Crooks and Big Beaver is an actual intersection in Oakland County, MI.  See also: I-69 and Big Beaver.  They've also had a parade down it Grand Marshalled by Jerry Mathers.

…and Classic Al to boot!  I can only hope Peculiar Jacques makes a repeat appearance.  Or develops an Inspector Spacetime-esque life of his own online.

"I understand Kevin and Nora as story devices, and even as romantic partners for the characters. I really do. The two of them are the people you try to love because there’s nothing wrong with them, because you really should stop letting the intangibles scuttle what your intellect tells you is the best you could ever…

Lady Foot Locker?
Someone tell me that's a Scharpling and Wurster in-joke/reference.

I like the current stable of regulars myself, aside from the ridiculous "protege" race that came about this year, and a new potential hit is always on the horizon (see Amadeus over the past few weeks).

Is there a Pardo/Sharpling beef? I know he's taken on the "podtrash" at large (his podcasting impression was priceless), and given some big names like Jesse Thorn and Marc Maron a pass for their excellence, but I can't recall him ripping on anyone in particular not named Garrison Keillor.