The Mediocre Show

Created in the suburbs of Philadelphia during the early days of podcasting, “The Mediocre Show” grew from a thirty minute recording of two guys giving each other shit into a community-driven podcast with a global audience. Even if you haven't listened to the show, you've most likely seen it as a constant iTunes feature. But aside from its longevity and popularity, one of its strangest achievements is that the listenership has shifted toward Zion over the past two years, making Utah its top downloaded location. The show, which has always been referred to as “a bunch of dick and fart jokes” by its rotating cast, never really pushed any kind of agenda to attract fans from specific locations. But with localized influence from "The Geek Show", "A Damn Podcast" and "The Man Hour" encouraging people to check them out, our own base of fans have tuned in and stayed loyal as a participating force, damn near making them ours.

The show started in late 2005 when part time DJ and audio engineer Eric Tomorrow decided he wanted to try out a new form of media known as podcasting. Using the simple recording equipment and program he had on his Mac, Eric created a show that he felt people would want to listen to, made up of thoughts and musings he put together throughout the week.

“Very few shows spoke to me as I grew up” says Tomorrow. “I thought there must be other people out there who felt the same way. I figured it was a way for those people to have a voice to call their own.”

Only a couple of shows in, Tomorrow called on his former car club friend Taylor Ramsauer to join him as a co-host, Skype'd from his home in Portland for each recording to post up Wednesday nights as a regular iTunes feature. While plagued with audio issues from the long-distance sessions, the two hammered out episodes, mostly made up of them criticizing friends and each other. The two created segments like “Cable Dating”, taking the worst Comcast had to offer from the dating pool and adding their own commentary. Not to mention adding a voicemail line for listeners to chime in, which gave way to the “Confessions” segment for those very listeners to tell their worst secrets. During this time Tomorrow would reconnect with an old girlfriend (and now wife), simply known to the fans as Hope.

“At first I didn't even know what a Podcast was” says Hope about their time together. “It was 2006 when Eric and I re-met and he told me within that first chain of emails that he did a podcast. I naturally tuned in to a recent episode and really enjoyed what I was listening to. It wasn't long before I moved in with Eric and was wearing headphones each week beside him.”

Ramsauer would eventually leave the show in 2007 to become a roadie for the band 36 Crazyfists, which opened the door for Tomorrow to bring in his friend of nearly twenty years, Matt “Kittensparks” as a live co-host. Matt's loudmouth opinions, ball-busting commentary and near hatred for most listeners pushed the show to new areas. His influence got Tomorrow to start airing the show live every Wednesday at 8PM (EST), start a call-in line, make the program more listener-oriented, and overall transform it into as live a radio show it could be without being on the air. The influx of caller-related topics tripled their listenership and content, giving the feeling that it was as much the fan's show as it was theirs, causing them to call their listeners “The Mediocre Nation.” It was during this era that "The Geek Show Podcast" caught wind of their antics, not only tuning in as listeners but encouraging their own fans to join them. But as the show neared new heights, Matt himself was forced to depart in early 2009 for personal reasons, leaving the co-host chair open again.

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Comments on this article

Posted on August 20, 2010 by Vinny D.

What a fantastic article? I'm going to check this show out right away. These guys look like bad asses.

Posted on August 20, 2010 by Jason from the Cornfields

Fantastic article. I first read about the show in Maxim Magazine quite some time ago. I wish the show, and the newlywed Tomorrow's all the best. Oh and Tha Mike isn't so bad either

Posted on August 20, 2010 by Gazoonie

The Mediocre Show is the best fake talk radio show on the interwebnets. If you're not listening, you're effing up. You're effing up right now.

Posted on August 20, 2010 by TBuckeye

One of the best group of people I have yet to meet. Truly, a quality show worth giving a listen if you havent by now. Great article, Gavin!

Posted on August 20, 2010 by Debeneezer

This is a damn fine program. Re-invent your Wednesday night and listen in. You will not regret it.

Posted on August 20, 2010 by Jeff aka Futzer

Gavin, I like your words, but may I add tune into the Mediocre show every Wed at 6 pm Mtn time on Areciboradio.com. That is all. Cheers Futz.

Posted on August 20, 2010 by Unoshato

Fantastic article!!! I will be linking this to people alot if you don't mind!

Posted on August 23, 2010 by Mike Pilot

Damn, Mike sounds hot. He must work out. Great article Gavin!

Posted on August 24, 2010 by Doc Martin

Great piece, Gavin. I've been a listener to the Mediocre Show consistently for the last three years. It's entertaining and of the people. Maybe they can be nudged to bring the show to SLC and podcast on remote. Give them a try on Wednesday nights at 8 pm eastern on Arecibo radio. You won't be disappointed, especially if you are a fan of the local Geek Show,

Posted on August 29, 2010 by Brett

The Mediocre Show is so deserving of any press. I got introduced to Eric and Taylor five years ago through a friend and its been incredible to experience the growth of the show and the people themselves. Now Eric prints shirts for my Demon Pack Brand and I got the chance to catch up with Taylor on a tour with All That Remains. The current show line-up of Eric, Mike and Hope is really dynamic and very entertaining. I wish everyday for the ultimate reward to come Eric's way. His efforts and truly worthy.

Posted on September 16, 2010 by Adam the Lumberjack

THis is the greatest article about the greatest show ever. If you aren't listening, you're F***ing up, you're F***ing up right now!!!

Posted on February 10, 2011 by Mediocrefatass

Awesome article dude,the mediocre show rules!

 

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