Entertainment: Podcasts

In the last couple of years I've gotten involved as a podcaster listener, absolutely loving the feeling of community, entertainment and fandom enjoyment that comes with it. Here are a few that have stood out to me for several reasons, and if you're involved in the Glee, Harry Potter and Hunger Games fandoms you'll want to listen to these. Each of these are available for free download on Itunes and Hypable.com, so if you like my review head over and listen :)

Glee Chat

As the most recent addition to my array of fandoms, I thought I would cave and begin the hunt for a Glee podcast to indulge my love for the show with. I found and listened to a grand total of three and Hypable's 'Glee Chat' came out on top. It falls under the 'new and hot' category, but at less than a year old there is no feeling of mediocrity or anything that suggests it's as amateur as it's little infant legs make it seem. The chemistry and balance held by a fresh and likeable cast of hosts allows the show to flow easily and makes you feel like it's been around a long time. With an bunch of humorous, informative, and interactive content (including news and episode recaps), as well a high quality production/hosting crew, any Gleek can enjoy this. The show is run on rotation by host John Thrasher and co-hosted by Coty Chanley, Jessica Oneal, Megan Stoll, Mitchel Clow, Natalie Fisher and Roxanne Clarke. If you want to be entertained while listening to a group of people that are proud to have you in their audience then you've found the right place.

Mugglecast

In contrast we have the long time running world renown Harry Potter podcast Mugglecast, adored by a cult fandom of Potter fans. It is the foundation of my love for podcasts and without it I'm not sure I would ever have gotten into this medium of communication. It's one example of a fantastic (it is also the very first) 'Andrew Sims' brand podcast, catering to any and every need a Potter fan could possibly have, from news to book discussion. What's kept people coming back is the collection of short, entertaining and informative segments, keeping the show current and involved with it's audience. With a simple, professional and well planned out show structure, the show manages to stray from feeling automated and scripted due to skill and spontaneity brought to the podcast by fans, for the fans. Hosted by Andrew Sims and co hosted on rotation by Micah Tannenbaum, Eric Scull, Matt Briton, Laura Thompson, Ben Schoen, Jamie Lawrence, and Elysa Montfort, Potter heads can't go wrong with this podcast. Andrew notes this in the first episode but if you haven't read the books you may want to, since Mugglecast discusses a lot of spoilers. (Actually if you haven't read Harry Potter I am in shock and you should do that before anything but to each his own)

Hunger Games Chat

In case you've been living in Atlantis, space, Narnia, under a rock or any other place where word of mouth and media marketing might escape you, then you've probably heard of the Hunger Games. It's an incredible young adult trilogy by Suzanne Collins which is literally 'Catching Fire' within it's audience as excitement for the movie release heats up. Seeing this podcast on Hypable I thought I would invest myself in yet another fandom and have a listen. As another 'Sims' brand podcast, I came into the first episode prepared for quality entertainment and I wasn't disappointed. It's zany, funny, analytical, enthusiastic and informative, from a blow by blow discussion of the latest trailer to the Capitol's nail polish line, you'll be satisfied. Like Mugglecast this is probably not one for new listeners who haven't read them you might want to give this a miss until you have, as details are discussed at length and spoilers are aplenty. It's brand spanking new and has already fast tracked into my top three so if you are a fan I couldn't suggest this more. It's hosted by Andrew Sims, Richard Reed, Nick Meyers and Selena in a collaboration between Mockingjay.net and Hypable.com

Notable mentions:

Due to living in Narnia (New Zealand) where perfect internet connections are apparently non existent and air dates for American shows are mystical creatures, Smash is one show I won't be able to catch. However I want to promote Smash Chat, the new work of my Twitter friends and Glee Chat hosts Jessica Oneal, Coty Chanley and Mitchel Clow. The TV show Smash premiere's on February 6th and has been hailed as 'the adult Glee' so if your interested take a listen to 'Smash Chat', I can guarantee you'll be in for quality entertainment.