Is this Small Talk show of The Word Nerds about language? Or is it about micro-sociology? In any case, after a long hiatus, Howard Chang is back and he speaks with Dave Shepherd about small talk. They demonstrate small talk, define small talk, indicate the goal of small talk, describe the use of small talk and analyze how it works - and sometimes won't work. Intertwined we have the usual musical bumpers and the 'rude word of the week' (gossip). For a show of this light and entertaining caliber the length - between 30 and 45 minutes - the original frequency - weekly - was just ideal. Now that the show comes out about every 3 weeks, one gets out of touch with the style and tone and has to get used all over again and again. I believe the show is as good as it ever was, it just needed to be weekly in order to maintain its cult.
Indications are, if at all, the show is going to stop, or become less frequent, rather than return to the weekly format. What a pity of a unique podcast. Maybe the Word Nerds need a larger team? Right now Dave Shepherd produces the show largely on his own, with Howard Shepherd, Howard Chang and Barbara Shepherd contributing to the content. Too much of a burden for Dave and enough to do for the rest of the Nerds. Can't they tap into the Word Nerds forum crowd? Currently there are 330 registered users and I can see some certified potential there...
3 comments:
--> "Indications are, if at all, the show is going to stop, or become less frequent..."
i'm in shock! did i get out of touch that much? - i agree i liked it better to listen to the guys once a week - but don't tell me they're gonna stop. just don't!
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dash, felika
Hate to wake you up, but listen to the show again. They say something along the lines: 'IF we are going to stop *snigger* no no don't worry we are not going to stop'
In spite of the denial, I find that an indication. If it is an indication of a tendency it is more one towards stopping rather than increasing the output. See what I mean?
We must use our influence via the forum to prevent this from happening
dash cham
Anne / RabiAkiva
i definitely see what you mean. haven't listened to show #90 yet, and i feel a little afraid now to do so... anyway, this reminds me of the show #73 which was called 'endings' - many people left anxious comments on the webpage. so maybe this is a little replication of this situation. in which case i agree just the more that we should let them know they just _can't_ stop or reduce the frequency in the forum. i might be wrong, but being a moderator on the forum don't you have some sort of extra influence you could use on them? :)
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felika
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