Episode 125: Jury Duty / Artificial Sweeteners (Redux)

Doctor Vs Comedian

To start the episode, Ali and Asif discuss the controversy surrounding country singer Miranda Lambert chastising concertgoers for taking selfies (0:48). Then, after a brief digression on Dana Carvey’s Joe Biden impression, Asif asks Ali about the surprise hit TV show ‘Jury Duty’ (10:32). They discuss the background of the show and how it is a combination of ‘The Office’ and ‘The Joe Schmo Show’. They then discuss how the show did not make much of a splash when it first debuted, but then gained buzz via TikTok. Ali and Asif then discuss the show’s reception and their thoughts on the show. They then discuss the Emmy nominations the show has received, including James Marsden for best supporting actor…for playing himself. Then the guys RE-discuss artificial sweeteners because of a new press-release issued by the WHO on the possible carcinogenic effects of aspartame (37:45). Asif explains how it was a joint press release, highlighting findings about aspartame are released today by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA). Overall, Asif explains how the IARC found “limited evidence” for carcinogenicity in humans aand classified aspartame as possibly carcinogenic to humans. He then explains that JECFA reaffirmed the acceptable daily intake of 40 mg/kg body weight (ie an adult weighing 70kg would need to consume more than 9–14 cans per day to exceed the acceptable daily intake). Asif clarifies how the agencies’ statements are "complementary" in that the two groups work differently, and have a different aim: while IARC flags a potential hazard based on even limited evidence, JECFA assesses the real-life risk.

A reminder that the pod will be taking a month off in August. Look for new episodes coming your way on Sept 8, 2023!

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Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay

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Show notes:

• • Miranda Lambert has a point: https://www.avclub.com/miranda-lambert-scolds-fans-at-show-backlash-1850651000
  • How Jury Duty Orchestrated the Trial of a Lifetime: https://www.vulture.com/article/jury-duty-interview.html
  • How 'Jury Duty' completely faked a trial in real courtroom with a narcissistic James Marsden: https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/tv/2023/04/08/jury-duty-feevee-series-fakes-civil-trial-james-marsden/11610571002/

• Their Show Flew Under the Radar. TikTok Blew It Up: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/08/arts/television/jury-duty-freevee.html

• How Jury Duty became the surprise comedy breakout of the year: https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/jul/17/show-jury-duty-amazon-freevee-tiktok
• What is aspartame and what do the new WHO rulings mean? https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/what-is-aspartame-what-do-new-who-rulings-cancer-consumption-mean-2023-07-13/
• Opinion: What the WHO aspartame findings mean for your diet: https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/21/opinions/aspartame-sweetener-diet-world-health-organization-branca/index.html
• Does Aspartame Cause Cancer or Is It Safe to Consume? The Latest Evidence About the Artificial Sweetener: https://time.com/6294701/aspartame-cancer-sweetener-studies/
• Ninety-sixth meeting - Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA): https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/ninety-sixth-meeting-joint-fao-who-expert-committee-on-food-additives-(jecfa)
• IARC Monographs Hazard Classification: https://www.iarc.who.int/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/IARC_MONO_classification_2023_updated.png
• Carcinogenicity of aspartame, methyleugenol, and isoeugenol: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanonc/article/PIIS1470-2045(23)00341-8/fulltext
• Summary of findings of the evaluation of aspartame at the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) Monographs Programme’s 134th Meeting, and the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) 96th meeting: https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/summary-of-findings-of-the-evaluation-of-aspartame-at-the-international-agency-for-research-on-cancer-(iarc)-monographs-programme-s-134th-meeting--and-the-joint-fao-who-expert-committee-on-food-additives-(jecfa)-96th-meeting