Bagged & Boarded « Camel Toad Productions

Howdy Interwebbers

Matt Cohen here, with a quick bit of information/news for your perusing pleasure.

When I had the idea to start a podcast (about three years ago, now), I never thought it would be anything more then a fun diversion from the daily stresses of life, and the pursuit of my career. Mr. Jesse Rivers, was kind enough to oblige my madcap little scheme, and the rest is a minor footnote in no ones history. Through the course of the last 92 episodes (94 counting Commentaries), not only have I grown as a person and a podcaster, but Bagged & Boarded has sort of taken on an amazing and unexpected life of it’s own. Rather then being a diversion from my “career”- it became my career, much to my delight and genuine surprise.

V 1.0

While the show was birthed with Jesse, it has taken on some different forms in its span. First, there was the “podcast” bunker era on Quick Stop Entertainment, which then phased to the skyped episodes on Fred Entertainment, once Jesse had moved back to Alabama. The “Jesse Years”, if you will. Bagged & Boarded Version 1.0.

And other then Jesse’s and my incessant banter, some other very cool cats got thrown into the mix/family. Brendoman, our first listener and friend became a regular part of the podcast with his segment “The Brendoman Minute”. Jason Mewes began to pop by on occasion (and there is even a legend of a lost podcast recorded during this time. Lost, because Jason and myself only recorded 3 episodes over a 6 month span- however. MewesCast– check it out). I also starting doing “Brief Respite” episodes with friends of mine in the comedy/filmmaking/geek world; Bobby Moynihan, D.C Pierson and Meggie Mcfadden, Guillermo Diaz, The People Vs. George Lucas folks- … It was THOSE episodes that really led to the next stage in Bagged & Boarded History.

V 2.0

Which leads us to the SmodCastle, and Bagged & Boarded : Live!- Originally conceived as a show featuring myself and a skyped in and projected Jesse Rivers- once tech concerns became an apparent issue, and with a weekly slot looming on the SmodCastle calendar, I began to look for other co-hosts to fill Jesse’s role on the show- (Jesse, at this point had too much on his plate to dedicate himself to Sparkle Magic ), and I didn’t have to look far. None other then Brendoman stepped up and became a fantastic co-host on the SmodCastle stage. I literally got to watch the dude grow as a performer in front of my eyes (sexy) and am incredibly proud of him. With Brendo, the live show, a new sponsorship with Golden Apple Comics, and a few fortuitous episodes with Malcolm Ingram and Jay led me to what I thought had to be the next evolution of the show: – Interviews. Without realizing it, I had become (in my opinion) pretty decent at being able to flow with whoever I’m matched with, and within the first few live interview episodes (Alex Winter, Keith Coogan etc) I was sure this was the right decision for the show to go in. And I think it was. This all also timed out with us moving the show to the SmodCastNetwork, and things were flowing perfectly in my opinion.

Almost perfectly that is…

In the last few months I have gotten to interview/chat with some amazingly talented and funny folks, of whom too numerous to name here (listen to my podast, ya dick and really do enjoy “finding” conversation with people who were complete strangers not long before. It rocks. I get to chat with the folks who inspire me to do what I do. I couldn’t ask for anything more.

However… I’m greedy.

I miss just bullshitting about nonsense with my buddies for an hour, the reason I originally started this show. It’s cathartic, it’s social- it’s fun…. And while I wouldn’t give up the amazing opportunities I’ve been afforded lately and will be in the future to chat with some incredible celebs/artists- I also really do miss just talking. Not topical. No rules. Just an hour of banter. (Hopefully funny banter).

It’s with all this- that I am proud (and hopeful) to announce the NEW direction for Bagged & Boarded.

v 3.0 The Announcement

This is the plan, kids…

Brendoman, who has done a phenomenal job for the last few months in the number two chair, is a busy, busy man. Besides Bagged & Boarded, he’s got a brand new show with Derick Armijo (DJ D-Rock) called Pop Sickles that is funny as fuck- and will continue to be so. He’s got his web comics Brax, he’s got about 1000 websites he updates daily- also… dude has a 9-5. and a stressful one at that. The last few months have been hectic over at Camel Toad Productions/SmodCastle and Brendo, wisely so, has chosen to lessen the load on himself a bit. I am sad, and yet not- because me and the dude are still friends and always will be, to announce that as of the next episode, Brendoman will be leaving Bagged & Boarded for the foreseeable future.

What does this mean for the show?

A whole lotta Matt Cohen, Motherfuckers

No… I jest. Here is the master plan, folks. A two headed monster, combining the best elements of this podcast into one finely tuned comedy machine!

The show will still be performed live, on a weekly basis- but the format is switching up a bit.

CELEB INTERVIEWS

Week 1 and 3 of the month, I will be joined by a special celebrity guest, just like I have been since SmodCastles inception. Nothing changes there- Just no pre-show banter. We cut to the goods. On March 9th, I have the privilege of sitting down one on one at the SmodCastle with BattleStarGalactica’s Aaron Douglas! It will be frakking epic, and I hope you can join us. And I have an AMAZING lineup of guests joining me in the next few months (with the generous help of Golden Apple Comics), so if ya dig me chattign with celebs, fear not- You still get your fix.

BAGGED & BOARDED: THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD

Week 2 and 4, however- is the new deal. All these changes got me thinking- Jesse, Brendo, Derick, Jason, Malcolm, Bumpin Fresh; the list goes on and on. I have a lot of funny friends. Tons of em. Plenty you’ve yet to meet either. And I realized— I want to talk to these cats. Old school style. One hour. No topic. No guidelines. Just pure conversation. I am lucky enough to know the Justice League Unlimited of comedy. And I’d like for you to get to meet them as well.

So here’s my idea… Every other show? The week after I talk to a celeb guest? Gonna dip into my stable of hilarious and interesting friends and do what I enjoy doing best. Making an utter ass of myself and offending as many people as possible with an hour of conversation. Will Jimmy Moore make an appearance? I would bet on it…

There will be some familiar faces (voices) popping up, folks who’ve either been on the show before, or are on other podcasts in the network- and a bunch of new characters I’ll be introducing you to in the coming months. Basically- it’s an oldschool superhero team up. Except not superheros. Kinda the opposite in fact.. Okay, it’s a new school podcaster team up!

Batman’s not above teaming up every once and while… and neither shall I be.. Cause look- I rock.. but I’m NO fucking batman.

IN SUMMATION

To borrow a phrase from a much wiser (and better in every way) man then myself…. This is where the puck is going. At least, it’s where I think it’s going. If I’m wrong, I always have the luxury of changing my skates, ya know. This show will continue to evolve as needed. Bagged & Boarded is my baby, and it’ aint going nowhere, yo!

So— check the show on SmodCast.Com and Itunes as always- Come on down to the live performances. I’ll be starting some new segments, new contests, websites this week.

If you are a Bagged & Boarded fan- A. Thank you. B. Is my mom paying you? C. Lots of exciting stuff in store.

I hope you folks have enjoyed the ride so far and continue to come along… because face it-… There aren’t any rest stops for miles and I got a DOPE cd collection.

Peace and Chicken Grease,

-Matt Cohen

2/25/2011

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