jumped the shark?

[WebmasterPete]

I do appreciate the feedback. There's no way for me to improve the show without constructive criticism, and that's how I took Rex's OP.

As I mentioned after Bob's passing, we are going to be making on going changes to the show. Some of that will be inviting guests onto the show - right now that's in the format of phone interviews. Some of that will be having Will or Walter participate when appropriate. All of this was planned before Bob died, and as I mentioned before I was implementing this stuff a lot quicker than I had planned as a result. As I do with anything on the show, I'll take the feedback from our listeners and use it to adjust and improve our format.

Also, I think it's important that I clarify that I have no financial relationship with either Jane Cartelli or Kevin Yee. Their inclusion on the show was because I felt (and feel strongly) that they offer something different and unique to our listeners. Jane presents a wonderful option for a question we get asked more than any other - how can I plan a unique event for my husband/wife/boyfriend/girlfriend/parents/family, etc. I had asked Kevin Yee to come on the show a few months ago, but the timing was delayed in light of recent events. If I'm interviewing anyone on the show and I have a financial interest in it, I will always disclose that and always have.

As far as my rant this week being political, I disagree. I was not having a discussion on the merits of the second amendment, we're talking about Disney cast members being allowed to carry guns to work. I try and focus the content of our show to those topics important to anyone planning a trip to Disney World - which is why we don't do movie reviews or talk about other aspects of Disney not related to the parks. If I were living back in New Jersey visiting WDW in this day and age - I'd definately want to know if the staff was armed. I realize that my opinion might be divisive, but as I've always said, if you don't want to hear opinions, this is the wrong show to listen to

Pete

 

[two-foxes]

Jumping the shark, to me, means that the podcast will be seeing its end and losing it's faithful audience. Not gonna happen. And no offense, but Pete is no Arthur Fonzarelli. But, I do see where wildeoscar is coming from. As a listener from literally day one, I have seen (or heard), weekly in real time, the evolution of the podcast, and wondered what direction they were headed on more than one occasion. Some of those directions I didn't care for so much....just don't ask me what they are now, because I couldn't tell you (except for the sound machine...didn't like it the first show, but love it now.) They have just melded in to the podcast that I get ticked off at if it isn't up at o-dark-thirty when I drag my butt outta bed. I am not a fan of the interviews yet, and that is just after listening to Jean's drawn out interview from last week (and I LOVE Jean.) But, I will soon take that as part of the podcast and I will be irritated if those end, I am sure.

 

[Cool-Beans]

1. It's Pete's show. If he wants to rant, he can rant. I haven't even heard the podcast in question and don't know what he said yet. But it doesn't matter. I usually agree with Pete, but I doubt I'd agree with him on the gun thing. Something tells me he's in the "guns are bad" group. I was there, too, once upon a time and don't harbor ill will toward those folks (even though I think they're dead wrong.) We all have our own opinions on that and they all come from good places in the heart.

2. It is more fun when someone else counters it and says, "No way, Jose! You're so wrong about that."

3. They need another person, someone to tease. Not a lot of people are good sports about it...you have to see the silliness of yourself and yet still believe you are right - enough to defend your position in order to accept the teasing. And you have to genuinely like the people teasing you and know that they like you.

Bob can't be replaced. So, there's no point in trying that. But another, different kind of person can come in and do their own thing. Kind of like when "Coach" on Cheers died. They brought in Woody. He was no "Coach" but he brought his own spin on things.

Didn't like "calling Regina" becaue it was just odd - you could tell she was on the phone. I do think it would be hilarious if they just called random people and asked them random Disney-related questions and then ragged on them for not knowing or giving an answer the podcast team didn't like. I thought that's what they were going to do. THAT would be funny.

I like guests. And extra stuff. I like the stuff with Corey and Julie and think they should jump out of a plane. I even liked the race car thing and am not a fan of Nascar at all. I was so with whoever it was that said, "I got lost when you said..." But it is great to have people who know what something is about and people who don't. That way, the listeners who are getting lost have someone in there saying, "What the heck are you talking about?" for them.

It's fun to hear about new Disney stuff. And people ARE always asking about what they can do for Loved One who is celebrating This That Thing. So, I think the chick who does stuff is well worth an inclusion.

I think the DIS and the podcast actually do LESS plugging of Dreams Unlimited than they ought to do. Half the people on the boards don't even know what DU is or who owns it. I personally felt MUCH better booking my first offsite trip through them, because I 99% trusted them to not offer something that would be horrid. If they did more plugging...more saying, "Hey, it's us. We run it. You can trust us," I think they'd get more business. I would if I were them. I can't believe people would have a problem with that. If it were your business, wouldn't you?

