BSquared
Nov 21st, 2006, 01:59 AM
The Statistics
What's it Called? Bob?s Yer Uncle
What is the show's website? http://www.bobsyeruncle.net/
When was the first episode produced? October 2005
How long is the average episode? Around an hour
How often is an episode released? Once or twice a week
The Review
Bob's Yer Uncle is a weekly(ish) podcast from twenty-something, Australian couple Zan and Jana (who's real identities are hidden to protect their superhero status). Although the show does exhibit traditional 'couplecast' elements, updates on the hosts' lives and listener feedback for example, the majority of content is more planned and substantial than the general rambling that is often associated with the 'couplecast' genre. Special segments include Things That Are Dumb, Smut Report, Radio Theatre, Amateur Cognitive Science, Cooking with Jana and phone calls from Jana's wise Uncle Bob to advise on listener problems. In recent episodes we've been taught the fine art of making sushi, learned what's wrong with predictions for the future and heard a passionate denouncement of the notion of the sacred feminine.
I found, before I stopped listening all together, that mainstream radio is delivering either what it considers very important information and therefore cannot countenance any semblance of a personality from presenters or it?s delivering lowest common denominator style entertainment where having an IQ bigger than your shoe size is considered a negative attribute. Bob's Yer Uncle demonstrates that informative entertainment can be provided by people who are clever and funny and who don't need to resort to insults or crudeness to make people laugh. Even the smut report has tackled subjects such as everything you ever wanted to know about penises and some things you didn't with more amusement than lewdness.
Zan and Jana's intelligent approach to their audience is reflected in the level of listener interaction the show generates. Not only is there a healthy quantity of listener voicemails, emails and comments but the content of that feedback is way above the average "your show rocks" level that many shows in this genre generate. There are sharp observations about issues raised on the show, follow-up information indicating people have researched topics discussed, and clarification of any medical issues discussed from medical correspondent Woodrow Wilson. There's also a smattering of questions regarding Australian customs, television, history and animal behaviour which Zan and Jana answer with enough enthusiasm to cover for the occasional lack of accuracy. These hosts interact with their audience in an engaging, positive way that many of the so-called professionals could learn from.
The show would benefit from a bit of editing (there are occasional rambles) and some better show notes. Also, lately the show has been released in two smaller episodes each week rather than a single, long episode but because the two episodes are recorded one after the other the delay makes the show feel a bit disjointed to me. However, these are minor issues in what is otherwise a quite delightful show that always makes me smile.
The Rating
Will stay subscribed and, almost always, listen right through
Date review first published: 21 November 2006 at podcast fanatic (http://www.podcastfanatic.com/Home_Page.html)
What's it Called? Bob?s Yer Uncle
What is the show's website? http://www.bobsyeruncle.net/
When was the first episode produced? October 2005
How long is the average episode? Around an hour
How often is an episode released? Once or twice a week
The Review
Bob's Yer Uncle is a weekly(ish) podcast from twenty-something, Australian couple Zan and Jana (who's real identities are hidden to protect their superhero status). Although the show does exhibit traditional 'couplecast' elements, updates on the hosts' lives and listener feedback for example, the majority of content is more planned and substantial than the general rambling that is often associated with the 'couplecast' genre. Special segments include Things That Are Dumb, Smut Report, Radio Theatre, Amateur Cognitive Science, Cooking with Jana and phone calls from Jana's wise Uncle Bob to advise on listener problems. In recent episodes we've been taught the fine art of making sushi, learned what's wrong with predictions for the future and heard a passionate denouncement of the notion of the sacred feminine.
I found, before I stopped listening all together, that mainstream radio is delivering either what it considers very important information and therefore cannot countenance any semblance of a personality from presenters or it?s delivering lowest common denominator style entertainment where having an IQ bigger than your shoe size is considered a negative attribute. Bob's Yer Uncle demonstrates that informative entertainment can be provided by people who are clever and funny and who don't need to resort to insults or crudeness to make people laugh. Even the smut report has tackled subjects such as everything you ever wanted to know about penises and some things you didn't with more amusement than lewdness.
Zan and Jana's intelligent approach to their audience is reflected in the level of listener interaction the show generates. Not only is there a healthy quantity of listener voicemails, emails and comments but the content of that feedback is way above the average "your show rocks" level that many shows in this genre generate. There are sharp observations about issues raised on the show, follow-up information indicating people have researched topics discussed, and clarification of any medical issues discussed from medical correspondent Woodrow Wilson. There's also a smattering of questions regarding Australian customs, television, history and animal behaviour which Zan and Jana answer with enough enthusiasm to cover for the occasional lack of accuracy. These hosts interact with their audience in an engaging, positive way that many of the so-called professionals could learn from.
The show would benefit from a bit of editing (there are occasional rambles) and some better show notes. Also, lately the show has been released in two smaller episodes each week rather than a single, long episode but because the two episodes are recorded one after the other the delay makes the show feel a bit disjointed to me. However, these are minor issues in what is otherwise a quite delightful show that always makes me smile.
The Rating
Will stay subscribed and, almost always, listen right through
Date review first published: 21 November 2006 at podcast fanatic (http://www.podcastfanatic.com/Home_Page.html)