55 replies to this topic

[Earwolf Admin]

Four podcasts become three as we reach the end of the week. Only one podcast is safe this week making it one of the toughest eliminations yet. Who will go home? You'll have to listen to find out. And as always, leave your thoughts and critiques on our forums.

[astralweeks]

I think the judges made the right decision and the points were all valid. My only criticism is that Harris was a little to much of an apologist for TLP. Down to three! Maybe they will all form like Voltron to make "The Totally Left Dum Dum Club." UNSTOPPABLE! :)

[Bucho]

Good discussions, good decision.

Rock on Bob and Dan.

[Brian Zeolla]

Doug really killed it. I think this was easily the most constructive episode of the series, Doug actually offered options, had strong, valid opinions and really talked to the podcasters. It even seems like he went a few yards further than anyone else so far in figuring out what each show was. I think this has been the cleanest three episodes yet, on Monday Matt talked to the fans, answered questions, and I think he put a lot of problems to rest. Even if he didn't, he put a face to the show more than the forums could. I only had one problem on Tuesday, I felt like it was not explained to the judges that there was a ten minute time limit, and Left Handed was being judged unfairly, but that was addressed today, so... awesome. I have been an earwolf fan for a long time, as I am sure many of the forum folks also have, and I think it is the nature of the beast of comedy nerdom to get really heated over particular things that feel off, but i wholeheartedly believe this show proved its value this week, and that when the kinks can be ironed out it can be an amazing thing. I'm sad to see Bob and Dan go, they have quickly become a show that I love to listen to, but I can honestly say I will be stoked for any show that takes.

Thanks Earwolf, the wolf may be dead, but this whole thing is barely getting started

[JoshuaDRazo]

A solid final three. I Would be happy if any of these podcast won.

[Julia Hays]

I've learned a thing or two from the judges every week, but I think this week's judging session was my favorite. Doug and Harris really knew their stuff, and were obviously familiar with the Challenge and the contestants before coming in, which made this a fun listen. Also, just a side note, LHR did a great job defending themselves today. I agreed with Harris' initial criticism of their sketch, and their explanation made me understand their point of view. The top three all did great work this week, which is why I'm so excited to see what happens next week when things get really cutthroat!

[Jeff MacDonald]

Gonna have to chime in with my love for Doug's judging as Brian did. If you do decide to get permanent judges for the Earwolf Challenge 2, Doug Benson has to be one of them.

[Robert Strawsburg]

It was awesome that the judges were familiar with the challenge this week. I felt that was one of the major things missing from this from the start. It was obvious that since they knew about the podcasts they were much more able to provide opinions and constructive criticism. Can't wait for next week, this show really has me hooked like any other reality show might.

[Rutabaga]

I love Doug Benson talking seriously almost as much as I love him being silly, which is a lot. I think Bob and Dan just got a bit scared to be themselves with Nick Thune and I think the judges’ criticisms were spot on. I would have loved to see them just fit Thune into one of their recurring games or topics and try to let him be funny. It may have failed spectacularly, but at least it would have been them. Several of the contestants have tried to say, “But you told us not to do that last week…” and to me that is a bit of a cop out. I liked that Matt battled back at them and told them that they didn’t follow his advice. It was true of The F+ and Totally Laime as well, but over correcting on a note is the contestants fault, not the previous judges or Matt. I wish we got to hear more of the notes come to fruition / get implemented. That's the only thing missing from the show for me thus far, and it is one of the downsides of elimination reality shows in general.
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Super good week of shows. I can’t wait to find out what the last two challenges will be.

[Brendan H]

I'd like to offer a name suggestion for Bob & Dan, based on Doug's "Dickin' Around" suggestion:
"BOBBING & DANNING AROUND"
OK, it's not Shakespeare, but Shakespeare never did a podcast, as far as I know.
One thing I'd say about their show that I don't think has been said, is that they can sound a little wooden for a show where they just riff. I forget who's who, but one of them especially seems to have his "radio voice" on too much. That precise diction is good for being understood, but it doesn't match the relaxed "shootin' the shit" format I think they're going for. Again, just a suggestion, take it for what it is.

[Brendan H]

Here's more horrible name suggestions:
-BOB & DANCAST A WIDE NET
-BOBBING & DANCING AROUND THE ISSUES
-THE DANCAST: FUCK BOB!
-GET TO KNOW BOB & DAN
-BOB & DAN: YES, THAT BOB & DAN!

[Julia Hays]

@Brenda H... I'm not sure if this title says much about what their show is, but your "THE DANCAST: FUCK BOB!" suggestion made me laugh.

[Chamberlain]

Dan from LHR here- this is the part of the Challenge where seeing people go really starts to sting, if only because we all know how much work and thought EVERY contestant has put into their submissions over the last two months.

