Episode 9.2 — Time Crunch: Day 2

[janus1172 11]

Were the podcasts told the whole conceit of the challenge when given the reveal about no Zach? I'm thinking so from the comments made. Why was that the choice, instead of just saying Zach bailed then filling them in on the whole thing later? I wonder if that would have affected the outcome differently knowing the guest bailed vs. we got played for this challenge. Perhaps LHR would have mentioned Zach if they really thought he would have been on the show.

[DirkGently 0]

@Caroline Anderson
--
"...or else Scott Aukerman himself wouldn't have had the idea."
--
Scott Aukerman 'Himself'? lol You mean the wise and powerful Scott Aukerman? The REAL HIM? IN THE FLESH? HIMSELF?
--
I thought he was just a legend but you say he came up with this... HIMSELF? As we all know Scott Aukerman is completely infallible.... and he didn't have any help with this idea at all! that's the most amazing part... he came up with this... HIMSELF!
--
Ok, enough of that.
--
I was tickled that Matt enjoyed my 'rant' a few weeks ago, but lets not throw around the word 'conspiracy' so much ehh? The only one who mentioned 'conspiracy' was mr. Ullrich.
--
The shows have been getting more exiting. Bob and Dan surely had it coming, and Doug's analysis was SPOT ON. He was BRUTAL, but completely honest with those guys. Why would they ask such a gibberish corn-ball question as "Do you still have to audition for rolls?" BAD.
--
This weeks judges... well...
--
... they suck and I'll prolly never have to hear these clowns again after this week. I never listen to NNF unless I like the guest. Of course the fact that I have no respect for the judges this week and consider them to be no-talent hacks dovetails perfectly with my opposite views of the podcasts.
--
LHR sketch was pretty funny. Considering it was supposed to have been put together in less than 30 minutes... I laughed.
--
Little Dum Dums - These guys are always great. No change this time. Yea, they frittered out a little during the middle of the clip, but it wasn't a train wreck
--
Totally Laime - Didn't laugh. Didn't smile. I won't go as far as to say this was 'painful' to hear, but It was close.
--
Totally Laime just seem sophomoric to put it nicely. They always immediately grab onto the most shallow thing and explore. Sex, Sex, Sex. They both must have sex on the brain... this is fine, but juvenile, and hardly entertaining. Every week it's like they explore such interesting topics as tramp stamps, and losing virginity. YAWN. If two of my friends decided to have this same conversation and giggle to themselves while recounting their pathetic 'first times' I'd quickly excuse myself from the room. boring stuff.
--

Funny that the judges seemed to love them even tho they were clearly the weakest link and least deserving of praise.
--
@Gym Sockerman Really? They stepped on the judgment? Walking the Room gave it away? I'm tempted to give it a listen but... meh... i'll wait.
--
Good luck LHR! You'll need it. The deck is stacked against you!

[DirkGently 0]

@Caroline Anderson
--
"...or else Scott Aukerman himself wouldn't have had the idea."
--
Scott Aukerman 'Himself'? lol You mean the wise and powerful Scott Aukerman? The REAL HIM? IN THE FLESH? HIMSELF?
--
I thought he was just a legend but you say he came up with this... HIMSELF? As we all know Scott Aukerman is completely infallible.... and he didn't have any help with this idea at all! that's the most amazing part... he came up with this... HIMSELF!
--
Ok, enough of that.
--
I was tickled that Matt enjoyed my 'rant' a few weeks ago, but lets not throw around the word 'conspiracy' so much ehh? The only one who mentioned 'conspiracy' was mr. Ullrich.
--
The shows have been getting more exiting. Bob and Dan surely had it coming, and Doug's analysis was SPOT ON. He was BRUTAL, but completely honest with those guys. Why would they ask such a gibberish corn-ball question as "Do you still have to audition for rolls?" BAD.
--
This weeks judges... well...
--
... they suck and I'll prolly never have to hear these clowns again after this week. I never listen to NNF unless I like the guest. Of course the fact that I have no respect for the judges this week and consider them to be no-talent hacks dovetails perfectly with my opposite views of the podcasts.
--
LHR sketch was pretty funny. Considering it was supposed to have been put together in less than 30 minutes... I laughed.
--
Little Dum Dums - These guys are always great. No change this time. Yea, they frittered out a little during the middle of the clip, but it wasn't a train wreck
--
Totally Laime - Didn't laugh. Didn't smile. I won't go as far as to say this was 'painful' to hear, but It was close.
--
Totally Laime just seem sophomoric to put it nicely. They always immediately grab onto the most shallow thing and explore. Sex, Sex, Sex. They both must have sex on the brain... this is fine, but juvenile, and hardly entertaining. Every week it's like they explore such interesting topics as tramp stamps, and losing virginity. YAWN. If two of my friends decided to have this same conversation and giggle to themselves while recounting their pathetic 'first times' I'd quickly excuse myself from the room. boring stuff.
--

