It’s
been some time since my last entry here, for unexpected reasons. Since then,
although I haven’t been digging into thinking about podcasting as a business
and seeking compelling observations in that vein, I have been consuming tons of
podcasting content.
In
mid-July, I wondered how Amazon’s Audible Channels foray into
podcast-like programming with the multitude of free offerings already available
in this format.
Amazon
recently opened up Channels to all members of its Prime service, so I’ve had a
chance to dive in. A few of the featured non-fiction shows have yet to start
regular runs, and have just first ‘pilot’-style episodes up.
“The
Butterfly Effect with Jon Ronson” is akin to “This American Life,” or perhaps
even “99% Invisible,” as a documentary podcast exploring a business or societal
trend in under 30 minutes. Similarly, “Mortal City,” which features stories of
real inner city (New York only?) characters, backs into the importance of its
subject, “Commander” Rocky Robinson, but once it does reveal his character, is
fascinating.
There’s
also comedy and fiction offerings, and blends of both. “Bedtime Stories For
Cynics” features true collaboration – comedian Dave Hill writes his own crazed
takes on children’s stories, introduced by Nick Offerman and read by performers
like Maria Bamford and Lewis Black. Comics Eugene Mirman and Roy Wood Jr. have
comedy shows on Audible Channels also, but they don’t quite surpass great
podcasts already out there. Mirman interviews Mike Birbiglia in one episode,
and lets him just repeat stories that Birbiglia already had in a special years
ago. Wood hosts what amounts to a compilation of stand-ups’ bits about politics.
Lastly,
in this presidential election year, there’s a raft of presidential-themed
podcasts out there, notably “Presidential,” which is nearing the end of its
run, devoting an episode to each and every US president, having just released
its hour about Jimmy Carter; and Slate’s Whistlestop, in which CBS newsman John
Dickerson shares in-depth takes on campaigns past. Audible Channels’ own
presidential-themed show is much more whimsical, with each episode being a more
comedic take on certain presidents. Jon Stewart and John Hodgman appear
together on an episode about early 1800s one-termer James K. Polk. The FDR
episode contains an audio skit about static with his mother in law (which
really did occur).
The
offerings on Audible Channels are voluminous, and include short fiction pieces
also, building on Audible’s brand as a source for full-length audiobooks. In my
July blog entry, I was critical of the value of including offerings available
elsewhere such as audio of Charlie Rose episodes, but actually that may have
some value for subscribers who aren’t going to be in front of a TV or don’t
have a video service that would include Charlie Rose’s show on demand.
Overall,
Audible Channels actually as a stunning amount of content to explore, that one
probably cannot come even close to consuming in full. Some may duplicate other
sources, but there appears to be enough original and exclusive material here,
since it can be subscribed through Prime, to make it very worthwhile. The
content offered can only grow, also.
Podcasts
of the Week:
Revisionist
History “The Satire Paradox” episode, August 18, 2016. The last episode of
Malcolm Gladwell’s 10-part podcast series cuts deeply and authoritatively into
Saturday Night Live, characterizing its satire as toothless in many respects, critiquing
how the show deployed Tina Fey as Sarah Palin in 2008. This is especially
relevant more recently since SNL let Donald Trump host, and Jimmy Fallon (with
Lorne Michaels also his executive producer) has been criticized for being too
“chummy” with Trump as a guest on the Tonight Show.
“Throwback:
Jim Morrison 11-6-69” from Audible Channels. The “Throwback” series is a
collection of diverse audio programming from past decades. This piece is a
mellow interview with the Doors frontman, full of thoughtful pauses, at a time
when the band’s career had been declining because of Morrison’s issues.
Morrison doesn’t come off wild like one might think from some of his
legendarily extreme behavior. The piece does transport the listener to another
time in American culture and society.
