** Click here for Episode 177 **
Over the years, we’ve noted a number of emotions which AMT stirs in its listenership: amusement, nausea, disgust, disappointment… But this is the first time we’ve been able to add ‘shame’ to the canon. Shamika writes:
I work for a global consultancy in the City. As I was walking out of the office on Friday (already with my headphones on), a director came up to me and asked what was I listening to. I’m a bit of a comedy freak so my phone is full of podcasts like the Bugle, Friday Night Comedy and of course AMT.
I wanted to sound vaguely professional, so I said, “Friday Night Comedy”. This seemed to do the trick as he seemed suitably impressed and we chatted a bit about that until he asked “Oh, what other podcasts do you have that you recommend?”
Now I think you’d be the first to admit that AMT is hardly something you’d share in a professional work environment. So I blustered for a bit and told him I’d find him something good in a week.
I’m hoping he’ll forget, but if he doesn’t, I’m in a bit of dilemma, because I want to recommend AMT but don’t know whether he’ll appreciate it. I don’t want him to change his perception of me, which unfortunately is hugely important as a consultant looking to get promoted in the next year.
So answer me this: do I recommend AMT if he asks me again next week?
Readers, the woman’s on a deadline. Help her out. Have you found that listening to AMT has adversely affected your professional reputation (or your dignity in general)? And is there a podcast Shamika could namedrop which would guarantee her that promotion?
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Answer Me This! Podcast 
June 19, 2011 at 6:30 am |
You are coming at this from the wrong perspective, Shamika. You don’t want to introduce your boss to something new and cool, you want to make him feel new and cool by implying that something he would listen to is actually what all the bright young things are listening to. I would recommend telling him that you listen to the News Quiz if he’s ‘of a certain age’ or the Now Show if he’s forty and under (but stuffy looking). It’s not really the comedy value of either show, (I quite like them), but because they’ve been around a while people ‘know’ they’re funny, so even if he doesn’t like it, (and I’m going to guess that anything you suggest he wouldn’t like, even good ol’ AMT, because he’s probably pretty humourless), he will know that he ‘should’ like it and will think better of you for it.
All bets are off if he looks like he’s young enough to remember Ed the Duck though, go for it.
June 11, 2011 at 3:06 pm |
go for richard herrings “as it occurs to me” be warned though, its not for the faint softy hearty people, so get your cumkins and download it
June 10, 2011 at 12:41 am |
It all depends on what you know about the guy.
If you know the he might enjoy something like AMT! then take the plunge and suggest it to him.
If he doesn’t seem like the kind of person who would like AMT! then you should probably bight your tongue.
Having said that, it seems you are in neither of these categories, so my advice is:
When you make your suggestion to him, make a qualifying statement like “It depends what sort of comedy you like. If you want something that’s interesting, quirky, and sometimes a bit “blue” then you might listen to “Answer Me This!” (It’s won a stack of awards too!). But if you want something a little more mainstream/BBC then maybe try…*insert name of inferior podcast here*”
Or, alternatively, you could say something like “I like the Answer Me This! podcast, but I’m not sure if you’ll like it…”
June 9, 2011 at 5:53 pm |
AMT is nothing to be ashamed of, Try Distorted View, there’s a podcast you should never tell people about..
June 9, 2011 at 2:59 pm |
I listen to Collings and Herrin at work on speakers. Cheg on Shamika’s boss, you am a twot.
June 9, 2011 at 1:20 pm |
Recommend “How Stuff Works”. It’s vaguely interesting and informative. Not as good as AMT! but it might impress your boss.
June 9, 2011 at 10:26 am |
If your working in media, then Guadrian’s Media Talk is good. And also featured Olly Mann not a few weeks ago…..Just dont recommend Richard Herring’s As It Occurs To Me (AIOTIMa!)….unless he’s a weird, nerdy, sexual deviant. ;p
June 9, 2011 at 10:27 am |
i OBVIOUSLY meant GUARDIAN!!! Damn this usless, crap typing brain!
June 9, 2011 at 12:36 pm |
No, I think you had it right with “Guadrian”