As you all know, Winter-is-coming.net is your best, most comprehensive and up-to-date source for All Things Game of Thronesy. We are the last website you check every night before you go to bed, and the first one you gaze upon when you rise, dutifully and hungrily, like bloodthirsty vampire Pomeranians from your creaky little canine coffins. We can’t help it that you are addicted to what we do; our journalistic acumen is of the highest quality, so we are not remiss in expecting a certain level of worship.
And why not? We here at WiC are multi-skilled and supremely talented, and also stunningly good-looking (possibly on par with Conan Stevens). We have even undergone advanced training in the Waltz, Tango, and Foxtrot. All for you. Just for you. This is all true.
When pressed, however, there is one service we are forced to admit we do not offer (besides clogging, and possibly cockfighting) … and that service is podcasting.
Luckily we have friends and acquaintances that are willing to do it for us! As we look to the future of entertainment coverage for our beloved show, those other wacky forms of “new” media (the ones with moving pictures and sound) will rise to the fore of our consciousness. Some reviews will like the show, others will love it; some may even hate it, which would probably make them slightly retarded. Here are some of the ones we will be following:
A Podcast of Ice and Fire: birthed from the aching loins of a furious god in March of 2008, this ASoIaF-based hive of scum and villainy is top-of-the-line as far as class goes, with podcasts titled “”Blowing Our Loads,” “Tard Bastards,” “Where Did The Whores Go,” “Lesbians and Dongs,” and “The Crooked Wang Theory.” Their love affair with House Manwoody continues to grow, and, like us, they have created their own Westerosi house—the now-epic House Blackwoody. Our very own Winter was the guest host back in March of last year for episode 32, appropriately titled “Winter Has Come.”
The podcast, which can come weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, (or … whenever) is hosted by Mimi, whose name, depending on who you ask, means either “Little Cat,” “Boobies,” or “Big-Headed Golden Box.” Mimi is a Mongolian Texan with self-described nerd tendencies and occasional control issues. She is joined by Ashley, a charming young lady who lets her freak flag fly with multiple piercings and admitted slashfan habits; and Chase, my personal hero, a granite-voiced grumbler who may or may not be on Michelle Fairley’s Christmas list. Also usually present are “Evil” Amin, Other Ashley, Nancy, and Kyle, though I have not personally spoken to those wackjobs.
Yes, fabulous FaBihoff was just this very week the featured guest host of the show. In typical big-mouthed fashion (Winter knows) I talked more than any guest really should. We had fun during the podcast, exactingly titled “Forever Bitter,” and taught one another many new and wonderful things, such as what exactly a merkin is. If you can’t tell who is who, I am the one who giggles like a schoolgirl. Sexy!
FaB hazing aside, these are actually fantastic people, and total balls-to-the-walls fun to hang with. You can’t get much more dedicated to A Song of Ice and Fire than to host a nigh-weekly podcast—not unless you’re Elio of Westeros, I mean—and they’re only really getting started. Once the television show kicks into gear, I know APoIaF will come hot, hard, and fast with weekly reviews. They will not hold back their opinions, be they good or bad. These nobjobbers will stay true to their gutter-crawling bawdy roots come hell or high water. I beat on Mimi, but she’s actually very engaging and charismatic, if not slightly scattered. I have no idea what she’s doing in Texas. (No offense, Texas.) Someone needs to box her up and ship her ass to SoCal, whre she can put her broadcasting skillz to good use. A Podcast of Ice and Fire can also be found on iTunes! Log on, give a listen, and post reviews!
ThinkHero: I probably know less about this nerdtastic site than I should, being that it specializes in All Things Nerd (I’m a BSC Review/Gestalt Mash guy myself). ThinkHero was launched in November of 2008 by übergeek Dennis Tzeng, covering a nice array of subjects beyond television and movies, including video games and comic books. And it offers far more than just a podcast (a neanderthal’s practice to these advanced specimens of humanity)—ThinkHero hosts multiple videocasts in a given week.
The production is pretty smooth; it’s usually hosted by Dennis, as well as TV and film reviewer Jennings Roth Cornet and resident geek hostess Kristen Nedopak. Kristen is a hardcore ASoIaF enthusiast who is just finishing up A Storm of Swords, and who regularly tweets about the rollercoaster of emotion she experiences with each bloody chapter she finishes. I’m not certain if she’s been driven completely mad by it yet or not, but … well, y’all remember what it was like. Kristen agrees that Spartacus was possibly the most underrated television show of the year thus far (it seriously was—that thing was art), so she’s completely cool by me.
