The Earwolf Challenge

Earwolf Challenge Epilouge

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 07:00:00 +0000

With Season One of The Earwolf Challenge under our belt, we're ready to go back and see what worked, what didn't, and how we can make Season Two even better. This serves as both an episode of The Wolf Den and The Earwolf Challenge as Jeff Ullrich, Frank Capello, and Matt Besser talk to three of our vocal forum participants to find out how we screwed up and what we did right. If we left anything out, be sure to let us know in the forums!

The Final Challenge: Day 3

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 07:00:00 +0000

After ten weeks of competition, we're finally ready to declare a winner! First, a few words of thanks: Thank you to all ten of our podcasts competitors, as well as each and every podcast who gave "Project Tippy Toe" a chance. Thank you to all of our talented guest judges, each of whom played an important part in finding Earwolf's next great podcast. Thank you to Frank and Peter, Jeff and Scott, and of course Matt Besser for putting their blood, sweat and tears into this project. And lastly, thank you to each of you who have listened to The Challenge, blogged and tweeted about it, and participated in the forums. Thank you all, and congratulations to our big winner (I'm not going to go and spoil it!).

The Final Challenge: Day 2

Tue, 13 Sep 2011 07:00:00 +0000

The Little Dum Dum Club have spent the entire Earwolf Challenge in the top, only once being considered for elimination. Today they pull out all the stops as they invite Australian comedians Luke McGregor and Nick Cody into the fold for a full 30 minute episode. Our charmers from down under talk about parents on Facebook, their crappiest comedy gigs, specialty coffee, and strippers in an attempt to win a spot on Earwolf. Will they succeed? Find out tomorrow on The Earwolf Challenge Season Finale!

The Final Challenge: Day 1

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 07:00:00 +0000

Well folks, we're down to the final two! This week Earwolf co-founders Jeff Ullrich and Scott Aukerman join host Matt Besser to decide which of our remaining contenders have earned a spot on the network. The Challenge? One full 30 minute episode of each podcast with the results announced on Wednesday. Today you'll hear Totally Laime spend some time with Charlie Day from It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia. Fears, New England accents, family dynamics and more are discussed as Elizabeth and Andy give us their final submission. Come back tomorrow for The Little Dum Dum Club and join us on Wednesday for the results.

Time Crunch: Day 3

Wed, 07 Sep 2011 07:00:00 +0000

In the immortal words of Boyz II Men: "It's so hard to say goodbye to yesterday." Our third place contestant is "yesterday" for the sake of this metaphor. Who will get the bronze metal? Our Aussie friends down in The Little Dum Dum Club? Our crazy sketch guys and gal at Left Handed Radio? Elizabeth and her husband Psychic Andy of Totally Laime? Listen in and find out!

Time Crunch: Day 2

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 07:00:00 +0000

Dave Anthony and Matt Belknap are two major figures in the world of podcasting. Dave co-hosts Walking The Room, the "comic's comic" of podcasting. Matt co-hosts Never Not Funny, one of the longest running podcasts around. They know full well what it's like to be in a time crunch and they're here to see which of our remaining three podcasts can deliver in a pinch. Join us tomorrow as three becomes two and we inch ever closer to crowing a winner of The Earwolf Challenge.

Time Crunch: Day 1

Mon, 05 Sep 2011 07:00:00 +0000

Our top three competitors have been given their biggest assignment yet: One hour to interview Zach Galifianakis as part of an editing challenge. Too bad it isn't going to happen. This week we test our challengers on their ability to bounce back after a guest cancellation in a short amount of time. Listen in today to hear Matt "coach" the podcasters through the most important hour of their life, and join us tomorrow to hear their Time Crunch submissions with guest judges Dave Anthony and Matt Belknap.

Using a Famous Guest: Day 3

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 07:00:00 +0000

Four podcasts become three as we reach the end of the week. Only one podcast is safe this week making it one of the toughest eliminations yet. Who will go home? You'll have to listen to find out. And as always, leave your thoughts and critiques on our forums.

Using a Famous Guest: Day 2

Tue, 30 Aug 2011 07:00:00 +0000

Both Doug Benson and Harris Wittels are experienced podcast guests. Knowing what they know about podcasting and Nick Thune, what will they think of each show's four minute submission? Only four shows remain, so no nit will go unpicked as we prepare for tomorrow's elimination episode. Tune in tomorrow to see who is going home and which three podcasts will continue in the search for Earwolf's next great podcast!

