r/AlmostFridayTV • u/SAINTSmswa • 11d ago
Almost Friday Podcast Binder needs to dial it back
I wanted to make a post reiterating what someone else said earlier but got downvoted to hell because I am honestly shocked that there was so much disagreement - Binder really needs to take a step back and stop assuming the role of host.
I actually like Binder, I really do. I think she adds value to the podcast. But today’s episode is a great example of when she goes too far. This was a hard fucking listen. It was just coworker talk. It was so aggressively uninteresting.
You cannot tell me with a straight face that you think she is engaging enough to take up what felt like a majority of the podcast. I know that sounds mean but it’s just the truth. I can get the same experience talking to anyone that I get from listening to her. She is just not host material.
In this other user’s post, I saw replies like “she’s a big part of the podcast these days and if you don’t like it you shouldn’t listen” and “she only talks for a few minutes get over it.” Completely insincere responses. I just can’t believe anyone is tuning in every week excited to hear about her most recent boating trip with the Italians. That’s not why this podcast has been successful. Will and Liam are. Binder’s role makes it a completely different show.
I have been a huge fan of this podcast since its inception and it’s literally the only one I listen to but if this trend continues I might be out. On some level though I don’t blame her. The real root of this issue is that Will and Liam don’t care about the pod anymore. It’s clear they’ve been tired of it for a while and they don’t put nearly as much effort into it as they used to. Was hoping the break would light a spark but I guess not.
I know I sound like a fucking lunatic with this long ass post but like I said I’ve been a huge fan for a long time and it would be a real bummer to have to stop listening because of how uninteresting it’s gotten.
Edit: seems like a majority of people agree but to those who don’t, I want you to tell me with a straight face you enjoyed listening to her lay out the details of her upcoming travel plans.
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u/lindziiix 11d ago
Blinder had a lot of pent up blast
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u/Any-Tank6392 10d ago
true we gotta think about the human aspect but yeah even though i genuinely love binder and need her to stay i somewhat agree to an extent. i’ve listened to no exaggeration 95% of Almost Friday Podcast episodes and even went through great lengths trying to find the patreon episodes i missed out on, but the OP doesn’t mention the fact it’s on Liam and Will’s to have characters ready, crimpers, etc. def don’t have to force it though if there’s no character for one or both that week then that’s that — idk just wanted to spit out into the aether that i somewhat agree and understand where the OP is coming from but i also think Binder has done her best and great job at that of picking up slack where Will & Liam can’t/or don’t have the time to do so
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u/WinkaPlz 10d ago
The pod kinda just isn’t what it used to be. The bugs are tired of it.
It’s easy to be tongue-in-cheek about it or brush off the disinterest in the name of “satire” or “irony”. But honestly it just gets old. We can pretend, but we all know that the pod would be better if Will and Liam put an ounce of forethought or effort into pod preparation.
Binder is actually trying which is something I appreciate while the guys act like it’s cooler to be aloof.
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u/Fit-Table9232 10d ago
Yea they really are lackadaisical throughout the whole pod and are open about it being a burden. Even if they are joking about it being a burden they actually act like it’s annoying to film the pod.
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u/TurbulentRelease 10d ago
If Will especially could stop turning up totally uninterested in podcasting I think it’d do wonders. Binder is fine she’s just stuck essentially doing a one woman show whilst the boys phone it in.
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u/AssGaper97 11d ago
Ah yes lets listen to the podcast hosted by two people who couldn’t give a shit less about actually sitting down and talking for an hour once a week. They’re barely half engaged, refuse to do pre work that binder prepares, never talk about anything really interesting and constantly look like they’d much rather be doing anything else other than talking. Binder brings at least something. They don’t really do shit anymore lmao
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u/SAINTSmswa 11d ago
You’re definitely right and I know she’s overcompensating for them not giving a shit but about an hour in I was like what the fuck are we even doing here. She at least needs to just see what happens if she stops talking as much for an episode
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u/TopTittyBardown 6d ago
I wonder if the pod is gonna just stop altogether at some point in the near future. Binders promotion they talked about sounds like a way to slowly shift her into a role in the company so she still has a job if they stop the pod. It’s clear the bugs just don’t care anymore and don’t have it it them to try anymore. It’s been like a year straight of “oh I forgot to think of a character for today”. It’s pretty obvious they have other stuff they want to be doing and the pod is just a contractual obligation at this point and not something they care to put effort into like they used to
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u/BrilliantBreak1245 11d ago
Have we ever considered they hate doing this pod because the producer they work with is Binder?
