Podcast Co-host Idol

by Dan on February 15, 2010

Three weeks into the podcast and I’m getting really good feedback on it — thank you, everybody, seriously. I do put some effort into it and I want it to be worth the time you spend listening to it. I love hearing things like “it makes my boring-ass job a lot more tolerable” and “I throw it on my Zune for my daily commute” and “it helps distract me when I’m working out so I can actually do a longer session.” When I think of “my audience,” these are the comments that help me know who is out there and what they find valuable about it. You taking two or three minutes to send an email or post in comments does add up; I’m listening to how you’re listening, as it were.

But three weeks brought three people into the co-hosting chair, and I’m having trouble figuring out who should be the “regular” co-host. All three garnered good feedback, but for the flow of the show, I would like to have one person semi-regularly in that chair, and swap one of the other two (or a few other people I am hoping to introduce you to) in when scheduling conflicts arise. I figure the best way to choose is to just ask you who you liked best, and I’ll proceed accordingly.

If you haven’t heard all three shows, please wait until you have before voting. They’re all up there on the Podcast tab at the top nav.

Which podcast co-host would you like to hear most often?

  • Hugh Sterbakov (48%, 234 Votes)
  • Katrin Auch (46%, 221 Votes)
  • Yameen (6%, 29 Votes)

Total Voters: 484

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  • JalenJade

    Katrin Auch and you have the best chemistry together. I'd still like to see rotating co-hosts though because each new person can bring a new perspective to the show.

  • TURbo

    As a gaming podcast I can't dock points off for Yameen misinforming or not being sure that the Mass Effect 2 Trailer was being played for the Super Bowl Trailer, when it was during halftime for the NFC Championship game.

    Currently I don't know who I want as a regular.

  • http://twitter.com/Paranerd Paranerd

    Honestly I was more amused with Katrin Auch on the show. Part of it may be that I have nostalgic memories of reading Gamepro, but I also think there was a lot more chemistry between the two of you. Other podcasts I listen to have more than two hosts at once, but that could be a lot more painful to edit though.

  • NoMaadic

    I voted for Hugh, he seemed to contribute a bit more than Yameen and Kat. And I just found him funny and interesting. In fairness I should say I enjoyed all three though and they would all make good co hosts.

  • Jordan_Snyder

    I really enjoyed all the guests, so I hate that two of them aren't going to “win”. In the end, I voted for Katrin because, frankly, not many podcasts I listen to have a female perspective. That said, I'm glad you're choosing to do a rotating co-host, so the “losing” two will still be able to grace our ears with gaming knowledge.

  • http://twitter.com/mrfusion mrfusion (Weston)

    wow talk about a land slide for Kat, though I do like Hugh and Yameen, it seems like there needs to be another person inside of Activision to be co hosting, or someone video game related, I guess the related is where Kat comes in. you might need 2 co-hosts on a regular basis and one being Kat and someone else on the side, I say Hugh.

  • c9juke

    Hugh was pretty Hollywood… He definitely was sporting “blue teeth”. One in each ear.

    Yameen makes some sick beats but didn't quite do it for me.

    You and your wife had good chemistry. Weird…

  • http://twitter.com/Wjlaboy Wilson Laboy

    Honestly, I think you should have me become the regular co-host. :D

  • Craig

    The back-and-forth between you and Kat made for a much more interesting show than either of the other two. I felt that Hugh and Yameen were a little “wooden” in their appearances. That might be because it sounded like they were both on the phone while Kat was in the room with you (I'm assuming). Although I do agree with “mrfusion”, having someone inside Activision (a la Major Nelson with e, StepTo, and Lollip0p) would make it even more interesting.

  • pedgarcia

    I agree with the guy who tells that should be better having someone from inside Activision as co-host. However, if your options are between the three hosts above, I'd stay with Kat or Hugh, who brought more interesting information to the show.

  • http://oneofswords.com/ Dan (OneOfSwords)

    I would also like to have more of an insider perspective. I had originally wanted to find someone from within Activision to be the co-host, but have not found the right person. I need someone who is a) not in PR, b) available to waste two hours a week with me, and c) not going to get in trouble. There are plenty of funny people here who would make good co-hosts but so far, it's always been something getting in the way. Give it time, I guess.

  • Garrett

    Wow it hurts to help make two great guys the “losers” but Kat understandably has the best chemistry with you and I enjoy the perspective she brings as a female. It wouldn't hurt to have Hugh or Yameen on once in a while or even do a round table of sorts if you guys all play through a game together(Co-op) or during the same time period.

  • Talus

    Hands down … Kat.

  • beskurrd

    Go with Kat, spend more time with your wife! :)

    Great cast so far Dan, keep up the good work!

  • http://twitter.com/MitchyD Mitch Dyer

    Your rapport with Kat is incomparable to any other option, so she gets my vote. :) Yameen and Hugh are great, too. They're just… y'know… not your wife. :D

  • Hugh

    Any of you who don't vote for me… FINE.

    Just don't get upset when I burn your house down.

