Understanding Upstate

This week we take a trip to visit the oldest state fair in the United States, that s right we're headed to the Great New York State Fair! We cover a LOT of ground this episode, from Dairy Queens, to daredevils, and derechos, Rob and Jim examine what makes this fair so great. Miraculously, they also have stumbled upon a topic that can only be rivaled by canals when it comes to Rob's fanatic...

This week we take a look at Oneonta's own, Paul Reubens, and learn all about the man behind Pee-wee Herman, and then some! Paul's career touched so many corners of Hollywood and pop culture that we're get into a veritable truck load of things on this episode. From Cyndi Lauper, to Zsa Zsa Gabor, to the Guys Choice awards, we cast a wide net to capture the full arc of Paul Reubens' career. As alway...

Wether you call it Cornell Chicken, State Fair Chicken, Baker's Chicken, or Fireman's Chicken, one thing remains true: it's one tasty bird. Join Jim and Rob as they learn about BBQ Bob and his novel approach to basting a tasty bird, which has gone on to be a staple of Upstate grilling for over 70 years. As always, if you want to suggest a topic for future episode, leave us a 5 star rat...

This week Jim and Rob make good on the promise that if a Spiedie Freak or Rattlesnake Pete recommends an Upstate topic, they just might do an episode on it. So let's all take a trip to the majestic Stanley Theater in Utica, NY and bask in the glory of it's marvelous staircase (seriously, it's one of the finest set of stairs you'll set your eyes or feet on). Then we'll pop next...

This week we take a look at the granddaddy of Buffalo's regional delicacies: Beef on Weck. This hefty sandwich has been keeping upstaters stuffed and full for well over a hundred years. We'll get to the bottom of what has made Beef on Weck a staple of Western New York's offerings. Grab Jim's comedy album:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

This week we're taking a look at the infamous Attica Prison Uprising that occurred in 1971. From the conditions that led to the initial uprising, the negotiations, and the events that culminated in an eventual (but avoidable) massacre, we'll take a look at the events that occurred at Attica Prison and it's lasting impact. Grab Jim's comedy album:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

This week Jim and Rob take a trip down memory lane to two prisoner's almost month long escape from Upstate NY's Clinton Correctional Facility that gripped the nation. As always, there's plenty of twists and turns, and somehow TWO jailbreak birthdays. Grab Jim's comedy album:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Upstate Understandings⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

This week we're cranking it up to 10 as we head to Binghamton, NY to look at the hifi and audio innovator and manufacturer McIntosh Labs. From Woodstock to your grandpa's den, McIntosh has helped pump out the jams across the world for over 70 years with their incredible (and amazingly expensive) amps. So step into the world of audiophile technology and learn all about this upstate gem! Gra...

This week Jim and Rob learn all about Rochester's former NBA team, the Rochester Royals. From their rise to NBA Champions to their fall in attendance that lead to their move out of NY, we'll jump into the regal history of this once great Upstate team. Jim is performing 5/30 in Binghamton at Walterpalooza: ⁠get tickets here⁠ Grab Jim's comedy album:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

This week Jim and Rob sit down with Binghamton native, rapper, artist, and activist, Theodore, to talk about his journey into music and activism in the crown jewel of the Southern Tier. Learn more about Theodore and his projects: https://linktr.ee/theodoresounds Jim is performing 5/30 in Binghamton at Walterpalooza: ⁠get tickets here⁠ Grab Jim's comedy album:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

Zip UP your hoodie and join us as we head to Rochester, NY to learn all about the true champions of athletic wear: Champion. From sports bras, to hoodies, and mesh jerseys, Champion has been innovating sportswear and influencing fashion for over a century. Jim is performing 5/30 in Binghamton at Walterpalooza: get tickets here Grab Jim's comedy album:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

Batter UP! We've got another episode looking at one of Upstate NY's beloved sports institutions, and this time we're headed to Rochester to learn all about their Minor League Baseball Team, the Red Wings. Jim and Rob get to the bottom of what has kept the Wings swinging for over a century with a few surprises along the way. Grab Jim's comedy album:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

Sit back, relax, and uncork a fine bottle of wine as we travel the Seneca Lake Wine Trail this week! We'll give you a taste of the region's history and development as New York's premier destination for all things wine (that's right Long Island, your wine can take a HIKE). Grab Jim's comedy album:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Upstate Un...

This week we take a look at one of the greatest to ever call Buffalo home, the Grammy winning Jazz legend, Grover Washington, Jr. Join us as we take a look at his long career and learn about his lasting impact on not just Jazz but pop music and hip-hop. Grab Jim's comedy album:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Upstate Understandings⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

Our month of music continues as we turn back to the crown jewel of the Triple Cities: Binghamton, NY, and chat with hip-hop artist, Blizz The Illest. Blizz chops it up about his music career and what it's been like to represent Binghamton as a rapper and how the music and arts scene has grown there in the last few years. Check out Blizz's videos on YouTube . Follow Blizz on IG: @blizztheii...

Today we're back in Buffalo to talk about one of the city's most important cultural institutions: The Colored Musicians Club. Not only was The Colored Musicians Club a hub for the black musicians of Buffalo, but it also provided a venue for buffalo musicians to regularly mingle and jam with the likes of Billie Holiday and Nat King Cole. Tune up and tune in cause we've got a great one f...

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...