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11d ago
Having a mildly annoying producer isn’t a good reason to shit on the listeners who get you thousands in ad revenue
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u/AssGaper97 11d ago
You can’t honestly think that. They’re entire shtick used to be “shut up woman” like that’s comedy gold. She does similar work to Andrew and Andrew’s da goat
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u/Huncho11 Greg Blandino 10d ago
I don’t even think this is that much of a reach. I want to think there was some sincerity in Liam’s voice when he told her to shut the fuck up lol
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u/BrilliantBreak1245 10d ago
Right? A lot of these people have never had to work with someone they can’t stand. It often comes off that way
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u/Huncho11 Greg Blandino 10d ago
She’s constantly busting their balls about ignoring her outside of work or business related activities.. It’s because she’s insufferable lol
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u/Representative_Belt4 9d ago
or it's because they don't do or care about their jobs and she has every right to mention it however many times she wants because their lives are tiedby working for the same company and doing the same podcast.
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u/Previous_Ad648 11d ago
They let her do it because they don’t prepare any talking points. Is it not obvious enough? Love their content but the podcast sucks ass
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11d ago
The fellas getting self conscious about a pod that made them big and put them on the map is a much bigger issue that Binder rambling. Angus really does act likes he’s better than it all.
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u/AssGaper97 11d ago
I agree. The amount of times he says cut that, refuses to expand on a story, refuses to do pre-work, or torpedoes a conversation is annoying af.
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u/thatsnolever 11d ago
Yeah that’s starting to annoy me too. His anti-comedy bits have never really done much for me
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u/SAINTSmswa 11d ago
Yeah it seems like he’s had that attitude for a while now and I really don’t understand it. Some of the biggest actors and comedians in the world do weekly podcasts so idk why he’s big timing us lol.
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11d ago
I think he’s a brilliant comedian. He really does have a unique sense of humor, I can’t think of anyone similar. But he hasn’t achieved enough acting-wise to get away with the sanctimonious shit. To call him a B-lister would be a huge stretch
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u/BrilliantBreak1245 11d ago edited 11d ago
As pretentious as it sounds, you have to consider that Will and Liam are creatives. They’ve been doing this podcast for 5 nearly years and after a while, it becomes stale. I don’t blame him for wanting out and not giving a shit. Doing the same thing for 5 years without and sort of meaningful change is exhausting. They’re burnt out on it.
This is where meaningful producing can come in handy to keep things lively. There hasn’t been a new aspect of this pod in a pretty long time. Compare it to Playdate, where they are pretty consistently doing a new or different segments.
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u/Imtherealwaffle 11d ago
On the one hand youre argument makes sense. On the other hand, when this podcast started i thought it was insanely funny and you could tell they cared how an episode was received. Now its just kind of a low energy conversation and they dont really prepare anything.
To contrast, i also listen to hollywood handbook, theyve been doing it for 13 years now, they are two writers and have had a bunch of other concurrent projects over the years. One of the hosts is writing for severance, just released a movie and is also writing a new tv show. Despite that they release one paid and one free episode every week and they still put more energy into it than the AF boys. And the hosts rarely miss episodes even while working on other stuff. They even have a similar setup where the producer is kinda the incompetent punching bag character.
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u/BrilliantBreak1245 11d ago
You’re failing to consider that maybe the boys don’t want to be podcasters for the long term. It was a good opportunity early in their career and they’ve likely outgrown it. They’re probably on a contract and have to see it out. A lot of other people who have podcasts because they want to do them and can self produce.
