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: Engage:: The Official Star Trek Podcast
HOSTS: Jordan Hoffman
NETWORK: Play.It
HOSTS: Jordan Hoffman
NETWORK: Play.It
EPISODE BEING DISCUSSED: "Episode 1: 'Weird A' Yankovic"
Nowadays, there's only two Stars that matter: Star Wars or Star Trek. Both have been pretty prominent in pop culture over the past decade with their own revivals (both from J.J. Abrams) and have continued to spout conflict over which is the better (I'm on the Star Trek side). It makes sense then that in the competing fandoms, they would turn to podcasts to rally the troops and determine based on listener count which one has the bigger audience. While there have been Star Trek podcasts before, it does seem strange that it too this long (50 years in fact) to have an "Official" podcast from film critic and hardcore fan Jordan Hoffman. If you're a fan of any of the shows or movies, there's a good chance that your weekend got booked up a little with the three episodes that he just released, plus an "Episode Zero" where he was interviewed about the show.
Considering that Star debate, it makes sense that he would have on "Weird Al" Yankovic as his first guest. The satirist is always the humble and enjoyable guest that makes any podcast appearance worthy of a listen. In this case, Hoffman uses him to prove that Engage isn't going to be a show strictly about died in the wool fans. As is the case with Yankovic, he is a casual fan and one who more appreciates the show than memorizes background trivia. In fact, the episode chooses to ask a question that seems pretty obvious: Why has Yankovic released two song parodies about Star Wars but not Star Trek? I would provide the answer, but there's fun in finding out in the moment.
The only real downside is that the Yankovic interview lacks more depth about Star Trek fandom. It is in a sense more about promoting the musician's upcoming tour and what getting gifts from fans is like. It is always fun to get candid with Yankovic and it serves as a worthwhile interview. However, it is a little disappointing that the talk of Star Trek feels at times limited. It could be that the musician was on a tight schedule amid press junket interviews, but one could only imagine what a more in depth discussion of Yankovic's love of the franchise would sound like. It's a fun interview, and one worthy of listening to. However, it falls more on the casual side that doesn't do much to explore the appeal of Star Trek.
This doesn't include Hoffman's pre-interview segment in which he more than earns his credit as host. He is enthusiastic and able to drop references casually. With a soundboard of over 50 Star Trek clips, it will be fun to hear him use them all in delightful context. It also helps that he is so passionate that even his story of how he fell asleep during Star Trek: The Motion Picture is interesting. One can only imagine that this will join The X-Files Files and Everything's Coming Up Podcast (about The Simpsons) as quintessential podcasts for those who love the shows in question. If nothing else, Hoffman's been overdue for a podcast of his own thanks to delightful appearances on shows like Fighting in the War Room. It's nice to hear him get stuck with a promising premise.
As someone who only casually likes Star Trek, I have to admit that Hoffman's promise of being accessible to newbies definitely works. Again, Yankovic's interview may not give the best representation of what the show can be, but the first three legitimate episodes show what the potential can be. I haven't listened to the others yet, but I am now eagerly to check them out because when they're talking about Star Trek, the show is as riveting as they come. There's a camaraderie that makes the show endearing. Thankfully, it's well produced where even the theme song gets your attention. Here's hoping that the episodes to come delve into interesting subjects - like maybe even dissecting each and every movie, or have exclusive interviews. One can only hope so.
OVERALL RATING: 4 out of 5
WORTH A SECOND GO?: If you're even curious about Star Trek, I don't see why not. He's provided enough opening day material to keep you entertained.
Nowadays, there's only two Stars that matter: Star Wars or Star Trek. Both have been pretty prominent in pop culture over the past decade with their own revivals (both from J.J. Abrams) and have continued to spout conflict over which is the better (I'm on the Star Trek side). It makes sense then that in the competing fandoms, they would turn to podcasts to rally the troops and determine based on listener count which one has the bigger audience. While there have been Star Trek podcasts before, it does seem strange that it too this long (50 years in fact) to have an "Official" podcast from film critic and hardcore fan Jordan Hoffman. If you're a fan of any of the shows or movies, there's a good chance that your weekend got booked up a little with the three episodes that he just released, plus an "Episode Zero" where he was interviewed about the show.
Considering that Star debate, it makes sense that he would have on "Weird Al" Yankovic as his first guest. The satirist is always the humble and enjoyable guest that makes any podcast appearance worthy of a listen. In this case, Hoffman uses him to prove that Engage isn't going to be a show strictly about died in the wool fans. As is the case with Yankovic, he is a casual fan and one who more appreciates the show than memorizes background trivia. In fact, the episode chooses to ask a question that seems pretty obvious: Why has Yankovic released two song parodies about Star Wars but not Star Trek? I would provide the answer, but there's fun in finding out in the moment.
The only real downside is that the Yankovic interview lacks more depth about Star Trek fandom. It is in a sense more about promoting the musician's upcoming tour and what getting gifts from fans is like. It is always fun to get candid with Yankovic and it serves as a worthwhile interview. However, it is a little disappointing that the talk of Star Trek feels at times limited. It could be that the musician was on a tight schedule amid press junket interviews, but one could only imagine what a more in depth discussion of Yankovic's love of the franchise would sound like. It's a fun interview, and one worthy of listening to. However, it falls more on the casual side that doesn't do much to explore the appeal of Star Trek.
This doesn't include Hoffman's pre-interview segment in which he more than earns his credit as host. He is enthusiastic and able to drop references casually. With a soundboard of over 50 Star Trek clips, it will be fun to hear him use them all in delightful context. It also helps that he is so passionate that even his story of how he fell asleep during Star Trek: The Motion Picture is interesting. One can only imagine that this will join The X-Files Files and Everything's Coming Up Podcast (about The Simpsons) as quintessential podcasts for those who love the shows in question. If nothing else, Hoffman's been overdue for a podcast of his own thanks to delightful appearances on shows like Fighting in the War Room. It's nice to hear him get stuck with a promising premise.
As someone who only casually likes Star Trek, I have to admit that Hoffman's promise of being accessible to newbies definitely works. Again, Yankovic's interview may not give the best representation of what the show can be, but the first three legitimate episodes show what the potential can be. I haven't listened to the others yet, but I am now eagerly to check them out because when they're talking about Star Trek, the show is as riveting as they come. There's a camaraderie that makes the show endearing. Thankfully, it's well produced where even the theme song gets your attention. Here's hoping that the episodes to come delve into interesting subjects - like maybe even dissecting each and every movie, or have exclusive interviews. One can only hope so.
OVERALL RATING: 4 out of 5
WORTH A SECOND GO?: If you're even curious about Star Trek, I don't see why not. He's provided enough opening day material to keep you entertained.
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