While I've not met B&D, earlier this spring when LHR bought an ad on Jordan, Jesse, Go!, they were kind enough to support us in the Maximum Fun forums, saying they dug our show and were now subscribers. Good dudes in my book. The work they've done on the Challenge to date has been great, and they really do have a super-fun podcast.

Godspeed and best of luck, boys. You're in good shape, and have got a real fan in me.

[Brendan H]

@Julia Hays: Yeah, not really descriptive of their show, but glad you liked it!
(BTW, I assume autocomplete might have truncated my name in your post, but my name's Brendan not Brenda, I'm all man!) :)

[Matt Little]

Yes! Kudos to B&D.
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This show does drop a LOT of stress on us all (good stress!) in that we not only are trying to create great material, but material that is for the SOLE purpose of judgement. Bob and Dan held their own through everything. I loved their Parker Bros. sketch in sketch week.
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As anyone who has attempted to do an entertaining chat show podcast understands, it's difficult to not only sound clever and funny, but naturally clever and funny. B&D do it and do it WELL.
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GUYS THIS MUST BE WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO BE IN THE HUNGER GAMES.

[Dan]

(This is Dan from Bob and Dan Cast) I was a little hesitant to come check out the comments for this episode, but you guys have been great! Thanks for all the support and the kind words. If I knew the emoticon for a man weeping tears of joy, I'd drop it here.

Also, thanks for all the name suggestions. We've been thinking of changing it since about episode 10. As we approach 100, perhaps it's finally the right moment. I just dread trying to change the name in itunes. I'm sure it's needlessly complicated.

Thanks again, guys!

[Russell Felder]

All I'll say is this....every time Totally Laime comes out with a bad performance, they keep surviving! But now, I think we see who the truly strong podcasts are! My Dark Horse, LHR, keeps killing it with some good sketches. I didn't think they were getting respected in the beginning, but they are coming around and people are liking it. Totally Laime, I don't like them, but I can see why people would like them. A likeable host, a good concept, they would make for a good podcast on Earwolf, but I keep thinking that there are a lot of those chat shows on Earwolf already! Little Dum Dum Club, maybe the only solid podcast in the competition. I don't think they every made it to the bottom 3 in anything! I would say they are the front runners in this! But I want Left Handed Radio to win it all! WE NEED A SKETCH SHOW ON EARWOLF!

Matt Besser, never change! You Da Man!

[Max]

Count me as another listener rooting for LHR at this point. The chat shows just seem...anodyne, I guess. Laime and LDDC are pleasant, but Earwolf is already dominated by chat shows. And with respect to both of those podcasts, neither of them has made me laugh the way something like Comedy Bang Bang can almost every week.

LHR has also not hit one out of the park with me yet, but an explicitly sketch-based show would add some nice variety to the Earwolf menu. The gains from the other podcasts seem like they would be marginal at best. I was surprised that Doug was so frank about it, but it's true that Totally Laime isn't real bringing anything fresh to the table. It's nice that they have boiled down their hook into a single line (and it's a good line), but we already have a dozen podcasts where famous comedians talk about bullshit. In fact, that may be the majority of podcasts period.

[Bucho]

@Max: I don't think "anodyne" is necessarily a bad thing from a popularity point of view. I admit that in general I prefer straight-up chatshows of the more challenging, more eye-opening, more teethed variety - your WTFs, your WTRs, your Carollas, perhaps your Best Shows - but I feel like many, many podcast listeners are happier with entertainment that's more of a pleasant distraction than something more engaging or challenging. LDDC and TL may not be everyone's cup of tea but they're clearly doing something right because a lot of people are digging them.
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And it's not like Earwolf, as a brand, actually stands for the kinds of qualities Matt Besser was pointing out during episode 8.1. Your Sklarbros and your CBBs and your Who Charteds and your Glitters aren't going to put any ideas in front of you that you have to think about your response to. Even Professor Blastoff, a show which deals with ideas primarily, delivers in a very inoffensive, non-confrontational way. Earwolf shows are "anodyne", but because the hosts and guests are so comedically sharp they're wildly entertaining anyway. The only Earwolf shows that really have something of a challenging vibe at times are How Did This Get Made and this very Challenge right here.
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I think it's telling that the majority of the judges' feedback on LDDC and TL has been saying that those hosts are easily likable, moreso than that they're funny, and I think the truth is that plenty of people simply dig the chemistry on those shows and enjoy spending time aurally bathing in that pleasantness. While some people like to describe podcasts romantically as a "punk rock" medium, because of they're DIY I guess, in reality many of them are "easy-listening" - and that works for them really well and because of that could work for Earwolf really well. And as long as Earwolf wins, I win.
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There, I said it. It's all about me.

[mike strauss]

im sorry to see bob and dan go. i also think that t.l. should hve gone home as they knew nothing of the guest or let him talk, but on a side note im going back and checking out bob and dans old podcasts