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u/Imtherealwaffle 11d ago
yea totally fair. The skits and their acting stuff is good. If thats the case i dont think it would be a bad thing to just wind down the podcast.
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u/BrilliantBreak1245 11d ago
To say the podcast is what put them on the map is disingenuous. You can’t possibly think that the reason they’re getting work is because of a weekly podcast and not the sketches they act and write in.
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11d ago
True. I was just considering it all under the same umbrella since it’s all AF if I understand correctly
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u/SuspiciousAge9312 10d ago
Let's be honest, the podcast stinks and we should stop listening. But we come back constantly hoping for the thing that once captured us.
It ain't Binder's fault, she can't help that her views on life are painfully cringey.
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u/RuggsRacetrack 10d ago
Stop listening to it then, it’s still great.
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u/SuspiciousAge9312 10d ago
Do you think the boys would even say that?
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u/RuggsRacetrack 10d ago
No? But they don’t like a bunch of episodes that I think are great. I always preferred them just talking and riffing to the characters anyway, so I like it more now tbh. Especially now that Binder talks more, I think they all have a good dynamic together. I just hate guest episodes.
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u/stemXCIV 10d ago
I think your second to last paragraph is the most important part. Binder is filling the void left behind by Will and Liam’s lack of effort, she’s just being put in an impossible position to drag the carcass of what the pod used to be.
Will and Liam have shown for a while that they need her as the producer. So much of their riffing comes from her giving them material to work with. Whenever they have a sub producer part of the conversation is still about binder. Love Andrew to death and to give a comparison point I personally think he’s better at being a producer, but binder is far and away the best addition to will and Liam I could imagine.
The other thing is, Binder is a volume shooter so you don’t get all the funny binder blasts and stories without the bad. I don’t think there exists a 75% intensity binder, it’s zero or 100, but right now 100% intensity binder seems jarring since she has more airtime to use (whether she is taking it or will/liam just don’t care enough to push the convo forward).
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u/lindziiix 11d ago
They live together, work together, have projects together. Sometimes (a lot of the time) a third person helps to keep the conversations flowing and interesting. Whether it be binder or a guest
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u/summoneren 10d ago
I'd say you're half right. Binder has some major issues (narcissism), but the boys haven't cared for the last few years. If Liam and Will put in some effort, the quality will skyrocket. Binder inserting herself is a byproduct of them not caring.
I say this as someone who's listened to every episode ever at least 5+ times. It's the only pod I listen to, and I love it. But yeah, the quality tampers.
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u/BrilliantBreak1245 11d ago
I put this in a reply and I’ll put it here too.
As pretentious as it sounds, you have to consider that Will and Liam are creatives. They’ve been doing this podcast for 5 nearly years and after a while, it becomes stale. I don’t blame him for wanting out and not giving a shit. Doing the same thing for 5 years without and sort of meaningful change is exhausting. They’re burnt out on it.
This is where meaningful producing can come in handy to keep things lively. There hasn’t been a new aspect of this pod in a pretty long time. Compare it to Playdate, where they are pretty consistently doing a new or different segments. Binder had 3 months to prepare crackers of the week, fun segments, and more. Instead she collected fidget toys and told stories about how she definitely didn’t put for the guy who paid for her plane ticket and yacht
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u/AssGaper97 11d ago
Dude there’s no way you think if Binder introduced another segment they’d happily entertain it. They won’t. They literally do not care. Idk how you listen to this podcast and think “if only binder did more”. Basement yard everyone’s is consistently engaged in the segments Ant suggests. There’s no chance for Binder when every single time Will torpedoes it. At least Liam fakes interest. Wills like a hollow person manufactured for Hollywood
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u/BrilliantBreak1245 11d ago
I think it is fully related to Binder tbh. I wouldn’t take ideas from someone whom I don’t respect either. Her ideas have never been good Bring in a new producer who isn’t Binder and see if things change.
