Billy & Dom Talk to Tolkien Expert Prof. Corey OIsen! (Part 2 of 2)

Billy and Dom host Lord of the Rings expert Professor Corey Olsen! In this second part, they talk about how The Ring destroyed Sauron, whether Orcs are cannibals, what happened to the Blue Wizards and then review New Hampshire Maple Syrup and a Funky for You track from Eminem.
Corey Olsen is the president and founder of Signum University, an innovative online university that enables students to pursue their passions without going broke. Known online as The Tolkien Professor, Corey leads several weekly Tolkien discussions, including Exploring the Lord of the Rings, a sentence-by-sentence journey through Tolkien’s classic story.
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[@yurymonsalve7579]

From that whole interview (which was awesome by the way), what I took home with me is the fact that Dom wants to try maple syrup on a woman

[@LindaC616]

That's the most thirsty comment I've ever.heard from someone who has just finished a beverage 😄

[@kathrynboland7975]

I was dead 🤣🤣🤣

[@Fjeldbeth]

That comment stuck with me too 🙈😂

[@LindaC616]

I think we'll be talking about that one for weeks! (A variation on a southern phrase comes to mind...."well, butter my butt and call me a pancake!"

[@ruthbennett7563]

… Spring apparently has sprung out there in California.

[@jeffreyesguitar5129]

Of all things, Tolkien Professor being a hip hop head tops everything.

[@Sagittarius-81]

Rock, mate. Rock.

[@mrhanekoma86]

It makes so much sense. Being a linguist, I think even Tolkien might’ve been a fan of the culture.

[@AntonioPanthroRusso]

The Proffessors analysis on Eminem and Rap was incredible! Yall rock!!!

[@travisboothe5670]

They need to sell a t shirt of Billy's hand as a US map. I would buy it.

[@warpdrivedude]

Absolutely!

[@kerbyleany8951]

Include some of the random placements Dom has given of the states and I'm all over buying that.

[@Eiweing]

The All-Welcome Inn was an inn in the Shire, just west of Frogmorton, where the Northway met the East Road. It was to be one of the stops of Thorin and Company.[1] This establishment was named only in the 1960 rewrite of The Hobbit which was never completed. 1↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, John D. Rateliff (ed.), The History of The Hobbit, Return to Bag-End, "The Fifth Phase", "Timelines and Itinerary", "i. Distances and Itinerary", p. 815

[@SharlzG]

Thanks!! 👍🏻

[@HatzajaOfDaggerspine]

I here stand, to ask for a podcast where Billy and Dom make the whole podcast while in character (merry and Pippin).

[@joshmcintyre]

Would be rad! But my guess is there would be some licensing issues.

[@sexhaver420]

I thought they were already doing that 😆

[@mrduhchingy]

Elrond: Cast it into the fire. Destroy it! Isildur: F*&k no.

[@patrickungaro1447]

Corey Olsen: “one of things I like to do is make a roast chicken” Frodo: Roast Chicken?!

[@mistergee3924]

Billy: "Don't you feel like you never really grow up? . . . I see someone in a suit and tie . . . have they really grown up?" Well Billy, as someone who has to wear a suit and tie to court everyday, sitting here listening to two actors from his favorite fantasy trilogy while painting his Warhammer 40k miniatures, . . . no, I've never really grown up. And I don't intend to! Keep up the great work fellas!

[@jj48]

Reminds me of a C.S. Lewis quote: “Critics who treat 'adult' as a term of approval, instead of as a merely descriptive term, cannot be adult themselves. To be concerned about being grown up, to admire the grown up because it is grown up, to blush at the suspicion of being childish; these things are the marks of childhood and adolescence. And in childhood and adolescence they are, in moderation, healthy symptoms. Young things ought to want to grow. But to carry on into middle life or even into early manhood this concern about being adult is a mark of really arrested development. When I was ten, I read fairy tales in secret and would have been ashamed if I had been found doing so. Now that I am fifty I read them openly. When I became a man I put away childish things, including the fear of childishness and the desire to be very grown up.” Or, as he put it in The Silver Chair: "Even in this world, of course, it is the stupidest children who are the most childish and the stupidest grown-ups who are the most grown-up."

