Tag: improvisation

  • Bumperpodcast #134 – Bear song

    Bumperpodcast #134 – Bear song

    It’s like a singing telegram came knocking on your door to make your world that much better … That’s right! Natty Bumpercar sings you a sweet tune about a bear in this week’s episode of the Bumperpodcast – so – hold onto your seats – because it is probably going to get funky.

    Have you been telling all of your friends to listen?? Let us know by sending an email to bumperpodcast@nattybumpercar.com – and then we’ll all be happier!

    I just want to be happy!


    About This Episode

    In this episode of Bumperpodcast, Natty Bumpercar attempts to perform an improvised song about a bear in underoos, but quickly realizes his songwriting process has gone off the rails. He reflects on his spontaneous approach to songwriting, typically composing the first six to eight words in his head before winging the rest. After admitting the song didn't work out well initially, Natty gives it another try with rhymes about bears, pears, and air. The episode showcases Natty's comedic struggle with impromptu creativity and his honest assessment of his own musical abilities.

    Memorable Quotes

    “Usually, what I end up doing is I end up writing the first six to twelve, six to eight words, and then seeing if I can just wing it from there. Today, it didn't work out so well.”

    — Natty Bumpercar

    “I saw a bear. He was over there. He was walking around in his underoos. It was quite a scare.”

    — Natty Bumpercar

    “When people come up to me and they say, Hey, Bumper Car, I've got a song that I want to sing to you, I say, I don't believe you. I want to see some documentation.”

    — Natty Bumpercar

    Topics: #songwriting #improvisation #bears #creativity #music #comedy #self-deprecation

    Featuring: Natty Bumpercar

    Full Transcript

    Natty Bumpercar: oh he comes back with a snap and he's gonna go a little something like this because i wrote you a song today and i'm gonna sing it and it goes like something i forget the beginning but it says like oh i saw a bear he was over there he was walking around in his underoos a bear it was quite a scare and so then i looked for some other words that rhymed it with i breathed some air i uh ate a pear i oh god this song really went off the rails there didn't it really it's like bear there air pear scare I think you probably do, and I understand. Sometimes, when people come up to me and they say, Hey, Bumper Car, I've got a song that I want to sing to you. It's a song that I just wrote. You know what I say to them? I say, I don't believe you. I don't believe you just wrote a song for me at all. I want to see some documentation. I want to see some lyric sheets, and I want to see some notes on some pieces of paper, song paper. Is there a name for that stuff? I don't know. I just write songs in my head. Usually, what I end up doing is I end up writing the first six to twelve, six to eight words, and then seeing if I can just wing it from there. Today, it didn't work out so well. I saw a bear. He was over there. He was walking around in his underoos. It was quite a scare. I breathed some air, and then I sat and ate a pear. I walked on over, and I asked that bear if he would enjoy playing truth or dare. I mean, it sounds better now that we kind of, uh, no. Is it a great song? I don't know. Are you going to be walking around today humming about a bear who was over there, who was walking around in his underoos? Quite a scare. I ate a pear. I ate a pear. I don't know. Bummer podcast. Help!

  • Bumperpodcast 90 – Happy as a Clam

    Bumperpodcast 90 – Happy as a Clam

    Natty Bumpercar is like a bubbly glass of bubbly on today’s episode of the Bumperpodcast. You could even say that he is as happy as a clam … I would definitely say that – if I knew what I was talking about.

    Maybe you’ll be able to figure out what we are talking about on the Bumperpodcast … and if you do – please let us know at Bumperpodcast@nattybumpercar.com.


    About This Episode

    In episode 90 of Bumperpodcast, host Natty Bumpercar rides an unexpected wave of good mood on a glorious summer day at Coffee Can Alley headquarters. Without caffeine, breakfast, or exercise, Natty finds himself inexplicably energetic and happy as a clam—which leads to a hilarious existential pondering about what exactly makes clams so happy. The episode takes a comedic turn as Natty explores the phenomenon of people who confidently make things up in conversations, from fictional car facts to imaginary blimp-based transportation systems of the 1910s. With his signature improvisational style, Natty riffs on the social dynamics of calling out misinformation and why the truth-teller often becomes the bad guy.