I like the site. It’s easy to navigate, and you could literally stay there all day. It’s quality. Their Corvette yellow backdrop is … interesting … and I still have no idea what the hell Face Off is, even after watching a review, but I have been assured ThinkHero will be reviewing episodes of Game of Thrones. I can’t freaking wait.
Talking TV with Ryan and Ryan: Most of you already know about Maureen “Mo” Ryan, lauded television critic, friend-of-the-series, former critical darling of the Chicago Tribune and current television critic for AOL’s TV Squad (and all-around tall drink of water). She’s getting behind Game of Thrones as much as any critic I know, and, like us, hopes it will be a smash success. She’s also a teller of truths, and will not be shy in expressing things she does not like. Mo knows good TV. Let’s hope it’s damned good.
Ryan McGee (not to be confused with ESPN’s Ryan McGee) I am less familiar with personally, but his work as the Boob Tube Dude and with Zap2it is well known. He’s one knowledgeable man, and I know Mo is priming him for the series. Make no mistake, these are two heavy hitters in the critic industry. It will be good to have them weigh in on Game of Thrones.
Ryan and Ryan can also be downloaded on iTunes.
WiC Update: We have to forgive FaBio. He is getting old and, as often happens, his memory is fading. But this post would be incomplete without a mention of our friends over at Television Zombies. Hosted by Jeff, Chris and Tina this weekly show bills itself as a “cult TV podcast” where they discuss shows such as The Walking Dead (duh), Doctor Who, Fringe and more. Most importantly to our interests though, is that they are big fans of George R. R. Martin and Game of Thrones. Jeff had read the books way back when and Chris recently read them after hearing about the upcoming TV series. TVZ has had me on as a guest host here and another time in an interview here. They even have interviewed The Man himself. They promise much more Thrones coverage to come, so be sure to add this one to your RSS feed or iTunes subscription list.
And lastly, a newcomer to the ‘casting game (not to be confused with the casting clues game) are the Bjork Brothers. Hailing from the frozen tundra of Wisconsin, these brothers are fans of the books who have begun a weekly podcast on Game of Thrones. They’ve been discussing all the news and info surrounding the show so far and promise reviews and recaps once the show airs. Be sure to check them out. </WiC>
That’s all I have for today; FaBio’s frantic fingers have been set awhirl and his meager mind set ablaze by the swirling fires of encroaching time. The clock ticks inexorably down. Winter comes quickly, and the ‘casters are ready! Once it begins …
Man, we will all be busy!
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63 Comments
Hear Fabio s voice for the first time two days ago.
Sounded like old wizard full of wisdom. :)
The_Rabbit01Quote Reply
I recently tried out “A Podcast of Ice and Fire” for the first time. I listened to about 3 episodes and was immediately turned off. It’s basically just a mass b*tch session by a few bitter nerds (nothing against nerds, I am one myself). Don’t waste your time with this drivel.
Drogo’s HorseQuote Reply
Wow! Mimi is beautiful!
BlaineoQuote Reply
Hey, Us Texans will still be here when SoCal falls into the ocean! :) Rock on Mimi!
dizzy_34Quote Reply
Drogo’s Horse,
Hear hear.
Petter Kristian VikestadQuote Reply
If you need another sassy/edumacated voice for your podcast (which WiC can do better than anyone imho) I volunteer! I’m known as an engaging conversationalist with little shame. (But if you want G-rated, I can’t not swear. I’m fucking sorry. XD)
Franny BeeQuote Reply
I’m responsible for T for Tango. Just has another lesson yesterday.
P.S. C’mon guys, be nice to the podcasters :D
Hear Me RoarQuote Reply
Although I imagine the majority of PoIaF aren’t all that great, the one with FaB was funny as hell. You were great man. I’ll be definitely tuning into the Mo Ryan one when the show starts.
NickQuote Reply
The_Rabbit01,
Winter,
You kids get off my lawn!
Fire And BloodQuote Reply
I was also tempted to post up a racier picture of Kristen, but then I thought, Mmmm… we still want her as a friend!
Fire And BloodQuote Reply
P.P.P.S. I heartily apologize to the Television Zombies. It’s 6:20 am and I really need to go to bed. Eat my brains in the morn—err, afternoon?
