It's a podcast about nothing!

May 31, 2008 6:47 PM

Looking for some podcasts about nothing, and video games, respectively.

I'm looking for some podcasts that are in the same vein as SModcast, as well as some console video game podcasts (perhaps something like Retronauts). I've tried doing some searching on my own, but podcasts tend to be fairly long, so it's time consuming. Does anyone have any suggestions?

I like SModcast because it's not really about anything. They'll just talk about whatever comes to mind, so generally, no two episodes are the same. I also enjoy when people talk about funny events that have occurred in their life, which is another reason why I enjoy SModcast.

As for video game podcasts, I haven't really found much of anything I like, so I can't give any examples. I like Retronauts because they talk about previous (video game) generations rather than just this generation alone, and they aren't focused on a single console (though, I don't care for how often they talk over each other). I'd like something that doesn't have people bashing whatever console it is they don't like -- I don't really buy into the whole "choosing sides" thing when it comes to console "wars", so I find it annoying when people start trash talking consoles.

Any suggestions?

posted by Dreamcast to computers & internet (22 comments total)

For podcasts about nothing, I highly recommend "Jordan, Jesse GO!" by MetaFilter's own YoungAmerican. It makes me happy.
posted by veggieboy at 6:52 PM on May 31, 2008

Penny Arcade, which are all things video games, do podcasts, though their webcomic is their main focus. Maybe check them out.
posted by -harlequin- at 7:07 PM on May 31, 2008

I've mentioned it before, I find Tank Riot hilarious. They cover EVERYTHING!
sorry, I was going to fill out "everything" with links, but those examples and the main page will tell you all you need.
posted by Science! at 7:07 PM on May 31, 2008

I listen to SModcast as well.

You might like Geekscape.net. It's about video games, comics, and movies, with plenty of off topic wandering. Kevin Smith actually appeared on it back when it was Geekdrome.

Of course, the greatest podcast of all time is Infected. Now canceled and replaced by Internet Superstar, Martin Sargent and Gator break down life in a hilarious way. I recommend listening from the beginning. There are 50 of them to listen to still.
posted by Argyle at 7:21 PM on May 31, 2008

I like No Agenda , it would fit in the nothing-in-particular category.

My favorite gaming podcast is the CAGcast.
posted by aerotive at 7:25 PM on May 31, 2008

My favorite gaming podcasts are Penny Arcade's Downloadable Content, mentioned above, and Michael Abbott's The Brainy Gamer (iTunes link).
posted by danb at 8:01 PM on May 31, 2008

(Here's an iTunes link for the PA podcast as well -- it's pretty sporadic and can be hard to find on their website. There was a new episode yesterday, though.)
posted by danb at 8:06 PM on May 31, 2008

You Look Nice Today is awesomely random.
posted by mkultra at 8:06 PM on May 31, 2008

This Week in Tech is supposed to be about technology, but they end up talking about a lot of random things, in addition to technology.
posted by blue_beetle at 8:47 PM on May 31, 2008

The Overnightscape is the ultimate "pleasantly insane ramble" about nothing. Its host Frank Edward Nora has a strangely hypnotic tone that turns him quickly into some sort of strange detached friend. I've been listening for years.
posted by l33tpolicywonk at 9:01 PM on May 31, 2008

Since I produce Jordan Jesse Go, I will refrain from plugging it. I also won't mention that it's a lot of fun for adults of all ages, very silly, and we sometimes talk about video games.

The only other "about nothing" shows I really love are You Look Nice Today (linked above by mkultra) and Jimmy Pardo's Never Not Funny. Jimmy's one of my favorite comics, and he's consistently had one of the liveliest, funniest shows on the internet. These days, only the first 20 minutes of shows are free, but if you like it, the weekly, 90 minute or so shows are very much worth twenty bucks every six months.
posted by YoungAmerican at 9:09 PM on May 31, 2008

Seconded You Look Nice Today. It's about nothing in particular, but at the same time it is side-splittingly hilarious.
posted by joshrholloway at 9:22 PM on May 31, 2008

Uhh Yeah Dude is definitely about nothing. It's two (funny) guys talking. One (Seth) is a friend of mine, the other is John Laroquette Jr.
posted by bingo at 9:26 PM on May 31, 2008

I'll reiterate The Sound of Young America, Jordan Jesse Go! and Never Not Funny. The last one, especially, fits the description of being about nothing. But it's the funniest nothing around. Video clips of NNF can be seen at Monkey Go Lucky.
posted by Fuzzy Skinner at 9:37 PM on May 31, 2008

GFW Radio is not only my favorite gaming podcast around, it is my favorite podcast period.

A podcast by the editors of the now-defunct Games For Windows magazine shouldn't be this good, but I laugh more listening to it then just about anything that passes through my earhole.

They talk about everything, from PC and console games and gaming culture to comic books, meth, griefing, and making fun of gaming nerds. Shawn Elliot is one of the smartest and funniest guys around.

Check it out.
posted by Arch_Stanton at 11:19 PM on May 31, 2008

If you're a person, you'll love 'You Look Nice Today' by hotdogsladies, scottsimpson, and lonelysandwich. Listen @ youlooknicetoday.com.
posted by cgomez at 11:55 PM on May 31, 2008

The aforementioned perfectly named "No Agenda" podcast perfectly fits your criteria. I was skeptical of the idea when it first came out, because I had an unreasonable bias against Adam Curry (for some reason I thought he was a douchebag ever since the Wikipedia editing scandal), but the chemistry between him and Dvorak is perfect, and they literally talk about *nothing*. But the way they talk about nothing is so engaging, down to earth and funny that it becomes really addicting to listen to.
posted by melorama at 3:23 AM on June 1, 2008

My other favorite "about nothing" podcast is Radio Zero, by Rick Valentin and Rose Marshack (better known as the founders of the almost-famous 90s indie-rock band, Poster Children...many say that they were the first real "podcasters" on the internet).

Rick is the perfect "straight man" to Rose's at once vulgar and adorable personality. And they're both total geeks as well, so it's easy to relate to much of the things they talk about. Really fun to listen to.

Unfortunately the show is on temporary hiatus because Rick and Rose (who are married) have a young child who has been taking up much of thier time, but because the podcast is really about nothing, you can listen to the archived shows (I have the entire 10 year history of the show archived in mp3 format--earlier shows are only in RealAudio on the site--MeFi Mail me if you're interested in a copy)
posted by melorama at 3:34 AM on June 1, 2008

For the nothing category, I really really like Dead Air. The host is not only funny but incredibly talented at radio.
posted by milestogo at 9:04 AM on June 1, 2008

Podcasts come and go, but Retrogaming Radio is the one show (video games or not) that I have consistently listened to year in, year out.
posted by Otis at 10:29 AM on June 1, 2008

The Joystiq Podcast is my favorite gaming podcast. I think they're consistently funny - Always talking about recent, new releases. They cover all three platforms very equally. It has a very informal feel that I really enjoy.
posted by soplerfo at 5:53 PM on June 1, 2008

GameScoop is my favorite podcast of all (including all game, news, politics, etc that I subscribe to). Scoop!
posted by yeti at 8:55 AM on June 2, 2008