WeWow on the Weekend

Happy Earth Day, to you, happy Earth Day, to you, happy Earth Day dear Wozgers, happy Earth Day, to you.

If you're looking for ways to celebrate our Earth today and every day, visit tinkercast.com/earth to find activities, episodes, and videos that bring the wows of the world right to you. And while you're at it, don't forget to show your gratitude to the Earth today.

“It does a pretty good job of taking care of all of us, so let's all remember to take care of it, too.”

That's it, now, let's get back to the show. Because this is what we do on the weekend, talking laughing, me and Reggie who's singing, laughing, and then we go, wait, no, I said laughing twice. Whatever, we go on the weekend, then we go on the weekend, like what we want, we go, because this is what we do on the weekend. Hello and welcome to WeWOW on the weekend, I'm your host Dennis, and here's my co-host Reggie, the giant pigeon.

This is the show where we chit chat and answer questions from our fans and listen to tinkercast podcasts.

So Reggie, what's new? Oh, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. Tell me I'll newsy-like with the Reggie report, news segment. Hey, get it! Wow, really? I had no idea, raccoons like hot dogs so much. An asteroid, is it gonna crash into Earth? Oh, okay, here we go.

“Oh, sports, who won? The barricunas are the blackbirds.”

Yeah, go barricunas, they have a lot of heart, and I like their costumes. Oh, boy, lottery numbers, what are they? Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, oh, so close. It's like they make these things impossible to win. Hey, thank you Reggie for that informative report.

Now let's get into our first segment, rating reviews.

I'm reading reviews, he's for me and for uses. We've got us some doozy, so let's read reviews. See, this is the part where people write us comments on Apple Podcasts or Spotify or whatever, and I print a bunch out and I read them a lot. This review comes to us from username, Ibrahim Khalifa.

But title reads, best podcast ever! Can you put up guys? Yay! And the message says, hi, my name is Lena. Oh, it's Lena, I thought it was Ibrahim. Whatever, hi, my name is Lena, and your podcast is the best podcast I've ever heard.

Smile emoji, big smile emoji, close dice smile emoji. Wait, how many emojis are there? I don't know Reggie, it looks like there's all the smile emojis here. Some hand emoji, some fairies, some clothes, shoes, animals.

“Oh, Reggie, I think Lena gave us all the emojis.”

Well, what are we supposed to do with all these emojis Reggie? There's two whales in a whole bunch of farm animals in here. Where am I going to put 'em? Well, I know they're not real animals in fairies and shoes, but I still have to imagine them and that takes up a lot of great space.

The real estate of my mind is not cheap. Oh, look, Lena also gave us five stars. Okay, I'll hang onto the stars, and you can keep the whales in shape, Reggie, okay? Okay, next review is this next review. She comes to us from username, macaroni and cheese.

The title says, say this word. Reggie, I don't know what word. We're about to find out. The message says, say, "Scribety toilet." Huh?

Yeah, I don't know what a "Scribety toilet" is. Right, maybe I'm pronouncing it wrong. It could be a "Scribety toilet." I'm sure you know, wait, I know what it is. Yeah, it's a "Scribety toilet."

Because Reggie, a "Body" goes on a toilet.

Yeah, a "Body" is like a toilet seat that squirts water out of it.

What's for cleaning your bum?

“Well, that's probably why they named it so fancy.”

It's marketing Reggie. I'm, he but day toilet, where elegance meets innovation. Ablusion for your back side. "Scribety toilet." "Scribety toilet."

"Scribety toilet." "Scribety toilet." "Scribety toilet." "Scribety toilet." "Scribety toilet."

"Scribety toilet." "Scribety toilet." "Scribety toilet." "Scribety toilet." "Scribety toilet."

Next review. This last review comes to us from username, caler eye. And the title says, "Py versus cake." And the message says, "Dear Mr. Dennis." I love when people call me Mr. Dennis.

Oh, dear Mr. Dennis, please create a short debate segment.

Anything works. Right idea, caler eye. Ha ha. This is the debate segment. Isn't it a great segment?

“I just can't wait to illustrate my point.”

