VegettoEX wrote:No, I really like that idea. I have a couple thoughts on which games would be easiest for me to review, and I actually think those specific ones would be the games people would request reviews of.
Holy shit. You like my idea?
Then let's monitor the requests that come in and see how good your instincts are. This isn't meant to be flattering, but I have the feeling your choices will sync up pretty well with what the e-mails pick.
It's kind of like you can sense your listeners' ki, a-heh.
VegettoEX then wrote:Podcast listeners always like to feel that they have some type of connection with a show's content, whether or not that means that they request something, or have that tight of a love for the general topic that it doesn't matter which direction it goes in. I really strive for both on our show.
I've noticed. Granted, I'll admit that it's only been just in the past month that I've been able to really enjoy the show with any sort of consistency (good-bye slow dial-up), but now that I'm into it to this degree I've started to download back episodes to see what I missed . . . uh, simply because I can, I suppose. (Hello, fast DSL.) And regardless of the actual content from episode-to-episode I do believe I can see a firm connection between the earlier attempts and what you put on the air now; the connection being comprised mostly of the following attributes:
I'm gonna ramble here. If I'm going over the line with my incessant blathering, be sure to let me know . . . but that being said, let's see if there's anyone out there who agrees with the following assessment.
I THINK
1.)
You try to keep the show lighthearted and fun between the three of you at all times even during the rare times where it's necessary or "required" to be serious, such as with a negative game review or bootleg rant. This takes considerable skill, and though I could be wrong I imagine it's
occasionally something of a conscious effort on your part because of how easy it is to think along the lines of "this is MY podcast" and slip into the role of
dictating an opinion rather than
expressing it. Clearly you know the difference. There will be plenty of things you say that I'll disgree with, but there are never moments where I feel uncomfortable because the show's mood has derailed into something dark or upsetting or where I think you're handing down supreme judgement over the people or things you disagree with as opposed to explaining why you disagree in the first place. (Well, okay . . .
sometimes you hand down judgement, like with a pet peeve such as bootlegging. But that's actually kinda funny.) No matter what happens, I have yet to see the moment where you guys take yourselves too seriously.
I'm not sure I explained this properly, but if you're so dedicated a podcast listener as you say, then I think you have a general understanding of what I'm trying to say despite that I fail to say it well.
2.) Though it's only every once in a while that you do something "specific" that you know isn't up everyone's alley, even then
you still try your best every week to bring SOMETHING to the table that you hope everyone can enjoy . . . almost like a trade-off. "We're going to do this, but we'll still give you that." This in particular shows that you are trying in earnest to put out a show that appeals to as many DBZ fans as possible as well as entertain specific groups (as well as yourself), and once again ties into the unusual and whimsical idea of "our podcast"; I think it's great that you're trying to include as many people as you can for as long as you can, because in all honesty everyone here knows that you-- being a very specific kind of DBZ fan-- don't
have to do
jack shit in that regard. It's far less work to do exactly what YOU want every week than it is to strive for the balance of what EVERYONE might like every week, but you take the more challenging road to include even people who aren't necessarily the target audience.
However, while I definitely attribute your restraint as something positive, my particular opinion (and I'm sure you're tired of me reiterating this, but I will anyway) is that there isn't any reason why you shouldn't try something extra
whenever the mood strikes you
so long as you don't disrupt the delicate balance of the show that you've worked so hard to capture . . . and honestly, I see no danger of that happening. You know what you're doing. You've been doing it for almost 50 episodes now. Do you still have listeners? Do you have more than when you started? I think that's a big double yes there, isn't it? So take some chances! We'll still be here. Your commitment to making the show accessible to everyone is admirable, but something you may not realize or care to admit is that while DBZ is what draws people in, another factor is that the show has enough history now where you, Meri and Julian-- the Big Three, as I call you-- likely have your
own fans, so to speak. Not everyone is going to dig something Specific, but even in that population will be a percentage of the people who will listen anyway not just because it's DBZ but because of the atmosphere and chemistry you've created on your program: IT'S FUN! It has flavor, it has form, and it's juuuuust fine pretty much no matter what you do.
Don't believe me? Just listen to this UNSOLICITED TESTIMONIAL:
Kula earlier wrote:I listen to every episode all the way through. I rarely find the subject matter boring because it's so varied. I also like to llisten because you, Meri and Julian are so damned entertaining. If you were boring and didn't have a sense of humour, I wouldn't be listening.
And that settles that.
3.)
You care about what you're putting on the air. This sounds like total cheese, I know. And there's no really good way to explain the enormity of good things I see with you Three without A.) going into super-mega-ultra detail, which I'll spare you, and B.) sounding like a total suck-up.
