How are we doing?

[godwinshelley]

Love the cast.

Heard about your podcast while driving to Indiana.  I was listening to an episode of the BMovieCast and they mentioned you.  I decided to try you out.  That goodness I found your show because I ended up doing a large listening catch-up while visiting my folks in Indiana - there is NOTHING to do out there - and also during the drive back. 

So I went from mainlining your cast to going cold turkey.  It's been a rough transition.  I started listening to your old casts just to help me get through.  Your mix of fiction reading, background info, and personal stories has kept me coming back.  I like the friendly feel to the show - especially when many of the stories are downers.

While I don't like thinking of you reaching the end of Lovecraft's works, I know it will happen.  So I wanted to suggest you consider reviewing films, radio and/or television programs with Lovecraftian themes and connect them back to their works. You touched on a few while doing the shows.  That might give us a few more shows.  Perhaps a few episodes on important figures that worked with or crossed paths with Lovecraft - Houdini, Howard, etc.  More information on the magazine "Weird Tales" might be nice.  And I'd love to hear more about the Indiana campaign to pull that magazine - being a Hoosier, I laughed when you talked about that.  It was so like Indiana to do that.

C. J. Henderson is a good author who has, on occasion, used Lovecraftian themes or characters (www.cjhenderson.com).  You may want to consider asking him on one day to discuss his use of the Mythos.

GS

[ahtzib]

OK, I'll be the jerk (sort of)

I'll go ahead and actually post, I don't know if it is a criticism, but something that falls into the non-praise category. Don't get me wrong, still love the podcast, still listen to every episode, still recommend it to people

But I've noticed two things recently, especially when getting into ATMoM but I think a little earlier, that I'd point out, one that is a change in the podcast, one that is more a fact of the matter that you might (if criticism and feedback indeed be the point of the thread) be interested in hearing

- There seems to be more "whats going on in the world of Lovecraftiana" in each episode. Now some of this is ads to cover the costs of the increasingly popular podcast, and that I fully understand. But there is also more plugging going on in general. I normally would not have a problem with this, but the episodes are short (30-40 minutes typically), and there are now several sources of "whats going on in Lovecraftiana" out there, I'd rather hear you guys talk about the story at hand. Chris is in fact on one of these sources (News from Pnakotus), The Unspeakable Oath's new podcast kind of goes there, and then there are the websites (TheLovecraftsman, Unfilmable, my own Cthulhu Cthursdays over at Ectoplasmosis [did I just own goal?], and many others). Out of a 35 minute episode, 10 minutes of plugging (it seems like it anyway, five at the front, five at the back), is a lot. Now, this may be the way to extend the time till you run out of HPL's works, the end we're all dreading and is the subject of several threads.

- This is the one that is just more a fact of the matter, but could influence decisions. I personally got a lot more out of the earlier episodes, on the more obscure works, the Dreamlands and Dunsanian works, and so on. I can't tell if there has been a change in style in the podcast, but I wouldn't put the blame on that anyway. The real reason is that we are generally more likely to already know some of the real-world or background stuff (though I'm still getting it, for example, the recent note about the specific issue of, what was it NatGeo, that HPL read) on the Cthulhu Mythos tales. These are the blockbusters, and an obscure fact about say ATMoM is more likely already known to the audience than an obscure fact about say Celephais. Now, this may simply be something I'm overplaying as someone who has spent way too much time reading and researching about HPL and his creations, especially those of the Cthulhu Mythos and his post-1925 career. But I'd be curious if anyone else has felt this. The odd thing is, I didn't feel this way about the three part Call of Cthulhu episodes, though I've researched the heck out of that tale. I felt it very slightly about Charles Dexter Ward, though I didn't care because I thought those episodes were fantastic (in large part because C&C Eldritch Factory's love of the tale, and how they found it creepy, came through in spades). But since the Dunwich Horror, I've been listening along out of enjoyment, but I don't feel I'm learning as much as I once did. This is likely an unfair criticism, and I'm not sure it is a criticism, more just a reality now that you guys are in the big name stories.