In a debate segment. Alright, today's debate topic is. Should we have a debate segment? We, while I'm a weekend. Yes?

Or no? Opposing the resolution will be me. Dennis, I do not think we should have a debate segment. Ha ha. That's right, Reggie.

Supporting the resolution will be you. You will argue why we should have a debate segment. I will go first. Ha ha. Now, I do not think there should be a debate segment.

Debating is hard.

Debating is made of conflict and competition.

This is the weekend. The only debate we should be having on the weekend is whether I should take a nap in the hammock or in the little space behind the couch where we keep all the pillows and blankets.

Thank you. Ha ha. Okay, your turn Reggie. Why should we have a debate segment? Ha ha ha.

Oh, that's good. We're having a debate right now.

“So technically, the debate segment already exists.”

Ha ha ha. Right. And the debate segment theme song is really good. Ha ha ha. Okay, Reggie.

Yes, convinced me. We should have a debate segment. Yeah. Ha ha. Okay.

What should we debate about next? Now, I don't want to debate about that. Ha ha ha. Okay, fine. We'll debate about what we're going to debate about next time.

Ha ha ha. Thanks for all your reviews. Hey, bump, come in. If you have a comment on Apple Podcast or Spotify, I just might read it on WeWow on the weekend.

Five stars or more, please. Ha ha ha. Make cause Reggie. Ha ha. Just because.

Okay. Next up is a little segment I like to call. Inside Tinkercast Studios. Ah. Inside Tinkercast Studios.

This says the part where we revisit an episode of one of my favorite Tinkercast shows. And today we're listening to "Wow in the World" season three episode 12 called "Horsefly". Don't bother me. The dazzling mystery of zebra stripes. Ha ha ha.

Ha ha. Horses and zebras and flies. Oh my. Actually, I remember this one. Yeah.

It's the one with Guy Ross's horse. I think his name is Lucky. Or Chuckie? Or something? Lucky.

Right. And then I yell help those slash judgmental quips from the other side of the fence. Ha ha ha. Yeah. Let's put it on right now.

Okay. Here we go. And wait. WeWow will be right back. Grownups.

This message is for you. Greetings, Earthlings. I am called Flip. And you can call me Moses. And we are extra terrestrials.

What you may call space, alien. Flip. You can't just blur it out like that. The humans will get freaked out and think we're weird. Regardless, our star crews are broke down.

And we've got to wait 3,000 years for the repair ship to show up. So while we're waiting, we decided to make a podcast. All about exploring your planet. We've particularly enjoyed interacting with many of the earthlings you call animals like Giraffes.

On our podcast feed, we transmit different kinds of episodes back to our home planet. And to all of you, you can hear musical episodes, travel pod interviews, and our newest addition to the feed are many pods. We are calling postcards from Earth. Experience life on Earth in a whole new way.

Check out Flip and Moses wherever you get your podcast. And listen to their postcards from Earth.

That's it. Now back to the show.

“Shoot, fly, don't bother me, shoot, fly, don't bother me, shoot, fly, don't bother me.”

Because my name is Kyras.

Kyrasy! Oh, they're funny. Maybe why are you standing on your roof? Trust is a fly. You almost scared Bucky here.

Have to death. Hang on a sec, Kyras. I can't hear the words coming out of your mouth. Stay right there and I'll come down. Just go to shimmy down the drain, pie.

Shimmy shimmy shimmy. Shimmy shimmy. Shimmy is a train pipe made out of a giant candy red vine. I'm here. [laughter]

Are you dressed up as a horse fly? Calm down, Bucky. I'm not going to bite you. I'm not even a real horse fly. Very go Bucky.

See she's not even a little.

Although I do have an uncle that's a horse and a second cousin that's a fly.

So I guess that makes me one, twelve horse fly. Hi, Mindy. Hi, Guy. Hi. Morning, Dennis. Mindy, why are you dressed like a horse fly? Is it because you hate horses?

