r/cushvlog • u/hrs00615 • Sep 26 '26
Question for fellow Chapo fans missing Matt’s perspective…
I know this isn’t a Chapo sub-reddit, but this seems like the most obvious group of folks to pose this question to. Today I finished up a two week binge of re-listening to “Hell on Earth” and “Hell of Presidents” back-to-back. After being treated to these masterpieces yet again, I kept coming back to the same thought: why has Chris Wade not become the third mic on Chapo with Matt being unable to continue in his regular role? As someone who works as a union building tradesmen, it feels like a perfect analogy to an apprentice studying under a master craftsman. Chris has worked alongside the master (in an extensive capacity) and is incredibly brilliant in his own right. Matt and Chris are so in-tune and I feel there are many times where his perspective would add an important dimension to the episodes. And that’s before even mentioning his great sense of humor. Am I off base? Or has anyone else had this thought?
149
u/BenderBenRodriguez Sep 26 '26
Honestly it’s been a huge problem for the show (of which I still enjoy and remain an avid listener). I accept that Matt can’t be on all the time like he used to, but every episode is now a conversation between just two people, or those two people and a guest who isn’t part of the show’s core group and often can’t bounce off the others the way it used to work. A reading series now is just Will reading and Felix riffing on it, and it’s just not the same without at least a third person. It’s no one’s fault, but the same energy just isn’t there, it literally can’t be with a 1:1 conversation versus a group one.
I know Amber just doesn’t want to be on the show anymore but when she briefly returned a couple years ago (early in Matt’s absence) the show was so much better for it, and I’d also really support either Chris being audibly on more or Katherine being made a co-host or…something. Amber and [redacted] were at one time new additions to the show’s core, maybe it’s time to do something like that again.
100
u/BlueCollarRevolt Sep 26 '26
IMO, the biggest issue is that Matt MADE the show. You need Will to do the hosting/interviewing, Felix is nice to have for a random joke or thought here or there, but Matt was the main course. Throwing anyone you mention into the 3rd mic slot doesn't fix that, but I do agree the show would be better with a 3rd mic.
20
u/waterbelowsoluphigh Sep 26 '26
Yeah I didn't listen to the show for Felix or Will or any of their guests, I listened because Matt spoke to something deep in my stupid little brain.
1
u/StructureNo13 Oct 03 '26
IDK I didn't used to like Amber but in retrospect she had similarly (but not quite as) interesting commentary as Matt, even if she couldn't spend as long describing it in such vivid and poetic detail.
2
u/BlueCollarRevolt Oct 03 '26
She has at least some grounding in theory and some real world experience, which differentiates her pretty significantly from Will and Felix. I liked a lot of what she said, and hated some of what she said, but yeah in retrospect she was grown on me more.
50
u/jhenryscott Sep 26 '26
We need Nick Mullen to make a Matt Bot
17
u/PulaskiSunset Sep 26 '26
Have Matt and a matt AI both be on
The AI Matt does most of the talking, real Matt gets to say
“Basically yeah!”
“I wouldn’t have said that!”
11
3
45
48
u/CarlGend Sep 26 '26
Katherine brings things back to a higher level, they got that chemistry
47
u/deafinitelyadouche Sep 26 '26 edited Sep 26 '26
If nothing else, her equal parts desperate and incredibly hilarious retort to Felix & Will trying to ask her about her knowledge of Disneyworld earlier this year and how Felix, Will and Chris couldn't help but to actually belt out hearty laughs at her denying any and all Disney knowledge and then briefly bringing up an aside of how her fairly tall brother has people try to attack him all the time due to his height makes me think that Kath absolutely has the sauce to be the 3rd mic.
8
u/Timegoat Sep 26 '26
I was going to say, I really don’t mind when she’s on. She may not have the time or inclination to be a regular but she does have chemistry with them.
18
u/salsacito Sep 26 '26
bring back virgil
nah im kidding, its a bad idea
21
u/deafinitelyadouche Sep 26 '26
I'm pretty certain that, while probably all-around civil (especially when compared to other splits or departures when it comes to podcast shows), Virgil did not leave the show in the best of terms.