    Memorable Quotes

    “We're only 15 seconds in and all the business is done now we can just have fun what do you think of that pretty energetic i know did i eat breakfast no did i have some caffeine no i haven't did i go for a jog that's exercise”

    — Natty Bumpercar

    “Happy as a clam by the way bumper podcast why are clams so happy what is it that i can learn from a clam that i don't have in my life right now”

    — Natty Bumpercar

    “Sometimes i start talking and then i hear what i'm saying and i realize i really don't know what i'm saying”

    — Natty Bumpercar

    Topics: #happiness #clams #conversation #misinformation #socialdynamics #improvisation #summer

    Featuring: Natty Bumpercar

    Full Transcript

    Natty Bumpercar: ladies and gentlemen boys and girls my name is natty bumper car it is a glorious summer day here at headquarters in coffee can alley you're listening to the bumper podcast of course boom bam look we're only 15 seconds in and all the business is done now we can just have fun what do you think of that pretty energetic i know did i eat breakfast no did i have some caffeine no i haven't did i go for a jog that's exercise i think by now you should know i don't do that so why why natty bumper car why are you in such a good mood i don't know literally seconds before uh the bumper podcast started and i started recording i i i could have gone the other way i could have gone miserable i could have gone angry but instead for some reason like an effervescent uh bubbly uh glass of bubbly look at me right now happy as a clam by the way bumper podcast why are clams so happy what is it that i can learn from a clam that i don't have in my life right now that would make me i mean other than right now because we established that i'm pretty happy right now but what i want to know when people say happy as a clam what does that i mean like what clams just they they they i don't i was gonna say they sit but i don't even know if they sit or if they're just laying there like just kind of they just they're just there in the silt in the dirt in this in the you know the sand clams i don't really know where clams are now that i start saying things sometimes i start talking and then i hear what i'm saying and i realize i really don't know what i'm saying and a lot of people what they do when you'll you'll talk to people you're in a conversation and they'll say things and they're they're uh just making stuff up as they go they're

    Unknown: hey i'm in a conversation i'm just talking about this thing what's that oh of course that car is the fastest car in the streets don't you know this car is slow it's over here i gotta do what i do

    Natty Bumpercar: and if you like here's the thing they don't know what they're talking about right they're like oh yeah look at that i'm talking about this thing i'm talking about this thing i'm talking about this thing

    Unknown: you guys know that in the 1910s that the blimp the blimp is how everybody traveled nobody even

    Natty Bumpercar: had cars back then it was uh the blimp and then the model t came and took over for the blimp hey that's not true but here's the weird thing in society is if this person is standing there talking to you garbage talking ridiculous talking silly and then you're the one who comes and you're like i'm pretty sure that's not true well guess who gets in trouble bumper car that's who

  • Bumperpodcast 46 – Blue skies and big trucks

    Bumperpodcast 46 – Blue skies and big trucks

    Blue skies and big trucks!
    We bolt out of headquarters to go and experience nature . . . it’s just so darn natural!
    Enjoy listening to me huff and sniffle as I walk – enjoy Socks rolling on the ground and birds tweeting in the trees.
    It’s the best that we can do.
    It’s the best that we can possibly do.
    Enjoy it!

    About This Episode

    In Bumperpodcast episode 46, host Natty Bumpercar takes listeners on an outdoor adventure with his companion Irving Brown Socks. Originally planning to record inside headquarters, Natty is so captivated by the perfect weather—blue skies, green grass, and chirping birds—that he decides to record while walking instead. The episode captures the spontaneous and improvisational nature of the show as Natty navigates passing trucks, observes a cloud, and shares his thoughts on sidewalk sprinklers. Despite the beautiful day providing plenty of distractions, Natty humorously acknowledges that he got sidetracked and didn't really say much of substance, promising to flip-flop back home and try again.

