fresnelly

I've been thoroughly enjoying Adam Corolla's podcast over the past couple of weeks. I'm not here to sell you on him - his personality is not for everybody and his schtick is nothing new - but I think that what he's doing is significant in a few ways:

1.) It's not produced by anyone else but him and his friends and colleagues.

2.) It has no sponsorship (for the time being at least).

3.) It's just him in conversation with a guest without any production embellishments: No theme song and no sound effects.

4.) He's producing a new 1hr+ episode every weekday.

5.) He's under some sort of contract with CBS for other work and would be in violation of that contract if he was getting paid so for the time being, he's doing it for free.

6.) It's been wildly successful so far, at least as far as downloads go. For example, it's the #1 download on itunes and this has been done without any real advertising.

The interviews are interesting and fun (I happen to think he's a great story teller) but given his success, I wonder if we're finally seeing the birth of new entertainment format. I suppose it will hinge on whether he can make a living off of it, but for the first time, a bankable performer is using the grassroots potential of the internet to reach a mass audience.

So I'm listening not only for entertainment but also to find out how it will evolve and see how close he can stick to his vision over time.

Will he lose momentum without industry support?
Will podcasting (or its next iteration) compete with satellite or even commercial radio?
Will other "made" personalities follow his lead?
Will the big media production companies throw their muscle into developing their own?

My fingers are crossed that a show that I'm hooked on can stick it out, stay true to itself and inspire others to do the same.

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Willravel

If I'm listening to the right podcast, he's been REALLY atheist. Like annoyingly atheist. He sat down with Seth McFarlane and basically just talked about how dumb religious people are about 9/11. It was atheisticly preachy.

djtestudo

I've been listening since it started, and I agree that he does a great job. He has the background in radio which helps with interviewing and moving topics along, and yet can still talk for 45 minutes on basically one subject with someone and keep it interesting.

This could really be one of those "perfect storm" situations:

-He has a built-in audience that is growing as word gets out.

-He has a VERY long time (something like 18 months) where he's basically being paid to do nothing, like you said, and can use that time to work out how this could work as a business model and build the audience further.

-He knows so many people through his various gigs that he can really get anyone he wants to come on.

-At the moment at least due to the lack of a sponser, he's basically able to say whatever he wants, so he can go on an hour-long athiestic rant if he wants, or start telling ethnic jokes, or something else and say "Screw you" to anyone who doesn't like it.

If anyone can figure out a way to make podcasting a viable business right now, it's probably going to be him.

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Halx

I've always been a fan of Adam Carolla. He was the only person on the radio that I enjoyed listening to when I actually listened to the radio. I should check this out.

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evilbeefchan

This does seem like the right kind of format for him. I don't really miss the interaction with callers as it was pretty much all fodder for his rants. I'm excited for the future of his show, as well as internet shows in general.

As a listener who podcasted the radio show everyday, it's just more of the same. I don't listen to radio in my car anymore, just plug in the ipod with playlists and podcasts.

sadistikdreams

This is why I love listening to his podcast. He can say whatever the fuck he wants, because he's not representing any radio station, or any sponsor.

Also, I feel like alot of the podcasts with guests are much more intimate, and he asks much more personal type questions. I didn't listen to his radio show that much, but I remember Lynn and Alex, and they would only be on the show to do celebrity gossip. When they were featured on his podcast, they actually talked about themselves. That was a fresh departure from the radio program.

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kutulu

I've been listening to him since they first started syndicating Loveline in Phoenix (a long time ago). Back then I delivered pizzas at night so I had the opportunity to hear most of every show. It's great to see that he's achieved so much success because he seems like someone who is genuine.

I've listened to all of the podcasts so far and I think they are great. He makes things very personal and you find out a lot about each guest and Adam himself. I think the more intimate setting of the podcast helps people to feel more comfortable and talk about more personal subjects. Radio-ish settings seem to work best for him, whenever I've seen him on camera he just seems awkward.

yournamehere

Back when I was employed, I used to listen to his radio show for 45-60 minutes every morning on my commute in. I liked most of his show, but his tax rants got old fast. For a guy who was constantly bringing up the fact he used to swing a hammer for a living, he sure bitched a lot about being in a high tax bracket. He's been around long enough to know (and spoke of it often about others) he's in a profession where success is 80% luck, 15% who you know, and 5% talent. If it weren't for Jimmy Kimmel and Drew Pinsky, Adam would probably still be framing houses. He should remember that. Too bad the radio show got canceled, though - I'll miss Teresa Strasser.

It does, however, sound like the podcasts may be entertaining - I'll have to give one or two a try. As long as he doesn't complain about making too much money. I do like the independent concept though - let the people; not the sponsors, decide.

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fresnelly

So today he changed the podcast's format to that of his old morning radio show, complete with sound effects and defined segments.

Personally I'm going to miss the free-form laid-back podcast format where is was just him holding court with a guest.

For one, I think the sound effects are disrupting and annoying. Also, too many voices competing to get points across turns the show into a clusterfuck.

Today was only the first show in this style so we'll see how it develops.

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kutulu

It's been a long time since I've listened. I should check it out again.