Funny that the judges seemed to love them even tho they were clearly the weakest link and least deserving of praise.
--
@Gym Sockerman Really? They stepped on the judgment? Walking the Room gave it away? I'm tempted to give it a listen but... meh... i'll wait.
--
Good luck LHR! You'll need it. The deck is stacked against you!

[B Naylor 3]

@Linus I'm pretty sure it was said earlier in the competition that whoever wins will still be having to produce the podcasts themselves, Earwolf will just be hosting it. That's why sound quality has been such an issue in earlier rounds.
-
@Caroline Those are fair points, but the Pod F. Tompkast dropped a week late a couple of times, The Wolf Den had to skip a couple of weeks because of the move to the new studio. I remember hearing Jimmy Dore & PFT discussing their annoyance when people complained that their podcasts dropped late. So if the professionals don't always consistently deliver then it seems you can't be too harsh on these guys for struggling with it.
-
It seemed uncalled for that LHR's sketch was called 'bullshit' I wouldn't mind but it seemed hypocritical after Matt Besser's ranting about people on the internet being rude last week. I know Besser wasn't the one that said it, but he was still pretty disdainful. I know as professionals & judges they're in more of a position to be harsh but that was a bit unpleasant.
-
Also Scott Aukerman is someone that's made quite a few outdated Borat references over the course of CDR/CBB. It's probably because of him that I find outdated references to Borat funny.

[B Naylor 3]

@Linus I'm pretty sure it was said earlier in the competition that whoever wins will still be having to produce the podcasts themselves, Earwolf will just be hosting it. That's why sound quality has been such an issue in earlier rounds.
-
@Caroline Those are fair points, but the Pod F. Tompkast dropped a week late a couple of times, The Wolf Den had to skip a couple of weeks because of the move to the new studio. I remember hearing Jimmy Dore & PFT discussing their annoyance when people complained that their podcasts dropped late. So if the professionals don't always consistently deliver then it seems you can't be too harsh on these guys for struggling with it.
-
It seemed uncalled for that LHR's sketch was called 'bullshit' I wouldn't mind but it seemed hypocritical after Matt Besser's ranting about people on the internet being rude last week. I know Besser wasn't the one that said it, but he was still pretty disdainful. I know as professionals & judges they're in more of a position to be harsh but that was a bit unpleasant.
-
Also Scott Aukerman is someone that's made quite a few outdated Borat references over the course of CDR/CBB. It's probably because of him that I find outdated references to Borat funny.

[strayan 0]

Loyal challenge listener, first time poster here
I LOVED hearing the candid responses from the judges to LHR. They didn't sugar coat any of their responses but my heart did break a little. LHR did have it tough, but I think the challenge this week was the most interesting one yet.
Besser's groan at the meta/post modern stuff was the greatest.
-
I didn't laugh at all at TLP but I enjoyed hearing them having a real conversation. Straying away from the "least important questions" stuff really changed my opinion of them for the better.
-
LDDC made me laugh more than any other submission ever. I was really looking forward to their submission too when it was revealed they wouldn't be talking to Zach. I love hearing an angry Karl Chandler. It would have been great if they had moved on to another topic like TLP did. But it was still the funniest by a mile.
-
[To clear one thing up that as an Aussie, I couldn't stand the judges get wrong and sadly what drove me to register here: The Australian footballer LDDC mentioned was Warwick Capper. He is known for his long blonde locks (80's mullet), taking great marks, tight shorts and posing nude/making a porno once his career went down the drain. He also released a song, if I remember correctly. He's an entertaining google image search / lovable national embarrassment...ahhh it feels good to get that out of my system. ]