But the basic idea of this is important enough where I think it warrants mention, because I think as a host you'd like to hear at least once in a while that people can see it. Guys, I can see it. I'm sure other people can see it. And as long as there's that spark to what you're doing, that extra artistic zeal that says "look what I made: I'm proud of this," then it's my belief that you'll
always have waiting ears in the DBZ community. The show will evolve, it will take new shapes and forms, things about it will change and you'll become more experienced with it over time, but the passion will remain the same. And that's half the show right there. (Everything else together makes up the other half, perhaps . . . with fanboy whining clocking in at a reasonable 5%.)
There's other crap, too, but I think those are the most important and consistent I can see.
VegettoEX afterwards wrote:As an avid podcast listener for quite a long period of time (well, relatively speaking, considering the age of the medium...), I really like to think that I've considered long and hard exactly what it is about shows that I like and dislike. I wouldn't say that I've flat-out copied things from other shows, but I definitely have a good feel for what DOESN'T work for me as a listener. Just like with AMVs, you really have to take a step back and look at (listen to?) your product from a different perspective... the audience's perspective. Is this something I want to watch / listen to? Why? What draws me in? What doesn't?
Good point. But haven't you been doing that all along? Well, so have we! . . . in a sense. Just as you like to think that you've put due consideration into what the audience wants, having been in our shoes, I like to think by the same token that
we (read: I) have taken due consideration to arrive at the conclusion that the Podcast works for us on at least some level every single week in a way that entertains and keeps us coming back to see what happens next. Meaning that if we haven't quit already, we probably aren't going to. I like you, I trust you, and while I'm glad you're keeping me in mind I want to see what
you're about when it comes to DBZ, to bring
your ideas to the table. Serve me up some new ideas about old topics, just the way you've been doing. What does Mike/Meri/Julian think about this? Why don't they like that? I like Freeza. Do they like Freeza? I like this feature. I could care less about this feature, but clearly they had fun with it. I want to submit an idea for the Podcast. They didn't like my idea, but maybe they'll like this one. Hey, wow! They like the same thing I like!
But putting out the Podcast in the first place, you've not only offered your opinion to the airwaves but opened the door for us to absorb and respond to just about anything you say, even given us the incentive to do so; to interact with you and DaizenshuuEX on a whole new level. We have our own opinions, but we sure as hell aren't all putting them on the airwaves. So as you've gone through the trouble of doing what I didn't, I know for certain that I'm interested to see what
you think compared to what
I think, and then what
I think compared to what
another listener thinks (which is part of why the Podcast board was a brilliant idea, in my opinion).
VegettoEX wrote:I guess I'm leaking a few "secrets" about how I work the show, but that's OK . If you're reading this much, you're entitled.
Thanks. I won't speak for everyone, but I'm having a ball with this.
VegettoEX wrote:In the long run, I'm totally flattered that some of you are really gung-ho about letting us do what we want to do.
Of course you are. Because the show is just that good, and
we are just that freaking awesome.
VegettoEX wrote:We definitely have a crap-ton of fun DOING the show, which was the first priority for me... if it wasn't entertaining to DO and MAKE, it certainly wouldn't give me any further incentive to work on it. From there, I wanted to make sure there'd be some type of audience... luckily, we've got a pretty well built-in initial audience. As I mentioned earlier, I geared the show towards myself... what would *I* want to listen to? If I want it, surely someone else out there does.
Someone else, sure, but how many? I think we can all agree that you are by no means an average fan (given the vast amount of young dub crazies who practice "Kamehame-ya Wave" hand motions
before bed) . . . buuuuut luckily, you share enough sensibilities with the intelligent among us-- both fans of the dub and and worshippers of the original-- where we can all point and laugh at the piss-ass 12-year-olds who complain that Masako Nozawa sounds too much like a girl.
(Oops. Before anyone gets riled up, I mean specifically the people who come to that conclusion after listening for a whopping five seconds and never end up giving her a fair chance.)
Heh. I got a kick out of that little Sparking! NEO bootlegging snippet where you guys put in Sean Schemmel Goku screaming. Does it show?
Hmm! This has been an entertaining topic of discussion thus far. Anything else to add, guys?
BrollysKin wrote:Hey EX,
Have you ever thought about doing a DBZ movie commentary? While you watch one of the movies just add your thoughts on it and then we could play it in the background as we watch it.
Regardless of the fact that
BrollysKin and
DaemonCorps came up with the same idea (and must now fight to the death. Do it, I command you!), that actually sounds like it could be fun!
EDIT: A lot of what I've said uses words like "you" and "he," indicating that my address is usually to one Mr. Mike Podcast himself. But everything I've said or might say later, I do actually mean to include Meri and Julian, too. You guys know that, right? I don't know how wide the ideas and responsibilities are shared among you, but I'm sure it's always with the idea that the Podcast belongs to all of you.
The BIG THREE. S'my name for you, see? Keep on 'Casting!
. No worries!
