Has Diggnation lost it's way?

[remi9]

I started watching Diggnation at episode 80. I loved it. So much so that I subscribed/donated to revision 3 for a year. I loved the show enough to go back to the beginning. I'm at episode 45 as of now.

I watch a old episode once per day or several days. At the same time I watch the newest episodes when they come out. What has struck me is how much the show has evolved, mostly for the better. What does worry me is that some of the newest episodes are turning for the worse.

When you compare the old and the new, you can see how much more comfortable Alex and Kevin are with the format. Lately it has become too comfortable. It seems like they are less energetic about it. I can understand them not being into it after all these episodes. But it just seems like they have too much on the go outside of the show. That taping Diggnation is now just this thing they have to do.

It really sunk in after watching episode 100. The first half hour was spent eating the cake and Alex licking his fingers briefly paused by the spat over the Microsoft surface story. The best part about the entire episode was the clip show at the end, reminding me why I watch Diggnation.

I don't know, maybe it's just me. Maybe I'm just Diggnationed out.

I don't want to just rant. I have some ideas for the show.

-Don't start the show drunk.
I love drinking beers just as the guys do. I drink my beers as I watch the show. But watching drunk guys goofing around when your sober wears thin real fast.

-I don't want to see the camera guys hands.
Talking to people off screen takes you out of the show, but hey this is a podcast so I'm cool with it. Having the camera guy wave his hands in the shot is just amateur hour.

-Stop asking for time left. Takes me out of the show. How about a countdown timer under the camera for Kevin and Alex. I dunno, just a idea.

-Read the story before talking about it on the show. Listening to the guys read of a story blurb for the first time, is just as hard to comprehend as it is for them to read it on the fly.

-Seriously, am I the only one that can't stand watching people eat on air?

Let the flaming begin.

[captainzerocool]

-Don't start the show drunk.
I love drinking beers just as the guys do. I drink my beers as I watch the show. But watching drunk guys goofing around when your sober wears thin real fast.



I agree with that one. I want them to start coherently at least. Then begin to stumble. Being drunk when they start seems like they are tired of doing the show and don't care anymore.

[wbreim]

I've watching them since day 1 and I agree completely... they are much much more relaxed about it... in the early episodes they rly were trying to pull off a professional show. I guess when kevin was just out of G4tv and digg wasn't a huge sucess he was more professional. I guess it's just what happens when you
re an internet star with a site worth millions.

oh yeah... please stop with the ****ing time asking, rly ruins it. If you have to rush don't tell us or either get more tape or have the camera guy put his fingers up in the air. WTF!

[remf]

I hear you Remi9. I'm a long time viewer, and this is the first time I've felt compelled to comment on an episode.

What were they thinking with Ep 100? I realise they both have real life commitments, but I think all the fans expected so much more for a 'special' anniversary episode. Instead we got two drunken guys, stuffing their faces with cake, and then having a drunken argument that caused the rest of the episode to be tense and awkward.

I've always enjoyed the format of Diggnation, and the drinking and rambling as they get drunk is a unique part of this show, but I see little point in watching two drunk guys, who had clearly been drinking beforehand just making fools of themselves. I may as well have gone to a local bar...

The whole MS vs Apple argument they routinely have wears a little thin from time to time, but I realise they're both passionate about technology, and I enjoy the banter between the two of them, as it's usually light-hearted. However, this week it was just rediculous. Alex didn't really have a point to what he was saying and refused to back down. It felt like he was looking for a fight and had completely forgotten about the concept of Diggnation - two guys, drinking beer, talking about tech and having a joke or two. What transcended was just disgraceful.

Seriously, the best part of the show was the recap of the past 100 shows, and it was because it showed the Diggnation we all love and wait with baited breath for every week. It also showed that Diggnation is so much better than what we'd just seen unfold over the previous 45 minutes...

Come on guys - you can do better!

[vincent12234]

Yeah I agree with all of it, The part that anoyed me the most for some reson, was the hand movements that was really uncalled for even if it was "Funny" not all people accept that, and me I love to have fun and do stupid things sometimes but pleeeaassee that was sooo irritating.