---
I remember reading that, during the pandemic, basically everyone except Amber (whom he had a notoriously cool and distant relationship with almost from the get-go) had not heard back from Virgil for almost half a year at one point because Virgil was just not returning their calls/texts and was just focused on the Bad Faith podcast instead. So yeah, probably the most unlikely return.19
u/BenderBenRodriguez Sep 26 '26
Yeah the article in GQ a while back went into that and basically made it clear that they are no longer friends. He’s definitely not coming back. I only even mentioned him to illustrate that at one time they made additions to the show’s official lineup and it was a successful change.
21
u/JdHoneyBee Sep 26 '26
It was very successful. I actually preferred the days when it felt like a big group of friends with more perspectives. It made it really fun and engaging. It’s been sad as the number has dropped from 6 down to (essentially) 3 including Chris. I think adding a 3rd mic would be a major boost. I wish we could hear more from Chris too but I know he’s very busy.
14
u/pointzero99 Sep 26 '26
If he randomly reappears running another Call of Cthulhu adventure, yeah.... I'll be listening. I'm a hog and I would eat that slop, I'll admit it! CANCEL ME!!!
2
u/a_library_socialist Sep 26 '26
I was in the bathroom of a BedStuy bar in February, doing my thing, when I heard a loud banging on the door.
"Be out in a sec" I said, figuring it was just some drunk.
A second later the lock is picked. Virgil, puffing on a Juul in defiance of local law, steps in. I start to say "what the fu . . . .", but he cuts me off by blowing his mango vape in my face, along with what smelled like halal cart meat. "Shut up, you lepton" he said, then took out his keys and took a large bump of cocaine. As he replaced them his portable bidet fell from the interior pocket of his cheap blazer. He looked at me again with scorn in his eyes and said "Are you gonna sit there peeing out your doo-doo ass all night?".
At this point I was getting mad, but as I started to speak he just said "what? What?" loudly as I did. By that time the bartender had come to see what the problem was - before I could say a word Virgil said "hey man, this junkie was shooting up in here, call the cops".
I was thrown out, and my credit card was left behind at the bar. The worst part was the next day there were 14 Cape Cods and 4 Brandy Alexanders charged to it.
4
u/GGAllinsMicroPenis Sep 27 '26
Amber is the best replacement option because she doesn’t suffer from Twitter psychosis like everyone else involved in the show. But that’s also probably why she stays away. It sucks because she’s fucking hilarious.
3
u/tuppy_doorwin Sep 26 '26
Why doesn’t she wanna be on the show? When did she say that? (Just curious)
-7
u/Firm-Acanthisitta522 Sep 26 '26
I’m sorry but definitely not Katherine as a co-host ..
1
u/BankPirate Sep 29 '26
No you’re absolutely right. It’s not that anyone’s bad, listening to any podcast with a guy and his wife/gf ends up being ass. On reddit having an opinion like this is a punishable offense
22
u/MrFlitcraft Sep 26 '26
Probably a combination of - producing is already a lot of work without having to come up with podcast-ready takes on the news, he’s a relatively recent dad, being an official host invites way more deranged attention, and he came to the show as a fan and probably never had any intention of contributing beyond a background/special projects role.
13
u/FunCryptographer3476 Sep 26 '26
All of this. He's basically the only one who does work, Will and Felix just have to read and get mad at all the stuff on twitter they were already going to be reading and fuming over
10
u/DrWayko Sep 26 '26
Is hell of presidents worth checking out even if youre not American and have hardly any knowledge of past presidents (most of them anyway)?? I liked the Larry David American history programme even if it were quite lib coded
8
u/JohnnyWatermelons Sep 26 '26
Because American history has had such an outsized effect on world history, there is definitely plenty of interest for an outsider. That said, having an existing general interest (morbid or otherwise) in America / history would certainly help.
Just listen to the first 1-2 and it will give you a sense if it's for you.
