Tag: Minneapolis
0 Episode 59 – We don’t discuss the election … mostly
Happy Thursday, folks! It’s time for this week’s Mic Check!
We had a fun time this week, especially since it was Election Day! Actually … we were all somewhat nervous, as many of the ballot initiatives and politicians we supported had reported “neck & neck” right up to election day. We knew it would be hard to stay away from it, so we do actually discuss the code we developed to convey results without bringing the election into it.
Otherwise, we’ve effectively (though not officially) done away with the Mic Check theme topic and/or question. We’ve worked our way to this nice even plane where we can just start riffing with our guests, and then we’re through the Mic Check without even thinking about it.
We bounce all over the place for this Mic Check, including, but not limited to, the following: “Avatar”, The Quadratic Equation, Star Wars, “Wreck it Ralph”, our Polling Places, Cheat Codes, and Family TV watching experiences (but not necessarily in that order).
Alright. You’ve read enough. Time to take a listen. CLICK HERE. ENJOY!
0 CBS has made it to Hulu … sort of
It was announced today that the CBS network will be pushing a number of titles from its library to Hulu.com for the streaming site’s premium Hulu Plus users, starting January 2013. According to the LA Times, the new titles to Hulu will include classic TV shows like “The Twilight Zone”, “I Love Lucy”, and “Star Trek”, as well as a handful of newer titles like “CSI: Miami” and “Numb3rs”.
It’s hard to get very riled up about this new deal, as there doesn’t seem to be a net gain for anyone involved as a result. Casual visitors to Hulu will not have access to these videos (assuming ‘casual’ translates to ‘without premium account’), Hulu members who invest the $7.99 per month don’t get any new content, as the videos soon to be available to Hulu have been on Netflix and Amazon Prime for months already, and CBS won’t get new viewers on their channel as they continue to hold a tight grip on their new content.
It’s also hard for me to get mad or excited about the deal as a whole since I know next to nothing about CBS’s line-up, nor do I have a drive to educate myself either. Since moving into my apartment in Minneapolis, I have yet to sign up for any cable or dish TV service, and I constantly have to remind myself that I have an over-the-air antenna, but when that’s employed, I must catch things exclusively when broadcast, lacking any sort of DVR as well. With all of these puzzle pieces in place, my primary veins for discovery of new material comes from streaming services like Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime, and with CBS nowhere near there with new content, I feel no need to reach out if they won’t from the other side of the chasm.
And before you say anything, yes, they do have full episodes on their web site from their new shows. But, as a man, I demand the ability to flip the channel quickly as my attention span expires, in order to hunt for something more entertaining, and having to sit at my desk (purposefully uncomfortable in order to encourage progress over lolly-gagging) turns me off to the idea of trying to engage in new content.
As I write this, I feel more and more like a true, lazy American, demanding everything be delivered to me on my couch, but, instead, I believe it is CBS that should be chastised for not taking advantage of every opportunity before them to leverage their content for more viewers, money, and more money. But, obviously, the world of streaming media, especially how it translates from broadcast to screen, is still not 100% foraged, and CBS could be concocting a new path that’ll be followed in the future, but, for now, I just don’t get it.
(And yes, I am generalizing severely on this topic, knowing that a lot of programming is held back by production companies and/or cast and crew, also looking to make an extra buck or two, but I find it hard to believe that networks are surrounded by great examples of pushing content online, seeing its lifts in digital video sales and live-broadcast viewership, and still opt out. My hope is that they come to their senses soon, so Adam and I will have some new content to discuss.)
0 Episode 58 – 10/28/12 feat. Amber Hendricks & Spencer Knapp
Amber and Spencer joined Dan and Adam in the Wheels Brewing Co Studio in Minneapolis for a post ‘night on the town’ recovery, and chat about exposure to streaming signals. It’s a chill Sunday in the studio, and we discuss what everyone is watching, including Amber and Spencer’s first steps into “Doctor Who”. After that, everyone opts for a few rounds of Build a Title. Enjoy!
Taped at The Wheels Brewing Co Studio, Minneapolis, MN on October 28, 2012.
Check out photos and this week’s bonus tracks by clicking here.
Click here to listen: Episode 58 – 102812
0 Episode 58 – Murderous Energy Drinks & The Lottery
It’s a late night/early morning (depending on how you look at it) BONUS TRACK!
We had Amber Hendricks and Spencer Knapp in the studio this Sunday, after we were all out celebrating Adam and Producer Caity’s birthdays, so we recovered, and chatted through any lingering hangovers.