[@Fledermausmann]

Honestly, that was one of the best explanations for the one Ring that I've heard, if not the best... Fascinating interview. Glad I've come upon these guys. And I'm even happier that Pippin and Merry are still the greatest of friends (IRL!)

[@Florafly]

Holy shit, I was not expecting the Eminem suggestion! As a lifelong fan I enjoyed that one and completely agree with everything that was said about his talent. Also, I loved how frisky Dom was this episode.. 😄 delightful!

[@jmfoster]

Ah, yes. Another welcome distraction from my Tuesday. 🤍

[@kreature7946]

I think a great place to add a swear word is when Gandalf arrives in the Shire and meets Frodo. Frodo: “You’re late!” Gandalf: “A wizard is never late Frodo Baggins, nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he F**king means to!

[@mfcabrini]

Don't throw rotten tomatoes, but I've never enjoyed listening to rap. I graduated high school in 1965. Maybe that explains it? Hearing Prof. Olsen's analysis of the poetic aspect of Eminem's lyrics has sparked my curiosity as an English major. I will definitely check this out. Right now I'm working my way through the podcasts on The Nature of Middle Earth that the Prof. has done at Signum KZbin. Fascinating! The more you learn about JRRT, the more impressed you become with his genius. Thanks to all of you for sharing.

[@xrh_tm55]

When Prof. Corey Olsen was talking about Eminem all I could think about was Dom being in Eminem's music video "Love the Way you Lie"😁

[@claracarmona5388]

I love watching another episode of The Friendship Onion 😁

[@illmakeuhowell]

yes please bring him on again!

[@mdwolf72]

Maple syrup is great as a replacement for simple syrup when making cocktails! An old fashioned (bourbon, bitters, simple syrup, orange peel), replacing simple with maple is fantastic. +1 usefulness.

[@jj48]

Ooh, an old fashioned with maple syrup sounds great! Would you just go 1:1 replacement, or do you need to adjust the amount?

[@mdwolf72]

@@jj48 I've gone 1 for 1. I like mine a bit less sweet, so I do about a bar spoon worth.

[@atlanticvamp]

And according to Dom, a possible marital aide.

[@rivvy5795]

Yay! A new one. I’ve binge listened (if that’s a thing) to your podcast episodes. I tend to listen on audible rather than watch but I was on here and it popped up cause I’m subscribed to your KZbin channel too! I know you wouldn’t be able to but I work in a bakery in Manchester and it’d be great if yous could try our infamous Manchester tart!

[@Whowascooley]

I found the podcast from your appearance on Nerd of the Rings and I'm so glad I did. I'm subbed and binge watching everything you've done. You guys are great. Whenever I read the books (which is very often) I always picture you as your respective characters. Question: What traits do you each share with your characters in LotR? What character from any that you've played is most like you in real life? P.S. I don't want to give any spoilers, but I'd like Dom to know that I cried for hours at "Not Penny's boat". The look in your eyes in that scene broke me. Amazing acting. Cheers!

[@joshsemo4214]

Id like to hope they are like the hobbits where they just like to sit around tell stories, eat and smoke lol

[@sharbean]

So glad you had Corey on for two episodes. Really enjoyed your interaction. Thanks guys!

[@studio_mair]

I have to put my two cents in here: as a woman who thought maple syrup would be awesome in the context Dom has mentioned (because I love real maple syrup), I can say it was incredibly and annoyingly sticky, in a cumbersome and distracting sort of way... Best reserved for the gastronomic arts, instead. Just a friendly warning!

[@kathrynboland7975]

I am quite averse to sticky things on my skin so no thank you, lol

[@Whowascooley]

As a male who's tried I agree 100%. After a moment of 'Yeah, this is nice', the drawbacks become very apparent. Lint, crumbs, loose change (if you're on a couch as I was), and other detritus stuck to your naughty bits is a major wrench in the works. Much like communism, it only looks good on paper.

[@Whowascooley]

@@kathrynboland7975 same. I hate being sticky.

[@JelloFluoride]

😂 Wut?

[@leonardocucchiara4782]

The fact that The Tolkien Professor suggested an Eminem track makes me so happy! Saved my day!

