Understanding Upstate

Today we're headed to Eden, NY, home of THE ONLY METAL KAZOO FACTORY IN THE UNITED STATES, and let us tell you, they are incredibly proud of that fact. Want to find out what all the buzz is? What are you waiting for, get on in there and start humming along with our latest episode! Check out Jim's comedy album:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Upstate Unde...

This week Jim and Rob are joined by Syracuse's own, Abdul Hadi, who breaks down the Syracuse comedy scene and chats about his path to Upstate comedic glory. Grab tickets to Stellar Presents on 3/28, featuring Jim: ⁠⁠⁠⁠tickets here⁠⁠⁠⁠ Abdul is performing on 4/12: grab tickets Follow Abudl on instagram: @oscarwinnerseanpean Check out Jim's comedy album:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

Today's episode is pure MADNESS as we look at the Jim Boeheim's illustrious 47 year career as head coach of the Syracuse Men's Basketball team. If there's anything this guy likes more than basketball, it's Syracuse. Grab tickets to Stellar Presents on 3/28, featuring Jim: ⁠⁠⁠tickets here⁠⁠⁠ Check out Jim's comedy album:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

We're back at it with another hot dog centric episode, as we take a look at Alfred, New York's Hot Dog Day. And let me tell you, today's episode is a real wiener! It has such a twist that you would think M. Night Shyamalan himself dreamt it up! Grab tickets to Stellar Presents on 3/28, featuring Jim: ⁠⁠tickets here⁠⁠ Check out Jim's comedy album:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

Not since the 1980 Winter Olympics has such a significant competition been held in Upstate New York. That's right, Rochester, NY will play host for the 2024-25 North American Pinball Championship. We'll learn about a Buffalo pinball scandal that ricocheted through local government, like a pinball bouncing off a drop target and slamming into a pop bumper, and go through the history of pinba...

For those about to parade, we salute you! This week Jim and Rob are returning to Binghamton to explore the infamous Parade Day. Each March, for over 50 years, Binghamton's streets has been taken over by a parade of debauchery and celebration, and we're pretty sure this year will be no exception. So pour yourself a drink, strap on some walking shoes, and get ready for a long one, because it...

Grab a plate and start scoopin', cause today we've got a heaping helping of one of the greatest Upstate creations to ever exist: the almighty garbage plate. We couldn't think of a more delightful assemblage to be presented on a plate if our lives depended on it, and thankfully it doesn't, but this podcast does depend on you listening to it, so get going! Check out Jim's comedy...

You may be saying to yourself, "HEY, this was supposed to be a Wegmans Part 2 Episode?!" and you would be correct. The best laid plans of Rattlesnake Petes and Spiedie Freaks often go awry, and we had to push back the Wegmans ep, but don't fret, because we've got an episode for you today just for the DICK of it. Not only will you learn about DICK'S humble beginnings in Binghamton, but we may even...

Lace up those skates and roll on over because we are talking about one of Broome County's most beloved (and affordable) institutions: Skate Estate. It's a giant episode today so boogie on in and get into it! Check out Jim's comedy album:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Upstate Understandings⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Also che...

We're headed back to Buffalo this week for a feature length episode all on Buffalo's Film Row and the Buffalo's Film Exchange. Barrel roll your way on over the Eerie Canal because we'll also get into some of Buffalo's other contributions to film since the very inception of motion pictures. For the real Spiedie Freaks and Rattlesnake Petes: Corbett and Courtney fisticuffs Check out Jim's comedy alb...

Going UP? This week we look at the buildings, past and present, that have claimed the title of tallest building in Upstate New York. It isn't a straight shot to the top either, there's plenty of twists and turns as we work our way to today's title holder. Also, move over Harvard because Forbes recently stated the SUNY-Binghamton is regarded as part of the new Ivy League, so you better...

Hashes to hashes, crust to crust. Today we memorialize the greatest Denny's to ever grace Vestal Parkway, just outside of SUNY Binghamton. Jim and Rob hear from those who knew this vital late night Binghamton hub best, as we pull in memories from listeners, reddit, and google. Never been to this incredibly specific Denny's? Don't worry, we'll paint a picture so vivid you'll swe...