PS: I can think of only a few readers I haven't really enjoyed, and I can't remember their names. So while I don't want to say less of so-and-so, I do want to say More Bruce Green. His From Beyond was great, and when I realized it was the same guy from The Ward, definitely more Bruce Green, along with the continued high-level presence of Andrew Lehman and Matt Foyer.

PPS: You guys had Sean Branney on before, but in addition to the aforementioned A. Lehman and M. Foyer, big fan of S. Branney and Barry Lynch from the Dark Adventure Radio Theater adaptations of the tales. Love the opening "Rod Serling" narration in Dunwich Horror by Branney. And easily my favorite section of all the DART adaptations is the discussion amongst the leaders at Lake's Camp in ATMoM, with Branney/Dyer and Lynch/Pabodie painting out all the anomalies, pure win. I have repeatedly backed up over the lines of Dyer's "No, no it doesn't. Someone made this" and "You know the books I'm talking about. I've read them. You've read them. Poor Lake read them." So if you're looking for names to work out the readings, I'd recommend those.

[TheMediocreYoungishOne -Tom-]

1) Robert M. Price
2) Lurker At The Threshold
3) When you get to "The Shadow Out of Time" do it well. (Not that you haven't been doing well. I just like "The Shadow Out of Time". It's probably my favorite Lovecraft story. )

[MAS]

...you're doing fabulously!!
Why not try, even as much of a long shot as it may be, just putting a call in to Guillermo for a guest spot?
Who knows, huh???

I've particularly enjoyed any moment when you guys have been able to reference real life events influencing HPL's writing.  Obviously these are subject to the information being available.  But they are fascinating.

The atmosphere that has become iconic with your podcast is really commendable.  A great mix of music, readings, the whiplash audio edits when you reach a cul-de-sac in conversation have all built a great series.

Is the length of the pod self-imposed?  I don't personally have a problem with varying episode lengths if the material/riffage is there.

Anyway, it's all been a great experience so far and I get the sense it's enjoyable for you guys too.  I think doing it the way you enjoy doing it conveys itself to the audience. 
Keep up the great work and...oh....is that Guillermo on the line?

[Bob Lovecraft]

OK, I'll be the jerk (sort of)

I'll go ahead and actually post, I don't know if it is a criticism, but something that falls into the non-praise category. Don't get me wrong, still love the podcast, still listen to every episode, still recommend it to people

But I've noticed two things recently, especially when getting into ATMoM but I think a little earlier, that I'd point out, one that is a change in the podcast, one that is more a fact of the matter that you might (if criticism and feedback indeed be the point of the thread) be interested in hearing

- There seems to be more "whats going on in the world of Lovecraftiana" in each episode. Now some of this is ads to cover the costs of the increasingly popular podcast, and that I fully understand. But there is also more plugging going on in general. I normally would not have a problem with this, but the episodes are short (30-40 minutes typically), and there are now several sources of "whats going on in Lovecraftiana" out there, I'd rather hear you guys talk about the story at hand. Chris is in fact on one of these sources (News from Pnakotus), The Unspeakable Oath's new podcast kind of goes there, and then there are the websites (TheLovecraftsman, Unfilmable, my own Cthulhu Cthursdays over at Ectoplasmosis [did I just own goal?], and many others). Out of a 35 minute episode, 10 minutes of plugging (it seems like it anyway, five at the front, five at the back), is a lot. Now, this may be the way to extend the time till you run out of HPL's works, the end we're all dreading and is the subject of several threads.