Mindy, why do you hate horses? Oh, wonder Bucky is so terrified of you Mindy. We just got back from a very frustrating horseback riding lesson with horse flies everywhere and they wouldn't leave him alone. Ooh, yeah. Well, while you may see a horse when you look at Bucky,

what I see when I put on these fly vision goggles I invented. [screaming] Is nothing but 1,000 pounds of certified organic non-GMO breakfast fly. Breakfast is blood. Yeah, you know, the sports fly is bite horses and sector blood.

They're basically tiny vampires.

Let's take those horse fly vision goggles off, Mindy. [laughing] Calm down there, Bucky. I'm not going to let her bite you. There was, I'm sorry to have to break this to you, but if you're worried about horse flies, you're going to have to trade Bucky in for one of those striped horses.

Uh, striped horses? Yeah, one of those black and white striped horses that you find in no eastern or southern Africa or on the carousel and the mall. Uh, did you mean it is zebra? Well, the one I wrote on the mall carousel was named Allegra,

“but maybe a zebra was her brother or cousin or something?”

No, no, Mindy. I don't mean the striped horses name was Azibra. I mean that the thing you're talking about is Azibra. Oh, so then what was that striped horse named Allegra that I was riding on the mall carousel? Azibra! Oh, so you're talking about Azibra?

Yes, no, you're talking about Azibra. Garaz, I'm talking about a four-legged black and white striped animal with a killer mohawk that belongs to the equiday family of the genus equis, and horses are equis. And so Azibra's zebra's belong to the same family and genus as horses. So what you're trying to say here is that zebra's are not striped horses?

No, they're zebra's. They're a completely different species. But they're both part of the equiday family. Yes, I guess you could say that zebra's and horses are related to distant cousins even. Donkeys are also partly equiday family. But again, donkeys are not horses.

Garaz, so quite to these striped zebra's. You know, Garaz, if you're worried about horse flies, your monthly payments can probably stay about the same if you just traded bucky in for a pre-owned zebra. Huh? How long have you had 'em? What? Two years?

I know I had upgrade my horse every time the stable released a new model. You could probably even find one with Bluetooth and a cup holder if you're not picky about size. I'm not going to trade bucky in for a zebra, Mindy. Bucky is my horse. Hush, buddy.

You're so cute. I'm going to eat you up. And, oh, sorry. Garaz, you were complaining that the horse flies wouldn't leave you and bucky alone, but with a plain old brown coat like that,

bucky's practically inviting the flies to bite him.

“And, you're saying that wouldn't happen if you were a zebra?”

I'm saying that it wouldn't happen if you were covered in stripes like a zebra, or if you put them on that carousel at the mall.

Hey, just throw in an out there. Mindy, where exactly are you going with this? Okay, Garaz.

So, I just read this amazing new study,

where these researchers at the University of California Davis think they may have stumbled upon a brand new scientific explanation for this. An explanation for zebra stripes? And why you might want to get some if you've got a problem with horse flies.

“So, what's the scientific explanation to lay it on me?”

Well, I could tell you. Yes. But I'd rather show you. Oh, boy. Trot with me, Garaz.

I'm going to need a piece of flies from my house. Supplies like the, what? I'll show you when we get inside. Now, to open the door. Hi.

Hey, red, I'm home. And I brought a horse. You know, Mindy, if you took some time to invent yourself a gingerbread door knobby, you wouldn't need to keep kicking down your door. Well, let's try kicking down your door and all my toes broke off.

See? And now, I have to take five peanuts to the front of my foot every time I want to wear flip flops. You, you what?

Okay, so the first thing we're going to need for the scientific exploration is...

Wait, I thought you said you had a scientific explanation. Yeah, that's exactly what I said. A scientific exploration. But, now, first thing you're going to need is this black spandex unitarred and an extra set of licks.

“You should have six legs total, including your arms.”

And then, you're going to need a pair of these delicate motorized wings that I made by wrapping a pair of my Aunt Mojo's pantyhoes around some rusty coat hangers that I twisted into wing shades. Here, put your arms through these loops so I can attach them to your back here. Wow, these do look just like horse fly wings.

Quickly. Horse fly wings up. And install the motor from your hair dryer to the wings to make them fly. Here, check this out. For most control, power on.