[strayan 0]

Loyal challenge listener, first time poster here
I LOVED hearing the candid responses from the judges to LHR. They didn't sugar coat any of their responses but my heart did break a little. LHR did have it tough, but I think the challenge this week was the most interesting one yet.
Besser's groan at the meta/post modern stuff was the greatest.
-
I didn't laugh at all at TLP but I enjoyed hearing them having a real conversation. Straying away from the "least important questions" stuff really changed my opinion of them for the better.
-
LDDC made me laugh more than any other submission ever. I was really looking forward to their submission too when it was revealed they wouldn't be talking to Zach. I love hearing an angry Karl Chandler. It would have been great if they had moved on to another topic like TLP did. But it was still the funniest by a mile.
-
[To clear one thing up that as an Aussie, I couldn't stand the judges get wrong and sadly what drove me to register here: The Australian footballer LDDC mentioned was Warwick Capper. He is known for his long blonde locks (80's mullet), taking great marks, tight shorts and posing nude/making a porno once his career went down the drain. He also released a song, if I remember correctly. He's an entertaining google image search / lovable national embarrassment...ahhh it feels good to get that out of my system. ]

[CarolineEAnd 41]

Oh, I just meant that usually Frank and Peter come up with the challenges, but this one was created by Scott, a podcaster.

[CarolineEAnd 41]

Oh, I just meant that usually Frank and Peter come up with the challenges, but this one was created by Scott, a podcaster.

[linuslee 0]

@Caroline
 
"This was a challenge of professionalism."
 
If it been billed as such from the start, then I agree, it would be a challenge with some merit.
 
Sadly, this has not been the clear objective. If Matt Besser had framed it as such, if the judges had said any such thing during this episode, that would be a worthwhile challenge. Instead, it's been merely hinted at. They tried to play it out like a bit or a prank in the coaching session. The judges haven't been clear what they're looking for -- instead it's just highlighted what has always been the frustrating shortcomings of this challenge from the beggining: lack of consensus and clarity on the organizers part.
 
LDDC talked about what had happened to them in an entertaining way. The judges said -- why did they just go on about the situation?
LHR stuck their heads down and wrote, recorded and edited a sketch. The judges said -- why didn't they address the situation?
TL played around with what they had already prepared. The judges said -- we liked their husband & wife dynamic?
 
It seems like nobody is giving the judges a back story as to what are the constraints and desired outcomes of each week's challenge. This is very frustrating as a listener to hear the same criticisms leveled week to week that are not really valid criticisms of the contestants, but of the mechanisms of the challenge itself.
 
It would have been interesting to see a "time-crunch" challenge that was focused on being funny in a limited time frame for production without the pranking element. Or if this was a test of their professionalism, that being the clear objective, and hearing how they handled the news, and that being taken into account along with the submissions. As it stands it fills neither role, and instead is an unfocused and disappointing listen.

[linuslee 0]

@Caroline
 
"This was a challenge of professionalism."
 
If it been billed as such from the start, then I agree, it would be a challenge with some merit.
 
Sadly, this has not been the clear objective. If Matt Besser had framed it as such, if the judges had said any such thing during this episode, that would be a worthwhile challenge. Instead, it's been merely hinted at. They tried to play it out like a bit or a prank in the coaching session. The judges haven't been clear what they're looking for -- instead it's just highlighted what has always been the frustrating shortcomings of this challenge from the beggining: lack of consensus and clarity on the organizers part.
 
LDDC talked about what had happened to them in an entertaining way. The judges said -- why did they just go on about the situation?
LHR stuck their heads down and wrote, recorded and edited a sketch. The judges said -- why didn't they address the situation?
TL played around with what they had already prepared. The judges said -- we liked their husband & wife dynamic?
 
