By Guest columnist SANDRO MONETTI
I’m at that age now when all my friends are having podcasts.
So I decided to join the trend, and it’s proving one of the best decisions ever.
If you haven’t done so already, please consider stepping into this fun medium yourself, not just as a listener but as a broadcaster too.
Create content in whatever areas interest you most and I’m sure you’ll find plenty of listeners who love it as well – that’s certainly been my experience.
The show I host, Who’s the Best?, was inspired by lively conversations my friends and I have about TV, movie and music icons and so I decided to turn those debates into a weekly podcast and, using contacts from my day job as a celebrity interviewer, recruited many of my favourite stars as panelists.
Among those gracious enough to take part so far have been Doctor Who and Broadchurch star David Tennant, Burt Ward, who was Robin in the original TV Batman series, actress Michelle Collins, musician Matt Goss, Whose Line Is It Anyway funnyman Greg Proops and many more – and each episode has been a joy.
Especially this week’s pod, Who’s the Best 80’s Pop Star, where the guests debating Madonna vs Michael Jackson and Prince or George Michael include Chesney Hawkes, of ‘The One and Only’ fame, Carol Decker of T’Pau, Wet Wet Wet’s Graeme Clark and Denise Pearson of Five Star. Icons all.
I was especially impressed by Chesney. So many former teen idols have fallen victim to the darker side of the music business as they despair over lost stardom, obsess over a big comeback or follow a self- destructive path. But he’s at peace with his place in pop history, lives a happy life with his wife and kids in LA, makes brilliant new music and loves heading back to Britain now and again to play the old songs which bring smiles to so many faces.
He understands the value of nostalgia and that’s largely what this show is about – looking back fondly on the work of legends whose work brought, and continues to bring, joy to so many.
But, as with any successful project, Who’s the Best wouldn’t be possible without a talented and equally passionate team around me, including several friends from the rich talent pool that is Brits in LA. They include Dave King, who produced the series, Elizabeth Rossi who composed the catchy theme tune, along with comedienne Emma Pyne and actor Harry Van Gorkum who co-host with me on several episodes. I also have British-based Right Angles, the best PR company in the world in my view, promoting and distributing the show and I urge you to involve your friends and contacts to help make any podcast you create the best it can be too.
You can listen to Who’s the Best via the show’s website, www.whosthebest.fm, or on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher and several other major platforms.
If I’ve made this podcasting thing sound all very easy to do, well, it is – so long as you have passion for your subject and a great team to help you. So go out there and be a talk show host yourself.
We no longer have to wait for James Corden, Jimmy Kimmel or Lilly Singh to give up their shows to get on air ourselves. The airwaves are open to everyone now thanks to the wonderful world of podcasts. So grab some friends and a microphone and go make something magic. The world is waiting for you!