  • http://oneofswords.com/ Dan (OneOfSwords)

    Please note his avatar is making some sort of exclamation of glee as he says this.

  • Tralidar

    i voted for katrin because i would like to see a female perspective to the podcast but Hugh is amazing and would love to see him alot aswell

  • http://twitter.com/zigs00 Edd

    I voted for Kat because I thought the third podcast was the best so far – was the funniest and most comfortable, chemistry unsurprising – but to be completely honest I prefer the idea of rotating hosts and having more of a variety of perspectives, you know?

  • Whiskey Tan9o

    All the co-host to date have been great. Kat really knows her stuff about gaming. Hugh is pretty hilarious as well with his dry and dark sense of humor. Yameen on the other hand brings the music aspect to the show to round things out. All in all, they are all an excellent choice of co-hosts, but I'm really pulling for Hugh.

    P.S.

    The show wouldn't be what it is today without you, Dan! Thanks for starting your own podcast!

  • Anonymous

    See? That sort of arrogance is why you didn't get my vote. The other two don't come in with that chip-on-your-shoulder attitude.

  • http://oneofswords.com/ Dan (OneOfSwords)

    Don't sweat it, I am sure Hugh is kidding on this one. :)

  • Hugh

    Wow, dude. You've never seen Office Space?

    Dan warned me that sarcasm wouldn't work here. And, in classic Hugh fashion, I duly ignored him and walked into a trap. Somewhere Admiral Ackbar is yelling at me.

    /Hugh character off

    Anon, I'm sorry if I wasn't clear, but that was full-borne sarcasm. I have no chip, I'm as far from arrogant as you could possibly imagine– virtually all of my jokes are self-deprecating– and I'm sorry if you felt I came off that way.

    I appreciate all the support from anyone who cared to vote for me, but I'm totally comfortable just coming in whenever Dan has a slot and having some fun. There's no money in this, there's no emotional investment. It's just that Dan is my buddy, we don't get to hang out enough, and he's here talking about stuff I'm interested in. So when I have time, and when he'll have me, I'll join him and try to make you laugh in the process. If I don't please you in that regard, I'm sorry. No sarcasm there.

    I don't feel like I'm in competition with anyone and I certainly wouldn't have any interest in campaigning against Yameen or especially Kat, who I adore, and who BETTER have better chemistry with Dan, because I've never had sex with him. My intention was to make fun of the very idea of a competition. Hopefully most folks got that.

    /Hugh character on

    And that having been said, SUCK IT. I'm losing just fine without your vote.

  • Anonymous

    Let the house burning commence!

    I realize you were being sarcastic, but I really didn't get that “I'm interested in games” feeling from you on the show, I got the “I'm interested in being on the podcast” feeling. Chips or no chips, that's how I saw it and it turned me off.

    Sarcasm never works online. That's why I use the <sarcasm> and </sarcasm> tags

  • Anonymous

    Oh, and no, never saw office space.

  • Hugh

    Hmm. To each their own. Doesn't seem like it's worth debating. I could list for you the thousands of gaming-related articles I've had published across several dozens of online and print outlets, the features, the reviews, the previews, the interviews and whatever other kind of 'views, the games I've worked behind the scenes on or the admittedly few strategy guides I've written. But you get it.

    Just as an aside– I'd love to see my friends and family's reaction to hearing someone say “Hugh isn't interested in gaming.”

    But I do get what you're saying, which is that it didn't come across.

    For my game-related podcasting pleasure, it's not about talking nonstop about every game on the market or what's coming out. It's that when Dan brings up I-76, I immediately know the game and which controller I preferred to use with it. I know which Leisure Suit Larry games were good and which weren't, or which Marvel Super Hero games or which MMOs. I understand the history and the ups and downs of the medium. Which is kinda incredible, given that my memory generally stinks.

    My thought on my role on the podcast is that I'm there for color commentary. Gaming news, Activision updates and the general minutes are Dan's job. I'm there to provide some laughs, to bounce stuff with him and invigorate the conversation. If it's about gaming, like the Sierra classics or I-76 or the state of music games, that's great. If it gets off-topic onto me defending my Hollywood status by singing a loving ode to my powers of poop, I think that's okay too. Sorry if it's not your cup of tea.

    All that said, see Office Space. It's not perfect and it's far from my favorite movie, but it's a damn solid way to spend 100 minutes and a big point of cultural reference nowadays. Plus, it helps keep you regular if you don't get enough fiber.

  • Adam

    You have a great dynamic with Kat but Hugh is just freakin hilarious!

  • Zeb364

    I like Hugh and Katrin equally. Their both really good for separate reasons. I did cast a vote (for Hugh because I knew he had less, call it pity) but I think it would great if either one takes up regular hosting duties. Or ideally they could swap (or maybe all three of you :P lol)

  • http://twitter.com/ucnyc2 Frankie Gonzalez

    Sorry Hugh. I think Katrin was the best. She had great insight into games and offers a unique perspective on the genre. P.S. Dan your wife sounds a lot like Fran from OXM. (although I do enjoy some of your crazy rants/stories.)

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