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: Conversation Parade:: An Adventure Time Podcast
HOSTS: John Moe and Open Mike Eagle
NETWORK: Infinite Guest
HOSTS: John Moe and Open Mike Eagle
NETWORK: Infinite Guest
EPISODE BEING DISCUSSED: "Episode #1: Finn, Jake and the Necessity of Manuals"
When it comes to Cartoon Network shows, there are few currently running as impressive and interesting as Adventure Time. It is a show that manages to transcend the young demographic and appeals to those wishing to embrace their inner child. It is a show full of layers in story telling that battle emotional conflicts in between odd jokes and characters. It is also a landfill of captivating animation techniques that emphasize what makes this show so great. Don't let the designs fool you. This is a show that challenges the medium of cartoons and children's programming alike in ways that will make you excited.
There have been a few shows that have tackled this show as well. The latest is one whose title derives from an episode reference that is explained early on in the 19 minute debut. It is a deep cut that reflects the co-hosts strengths in recognizing why this show matters. So what exactly are they doing that's going to be so different from every other show? It isn't entirely made clear in the first one, but what is made clear is the enthusiasm. The episode not only serves as an introduction to Conversation Parade, but a brief summation of Adventure Time as it relates to the two brothers who serve as the protagonists. By the end, there isn't a more succinct summary of what this show is theoretically about.
So while it is mostly a gaggle of information being shared, it is also finely edited. There are various clips from episodes dropped in to emphasize points made during its run. We get to hear the show in action. To add an interesting twist, the episode manages to also feature an interview with voice actor John DiMaggio, whose work here includes Finn the dog. While the interview is itself kind of underwhelming in that it is mostly a discussion on how he develops voices, it gives us a stronger sense of what this show will be. It sounds like it will be something revolving around a deeper, sociological study of what Adventure Time and its significance means. At least, I hope it is, because it makes for an interesting show beyond two very qualified fans gushing.
This is a show that is part of Infinite Guest. While it is fairly unknown compared to NPR, they have done some excellent work, even with hosts John Moe (Wits) and Open Mike Eagle (Secret Skin). It is a channel dedicated to exploring themes within our society. Among the more noteworthy ones is the consistently amazing pop culture study You Must Remember This. There's a certain amount of information and research that goes into them that separates them from the average information show. So while Adventure Time is more of a niche topic, it is still one with room to possibly explore something greater. If there's one flaw to a 19 minute episode, it is that it barely allows for critique on what was missing. It is succinct, sure, but what could be added? I am not entirely sure. I'm also just too into Adventure Time to reduce conversation to a short amount of time.
Though there is an interesting catch, and one that may end up benefiting it in the long run. The website lists this as a limited series. The question is more about what that means. There's no explanation on if it will be weekly or monthly. There's no word on if there will be 5, 10, 15, etc. episodes either. I am sure this information will eventually be made public, but it does raise questions and makes hopping on board a lot more pressing. I probably will give the show a little bit more of a spin, but I just hope that there's something more in the episodes to come. They have a lot of great things at play, but it just needs that something extra.
OVERALL RATING: 3.5 out of 5
WORTH A SECOND GO?: If you love Adventure Time, I'd definitely recommend giving it another shot, even if I worry that the show's length may be a disservice at some point.
When it comes to Cartoon Network shows, there are few currently running as impressive and interesting as Adventure Time. It is a show that manages to transcend the young demographic and appeals to those wishing to embrace their inner child. It is a show full of layers in story telling that battle emotional conflicts in between odd jokes and characters. It is also a landfill of captivating animation techniques that emphasize what makes this show so great. Don't let the designs fool you. This is a show that challenges the medium of cartoons and children's programming alike in ways that will make you excited.
There have been a few shows that have tackled this show as well. The latest is one whose title derives from an episode reference that is explained early on in the 19 minute debut. It is a deep cut that reflects the co-hosts strengths in recognizing why this show matters. So what exactly are they doing that's going to be so different from every other show? It isn't entirely made clear in the first one, but what is made clear is the enthusiasm. The episode not only serves as an introduction to Conversation Parade, but a brief summation of Adventure Time as it relates to the two brothers who serve as the protagonists. By the end, there isn't a more succinct summary of what this show is theoretically about.
So while it is mostly a gaggle of information being shared, it is also finely edited. There are various clips from episodes dropped in to emphasize points made during its run. We get to hear the show in action. To add an interesting twist, the episode manages to also feature an interview with voice actor John DiMaggio, whose work here includes Finn the dog. While the interview is itself kind of underwhelming in that it is mostly a discussion on how he develops voices, it gives us a stronger sense of what this show will be. It sounds like it will be something revolving around a deeper, sociological study of what Adventure Time and its significance means. At least, I hope it is, because it makes for an interesting show beyond two very qualified fans gushing.
This is a show that is part of Infinite Guest. While it is fairly unknown compared to NPR, they have done some excellent work, even with hosts John Moe (Wits) and Open Mike Eagle (Secret Skin). It is a channel dedicated to exploring themes within our society. Among the more noteworthy ones is the consistently amazing pop culture study You Must Remember This. There's a certain amount of information and research that goes into them that separates them from the average information show. So while Adventure Time is more of a niche topic, it is still one with room to possibly explore something greater. If there's one flaw to a 19 minute episode, it is that it barely allows for critique on what was missing. It is succinct, sure, but what could be added? I am not entirely sure. I'm also just too into Adventure Time to reduce conversation to a short amount of time.
Though there is an interesting catch, and one that may end up benefiting it in the long run. The website lists this as a limited series. The question is more about what that means. There's no explanation on if it will be weekly or monthly. There's no word on if there will be 5, 10, 15, etc. episodes either. I am sure this information will eventually be made public, but it does raise questions and makes hopping on board a lot more pressing. I probably will give the show a little bit more of a spin, but I just hope that there's something more in the episodes to come. They have a lot of great things at play, but it just needs that something extra.
OVERALL RATING: 3.5 out of 5
WORTH A SECOND GO?: If you love Adventure Time, I'd definitely recommend giving it another shot, even if I worry that the show's length may be a disservice at some point.
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