

Do By Friday
Merlin Mann and Alex Cox
A weekly challenge show hosted by Alex Cox and Merlin Mann.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 8, 2026 • 1h 18min
Shiny Boob Beaver Book
LinksI am the mucus man. | Do By FridayPlayboyPenthouseOui (magazine)HustlerGentLiquid IVImodiumMr. Microphone By Ronco (Commercial, 1978) - YouTube"Supply is limited" scene from The Simpsons (TV Episode 1992) - YouTubeThe Simpsons: Sending Our Love Down The Well - YouTubeROYGBIV - WikipediaStewart Lee - WikipediaStewart Lee's Comedy Vehicle - WikipediaStewart Lee's Comedy Vehicle - YouTubeStewart Lee - Emigrants - video DailymotionLazy Comedy Slags - 28 years old - YouTubeI'm Alan Partridge - WikipediaMortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing - WikipediaThe future of being trans on the internet | The VergeNetNewsWire: Free and Open Source RSS Reader for Mac and iOSLumberjanes - WikipediaMallory Ortberg Accidentally Inspired A New Episode Of 'Black Mirror' By Making Fun Of The ShowNext On "Black Mirror" - The ToastBrian Regan - Big Yellow One's the Sun - YouTubeBrian Regan - The Emergency Room - YouTubeMBMBAM / Adventure Time: Curse A Real Sword - YouTube

Dec 31, 2025 • 50min
I am the mucus man.
Late Night with David Letterman - "Camping With Barry White" (May, 1983)

Dec 17, 2025 • 1h 13min
A Considerate Dancer
LinksNurse Ratched - WikipediaRatched (TV series) - WikipediaSarah Paulson - WikipediaBlue Lights (2023 TV series)The Now Habit a book by Neil Fiore - Bookshop.org USGetting Things Done a book by David Allen and James Fallows - Bookshop.org USMakebelieve Help, Old Butchers, and Figuring Out Who You Are (For Now) on VimeoYeah Yeah Yeahs - Maps (Official Music Video) - YouTubeTed Leo - Since U Been Gone / Maps - YouTubeMargaret Qualley - WikipediaBleachers - Tiny Moves (Official) - YouTubeJack Antonoff and Margaret Qualley Take Us Behind the Scenes of "Tiny Moves"Jack Antonoff - WikipediaSteel Train "I Feel Weird" - YouTubeKenzo World feat. Margaret Qualley - YouTubeKenzo Perfume BTS: Spike Jonze & Margaret Qualley’s Creative Journey - YouTube

Dec 10, 2025 • 1h 45min
Three-Eyed Raven of His Dreams
LinksEp. 1. "Shifty: The Land of Make Believe" (Adam Curtis, 2025) - YouTubeAdam Curtis on the BBC, Politics & AI - YouTubeAdam Curtis - WikipediaHyperNormalisation - WikipediaCan't Get You Out of My Head (TV series) - WikipediaShifty (TV series) - WikipediaSHIFTY – A brand new Adam Curtis series - BBC - YouTubeThe True Story of the Aberfan Disaster in The Crown Season 3The Queen Learns of the Aberfan Disaster | The Crown (Olivia Colman) - YouTubeDeath of Diana, Princess of Wales - WikipediaRyan White - WikipediaOliver Sacks - WikipediaWilliams syndrome - WikipediaOliver Sacks: The Mind Traveller - 'Don't Be Shy, Mr Sacks' - YouTubeStrong Songs – Season 07 Episode 08 - "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic" by The PoliceMr Blobby - WikipediaJack Whitehall is Terrified of Mr Blobby - The Big Fat Quiz Of The '90s - YouTubeThe 10 Most Bizarre UK No. 1s of the 1990s - YouTubeSentencing Review: Deposition of the Captain | kung fu grippe

Dec 3, 2025 • 1h 6min
Basic Beaver Information
Dive into a playful banter as hosts explore the origins of country music through Jimmie Rodgers and the Carter Family. Discover the magic of Ken Burns' storytelling and the fascinating 'Ken Burns effect.' They riff on personal tech nostalgia, discussing memories tied to Apple Stores and Steve Jobs. Experience quirky segments about creating a bookish perfume, making mini zines, and amusing anecdotes about pets like capybaras. Finally, hear about beaver engineering in a captivating documentary that blows open the wonders of the animal kingdom.