[@lookingfortruth3233]

Wow! This is great. Had no idea they had a podcast. Plus, having the lord of the rings “professor” too! Trifecta!!

[@CapturingPhotons]

Good Stuff! Please have him back on frequently! Q&A with him would be awesome! Thanks guys!

[@warpdrivedude]

You two are simply the best! I have a nice pint of my favorite adult beverage while listening to you and pretend we’re hanging out at the pub together talking and laughing! 😁

[@StaceRath]

One of the best episodes yet loved this guest

[@jaanaffi]

Thank you, guys❣️ It’s very interesting indeed! Love all the Tolkien details - thank you, Tolkien professor 😊!

[@silverdragon710]

Brilliant podcast! Loved the part about Eminem especially. See you next week, cheers!🍻

[@dantedoomsday]

I hope to see Prof Cory Olsen again on the Friendship Onion. He was a delight to listen to.

[@auntvesuvi3872]

Thanks, Dominic! Thanks, Billy! Thanks, Corey! 🧅

[@niallmjackson]

hey guys just recently found you podcast and subed as i am a tolkien fan and once the films came out i always enjoy to see you and the other cast members in other films and i enjoy you enthuisam in exploring the world and was wondering do you prefer working on films or tv take care guys

[@porcu12345]

54:39: The All-Welcome Inn was mentioned in The Hobbit. Looks like Dom got his wish of stumping the expert!

[@shilohsimage2537]

Utterly FANtastic. Wowzers. Thanks to all!

[@Kamikazevondoom]

Anyone from May 2024? Miss you guys so much.

[@amber07701]

Absolutely hilarious. Always love listening and watching you both interact with each other and your guests. I'm going to have to try Billy's french toast the next time it's made, sounds delicious

[@LindaC616]

I could not believe that story, considering that my in that my Scottish friend, when she comes over, searches out good Maple syrup to take back and share out in smaller bottles amongst her friends. They put Maple syrup on ice cream over there!

[@samantham2143]

this guest showed an incredible mastery of the food rating system 10/10

[@faunasanctum]

"Are they just rude wizards?..." haha, brilliant

[@Enchantelover247]

This was yet again another brilliant episode! Thank you ☺️

[@barrywells6588]

Appreciated the discussion of maple syrup. My family made syrup for 125 years on a small farm in western Massachusetts. I have fond memories of my grandfather in the sugar house. I also liked the Moxie bottle behind Billy.

[@thenerdfaraway]

Well, now I want a maple syrup milkshake...

[@Fjeldbeth]

Another fantastic episode. Love this podcast. I always listen twice, first during the day on Spotify, then here on KZbin in the evening.

[@kathrynboland7975]

More amazingness from Corey and as always from Billy and Dom, thanks guys! PS SO MUCH YES to dancing everyday 💃🏼🙌🏻👏🏻 Dance has been a huge part of my life for 20 years (since I was a teenager) and I can't imagine it otherwise 💙💃🏼🙌🏻

Nice Talk

[@arisgazetas2920]

Waiting for part 2 all week!

[@jj48]

Not being familiar with the show until last week, I kept seeing them release the highlight clips and would get momentarily excited that it was Part 2, before realizing it was just particular questions they liked (I still watched the clips entirely, though). Glad to see the real thing's finally here!

[@Whowascooley]

@@jj48 same. Watched part one today and spent the rest of the day looking for pt. 2 before they posted, lol

[@tomfitton4775]

Just looked up the All-Welcome Inn. It was in the unpublished 1960 rewrite of The Hobbit.

[@BeccaJBoud]

I love maple syrup in my tea! Lol! Especially a black tea, but it goes really well in a chai tea in my opinion! My family also has a sugar shack in Maine and I use the dark robust grade :-)

[@stevenripley5831]

Great episode! I think you should ask Professor Corey Olsen to return once a month and make him a semi-regular guest on the show...Shooting the Sh*t About the Shire!

