What The Podcast Is…
I read some of the comments from the last blog and it started me thinking about what the podcast is… and what it has become.
This is by no means an attack on the people who said they stopped listening when Jamie left (I get that and those people really didn’t cause that drastic a change in the amount of listeners.) Many people listened to the radio show strictly and specifically for Jamie, and I don’t blame them she is a radio superstar with a unique gift that many have tried to copy (Jillian Barberie, Chelsea Handler), but none do as well. But lets face it, she was never a huge part of the podcast’s three year history.
I’m not going to lie, the podcast started as an “F” you to big radio… You think you can fire us and make people not care, we’ll show you. No radio show had done that, no one had taken ownership of their listeners. In days prior, you got fired, and if you weren’t hired at another radio station, you disappeared. There was no model, no one to look to to see how to do it, we kind of made it up as we went. Angela Channel tackled the technical part (With the help of Andrew) and built a system that would work for our subscriber based idea from scratch. There was trial and error, as those of you who have been here since the beginning know, but we figured it out.
We were a joke in the radio industry, look at those has-beens and their pathetic “podcast”. “It’ll never work, it’s just sad”, was the sentiment going around the business, but we swallowed our pride… and proved them wrong. Now, three years later, it is crazy to think of a popular show not podcasting, whether they are on or off “terrestrial” radio. The same people that mocked us on their radio show years ago, ran to the podcast format when they were let go. Ultimately the “joke” has become the standard.
But that is really not why our podcast matters. What it started as, is not what it has become. Our pod is not always the most entertaining, technically perfect or even relevant. Don’t get me wrong, some days it is all those things and more. The Jack and Stench pod (The name it has had for the majority of it’s existence) is about friendship and dedication, it’s about family and sacrifice, honesty and sharing. Not just between Stretch and me, but between us and you.
It hasn’t always been easy, for either of us. I won’t go into the stresses and challenges Stretch has gone through over the last three years, I wouldn’t want to speak for him (We all know he has his own voice!) Stretches of unemployment, a mental breakdown, divorce, full time jobs and full time families have all been intertwined through the fabric that creates the podcast. There were days, when the last thing I wanted to do was record that damn show… I remember recently, coming home from court, my divorce final, sitting down on my couch and breaking down crying, and thinking I have to pull it together, we have to record the pod in a hour. Or logging onto Skype the day after getting out of the mental hospital, having to confront my demons into that headset. There are days when I wish we could keep going, a hour isn’t long enough to laugh with my friend and talk about the world and it’s strangeness.
The pod is an inside joke between us and you, it’s good times and bad shared with friends, it’s our secret club that we’d at least like to think others would like to be a member of if they just knew about it. It’s not a radio show anymore, and it’s definitely not the Jamie, Jack and Stench Show. It’s become about us being loyal to each other through thick and thin, the line between audience and entertainer almost totally erased, you are the pod, we just show up to turn on the mics and make sure they record. Maybe that’s why it can’t survive, something that personal may not have the mass appeal to sustain it’s self.
The Pod Mafia, The Myspace Army, The Silent Listeners and those of you who have not received a title yet, You are the podcast… And no matter what happens (We haven’t given up yet), you should be proud… You accomplished that “F” you and you created a family from a radio show… And that Rules!
Tags: Jamie Jack and Stench, Podcast, radio, star 98.7, stretch
March 4th, 2010 at 5:33 am
Dear Jack
I feel my post yesterday was misunderstood….I am one of your longest most faithful fans from the very beginning. Living in Colorado, we were affected first when your radio show was taken off the air in Denver. I didn’t know how I was going to make it through the day without my daily dose of Frosty, Frank & Jamie, Jamie, Stench & Danny, and last but NOT least….Jamie Jack & Stench! I too talked to my friends at work about the 3 of you, as if we all knew each other. My co-workers could all relive the show and laugh together about it, it was definitely like a secret club, especially in Denver. The only people that could possibly understand that dynamic are your loyal long time listeners. There were & still are fans in Denver! I have never lost touch with you guys, and we all felt your disdain when STAR decided to end it all. I did everything possible to keep on listening, and we all still hope that one day you will all reunite again, because there isn’t anybody that can replace what the 3 of you have together! You’re right…radio hasn’t been the same since & I know the podcast was you & Stench’s baby…….(sorry Mike…you will always be known as Stench to me:). So please know that I get it.