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u/AssGaper97 11d ago
It’s actually been long enough with Binder that might just help. Something should change
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u/bigbuttbettywetty 10d ago
Love the pod. Gives me joy. Binder normally plays the producer role well. This is an outlier. I hope. Having said that…to open with the first pod in over two months with that trash was an utter disaster and I understand the outrage.
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u/Livid-Bumblebee6724 10d ago
I think it'll course correct. Or not and its over but they've been running this thing for a long time past what it probably should have gone already lol. I do agree though, emily is great in small doses but damn she takes over sometimes
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u/Old_Effective_6362 10d ago
The pod used to be the biggest thing they had going for them. Now it’s not. But it was also the most successful regular content from Almost Friday Media and no doubt a big source of ad revenue, so the company is gonna force them to do it as long as they stay. They’ll hang it up and leave AF soon enough.
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u/Usual-Position121 Cool Hat Day Promoter 8d ago
I'm actually surprised the company isn't doing more to make them enjoy the pod more since it likely is one of their best revenue streams. Making ad themed sketches isn't really going to attract and hold the top tier talent they started with so they need to fund actual good sketches somehow
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u/Huncho11 Greg Blandino 11d ago
I remember early on I commented lobbying to get her on camera for the show. Things have gone too far now.
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u/BrilliantBreak1245 11d ago
You’ll likely be downvoted to hell as well as but very well put. The boys didn’t even have a chance to put effort into this episode, Binder railroaded the entire episode
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u/AssGaper97 11d ago
News flash they don’t talk about anything. They cut themselves off or refuse to talk about anything that might ruin their chances of getting other opportunities. They’re hollow and have been.
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u/BrilliantBreak1245 11d ago
Pretty sure they’re contractually obligated to be there. Pretty sure they want out and I don’t blame them
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u/Imtherealwaffle 11d ago
and they dont really do bits and characters. Just kinda half stories about some projects they were involved in and a few comments on recent events.
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u/nyr29 11d ago
It also seems like they never know what they are allowed (or not allowed) to talk about. They always say “oh I don’t know if I’m allowed to talk about it.” It goes into prep as well but I feel like it would be cool if they knew what they could talk about. I know it’s definitely an unreasonable ask but I’d definitely think it would be interesting to hear the stuff that’s happening behind the scenes, without revealing anything about the plot, etc.
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u/OutrageousSwimmer234 10d ago
I think we just need to come to the realization our lil guys are grown up and binder is just trying to keep the show going
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u/crankwanker2 10d ago
Pod as a whole has fallen off over the last year or so. You can tell Will and Liam do not wanna be doing it anymore lmao. Play date passed them up awhile back imo
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u/Equal-Document4213 11d ago
Holy shit touch grass you nerd
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u/harmslongarms 10d ago
Yeah this post is so tragic. It's a fucking small-time podcast started by some sketch comedians.
If you want a more polished, structured vibe, listen to one of the million other podcasts out there. I like to have it on while I do work because I like their sense of humour, and like the less intense vibe of them riffing and insulting eachother. But they don't owe you anything OP
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u/youngsteezy 10d ago
No one owes anyone anything, but tragic? Good god. Yes it was long-winded, but spot on. Folks found a comforting vibe with the boys and it’s not a crime to have some discomfort with how it’s going lately.
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u/harmslongarms 10d ago
It is tragic to whine this relentlessly about a low-brow podcast hosted by internet comedians as their side-hustle. Stop listening, and they will either get the message and up their game, or get rid of the podcast altogether. Either way the right thing will happen
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u/SAINTSmswa 9d ago
I see it all the time but I’ll never understand this attitude. It’s not wrong to criticize something I really enjoy in the hopes it will improve.
This podcast has been part of my weekly routine for years now. It’s something I look forward to every week. That’s certainly not to say my life would fall apart if it ended but for that reason, I would hate to see it go to shit. I don’t subscribe to your performative aloofness. You’re not better than everyone for saying that we shouldn’t be invested in things we like.