And last but not least, you're going to need your fly vision goggles. Oh, no. Now, be careful with these things. They're a new invention and I'm still working out some of the key. You're trying to dress me up like a horse fly.

First sign in? Mindy is science does not involve this many costumes.

First, the flamingo costume, then the squirrel, then the aunt.

And we can't forget the cockroach and now this. Oh, we haven't even gotten to the actual costumes that were used in this scientific exploration. What do you mean?

“I mean that the scientist in this study I'm about to tell you about?”

Absolutely use costumes in their experiment. Now, come on, suit up. Bucky, cover your eyes. And remember, no matter what silly horse fly costume Mindy puts me in, I'm still your trusted buddy, Guy Roz, okay?

Okay, Mindy. I'll take the fly vision goggles. Here you go. Okay. Fly vision goggles.

On. What is there, Bucky? Remember, we're not real horse flies. These are only costumes. For science, Bucky, for science.

Good boy, and now a costume for you, Bucky. Wait, is that a zebra suit? Technically, there's zebra jammies, but basically, yeah. Bucky likes it. Come on, Bucky.

Come on, Bucky. Let's get you dressed. One-huff. Come on, two-huff. Three-huff.

Get in there. Four-huff. And the last thing I'll need is my shrink wand. shrink wand? Yeah, where did I go with that thing?

Settle up, Bucky. Something tells me we're in for a wild ride. Bucky. All right. Now come on.

Let's head back outside and I'll explain everything. Walk. Walk. Walk. Oh no.

Giant horse flies. I knew this day would come. Mr. zebra. Look out. There are two giant horse flies behind you.

And this. Oh, guy. Hey. Well, I don't you look just. Huh.

So, guys, remember how earlier you were saying that horse flies kept

Yeah. And then you suggested that I'd trade them in for one of those striped carousel horses at the mall. Um, they're called zebra's gyros. Not even the same species as horses.

Also, they come from the continent of Africa. Not the carousel at the mall. So, any who, this team of biologists at the University of California, Davis, think they may have figured out why?

Why horse flies attack horses? And why they're way less likely to attack zebra.

“So, many when I think of the most obvious differences between zebra and horses,”

the first thing that comes to mind are the stripes.

Because, of course, zebra's have them in horses don't. Yes. But, the question is why do zebra's have stripes? Like, what's their function? What's their purpose?

Well, I know that some scientists believe that zebra's have stripes to camouflage them from predators or animals who want to attack them. But, um, guy. Zebra stripes don't seem like very effective camouflage to me. It sticks out very clearly.

I mean, maybe it would work if the zebra stood in a thick and a birch trees in winter. Okay. Well, then maybe they have stripes to help them find other zebra's. By the way, did you know that zebra's stripes are just as unique as our fingerprints?

No two zebras are exactly alike.

Oh, like snowflakes. Oh, no, I got it. Zebras have stripes to keep their bodies cool in the hot sun. Kind of like a built-in air conditioner. Actually, guy, I believe the school of thought.

And that's this one, Dennis. So, gyros. Earlier, studies have shown that zebra's do tend to stay colder than other non-striped mammals, but whether it's because of their stripes is still up for scientific debate.

So then, what is it, and why are we dressed like horse flies in? And why is Bucky wearing zebra pajamas? Why are you holding that shrink on and why?

“Do you have to make that mischievous look in your eye?”

Like I said earlier, gyros, I could tell you.

Yeah. But I'd rather show you. Here we go. Okay, so step one. We are going to shimmy up the drain pipe to the roof of my gingerbread mansion.

Bucky year is going to stay on the ground that I've covered in pillow-sized marshmallows. Are marshmallows part of the study? No, there's a cushion or landing if we fall off the roof. Of course. Once we get up to the roof, we're going to power up our fly vision goggles, okay?

