Valiantly commandeering the finest in movie reviews, catty banter and pure radio, it’s high time to welcome the great ship Wittertainment to the party, ably captained by Messrs. Kermode and Mayo, this is a weekly radio show lovingly re-crafted into a podcast. Though not solely a download product, the post-live listenership are given great consideration and due respect for their commitment to the show and this, to me, qualifies this show as an entity worth reviewing as a podcast. Especially since it makes a whole lot better product than some other groups manage.
Simon Mayo and Mark Kermode
Kermode and Mayo, as an itinerant broadcasting couple for almost two decades, share an interplay that fits perfectly into a classic radio mould. One of their clearest strengths is their love of their fields, Simon an old school radio man, harking back to the traditional calm and collected hosting, heralding the show, reading listener contributions and baiting Mark, always with a subtle wryness underwriting his commentary. Whilst Kermode is a great bon vivant of film, a semi-reluctant arbiter of taste, considered and unabashed in his opinions, with a penchant for bursts of unbridled poetry or bilious disgust. They share a delightful and symbiotic coupling, their occasional childish bickering belying their stature and offering a glimpse into them as more than simple radio voices, but as people too. Adding to this sense of personability, there is also a host of in-jokes, such issues as ‘your microphone is bigger than mine,’ saying hello to luminaries and the continuing ‘it is/it’s not about spying’ debate cropping up most every episode. The influence of these domestic disputes really aid the bounce of the show, giving it a drive of constant energy and making the listener feel a part of something all the more inclusive. This relationship means that the shows freshness and charm is beyond it’s imitators and comparatives, with the necessity of their radio show keeping the pair honest and together.
A moustachioed Kermode, Jason Isaacs and Mayo
As key as is their love of radio, you can also sense the pair’s devotion to the show. No faux hatred for the listener, none of the lack of commitment that belies some shows actual motives, no dismissal of the audience as adoring but useless pawns. Instead the whole affair seems set in stone, which is very gratifying. The in-jokes mean that there is a through line between the episodes, keeping them inextricably linked and the audience forever in thrall. Beyond this though, the show is a really well crafted product. Beginning with a countdown of the British top ten, accompanied by pocket-sized reviews, provided either by Kermode or the listeners, with special attention going to the weeks more hallooed or notable releases. This is followed by a long-form interview, (such alumni including Kenneth Branagh, John Cusack and Nicolas Cage) often followed by Kermode and Mayo’s caged honesty about the interviewees willingness to be pleasant, adding a ‘behind the magic’ type intrigue that gives ever more sheen to the show. The second half is taken up by extensive and fulsome reviews from Kermode, his elucidations, considerations and conjugations providing both a depth to the discussion and constant proof of his expertise. His occasional rants are zealously revered by the audience, but utterly deserved by those films which fall victim, these are contrasted with many a film which is simply terrible and doesn’t even deserve the time to sharpen a rant, recently describing one such film as a ’nappy full of poo.’ His love affairs are equally vivacious and expressive, showing a love of cinema which oozes heart and soul, offer something incredibly new, intelligent or are simply powerful examples of their genre. The audience are also heavily included in these reviews, with Mark’s plaintive ‘nooo’s as a listener desperately misunderstands a film almost worth a show on their own.
The co-hosts have also recently begun adding in exclusive podcast elements, including extra bits of discussion or reviews that overflowed the show, extra pieces of correspondence and revelations of both DVD and CD of the week. These add-ons further the implicit respect and gratitude for their fans, with their addition giving the podcast audience an extra reason to get or stay involved. It also allows those smaller films which may have gone straight to VOD or DVD to get coverage that there isn’t space for in the show, or allows for Mark to re-iterate his love of an earlier release. Whilst Simon’s CD of the week always brings with it an eclectic mix of genres and styles, with Kermode’s being more of a singular love affair. It’s all held together with a furthered sense of the laid back and calm from the rest of the show, really giving kudos to the idea of bonus content.
More than just movie reviews, more than parently bickering, the flagship movie show sails unopposed through oceans of mediocrity. The duo are exemplary hosts and contributors, equal parts delectable and delightful, making for a truly a glorious show, be it a podcast or not.
The podcast goes up on iTunes soon after the show, and is also available through the BBCs website. Or you could tune in live, 2-4 GMT on the 5Live portion of the same website. The show is on twitter, @Wittertainment, whilst Mark is @KermodeMovie and Simon is over @SimonMayo. So go on, hop to it.