01/30/2008 05:39:54 PM EST

What the hell is wrong with the show?

posted by adamg

The 1/28/08 show, as well as several previous ones, all close to or over 2 hours long have featured long periods of dead air, and full length songs! Please stop this!

When I am driving in my car its dangerous for me to be fast  forwarding my ipod, but if I don't I'm stuck with 4 minutes of some song I just can't stand, or extremely long pauses between breaks.

I don't understand why Dave, JR or whomever puts the podcasts together can't smooth it out like during the Air America period.

Commercial free is great, but if instead of 12 minutes/hr of commericals you have 6 minutes of songs and silence, then the show starts to seem slapped together and amateurish.

This show has been around for over 5 years, surely these problems can be fixed.

Anyone else feel the same?

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What the hell is wrong with the show? | 29 comments (29 topical, 0 hidden)
When it comes to issues like this (none / 0)
I treat it like I would treat something at work. I'd go to the person I had an issue with first, and *then* (and only then) if that didn't change anything within a reasonable period of time, I'd consider escalating it to management.

In this case, I would've emailed Dave and see what he said.  If the issues continued for several shows and I got no response, then I might open it up to the forum.  But that's just my opinion.

And yes, I noticed the same issue and just figured it was a temporary thing.  It's mildly annoying but unless it becomes a regular occurence, it won't bother me THAT much.  If it does become a regular thing, then it will.

by Tom Hanc on 01/30/2008 05:46:25 PM EST

Agreed (none / 0)
I really love the show but breaks on the postgame are way too long.  I try to listen live but lose interest or frankly forget it was on and move to something else so I end up missing the show.  It bums me out.  And it isn't as good the next day because then its old.  Please guys - do something to fix it.

by tanyapaz on 01/30/2008 05:50:27 PM EST

We really are in the internet age (none / 0)
when we think the next morning makes for old news!  :)

Honestly though, I think that's more relevant for the regular 2 hour show but not quite as much for the post game show since it often includes lots of non-political stuff that doesn't age as quickly.

When I became a member I went back and listened to post game shows that were months old and for the most part, they were still very relevant and entertaining.

by Tom Hanc on 01/30/2008 05:55:15 PM EST

[ Parent ]
It amazes me (none / 0)
The number of people that go on outraged rants over minor annoyances.

I can't see the streaming video and neither Dave nor I can figure it out.  Half the time when I download the .wmv files, they won't play.

Clearly I should be ranting rather than trying to figure it (when I can bring myself to care - audio always works)

A wire in the fire room

by blueheartinaredstate on 01/30/2008 05:50:38 PM EST

hmm. (none / 0)
Are we at work?  Do the Turks pay us to listen?  But seriously, there is nothing wrong with open criticism.  AdamG obviously likes the show or he wouldn't have wasted the time to make a comment.  I understand that the TYT are probably working kinks out during the transition, so i'll forgive.  But since we all pay twice as much for there service (than Air America) we all deserve to be heard-  so we can help them make it better and sell more memberships.  Like I've been trying to update my podcast all day- and I get a blank page....

by Iyouwe on 01/30/2008 05:56:24 PM EST

I stick by my work analogy (none / 0)
Open discussion is just fine, but it should take place *after* at least one attempt to get a straight answer directly from the source.

Have you ever had a situation where a co-worker went straight to your boss for something rather than coming to you (to get information and or to complain about something you did or said)? 

If so, didn't that (rightfully) piss you off?  I used to be a manager and I always respected the employees who would try to resolve something before taddling to me (actually at that point, it wasn't taddling, it was the appropriate way to handle the situation as their intial attempt failed).

by Tom Hanc on 01/30/2008 06:05:49 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Maybe (none / 0)
Maybe they stopped editting out commercials so they could get the podcast up faster (because other people have complained about that as well).  But either way, and I don't want to sound like a dick here but, couldn't you have just sent Dave an e-mail about this.  They've always been good about responding to my questions in the past.  It seems like not a day can go by now without somebody complaining about something relatively small in the forum for all to see.  I don't get it.

by Spencer on 01/30/2008 05:56:49 PM EST

I was just about to bring up (none / 0)
the fact that someone recently complained about the podcast wait time so you beat me to the punch.

