Talk:Escape Pod

Escape Pod is a magazine in the same way that shows like "60 Minutes" are magazines. (see http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/magazine)

Calling Steve a "host" in the first paragraph is misleading. On a show a host recites lines which (s)he may or may not have written. An editor of a magazine, print or otherwise, selects the features, schedules releases, coordinates production, handles contracts, budgets, signs checks, oversees marking as well as work done by assistants. After that the editor writes editorials.

In short, Escape Pod is a magazine in an audio medium. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Sjanssens (talk • contribs) at 15:59, August 4, 2006.

I don't know if it the definition of 'magazine' as neatly as 60 minutes, as each edition generally has only one feature (the story/review/whatever,) so I can understand Haakon's reasoning, but it is referred to on the official site as "The Science Fiction Podcast Magazine," so using the term in the intro is probably appropriate.

How's this for the intro:

Escape Pod is a magazine-style podcast which presents stories in the science fiction, fantasy, and horror genres. The show is hosted by Steve Eley, who also provides a short introduction and closing comments for each story.

Agreed about the host/editor thing, I missed that one. -- Vary | Talk 16:19, 4 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

I agree that Escape Pod is best categorized as a magazine in an audio medium, not a show. This is because:

The publication refers to itself as "The Science Fiction Podcast Magazine"
Though radio shows exist, the word "show" often implies a visual component (as with a television program).
The content of Escape Pod is similar to major science fiction and fantasy literary magazines, such as Asimov's Science Fiction, Analog Science Fiction and Fact, and The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction. Calling attention to Escape Pod's similarity to these magazines is more helpful than calling attention to Escape Pod's similarity to television or radio shows.

For similar reasons, I agree that Steve Eley is best considered an "editor," not a "host." - Jrissman 02:16, 6 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

On the contrary, each regular episode (issue) has not only a story but also an editorial, sometimes letters, sometimes events. They're just not clearly seperated by section headers. (Section headers make sense in print but don't work as well in audio.) — Preceding unsigned comment added by Sjanssens (talk • contribs) 15:05, August 8, 2006 (UTC)

I didn't say each episode only had one element, I said it had one 'feature', in the journalistic sense, and my point was that I could understand why the editor who removed the term did so. 'Magazine' is currently the term used in the article, so I don't think the particulars matter. The important thing, as Jrissman and I have said, is that Eely refers to it as a magazine, and so should we.

I've moved the above comment down from where it was originally placed, after the first paragraph of my comment above. Please don't add replies in the middle of other user's comments. It makes the page difficult to follow. Thanks! -- Vary | Talk 15:37, 8 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

If I seem a stickler for the details it's because I'm a member of the Escape Pod/Escape Artists staff. We very much consider our podcasts to be magazines. Here's a thought experiment: If Escape Pod came out once a month with four stories, then your definition clearly considers it to be a magazine. I don't think spreading it out over the month changes that distinction. I know I'm harping on the issue, but I feel it important that our intentions and goals be clear. Sjanssens 16:28, 8 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]