaker 11: Hugh knows that we're not LEDs.
Speaker 3: We've got to make the most of our time. Alt.
Speaker 4: You're right, you know what.
Speaker 6: I'll tell him tomorrow after our warm up show.
Speaker 10: Okay, that's exciting. I'm excited. Are you excited?
Speaker 3: Oh, Tomorrow's gonna be so exciting?
Speaker 6: Okay, timn't a bit there, spark plug.
Speaker 3: What a guy can't be excited?
Speaker 10: No, and Hugh must be humped to be performing with
you in the show tomorrow night.
Speaker 6: Yeah, yeah, I think so. If he's taking over for
his father, it's only fair that he gets a chance
to prove himself. Plus, if he's stunting, he's not running
around getting into trouble. Trouble is incandescent activism.
Speaker 10: What's wrong with that? He wants a better world for
his fellow wolves.
Speaker 6: Walt, Please, there's no way you can make a difference
on that big of a scale. I just I don't
want him to get hurt.
Speaker 10: So you want him to take over for his father
who literally burnt out mid stunt?
Speaker 3: Walt, Yeah, I'm sorry. Yeah, that was Oh that was
too far.
Speaker 2: I just look, I.
Speaker 6: Know you care about Hugh and I know you care
about me, but please, Calvin's burnout is still a little
too fresh for comments like that.
Speaker 10: Of course, yes, of course it was thoughtless of me.
I'm just looking out for Hugh and you. I want
what's best for both of you, and.
Speaker 6: I appreciate that very much. Walt, You've been so supportive
through all this. I mean, who would have thought that
one of my biggest fans would grow to be my boyfriend?
Speaker 10: M Mmm, one over the Philo Maniacs, Walt shot, where's
that million watt smile?
Speaker 6: Oh? You're lucky. You're so cute.
Speaker 10: I can do a mean backflip too. Want to see
a sure, honey?
Speaker 6: Whatever you say?
Speaker 12: Hello, Hello, LEDs and gentle Bowls, Welcome to the Electric
Avenue Lounge for tonight's very special performance.
Speaker 4: Oh film, we're home.
Speaker 2: She's not here, Ugh boo, Hot date Errands.
Speaker 4: That's a weird name for a hot date. Is that
a fluorescent name?
Speaker 2: Oh haha, you're hungry?
Speaker 4: Huh No not really. Would you be cool if she was?
Speaker 2: Depends on the bulb. I think the real question is
would she be cool with me knowing she was dating?
Speaker 13: Good evening? Letburg. I'm Walter Cronklife and this is your
evening news.
Speaker 8: We are so cool, Hugh staying in watching the news
on a Friday night.
Speaker 2: You love it.
Speaker 13: President Lincoln Edison Diode will be attending a city planning
meeting at the Sargent Electric Pavilion tomorrow, discussing the future
of his cabinet and what policies he intends to commut
to for the remainder of his time and office.
Speaker 2: What's the point, He's just gonna pick a bunch of
out of touch LEDs, maybe a couple Haligen diversity hires,
and nothing's gonna change. Why do you say that, because
that's what they always do, Hallie, That's how it's been
for generations. Didn't you pay attention to mister Centennial's history class.
Speaker 4: So make them change?
Speaker 8: What how you know where he's going to be tomorrow
at the pavilion?
Speaker 7: Go down there and be illuminary.
Speaker 2: No, I couldn't. I wouldn't know what to say. Besides,
I've got that show with my mom tomorrow that you.
Speaker 4: Don't even want to do.
Speaker 2: I don't know.
Speaker 4: Could you do both?
Speaker 2: Maybe?
Speaker 5: Okay?
Speaker 2: Used together Marker's paper.
Speaker 6: Kuie, Hey Mom, sorry, I got home so late. My
errands ran long.
Speaker 2: You're a grown light bulb. You don't have to justify
why you come home late.
Speaker 6: Oh I excited for the warm up show tonight?
Speaker 2: What? Oh uh? Yeah, it's it's gonna be great.
Speaker 6: I thought we could practice a bit before the show.
I'm really looking forward to what you've got in store
for the finale.
Speaker 2: Oh do uh do you actually mind if I just
meet you at the Fuse Box? Ally and I are
going to check out this Incandescent Art installation down by
the pavilion. They're gonna have live music too, and a
farmer's market.
Speaker 6: Really that sounds awesome. Maybe I should come too.
Speaker 2: Oh no, you'd hate it.
