Bucho

Zach's changed.

Zach's changed.

You're damn right that listeners should accept that boundaries and filters must exist. Even on podcasts much more personal and revealing than Wolf Den - podcasts which trade in some way on openness and vulnerability - if there's any sort of professionalism there must also be boundaries. . Speaking of an openness of sorts, I enjoyed hearing the personal 9/11 stories. I'm sure by this time next week I might be on media blackout just to avoid 9/11 overload, but you guys got in early and I was down with it.

You're damn right that listeners should accept that boundaries and filters must exist. Even on podcasts much more personal and revealing than Wolf Den - podcasts which trade in some way on openness and vulnerability - if there's any sort of professionalism there must also be boundaries. . Speaking of an openness of sorts, I enjoyed hearing the personal 9/11 stories. I'm sure by this time next week I might be on media blackout just to avoid 9/11 overload, but you guys got in early and I was down with it.

@Dan: 50 minutes of Matt and Frank Talk + 10 minutes of coaching = 1 hour. . Math works for me.

@Dan: 50 minutes of Matt and Frank Talk + 10 minutes of coaching = 1 hour. . Math works for me.

@ Brian: Little bit of column A, little bit of column B, ifyaknowwhatImeanheheheheh. Wink. . (I don't know what I mean.)

@ Brian: Little bit of column A, little bit of column B, ifyaknowwhatImeanheheheheh. Wink. . (I don't know what I mean.)

It pisses me off that someone as pretty as Adam Scott is so fucking brilliant. HOW IS THAT EVEN FAIR?!?!?! . Having said that the funniest part of the show to me was from about the 10:51 mark when Adam suddenly brings up what a world we're living in now that the whole booking side of the show had been planned over emails, without a single face to face meeting. I can't quite tell whether that was Adam making fun of that cliche or whether he was sincere but at 11:30 when Scott starts to brutally take the piss out of it with his "That's a good point ... that's a good point, because, I mean remember ... when we were kids ... you'd have to like, call someone on the phone" those short pauses feel like genius to me. That timing and phrasing of the way Scott rolls out that play ... that's majestic. That's nothing short of glorious. . And then after Adam bumbles along a little more Scott asks, "Is the world better for that though?" and I lose control of all my organs, both inner and outer.

It pisses me off that someone as pretty as Adam Scott is so fucking brilliant. HOW IS THAT EVEN FAIR?!?!?! . Having said that the funniest part of the show to me was from about the 10:51 mark when Adam suddenly brings up what a world we're living in now that the whole booking side of the show had been planned over emails, without a single face to face meeting. I can't quite tell whether that was Adam making fun of that cliche or whether he was sincere but at 11:30 when Scott starts to brutally take the piss out of it with his "That's a good point ... that's a good point, because, I mean remember ... when we were kids ... you'd have to like, call someone on the phone" those short pauses feel like genius to me. That timing and phrasing of the way Scott rolls out that play ... that's majestic. That's nothing short of glorious. . And then after Adam bumbles along a little more Scott asks, "Is the world better for that though?" and I lose control of all my organs, both inner and outer.

I also want the numbers chorusing back. That thing is joy to the world.

I also want the numbers chorusing back. That thing is joy to the world.

They had me at Hannibal Burress.

They had me at Hannibal Burress.

I like Chris's idea of talking to all contestants on day 3. It would have to be tightened up in the early rounds with so many contestants but it would help stop day three feeling like a downer if they were giving feedback to (and asking questions of) the successful rather than just addressing a bunch of filthy losers every time. . I also like the idea of a bonus ep (or two, or three) a lot. The more Besser the better.

I like Chris's idea of talking to all contestants on day 3. It would have to be tightened up in the early rounds with so many contestants but it would help stop day three feeling like a downer if they were giving feedback to (and asking questions of) the successful rather than just addressing a bunch of filthy losers every time. . I also like the idea of a bonus ep (or two, or three) a lot. The more Besser the better.

People should see Don't Be Afraid Of The Dark. Sure it has a couple the usual silly spooky film plot conceits and contrivances but that's all part of the fun. If you like spooky films it's a really nicely made Guillermo Del Toro-ey spooky film, Katie Holmes is actually good in it and Guy Pearce is always great and the little girl does really good little girl acting too. . But Andy Richter was great. "Big candy bubbles coming out of a perfectly manicured asshole" is the most perfect description for that fruity, cheesball Euro house music in the history of bass. Top-notch work everybody.

People should see Don't Be Afraid Of The Dark. Sure it has a couple the usual silly spooky film plot conceits and contrivances but that's all part of the fun. If you like spooky films it's a really nicely made Guillermo Del Toro-ey spooky film, Katie Holmes is actually good in it and Guy Pearce is always great and the little girl does really good little girl acting too. . But Andy Richter was great. "Big candy bubbles coming out of a perfectly manicured asshole" is the most perfect description for that fruity, cheesball Euro house music in the history of bass. Top-notch work everybody.

@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. . 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. . 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. . There, I said it. It's all about me.

@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. . 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. . 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. . There, I said it. It's all about me.

Good discussions, good decision. Rock on Bob and Dan.

Good discussions, good decision. Rock on Bob and Dan.

1. Yes 2. Can't say I've picked up on that but you can bet your bottom dollar I'll be listening out for it in the future.

1. Yes 2. Can't say I've picked up on that but you can bet your bottom dollar I'll be listening out for it in the future.

It's much better to have them mixed loud. Podcasts are listened to in cars, in trains, while mowing the lawn or vacuuming, while operating power tools and while riding loud animals such as oxen and walruses. It's zero trouble to turn the volume down compared with trying to push the volume past 100% if it's mixed too quiet. I think the Earwolf engineers do a great job.