Now, just follow me, gyros, as usual, I've got everything out of control. Now, up the drain pipe. Shimmy, shimmy, shimmy, shimmy, shimmy, shimmy, shimmy, shimmy, shimmy, shimmy, shimmy, shimmy, shimmy, shimmy, shimmy, shimmy, shimmy, shimmy, shimmy, shimmy, shimmy, shimmy, shimmy, shimmy, shimmy, shimmy, shimmy, shimmy, shimmy, shimmy, shimmy, shimmy, shimmy. Here we are, the roof of my gingerbread mansion. Wow, I can see the whole world from up here.

Hey, look, there's the knuckle hat. And there's the spit take, and there's grandma jeep forest wrestling, a train of shopping cards. Hi, grandma jeep forest, it's me, Mandy. You know, Mandy, as I was shimming up your drain pipe, I thought of something.

Oh yeah? Yeah, yeah, so what if the whole purpose of a zebra stripes

“is to somehow help to protect it from a horse fly attack?”

Hmm, go on. Well, just take a look at Bucky down there. I mean, you dressed him in those ridiculous zebra pajamas, and there's not a single horse fly on him. I mean, he's happily grazing on those Marshmallows.

Wait, our horse is supposed to be eating Marshmallows? Yes, of course horses are not supposed to be eating Marshmallows, Guy Roz. Bucky, spit it out! Don't eat those Bucky, spit them out! Well, Guy Roz, your hunch is actually the same

as the hypothesis or educated guess that this UC Davis biologist named Tim Carrowhat. And just to be clear, a biologist is the kind of scientist who studies the natural world and the things living in it like plants and animals.

Right, and so Dr. Carrow specializes in animal coloration or why certain animals are certain colors or color patterns. Like zebra's black and white stripes, for example. A exactarito, so, like any curious scientist, he decided to test his hypothesis by conducting a little experiment.

And lucky for you, we're going to try it ourselves right here right now. Which I'm guessing is why we're standing on the roof of your gingerbread mansion dressed in a homemade horse fly costumes with my horse on the ground,

Step one, collect all the zebras you can find.

“Well, that's going to be a little tough, Mindy.”

I mean, first we have to go to Africa and then there's the fact that zebras

in the wild are extremely difficult to get close to. And most airlines won't accept them as emotional support animals to how are you going to get them back to your lab, yada, yada, yada. So we're moving on to plan B, get a bunch of horses or in our case, one horse and dress it up in zebra jams.

Wait, did Dr. Carol and his team do this? Well, basically, yeah. I mean, anything for science, right? Anything for science. Step two, invite a bunch of horse flies to the pyjama party.

Well, if there's anything I learned from my riding lesson with Bucky earlier, it's that horse flies will gladly show up without an invitation. Step three, we sit back and watch the magic happen. Okay, bring it on. Yep, just as I suspected.

Is something supposed to be happening? Mindy, it's crazy. There's a bunch of horse flies down here, but none are landing on the zebra. Is it ruining the experiment? Do we need to find some zebra flies?

See what I mean? So the horse flies are down there, but they're not biting Bucky because he's dressed like a zebra. Sure, look like it, right? But why?

“I mean, can't they see what an easy target they have?”

Not that I'm complaining.

I mean, Bucky has never seemed more relaxed than ever.

Step four, find out why by getting inside the eye of a fly. I'm assuming it's time to try out your new fly view goggles invention? No, it's paradise babies up. Whoa! They work!

My invention worked! Wow, why are they making that sound? Told you I saw how to work out a few of the kinks. Here, stay still. Ow, ow, ow!

That's it. Mindy, this is incredible. We're actually seeing the world exactly the way a fly would. This is even more wild than I thought it would be. But look at Bucky.

I know we had him dressed in a zebra costume, but now his whole body looks grey. What in the world? Can I know what, Mindy? I was just reading something about the way a fly's actually see.

This must have something to do with the fact that flies have low resolution eyes, meaning that colors and lines and details are sort of blurred into one big blurry mess. Well, on that thought, step five. Power up your wings, Guy Rose. We're going in for a closer look.

But first, we're going to have to shrink ourselves to the size of horse flies. Wait, what? Sure I'm going to activate. Where? Fly?

“Wow, you think I'm not arrived with you three of them?”

