Bravely broaching the hackneyed cliché of the ‘sideways glance’ approach, so often the trademark and downfall of many a sport/comedy crossover, and boldly marching it into a far better place; The Tuesday Club takes advantage of an exemplary host, extravagant accents and ridiculous comedy to create an exemplary podcast. Largely focused on the fortunes of Arsenal Football Club and ably lead by comedian and avid Arsenal fan Alan Davies, the show attempts to explain the current problems, successes and players of the team, and occasionally discuss the cast’s love of the Arsenal. Successfully turning something expected into something altogether more vital and hilarious.
Mr Alan Davies!
I should, for international readers, maybe give a short surmisation of the Premier League and all it entails. Essentially it is the top division for the ‘soccer’ teams of England, of which Arsenal remains one of its most important clubs. Meaning that Davies and company are always well equipped with topics, even on the quietest of weeks. Originally emerging in a burst of British sports podcasting, The Tuesday Club arrived with some fanfare three years ago, under a different guise and as part of a collective of Premier League podcasts. Eighteen months in though and a combination of their quick growth and dissatisfaction with the schedule imposed upon them meant that they struck out on their own, returning early last year. Luckily though, through this they never sacrificed any of that key ‘post-match’ style conversation or valiant fanaticism that had quickly become the show’s calling card. Making an excellent combination of the daft, the ludicrous and the delirious, Davies leads his motley cast of friends in variously chastising, applauding and destroying the football issues of the week. Whilst using the innate sense of kinship and bias of a fan, they always retain a passion and love for the club, plenty of which seeps into the show.
El Presidente himself!
Over the show’s three seasons numerous changes in the way the show functions have occurred, even if not per se marked by changes in format, retaining the same brand of formless conversation as ever it was. Since they broke from their former producers over issues of self-determination, the schedule is obviously much looser, giving more time for those involved to actually enjoy the project themselves. This obviously means that the cast is much happier in itself, and their enjoyment shines through in both their giddiness and hilarity.
Mr DJ Tayo Popoola
The podcast has actually mellowed fairly significantly, attitudes towards the team and the fans of the show calming somewhat, though maybe not towards certain clubs who manage to constantly irk Davies’ chagrin. As well as this, the range of the show is both wider and more concise, more time than ever is spent on the Arsenal, with glances at their rivals more cursory than they once were. Alongside this, the audience receive less of a beating than they once did too, having now apparently grown from being freeloading guttersnipes to just being rarely mentioned, their input less considered in the building of the show, with less time devoted to fan-podcast interaction. Whether this is down to their independence or increased success; better merchandise sales or a growing apathy towards their audience is obviously an unknown, and to be fair isn’t actually all that important, since what is more important is that they deliver a great show, a task which they excel in.
Mr Ian D Stone!
Alan Davies is the constant cog in the machine, hosting every episode with his distinct mix of humour, cynicism and astonishment, his accents somehow growing more ridiculous by the week. But supported by a rotating cast of friends and podmates equally able in their own positions, offering a less cynical and more reasoned take on the weeks action, attempting to soften Davies’ views somewhat, but frequently with limited success.
Mr Damian Harris!
Chief among these changeable critters though is one Keith Dover (otherwise known as ‘El Presidente’) who is rather less sensible and whose bizarre recountings and incantations of the clubs beginnings have to be heard to be believed; whilst his well of strange bon mots and deeply idiosyncratic speech are a sound to be treasured. Ian Stone, Tayo Popoola and Damian Harris switch in and out to offer views of greater positivity, acceptance and restraint than Davies, almost as an aperitif to his intense cynicism. But they are far more than just facilitatory, proffering pieces of sage calm and touches of wisdom that sometimes quieten down the podcast for a few moments, or help move the conversation along in the easy, casual and humorous way expected of podcasters.
All in all then, despite it’s bias, this podcast is for more than just Arsenal fans or members of the Alan Davies collective, having something for any football fan to enjoy with the dovetailing of it’s range, comedy and excellence. And with such energy, comedy and vivacity as is it’s trademark, it attracts a far wider podcast audience than most sports podcasts would expect. It’s certainly one of my tastiest podcast highlights, gobbled up almost the instant it’s downloaded with both of us in little balls of fits and giggles.
The podcast is on iTunes, but you can annoy everyone involed on twitter @yellowbootson for the show, @alandavies1, @_elpresidente_, @iandstone and @djtayo. That’s all, now go forth minions!