We have gotten really good at letting conversations flow through our Mic Checks, rather than posing off the cuff, random questions. This week followed that new code. Lots of chatting and riffing about apps, babies, energy drinks, and more!
On top of that, if you’re rusty on how Build a Title works (the game we play on this week’s episode), make sure to listen in, as we review the rules with Amber and Spencer.
It’s also worth it to check out this week’s episode page, as we have posted photos of a bonus guest who stopped by during the game-portion of the show.
0 Episode 57 – 10/24/12 feat. Kris McNeal & Jeff Priesmeyer
Kris joined via Skype in Duluth, while Jeff joined Dan and Adam in the Wheels Brewing Co Studio in Minneapolis for a high school reunion, and to talk about streaming stuff. Kris talks briefly about his experience around the Great Lakes, and he and Jeff talk about what they’re watching online right now. There’s also a lot of great rambling, and then Kris and Jeff learn how to play “Movie Bluff”.
Taped at The Wheels Brewing Co Studio, Minneapolis, MN on October 24, 2012.
Check out photos and this week’s bonus tracks by clicking here.
Click here to listen: Episode 57
0 Episode 56 – 10/16/12 feat. Jon “Alaska” Maakestad & Lauren “Lola” Schauer
“Alaska” and “Lola” join Dan and Adam in the studio to discuss the importance in finding neighbors who do not know how to encrypt Wi-Fi routers, and to discuss what they’re watching. This was a good cycle of discussion regarding what everyone is listening to, watching, and planning to watch, as “Alaska” and “Lola” discuss their upcoming adventures. ‘Bout half way through, everyone teaches “Alaska” how to play “Movie Bluff”. Good times. Take a listen!
Taped at The Wheels Brewing Co Studio, Minneapolis, MN on October 16, 2012.
Check out photos and this week’s bonus tracks by clicking here.
Click here to listen: Episode 56 – 101612
0 Episode 56 – Double-Track Friday!
Sorry for the delay on this week’s Mic Check! But it’s time!
We had another traveler in the studio this week, stopping by on his way to his final destination: Jon “Alaska” Maakestad!
“Lola” brought “Alaska” into the studio on his way from … Alaska to Australia (he’s taking the long way as he visits his folks, who are currently in the Middle East.
This week, we had another one of those episodes where everything flowed fantastically. I really love when Adam and I just get to chat up our guests, and watch the clock as to when we should switch to “Movie Bluff”. But enough about the episode, which’ll be available in a matter of hours today!
Whenever we have an episode that flows really well, that means the Mic Check was super-successful, and was just more conversations, which is exactly what happened! Definitely listen to the Mic Check while you wait for this week’s episode to drop.
See you next week!
0 Episode 55 – 10/09/12 feat. Molly Garczynski & Matt Walstead
Molly joins Dan and Adam via Apple FaceTime and Matt joins Dan and Adam in the studio to figure out whether or not Molly’s a robot, all the while, talking about what they’re streaming. Followed by that was many a tangent, some news, and a round of “Movie Bluff.” Molly and Matt are two really funny folks, and riffed well off of each other. Check it out!
Taped at The Wheels Brewing Co Studio, Minneapolis, MN on October 9, 2012.
Check out photos and this week’s bonus tracks by clicking here.
Click here to listen: Episode 55 – 100912
0 Episode 55 – Eh?
Happy Late Thursday all! Sorry about the late posting, but it was a busy day here at the Wheels Brewing Co Studio.
Well, I mean … I assume it is. I’m at work during the day, but … you know, something might be going on.
I digress. Adam and I had a fantastic time this week with Matt here in studio in Minneapolis, MN, and Molly FaceTime-ing in from NYC. Matt and Molly are two really funny people, and it was great to have them in the same conversations.
The four of us had such chemistry from the get go that we didn’t actually have a Mic Check topic this week. We just started chatting and perpetuating the conversation until half of an hour went by.
And as an apology for dropping the Mic Check so late, I’ve also included an additional pre-episode bonus track! You can listen as Dan, Adam and Matt struggle to successfully connect with Molly via Skype. It’s some goofy fun.
0 Episode 54 – 10/02/12 feat. Ben “Rodge” Rodgers & James Wheeler
Ben & James join Dan and Caity in the studio to discuss everything they’re absorbing digitally in the web, BS their way through some news and play “Movie Bluff.” With Adam out sick after the MN Ren Fest, Caity fills in as Dan, Ben & James chat her up as the conversationalists they are. Enjoy!
Taped at The Wheels Brewing Co Studio, Minneapolis, MN on October 2, 2012.
Check out photos and this week’s bonus tracks by clicking here.
Click here to listen: Episode 54 – 100212
The Buffering Podcast 