March 4th, 2010 at 8:28 am
Thanks again for sharing Jack, the podcast and the both of you mean the world to me… it just wouldn’t be the same old ride to work without hearing your happy voices… one day at work, I was preparing the GardenWalk parking lot for Disneyland guests to park in and one of my co-workers yelled at me to come over to a car… there, on the back window was one of the Jack and Stretch podcast stickers… I had to run around and find something to write with and leave a note… like partners in crime and/or a long lost friend, it made me crack up to have my friends at work notice MY Jack and Stretch bond… hopefully, we won’t be loosing you anytime soon… wishing for the best, Diane from the Tragic Kingdom ps still don’t know who’s car that was and hopefully they didn’t think I was a stalker…
March 4th, 2010 at 9:56 am
Dear Jack & Stench,
I have been a long time listener (radio days and podcast). Although I haven’t been able to listen to the podcast as much as I would like the last year or so due to medical issues, I am still always reading blogs and and checking into the pod on marathon listening sessions when I can. Your blog about the podcast is dead on! You all are loved dearly by the OG My Space army and all others who have joined and follow (past, present and future). We are more than listeners. I too feel you are like family. Proud of all your successes and by your side during the bad. I was very angry with STAR when they did what they did…over and over. My family thought I was nuts to follow so religiously and to boycot the station and remove 98.7 from all radios within my ear shot. If my younger daughter would get in the car and put that horrific station or any other Clear Channel station on, I would change it immediately and tell her she couldn’t listen to that station with me around and why. She laughed and didn’t get it but her older sister did. I raised my oldest on JJS and she too loves you dearly. The whole family and all my friends know I still feel this way and are now very aware of how I feel and have done the same. Like many others, it was hard to not hear your voices, laughter and crazy antics every morning, but the podcast made that possible. We all appreciate what you all have done to get it rolling and keep it rolling, especially when it was the last thing you wanted to do and we thank you for it! Yes, I missed Jamie, but still listened to Stench and yourself because it wasn’t just about her. It was all of you and if I had to listen to three individual things I would and did for awhile! You on Kelly FM, Stench on Sirus and the podcast. Late last year I was in Nor Cal for several months and discovered Jamie on a morning radio show in SAC. I had to pull over I was so excited! Again at my families amuzement, when I came home that day, I put the radio on very loudly and called my oldest in So Cal to tell her the news. She was just as happy and immediately turned on her computer to hear the show from LA. Both of us were so excited, but wished Stench and you would just show up on the air with her so once again we would have the awesomeness of the 3 amigos again in our lives. I could go on and on about how special you are to us but I hope with responses to this blog you will see just how important you are to us even though some of us have fallen into the silent listener group…doesn’t mean we are not there. We may be quiet, but we are strong. I hope the podcast will continue because I can’t imagine not having you two there. God Bless and Rock On!
March 4th, 2010 at 10:12 am
**sniff** That was an emotional reminder about how much we have all been through together in the last few years! I know that Angela is organizing some promotional ideas that we can all get involved in. $5 a month is not too much to pay, most people can do that!
Diane — I”ll bet that car belonged to Teresa in Chatsworth, her family has a season pass and is there ALL the time!
March 4th, 2010 at 11:08 am
Hey Jack. I’ve been a listener of Jamie since 2000. I listened to Jamie & Danny and then Jamie, you and Stench (he is not “Stretch” to me, ha). I have listened to you all get married, have kids, get divorced and all the other life-drama you all have been through. Although I have never met any of you personally, I feel like I know you and that you are a part of my life. I will definately be devestated if the podcast ends. Hopefully it won’t come to that. The hour I listen to you during my lunch at work is almost always the bright spot of my day. I have laughed out loud so many times during the show, and I’m not a person who laughs at work a lot! No matter what happens, I know you and Stench will always be a part of my good memories.
Victoria in Rancho Cucamonga
March 4th, 2010 at 12:19 pm
Wow! That made me cry. I’m a semi-silent listener(I only comment in writing). I’ve never met you guys, but I do talk of you like you are old friends to my sister. I must admit that you Jack have kept me listening all these years. Jamie and Stretch are sometimes a bit too wild for me(though the mix is what made it work)! I do appreciate the honesty from all of you though! I think that’s the main appeal to me. You and Stretch are not fake radio personalities. It’s great to be part of your lives for a few hours a week! I just want to say how much I appreciate everything you guys(and Angela channel) do to keep the podcast going! You RULE!!!
