Did you think this was going to be about that MSPaint Webcomic? HA! I FOOLED YOU!
Sorry, about that.
Anyway, this article is going to be either quick or long, I have no idea. It’s just a wall of text.
WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN UP TO?
Nothing.
Literally, that’s the answer. Nothing.
No, “Well I went out to see this movie”, no “I went to the supermarket” or anything even BORING that could be added. Literally. Nothing.
I’m still caretaking for the time being. It’s been pretty much AFK for days, sometimes weeks. Everything i do is on my mobile phone. This includes listening to podcasts, and thankfully SQUEEZED With Yvette Nicole Brown debuted. So there is some sort of resemblance that I am not alone in this weird world.
Every movie I have seen has been on landscape mode on a phone - and paused, and stopped, and got around to after a couple hours so I really didn’t know the plot of most.
Every game, paused, which sucks if you do lots of Live Service games like Fortnite and Rocket League and Fall Guys, but you gotta take the L sometimes for the ones you care about.
I have not been in a group chat talking with friends.
I have not really been outside in months, aside from those brief repreives. And most of the time, I am just trying to sleep.
That’s not a “boy i love to sleep” it is in a “i have only slept for 1 hour last night” and if you don’t believe me, check out my social media history in the last few months, and me chatting every time from 11am to 4am to 3pm to 8pm and so on.
Last Week, I was able to make an episode of A Podcast With Jordan Hass that was a rambly, venty episode (much like this one)
But I want to try and get through everything, somewhat, that I have been saying….
Game Shows, I Suppose is ending again.
For about a year and a half, it’s been uploading archives from the Patreon. Obviously, I haven’t been on the computer to do things like watch and rant and talk about these shows, which makes it really challenging, but also, let’s be real here -it’s a podcast, you either get an audience or you don’t, and can probably stop.
While I would say “Oh, it’s because I have been so busy”, that’s a lie. There are so many factors that lead to this decision. Everything from “Wow, there are a ton of assholes on the internet who enjoy game shows” to “Wow, the industry I love is essentially the same place as every other television job - in limbo!" This Sucks!”
While, I did kind of see that happening. I was thinking it was going to be more akin to shows like 25 Words or Less moving to Georgia aka MADE IN GEORGIA for the savings on the budget.
But this is happening everywhere, Traitors does two shows a UK and a US one at the same time (Same with upcoming series DESTINATION X) and that goes on from there.
What I have noticed, sadly enough, is that the “niche space” is getting even more niche. Game Show Producers, who used to work on maybe 1 or 2 shows a year and can get by no problem, are now juggling with 3 or 4 shows and a side hustle, just to thread water. Lots more “Consulting” jobs and Day Rates, and while I would say “wow, i think if I could pin my niche industry interest" it is that sort of consulting part of what makes a game show work, and what could make it improve.
But, alas, I am obviously on the EXTREME lower end of that totem pole, and you have industry veterans with 10-12 years of experience, sometimes 20 or even 30 years, doing that for newer shows. It does make me wonder if that P.A. working their way up the ladder will even be a thing in 10 years.
But why does that matter?
Well, even if I am not in the industry, one of the things I am mostly good at talking and analyzing is in the review structure.
And, this year, 2024, we really did not have that big of a year of game shows and reality shows that are new.
Yes, Deal or No Deal Island is one - but I also think the best part of that show was the final episode with Howie as the Banker, which is just classic Deal or No Deal.
Josh Must Win was a great attempt at subverting the popularity contest reality format.
Fortune Hotel had this good idea of trying to swap cases to stay in the game, or win a prize, that I think could be tinkered with to be a great new concept.
But otherwise, it’s been pretty much been just Season 2 of The Mole and a new season of Taskmaster and oh look, another season of The Traitors.
Beat the Bridge? The Quiz With Balls? Lucky 13? I am going to most likely forget about all of those shows, the same way Loteria Loca was forgotten by CBS. (I did enjoy that show more than all the current offerings)
The 1% Club USA is very delightful, I am very smug that I am typically getting every question correct on that show, however, I have seen this show before because I watched the UK and Australian versions. I do think it’s very faithful and very fun.
What you are about to see though, is shows going for that “Battle Royale” style, even more. The Floor is coming back for Seasons 2 and 3, and I believe they filmed that in Ireland.
