Podcasts, etc.

FYI, I have added a new feature to the sidebar titled "Upcoming Releases." Check it out for listings of upcoming music and movie releases that I deem worthy of mention. I'll try to keep this up-to-date as I hear about more releases and definitive dates.

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I'm late to hop on the bandwagon of the latest online trend that is podcasts, but consider me a convert. Relax, relax...I'm not going to start broadcasting my smart-ass voice on this site. I prefer to write, not cast. But I must say that on-demand is a fantastic concept. Cable on-demand has become my preferred option to catch up on the latest episodes of Curb Your Enthusiasm, Rome and other beloved HBO shows. Likewise, the appeal of on-demand radio is equally satistying. So I'm not sure why it has taken me this long to explore the huge selection of podcasts now available online. I suppose the abundance of material is probably what has kept me at a safe distance up until recently. Anyone can now be a DJ or radio show host, so you have to assume a large portion of the content is niche-oriented and a bit amateur. Obviously the same is true about blogs, if not more so (what you are reading more than qualifies). Of course, don't get me wrong here. I'm all for the proliferation of blogs, podcasts, photos, music and movies online. The internet has truly become an equalizing force in media creation and distribution and I think this is a wonderful, powerful thing. However, the downside is wading through the ocean of crap out there, which is more often than not, truly crap.

Anyway, I say all this as preface to my discovery of an absolutely hysterical podcast, The Ricky Gervais Show. Well, "discovery" is not the best word, since it is probably one of the most popular podcasts yet produced. You are probably familiar with Mr. Gervais, most recently acclaimed as the creator and star of BBC's The Office and HBO's Extras. That being the case, he doesn't exactly need my support. I wish I'd discovered some brilliantly subversive, underground podcast to share with you, but no. Gervais is one of the biggest celebrities in England, a stand-up comedian, star of television and radio, he has even written an episode of The Simpsons. We're talking a famous dude featured in a slickly produced radio program. The show is a 12 part comedy series in which Ricky and his lesser known creative partner Stephen Merchant sit around and ridicule the other member of the trio, Karl Pilkington. Not the best description, but believe me, it is funny as shit. If you have iTunes, it is available on there or if not, here's the link to the podcast so you can catch up on the 7 half-hour episodes released to date. Enjoy the engaging discussions about Chinese homeless people, Karl's perfectly round head and monkey news.