Monday
05Jun2006
Podcasts
Monday, June 5, 2006 at 7:06PM
Podcasts. Have you been infected yet? I only bought my first iPod back in March, a shiny black 30GB fifth generation model, with video playback, yet I have been listening to Podcasts, via iTunes on my laptop, for much longer.
It all started with the Ricky Gervais podcasts, which of course have gone down in history for their popularity. Ricky’s podcasts, while overrated, are a fine diversion and occasionally very funny. They are now subscription only, and certainly not worth a financial outlay. However, since my first foray into the world of Podding, I have racked up many hours of listening, and to be honest, I wouldn’t be able to live without them.
Oh the shame.
What has really annoyed me over the past few weeks has been the condescending manner, in which Jeremy Paxman has insulted listeners of the Newsnight podcast. He’s obviously annoyed at being told to record the introductions for the show (something he shares with the other presenters), and in his own self-important style, is determined to belittle the 30,000 people who download the show. Get with the programme Jeremy, it’s the twenty-first century, whether you, and your fellow Luddite Oxbridge colleagues, like it or not.
The reason I like Podcasts so much, is that I can listen to them while I do other things. So, for the first time, I can multi-task like a woman. Now I’m not getting carried away, I’m still always too busy to vacuum the lounge, but I can get stuck into the garden, take the boy for a much-needed walk, or, just sit around playing Pro Evolution Soccer on the XBOX, all while catching up on news, comedy, and opinion from around the world. It’s fantastic.
Anyway, I thought I would give some quick recommendations on Podcasts I download (all from Apple iTunes), in hope that readers may also find something they like.
The Daily Telegraph Podcast
The ‘Torygraphs’ effort is one of the oldest, and best produced Podcasts, and if you can ignore the obvious rightwing bias, it’s a decent listen. Guy Ruddle, the podcast editor, has some very cheeky exchanges with the utterly delightful Celia Walden, who dishes society and celeb gossip – completely brainless, but good fun. Watch out for the well-written pieces by business writer Jeff Randal, and the always-interesting comments from the global reporters.
It all started with the Ricky Gervais podcasts, which of course have gone down in history for their popularity. Ricky’s podcasts, while overrated, are a fine diversion and occasionally very funny. They are now subscription only, and certainly not worth a financial outlay. However, since my first foray into the world of Podding, I have racked up many hours of listening, and to be honest, I wouldn’t be able to live without them.
Oh the shame.
What has really annoyed me over the past few weeks has been the condescending manner, in which Jeremy Paxman has insulted listeners of the Newsnight podcast. He’s obviously annoyed at being told to record the introductions for the show (something he shares with the other presenters), and in his own self-important style, is determined to belittle the 30,000 people who download the show. Get with the programme Jeremy, it’s the twenty-first century, whether you, and your fellow Luddite Oxbridge colleagues, like it or not.
The reason I like Podcasts so much, is that I can listen to them while I do other things. So, for the first time, I can multi-task like a woman. Now I’m not getting carried away, I’m still always too busy to vacuum the lounge, but I can get stuck into the garden, take the boy for a much-needed walk, or, just sit around playing Pro Evolution Soccer on the XBOX, all while catching up on news, comedy, and opinion from around the world. It’s fantastic.
Anyway, I thought I would give some quick recommendations on Podcasts I download (all from Apple iTunes), in hope that readers may also find something they like.
The Daily Telegraph Podcast
The ‘Torygraphs’ effort is one of the oldest, and best produced Podcasts, and if you can ignore the obvious rightwing bias, it’s a decent listen. Guy Ruddle, the podcast editor, has some very cheeky exchanges with the utterly delightful Celia Walden, who dishes society and celeb gossip – completely brainless, but good fun. Watch out for the well-written pieces by business writer Jeff Randal, and the always-interesting comments from the global reporters.
Reader Comments (4)
My player has only 128Mb, but http://davidp1.blogspot.com/2006/06/mp3-for-2.html" rel="nofollow">it was only £8.
Have you tried The Economist ? I downloaded their piece about Poland, from 13th May - it was quite good (and free).
Hi - I promise you Jeremy doesn't mean to annoy you. I think he secretly enjoys voicing the podcast; his cynicism is just an act really. Anyway do keep listening, we are Number 2 News podcast now and take the whole project very seriously. In the very near future we'll be launching the Newsnight Vodcast.
Daniel
Dep ed, Newnsight
Wow.
The BBC is listening...very scary. I'll keep listening, if you keep reading!
AS Heath
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