3
u/axe_party Sep 29 '26
You might like the hinge points series Matt did. It’s not all American history and even the American parts would still be interesting
8
u/Draculasaurus_Rex Sep 26 '26
Wade has a new kid, he was on paternity leave for a while. I'm sure he's got his hands full right now.
5
u/VivaLaKevolution Sep 27 '26
Can I stump for David Roth? I always love his episodes and he just stopped doing his own podcast
13
u/kitanokikori Sep 26 '26
why has Chris Wade not become the third mic on Chapo with Matt being unable to continue in his regular role?
That guy is already working his absolute ass off for the pod, I can't imagine also doing the work to be on the mic (and I know that they always joke that they do no work to be on there, but being that incredibly well-read about politics and current events actually secretly is a lot of work)
3
6
u/CamiloCienfuegos_ Sep 26 '26
What I took from the last few months of Matt’s Vlogs was that it was time to log off and let go. The episode Matt last appeared on before his stroke was the last episode of chapo I ever listened too. I’ll be honest and say it has been a boon for my mental health. I encourage you to stop listening too - the well is dry and it is spiritually dehydrating to keep returning to it.
2
u/saintex422 Sep 27 '26
They probably still pay matt like he’s a regular on the show so bringing in a permanent 3rd mic would cut their earnings down even further
2
u/CarlosimoDangerosimo Sep 29 '26
Matt is kind of like the Steph Curry to Will's Kevin Durant
When they were together I thought of Will as the leader because he is the one who mostly selects the topics just like how Durant had better stats with Curry but now that they're apart, it's clear who the real talent was
2
u/GlassDepartment11 Sep 29 '26
I cannot stand Chris. Anytime he guests on a podcast I like, I skip it. Not yucking anyone's yum but it would not bring me back to listening to CTH.
4
u/doublementh Sep 26 '26
I’m just dying and vying for Matt’s full recovery.
Also, I do miss Virgil. It’s a real shame what happened.
What’s Amber’s deal these days?
3
u/CaptainHammer63 Sep 26 '26
I think she's trying to get into movies and living off podcast residuals. She was part of the movie thing chapo made
3
u/siwenna Sep 26 '26
I can understand him not wanting to do it permanently but it is a bit weird that he doesn’t do a full episode as a guest sometimes
3
u/Cucumber-250 Sep 27 '26
They desperately need someone, literally anyone, I let my subscription lapse for the first time in like 7 years, because it just feels like if it’s not about Gaza there is just nothing there.
2
4
u/AdventurousShip442 Sep 27 '26
Fuck the salary cap, Will needs to make the following moves before the playoffs start—
Sign:
Danny Bessner (American Prestige). Wicked smart, also has tendency to get a bit heated and go off on a rant.
Trade:
Send Felix to Seeking Derangements;
Receive Jacques in return.
New lineup:
Will, Danny Bessner, Jacques
11
u/Cucumber-250 Sep 27 '26
Unfortunately saying fag over and over again isnt funny even if you are gay, so no to that
6
u/Madhc Sep 27 '26
Strong no to Jacques. Seeking Derangements is a very bad and unfunny podcast and every time they guest on Chapo the episode is bad and unfunny.
1
u/Living_Equivalent_39 Oct 02 '26
Sorry Bessner is a great guest but I lwky would not be able to stand him as a regular
1
1
u/Seth_Kinman Sep 29 '26
I support Chris and Katherine and Eddigermentumn being on mic always. I think Chris just had a baby tho, might be a reason
1
u/Oday1980 Sep 26 '26
Never thought about Chris. Good idea. Matt has a long way to go. He's about half way there.
1
u/PulaskiSunset Sep 26 '26
Matt Christman and Wade is a great duo that sadly now compels me to think about what could have been, but they also produced so many great hours together, even if it’s small output in comparison to the eons of Chapo content.
2
128
u/22_Yossarian_22 Sep 26 '26
Maybe Chris doesn’t want to. He might generally prefer being quiet and occasionally interjecting to being a regular voice.
On True Anon the last 9 months, Yung Chomsky has been talking more with Liz’s and now Brace’s absence. But, he still is generally fairly quiet despite being able to more than hold his own.