This week we take a look at one of the largest companies to come out of Upstate New York: Xerox. We'll fall down the rabbit hole of copiers, fax machines, and toner cartridges and see where we come out at the end, but whatever you do, just don't use "Xerox" as a verb, the company is REAL serious about that. Check out Jim's comedy album:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Upsta...

This week Jim and Rob dig into what makes Dinosaur BBQ such a beloved Syracuse, NY institution. It's the Upstate BBQ that's so good that bikers and billionaires alike can not deny its deliciousness. So crack open a Genny Cream Ale and sit back as we learn all about Dino BBQ! Check out Jim's comedy album:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Upstate Understandings⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

Happy holidays to all the Spiedie Freaks and Rattle Snake Petes out there! This is a special rerelease/regifting of our 2023 holiday episode where we experienced the delights of smashing open a peppermint pig. Enjoy, and we'll see you next week for a new episode in the new year! Oh and don't forget, this is one of the few episodes we filmed, so go WATCH us smash a weird little candy pig on ⁠ ⁠⁠You...

Today we've got a wonderful episode ready for you. Jim and Rob take a trip to Seneca Falls, which may or may not have been the inspiration for the fictional Bedford Falls in It's A Wonderful Life. Was it actually the inspiration? Well, you'll just have to listen to find out. Check out Jim's comedy album:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Upstate Understandings⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

This week we're back in Syracuse to talk about one of the biggest sports institutions in all of Upstate New York: the Syracuse Orange. We go through their history making legacy that stretches back over 150 years, so there's no time to waste, lets get into it! Check out Jim's comedy album:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Upstate Understandings⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

This week we're wheeling the Understanding Upstate shopping cart back around to another beloved grocery store chain that calls Upstate home: Tops Friendly Markets. Rob and Jim get to the bottom of why Tops is tops when it comes to giving you more. And don't worry, Rob has yet another overly convoluted game for Jim at the end of the episode. Also, as an added bonus: find out if your baby is too fat...

This week we are headed back to the West Side of Buffalo to talk about one of the city's most beloved institutions: Jim's Steakout. Jim and Rob get to the bottom of what make these sandwiches the top in Upstate New York. These sandwiches have even inspired a musical, what more could you ask for?! (Coincidentally, if you're asking for more sweet peppers and mushrooms, you should ask for a Hoagie De...

This week we're swinging back around to Binghamton to talk all about the hallowed halls of the Veteran Memorial Arena. We'll get into the origins of the Arena, its impact on Binghamton and Broome County, and recap all of the marque events the Arena has played host to over the years. From high school fights, to the Ice Capades and professional wrestling, the Arena has been an upstate cultural hub f...

You (probably) heard it here first folks: Philadelphia Cream Cheese is from none other than Upstate New York and we're diving into all the details about how this spreadable treat came to be. And it's not just the Philadelphia brand that calls Upstate home, but also cream cheese as we know it today was invented Upstate. So slather a bagel with your favorite schmear and hit play! Check out Jim's com...

This week we are taking at the life and work of the incredible Stephen Myers. Stephen was a fixture of the Upstate Abolitionist movement, he also was an important Underground Railroad Conductor working in Albany, and that's only naming a couple of the things he did! Join us to learn more about one of Upstate NY's greatest heroes. Check out Jim's comedy album:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

This week Jim and Rob are joined by comedian, Stephen Brown, to talk about his career in comedy and the work he's doing to help create and foster the Triple Cities comedy community. Plus, Stephen drops some devastating spiedie news that Rob may never recover from. Make sure to follow Stephen to keep up on his upcoming shows: ⁠@steveisjewish⁠ . Check out Jim's comedy album:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

On today's episode we get into a brutal bevy of killers from Upstate NY. Jim serves up three different tales of some of the most infamous murderers to roam New York's countryside. Check out Jim's comedy album:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Upstate Understandings⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Also check out Rob's album:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

This episode we're celebrating a full year of Understanding Upstate, and today's topic is going to blow you out of the water! Upstate NY may have more mythical aquatic monsters per capita than any other region in the United States. We're practically bursting at the gills with lake monsters, river serpents, and canal creatures, and Rob and Jim are going to talk about every single one. Check out Jim...