- This is the one that is just more a fact of the matter, but could influence decisions. I personally got a lot more out of the earlier episodes, on the more obscure works, the Dreamlands and Dunsanian works, and so on. I can't tell if there has been a change in style in the podcast, but I wouldn't put the blame on that anyway. The real reason is that we are generally more likely to already know some of the real-world or background stuff (though I'm still getting it, for example, the recent note about the specific issue of, what was it NatGeo, that HPL read) on the Cthulhu Mythos tales. These are the blockbusters, and an obscure fact about say ATMoM is more likely already known to the audience than an obscure fact about say Celephais. Now, this may simply be something I'm overplaying as someone who has spent way too much time reading and researching about HPL and his creations, especially those of the Cthulhu Mythos and his post-1925 career. But I'd be curious if anyone else has felt this. The odd thing is, I didn't feel this way about the three part Call of Cthulhu episodes, though I've researched the heck out of that tale. I felt it very slightly about Charles Dexter Ward, though I didn't care because I thought those episodes were fantastic (in large part because C&C Eldritch Factory's love of the tale, and how they found it creepy, came through in spades). But since the Dunwich Horror, I've been listening along out of enjoyment, but I don't feel I'm learning as much as I once did. This is likely an unfair criticism, and I'm not sure it is a criticism, more just a reality now that you guys are in the big name stories.

PS: I can think of only a few readers I haven't really enjoyed, and I can't remember their names. So while I don't want to say less of so-and-so, I do want to say More Bruce Green. His From Beyond was great, and when I realized it was the same guy from The Ward, definitely more Bruce Green, along with the continued high-level presence of Andrew Lehman and Matt Foyer.

PPS: You guys had Sean Branney on before, but in addition to the aforementioned A. Lehman and M. Foyer, big fan of S. Branney and Barry Lynch from the Dark Adventure Radio Theater adaptations of the tales. Love the opening "Rod Serling" narration in Dunwich Horror by Branney. And easily my favorite section of all the DART adaptations is the discussion amongst the leaders at Lake's Camp in ATMoM, with Branney/Dyer and Lynch/Pabodie painting out all the anomalies, pure win. I have repeatedly backed up over the lines of Dyer's "No, no it doesn't. Someone made this" and "You know the books I'm talking about. I've read them. You've read them. Poor Lake read them." So if you're looking for names to work out the readings, I'd recommend those.

Ahtzib, You bring up some good points here. As much as we all love the podcast, I think you have some valid concerns that I never really thought about until you brought them up. I happen to agree that the episodes need to be somewhat longer, particularly if "the guys" are going to let the guest speakers plug their projects (which I think is only polite considering they are the focus of each particular episode). And I think you may be on to something about the content getting a bit more "common knowledge" than before. I think this is simply the human nature of becoming increasingly familiar with your given subject and not feeling a need to cover older facts that may have been previously covered. I have always assumed that fans of the show go back into the archives to look up older shows once they have been exposed to the newer episodes, but some people may find it daunting now that there are so many episodes to go back and get.

So thank you for being "the jerk" and bringing up some valid points. I liked the post, please keep them coming.

Bob

[BogartBumquest]

The Lovecraft Film Festival is coming up in September. Perhaps devote a show to review some of the films.

[feeder_goldfish]

This is a late reply, I realize, however... I recently purchased Wilum Pugmire's The Tangled Muse and would love to hear him on the podcast. He's such a talented writer, plus he seems like a really neat guy; interesting, too!

It would be fascinating to hear about HPL's correspondence: the letters he exchanged with Robert E Howard, Robert Bloch, Clark Ashton Smith and the various and sundry readers of his tales.

[Cloven Sunfish]

I think you guys are doing an excellent job. The sound quality, production values, readings, and commentary just seem to get better every week. As for some requests...

- I'd love for you guys to have Matt Foyer on as a guest commentator rather than just a reader. I don't know how big of a Lovecraft fan he is (though I can take a guess), but he just seems hilarious. The short outtakes with him in the episodes on Charles Dexter Ward and Whisperer in Darkness make me think he's funny and amiable in normal conversation, and really I just want more of his sonorous voice.

