It could easily be better
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“I’ll start by saying that the first hand stories told by the guests are always great. Sometimes the music is a little bit much, but the stories are always really fun to listen to and most of them are strange and unpredictable. So I’d like to give them credit for sourcing great stories and interviews.
However, the “in character” portions throughout are really hard to sit through. I like Rainn Wilson but this character isn’t working. I guess it’s supposed to be funny, but it’s always cringeworthy and awkward. I end up finding myself skipping about five minutes into EVERY episode, which is a real shame because the episodes are usually only 25-30 minutes. I wondered if it was just me who couldn’t stand the Rainn Wilson segments, so I got my wife to listen. She felt the exact same way and called the Rainn Wilson parts “unlistenable” which is the perfect word. I’ve found that many times he will follow up a true crime story (many of which contain stories where people were nearly murdered or had close calls with real world criminals and rapists) with a goofy commentary like “ooh that was spooky wasn’t it?” It’s not just a little inappropriate, it completely kills the unsettling tone that the story tellers have built up.
Every now and then, especially in early episodes, Payne Lindsey would chime in and try to elaborate on some lesson or theme from each story and discuss why they mean something. I really enjoyed those, but unfortunately it seems like they gave up on doing that.
My second biggest issue, which is the case with most big podcasts, is the amount of advertisements per episode. I get that they need sponsors to maintain a level of quality, and I respect that. I usually fast forward through them anyway. But it just seems a little excessive how many ads will play during such short episodes. I’d say at least 4 minutes of each episode are just ads for other podcasts. I understand why some ads are necessary, but when Rainn Wilson is joking around for about 7-8 minutes, 4 are advertisements, and the episode itself is 30 minutes, that’s over a third of the runtime that has nothing to do with why you’re listening.
And if the ads weren’t relentless enough, sometimes Rainn Wilson will do parody ad reads for fake companies. For instance, I just listened to one where he read a fake ad for a business that dry cleans toupees or something. It would be one thing if it was unfunny but on brand, but what do toupees have to do with creepy or supernatural stories???
And another thing, more of a nitpick, the concept of the show doesn’t make any sense. The idea is that Rainn Wilson works for a video store that rents out movies, but he plays some of the tapes for the audience and their first hand accounts of strange events. Why are they supposed to be video tapes if it’s just people telling stories? That’s not what video stores are. It’s definitely lower on my list of complaints because it doesn’t really change how good the interviews are. I just hate how unnecessary It is to jump on this trend of vapid 80’s nostalgia, and it’s not even taking the funny parts of shows like Red Letter Media that have been using that idea for years and years now.
I know this is a long review at this point but I just want to say that the core part of the podcast is really good and it’s really working. But there are so many unnecessary elements that get in the way. It could easily become a 5/5 podcast if Payne Lindsey hosted alone and they did maybe one less ad per episode.”
Douchemcbaggins via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
05/19/23
More reviews of Radio Rental
“Excellent storytelling and always well researched!”
Danidani3 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/31/19
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“I’m so excited for this podcast! EEEEEE!!!!”
Ninsco via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/31/19
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“Will 10/10 support anything put out by Payne. Can’t wait for the spooky oooky goodness. A perfect podcast to launch on Halloween! Can’t wait to listen and subscribe.”
fullfr0ntalLux via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/31/19
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