And our fly vision goes to the rock park. Where are we going to fly up this roof? And round or right back? I'm Bucky. Okay?

No, okay. [screaming] [screaming] Ready to go to the beach? Yeah!

Oh, I'm so cold! Have everything! [screaming] Oh, baby! He's no longer gray.

And his stripes are deadly. If I could come here again! If I could come here again! If I could come here again! If I could come here again!

By fly vision is so confused, maybe. I can't figure out where to land. I can't figure out where to land! [screaming] You got high little body!

Yeah, I like bowling. No, I better answer it now! Surric ring! Reverse activities! [screaming]

Oh, you! Wow!

That was incredible, Mindy!

Really? You thought so? Yeah! Your fly vision goggle invention worked! I mean, we may not have been able to make our land!

Oh, high, Bucky! But we were able to experience exactly what it's like to be a horse fly in search of fresh horse meat! Like, guess when you put it that way?

that we were able to clearly see where to land on Bucky!

Yeah, it was almost like our vision became overloaded and unable to focus! So you realize what this means, don't you Mindy?

“I think this means that your hunch and Dr. Karo's hypothesis might have been right on!”

A hypothesis that the reason zebras have stripes is to keep the blood sucking horse flies away! You know it! Well, Mindy, I think it's time we make a run to the mall! The mall! What for? Well, to get me a black and white striped horseback riding suit!

Ah, good call! And while we're there, do you think we'll have enough time to ride the mall carousel? What is it with you and that striped carousel horse? It's called a zebra! Or is it pronounced zebra?

Thanks, Dad! The real question here is our zebra's white with black stripes or are they black with white stripes? How to figure this out we're going to have to do an experiment! We'll need a calmer, preferably digital, a pair of high contrast hair clippers!

And there!

“And what I think I'm going to need to get a set up these zebra print pajamas!”

I think we can do it one time! A lot of problem in this slide! Wow! That was so cool! See how fun! Wow in the world gets when I ease drop and comment on every little thing!

This is why Guy and Mindy should stop going on adventures and just hang out in their backyards! Where I can hear them! Now Reggie, I think being helpful and cool! Not annoying!

In fact, they could just rename the show while in the backyard with Dennis! Reggie, yes they could! Now let's go pitch Mindy and Guy my great idea for a new title!

Alright, let's wrap up the show first!

Thanks to all you listeners out there for tuning in to WeWOW on the Weekend! If you have a question for me, or want to share your talent for the talent show coming up, call and leave me a message! At 1, 8, 8, 8, 7, wow! That's 1, 8, 8, 8, 7, wow!

I just might answer your question on WeWOW on the Weekend! Okay, let's go! Okay, check this out Reggie, I've got some other changes in mind for while in the world!

“First of all, I should be singing the theme song, right?”

Oh, what? I can so sing that high! I don't know, do the singing in a girl's name! Thanks for joining us for this edition of WeWOW! Our show is written by Ruth Morrison and Chad Anderson! The role of baby Dennis is played by Jet Anderson!

Oh, the whole place, the role of big Dennis! No, you mind! Teehee! Original sound design and production is done by Henry Moskel, with contributions from Jet Anderson and Tyler Tholl!

Original music for WeWOW is composed and performed by Tyler Tholl! Special thanks to Jessica Baudy, Rebecca Caban! Dr. Natasha Crandel, Kenny Curtis, Kristen Yang, Meredith Helburn, Wandser, Twemack, Jody Nussbaum, Ali Paxima, Kai-Raz, Linda Ruffenberg, Steph Sosa, Mindy Thomas, Anna Zagorsky, and all of the other tankerers at

TinkerCast HQ! Be sure to visit TinkerCast.com, where you can become an official member of the World Organization of Wowsers! Learn about upcoming events! Shop our Wowshop!

Find our best-selling books!

And learn about all the other amazing podcasts from TinkerCast!

Thanks again for thinking, tinkering, experimenting, and exploring with me this week. Be sure to check out episodes of Wow in the world on Mondays, To What's in a Wow on Fridays, and WeWow on the Weekend with Dennis on the Weekends! And remember, Who Wows? Wow!

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