| Season 3, Ep 89 - The Cockticklers | |
| Hello from the Magic Tavern episode | |
 |
|
| Air date | May 3, 2021 |
| Episode no. | S03E89 |
| Episode Link | |
| Cast | |
| Hosts | Arnie, Chunt, Usidore |
| Guests | Winky Silks, Michael Gunch, Tomblain Belaroth |
| Production | |
| Producers | Arnie Niekamp, Matt Young, Adal Rifai |
| Post-production coordination | Garrett Schultz |
| Earwolf producer | Kimmie Lucas |
| Editor | Chris Rathjen |
| Logo | Allard Laban |
| Theme music | Andy Poland |
| Special assistance | Ryan DiGiorgi |
| Sponsor | |
| — | |
| Episode chronology | |
| ← Previous | Next → |
| "Casino" | "Evil Couple in the City" |
| List of episodes | |
"The Cockticklers" is the eighty-ninth episode of season three of Hello from the Magic Tavern. It was originally released on May 3, 2021.
|
Table of Contents
|
Description
The Cockticklers acting troupe is in town with the latest production starring Michael Gunch and Winky Silks.
Summary
Outside of the theater, Arnie is excited to see his first performance in a while, and by The Cockticklers no less. Chunt has now taken ownership of Scoop Boopy, adding to his little animal parade. Chunt, his dog, and Séance the Cat all have matching outfits and they are ready to solve crime. Arnie asks Usidore if it is okay that he is recording the play. It probably isn’t, but since his modern technology does not mean much to the average Foon person, it’s probably fine.
The group finds their seats and the show starts. The group provides their commentary throughout:
Act 1
A cloud (Winky Silks) monologues the intro about a young shepherd, named Jacob (Michael Gunch) and his destiny. Jacob speaks out to the void about his sadness and loneliness, wishing for something bigger. The Cloud, a Harbinger of Drama, warns Jacob of two visitor, one an angel and one isn't. A sheep (later revealed to be Tomblain Belaroth) approaches Jacob and speaks to him in common. Jacob does not recognize this sheep from his flock, so he assumes that he was the angel he was told about. However, the true angel, Tazael (Winky Silks), appears before him. He gives his own origins and tells Jacob that the sheep is not all that he seems. The Sheep tells Jacob about a glade he must go to in order to find his destiny. The two begin their quest.
As per tradition with the Cockticklers, the actors (Winky and Michael) hold a mid-show talk about (a question and answer session) during the intermissions between acts. Arnie fumbles on what to ask. Chunt, after going over a long spiel about his own experience as a playwright, ask how he is doing. Usidore ask about the description of the angel. During this, the two recognize the podcast hosts and they reply that they are liking the show so far.
Act 2
Jacob and the Sheep reach the Glade. The Sheep foreshadows his importance to Jacob, but remains to keep his identity a secret. The two spot a Maiden (Winky Silks) milking a Pig (Winky Silks). The Maiden describes her lonely days as a pig dairy farmer and how common she is. The Sheep immediately goes up to the Pig and proposes that they partake in sexual intercourse in hopes that their human companions would do the same. Jacob tells the Maiden the Angel gave him visions of the animals doing it and that the two should do what the animals do.
During the second intermission, Usidore and Chunt once again monopolize the time, despite there being school children who have been waiting to be acknowledged. Chunt asks about the symbolism displayed in the second act and Michael says that the play was initially about the water cycle. Arnie asks Winky how it is to play two characters at once, to which he responds about the duplicity of man (the not so subtle nod to Tom being the sheep). As Usidore asks who plays the Sheep, Chunt gets his animals to unmask him.