Nov 26, 2025 • 2h 9min
Pure Information
The hosts dive into a delightful mix of birthday banter and melodramatic musicals, sharing insights on Wicked and the viral side of Broadway on YouTube. They explore a quirky celebrity heights spreadsheet, revealing surprising facts about famous short people. The conversation shifts to admiration for Ricky Jay and the art of misdirection in performance. They dissect the concept of 'pure information' in media and challenge each other to try Netflix's audio description, leading to amusing reflections on its impact. It's a charming blend of nostalgia, creativity, and witty commentary!

Nov 20, 2025 • 1h 44min
Gratitude is My Kink
LinksPresident Trump Delivers Remarks at McDonald's Impact Summit - YouTubeJeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich - WikipediaUS election: Donald Trump sorry for obscene remarks on women - BBC NewsBig Mac Index - WikipediaDonald Trump Access Hollywood tape - WikipediaNo One Shows Up to Peter Brady's Party - YouTubeWatchmen: Tales of the Black Freighter (2009) [1080p] - YouTubeAdrian Veidt | Watchmen Wiki | FandomThe Hunting Wives Season 2 Trailer - SNL - YouTubePapillon (1973 film) - WikipediaTerry ZwigoffCrumb (film) - WikipediaIntroducing Kafka - WikipediaWhen Harry Met Sally... (3/11) Movie CLIP - Just Friends (1989) HD - YouTubeThe Book of Genesis (comic) - WikipediaGhost World (film) - WikipediaBad Santa - WikipediaCrumb (1995) | The Criterion CollectionSome Good Movies About Making Art, a list of films by Merlin Mann • LetterboxdAftershow LinksWhy Saudi Arabia Is Building a Floating City - YouTubeWhy Saudi Arabia Is Building a Linear City - YouTubeFingal's Cave - Wikipediawisdom/3d.md at master · merlinmann/wisdom · GitHubModel Context Protocol - WikipediaWhat is the Model Context Protocol (MCP)? - Model Context ProtocolPrompt 3🎙️ MacWhisperJonathan Haidt - WikipediaNo Way Out (1987 film) - WikipediaA Futile and Stupid Gesture (film) - WikipediaHow to Stop the Jellyfish! - Apple CommunityThe Crown (TV series) - WikipediaAudio Description for TV shows and movies | Netflix Help Center

Nov 12, 2025 • 1h 17min
A Break from Myself
This week, the hosts dive into the quirky world of dining rituals, poking fun at awkward restaurant scripts and the pressure of sharing small plates. They then explore the theatrics of teppanyaki and the oddity of modern dining experiences involving QR codes. The conversation shifts to the challenge of trying THC, discussing its effects on relaxation and muscle tension. They reflect on using mild substances as a mental reset, highlighting art's role in emotional calibration and the importance of personal communication in friendships. It's a delightful mix of humor, insights, and relatable struggles.

Nov 6, 2025 • 1h 32min
Immune to Narrative
This week, hosts dive into the challenge of repurposing buttons in creative ways. They explore crafting soundboards from podcast clips and the history of audio tools in radio. A lively debate about denominators reveals how context alters meaning in statistics and media. They also share tips on using Stream Decks for smart automation and delve into Adam Curtis's unique use of archival footage in storytelling. The episode wraps with quirky suggestions like turning old keyboard keys into refrigerator magnets!

Oct 30, 2025 • 1h 20min
J.J. Crumbletops, O.B.E.
The hosts dive into the whimsical world of family theme restaurants, brainstorming hilarious concepts like 'Crumble Tops.' They hilariously reminisce about dangerous toys like lawn darts and discuss bizarre slip 'n' slide accidents. A thought-provoking analysis emerges from the documentary 'The Perfect Neighbor,' exploring race, policing, and community dynamics. The discussion challenges listeners to reflect on privilege and biases, all while sprinkling in nostalgic stories and humor about local ads. It's a blend of absurdity and deep social commentary!


