Archive for the ‘News’ Category

Jim Dupree: post mortem

Wednesday, July 19th, 2006

As you may have noticed, Jim Dupree: Enthusiast is now over. This may leave you with numerous questions, many of which are probably too boring to answer here. Regardless, here is a short FAQ that will give you the Dupree-related answers that you want, need, but most of all, deserve.

Q: Is the show really over?

A: Yes, it is really over.

Q: So, do you two guys, like, hate each other now, or something?

A: No more than when we started!… Just kidding, viewer! Dan and Tristan are not at all “at odds,” but have instead decided to take a very long break from doing something that has taken up a considerable amount of time for almost a year now. And by “a very long break,” we really mean “probably never do this again.”

Q: So, what’s Dan going to do next?

A: Dan will continue to work at the CBC, and maybe even go on strike someday. He will spend more time rocking out. He will take over full control of the underground podcast hit Canadian Heritage Vignettes, and will continue to release them via CHV’s patented “slow trickle” strategy. He also “produces” CBC’s Editor’s Choice podcast, hosted by Angela Misri, so if you want to ensure that you are subscribed to absolutely everything that Dan does (and we know that these sorts really do exist), be sure to take advantage of the many benefits of RSS aggregation today, and download all of them! As always, DanMisener.com is your source for all things Dan Misener.

Q: Will Dan be available to sign my school yearbook?

A: Hold on, I didn’t get a chance to tell you what Tristan will be doing now.

Q: What? Who’s that?

A: He’s the other guy.

Q: Oh yeah, him. So what’s he doing?

A: Well I’m glad you asked, viewer! He will continue creating content with Collective Productions, the production company he runs with his friend Patrick O’Sullivan, and they’ll be posting production updates to that site in the future.

Q: OK, but seriously! Will Dan sign my school yearbook?

A: Feel free to send your yearbook addressed to “Dan Misener, Toronto” with an enclosed self-addressed stamped envelope, if you really want to take your chances.

Q: Is Jim Dupree available for motivational lectures, parties, or office functions?

A: Great question! No.

Q: How much longer will the episodes be available for download?

A: They will be available on this website forever (or whenever we delete them, whatever comes first)! A limited edition DVD set (containing all 30 episodes, as well as some bonus features) will also be available very soon. E-mail dvd@collectiveproductions.com to find out more.

Q: I know that you want your space right now, but can I still call you sometime?

A: Sure.

Jim Dupree Roundup 4: Myspace, LiveJournal, and a handful of podcasts

Thursday, July 6th, 2006

Well, it’s time to stroke our ego again by posting more positive feedback about the show. We love to do this, because we’re extremely self-involved. This edition’s lineup includes some quotes from the ever popular Myspace and LiveJournal, two of Tristan’s favourite Internet destinations.

Shanna Apitz informs her Top 8 of her intentions for Mr. Dupree:

This is by far the funniest thing I have ever seen. I ABSOLUTELY love Jim Dupree. Someday I’ll marry Jim and move to Canada, just so I can use all the useless Canadian quarters I’ve saved up throughout the years.

Best of luck on both fronts, Shanna.

Carly can’t keep her excitement about JD:E under friends-only lock and key, calling it “amazing.” She expresses similar sentiments for The Podcast of My Discontent and Canadian Heritage Vignettes, both podcasts that proudly hang from the highest Dupree family tree branch.

Speaking of trees, Tanoomba certainly doesn’t beat around the bush:

What is it? Awesome, that’s what it is.

Glad you think so, Tanoomba.

Finally, as a result of our weekend at Podcasters Across Borders, we have been namedropped in the podcasts of some of the conference’s cooler attendees.

The latest episode of Digital Detroit Radio includes a very strong endorsement of the podcast. And what’s more, Matt can totally hold his own in a conversation about Dig Dug, Frostbite, and Pressure Cooker.

Episode 54 of Broca’s Area finds Dave and Isabelle professing their love of the podcast. It’s especially funny when Isabelle gets excited about Dan’s “angelic” face and “button nose.”

JamesPod mentions JD:E a couple of times in Episode 3 of their Podcasters Across Borders coverage, which also features Dave from Broca’s Area. Dan’s finely chiseled cheekbone was not a part of the discussion, sadly.

Scarborough Dude speaks briefly about meeting Dan & Tristan, and also swears a lot, which is always entertaining.

Shane & Tom also mentioned us, and said something about us being really funny, which is absolutely true.

So yes, talk about us on your blog or podcast, and we’ll link to you here. What better incentive?

Jim Dupree: Enthusiast heads to Kingston

Friday, June 23rd, 2006

We’ll be in beautiful Kingston, Ontario for the Podcasters Across Borders conference this weekend. If you’re attending, or in the Kingston area, come say hello. And buy Dan a drink. It’s his birthday.

