We're enjoying your comments and e-mails about the gum episode as well as the gum jingle battle. The pic above comes from Sporkful spy Yuko in Asia:
In Japan, there is a new type of gum package that I think is pretty cool. It's like the "suitcase package" Mike Pesca mentioned. The wrapper is stuck to the bottom and there is a lining in the wrapper. So all you have to do is pull the gum out and put it in your mouth. Since the gum wrapper is stuck to the bottom, the gum does not fall out. I thought you might enjoy this Japanese invention.
Indeed we do. And I also like the gratuitous exclamation points on the package instructions! (Actually, !!!!)
Michael from Pittsburgh can't believe we left out Bubble Tape:
I mean, c'mon. It didn't even get a mention. I personally like Bubble Tape because it is the one form of gum that allows you to choose exactly how much gum you want to consume at a time. It is also quite tasty for a few minutes after you pop it in, but it sort of suffers from not having lasting flavor or consistency. Contrary to it's name, it isn't that great for making bubbles.
Mark in LA is also calling us out for sins of omission:
A bit surprised that there was no mention of Bazooka bubble gum from which so many people learned how to blow bubbles. Also considering your guest was a sports reporter there was no discussion of the gum that came in baseball cards packs. Both of them more legitimate gums than what comes in the middle of a lollipop.
Bill makes a similar point about baseball card gum. My view is it was always so brittle and dry. I never understood why it never got wrapped. That would have helped the cards and the gum.
Now as far as the gum jingles, Big Red has an edge over Juicy Fruit right now. Methinks (and so does a commenter) the current Verizon ads parodying the Big Red spots nearly shot by shot may be helping the cinnamon gum's cause. But NO ONE is standing up for Doublemint, which is surprising because it's an iconic ad campaign of the era. Doublemint twin fans, hit the comments if you're out there.
Then there is the gum wisdom of Craig in Cary, NC. I won't excerpt it, because his robust defense of bubble blowing and potentially controversial discourse on mint demands to be read in full. Find it 5 comments down here. And keep your thoughts coming on gum and everything else! /mg