And I enjoy Pete's rants. They're fun. When I agree (usually), I'm all "You go, boyee!" And when I don't, I'm all, "Oh, what is Pete thinking?" But either way, it is entertaining. I also like the way his accent changes. It's like Ricky Ricardo slipping into Spanish or something.

Rant away, Pete.

 

[PrincessBelle39]

Just wanted to add my thoughts. I have quite enjoyed the interviews. I like that it brought something different to the podcasts. I actually found myself looking forward to the Jane Cartelli interview and felt it lived up to my anticipation.

 

[luna99]

I for one like a good debate... political or not... so that issue does not bother me at all.

as for the long interviews ... I haven't listened to Kevin Yee just yet so I can't comment.. but I did love the Jane interview.. I thought it was really interesting and fun and gave me some great ideas.

So there may be a segment of the podcast that you don't like as much as other parts.. is that going to stop you from listening to the show? I doubt it. We will always hear the crew chatting and cutting up on one another sooner or later... so just enjoy the ride is what I say!!!

thanks everyone for the great podcast!!

 

[bannermouse]

The only constant in life is change. I have listened to the Podcasts for approx 1 1/2 years and have greatly enjoyed 99% of the content of every podcast. Even the points I might disagree on, I enjoy listening to. As for Pete's "rants", they are one of the things I most enjoy about the podcasts.
Listening to someone speak passionately about something they believe in is something I enjoy. On a less serious note I also absolutely love Kevin's reviews (rants) on restaurants when he receives poor service or food.

I do also enjoy the Podcasts positive comments and as I have send in the past, this is my favorite Podcast and will listen to it for many years to come.

thanks for continuing the Podcast, guys.....

Bannermouse

 

[DVCJones]

IMHO, I like the changes in the show. In particular, I really liked learning about Jane Cartelli and her business. I never knew this was available. I thought it was informational and probably very helpful to a lot of listeners who are looking for something special to do while visiting WDW. I definitely see the connection it has with the show.

I think the call-in shows have a lot of potential. It also is a nice way for listeners to add to the show.

Like with all change, It takes a bit of time to adjust. I personally look forward to watching the show evolve and grow. Keep up the GREAT work.

 

[aaronmckie]

I agree, I loved hearing from Kevin and Jane... but I can also see how it can be a bit jarring for some to go from a fun roundtable discussion to a much more traditional interview format.
I like the changes (even the rant; no-one tops you, Pete! ) and am enjoying the show just as much now as when I first started.

 

[snoopywoodstockus]

The term isn't "Jumped the Shark" anymore. The new term is "Nuked the Fridge" fromt he newest Indiana Jones flick.

I think it is still great. I love that it is constantly evolving podcast. I would like to request an AAC version. This could include chapters, pictures and other information. That way if you don't want to listen to the interview, segment or particular email you can just skip it. Check out the 10th Wonder podcast (podcast for the show Heroes on NBC) on Itunes for a great example of one works.

Hey Pete, get Will on that willya.

 

[wilde_oscar]

nuked the fridge... gotcha.

not ment to be negative, just saying it feels really different. When Julie does/did the stuff on weddings... I am so not interested in weddings, but I enjoyed it cause of the interaction and discussion of the crew and now I know how to spend that $30,000 I have laying around for a rainy day. With the gifts baskets of joy adventure thing... I am so not into gift baskets, and with out the crew interaction it just seemed flat. I can see where folks wanna do something special and the baskets thing is great for that (and yeah I caught they do a lot more than baskets).

The Kevin Yee thing, I was driving and knew that it was gonna be a long form interview, so I switched over to the Goth/Psychobilly light opera touring company on Satellite radio. I'll put on that while folding laundry or something, those swim suits are not gonna fold themselves.

And I guess the hair I wanna split is... This doesn't make it legal for people to take a gun into work. but that the law is ment to protect the avg. person from repercussions from their employer from having a firearm properly locked in their car. Crazy people will always be crazy, law or not will not change that. reasonable people can disagree.

 

[tinkerbellblondie19]

I'm a bit behind on listening, but even before Bob's passing the show was taking a different direction. The thing that's been bugging me is that the show is getting a little redundant in talking about planning your trips and just the basics, especially on the email shows, where the questions are repetitive and always, should I eat here or here, how long to get from here to here, etc. While these topics do need to be covered, they've taken over the show a lot, and while picking out and discussing the irreverant details about things around the World used to be a fairly big part of the show, it's fading into the background now.

Note that the changes in the show aren't what's stopping me from listening, I've just forgotten what spare time is.