The play is officially interrupted and everyone is shooed away except for the Actors, Arnie, Chunt, and Usidore. Tom announces himself and his portrayal of the Sheep. He also shames Chunt and his animals for revealing him as he wishes to still perform, even in secret. Winky and Michael felt this reveal would be inevitable and encourages Tom to go on to his own destiny and be the King of the Northeasat (and maybe pay the actors back with money). Tom is irate because everyone would like to believe they know his life and what is best for him. Tom discloses the true nature of his position and how acting is the most real part of his life. However, the other actors make it clear that this complaining is a constant element in their rehearsals, maybe caused by the other contenders to the throne presenting themselves, knocking down Tom’s confidence.
Arnie brings up the kidnaping he witnessed. Tom explains that the event was a type of Cockticklers hazing ritual and just an average occurrence for them. After being back with the troupe, Tom no longer wishes to take up his father’s mantle as king. But Usidore reminds him that he could be his own kind of king, make the Cockticklers a state subsidiary troupe of the realm, and maybe reboot the Niekamp Saga that Winky and Michael made, hoping to provide a better role for himself instead of just an azure sack.
Michael divulges to Tom that the whole play is a metaphor for Tom’s own journey to understand his place in the world. Tom suggests someone take his place, but it puts both Michael and Winky into the actor’s paradox. To drill the idea into Tom’s head, Michael suggests that they finish the play. They invite the audience (including the school children) back in. Tom summarizes what they missed and skip to Act 5.
Act 3
More Sex
Act 4
Finishing up Sex
Act 5
During his post-coital bliss, Jacob receives clarity on his destiny with the Maiden and the animals. He now knows that his life as a sheepherder was a lie, but a necessary step to show him the way. Jacob must take the responsibility of his new position, the inventor. The Pig reveals himself to be the Angel Tazael. The Sheep supports Jacobs and encourages him to follow his path and follow his destiny (almost in the same way Winky and Michael Gunch told Tom). And one day. Jacob should pay back the Sheep when he becomes successful. The Cloud returns and rains down the impermanence of following one’s destiny. And that is the story of Jacob, the Inventor of the Sex Swing.
Although the play moved Usidore to tears, Tom is unaffected and refuses to take the lessons of the play. In a last ditch attempt, Winky forces Tom to become King by kicking him out of the Cockticklers. Upset, Tom leaves, with Arnie chasing after him. Usidore offers to join the troupe, but is refused.
When Arnie catches up with Tom, Tom recognizes that Arnie understands his strife, as he is being forced to be King as Arnie was forced to have the artifact in his head. Arnie suggests alternatives, like acting on the weekends or just keep acting to his imagination. He also mentions that it’s probably better for his well being for Tom to be King when the Dark Lord arrives. Tom is reassured and readies himself to go to the cave where he must perform the bat dance, to which Arnie warns Tom on what awaits him.
Emails
There are no new emails this week.
New characters
Recurring Characters
Earth References
- Shake vs. Malt
- Animal Parade (Hey Riddle Riddle)
- Scooby Doo, Scooby Snack, “meddling kids”
- Airbud
- Iambic pentameter
- Star Wars
- JarJar/JarJar Villain theory
- The Prequels
- Solo
- Rogue One
- A Star Wars Story vs Canon
- Maclunkey
- Marvel Cinematic Universe
- Intellectual property
- Disney Acquisition
- Roleplay
- “Bad Touch” by Bloodhound Gang
- Phyllo dough
- Baklava
- 4th wall break
- Improv games
- Dog Dreaming
- Pandemic closing theater
Notes
- The Mysterious Man starts his introductions describing a “podcast family” for three episodes: The children calls out to their parents that the podcast is here. The weary adults and the children gather around the fire. One of the youngest ask if Arnie would ever return home and he is met by the grandfather questioning if they were listening to the same podcast. Then the mother threatens to remove the grandfather out of the family. Then they listen to the podcast.
- There is a gesture described that is the most offensive gesture in Foon. The actual motion is not detailed, but it means “I fornicated your mother and murdered your father”
- According to Winky, the Niekamp Saga, mentioned in the Three Year Anniversary, was a trilogy and was a hit.
- Arnie implies again about his double life being on Earth and in Foon at the same time. It seems like he is more aware of it now.