Welcome to Podcast Portal: a spontaneous column that will highlight podcasts of all genres that are lesser known or new shows that are worth giving a listen. With the medium continuing to grow, it is hard to acknowledge all of them. However, I am going to try and find as many noteworthy titles as possible to share and hopefully expand your mind to the greatest growing medium out there. If you have any podcast that you feel is worth adding to the Podcast Portal, please make sure to inform me whether through the comments or through an e-mail (information in sidebar).
SHOW: Women of the Hour
HOSTS: Lena Dunham
NETWORK: Buzzfeed
HOSTS: Lena Dunham
NETWORK: Buzzfeed
EPISODE BEING DISCUSSED: "Episode 1:: Friendship"
By now, you likely have an opinion about Lena Dunham, whose short time in the spotlight has been filled with controversy. It started with her Judd Apatow-produced show Girls, which saw female sexuality depicted in lewd ways. Beyond the show, Dunham wrote a memoir called "Not That Kind of Girl," which infamously featured a passage about (depending on how you read it0 her "molesting" her sister. The one thing that makes her an interesting voice is that she is a candid artist with a very distinct voice. Like most genuinely compelling voices, she is not loved by everyone. It even got so bad that she famously quit Twitter and has a ghost writer. However, the promise that she would be joining the podcast world with a new Buzzfeed show meant that things would get far more interesting for her.
So, what would a show hosted by Dunham sound like? With many news articles predicting her to become an influential figure, there's only more pressure for whatever she does. In a crowded market, there have been shows recapping news, doing interviews, or even just being funny. To say the least, the premiere episode is a mixture of highs and lows of what makes Dunham so singular. As much as the show takes a feminist standpoint to explore themes, in this case friendship, she isn't free from her alliteration, including the line "As classic as ice cube trays." If nothing else, she has avoided conventional approach to the discussion by being even more embracing of her twee side.
The show is predominantly a variety show akin to "person of interest" stories and random Q&A segments spliced together with transitions by Dunham herself providing some insight into the next piece. For what it's worth, the production is a very compelling highlight of the show's structure. Even the promise of a predominantly female guests list is an enticing element. In fact, the first episode immediately wins points for having a variety of guests, including Amy Sedaris, Emma Stone, and June Squibb - the latter two of which provide friendship advice from very different points of views. The show's strength is in its diversity.
Still, the feels a little meandering, like a longer version of the unfortunately finished Wiretap. As much as the editing keeps the pace brisk, very few moments really are allowed to stand out as a result. Speaking as Dunham is more of a presenter than a host, it also makes everything feel less significant. As much as the stories have merit and the format can be inventive, there's not really a focus beyond the theme. Things just happen, and I think that the show as a whole could benefit from having a through line. It doesn't help that if you're opposed to "twee" music cues that a fraction of this may be a little much.
Then again, you'll likely already have an opinion about Dunham and will be investing in the podcast likewise. For what it's worth, it's a good idea and Dunham definitely put together some good ideas. It's just that the execution could use some work and that the focus and segments could be stronger. It's an entertaining show, and one that already expresses values. It's just that possibly Dunham is aiming a little too high for her first episode, and that maybe more singular episodes - such as the next episode being a chat with Girls co-producer Jenni Konner - will make her work stand out as being something special.
OVERALL RATING: 3.5 out of 5
WORTH A SECOND GO?: If you like Dunham, it's a maybe. It's not a very compelling episode beyond its production. However, there's a chance that it'll get better and more aware of what it wants to be, at which point it definitely could bump itself up to a must listen.
By now, you likely have an opinion about Lena Dunham, whose short time in the spotlight has been filled with controversy. It started with her Judd Apatow-produced show Girls, which saw female sexuality depicted in lewd ways. Beyond the show, Dunham wrote a memoir called "Not That Kind of Girl," which infamously featured a passage about (depending on how you read it0 her "molesting" her sister. The one thing that makes her an interesting voice is that she is a candid artist with a very distinct voice. Like most genuinely compelling voices, she is not loved by everyone. It even got so bad that she famously quit Twitter and has a ghost writer. However, the promise that she would be joining the podcast world with a new Buzzfeed show meant that things would get far more interesting for her.
So, what would a show hosted by Dunham sound like? With many news articles predicting her to become an influential figure, there's only more pressure for whatever she does. In a crowded market, there have been shows recapping news, doing interviews, or even just being funny. To say the least, the premiere episode is a mixture of highs and lows of what makes Dunham so singular. As much as the show takes a feminist standpoint to explore themes, in this case friendship, she isn't free from her alliteration, including the line "As classic as ice cube trays." If nothing else, she has avoided conventional approach to the discussion by being even more embracing of her twee side.
The show is predominantly a variety show akin to "person of interest" stories and random Q&A segments spliced together with transitions by Dunham herself providing some insight into the next piece. For what it's worth, the production is a very compelling highlight of the show's structure. Even the promise of a predominantly female guests list is an enticing element. In fact, the first episode immediately wins points for having a variety of guests, including Amy Sedaris, Emma Stone, and June Squibb - the latter two of which provide friendship advice from very different points of views. The show's strength is in its diversity.
Still, the feels a little meandering, like a longer version of the unfortunately finished Wiretap. As much as the editing keeps the pace brisk, very few moments really are allowed to stand out as a result. Speaking as Dunham is more of a presenter than a host, it also makes everything feel less significant. As much as the stories have merit and the format can be inventive, there's not really a focus beyond the theme. Things just happen, and I think that the show as a whole could benefit from having a through line. It doesn't help that if you're opposed to "twee" music cues that a fraction of this may be a little much.
Then again, you'll likely already have an opinion about Dunham and will be investing in the podcast likewise. For what it's worth, it's a good idea and Dunham definitely put together some good ideas. It's just that the execution could use some work and that the focus and segments could be stronger. It's an entertaining show, and one that already expresses values. It's just that possibly Dunham is aiming a little too high for her first episode, and that maybe more singular episodes - such as the next episode being a chat with Girls co-producer Jenni Konner - will make her work stand out as being something special.
OVERALL RATING: 3.5 out of 5
WORTH A SECOND GO?: If you like Dunham, it's a maybe. It's not a very compelling episode beyond its production. However, there's a chance that it'll get better and more aware of what it wants to be, at which point it definitely could bump itself up to a must listen.
Comments
Post a Comment