March 5th, 2010 at 9:59 am
I have so much to say and just can’t put it in writing. You guys are like distance friends that we keep in touch with through the podcast. I can’t imagine not listening to you guys everyday day. Jamie was great but she never cared about the podcast and she showed it. I do listen to her podcast sometimes but she’s sometimes too much to take in. You guys have shared your lives with us and I have laughed and cried listening to you. I know people bitch and moan about the sound problems, glitches, sex terms (they’re are funny), etc… I love it all! It’s so entertaining and it only costs $5 A MONTH…I’m willing to pay more. Please tell us what we can to help you stay on. Don’t take the podcast away.
March 5th, 2010 at 4:29 pm
Wow was shocked to here about the problems in podcast world, my co-workers & I have been listening for over 10+ years, this thing has become part of our lives & we would be devastated if it all ended. I hope we can all do something to save this, it is only a hr, but that hr makes a difference in our workplace. Always appreciate the honesty, I truly believe that is what sets you apart from the rest of the pod/radio world, we still chime into jaime’s show for lack of something to listen to after our hr of power, but its radio with rules although jaime does her best. We hope for a miracle & will continue listening & will promote the hell out of the podcast, here is hoping for the best. Rock on!!!!
March 5th, 2010 at 9:20 pm
I know that I live miles away and never got to listen to you on my car radio but I did stream you in my office for several years. I can’t imagine what it would be like to not have my friends in my ear. I listen to you when I exercise or when I need a lift. I also lost my job and if I didn’t have you guys, I would be in a mental ward. I listen to how hard you both have tried different ways of trying to find a job and all the pressures with home life. You are like my buddies that I just want to sit back and enjoy. You give me hope.
March 6th, 2010 at 7:53 am
Ditto! And much more! Thank you.
March 6th, 2010 at 11:28 am
Hey Jack! WoW! You said some very touching things about the Podcast, the Listeners and the family we’ve all become. You are RIGHT! We really did *prove* something – and that RULES!
I can honestly say that you and Stretch are my friends, and I am yours. The line has definately blurred from Host to Listener. Yes… we’ve seen the ups & downs during the launch of this Pod, yet we’ve also been witness to MANY shining moments that could be considered PRICELESS. You’ve helped me, and many others, smile in the face of pain, laugh in times of fear – and if nothing more…. I knew that at any given time – I could turn on this wonderful Podcast and disappear for a solid hour and during my many moments of *loneliness*, I was reminded that with this SHOW and the 2nd family I’ve created….. I will never be alone again!
Take care of you! The rest will take care of itself…..
xoxox, Miss Heather
March 6th, 2010 at 11:49 am
Hi Jack-
started with Jamie and found you guys~! You guys RULE!
I have listedned to Jamie, but the people she works with, i can’t stand!
You guys were great and clear channel had no REAL idea what they lost!
I can’t even tune into the radio anymore-
I will keep following you on twitter and Facebook-I know things will turn
around and HOPE someday you all 3 will be together-there is always HOPE.
I enjoyed listening to all the Drama between the 2 of you!
You both always have a way of connecting with everyone, in anyway and situation-we all have some kind of drama in our lives and you 2 make the
blows a little easier when you laugh about it and i always have all the
downloads to reflect and laugh with!
I remain to HOPE for the best-
fingers crossed
Marta
March 8th, 2010 at 6:04 pm
I know this probably won’t work, but have you guys tried to get on KTLA with Sam? I think I asked Angela, but don’t remember.
Not sure what the relationship is between you and him, but I was thinking you guys should have gone on there after being let go from that station which shall remain nameless.
If you could get on with him (maybe through Kriski?), you could say what you just posted. Not about the ‘F-you’ to the radio, but that you were the first ones to really do this and kept it going for three years.
Whaddya think??
I’m not one of the regular posters, or e-mailers, or Friday night drinking buddies, so I know I wouldn’t be in the ‘loop’ if/when you stop the pod cast. And that makes me sad. I’ve listened to you guys for 10 years now. I’ve come to know you through the radio and the pod cast. I’d hate to lose two ‘friends’ if it ends
Call KTLA!! Get on the air! Get the pod cast out there! If it doesn’t work, FUCK SAM I-CAN’T-REMEMBER-HIS-LAST-NAME-RIGHT-NOW!