    Memorable Quotes

    “I'm looking for a cloud I'm looking for a cloud looking looking left looking right doing a little spin okay there's a cloud I found a cloud I did find one cloud”

    — Natty Bumpercar

    “What if I had the baby what am I supposed to do put the baby out in the street because you want to water your sidewalk I don't think so nothing grows on sidewalks”

    — Natty Bumpercar

    Topics: #nature #walking #weather #outdoorrecording #sprinklers #sidewalks #improvisation

    Featuring: Natty Bumpercar

    Full Transcript

    Natty Bumpercar: holy cows bumper podcast holy beans bumper podcast holy cows and beans bumper podcast it is a ridiculously day outside okay that was a dumb truck you were supposed to be hearing all the birds let's listen to them can you hear the birds they're all tweeting up in the tree in the sun blue skies i was going to record this inside of headquarters but then i stepped out with my man irving brown socks to take a little walk because that's what we do and i was like no i have to pee a picture for the bumper podcast I have to tell them you know the grass right now as green as it's ever been I told you about the skies I'm looking I'm looking for a cloud I'm looking for a cloud looking looking left looking right doing a little spin okay there's a cloud I found a cloud I did find one cloud huh thanks oh here's another another truck another truck that's fine you know what it's nature and sometimes in nature there are trucks sometimes in nature there are really big trucks oh and sometimes socks stops walking and starts rolling around on the ground these are things that happen on perfect days like today are you having a perfect day I hope so bumper podcast did you know here's a little fact check toyed for you then here's another truck and then there's another I have to get away from these these trucks all right here's this sprinkler I supposed to give you a fact there's some flowers that's not a fact how do you guys feel about it when people have sprinklers and they're those big fan sprinklers and then they put them so that they're going over the sidewalk me myself normally I don't do that I don't do that I don't do that I don't do that I don't do that I don't do that I don't do that I can't do that I'm really not a fan softly normal normally I guess I normally am a fan but when I have you know my magic phone and it can't get wet then I'm not a fan anymore because what if I had what if I had the baby what am I supposed to do put the baby out in the street because you want to water your sidewalk I don't think so nothing grows on sidewalks it's a proven fact at least nothing is supposed to grow there's another big truck I think we're gonna title this nutrition podcast or something like that. I'm not sure. Huh. I think I was so distracted by how gorgeous the day was that I didn't really say anything. I apologize. I'm just going to flip flop back home and try again.

  • Bumperpodcast #27 – Moving Violation

    Bumperpodcast #27 – Moving Violation

    Breaking the law . . . Recording a moving Bumperpodcast?! Whoa nelly . . . this is something that you’ve gott to hear!

    This Bumperpodcast is a total . . . moving . . . violation.  Maybe?!

    [Click the title to get to the episode!]


    About This Episode

    Natty Bumpercar takes the Bumperpodcast on the road in this unique mobile episode. While navigating traffic, stuck behind a bus full of high school teenagers, and using his blinker, Natty attempts to figure out how many days it's been since the last episode. He shares his philosophy about driving wherever the roads take him, debates whether it's been seven or eight days, and teaches listeners the official Bumperpodcast driving song that goes "boom chaka boom." This improvised road trip episode captures Natty talking to himself in the car, confusing day counting, and the chaos of recording a podcast while operating a vehicle.

    Memorable Quotes

    “I'm driving to where the roads take me sir or ma'am i can't see you again how did you get into my car”

    — Natty Bumpercar

    “That's like calling the lift the elevator what no sir”

    — Natty Bumpercar

    “The song that we sing when we're driving down the street goes boom chaka boom chaka boom chaka boom”