Speaker 6: Incandescent art, live music, and Chotchkey's. You basically just described
my perfect afternoon.
Speaker 2: No I heard, it's not going to be all that great. Actually,
we're just going because one of my friends has a
booth and we want to show some support for him.
But other than that, it'll probably be really just bad
all around.
Speaker 6: Oh well, okay, if you insist. Did you see that
President Diode is speaking at the pavilion today. I thought
you'd be more interested in that than all those arts events.
Speaker 2: What I didn't hear about President Diode at the pavilion?
What a crazy coincidence. Yeah, maybe maybe i'll check that
out or something, you know, after the art stuff. Okay, anyways,
I gotta run. Hallie's waiting for me. Love you, see
you later. At the fusebox. Bye, don't forget the show.
Speaker 6: Gun push up to six pm.
Speaker 11: With my new cabinet's appointments, we will be guaranteeing a
bright future for all of Liitsburg. My ministers want to
hear from you. What ails you? What changes do you
want to see in this beautiful city? What can President
Diode do for you?
Speaker 2: Excuse me, sorry about.
Speaker 11: The LEDs.
Speaker 2: Oh yep, that's right, my family.
Speaker 11: Sorry that my office.
Speaker 2: Sorry, oh excuse me, sorry, right down.
Speaker 6: Tower.
Speaker 2: I wouldn't choose to be this why I was made this?
Speaker 6: Right?
Speaker 11: Okay, I will twist at bit to my PR team
on that one.
Speaker 2: Hey, how what did I miss?
Speaker 4: Shit show? Honestly?
Speaker 6: Yeah, run back to your piartyam Bye.
Speaker 11: We'll be taking no further questions. Thank you for your time,
Shine Bright.
Speaker 14: Thank you everyone for your wonderful questions for President Diode,
his team, and I will be sure to take everything
into account with finalized.
Speaker 2: Terrible did he announce his cabinet?
Speaker 7: He actually thought it would be a great idea to
start with questions.
Speaker 2: It's too bad. I would have liked to hear what
he had to say. Okay, yeah, I know we just
did this all right, Probably would have just been the
same old cabinet full of LEDs.
Speaker 8: Don't forget their token halogen in charge of transportation.
Speaker 2: And not an incandescent insight.
Speaker 8: Speaking of insight, is that the president hiding behind that lightmobile?
Speaker 2: Yeah?
Speaker 6: What the come on, let's go talk to him?
Speaker 2: What? No, we should definitely not go talk to him.
Speaker 14: Oh, yes, this is exactly what you've been talking about
for ages. You want to make the world a better place,
here's the bulb that'll give you that chance.
Speaker 2: His security is gonna pulverize us.
Speaker 4: His security is nowhere in sight. Actually, hm, weird with.
Speaker 11: Your security at home? They said, Little Paulville make you
look like a man of the people. Well, now I'm
a sitting duck who can't get into his damn light veil.
It's only a matter of time before a gang of
those protesters sneak up behind me. What have you all complained?
I'm sure it can be solved without violence, young bulbs.
Speaker 8: We're not really the violent type, President Diode. But Hugh's
dad used to do a mean triple axle corkscrew.
Speaker 11: Oh, it's just two of you show time. The best
way to reach my office is to contact my PR
director a pluggy, mister President, Sir, I assure you Pluggy
can help you. You want.
Speaker 4: He wants to work for you, be in your cabinet.
Speaker 2: I don't know about being in his cabinet.
Speaker 11: The cabinet is full of no vacancies.
Speaker 2: Let me guess all LEDs and one, maybe two halogens.
Speaker 11: Actually this term is our most diverse term yet.
Speaker 7: Wow, three whole halogens.
Speaker 11: Listen, young lady. You don't know anything about politics, which
is why there are so few halogens like you in
my cabinet.
Speaker 8: I know a little bit about angry mobs, and it
looks like.
Speaker 7: That one by the stage would love to move You would.
Speaker 11: Be a shame if so, keep your voice town. They'll
cure me if they see me.
Speaker 2: Which is why I want to help you, mister President.
Speaker 11: And you are.
Speaker 2: My name's Hugh, and yes I'm an incandescent, but so
is most of that angry mob over there, and they
want to be appreciated and seen as equals, not just
side shows or entertainers dancing around for your amusement.
Speaker 11: Well, incandescen so not equal to LEDs.
Speaker 8: Wow, look at who's over by this light mobile trying
desperately to drive off.
Speaker 11: Oh fine, fine, Maybe incandescence have more in common with
LEDs than I originally thought.
