Feels Contrived (unfortunately)
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“Let me start by saying I really do wish these guys all the best and hope they can make the show something special one day.
Ok now the review:
I’m a huge fan of Jason’s work from The Ringer. Binge mode with Malory was lightning in a bottle. It captured heartfelt passion, deep dive analysis, and genuine friendship between Jason and Malory. I obviously respect Jason for getting the bag and making his own way over at Takeline, but unfortunately this podcast feels extremely contrived - forced - *peak industry*. There’s not even very much chemistry between Renee and Jason. Jason does all of the heavy lifting as far as providing thoughtful analysis and an entertaining perspective.
However, it pains me to say that Renee’s involvement falls flat at best and pulls the show down at worst. I appreciate her perspective as a woman of color, professional athlete, and WNBA team owner, but all of her contributions on the pod feel so basic! Like, anyone could have written her takes for her because they are completely uninspired. She feels like a mouthpiece for those ideas instead of a person with unique thoughts. She tries to inject some hype into the show by saying “let’s goooo!” during every segue, but it just comes off as performative instead of genuine. The boring ideas I’m talking about are like “… and as a female professional athlete of color who has broken into an ownership role I think ___” fill in the blank - it’s exactly what you expect. Stuff like “athletes are people too” and “we need more athletes to stand up for social issues” and “there should be more minority owners in sports”. Like yeah, obviously! You’re not even wrong, just boring! Please take those ideas one step further and provide more detailed personal experiences from your own life if that’s what you care about. Name names if you have to, throw shade, shake things up! Talk about what concrete strategies and plans we can implement to work toward a better future in sports and in society. Champion specific ideas and bring them up repeatedly with dogged determination. You’re talking about social issues on a high school level when Jason is capable of talking about them on a super high, socially relevant, cutting edge level. He talks about the same issues but goes beyond the surface level to deliver poignant commentary which makes Renee’s comments feel so hollow. I really don’t mean to bash Renee as a person or athlete either - I just don’t like her work as a podcaster so far.
Sadly, I unsubscribed today. I was excited to put this podcast in my weekly rotation, but I found that when I woke up every Tuesday to an automatic Takeline download, I actively did not want to listen to it because so many moments feel contrived.
This podcast is just merely ok. Good not great. And there are so many great podcasts and other forms of content out there that I just can’t justify adding this one to my listening schedule. You hate to hear it!
Jason and Renee, I really do wish you all the best and I hope my criticism here is constructive instead of hurtful. I hope you prove me wrong and turn this into a really refreshing program! I would love to come back and listen if you can turn this one around.”
Colbinstin via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
08/03/21
More reviews of Takeline
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“Super enjoyable first episode, excited to keep up with this”
Danbrownteacher5 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
03/16/21
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“Congrats to Renee and Jason! This show is super fun and informative! Fantastic!”
kini via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
03/04/21
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“Incredible debut episode by two individuals at the top of their game. Entertaining, insightful, impactful—everything I want from a podcast! Can’t wait to hear more.”
Tobinsmom via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
03/16/21
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