Maximum Fun Forum

This week, live at SF Sketchfest: Brianne, a dog trainer, owns a small poodle named Shilo. She likes to take Shilo everywhere – the bus, classes at SF State, even restaurants. But this annoys her boyfriend, Zach, who thinks that Shilo's constant company is annoying, saying that it's representative of Brianne's attitude that the rules don't apply to her. Does Shilo need a shorter leash? Only Judge John Hodgman can decide. Also: John Darnielle of the Mountain Goats performs a few songs.

Judge John Hodgman Episode 98: All Dogs Go To Trial

_________________
– thomas matysik
Maximum Fun Intern

I really wish Zach would have made his case in a stronger way. He had a good point that people in "trapped" situations (people who had to use the BART for transportation or had to sit in class to get credits for their degree) shouldn't be forced to deal with an unexpected dog just because it makes Brianne feel better about herself or get some attention.

I don't like dogs (read: I am a human monster). I am allergic to them; no dogs are hypo-allergenic. Some dogs shed less (about the same as humans), but their dander (skin flakes!) are around just as much as other dogs and activate allergies. Dogs smell bad, they are inappropriate crotch-sniffers, and their owners try to give them human credentials constantly even though they are not human.

I am happy that some people who can use help from service animals get help from service animals, and am happy to be a little uncomfortable so that others can have equal access to the world. If Brianne had a diagnosed mental illness and a trained service dog for that purpose, maybe I would feel differently about this case. Zach should have made a stronger case and, afterward, won.

Not everyone loves dogs. Brianne only notices the people who do, not those who are choosing chairs in the far corner of the room. Brianne didn't make any case either; she just had the benefit of advocating the status quo.

P.S. I am so pleased to have new live Mountain Goats to listen to!

Clearly Shiloh was the best advocate of the three.

I want to see pictures of this so-called adorable dog. I would like to judge for myself just how adorable this little bitch is.

Wowsers, do I want to see this dog too!

I really love the live shows by the way. The audience really adds a whole cringe-awkward-hilarity to it. Especially when one of the participants says something especially cuckoo-bananas.

_________________
Twitter is a hoot and a half! @freshmutton

We got pictures of the dog! They're up on the blog post.

_________________
– thomas matysik
Maximum Fun Intern

It seems to be a recurring theme that people who are obviously right don't do a very good job preparing arguments. You gotta prepare arguments, guys! Otherwise someone will just walk their dog all over you.

Great job as always, judge and bailiff. Live episodes are a treat every time.

_________________
I am a person who rates every animal.
http://rateeveryanimal.com

I expected JJH to really come down on this blatant example of "I'm-more-important-than-everyone-else-so-the-rules-don't-apply-to-me"-ism.

I know this is a comedy podcast, but come on.

Today my faith in the Hodgman justice system has been shaken.