Using a Famous Guest: Day 1

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 07:00:00 +0000

There is a good chance that some of you listeners found this show because of Paul F. Tompkins, Marc Maron, Paul Scheer, or some of our other well-known guests. This week we see how each of the contestants handle 10 minutes with comedian Nick Thune. Matt gives the contestants valuable advice on approaching guests with respect, so tune in tomorrow to hear how everyone fares with guest judges Doug Benson and Harris Wittels. Also, let us know on the forums if you would like a bonus behind-the-scenes episode.

Original Content: Day 3

Wed, 24 Aug 2011 07:00:00 +0000

For the first time ever, fewer podcasts are safe than are up for elimination. Who blew the judges away, and who confused and bemused them? We're more than halfway done, so hold on tight as we finish up the search for Earwolf's next great podcast!

Original Content: Day 2

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 07:00:00 +0000

The challengers have three-and-a-half minutes and no introduction to get our judges on board. How will they fare when Matt, Jordan Morris, and Kulap Vilaysack "commentate" on their mini-episodes? Learn who makes the bottom three and who is going home tomorrow on The Earwolf Challenge.

Original Content: Day 1

Mon, 22 Aug 2011 07:00:00 +0000

With the competition now cut in half, we return to a trusty old challenge: Concepts and Content. Only it's a little bit different this week: They can't pull from the archives, and they don't get to introduce the clip! This week's coaching session takes on a different tone as Matt emphasizes marketability to the contestants. We're taking your suggestions to heart so leave feedback on the Earwolf forums and join us tomorrow as we bring in guest judges Kulap Vilaysack and Jordan Morris.

Sketches: Day 3

Wed, 17 Aug 2011 07:00:00 +0000

We started the competition with ten podcasts and after today we will have whittled it down to five. Hear how the chat shows fare and if the sketch shows proved themselves in today's elimination episode. Leave your comments here on the forum and on our Facebook page.

Sketches: Day 2

Tue, 16 Aug 2011 07:00:00 +0000

Our guest judges for the week are Tig Notaro and Seth Morris. Seth has written, performed, and directed many a sketch show at the UCB Theatre, and while Tig isn't a sketch comic herself, her podcast Professor Blastoff includes weekly sketches. Will any submission make these two judges laugh out loud? Listen to find out, and join us tomorrow as we eliminate our fifth competitor!

Sketches: Day 1

Mon, 15 Aug 2011 07:00:00 +0000

Given the success of podcasts like Superego, The Pod F. Tompkast, and The Thrilling Adventure Hour, we asked our contestants to try writing and performing sketches. In today's coaching session you'll hear what Matt, a venerable sketch comedy innovator, thinks of the popularity of "meta sketches" and what advice he has for all the non-sketch competitors. See who comes out on top tomorrow when Matt is joined by Tig Notaro and Seth Morris.

Using the Guest: Day 3

Wed, 10 Aug 2011 07:00:00 +0000

We don't love doing it, but we have to eliminate yet another podcast. Matt, Howard, and Marc call the three lowest performing shows and one must leave. Keep up with our eliminated contestants on the Earwolf blog, and join in on the discussion on our forums.

Using the Guest: Day 2

Tue, 09 Aug 2011 07:00:00 +0000

Marc Maron and Howard Kremer both use guests in a unique way on their podcasts. Let's hear what they think of our seven remaining challengers. With the competition thinning out we have longer submissions to judge and harsher critiques for the remaining shows. Hear who did the most poorly tomorrow on our elimination show.

Using the Guest: Day 1

Mon, 08 Aug 2011 07:00:00 +0000

This week we ask our challengers to send in examples of how they use their guests. In the coaching sessions we'll hear how the guest-less podcasts plan on competing this week and why it's important for the "chat" shows to set themselves apart from their competition. Plus, what does Totally Laime think about their front-runner status? Find out how they fare the competition tomorrow with guest judges Marc Maron and Howard Kremer.

Recurring Segments: Day 3

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 07:00:00 +0000

We end the week as we do every week with an elimination. Hear which three podcasts had the hardest time with the challenge and who will be subsequently eliminated. Don't forget to check out the Earwolf Blog where each eliminated contestant is asked to write about their experience. Beginnings and The Complete Guide to Everything both have great insights into the contest and on Friday you'll hear from today's eliminated podcast.

Recurring Segments: Day 2

Tue, 02 Aug 2011 07:00:00 +0000

It's time to see what the contestants have come up with for their recurring segments! Matt Besser is joined by Matt Gourley from Superego and Paul Scheer from How Did This Get Made? to judge the podcasts' submissions. Let us know which segments you liked and which didn't work for you on Facebook and on the Earwolf forums.

