Best of 2020: Top Five Podcasts
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Finishing up my best of 2020 lists I have my top five podcasts/podcast episodes of the year.
Podcasts have been a pretty crucial part of my life in 2020. Along with recording X Millennial Man with RD, I have been in the process of starting another podcast with a few of my friends that is strictly about the NBA and basketball shoes. We have put out one episode so far, and you can find it on Google Play and Spotify. It is called Wear and Tear. Outside the two podcasts I am personally involved with, podcasts have been great for running, cleaning the house or just relaxing. It has also been pretty cool to see how the big time podcasters have adjusted to all the changes from the Coronavirus pandemic. With all this being said, I do have a top five, and I am pretty stoked about it.
Coming in at number five I have an episode of a podcast I really enjoy, Heavyweight, and it is their episode entitled "Bobby". This was one of the lighter Heavyweight features, and I have grown to enjoy when they don't go as heavy. "Bobby" focused on, I believe he is the sound engineer for Heavyweight, his musical career before he got his new job. He always loved music, was in a band in high school, played some gigs and even made a few dollars. But this wasn't about that. Apparently he worked for a marketing company out of college and was tasked with writing and performing a jingle for McDonald's. He did it and thought nothing would come of it. But they made it, put it on the air, and boy oh boy did people dislike it. They read some comments, played the commercial and made jokes about it and even had former employees that greenlit the jingle on. They all had great quips. The best thing was his former bandmates discussing it. Of course they knew it was their friend Bobby singing, but he never told them. They brought it up to him. And while they razzed him, they didn't let that linger too long. They joked, but knew he did it basically as a goof. Bobby and his band got to play at the end of the episode, and that was a very nice touch. This was a fun look into the marketing world when things go awry. I had a great time listening to this episode.
At number four I have the new podcast Grawlix Saves the World. I am a fan of the Grawlix. They are a comedy trio, and they had a very great show on TruTV called "Those Who Can't". On their podcast they do things to try and make the world a better place. Throughout their challenges they bring their unique blend of comedy. It is funny to hear them gripe and moan and riff off one another. They also do some very cool things. If it wasn't for their election episode I may have never phone banked for Biden and Harris. I was inspired by them to do that, and I believe that is the point of the podcast. I also loved when they each did a challenge from a listener, and decided I was going to go on hour long walks for a week too. Their goal, to make the world a better place through comedy, has inspired me to do some things I may have never done before. That is one of the main reasons they are on my list. They also happen to be hilarious, which is always a plus.
At number three I have another new podcast, Zack to the Future. The premise is simple. Mark Paul Gosselaar has never watched "Saved by the Bell", so his co host Dashielle Driscoll, the creator of the excellent "Zack Morris is Trash", has him watch each episode, and then they dissect it. It is cool to hear Gosselaar talk about his time on the show, and what he remembers, but more so, what he has no recollection of. It is also great when they get guests on the show. So far they have had Mario Lopes, Elizabeth Berkely and Tiffani Thiessen on. They have also had writers and some extras. It is neat to hear these people talk about this show that has become such an enormous hit, especially for my generation. I loved "Saved by the Bell", and to hear the actors, who are about a decade older than me, reminisce is pretty awesome. If you were a fan of "SBTB", I would highly recommend listening to Zack to the Future. It is a great stroll down memory lane.
At number two I have Scott Aukemann and Adam Scott led U Talking Talking Heads to my Talking Head. They have done this before. They did it with U2 and REM. Aukermann even did something similar with Phish and Harris Wittles(RIP). So this isn't new, but their shows like this have introduced me to very famous bands that I never gave a shot. It didn't work with U2, kind of worked with REM, but it has worked like gangbusters with Talking Heads. I am a humongous fan now, and I have to say it is because of me listening to this podcast. They have introduced me to a band that I now love. I didn't get that into it at first, but when they did the "Stop Making Sense" episode, that was what hooked me. Now I love this band and this show. I am bummed they did their final episode a week ago, but that was all Talking Heads had to offer. What makes this podcast even better is the fact that they were going to do it about the Red Hot Chili Peppers, but instead shifted to Talking Heads during that very first episode, and never looked back. That was the correct decision. I hope Aukermann and Scott continue to do this for so many reasons, but mainly because they seem to genuinely have a good time making these shows.
At number one I have the Lowe Post episode where Zach Lowe speaks to Malika Andrews about the NBA players strike. Andrews was one of the few journalists that got to go to the bubble. She was there from start to finish pretty much. She had to go through all the things the players went through, and her stories from the bubble are incredible. But hearing her talk about her mood, the sight, the feeling in the gyms and seeing the players protest, that was powerful. It is not very often you get instant talk of something as enormous as this strike. Usually we get stories months or even years later. But Andrews appeared on Lowe's podcast within days of the strike. Hearing her insight was truly wonderful. Hearing her thoughts and her actions was incredible. It is a moment in time that no one will forget, and she was one of the first people to openly talk about it. I have listened to the pod a few times because it still brings chills in the very best way. As I stated yesterday, I love the NBA, and this interview with Andrews was an amazing listening experience. It truly was second to none.
Okay, those are my best of 2020 lists. Happy New Year everyone. Stay safe, wear a mask, wash your hands and Black Lives Matter.
Ty
Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.
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