Speaker 7: Don't forget the halogens and all the other bulbs.
Speaker 3: You're lucky.
Speaker 11: I don't know how to get under the term bitemobile
unless I would be long gone.
Speaker 2: Now where would you be?
Speaker 4: Right now?
Speaker 14: President diode Shy isn't left yet.
Speaker 11: Yeah, he's over like mobile.
Speaker 5: That's yeah.
Speaker 2: What my good friend Hally is trying to show you,
mister president, is that you don't have much choice not
to hear what we have to say.
Speaker 7: Watch you try to start that thing is afl Give
me this.
Speaker 8: I'll drive you where you need to go while you
here talks about how can you save your ass?
Speaker 11: Deal?
Speaker 5: Deal?
Speaker 11: Here's the address?
Speaker 5: No, no drive, young lady.
Speaker 6: Oh where is that chiky little ball? But I'm gonna
kill him?
Speaker 10: Phil, Phil, take a deep breath, Relax. He's got a
lot on his plate, but he'll be here.
Speaker 6: Curtains are up in two minutes and he's not here,
but I'm here. But you can't exactly fit into hughes leotard,
can you?
Speaker 4: And you don't know where choreo?
Speaker 10: Who needs huge leotard when I've got my own ha ha,
and who says I don't know your choreo wouldn't be
much of a fan if I didn't.
Speaker 6: Walt, Please wait when did you make that?
Speaker 2: That's not important.
Speaker 10: What's important is that I'm here for you now, and
I'm sure Hugh would be thrilled to see the two
of us dazzle.
Speaker 3: That crowd out there.
Speaker 6: Okay, Walter, you're in, you be, I'll go tell the
MC you're filling in. I assume you'll be going by
Walt the wonderful.
Speaker 2: You know it?
Speaker 11: Baby?
Speaker 3: Okay, I gotta get my stretches in real quick.
Speaker 7: Ah.
Speaker 3: Oh, touch the toes. Oh I work on that. Oh
tight hip flexers.
Speaker 2: My goodness, Look, President Diode, what was the last president's
legacy and the one before that? You have a chance
to make real change here. You have a chance to
be accepted by all bulbs, not just the LEDs.
Speaker 11: Well you you make some surprisingly good points.
Speaker 2: Thank you, sir.
Speaker 11: I am prepared to offer you a position in my
cabinet on one condition.
Speaker 2: Wow, I that would be amazing. What's the condition?
Speaker 11: You keep her away from me?
Speaker 10: Deal?
Speaker 2: I think we can make that happen, sir.
Speaker 11: Oh great Pluggy will be in touch Now you two
make yourself scarce while I get to my next speaking engagement.
Speaker 2: Wait where are we? Oh the fuse box. That's actually
weirdly perfect.
Speaker 11: Oh? Did you have another protest planned for this town
hall too?
Speaker 2: No, I'm actually stunting with my mom. The show should
be starting soon. I have to get inside.
Speaker 11: I don't think it is Hugh. My town hall starts
at seven.
Speaker 7: That's when Hughes mom's show starts.
Speaker 11: That's when it was supposed to start, but I pulled
some strings and moved it up. We figured I could
take advantage of the event crowd after they've been wowed
by the flying Philomena.
Speaker 2: Shit, she told me about the time time changed yesterday too. Oh,
I totally forgot. She's gonna kill me. Eh.
Speaker 10: And now for their thrilling finale with a tourist.
Speaker 2: They're thrilling finale.
Speaker 4: Who's that guy with your mom?
Speaker 10: You?
Speaker 4: Oh? Is that Aaron?
Speaker 2: That's what one of her fans or what they're wonderful like?
As Leozard says.
Speaker 11: That was electric? Did you see that your mom is
something else?
Speaker 5: Who?
Speaker 14: Well, the wonderful just kissed your mom.
Speaker 2: I guess that is Aaron's Hey.
Speaker 3: It's President diode.
Speaker 11: Hello, my fellow litz Fergers, get in here you too.
This will look great online rubbing shoulders with a halogen
and an incandescent O. My truth of rating with the
people who is going to saw.
Speaker 2: And my approval rating with my mom is dropping rapidly.
Speaker 7: Oh yeah, she looks pissed at you, Hugh, Thank.
Speaker 2: You for that. Helly, Hey, hey, can you talk to me? Look, Mom,
I'm sorry I forgot about the show time change.
Speaker 6: That's only half of it you. The other half is
that you blew me off for that out of touch politician.