Recurring Segments: Day 1

Mon, 01 Aug 2011 07:00:00 +0000

Comedy Bang Bang has Would You Rather?, Sklarbro Country has Sklarbitration, and this week we ask our contestants to show us their recurring segments. Through the coaching sessions we'll learn what constitutes a recurring segment and how a non-conversation podcast can seamlessly introduce these refillables. Will they be able to do it? Find out tomorrow with guest judges Paul Scheer and Matt Gourley.

Concept & Content: Day 3

Wed, 27 Jul 2011 07:00:00 +0000

It's elimination time again, and it isn't getting any easier to say goodbye. Matt, Jesse, and Paul have chosen the three weakest submissions and will ultimately say goodbye to their least favorite. Be sure to let us know on Facebook and the Earwolf Forums what you think of the eight remaining contestants.

Concept & Content: Day 2

Tue, 26 Jul 2011 07:00:00 +0000

Jesse Thorn and Paul F. Tompkins both host popular podcasts with unique concepts and compelling content, so who better to judge this week's challenge? No topic is left uncovered as the judges critique the submissions for their originality, sound quality, sketch writing, likeability, and more. Will your favorite show make it to Week 4? Tune in tomorrow to hear the judges' final ruling.

Concept & Content: Day 1

Mon, 25 Jul 2011 07:00:00 +0000

It's Week 3 of The Earwolf Challenge and we're down to nine contestants who will compete this week over show content. Meaning? There must be a reason for someone to listen to your podcast, and some reasons are more compelling others. In today's coaching session you'll hear some contestants struggle to explain their podcast or wonder how they can consolidate the theme into two minutes. Listen tomorrow to hear their submissions with guest judges Paul F. Tompkins and Jesse Thorn.

Theme and Intro: Day 3

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 07:00:00 +0000

Our first elimination week comes to a close with, well, an elimination. As tough as it was, our judges have chosen the three weakest intros and unfortunately one will leave the competition. Did we make the right call? Who are your favorites so far? Talk it up in the forums and onFacebook.

Theme and Intro: Day 2

Tue, 19 Jul 2011 07:00:00 +0000

Now that Matt has coached our wonderful contestants, let's check in and see what they come up with! Our guest judges are Jason Sklar from Sklarbro Country and Jimmy Pardo from Never Not Funny who join Matt to see which theme songs work, which intros are too long, and who have the contest in the bag. Check in tomorrow to hear the bottom three podcasts and to learn who is going home.

Theme and Intro: Day 1

Mon, 18 Jul 2011 07:00:00 +0000

We begin our second week of The Earwolf Challenge with our first elimination round. We've asked all ten of our contestants to send in the opening of their podcast, be it a theme song or spoken introduction, and the lowest ranking competitor will be sent home. We start the week off with a coaching session so be sure to join us tomorrow to hear the resulting intros with special guest judges Jason Sklar and Jimmy Pardo.

Meet the Podcasts: Day 3

Wed, 13 Jul 2011 07:00:00 +0000

We’ve finally reached the end of the getting-to-know-you week on The Earwolf Challenge and we’re ready to reveal our three final contestants. We start off with The Little Dum Dum Club which is based out of Australia and is our only international show. We follow that up with Beginnings, a show about the origins of creative people hosted by the comedy duo Wrestling Team. Finally we get a look inside the married home of Elizabeth and Andy, host and “psychic” of Totally Laime who pride themselves on asking the most important people the least important questions. Join us next week for our very first elimination round!

Meet the Podcasts: Day 2

Mon, 11 Jul 2011 06:35:50 +0000

Today is day two of the Earwolf Challenge and it’s time to meet some more contestants. First off we have Ham Radio which features Brett Hamil writing, performing and editing sketches all by himself. Next is Left Handed Radio, another sketch show with five different performers from five different NYC sketch and improv groups. We also have Television Zombies whose love of sci-fi and fantasy strikes a chord with Matt. We end today’s episode with The F Plus who offer us a look at the most awful garbage the internet has to offer. Just three more contestants left to meet, so stop by back tomorrow to get to know them!

Meet the Podcasts: Day 1

Mon, 11 Jul 2011 06:33:40 +0000

Welcome to The Earwolf Challenge, America’s first reality podcast! For the next ten weeks Matt Besser and Engineer Frank will help us find the next Earwolf podcast, but for now let’s just get to know our competitors. Meet The Fort Podcast where comedians Mike, Kevin and Ed discuss girls and games and do sketches with comedian guests. Hear Bob and Dan of the aptly named Bob and Dan Cast and their request to be the underdog of the contest. Lastly, we hear from The Complete Guide to Everything, the podcast intent on putting Wikipedia out of business. We have seven more contestants to meet so stick around for the next two days and head to the forums to tell us what you think so far!