[psbp516]

I agree whole-heartedly. I loved the middle period when they weren't trying to be professional, but still kept it somewhat civil and funny. Its great when they are drunk for the last ten minutes or so, but watching two uninformed drunk guys flame each other for the first 20 minutes is really not much fun (and they really could have held off on that cake until the end of the episode..).
And the whole Sarah lane thing, was really creepy. I love it when they talk about their personal lives, childhood memories, etc., yet Kevin being drunk and awkwardly bringing up his married ex-girlfriend was just plain weird and unsettling...

[spacelobsters]

I agree with all the things you "Remi9" mentioned too. I also want to add to it by saying both alex and kevin are great presenters and funny guys, so i am not taking sides here. Another thing i'd like to mention is it would be more enjoyable if there wasn't so much swearing in it. I'm not saying I don't, but on such a popular podcast it's not really relevant.

Keep up the episodes, but i hope they get better then the last couple.

[yourestillmycaesar]

Pretty much, yeah.

I really miss the first 20 or so episodes when they kept drinking to a minimum (or not at all in the first 10), they actually read their stories ahead of time, and things were generally funny, not because of the alcohol.

Lookit the first episode, they ended up laughing so hard they were like crying WITHOUT alcohol.

The beer is a part of Diggnation, it shouldn't leave, but it should... not be as prevalent. And I really wish that they knew that they were talking about. Kevin's smart about that stuff, and when he actually reads the whole story and the comments, he can discuss it a lot better and keep me interested in it.

[casework]

I hear you Remi9. I'm a long time viewer, and this is the first time I've felt compelled to comment on an episode.

What were they thinking with Ep 100? I realise they both have real life commitments, but I think all the fans expected so much more for a 'special' anniversary episode. Instead we got two drunken guys, stuffing their faces with cake, and then having a drunken argument that caused the rest of the episode to be tense and awkward.

I've always enjoyed the format of Diggnation, and the drinking and rambling as they get drunk is a unique part of this show, but I see little point in watching two drunk guys, who had clearly been drinking beforehand just making fools of themselves. I may as well have gone to a local bar...

The whole MS vs Apple argument they routinely have wears a little thin from time to time, but I realise they're both passionate about technology, and I enjoy the banter between the two of them, as it's usually light-hearted. However, this week it was just rediculous. Alex didn't really have a point to what he was saying and refused to back down. It felt like he was looking for a fight and had completely forgotten about the concept of Diggnation - two guys, drinking beer, talking about tech and having a joke or two. What transcended was just disgraceful.

Seriously, the best part of the show was the recap of the past 100 shows, and it was because it showed the Diggnation we all love and wait with baited breath for every week. It also showed that Diggnation is so much better than what we'd just seen unfold over the previous 45 minutes...

Come on guys - you can do better!
I agree completely.

[filch]

I agree with that one. I want them to start coherently at least. Then begin to stumble. Being drunk when they start seems like they are tired of doing the show and don't care anymore.

I actually quite enjoyed the level of inebriation at the start of the show. I was very entertained. Now if they were trashed at before each show, that'd be a different issue.

[logant]

I like how there's one episode that not a lot of people like and it's somehow the end.

[thesimo]

i think its lost its way a little, i used to be like "Ohh diggnation is out" and now im like meh.. TWiT / MacBreak Weekly are far more entertaining shows imo

[filch]

i think its lost its way a little, i used to be like "Ohh diggnation is out" and now im like meh.. TWiT / MacBreak Weekly are far more entertaining shows imo

I have listened to TWIT in months. That reminds me to go download it again....

[cdrury]

I don't know if its lost its way. Give the boys a break as well. I agree with everything you have said, and the eating cake was even more annoying on the audio version that I listen to instead of the video version.

I have faith that they will be back in form next week. If the trend continues then we might need to be worried.

[rabidbadger]

true, I'll give em a break, once every 100 times rocks, actually.

they'll be back true to form next week long as they know they fugged up this episode.

Kevin, Alex, Jay? you there? Love you guys.

Joey, not so much. :)

[casework]

The show isn't dead, let's just hope they're listening.

[psbp516]

true, I'll give em a break, once every 100 times rocks, actually.

they'll be back true to form next week long as they know they fugged up this episode.

Kevin, Alex, Jay? you there? Love you guys.

Joey, not so much. :)

Yeah, **** joey and his hands...

jk