What's that old saying about how you can't please all of the people all of the time?  ;)

by Tom Hanc on 01/30/2008 05:59:14 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Speaking of which ... (none / 0)
It's 6:34PM Eastern.  Where's today's podcast?

Look!  Tongue-in-cheek!  Tongue-in-cheek!  No, DON'T THWAP

SAM: What's new, Normie?
NORM: Terrorists, Sam. They've taken over my stomach and they're demanding beer.

by Spinny on 01/30/2008 06:16:49 PM EST

[ Parent ]
I hear you... (none / 0)
But I don't agree.  The Turks are about speaking truth to the man.  Listeners are just following their lead.  The work analogy doesn't apply.  I'm paying for a service, I would like it to be consistent and I want to be heard.  TYT are big boys (and girls) they can handle it.

by Iyouwe on 01/30/2008 06:17:16 PM EST

Yeah except that (none / 0)
we're not talking about corporate media here. This isn't the super fancy, expensive restaurant where I expect insanely good service to make up for the 2 ounce "art" they put on my plate.

This is a smaller, family owned restaurant where the food is affordable but DAMN good and you get good portions too (especially with the new format, the post game show is much, much longer).  If the service is slow sometimes (which I admit it is), you know not to take it personally because you know the family really appreciates your business and is doing all they can with what they have.

I'm not going to get up on a table and call out mom and pop in front of all the patrons because my main course came out with my appetizer.  If it happens more than once, I might grab their ear and hear what they have to say and take it from there...

by Tom Hanc on 01/30/2008 06:27:56 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Greatest Analogy EVER! (none / 0)
Perfect.  Just perfect.  Absolutely right.  Why can't everyone just relax a bit and look at it this way?

by Spencer on 01/30/2008 06:51:36 PM EST

[ Parent ]
It's doubly awesome (none / 0)
because up here we have restaurants just like that.  Not only is the food incredible, often as not the cook is usually the owner and they come out to see how you're liking the fare.  Not only am I coming back, I'm telling other people to check it out--and play nice.

Dunno how I'd ever make it through the workday without all this juicy TYT goodness to listen to.

SAM: What's new, Normie?
NORM: Terrorists, Sam. They've taken over my stomach and they're demanding beer.

by Spinny on 01/30/2008 06:56:04 PM EST

[ Parent ]
How far can we take this analogy? (none / 0)
Certain members of the wait staff are super hot, the bathrooms are always spotless, it's handicap accessible, they never spit in the food, and the ingredients are all natural.  Plus everyone gets a free meal if they show up at the right time of the day.

by Spencer on 01/30/2008 07:10:06 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Rolling post game dead air (none / 0)
I actually emailed Dave the second day of the online only new TYT/Brave... with the same concern. I didn't hear back and glad to see someone else is bothered by RPG. the pauses are lame. the music is lame. I suggested doing SOMETHING in the dead space.. ANYTHING to keep listeners tuned in. The way it is set up now isn't working in my opinion. There has to be SOME structure to the rolling post game to make me want to deal with it. though, there are segments on the podcasting page from RPG which is good.. NOBODY is going to sit around listening to Kenny Loggins for a half an hour to see IF Cenk decides to come back for 10 minutes.

by nozini on 01/30/2008 06:33:42 PM EST

just email me (none / 0)
The work analogy fails, but the point of that comment is right on. Just email me and the problem gets fixed or explained a lot faster.  Posting something into a disucssion board so a bunch of people who can't do anything about it can comment on it doesn't really solve the problem.

