New podcast format

[martlisa]

Hi would just like to say I love your podcast. However after listening to this week not impressed. Sound effects weren't funny and the humour didn't work on podcast. Maybe better with vision but not impressed

 

[Ali]

I'm glad someone else was brave and started this thread. I love to listen to the podcast. It is my calming time after work. But I didn't even finish listening to this week's episodes because it didn't feel right and wasn't really enjoyable. Especially the dining plan part but there was a disclaimer that people who know how it works wouldn't enjoy the segment.

I don't plan to watch the video podcast because I listen while I'm driving. I understand the need for commercials and was even thinking to myself before listening this week that it was strange that there were no plugs for dreams no item in the podcasts. But I would like someone else, like a stranger, to read the copy, it sounds weird coming from Pete. I thought the sound effects were rude and an interruption into someone else's hard work.

Hoping that next week is back to the fun and comfortable group discussion the podcast is based on. Yes, this is going to far for me, in the vein of Starbucks in the Main Street bakery. I may have to vote on this.

Happy weekend!

 

[AndyPok1]

For those of you that listened years ago, there have been sound effects since just after Bob's passing. Typically, they flowed well. I agree that this week, most of them felt forced, rather than coming organically. But I attribute that to Pete having a new (or rather, newly fixed) toy to play with. I have no doubt that it will be better next week.

As for the advertisement copy, I'd say that it didn't really bother me. It felt like he tried to use more of a 'radio' voice rather than his standard conversational voice. I found it to be fine. Another option if people really don't like it is to move to a 'live read' format where you advertise while bantering. This can normally be highly entertaining and effective.

 

[mjaclyn]

I would also like to say that I didn't particularly enjoy the sound clips. I found myself straining to hear what the other podcasters were saying instead of laughing at them. Personally, I think some of the funniest things I've ever heard have come from the team themselves. I would much rather hear 'knuckle-dragging morons' from Pete than Arnold Swarzenegger yelling 'Shut up!!!'. It really wasn't funny... and it pains me to say that because usually I'm laughing hysterically at the podcast every week.

 

[Coca-Cola]

I think it was just new sound effects and Pete wanted to have a play around with it.

No big deal, sure it won't stay like that.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

Change can be difficult for many people, me included. Like many have said, I think Pete was button-happy.

I have full faith that the new format will be fantastic, and if not, they'll work it until it is.

 

[WebmasterMike]

Change can be difficult for many people, me included. Like many have said, I think Pete was button-happy.

I have full faith that the new format will be fantastic, and if not, they'll work it until it is.

...And this was a first run. Once the "being new" jitters are out, the show will flo (and when everyone has an IFB in their ears. Only Pete had headphones.)

 

[PinkBudgie]

I think the only problem with the sound effects was that no one else could hear them. I think they could be funny if the others could hear and react.

As far as the segment content- the one about the dining plan- I loved it! Not every listener is a seasoned WDW vet. I listen because I'm planning our first WDW trip for 2014 after many DLR trips. WDW seems confusing and overwhelming so I'm loving all the beginner info and 101 segments.

 

[BriarRosie]

I enjoyed the sound effects, but maybe it's because in many ways, I can relate to wanting to play with the buttons, too. As for the advertising, I think of all the podcasts I listen to, the ads on this were probably some of the least intrusive.

I like that the ads started before the show began, rather than an insert in the middle or a recap "laundry list" at the end. I start to zone out when I hear that at the end of any show. I've also told Pete that I really commend transparency about his financial relationships with his travel business or if he mentions a DIS sponsor in an appropriate context of a discussion.

 

[txvjc]

rather than an insert in the middle or a recap "laundry list" at the end. I start to zone out when I hear that at the end of any show.

yes yes yes....pretty sure I know which show you're talking about...the plugs at the end seem to go on forever...I much prefer podcasts that plug one sponsor really quickly at the start and/or end of the show instead of listing all their sponsors, projects, friends, etc for minutes...I tune out most of the time

 

[Gantu]

We loved it and really did laugh out loud several times!