[@DrunkenerWitcher]

I discover this podcast 2 or 3 days before today. And it's best pod i've seen. It's basically live theater. First of all they are great actors. Second - it feels like they dont bother. They know their work, but they are so free. They can discuss LoL anytime, or LoTR or any thing that comes to their mind. And it's very theatrical. Their duo reminds me more kind version of "Dumb and dumber" or in more higer tone - the duo from "Waiting for Godot". But the greates part - it's live not pre-scripted or prewritten(in most part as I feel). Pure gem and with 38k views is so underrated.

[@diannawoodlands8200]

Wonderful work guys as usual. Would love to stop in at all those pubs for a pint.❤️

[@carlottarobbins7005]

Oh, my - it's been a few weeks since I listened to the podcast, I've been so busy! I'll need to catch up over March Break! :O

[@DoctorWingIt]

As a New Hampshirite I’m so glad to see NH Maple Syrup featured on the show! You may not know this but this is a hot topic when it comes to the rivalry between the twin states of Vermont and New Hampshire. Which state has the best maple syrup!?!?

[@marie-christinedeslandes1229]

Pour maple syrup in your coffee to sweaten it. When I was a child, my father crushed an aspirin in a spoon and added maple syrup. Marie-Christine.

[@BiGPiSH]

THE BEST FUNKY SONG PICK EVER!!! EM IS THE GOAT!!! Have Corey on again 100% I listened to every word and he kept me locked in. Great pod one of the best so far.

[@travisboothe5670]

I can't wait for a hot wings episode!

[@virtuallyveronicka]

I use maple syrup to sweeten my tea and coffee. In fact I’ve been using it in my homemade iced London Fog latte (earl grey tea)! 😋

[@compmax7665]

Thanks for your work, masters!

[@Scamspam]

27:48 A bit disappointed that no one referenced the "Looks like meat's back on the menu, boys!" scene during this question!

[@jamieblair6511]

That was a peter Jackson addition.Not a Tolkien quote.

[@Scamspam]

@@jamieblair6511 Yes, I know. But would've still been fun to hear them mention it, especially as it's a Merry and Pippin scene.

[@atlanticvamp]

25:16 I VOLUNTEER AS TRIBUTE!!!! 🙋🏻‍♀️🙋🏻‍♀️🙋🏻‍♀️🍁🍁🍁

[@Whowascooley]

😂😂😂

[@leahgissler4315]

I also use maple syrup as an egg substitute in vegan cookies. "Are orcs cannibals?" : "Looks like meat's back on the menu, boys!"- Two Towers, outside Fanghorn Forest.

[@Whowascooley]

That's not in the book though. It's never actually stated in the books that they are, but most likely they are cannibals.

[@Madmij]

It's always great to hear an English professor breaking down the actual art of rap

[@faunasanctum]

The All-welcome Inn was an inn in the Shire, just west of Frogmorton, where the Northway met the East Road. - TolkienGateway ;)

[@khalarete2188]

Lotr: three books/movies dedicated to destroying one horcrux Harry potter: Hold my beer

[@geoffkburton]

😅 Yep

[@geoffreyconnors3247]

did not expect this guy to be an eminem fan

[@atlanticvamp]

Did not expect so much talk about Eminem, and no mention of Dom being in the "Love the Way You Lie" video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/q5bPeaqcbdRqlbc

[@stephw1363]

Havent listened for awhile and also got high blood pressure diagnosis. Coincidence? I think not. Dont forget your friendship onion along with an apple a day. I feel better already.

[@ammie8659]

Billy, melt a little butter on your French toast, top with crispy bacon, then drizzle with maple syrup.

[@joshmartin4815]

This episode is perfection

[@MsMelyjean]

I find that the best explanation that most people understand on why destroying the ring also destroys Sauron is to liken the ring to a Horcrux..

[@bhavens9149]

the disease is neurofibromatosis, type 1 not Elephantiasis, (often mispronounced as Elephantitis)scientific name lymphatic filariasis, is a mosquito disease that causes arms and legs to swell. Just some FYI

[@kathrynboland7975]

PPS was that a cat w/ a middle finger up on Dom's shirt in the ad? Lmaooo not sure why I find that hilarious but I do

[@zoe0abundant]

I loved the hand map tattoo thing. And also that they don't realize Virginia and West Virginia are two different states. But then again, I am very unfamiliar with areas in Britain other than the main parts.