Most likely, it would be cheaper to just film 2 seasons back to back like it’s Survivor and be done for a full year (or 2 years)
And other shows, like Squid Game : The Challenge, Beast Games and 99 to Beat all are met with production nightmares.
99 to Beat UK had some people allergic to hay, and whoops. one challenge they had to jump in hay.
Squid Game : The Challenge had tons of chapped lips, so they had to use condoms as chapstick
And that’s not including BEAST GAMES, where Mr. Beast is plagued with injuries on set.
Yeah, we could talk about Beast Games even more, but most people talking about it, really don’t understand that most of these shows are wranging contestants like cattle, and has a limited budget on what they can do in wellness. Best they got is maybe some medic there named Kevin who is on his phone most of the day.
Point is, there isn’t much to talk about.
I figure, it’s time to just retire the podcast, with the last episodes going out January 2025. If there is a new show or a new toy to play with.
If i have my phone, maybe I will write about it here!
Written word is interesting, because, unlike a podcast or a youtube video essay - you have to read it (or get one of those Text to Speech apps, I see you)
But also, i have noticed this - i read way faster than I watch and listen to things.
You know how people put video essays in the background or podcasts at 2x and they think they can retain it? I think the thrill of this text is, you could just sort of stop. and go back,. Or, you could skip over and not miss anything, at all!
So, hey, expect text based stuff, if my mental health can contain it.
SOCIAL MEDIA
It’s been also wild in the world of social media, I did that thing where I was thinking of a friend (or mutual) and then i went “oh what happened to them” and then i see, oh i got blocked, or oh, they unfriended me.
Normally, it really doesn’t bother me, but i think the mental instability going on is taking it WAY TOO PERSONALLY
(It’s their accounts, they can do whatever, but it’s really weird getting DMs from people saying “Hey, Hang In There, I’m Here For You” to suddenly blocked or unfriended. Kind of stings a little.)
Anyway, so, i need to ask - WHY ARE WE STILL ON TWITTER?
I know Blue Sky is slow and Threads is difficult to navigate (but as somebody who pivoted to Instagram very fast, it’s not bad, IT EVEN HAS AN EDIT BUTTON)
Are we just going to be stuck in this neverending loop of “Well, I can’t leave Gab” “Parler has all my friends” “Truth Social has all my followers” “But if I leave Kick, where am i going to make content?”
It’s kinda annoying. Just go, if you want, just get one of those multi-purpose apps that lets you tweet and bluesky and threads at the same time and then you don’t have to check the timeline.
Most of my timeline has become “I’m sad” “I’m tired” “This is rough” and I don’t blame any of my friends to just say “enough is enough” and I think that would just kill their vibes.
Anyway, that leaves me with this vicious cycle now.
Because, you see - I want to do so much. I want to write more about video games. I want to do more silly things online. But, the circumstances is just impossible.
Hey, I want to check out some of these arcade games and talk about them online. Because every youtuber doing arcade videos is an energy-drink coked up 20 something trying to be THE BEST AT THE CLAW GAMES BABYYYYYYYYYY - and I just want to talk about the new Raw Thrills Cabinet and that Marble Pusher themed to Spider-Man.
I really want to play more Jackbox Party Pack Games, preferably with friends, but y’know. I will take anybody at this point. I barely got to play last year’s game, and this years NAUGHTY PACK is out in a couple weeks (I can’t wait to read “CUM”!)
There are all these little things that just bring me joy, and I know if I can just share these things that bring me joy, not only will my mental health improve, but I think it will just be this very fun thing to share with the world.
Game Shows? It’s my favorite thing, but at this point, based on all my data, the best plan of attack is, sometime in the future - JUST BECOME A “GOOD ENOUGH” INTERNET DARLING THAT YOU COULD JUST MAKE YOUR OWN GAME SHOW, AND THAT WILL BE IT.
Hey, it worked for Hot Ones and they had Venture Capital Debt!
Anyway, that is about it for right now.
I will eventually write some more. But I don’t know what.
When I finally get enough sleep, and the heavy lifting is lifted away, I will probably return.
It’s really just a “when” and, I am very impatient.
(I haven’t really done much in my 30s)
ANYWAY, I LEAVE YOU NOW WITH A GREAT READING OF STAR WARS EPISODE TWO
I am going to try and get some sleep, it’s 3pm and I know that’s the afternoon.
Happy Marfalump Monday.
