Podcast Portal: OMFG!

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: OMFG!
HOSTS: Deanna Raphael, Emily Foster
NETWORK: Wolfpop Network
EPISODE BEING DISCUSSED: "It's All Fappening"

*Note: For the next week (or until completion), I will be covering every single NEW podcast on the Wolfpop Network. I will not be covering older shows such as U Talkin' U2 to Me or How Did This Get Made. 

In terms of Wolfpop Network shows, this may be the one that I was least excited about checking out. It is mostly because as a podcast listener with a regular regiment of shows, I tend to not listen to anything that discusses dating or societal trends of this nature. Going in, I also assumed that it would be a gossip show, which thankfully it isn't... yet. Instead, it is a show with a very ingenious angle. It is all about two women trying to understand the youthful trends of the times. While they continually go on about being the old geezers who don't know much, it does seem like they're a little in the know. Also, everyone must be warned that if talk of sex bothers you, portions of the show will be a little upsetting. After all, it is about understanding youth culture, which includes sex and the title references something of the kind.

For the most part, the episode focuses around the topic of dating with guest Brandon Wardell. With discussion of how each of them grew into their own proclivities, it is candid and full of a sense of wonder. It also mixes in a few personal games, such as reading each other's private thoughts. There's a few mishaps, but for the most part plays as friends having fun as they discover the world. It is both nostalgic and informative in ways that the premise undermines. Thankfully, the hosts have great chemistry and along with Morgan Walsh turns into a nice variety show that may get a little dirty, but is always interesting. 

As stated, it is hard to recommend this show based on subject matter. It isn't that it is offensive, but I am not the target audience here. Hearing people using slang such as swerve and fap bug me a little bit. Still, for a first episode, it seems very assured of itself and at no point was boring. In fact, the best moments came in the vulnerable moments where everyone was just sharing embarrassing secrets and learning about some really strange things. It adds an endearing twist to the show and is likely going to help enhance the show's actual quality down the road. Still, you'll know if you're into it based on the idea that it is about exploring modern trends from an "older" woman's perspective.

The only question is how it plans to have longevity. Will it turn into a gossip show that dissects strange news stories? I kind of think that this is only a rough sketch of what is to come. I worry that it becomes a gossip show that I will never visit it again. If it manages to become a more personal look at how we relate to each other as a society, then maybe I will swing back around. Still, for a show that I was hesitant about, it does have two hosts that really drew me in and made me care about their discussions. That's a good start.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

WORTH A SECOND GO?: Maybe. It all depends on how the show evolves and where it would be going after this. I am not into the general dating themes of the first episode, so I don't feel an immediacy to check out any more. However, the hosts are fun and I think that the show has promise given its subject matter.