Fire And BloodQuote Reply
Many thanks for the kind words! I look forward to getting into “Game of Thrones” next month. I made the decision to go in without reading the books first, so Mo and I will have an “expert”/”newbie” view on each episode, which hopefully will reflect the audience of the podcast. Can’t wait!
Ryan McGeeQuote Reply
I can’t remember which ASoiaF podcast it was, but I found myself correcting their (basic) facts and character names/relationships. It stunted the discourse. Wanted to hari-kari myself.
And that, Your Honor, is why WiC needs a podcast.
Franny BeeQuote Reply
Franny Bee,
This is a great way to be supporting the bottom! Who wouldn’t want a House Gatewatch Weekly podcast, where we all could call in and enjoy each other’s dulcet tones as we fiercly defend our position on the latest Gate? (It’s to be pronounced ‘ruhm’ you idiot, ‘ruhm’, and not ‘reuoom’!)
purplejillyQuote Reply
Personally, I enjoy the (often vulgar) crack Podcast of Ice and Fire comes up with. I can’t wait to hear FaB’s episode!
EggplantQuote Reply
Ryan McGee,
That’s a great approach, the fandom will be very interested in the fresh look perspective once the show airs.
Eggplant,
It’s already on ;) The one with merkins in the title, obviously.
Hear Me RoarQuote Reply
Drogo’s Horse,
Have to agree with Drogo on this one. I listened to a handful of episodes and it is garbage. The discussions are awkward, immature and boring. They don’t have any original or interesting perspectives to offer, and their knowledge of the books is average at best. The one exception being the girl from Toronto who never talks.
ChristianQuote Reply
way to go FaBio… thanks for supporting the bottom
marzmanQuote Reply
As the site that is the most comprehensive, I wish you gents would conduct a podcast. I also listened to one of the podcasts mentioned and it was witty, fun and engaging but not that interesting from a Game of Thrones sense. I want REAL nerds, like me, who know the intimicies of Game nerd-a-lism. I can think of no one better then FaB, Winter, Hear and Rabbit….not in that particular order.
But to be fair….all of these are done out of love and I cannot criticize anyone too much. I am really just happy that there are a lot of options for such a great book and tv series. So I will stop bitching.
Cisco MasiasQuote Reply
purplejilly,
I support this bottom! House Gatewatch podcast! It could be like a group of Woodwards and Bernsteins, breaking all the latest -gates! Of course it wouldn’t just be rabid fanboy/girl complaining though; House Gatewatch is also known for its lightning fast response to new developments on the show as well as its vast knowledge of the texts!
Two of my favorite podcasts ever were the Lost podcast run by Damon Lindelof/Carlton Cuse and the Mugglecast run by the people at Mugglenet. The Lost one was great because it came from the showrunners, who answered fan questions, supplied hints for upcoming episodes and played at revealing some answers to the show’s billions of questions/mysteries/unexplained details. Mugglecast was fantastic because they would analyze the Harry Potter books and talk about theories, as well as talk about what they hoped for the films.
It would be great to have the same type of thing available to the denizens of Wyknett. :)
LinaQuote Reply
Lina,
BING! *returns to karaoke*
Franny BeeQuote Reply
Fire And Blood,
I listened to you on the Podcast of Ice and Fire last night… you sir, are hilarious.
I for one find the podcast often laugh out loud funny. It, like life, shouldn’t be taken too seriously. It’s okay to let yourself have a bit of fun and… laugh from time to time… honest!
My last gig was quite monotonous, and this podcast was one of my daily staples of entertainment. Of course, the people working near me would give me some awfully strange looks when out of the silence came my occasional burst of laughter. Hehehe. But, in my industry everybody is a bit strange, so I don’t think they took toooooo much notice. Hahaha.
Jenn RoseQuote Reply
Ryan McGee,
This is perfect! Now everyone – old fans and show newbs- can enjoy what you and Mo discuss! Good luck with everything! I look forward to it. :)
LinaQuote Reply
I’ve been a fan of A Podcast of Ice and Fire for over a year now and it’s wonderful to see the tiny podcast finally have a some degree of publicity. Haters gonna hate, I think the podcast is amazing. It doesn’t take itself too seriously, which is the most important aspect of a podcast.
