FAQ about AMT
As a question-answering pair of podcasters, we are Frequently Asked Questions. But we are asked some questions more frequently than others, including:
I want to set up my own podcast. Do you have any handy tips?
Here’s a potted guide to get you started. And, when we were asked to talk on this very subject at the Next Radio conference, here’s what we said .
Why are your jingles so damn catchy?
Because Martin the Sound Man and the Answer Me This! players are musical marvels.
Why is your email address answermethispodcast@googlemail.com rather than answermethispodcast@gmail.com?
At the time we set it up (late 2006), Google wasn’t letting people in Britain set up @gmail.com addresses.
Yeah but now they do, why don’t you change it?
Those catchy jingles you asked about above – you’d dump those, would you? Of course you wouldn’t!
I sent in a question AGES ago and you haven’t answered it. Why?
It’s nothing personal; there are many reasons why your question might not have appeared in the podcast. For instance:
1. We’re too stupid/ill-informed to answer it.
2. We tried to, but were insufficiently amusing or insightful so it landed on the cutting-room floor.
3. We’ve answered the same or similar question in a previous episode.
4. We were lucky enough to receive so many questions that we were simply overwhelmed by choice.
5. a. When you called the Question Line, your voice was too quiet/the reception was bad/there was too much background noise for us to hear you properly/you were standing in a strong wind. b. Your email was totally incomprehensible/blank.
6. In doing so, we would get into hot water with the Taste Police, the Commission for Racial Equality, and our mums.
7. Admit it: it was a bit shit.
Answer me this: what question should I send in to get on the show?
Definitely not this one. Try harder.
Do you know Martin the Sound Man’s voice sound echoey?
Yes. We’ve been doing this podcast since January 2007, and we’re not deaf.
Why is Martin the Sound Man’s voice echoey?
Some things in this life deserve to remain a mystery.
Why can’t I get all of your episodes for free?
In order to bankroll Answer Me This!, we’re selling old episodes from our store for 79p each – the same amount as a three-minute pop single on iTunes, but up to TEN TIMES LONGER. However, there will always be at least 100 episodes on our free feed to keep you amused.
I like you, and I have an irrational but uncontainable urge to give you money. But I don’t want to buy your old episodes. How can I go about this?
If you insist upon shoving some cash our way, then you can use Paypal to give us a present. Click here to donate and you will receive our sincerest, gushingest thanks in return.
Can I do work experience with you?
It’s very kind of you to ask, but what with our 20-strong hair and make-up retinue, plus the full-time fluffers, there simply isn’t the room for any more unpaid slaves in the AMT studio.
What happened to Graham from Canada?
We don’t actually run long-term surveillance on our listeners. He hasn’t been in touch with us for several years, so we assume that either he hit adolescence and discovered sex, or is in prison for mass murder.
I want more Dave from Smethwick! Why won’t you let me have more Dave from Smethwick?
See above – we can only give you what our questioneers choose to give to us. Dave is some sort of Midlands angel who only visits every few months or so.
Why don’t you see white dog poo on the streets any more?
In recent years, councils have become more rigorous about making people clear up their dog poo, and also they seem to clean the streets more often. Hence dog poo isn’t left out for weeks on end to fade to whiteness. Either that, or dogs are eating less bleach these days.
Why do so many people ask you about white dog poo?
[shrug]
How do I stop getting put in the ‘friend zone’ by girls?
Find a girl that is actually interested in you.
Do vegans spit or swallow?
They wrap their chewing-gum up and dispose of it properly in a bin, just as non-vegans should.
Why do round pizzas come in square boxes?
Have you ever tried making a round box? It is DIFFICULT.
What is your survival plan for the zombie apocalypse?
We don’t have one, because we DON’T CARE.
Why are the numbers on a calculator and a phone arranged differently?
No particular reason, other than the manufacturerszzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
How old do you have to be to die of old age?
130. Or, if you are a guinea pig, 5.
What’s the difference between ‘flammable’ and ‘inflammable’?
That was one of the first questions we ever answered, way back in Episode 2. Unfortunately, that was so long ago that we can’t remember the answer, so you’d better look it up in the dictionary.
Why do my sneezes smell bad?
We don’t know; but we do know that you’re not alone. Numerous people suffering from the same affliction seem to have started a support group in the comments section of this post about Olly’s smelly sneezes. Perhaps you could all band together and start a proper forum for smelly sneezers.
Answer Me This! Podcast 
May 16, 2020 at 12:00 pm |
My turn to make you laugh (I hope): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8-ZQjB9fhk&t=151s
March 15, 2020 at 12:49 pm |
Are you guys ever going to put out an album with the parody interstitial songs that you play on your shows? I would be interested in thanks. Steve Hardy, Pismo Beach, Ca
September 18, 2019 at 10:20 pm |
Hiya,
We totally have Quality Street in Australia and have for a long time. We gift it very occasionally through the year in box form but it appears most obviously in tin form at Christmas.
Have a good one,
Morwenna
Sydney
October 25, 2018 at 4:02 pm |
I found this podcast after listening to The Allusionist. I really wanted to enjoy it, and came really close, but ultimately I just can’t bear the echo voice. It’s so annoying!!!!!! I know the FAQs say “some things have to remain a mystery”, but surely I can’t be the only would be listener who has been driven away by it? If you ever decide to get rid of it and go with normal voices, please could you say so on the Allusionist, so I know to come back and start listening again?