David

by yturks on 01/30/2008 06:37:12 PM EST

Son of a... (none / 0)
Maybe, but don't even touch that restaurant analogy because it kicks ass! :)

by Tom Hanc on 01/30/2008 06:40:51 PM EST

[ Parent ]
And I just remembered (none / 0)
Cenk always mentions how much you hate analogies.  Now I can sleep well tonight.

by Tom Hanc on 01/30/2008 06:41:55 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Avoiding the real issue... (none / 0)
I'm glad to see I'm not the only one complaining about this, but the rest of you "regulars" on this blog (ihavenobias, spencer etc) need to come to an admission that the quality of the show has gone down since the switch, and people are getting pissed about it.

Remember, I'm not even a paying member, so i'm not gonna Bitch about when the feeds come active and all of that since it doesnt concern me, but the time and the quality of the show is FALLING FAST!!!

Dave, I don't know you but you seem like a great guy on the show, but if you are the one in charge, than instead of people having to individually email you about concerns (and taking up a lot of your time), maybe you should consider that these open blogs are really trying to tell you guys to shape it up.

This whole change has lost you a lot of your base listeners, and now even the members are grumbling. I'm sorry to see the show heading this way, you guys are kick ass, but somebody better figure out what the Hell is going on and fix it!

If y'all are going to have all of this RPG dead time, start filling it in or shorten it up. I know you dont have to listen to me because I am not a member (and thats fine), but this format even for us non members is really bad...For the sake of your listeners and the sake of your GREAT SHOW, please fix it.

Thanks for your time.

by bobo1 on 01/30/2008 07:50:41 PM EST

[ Parent ]
Maybe it's the Kool-Aid but (none / 0)
I honestly don't think the quality has went down at all.  It's a new format (which is arguably not working so well) but the content has still been great.

by Spencer on 01/30/2008 07:59:29 PM EST

[ Parent ]
OK.. (none / 0)
i'll agree with you that the base show is still the same and of good quality, but all of this other stuff (especially to a Membership site) is a real detractor. I just wanted to point out that people I know who listen (or used to listen in a lot of cases) are upset about the appearance seemingly downward changes to the show.

Plus, the RPG format sucks... Theres no getting around that. Too long, not enough content and sometimes very dull (It seems to lack the spontaneity of the AAR show)Condense it back to the way normal people listen (and consider changing the damn times!!!) and it would improve 100%

Thanks

by bobo1 on 01/30/2008 08:05:38 PM EST

[ Parent ]
What?! (none / 0)

No way, not buying it AT ALL.

I think there's WAY more content to the RPG than there was to the old postgame, and it's way cooler, as it still includes politics and absurdities and I believe DK's America was included as well, but also now there are interviews?! Come on, that's a closer right there! I think it can be condensed, which I can only guess would help retain listeners, but it does not suck. Honestly.

I like hearing music sometimes though the pauses have seemed too long ever since I've started listening to them, so if you're a non-member, that's a well-worn grip for sure, but the RPG grips are just not where it's at.

And the time thing would be tough to have everyone agree on. I would like a mid-morning show, but I don't know about you, you may like an early morning show, someone else may want a lunchtime show or evenings. I think this time is a chance for TYT to try to snatch up as many people as possible during some part of the normal work day, though I think a little earlier would catch a lot of people on both ends real well. 

Cynicism is poison to reform and pumps life into the status quo.

by prezalex on 01/31/2008 01:30:22 AM EST

[ Parent ]
The time is perfect for me. (none / 0)

I only got to hear it live before when I was suffering from insomnia (thank god my calls never got on the air, that wouldn't have been pretty).  Now I get to hear it live all throughout my day.

 

As far as the RPG goes, I think it's unanimous that we all think something needs to change as far as the breaks go (I have no solution, but that's what I pay Dave to figure out) and it seems that they may be doing something about that as we speak.  But the content has been better on the RPG than in the old post game.  They're more relaxed and Cenks not rushing through things to get to IHOP.  And not only have they had guests... They've had really fun and interesting guests. 

