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General discussion

Bye bye BOL

Mar 30, 2011 12:57PM PDT

I've been a listener since Molly first started and have held on out of hopeful nostalgia for the old days. Since Tom left the quality of BOL has bounced up and down. Unfortunately downward has been the trend.

Rafe was a plausible replacement but couldn't quite fit into Tom's shoes. I think he knew it wasn't working and jumped ship. He's clearly a smart guy.

Then Jason left and the production quality dropped (sound and volume levels were all over the place, RSS broke repeatedly, descriptions of podcasts no longer show up in iTunes).

BT comes across as a fun party kid but has transformed BOL into something I can no longer listen to. The weird sound effects for segments and "computer love" are annoying. The thoughtful analysis of tech news has been pushed aside.

I'm sorry to unsubscribe. I really am. But it is time for me to move on. There are so many better podcasts out there.

Thank you for the years of fun and hundreds of episodes.

Discussion is locked

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Well...
Mar 31, 2011 12:19AM PDT

bye

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I agree wholeheartedly!
Apr 6, 2011 11:30PM PDT

Between the singing, sound effects and beating a bad joke to death, there's hardly any time left for the news or comment. I haven't been listening as long as you but they have to see the show is in free-fall, right?

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Could'nt agree more!
May 12, 2011 11:36AM PDT

Was my favorite podcast for years and was the first thing I listened to every day at work. Been listening since the beginning and found myself losing interest for weeks now, in fact didn't even finish most of them the past couple weeks. The singing, sound effects, joking around, "I'm Asian" references and "Computer Love" drive me insane. Childish and immature... Its turned into dummed down version of Digg-nation...
Really sad it has come to this...

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Some alternate links you may enjoy
May 20, 2011 12:05AM PDT
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Another link
May 22, 2011 3:45AM PDT

I listen to the Newshour. I would also suggest In Our Time: http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/features/in-our-time/ It's a BBC radio program. I've listened to it for over a year now and enjoyed most of the episodes.

I've also listened to Tech News Today to get my tech fix and stopped listening to BOL a few weeks ago. Sarah Lane is not Molly, but Tom Merritt is a lot better than BT.

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I concur!
May 20, 2011 4:22AM PDT

Having a BOL without Brian Tong yesterday was such a breath of fresh air. I tried to tune in just now and I just can't take listening to him on the podcast any longer.

I'll be frank, Brian Tong's hairstyles and out there outfits don't make me immediately take a liking to him. But I'm an adult and not terribly shallow, so I don't hold that against him (or anyone in his situation)... but as far as his contributions to BOL go he is seriously lacking.

Being totally objective, all he "brings" to BOL is an average amount of common sense. He never has anything insightful to say from a tech standpoint, and his way of speaking really starts to get on one's nerves. I'm sick of hearing him use such hip words as "bringing" when describing a product release or announcement.

How old are you Brian? You need to move with the times man... your look, your vernacular... none of it ever seems to evolve or modernize.

And seriously, as an avid watcher of all CNET media, I can tell your coworkers don't think that highly of you either, the opinions sometimes seep out during pre/post-shows when they aren't careful.

I don't really like TNT all that much, only listen to it when there's no more CNET to listen to. But even though they broadcast out of a shed I don't think any of their on-air talent comes across anywhere as unprofessionally as BT... so I'm afraid I'm might have to switch to TWiT, at least for this one type of show.

And since I know I sound the exact opposite, I am not a troll or a hater, these are objective opinions - I appreciate nearly all CNET content and like most of their employees. I gave BT a chance but I can't stand him on a daily basis, at least not until he keeps "bringing" his overly flamboyant and hip ways to BOL.

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also looking for replacement
May 20, 2011 8:54AM PDT

First started listening May 2005. I even made a 3-month catch up after not being able to listen October 10-January 11 (Rafe's time). Gave Brian a chance, but not enough. The show has degraded. Is not sustainable without Molly. The amount of silence, the lack of flow the all-guys show had when she was absent (safe for Cooley's show, as he may or may not have a say, but he know how to fill the air with words) was unbearable.
I can cope with computer love (using the STOP button), and the music transitions are relatively short....
...but agree that "The thoughtful analysis of tech news has been pushed aside". It's only brought by one now. It's not enough.

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Its still a great podcast
May 22, 2011 5:51PM PDT

Second the fact that BT gets a little obnoxious and the sound effects are really degrading the show. Think Molly does a great job despite sometimes taking it a bit far with the silliness.