October 10, 2018 at 8:46 pm |
Hi Helen and Olly, and echo sound man Martin.
Very sorry but I’ve been absent from your fab podcast for a while. I’ve randomly picked 365 and I’m wondering what’s up with Helens voice.
Thanks
October 10, 2018 at 9:27 pm |
Keep working back through the episodes and you’ll soon find out
July 12, 2018 at 3:44 am |
Hello Helen, Olly and Martin; please answer me this. Why is your website on WordPress when all of your episodes seem to be sponsored by Squarespace?
December 6, 2015 at 9:39 pm |
Hey I just downloaded the app for my road trip around America, I can’t figure out how to download the episodes for offline use .. Anyone give me a hand? Thanks guys X – Holli
December 7, 2015 at 11:21 am |
You need to check the settings in your app, but it should just be a case of Starring your favourite episodes – once you’ve done that they’ll download automatically and you can hear them by going to the Starred section.
December 11, 2015 at 4:06 pm |
Nice one, thanks ! X
April 2, 2015 at 3:30 pm |
Where’s the rss feed?
April 4, 2015 at 6:19 pm |
http://answermethis.libsyn.com/rss – and if you lose it somehow, we link to it on every post about an episode.
July 25, 2014 at 12:04 am |
*drove me crazy and was really annoying
January 17, 2019 at 11:32 pm |
I’m stunned to find only one asterisk in this page. It just doesn’t seem right to have it used that way since there ought to be the first one referencing the second. Helen, answer me this: is what Johnny did ok?
July 25, 2014 at 12:03 am |
Liked the sound of the podcast, some parts really funny and interesting but the echo drove was really annoying so turned it off which is a shame.
September 24, 2015 at 6:54 pm |
I’m sticking with the podcast because I enjoy the content and now find myself caring about Helen, Olly and Martin, but if I could give one bit of feedback (which I suspect you won’t change anything from, but hey) – it’s that I find Martin and his echo really difficult to understand/listen to. Would much prefer it if Martin wasn’t echoed
October 9, 2012 at 9:23 pm |
er tell me every freaky week i listen to your strangely addictive programme and every week you pose two questions at the intro. who oh why the fuck why do you never ever never fricking ever answer them? james xxxxx
December 27, 2011 at 2:38 pm |
When I try to buy the Android app from the Amazon App store – it says that it’s not available in my region. I’m in the UK btw. Buying it on my ipad instead… sigh…
January 2, 2012 at 11:13 pm |
I have the same problem … I am in NZ and have a lovely android phone and no Ipad and keep getting told by Amazon that I can’t buy your app because I am outside the geographic region !!!!!
Can you please make the app available on the Android Market as well ??? Pretty please ??? https://market.android.com/
January 2, 2012 at 11:19 pm |
we would love to, believe me! Unfortunately it is not in our hands, but in those of the app developer, Libsyn. It seems a few weeks ago they had some mysterious falling-out with the Android marketplace, since when they’ve not been selling any apps through there at all.
So, we’re very sorry, and hopefully Libsyn will sort themselves out soon…
January 3, 2012 at 11:36 am
No problem – good luck! Enjoying the iPad app anyway 🙂
BTW – I’m the one with the new ‘piss take’ question on the phone line – although I’m sure that’s been asked before…
May 18, 2011 at 10:00 pm |
Gaah ! but why is it so hard to find the RSS feed ????!!!! Why not on the first page techno chums ?
July 2, 2010 at 9:29 pm |
I am 51 or 52 (I forget) AMT is the best thing I have heard on the internet (or the radio). Am I too old…..will my grown up kids think I am an embarrassment because I keep making their friends listen to it when they come round?
June 15, 2010 at 8:01 pm |
I Hate Orlando Bloom…
But I love Helen and Ollys Podcast!
May 5, 2010 at 5:36 am |
An actual question: What’s the podcast URL? I’m turning my back on Itunes and using Media Monkey, but need to update my podcasts with the URLs.
February 12, 2010 at 12:34 am |
PS – I’m from Hereford
February 12, 2010 at 12:27 am |
I just wanted to write something – I’m lonely.
October 30, 2011 at 8:20 pm |
Aw. High-Five! anyone…? Okay, slowly walking away…
I’m 12 what’s wrong with me?!
January 17, 2019 at 11:57 pm |
How are you doing, Ryan? I’m on, I hope, the tail end of dealing with excruciatingly (emotionally) painful illness my partner had so I reached out to old friends and a relative for support and two in particular came through for me. A local guy we’ve hired to do heavy lifting turned out to be a wonderful listener and a neighbor responded to my Nextdoor request to run an errand I couldn’t get done. I’m tremendously grateful these people were there when I needed them because I was suddenly completely alone. I hope you’re able to reach out to people when you need help.
Helping others makes us feel better so don’t discount the benefits of reaching out when someone needs you.
Loneliness really hurts, emotionally and physically so take it seriously. I hope you’re doing ok.
August 21, 2009 at 7:13 pm |
thursday
January 22, 2009 at 7:02 pm |
What day to you record the podcast?
November 3, 2008 at 6:03 pm |
Do you take adverts on the podcast, such as – This week’s show is sponsored by… ??????