It seems like nobody is giving the judges a back story as to what are the constraints and desired outcomes of each week's challenge. This is very frustrating as a listener to hear the same criticisms leveled week to week that are not really valid criticisms of the contestants, but of the mechanisms of the challenge itself.
 
It would have been interesting to see a "time-crunch" challenge that was focused on being funny in a limited time frame for production without the pranking element. Or if this was a test of their professionalism, that being the clear objective, and hearing how they handled the news, and that being taken into account along with the submissions. As it stands it fills neither role, and instead is an unfocused and disappointing listen.

[rdriley 21]

I love Dave and Matt Belknap, but boy did I hate them as judges this week. Leaving aside entirely issues like whether this challenge even made any sense, I think LHR just got crapped on for all the wrong reasons. As KC pointed out, LHR did more with their time than either of the other two shows. LDDC and TL just sat down, turned on the mikes, and talked for five minutes. Nitpicking about the "robot voice" and whether it was funny or "meta" that they referenced "Borat" is just pointless. They wrote, performed and produced a freaking sketch in 30 minutes! It wasn't the greatest sketch of all time, but it was a hell of a lot more inventive and funny than Elizabeth and Andy rehashing a couple of old-ass stories about losing their virginity.
.
I like TL. I subscribe and listen to the podcast. But I thought that submission was just lazy and pointless. If the point of this challenge (and I could be wrong here, because it sure seems like no one knows what the point of this challenge really was) was to see how creative and nimble the podcasters could be when faced with a crisis, then LHR was a clear winner.
.
But, as was made pretty damned obvious by the judges' reactions, LHR is going to be the loser this week. Which is a damned shame. I don't know whether to blame the judges, or the format of the stupid challenge itself, or maybe I'll just blame Besser. No one's hated on Besser in a while. He probably misses it.

[rdriley 21]

I love Dave and Matt Belknap, but boy did I hate them as judges this week. Leaving aside entirely issues like whether this challenge even made any sense, I think LHR just got crapped on for all the wrong reasons. As KC pointed out, LHR did more with their time than either of the other two shows. LDDC and TL just sat down, turned on the mikes, and talked for five minutes. Nitpicking about the "robot voice" and whether it was funny or "meta" that they referenced "Borat" is just pointless. They wrote, performed and produced a freaking sketch in 30 minutes! It wasn't the greatest sketch of all time, but it was a hell of a lot more inventive and funny than Elizabeth and Andy rehashing a couple of old-ass stories about losing their virginity.
.
I like TL. I subscribe and listen to the podcast. But I thought that submission was just lazy and pointless. If the point of this challenge (and I could be wrong here, because it sure seems like no one knows what the point of this challenge really was) was to see how creative and nimble the podcasters could be when faced with a crisis, then LHR was a clear winner.
.
But, as was made pretty damned obvious by the judges' reactions, LHR is going to be the loser this week. Which is a damned shame. I don't know whether to blame the judges, or the format of the stupid challenge itself, or maybe I'll just blame Besser. No one's hated on Besser in a while. He probably misses it.

[JW Buchanan 1]

As a challenge, this was a real misfire. It's too bad, because I thought the idea was interesting, but we didn't learn anything about the contestants (except how mad they got when pranked). The prank element of this challenge just built up an expectation in the judges that they'd get to see the contestants react to the prank, and so they were disappointed(!!!) that Left Handed Radio just rolled with the punches. Ugh.
.
I guess the only thing to glean from this challenge is that it's funnier to watch a chat show flail about and struggle, because the listener can identify with those kinds of feelings; If a sketch show is flailing about and struggling, the sketch suffers and the listener doesn't care. That's a huuuuuuge advantage for a chat show, in this challenge and in real life.

