#392 WikiFrenzy (Foreign Policy)

Hey Jay,
I just got done listening to this podcast, and I felt that I needed to say something about Citizen Radio. I am not a big fan. If using them on a basis as a satirical show, it isn’t anywhere near the quality of The Daily Show or The Colbert Report. If using them on a basis of progressive views and valuable information, they don’t really compare to anything else I’ve heard on the podcast. Add on to this just how annoying they are, in particular Jamie, and it’s a recipe for an awful show. Jamie reminds me of the kid in high school who was awkward in all situations and tried to be really funny and sarcastic, but failed miserably simply because his jokes, and the delivery of them, were terrible, and only may have been considered funny because he rolled his eyes and said “fuck” a lot. Then people chuckled awkwardly so as not to offend him before changing the subject, leading him to incorrectly think he is amusing. I can’t really fault Allison, though, she’s damned good as far as I’m concerned.
I don’t expect you to pull CR off of your podcast, because occasionally they do have insight, and because, as you pointed out, there is a fast forward button. I’d just appreciate it if I never had to hear Jamie again. And Jaime, if you’re reading this, and you actually care what I’m saying (I doubt you do, but just in case), stop trying so hard to be the edgy funny guy. It doesn’t really work for you. I’m sorry if this seems extra acrimonious, but it is how I feel.
Whining about CR aside, I love your program, Jay, and I’ll be making a donation as soon as my limited budget can fit it in. Yes, I’m that broke. I really appreciate all the work you’ve done, and I definitely appreciate you directing me to other people who think like I do. Having been brought up in a conservative household that worships Jesus and Reagan, I thought I was crazy for wanting single-payer healthcare, and I was the only person in America who thought that. Thanks for showing me otherwise.
Ah, hell, I’ll donate now, and just not go to Little Caesar’s to make up for it. Keep up the great work!

Sincerely,
Jason Cahill

Addendum: Oh hey, my PayPal is completely screwed up. I’ll get that donation to you ASAP, I swear

I agree with Jason. I am glad you explained about CR. I didn’t know they were satirical. I totally didn’t get that the “student” was an actor. I just thought it was a really smart ass student visiting CR and trying to be funny for his few minutes on their show. Ever since you introduced CR, I have thought they were kind of a mouthy, less informed and lower budget version of a couple people trying to emulate TYT. In fact, I thought all the vulgarity, which I don’t mind in general, but from Jamie generally comes off as gratuitous, was part of an attempt to be as radical and blue (in the comedy sense) as possible, in an attempt to garner a listener base among a younger set. I never got the impression that they were blue in the way for example Bill Maher is on politics. Being in my forties, I accepted this as a reasonable addition to your show. I imagined a younger audience that you were serving. But I aparently got part or all of that wrong.

Perhaps a suggestion is that when you introduce a new element to your show, you could tell us a little about them first. After learning from you today that CR is satire, I have to wonder how much I didn’t “get” from previous episodes, and I had to think that it would have been better to learn this when you introduced them into your repertoire, instead of months later. I will have a different perspective on them in the future, and of course I leave it to your judgement what to include in your show. What I like about your show is that you show me all the stuff I am missing, and I am so glad to support you doing this full time so that I can just drop in for a dose of the BOTL. I really look forward to your podcast more than any other. All that said, I want to point out the perhaps obvious that since I don’t scour the net for progressive stuff as you do, I have no idea who someone like CR is unless you tell me. I say this in case you might forget that we listeners are not steeped in the stuff as you are.

I’d like to add that I am in love with “The Now Show” as represented on BOTL (again, never heard of it otherwise). I don’t get all the Brit humor, but it’s great that the talented comic I’ve seen on The Daily Show is so unleashed in this other forum, and that he is accompanied by such drop-dead funny colleagues/writing (ala frosted tips).

As far as the balance between comedy and analysis, I feel that you try to achieve this balance on a case-by-case basis, working with what you have, and that you generally achieve good results. For me, I wouldn’t mind less of the comedy if they are not introducing a new angle. If it’s just more spoofing it gets repetitive, unless there is a new, creative take.

Thanks for the excellent work!

Hey there, Jay,

I’m a big fan of your show. I was one of the people that asked you to reconsider your use of Citizen Radio clips in your show. After hearing your commentary on the matter, I realize that you are a fan and that I’m not going to change your mind. That is fine. That’s why it’s really nice of you to subdivide your show the way you do!

One thing about CR’s use of satire: How good is the comedy really if you have to explain the jokes in order for them to be “properly” appreciated? Just a thought…

Thanks for your show!
Matt Goolsby