    — Natty Bumpercar

    Topics: #driving #roadtrip #traffic #time #music #improvisation

    Featuring: Natty Bumpercar

    Full Transcript

    Natty Bumpercar: dear bumper podcast today we're on the road we're driving and making a bumper podcast and why you may be wondering why are we driving why aren't we at home why aren't we recording a normal bumper podcast well i don't have answers for all of those questions and a and two that's a lot of questions to ask a guy when he's trying to drive you know i'm driving down a road with other cars i can't be filling out your form you're uh-oh we're stuck behind a bus a bus of teenagers high school teenagers i think they're looking at us i think they see us talking to ourselves oh no bumper podcast we're not gonna make it we're not gonna make it we're not gonna make it driving along singing a song driving along singing a song driving along singing a song probably about to get home a lot of times when i'm driving people like to say to me um hey nutty bumper car and i say yes yes how did you get in my car and they say where are you driving to and i say i'm driving to where the roads take me sir or ma'am i can't see you again how did you get into my car we wanted to say something to you guys because we miss you it's been six whole days or wait how does that work is it wednesday to wednesday there's seven days in a week so you say wednesday one tuesday two wait wednesday one two no i think it's been seven days wednesday one thursday two friday three saturday four sunday five monday six tuesday seven wednesday eight it's been eight days no that's impossible i think it's been seven days because you don't count the original wednesday because we actually talked on wednesday right so i want everyone to know that i'm using my blinker right now because i'm taking a right sometimes i've heard people refer to blinkers as directionals that doesn't make any sense to me that's like calling the lift the elevator what no sir here we are bumper podcast me and you breaking the law driving down the road driving down the road boom chaka boom boom boom chaka boom boom boom chaka boom boom boom that is the song that we sing when we're driving down the street it goes boom chaka boom chaka boom chaka boom boom chaka boom chaka boom that's the song oh traffic now we're in traffic next week we'll make a little bit more sense we almost promise thanks for listening to the bumper podcast see you in eight days seven oh days

    Unknown: you

  • Bumperpodcast #18 – Whispering about a Dragon

    Bumperpodcast #18 – Whispering about a Dragon

    Shhhhhh . . . The baby is sleeping . . . So we all need to whisper.

    I think I’ll whisper about a dragon – if I dare.

    Whispering about a dragon.

    [Click the title to get to the episode!]


    About This Episode

    In episode 18 of Bumperpodcast, host Natty Bumpercar attempts to record while a baby is sleeping nearby, resulting in an unusually hushed episode. Despite whispering throughout, Natty manages to share a dragon story he claims he's not telling—a tale involving a rampaging dragon, a catapult, and an unexpected banana-based defense strategy. The episode showcases Natty's improvisational comedy style as he navigates the challenge of being both entertaining and extremely quiet. Listeners get a rare glimpse of the improvised chaos at Bumperpodcast headquarters, where limited weapons supplies lead to creative problem-solving.

    Memorable Quotes

    “When you said yes you said it too loud. I know I understand you can hear me but I'm right here so you don't have to yell at me.”

    — Natty Bumpercar

    “We shot a big thing of bananas into his mouth and he's allergic to bananas which we were lucky because that's around here at headquarters right now we don't have a lot of weapons.”

    — Natty Bumpercar

    Topics: #dragons #whispering #improvisation #bananas #storytelling #comedy #naptime

    Featuring: Natty Bumpercar

    Full Transcript

    Natty Bumpercar: it's finally happened i'm recording a bumper podcast when the baby is sleeping so i have to be so quiet can you even hear me i'm right here can you hear me okay shh don't don't when you said yes you said it too loud i i know i i understand you can hear me but i'm right here so you don't have to yell at me i'm not yelling at you i'm whispering i don't i said that strange whispering hi everybody it's the bumper podcast it's good to see you today oh so here's the thing the baby is asleep i have to do a bumper podcast because that's what i do you guys like to listen to bumper podcasts this week i had a story for you about a dragon and and it had it had lots of loud noises and bombast and uh things breaking and things getting you know dragoned it was a real dragon tale inside joke but i don't feel like it's the appropriate uh place to tell that story now because i'm having to whisper i will let you know though that this is a story that i'm not going to tell you about i'm not going to tell you that this is a story that i'm not going to tell you about i'm not going to tell you about this dragon who was on a rampage he well the only way he was stopped was we uh used a catapult and we shot uh a big thing of bananas into his mouth and he's allergic to bananas which we were lucky because that's around here around headquarters right now we don't have a lot of supplies weapons weapons speaking we don't you know we have well we have bananas and it was uh we had two plans with the bananas either make a big banana slick around the house so that the dragon would slip and potentially sprain his ankle when he came to attack or uh try to shoot him into his mouth and that's what we did and uh the dragon stopped breathing so win for us and win for you because you've had your weekly dose of the quiet bumper podcast