 

[HallsInTheKingdom]

I will agree, that there is less giggling while listening on my part in the recent podcast. But I too, think it will not be long before they get their "giggle on" . Not only that they have been playing musicals chairs too, Will, Walter and Kevin & John being on a cruise.

Keep the info coming, listening to the Christmas in July series really makes me start planning for an early Dec trip, Only 122 days till MVMCP.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

Okay first of all let me tell you that I have the attention span of a gnat...for me, the recent interviews were very informative and although I did enjoy hearing what Jane and Kevin Yee had to say, I kind of found myself struggling to stay interested.

What I love about the DIS Unplugged podcast is the playful banter between the crew, you don't get that as much when most of the show is centered around a phone interview in which the "regulars" are not really speaking or interjecting their thoughts or opinions. Personally, I would probably fast-forward through a lot of the interview portions if they continue to be a regular part of the podcast.

I know the podcast is in a transition phase and I look forward to getting to know it's newest member, Teresa, but hope the group doesn't become disconnected from their audience by trying to get too "sophisticated" by taking away what we truly love the most which is just them...being themselves.(probably not the best grammar, but does that make sense?).

 

[mommyceratops]

Rex....honest Rex....stalker Rex....The man who got a free cruise....

JMO-Personally I like the interviews they are different and informative. I listened yesterday at work and I loved it! It helped me get through a busy day with soemthing nice in it! I learned a lot from both of the interviews, Disney related and new ideas!

I liked the gun rant they really held a lot of views and respected everyones different view. One thing I love about the crew...guns is something people have not agreed on in the US for hundreds of years....It was fitting for the show and tied in to the topic of Disney. Not like Pete said Ok for housekeeping lets discuss the war or abortion.

I work in a school and recently went through some safety training, it is scary...I thought they had some good discussion about it.

An issue US will needs to agree to disagree on, and we just need to figure out how to protect people from harm....

 

[soupy11]

Not a huge fan of the interviews...skipped the dreams of a lifetime one, could not get into it at all. The great thing is, you can just fast forward if you aren't grabbed. Although, I do miss the roundtable stuff. Less interviews !! MORE mockery and abuse please!!!!!

I do have to give Pete credit though, even though he pimps these other services available, he is open, upfront and honest about it so it really doesn't come across as "commercialized". It would be nice if they skipped them entirely though and kept the show centered around the crews amazing personalities and keen wit and immense knowledge. Julie's voice is my power juice and gets me to my 7 min/mile pace !!!!

I still love the show and it gets me through my 6 mile runs nicely! And the fact that they read the boards and comment on them is a big plus.......

 

[robertgp124]

I really would love it if Pete could do the AAC suggestion from earlier, so that bookmarks, etc. could be incorporated. I know it's more work, but it would be the supremo bit of niceness.

 

[Allison]

JMO-Personally I like the interviews they are different and informative. I listened yesterday at work and I loved it! It helped me get through a busy day with soemthing nice in it! I learned a lot from both of the interviews, Disney related and new ideas!

I really liked the interviews too. They were very informative and interesting.

 

[Jubilee]

I like interviews too....while I like all the personalities on the show (and I'm sure some of you who have been listening much longer really love these guys) I do like to hear Disney related stuff as well, not just banter. I think this show has a good mix of both!

 

[WaltD4Me]

I'm a bit behind on listening, but even before Bob's passing the show was taking a different direction. The thing that's been bugging me is that the show is getting a little redundant in talking about planning your trips and just the basics, especially on the email shows, where the questions are repetitive and always, should I eat here or here, how long to get from here to here, etc. While these topics do need to be covered, they've taken over the show a lot, and while picking out and discussing the irreverant details about things around the World used to be a fairly big part of the show, it's fading into the background now.

Note that the changes in the show aren't what's stopping me from listening, I've just forgotten what spare time is.

Interesting. I just started listening in Janurary of this year, so I've gone back and listened to all the previous podcasts, I listened to all of them now and I
remember being surprised that there wasn't much repetition. I mean there is some, they are always getting new listeners and they ask repeat questions, but for the most part, especially since Disney is constantly changing, even if you do get a repeat question, you don't always get a repeat answer. The only thing I can actually remember being repeated is info on the hard ticket parties. They don't change all that much so that info does get repeated, but you have to report on those every year. (MNSSHP, MVMCP, ect...)

 

[pixeydust]

Love the show, and I have really enjoyed these interviews! The podcast brings me close to the magic every week and gives me access to information that serves to increase my knowledge about Disney going-ons, make trips to Disney more exciting and less stressful, and helps me spend my vacation dollars wisely! Thanks podcast crew!