(Originally published November 5, 2014)

Chuck stages an intervention for Ethan, who has been living overseas for so long that the brightness and shininess of popular culture are jarring for him. Listen as Chuck and Ethan dig deep into Brazilian culture and analyze Baile Funk music, Miss Bum Bum contestant Bruna Valentim, and Andressa Soares, the Watermelon Woman… all while discussing Klaus Juergen-Wrede’s fantastic game Carcassonne, and listening to nerd comedian Patton Oswalt. Learn about the psychology of Carcassonne; why Brazil’s motto is “Order and Progress”, Patton Oswalt’s obsession with time-travel jokes, and how far behind the times Ethan got from his time living in Vietnam and Singapore. And what, exactly, is a camarote, anyway?

Here are the show notes:

Ron Klain is the Ebola Czar.  Bemusing sell to the ladies:  On the one hand, you’re a powerful Washingtonian.  On the other, Ebola.

MC Dede is the Baile Funk artist we listen to during the show.  He has a definite Flava Flav vibe going.  Check out his song “As Minas Do Camarote”.  Note the part of the Amen break used in the song.

A camarote, apparently, is a “party within a party” during Carnival.  Every effort Chuck is making in life is directed at getting him into a camarote.

It's the Miss Bum Bum contest! We support Bruna Valentim.

The flag of Brazil bears the nation’s motto, “Ordem e Progresso” (“Order and Progress”).  We think this apt for their national character.

Check out Patton Oswalt, coming to a city near you soon.

Carcassonne is the game from Klaus Juergen-Wrede we review, and highly recommend.  We like Carcassonne because it’s simple.  You can learn it by playing half a game (and a game only takes 20 minutes).  Also, it’s a great 3-player game.  Here are our tips from this episode:

Email us at [email protected]— let us know what you think of the show; or write in to Stump Chuck with a trivia question!  (Put “Stump Chuck” in the subject line if you want to send trivia for Chuck.)