I wouldn’t like to listen to 2 hours of someone reciting facts from the books and putting them together, even though I’m a huge fan. If that stuff is interwoven between raunchy jokes though, it’s alot more fun.
BTW the first 2 podcast episodes are very awkward. It gets better from there on.
RistoQuote Reply
The podcast of ice and fire incredibly entertaining. People who dont like it have no sense of humor. If you want dry, boring, serious discussion that has been done to death at this point, start your own podcast.
henryQuote Reply
It was great hearing you on the newest podcast. The merkin comment was very funny. I like the podcast a lot because it just seems natural. No one i know is into the series so it is fun to listen to others who like it talk about it.
soitgoesQuote Reply
Yeah, I remember way back when Winter was on APoIaF, I looked up their site and stumbled on a pic of Mimi. Definitely hot. :)
LexQuote Reply
Fabio, your posts are too long! It’s just impossible to read this one “on the go”.
Make ‘em shorter, pleeease ;)
Love y’all
SteveQuote Reply
I listened to one last night and enjoyed it quite a bit. Don’t have time to be a regular listener right now. May give it another go after the first episode airs.
HBOForum.comQuote Reply
As a fan of the Podcast of Ice and Fire from pretty much day one, it’s nice to see them get some recognition within the fancommunity (even if it isn’t always that positive a recognition). Really though, they’re damn hilarious, and as another poster said I’d much rather listen to a podcast that isn’t always correct to a scholarly degree but yet seems like a bunch of friends discussing the series. Chase, Mimi, and Amin are all great. Really, the entire cast is pretty damn enjoyable when they actually talk. Now, let’s go check out the Fabio episode…
koinosukeQuote Reply
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKrOkmrc1cs
I was making these with my buddy awhile back. Bout to start them back up again now that more people know about this show!
The podcast is “wednesday is for movies” on Itunes but we called these our “Kings of the North” special edition podcasts.
jdudleyQuote Reply
Steve,
I could not disagree more. FaBio’s prose is beautiful to behold. The more the better.
GaRQuote Reply
FaB was the best guest I’ve heard on that podcast.
I have a crush on Mimi.
The DarkStarQuote Reply
it was a cool podcast…
btw my fav nerdy site is nerdist, and they haven’t even mentioned game of thrones yet…not once! I just don’t get it, like they deliberately decided against it…they post everything firefly-ish and they immediately posted the doctor who air date…wtf…had to whine about it somewhere…
Saso AlaufQuote Reply
Hooray Stormwind music!
Brett ChamberlainQuote Reply
My dearest non-American bastards,
The following is regarding the Maester’s Path box contest (next topic, above). I didn’t want to hijack that thread with a bunch of outside-the-U.S.-and-thus-automatically-disqualified comments however.
For about a week, Winter, HmR and myself really discussed what we could do for the House Gatewatch Bottom Supporters who live outside the U.S. We would have actually done this contest much earlier — probably as soon as Campfire contacted us and said they wanted to give one to us to give away — if we’d been able to come up with a fair way to to get something of equal value over to you Eurocanadiavakianiards.
There was brief discussion about maybe giving the non-U.S. winner an HBO House Insignia tee-shirt, but … that would still be less cool than a Maester’s box. We imagine the response might have been “Tammy from Anaheim got a Maester’s Box and all I got was this lousy Greyjoy tee-shirt that looks like a uterus.”
So I bring The Question to The People! What in your minds would make a cool contest that our non-U.S. residents could do … and what sort of cool prize ideas do you have in mind — ones that we could (legally) send?
Right off the bat I’m going to say NO to 1. noseless dwarf heads and 2. shrubberies.
But I’m curious if y’all have any ideas that we did not. 200 heads are better than three!
Your heads, I mean. Not dwarf heads.
Fire And BloodQuote Reply
Thanks again for joining us, Fabio!
ChaseQuote Reply
Fire And Blood,
What kind of prizes can you ‘legally’ send? T-shirts? Books? I’m not sure what to suggest.
In terms of contest, though, I’d suggest more caption contests… or, copying the GOT facebook page, describing your personal House sigil. I saw some fantastic responses on there!
LexQuote Reply
Fire And Blood,
Multimedia is also fun. How about contests that involve creating some artwork, music, or video?