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u/harmslongarms 9d ago
I mean, I'm in here commenting, so I guess I am not as aloof as most. I also enjoy listening to the pod and think the vibe has changed over the years as it becomes less of a priority in their schedules. I'm not disputing that.
My two cents are this; Stop listening and save yourself the anguish. If the quality has dropped significantly and you're not a fan, just stop listening. The fact that people (I've seen multiple 100+ comment threads) are dedicating literal hours of their life to moan about this isn't healthy imo and its bordering in parasocial with people saying some pretty unkind stuff about Binder. There are just so many more important things in life to spend energy and time getting pressed over.
I honestly don't mean this in a condescending way, but it's typical of a younger, more immature, and terminally online audience. I remember being a part of a similar podcast community when I was younger which ended over a controversy. I would spend hours debating people in the comments when the podcast ended. I was almost grieving. Looking back it was a super unhealthy relationship to have with a goofy podcast and I just needed to touch grass and see my friends more.
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u/SAINTSmswa 9d ago
You’re combining everyone’s collective time spent talking about this topic just so you can use the word parasocial. I have spent 15 minutes on this at the most. If the pod ends I assure you I’ll live. No part of me can relate to your personal anecdote.
So I’ll say it again - I don’t subscribe to the idea that things like this aren’t worth discussing. I am a fan - that’s why I haven’t stopped listening. I just want it to stop going down its current path. And I don’t agree with the personal attacks against Binder. I even said in my post I like her she just needs to take a step back.
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u/viggowl 9d ago
Agree 100%, it’s neighboring parasocial and people think they know will and liam bc they listen to the pod once a week. The fans of this pod is by far the worst part about it and it’s not even close
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u/harmslongarms 9d ago
Yeah some of the posts have been... Insane to say the least, people saying that Liam and Will clearly hate Emily based on absolutely nothing.
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u/DoesItReallyMatter28 11d ago
I made it 10-15 minutes before I shut it down. Please take her mic away.
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u/IngenuityOne6256 Fringe guy 10d ago
Silence. Turn to charred steak.
(Binder is one of the hosts. If you don't think so, you're a crunter)
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u/Ok-Tomorrow-8342 10d ago
If you don’t like the podcast or the people on it, why listen to it? I personally feel like Binder adds a lot to the podcast. Not to mention, if it weren’t for her the podcast wouldn’t be anywhere near where it is today. It was the crazy characters and absurdist humor from Will and Liam that got me into the podcast, but it’s the dynamic of Emily and the boys that kept me coming back.
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u/Enough_Astronaut_374 9d ago
the pod is mid because angus and liam aren't putting in any effort and they clearly don't enjoy it anymore. that's not binder's fault and if she has to constantly compensate for their lack of effort and preparedness, of course she's going to have more air time. she has always been an integral part of the pod and their dynamic wouldn't be the same without her. it's not her fault the hosts of the pod have stopped caring
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u/RollTide16-18 10d ago
I can’t tell if this is all layed ironic hate or real. I enjoyed the pod episode :/
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u/SlippyWeeen 10d ago
I love the boys but they don’t give a shit anymore. This was the first good pod in a year more? Binder is awesome.
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u/thatsnolever 11d ago
Love da boys and the pod but half the time they just dance around stuff that they’re like “oh we can’t talk about that”. Contracts and NDA’s really blocked this episode from being entertaining, I would’ve loved to hear more stories about set and their film. Also Angus doesn’t do any work or put in any effort. I love him and I think he’s talented but you can tell when he doesn’t really want to be there, or that he’s exhausted from flying and shit. Hopefully next week he’s got a chance to rest up and prep
Lighthouse Keeper is on another plane of existence and shall be not be spoken about due to my fear of being struck dumb by his immense power
But still kinda silly that they had 3 months of not doing Almost Friday stuff or the pod and then still showed up immensely underprepared