Honestly, I don’t think so. I saw BDG (who I have been following for years) talk about being contacted for this. I think it was on the sad boyz podcast, and he was basically like are you sure you guys want me? And though he seemed like he enjoyed his experience and was happy with the outcome, I’m still kind of stuck on that stage. It really feels like recruitment was just a list of people that they liked and thought were funny and had nothing to do with their improv skills or how well this particular challenge went with their talents. I guess I tend to be in the minority of Dropout viewers in general though, because people also seem to like when Brennan plays with newbies, and I honestly do not find it that enjoyable. People talk about how it makes them feel better, or it’s more relatable or something, but if I wanted to listen to a bunch of random people with no background in improv who don’t know dungeons and dragons play Dungeons & Dragons, I’d just get my game group together. It feels like the whole thing has become more “let me hang out with my friends” then “let me make the absolute best show I can.” I am legitimately happy to see people I like get more work, but it really does not feel as though any thought was put into casting,and people are just going on these comedy shows that do not play into their comedic strengths. I don’t know if BDG was ever on smartypants, but I feel like back from watching him at polygon, that would be more up his ally instead of VIP.
turmacar@lemmy.world 1 week ago
That’s fair. I generally don’t care for the “newbie D20” seasons either. I think that they’re at least partially a mechanism drawing in a wider audience and giving them an on-ramp to the seasons that assume more base knowledge of the game. If anything I kind of wish they’d try for a few more shorter seasons like Mentopolis/Burrow’s End. Parts of the Fantasy High seasons can get sloggy IOM.
Overall a lot of their catalog is kind of hit or miss but I appreciate the variety. Sometimes it’s just a mood thing.
MountingSuspicion@reddthat.com 1 week ago
Totally agree.