Podcasting is a marvellous thing for comedians – it enables both professionals and amateurs to test ideas and showcase their talents via the internet and reach a listenership they could never have accessed before without a prime slot on BBC Radio 4. I guess you could say that like the iphone has democratised photography, the podcast has democratised radio – basically, anyone can have a go. You don’t even need a studio to record in – just a laptop. If you feel you need an audience, then you can draft in the neighbour or the cat.
On the flipside, the growing importance of the podcast and its commercial value can be seen in the way stations and production companies such as Absolute and Somethin’ Else are starting to quite successfully producing podcasts of their own and making them available online and on iTunes for download. The Radio Production Awards even has a category this year for best podcast/online producer.
So we were very excited to learn of a new comedy/feminist podcast called Girl Riot from comedians Lucy Porter and Sarah Kendall. Recorded in Lucy’s kitchen, it’s 30 minutes of current affairs discussed in a humorous light, guest interviews and reviews. The idea came from the producer, Amanda Redman, who was sick of seeing comedy shows with token girls on the panel.
Our founder Lynne Parker was the guest on their third episode (out soon) so after the recording, we turned the tables on them and asked them some questions about Girl Riot – give it a listen, we think their podcast has got huge potential!
Victoria Ferran
Pictured: Lucy Porter and Sarah Kendall