[@jayneharding6546]

After Billy mentioned tattooing his hand on his chest and making it into the United States, I'm thinking we need this printed on t-shirts for some new merch!

[@SharlzG]

I use maple syrup as a sweetener in most of my baking or cooking because I prefer the tackiness and viscosity of it over honey

[@Wispmage]

So glad you got Corey on. His mastery and knowledge of Tolkien's works is always awe-inspiring.

[@mardigrasw]

😆 🤣 😂

[@keeparizonawild156]

Part 2 was basically all about maple syrup

[@ethernalsoul]

You guys said you can put anything on the merchandise... I'd like a t-shirt with Dom on it, holding a jug of maple syrup staying "Maple syrup, try it on everything, especially on a woman!"

[@tinka9291]

25:17 made me choke on my Earl Grey. 🖐🏻Dom I will be a willing participant

[@silverraven2690]

"That would taste good on a woman" ---"Sometimes sticky is good." I was laughing so hard xD.

[@selfhelpgroup8750]

Does anyone else hear Shaggy from Scoobie-Doo in Corey's voice when he gets excited? Also, maple syrup is far and away the finest naturally-occurring flavour a human can put in their mouth.

[@rockford3943]

There were advertisements interrupting the advertisements. That's a first.

[@Susieapp]

Maple syrup should be one of the four basic food groups - it’s that good!

[@Meofalulu]

The Elephant Man's real name was actually Joseph Merrick, and he didn't have elephantiasis (elephantitis isn't a real condition).

[@mfcabrini]

Simple World Health Organization states that elephantiasis is the common name for lymphatic filariasis.

[@Meofalulu]

@@mfcabrini if you look carefully at my original comment, I wrote "elephantiasis" and "elephantitis", the latter being what Dom said. I know elephantiasis is a real condition.

[@MattyH1812]

@@Meofalulu if you’re this pedantic in your day to day life you must be a joy to be around

[@RichieLeeArnold]

Can anyone tell me what the correct Spotify playlist is for these guys, where they add the music to it? There’s too many and I can never find the actual one??

[@usern4metak3ns]

This episode made me want a maple and walnut orchard...

[@LouieC]

Wasn't not expecting the 🐐 Marshall Mathers

[@LMarti13]

PLEASE get Corey back!

[@LindaC616]

Dom's "Welcome All Inn" reminds me of Galway's "Dew Drop Inn "

[@R2D93]

Please have Corey (or more Tolkien experts/scholars) back on, I love the Tolkien discussion

[@Lanaj.t.10]

I love every detail of you so much 😍❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@illmakeuhowell]

them three listening to Eminem🤣🤣🤣🤣 i can't

[@jasonstrohl1675]

Maple Syrup and Cinnamon, Billy. Definitely give it a try.

[@mrhanekoma86]

“I’m un-evadable, I’m un-debatable, I’m unavoidable, you wanna battle? I’m on a toilet bowl. “ Eminem. 2023.

[@victoriaparker2705]

They talk about New Hampshire maple syrup in The West Wing. President Bartlett was from New Hampshire.

[@notsosecretsquirrel9389]

Dom should try candied salmon.

[@TheRenegadeHamster]

He was called John Merrick in the play and the film, but "The Elephant Man" was actually named Joseph Merrick. I'm still not sure why they changed it to John for the fictional version of his life.

[@farwilindarys5950]

I wonder why Dom didn’t mention that he was in the Love the Way you Lie music video

[@elwizschold]

In the Fellowship: Gandalf "A wizard is never late, nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he f*cking means to" In the Two Towers: Theoden "You have no f*cking power here" And, the third movie... it is in the title... "The Return of the F*cking King"

[@newbarktownbob1]

Who came up with the lyrics to the opening?

[@AxeMan808]

KRS-One, Chuck D, Big Pun (RIP), Kool G Rap, Sean P (RIP), El-P, Aesop Rock, Rob Sonic, Homeboy Sandman, R.A. The Rugged Man, Sick Jacken, Tobe Nwigwe, Vinnie Paz, Ill Bill...I'm leaving out plenty but I have Elden Ring open.

[@detectivebirdlegs4948]

Absolutely loved Corey on the podcast. I can’t wait for him to come back.