LexQuote Reply
FaBio, it was an immense pleasure having you on our show and educating us in the ways of the world. and i will now forever describe chase as a “granite-voiced grumbler.” it helps me picture him as a geodude.
i always have to keep in mind, when coming across feedback about APOIAF, that we’re a very polarizing podcast. people are either borderline vitriolic with their hate, or else they love it and send us their best dick jokes. while i can’t say that i’m proud of every episode we’ve ever put out, i think we’ve grown both as a show and as a group of friends. this is purely a labor of love, and we’re all having fun and getting the privilege to talk with awesome ASOIAF fans around the world.
thanks for the kind words, and for digging out that picture of me, haha. quite the investigator you are.
Mimi MiévilleQuote Reply
Fire And Blood,
The Maester’s Box is pretty much the ultimate, but T-shirts are cool prizes too. Honestly I’d be stoked to win anything at all.
Books 1-5 with HBO tie-in covers? That’d be hell of cool.
GaRQuote Reply
The books would be a cool prize, but that’s quite expensive …an online chat with GRRM…Emilia Clarke’s phone number…you know, the cheap solutions :)
Saso AlaufQuote Reply
I think we now have a prize in mind.
Win a date with Mimi!
Sure, she’s got a boyfriend she cooks meatballs for, whatever. Minor detail. She won’t argue if we fly her to the winner’s doorstep.
Well, unless it’s Canada.
Mimi: “Cool, I won an all-expenses paid trip to–DAMMIT!”
…
Okay, we don’t have that kind of money. But the premise is awesome.
Fire And BloodQuote Reply
Female winners would get Chase and his sexy voice, duh.
Fire And BloodQuote Reply
Fabihoff, it was somewhat surreal to hear the podcast with you as the adult of the group. Fun though.
OldGranQuote Reply
I would then use the distraction to sneak off with a freshly-roofied Ashley slumped over my shoulder.
This is full of win for everyone involved.
Fire And BloodQuote Reply
OldGran,
I am ever mature and responsible.
Fire And BloodQuote Reply
Hells, more than 400 comments on the other thread now.
GaRQuote Reply
This is about the “Win a Maester´s Box”- thread, that I don´t want to spam.
It seams like that samebody has already won a box.
AbyssQuote Reply
hell yeah that would be so cool
Jéssica De Freitas MacielQuote Reply
Copy of those Special edition books recently announced would be a fitting non-US prize I think
Jordan HealeyQuote Reply
I love Manwoody.
CyanQuote Reply
Fire And Blood,
it’s simple, the only thing that can match the maester’s box is a planeticket to you or Phil so we can legally see the first hour of Game of Thrones on april 17! And maybe throw a little pilot-party with Mimi and Emilia on the side?
KnurkQuote Reply
Yeah I would think a great prize for the European readers would be to somehow set up a way for them to see the show when it’s airing in the US. Don’t know how to do something like that except sending them a slingbox (which may be beyond you all’s budget).
dizzy_34Quote Reply
dizzy_34,
Wait, wait… – So there is actual a way to watch HBO in Europe? “All” you need is a American slingbox?
AbyssQuote Reply
Abyss,
I assume so. They say it works anywhere you can get an internet connection. The person in the US hooks it up to their cable/dish box and an internet connection and you can view that persons DVR recordings or live TV depending on which model you buy. Then you can watch it wherever you get an internet connection true an ipad, iphone, pc and I think it works with droid phones too. They are around 300 bucks so don’t know if anyone is willing to spring that much dough.
dizzy_34Quote Reply
dizzy_34,
*through an ipad
dizzy_34Quote Reply
A GoT poster would be a great prize.
GaRQuote Reply
I vote yes on A Podcast of Ice and Fire, though all the criticisms above are true, or have been true at one time or another. They’re fun and they don’t take anything, including the books, seriously. It’s like having a bunch of friends who like Song of Ice and Fire, mostly in good way, but in a few bad ones, too.
witless chumQuote Reply
That´s indeed much money, and even then then you need a accessory in America which I don´t have… Anyway, thanks for the explication!
AbyssQuote Reply
How about a Knighthood and service in House Gatewatch?
OR…
If you can get them on board, a guest spot with one of those podcasts.
WingQuote Reply
haha, it doesn’t take much to become a guest on the podcast. just a love of the books, a working knowledge of the english language, and a mic that doesn’t sound like it’s being ambushed by hornets.
Mimi MiévilleQuote Reply
What Mimi said about podcast guests applies to the Bjork Brothers podcast as well.
Nate BjorkQuote Reply
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