Hmmm,. too much hyperbole?
OK, so the show isn't going to cure cancer or create world peace. I don't even think it's the best podcast on the net (though many other people do), but I do like it and here's why.
Jimmy is funny. Usually
Jimmy has great guests who trust and respect him. Mostly
There is such a back log of shows to listen to that you could listen for a long time without running out. Definitely
Here's what I don't like.
If you want to hear the whole show, you have to pay actual money. I know,.. it sucks. I'm poor and I don't pay for podcasts. I'm just not going to do it. Even if I had money, just on principal I'm not going to pay for pod. And yes, I know that since I only get to hear 24 of the 90 minutes the show usually lasts that I'm missing a lot of show. Does Jimmy have a right to try and make a living? Yes. Does he have a right to monetize his show the way he wants to? Yes. Does this model suck? Yes. He's right and it sucks. Both are true.
Hey, Jimmy! Find a fucking sponsor or twelve. Don't tell me you can't find somebody to foot the bill for the show because you want to be offensive or use colorful language. SModcast is sponsored by Fleshlight for god's sake. Mike Schmidt has some programmer in the UK sponsoring segments of his show and nobody says fuck more than Mike (somebody call Guinness and we'll check). Enough people listen to Never Not Funny (NNF) that you can support ads. If Howard Stern taught us anything, he taught us that you cannot offend advertisers. You mention their names and they get business. Even if you say shitty things about them. Even if you mention horrible stuff before and after their ads. NNF reaches a lot of people. You can do ads. Stop with the fucking memberships for listening to the whole show.
Other than that, maybe this show is the holy grail of podcasts. Every stand-up in the business does this show. Most people who listen to comedy podcasts listen to Never Not Funny and Pardo is generally regarded as one of the funniest hosts and quickest wits behind a mic. The show is considered a "Must-Listen" on every list of the best podcasts (some people may be copying the lists instead of doing the work, but...)
The Jimmy Pardo style of interview isn't groundbreaking. It's just comics talking. Jimmy asks some set up questions but mostly they talk. And yes, Jimmy can talk too much. It sort of goes with the territory. He wouldn't be a stand up if he didn't like to talk and tell jokes. He doesn't often step on his guests but when he does I have felt the urge to reach through my ear buds and put my hand over his mouth until the guest has finished a complete sentence. Just one complete sentence would be enough. But Pardo's mind moves at a higher pace than many so I can see that he sees the end of the statement coming and just jumps to it rather than wait the 2 or 3 seconds it'll take to get there naturally. I do it too. I understand it. But that doesn't make it easier to sit for, but sitting for it is easier than waiting for a slow mouthed guest to finish (I'd step on them, too). In the end, it's a matter of style and that's a style I can live with because I do, every day.
My rating scale
Is this podcast entertaining? - Yes
Am I likely to listen to the next podcast? – As soon as I run out of Nerdist and the Bugle
Do I recommend this podcast to friends? – I have and I will