JD:E Review Roundup 3

Saturday, June 3rd, 2006

People just can’t hold in their praise for Jim Dupree: Enthusiast!

Over at Uncabled, Noah Mittman says that

the show is fun, hilarious and just the right length — not overstaying its welcome, but not so short that the comedic weight of a character that is so wrong about a subject that he loves isn’t felt by the viewer. After all, would we have discovered on our own that a key element of playing hide-and-go-seek is to make the other player think you’re going to kill them? No! This is the wisdom that the Enthusiast can teach us.

That is very true, Noah. But don’t forget: you should always use twine as well. That’s a very important tip that your blog entry completely overlooked.

Something To Be Desired: Behind The Scenes includes the “droll” JD:E in its shortlist of ongoing original content web series.

Rick says that

I find this video podcast tremendously amusing, although Tamara does not seem to share this view.

Thanks, Rick. Sorry, Tamara.

Freddie seems to be particularly fond of Jim Dupree: Personal Computer Enthusiast, calling the series “very funny.” He also posted a link to a site where you can download Epic Pinball. Looks like you don’t need to meet up with some sketchy French-ish Canadian in an alley to get your own copy after all…

In her comprehensive and extremely positive review of the series, Meryl had the following to say about “maybe the greatest video podcast of all time”:

It’s just so great because this character is perfect, the guy who thinks he’s so smart and interesting and funny and aren’t you lucky to know him so you, too, can glean knowledge as he reveals secrets about the world of fences and Christmas and HDTV. And he’s just so enthusiastic… I’m actually totally jealous that I didn’t have an idea like this first.

She also likens parts of the series to such television hits as The Office and The Daily Show, and compares Dan’s strikingly good looks to those of Richard Ashcroft and either David Giffels or David Giffels. Either way, this is probably my favourite part of her post.

Thanks to all who have taken the time to write about JD:E. We appreciate it so much that we now Google search our names at least twice a day.

JD:E on Podcast Salad + more

Saturday, May 27th, 2006

The latest episode of JD:E was featured briefly on this week’s edition of Podcast Salad.

And while it’s kind of late to report, Dan & Tristan were also interviewed for Torrent, a new show on G4techTV here in Canada. The episode has already aired, but may air as a repeat sometime soon.

Thanks to both Podcast Salad and the Torrent team for featuring the podcast.

Burrito Man speaks out: “podcasts are alright”

Thursday, May 25th, 2006

JD:E’s own Burrito Man has been featured in this week’s installment of Podcaster’s Choice at PodGuide.TV. Find out what’s on Burrito Man’s iPod right now! Delicious!

Jim Dupree Review Roundup 2

Tuesday, March 28th, 2006

Alec from Lancashire, UK says the following about Jim:

i’d be surprised if he doesn’t have his own show on mainstream tv within a couple of years. as you can probably tell i am alec:jim dupree enthusiast!

Dan’s pal Rhiannon writes:

if you’re looking for something silly to watch, or you need advice on coin-collecting, hide-and-seek-tactics, or personal computers, you could do much worse than checking out jim dupree: enthusiast.

And Mel says some of the nicest things we’ve ever heard about Jim Dupree:

Jim Dupree: Enthusiast is one of the most brilliant and funny video podcasts being produced right now, and yet NOBODY seems to know about it, let alone actually hyping it. This both saddens and annoys me, as there’s a LOT of utter crap being shoveled onto the podcasting landscape right now that gets 20 times the attention that a genuinely original creation like Jim Dupree does. If you’re a fan of the type of subtle, droll hilarity found in mockumentaries like This is Spinal Tap or Best in Show, then you’ll be an instant fan of Jim Dupree, I promise!

It’s always nice to hear that people like the podcast. Thanks so much for the support.

Great minds think alike

Friday, March 24th, 2006

To anyone familiar with the filmmaking practices of Jim Dupree: Enthusiast, you’ll find this article from Wired strangely familiar:

To make their new concert movie, the Beastie Boys distributed Hi8 video-cams to 50 fans at a 2004 show in New York City. When they were done, “We put them back in their boxes and returned them for a refund.” Does this mean after watching their movie, viewers can get a refund? Read more…

Jim Dupree: Hiatus Enthusiast

Tuesday, March 21st, 2006

The Jim Dupree podcast will be taking two weeks off while Glenn, The Interviewer undergoes facial reconstructive surgery. Look for Jim’s triumphant return on April 4th.

JD:E in the Vancouver Sun

Monday, March 20th, 2006

Canadian podcasting guru (and Foursevens founder) Tod Maffin plugged Jim Dupree in an interview he did with the Vancouver Sun. Thanks Tod!