I can't believe you missed our show to dance and
flip and bend over backwards for him.
Speaker 2: WHOA, I didn't bend over backwards or flip for anything. Okay.
I talked to him, Bulb to bulb, and he gave
me a job.
Speaker 4: You have a job.
Speaker 6: You're a stunt bulb and you're my son.
Speaker 2: I'm not a stunt bulb, Mom, I'll always be your son.
But stunting isn't something I want to do. I think
you already knew that.
Speaker 6: Maybe I did, but why didn't you talk to me
about it?
Speaker 2: I was going to talk to you about it, but
then dad, And I didn't want you to be disappointed
in me. And hey, wait, why didn't you talk to
me about Walt the wonderful?
Speaker 6: He's just a fan.
Speaker 2: Do you let all your fans kiss you?
Speaker 6: You saw that?
Speaker 2: Yeah? Do you want to talk to me about it?
Speaker 6: Walt has been really supportive since your dad.
Speaker 2: Okay, can I take it? He's errand's what? Never mind?
Why didn't you tell me you were seeing someone?
Speaker 6: I was worried you think I was rushing into things
too quickly. Me being with Wald now doesn't mean I
love your father any less.
Speaker 2: I get it, Mom. Life is too short to be unhappy.
And if Walt makes you happy, I'm happy.
Speaker 6: Thank you, Hugh.
Speaker 2: And, at risk of ending this Kumbaya moment, I formally
resigned from my role as a stuntball, but I'd like
to stay on as your son, if you'll have me.
Speaker 6: I would love that. So what's this job for the president?
Are you his lightmobile driver.
Speaker 2: His PA, Minister of community outreach? Actually a Hugh, that's amazing. Yeah, uh,
I'm really looking forward to it.
Speaker 6: Are you sure that you're gonna be okay? Roaming around
in a building with all those LEDs.
Speaker 2: I'll be fine, and don't worry. They'll take me seriously.
Incandescence have always been shopkeepers, entertainers and athletes, and now
they can be politicians too.
Speaker 6: Politics is a messy game, Hughie, I also have a
secret weapon, Hallie. Hallie.
Speaker 2: Diode is terrified of her.
Speaker 9: Oh we're gonna be okay, Mom.
Speaker 8: Wow, I've never seen the Powerhouse so packed before.
Speaker 6: Way to go, Phil, It wasn't just me.
Speaker 3: Oh shucks, thanks Phil, I.
Speaker 6: Meant Huie Dear. He got President Diode to make a
personal donation to the Power Planned, and he even invited
a few of his friends. Apparently he's a bit of
a philomoniac himself.
Speaker 3: Whoa hands off, Diode. Fifteen second warning, folks.
Speaker 6: Okay, gang, huddle up. I love you all. Thank you
for being at my support system, and thank you for
being honest with me even when I don't want to
hear it.
Speaker 3: We love you too, Phil.
Speaker 2: We love you, Phil, love you Mom.
Speaker 6: Now what do we do?
Speaker 5: We shine?
Speaker 1: Lightbulbs was written by Tyler Hurchuk, starring Edward Selvey as
Hugh Amanda kay Is Filhelmina, Lindsay fawn Is Hallie, Tyler
Hurchuk as Walt and Scott R. McKinley as President Diode.
Additional voices by Amanda Kay, Elisa Petrie, Anthony Romanelli, Aaron Grassi,
Luke Termineessi, Lindsay Vaughn, Scott R. McKinley, Shay Strong, and
Tyler Hurtchuck. This episode of Been Part of the podcast
was direct did by Tyler Hirchuk, Assistant director dianry Hanson,
Casting by Tyler Hurchuck, sound design and engineering by Tyler Hirchuck,
music by Matt Ryman. Additional music credits can be found
in the show notes. Production coordination by Tyler Hirchuck, story
development by Alissa Esteban. The theme song for Theme Party
the Podcast was composed by Bad Machine. Episode art by
Alissa Esteban. This episode was produced by Tyler Hirchuck, The
executive producer and host of Theme Party The Podcast is
Moretta Mose. If you've enjoyed this episode, please consider supporting
us on Patreon by visiting Patreon dot com slash Lengthy Tangent.
Learn more about this episode in all of our shows
at lengthy tangent dot com, and follow us on social media.
Our theme for this season has been family traditions I've
been moretta mos and this has been theme party the podcast.
Speaker 3: We'll just edit that part out.
Speaker 10: Likely dangent