 

[dizzyblonde]

Add me to the list who did not enjoy the overabundance of sound effects in this week's podcast. IMO I still wouldn't have enjoyed them even if everyone besides Pete could hear them.

 

[luke]

I wasn't massively keen on the sound effects, but with regards to the advertising (so far) I found it no different to anytime Dreams has been mentioned in the past. It's Pete's business so I guess im just used to it.
It'll be interesting to see how (if) and 'outside' companies are advertised

 

[Stacy's a freak]

Yet another opinion ...

I wasn't a fan of the sound effects but only because the others couldn't hear them and enjoy (or complain about) them. I think when the whole team can hear them, there will be less talking during the sound effect and it will be more of a shared joke.

As for the ads, have at it, Pete! I agree that it was different to hear Pete's announcer (aka professional) voice but the format was unobtrusive and fine. It was obvious that it was said out of necessity and once done, the team was able to move on to more interesting things. I prefer this choice to a previous poster's idea of working them into the conversation of the show. I find when DJs do that on the radio, it is too contrived. I would rather someone be upfront and obvious about an ad in the beginning than to try to make us believe that they are enjoying their "yakkity saxity item" in the normal course of the conversation.

 

[tammydel]

I didn't mind the plug for Dreams at all. From a business standpoint it seems foolish NOT to be letting people know about your travel business. I bet there are people out here who don't really know about it who would welcome the information and be interested in the service. Heck....it's almost a public service announcement!
And because we are all Disney fans, I don't think anyone would mind advertising from Disney related businesses. But at the end of the day - we are listening for free and you have to pay the bills...bring in those ad dollars!!!
I'm sure most would agree that we want this to be a financially resonable thing for you to do....so it can continue.

Tammy

 

[columnwest]

I gotta agree with most of the posts on this thread. Maybe the sound clips would have worked better in the video version (I only have the audio version.) or if the "targets" of the jokes could've heared them and reacted. Maybe not. To me it felt like a "morning zoo" type of show, and that is not a format I'm a fan of.

I agree with the others who miss having soundclips sourced from the show itself, especially the Bawb-isms. Some of the clips used (particularly the woman screaming "Help me!", which I have no idea what it's from, but it sounds something from a horror movie to me) I found to be jarring and even a little disturbing, removed from their original context.

Let's hope it was just a case of Pete going button-happy with a new toy, and not a measure of things to come.

As for the ad-read, I totally understand that they need to pay the bills. So, I'm cool with it. A lot of podcasts I listen to do ad-reads in different ways. I'm sure they'll experiment with formats and find the way that works best for this show.

And finally, a note to Pete: "Fair use" exists, but there is no "30-second" rule. Please be careful.

 

[mytripsandraces]

And finally, a note to Pete: "Fair use" exists, but there is no "30-second" rule. Please be careful.

I haven't heard the show yet, but this caution is very true. There is no 30-second rule, no percentage that is okay to use without permission, etc. Fair use is a defense to an infringement claim, so you don't want to have to claim it, especially because I'm pretty sure "use on a podcast" isn't one of the four prongs to the fair use test.

 

[thunderbird1]

I don't have a problem with the ads at all. They didn't really feel any different than the occasional "full disclosures" or "shameless plugs" that they've done for DU and other sponsors over the years. I did appreciate getting them over with at the top of the show.

The sound clips were another story. To me, they just sounded too much like the "shtick" that Pete used to tell Bob they were absolutely not going to do. Though I do miss the drop-ins from previous shows, especially the "Bob-isms."

 

[MapleGirl]

I didn't mind the DU advert in the beginning and I very much appreciate that the placement didn't mess up the flow of the show. Like others I didn't really care for the sound clips. There were too many, it felt cluttered and the sound quality wasn't great. I might enjoy some clips from Disney rides/movies. Hard to say.

 

[Just People]

My only gripe is that there are too many people in the show now. Really there should be just be a core group weekly. Also, Skype always sounds awful on podcasts. Also, saying that commercials are finally coming to the podcasts it's a stretch. Anytime they mention the latest Adventures by Disney tour or whatever Dis Cruise is coming up sounds like a commercial to me.