- Please, please, please try to get Barry Lynch for a reading. I'd love it if he could read as Daniel Upton in "The Thing on the Doorstep." The dude is just too good an actor not to have on your show.

- I really love the recent addition of adding Lovecraftian songs to the ends of episodes. This latest one with the Innsmouth crooner was hilarious. Keep that up!

- I can't stress enough how your podcast is head-and-shoulders above the majority of podcasts out there. The chemistry between you two is wonderful and the fact that you're lifelong friends comes through in every episode. Over the past year or so this podcast has helped me through a depressing breakup and some other doldrums, as silly as that may sound. It'll be bittersweet when you guys get to the end of Lovecraft's work, but I look forward to whatever you have planned after that.

[khwaihemm]

Excellent as always, thanks! Though getting dangerously close to the end of the stories now 

I'll be interested to hear next week's episode, discussing thematic stuff - perhaps something for when you reach the end of the stories - or woven between the remaining tales - could be some episodes exploring cross-narrative themes (lovecraft and archaeology; the folklorist in Cthulhu mythos; presentation of scientific discovery/exploration, &c) or wider societal influences (early 20th Century immigration, the Depression, &c)

I know these things have all come up in discussing the stories, but I for one would enjoy a collation-of/explicitly-comparative ramble through  to recap - particular in light of having gone through all the stories with you guys.

Cheers again for a great podcast!

[Nick Curnow]

Well, more readings would be cool 
Maybe after you guys have finished analysing all of HPL's stories, maybe you can do readings for all of them, THAT would be great
Otherwise, just keep going as usual! (except be gentle on Dreams in the Witch-house, that one is a favourite story of mine!)

[Mike J.]

You are doing excellently and I love you 

I'll re-iterate the chemistry angle: some podcasts sound like NPR in the worst way - so robotic and dull, no emotion, no sense of ... engagement. It's great to hear people talking normally, as if I'm hearing a conversation. Really appreciate the humor.

Audio quality is excellent, editing is excellent - so many podcasts have poor examples of both.

I'd love for the episodes to be longer and more numerous, but that's certainly not a negative reflection on your quality - quite the opposite.


-MJ

[TheMediocreYoungishOne -Tom-]

I'd love for the episodes to be longer

I second that.

[Bob Lovecraft]

I'd love for the episodes to be longer

I second that.

Here here!

Bob

[Miskatonic Philologus]

Although something of a newcomer here, I would rate the podcast as excellent! Also, in the last the music at the end was really great.

Thnaks for the show, and please keep up the good work.

[old book]

I guess I've only been listening for about a year, a little over maybe. I did listen to all the archived episodes initially. What I sense is that the podcraft has changed. Sich and Chard have changed. Their interests have expanded. I never cared about the excerpted readings, plugs for Lovecraftiana neither bother nor interest me, but I thought it was very appropriate when what's-his-name moved to London or Leeds or wherever for him to mention some poetry evening he was going to attend somewhere. I think Sich and Chard are really just finding their on-air voices, how they want to project themselves during the broadcast/podcast, so I can't find fault with that, even if they do sound a bit slicker now than then.

For me, the only part that has ever mattered were and are insights into the stories, connections with other literature, and the personal asides and the horsing around (the image of cats in uniforms from DQoUK is still with me). Some of the guests have been very good as well. I especially liked Robert M. Price. S T Joshi was also interesting. The other guests all had something good to offer as well.

From my point of view the only way to really improve the podcraft would be for Sich and Chard to do full-time research exploring Lovecraftiana such as it exists for unanswered questions and outstanding issues and theories on each and every tale, but I know they have other things to do, and they do a great job approaching it as they do. If it were a full-time job, if somebody paid them a grant to do what I suggest, I'm not sure it would be as much fun for them or the listeners anyway. The quality of what they do surpasses the treatments of Lovecraft I've heard on BBC (and possibly NPR although I don't specifically remember them doing anything on Lovecraft; but if they did, it would suck).