[JW Buchanan 1]

As a challenge, this was a real misfire. It's too bad, because I thought the idea was interesting, but we didn't learn anything about the contestants (except how mad they got when pranked). The prank element of this challenge just built up an expectation in the judges that they'd get to see the contestants react to the prank, and so they were disappointed(!!!) that Left Handed Radio just rolled with the punches. Ugh.
.
I guess the only thing to glean from this challenge is that it's funnier to watch a chat show flail about and struggle, because the listener can identify with those kinds of feelings; If a sketch show is flailing about and struggling, the sketch suffers and the listener doesn't care. That's a huuuuuuge advantage for a chat show, in this challenge and in real life.

[JW Buchanan 1]

@Caroline and everyone else who was talking about podcasts coming out on time: It's much more important to me to hear a funny, finished, polished podcast episode than a podcast that came out on the right day.

[JW Buchanan 1]

@Caroline and everyone else who was talking about podcasts coming out on time: It's much more important to me to hear a funny, finished, polished podcast episode than a podcast that came out on the right day.

[janus1172 11]

Ok, on reflection, I'm even more pissed about the judges' and Matt's comments. Only LHR produced for this challenge (and all challenges) original content that could fit into any episode of their show. It stands for itself without the context of the Zach fake out or the Earwolf Challenge in general. It's certainly not their best sketchwork, but it hits a few funny bits. If they really were in a time crunch to put out an episode and they included something like this, they wouldn't miss a beat.
--
The other submissions depend on knowing about the Zach situation and the Challenge overall, and both podcasts have produced material that is very specific for this challenge and no where else. LHR's submission met the spirit of the Time Crunch challenge in a way that didn't cave to the conceit of the situation. For that they get called "bullshit?" I call bullshit.

[janus1172 11]

Ok, on reflection, I'm even more pissed about the judges' and Matt's comments. Only LHR produced for this challenge (and all challenges) original content that could fit into any episode of their show. It stands for itself without the context of the Zach fake out or the Earwolf Challenge in general. It's certainly not their best sketchwork, but it hits a few funny bits. If they really were in a time crunch to put out an episode and they included something like this, they wouldn't miss a beat.
--
The other submissions depend on knowing about the Zach situation and the Challenge overall, and both podcasts have produced material that is very specific for this challenge and no where else. LHR's submission met the spirit of the Time Crunch challenge in a way that didn't cave to the conceit of the situation. For that they get called "bullshit?" I call bullshit.

[AH 0]

So, if I follow the judges' logic: if the Superego folks had scheduled Patton Oswalt to come in and record, and he canceled at the last minute, then Superego should make a sketch somehow incorporating the fact of Patton's not being there? How does that make any sense?

As mentioned above, it's not clear if the contestants were meant to react as if the guest had really canceled, or if they were meant to act as if they had been pranked. I don't think the judges were clear on that either. Very frustrating episode.

[AH 0]

So, if I follow the judges' logic: if the Superego folks had scheduled Patton Oswalt to come in and record, and he canceled at the last minute, then Superego should make a sketch somehow incorporating the fact of Patton's not being there? How does that make any sense?

As mentioned above, it's not clear if the contestants were meant to react as if the guest had really canceled, or if they were meant to act as if they had been pranked. I don't think the judges were clear on that either. Very frustrating episode.

[janus1172 11]

@AH, along those lines: LDDC's submission would be along the lines of The Nerdist booking Zach to come on the show and him canceling. Then they spend the first 5 mins of the show complaining about booking the room at the E building, prepping for the show, and having him cancel. And then end up doing a guestless (hostful) episode. How professional and enjoyable is that?
LDDC's clip worked ok for the challenge, but what does this show about them working under pressure in general?

[janus1172 11]

@AH, along those lines: LDDC's submission would be along the lines of The Nerdist booking Zach to come on the show and him canceling. Then they spend the first 5 mins of the show complaining about booking the room at the E building, prepping for the show, and having him cancel. And then end up doing a guestless (hostful) episode. How professional and enjoyable is that?
LDDC's clip worked ok for the challenge, but what does this show about them working under pressure in general?

[J 1]

1.LDDC
2.LHR
3.TLP
The way it stacked up to me. I cleared/cleaned the slate beforehand, like Matt said too.

[J 1]

1.LDDC
2.LHR
3.TLP
The way it stacked up to me. I cleared/cleaned the slate beforehand, like Matt said too.