Don’t know what it is? Neither did I. Don’t care? Neither.Did.I.
Then my good friend, Ellie, whom I talk to every day basically said, “I cannot talk to you anymore until you listen to this podcast because it is all I want to talk about and I don’t like you if you don’t.” Alright, Ellie, calm down.
So I listened. And within 25 minutes I was hooked, and within 25 hours, I was jonesing for the next installment. Also, not sure if I want to be friends with Ellie anymore.
I’ve discovered since that the quick progression of addiction to Sarah Koenig’s story-telling skills and regionally unspecific dulcet tones is pretty standard amongst Serialists. And so, as a resource to help, I present:
The Stages of Serial Podcast Addiction
Ignorance
Friend or coworker or twitter follower asks, “Are you listening to serial?”
Me. The three times someone asked me before I googled it. source
“No, it’s a podcast. Called serial. With an s.”
I don’t even have the podcast app on my phone.
“This investigative journalist from NPR retells a true crime story from 1999 … “
#sorrynotsorry
“You need to listen to it; it’s awesome and I want to talk to you about it.”
Fine. GAH. I’ll download it.
Incredulity
“There are 7 episodes so far …”
I can’t get this done between home and Panera? UGH.
“Support for serial comes from MailChimp … MailChimp … Mail…”
Legit.
24 minutes later …
I’m enjoying this.
Infatuation
Cancelling Saturday night plans to listen to episodes 1-4
Making time for the later episodes + the Slate podcast
At least I got all my laundry folded.
Finally calling the friend who recommended it to say you’re ready to talk about it.
I’ve never made another human person this happy.
Thinking there is no way Adnan is guilty/innocent
When Sarah brings a plot hole up and then lets it go
Don, Neighbor Boy, Neesha Call, Payphone, etc
When you finally start evangelizing Serial to others
“It’s about a murder from 15 years ago; it’s so addictive and you will totally LOVE IT, because murder. And stuff.”
Delving into the s/reddits for info on the actual case
What laundry?
Deciding that knowing TOO much about the case is a thing you will defend.
Do NOT tell me in the comments. DO NOT EVEN.
But then also REALLY needing to know what the hell is up with Jay.
I mean, hurry the eff up Thursday
This is BY NO MEANS every thing I have to say about Serial, the theories, the need for more. But let me hold that for a night when I’m not blogging at midnight. This late, I’m all about that Mellie gif.
Have you downloaded Serial yet? What are your theories? What was your progression of addiction?