 

I trust them to work the other kinks out eventually though.  Let's just calm down and enjoy the ride.

by Spencer on 01/31/2008 03:42:20 AM EST

[ Parent ]
Ditto on the content amount (none / 0)
There tends to be a LOT more content in the Post Game in terms of minutes on my iPod when I download it.  They also get in as much "regular show" content in two hours as they used to have in three: 1.5 hours.

Again, the timing is irrelevant to guys like me who wait to download everything the next morning.  The one minor thing is purely personal: I'm usually reading the blog entries during prime RPG time and have to keep killing the live feed when I refresh the screen.  I don't want any of it spoiled before I get to it at work the next day. ;-)

SAM: What's new, Normie?
NORM: Terrorists, Sam. They've taken over my stomach and they're demanding beer.

by Spinny on 01/31/2008 07:27:28 AM EST

[ Parent ]
Ideas for the Rolling Post Game Show (none / 0)

There seems to be a lot of dissafisfaction with the new RPG format. Why not help them out and come up with some ideas?

Let us know what time you think you'll be coming back around, and photoshop it into the picture. If you are going out for IHOP or something, and you think you'll require a solid hour or so to properly savour the blueberry pancakes with maple syrup, let us know so that way we can get away with doing something else until then without missing anything. If something big pops up and you're going to come back earlier than you thought, just give a heads up first. Maybe throw on a free public domain song like the William Tell Ovature that pretty much everyone likes. The reason why I've added the photoshopped image is incase someone tunes in late. That's a bit of a shout out to those of us whom work nights, and might sleep through the main show a lot. If you won't be gone for long, like what seems to happens a lot during the last hour, a be back shortly message would be helpful.

-----

Overall, I'm just as happy with the show now, as I was when it was on AAR. In fact, in ways I like it moreso because of the extra guests that seem to be coming on. The primary coverage is top notch. It's good to see Michael Shure back. It had been a while.

by babaganoosh13 on 01/30/2008 09:40:06 PM EST

what's wrong with the show? nada (none / 0)

Hey, I podcast and listen to the audio when I can and LOVE TYT! Lots of great commentary, entertaining segments, political insight like mad. What's not to love? I love the music, too. I wish I knew what was playing sometimes but, that's a very minor point.

Keep up the great work all.

A loyal listener,

by toosinbeymen on 01/30/2008 10:27:59 PM EST

Cartoons! (none / 0)

I like babaganoosh's suggestion, and second the idea of the Lone Ranger riding in to alert the troops that the Captain is comin'.

But what the show really need is cartoons! Public domain black and white cartoons from the 1930s. And there should be a King of Cartoons to present them, like on Pee-wee's Playhouse.

by ashbul on 01/31/2008 06:12:23 AM EST

new show (none / 0)

I'm a big fan of the Young Turks and have listened to it every day for the past couple of years. I am a bit disappointed with the new version of the show. My general impression is that I am missing bits of the show, so I feel a bit left out. Whereas before, it felt a bit more like a community. I think it's mostly due to the fact that the show doesn't loop any more, but also because of the long gaps in the post-game show. I don't really understand the need for a post-game show when it's not a radio show any more. I would personally prefer if there was just one show every day at a scheduled time and for a scheduled duration. However, I understand that you are trying new things and I will always keep returning to the Young Turks every day. Keep up the great work.

 

emmett 

by musicinmouth on 01/31/2008 08:43:18 AM EST

Sticking up for the music (none / 0)
I have to say that I like the musical interludes. I listen to the podcast the morning after it is recorded, while I am getting ready for work, and the music gives me a chance to do the loud chores, like running the hairdryer or the shower.  Plus I get to do a little dance occasionally.

So I vote for keeping the music, especially if it replaces any interviews with people from Newsweek.

by Dawn on 01/31/2008 08:48:36 AM EST

[ Parent ]
What the hell is wrong with the show? | 29 comments (29 topical, 0 hidden)
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