Topic: Voiceovers

Gordon Gibbs, a professional voiceover artist, shared his experiences in the industry and asked for advice on terrestrial TV antennas in the Texas Hill Country. Baron JB also requested business karma for his new "advice-only" financial planning firm.

Dvorak and Curry critique the current state of AI-generated art and music, noting that AI still struggles with spelling and "soulless" vocal performances. They argue that AI cannot replicate human timing or humor, dismissing claims by "Comicstripblogger" that AI voices will soon replace human podcasters.

Comedian Marty Higgins produced a deepfake of President Joe Biden reading a poem about Scranton and "hairy legs." The hosts discuss how this technology will disrupt the voiceover and audiobook industries by allowing authors to sample their own voices. They analyze the technical flaws in the Biden synthesis, such as improper pausing and pacing.

Producer Amy submitted an "audition reel" of her niece performing various show-related catchphrases and insults. The hosts praise the child's vocal clarity and suggest she has a potential future in professional voiceover work.

The hosts read several notes from producers who received "job karma," including a worker whose contract was extended with a pay raise. Leanne Webb shares her family's history with the hosts dating back to the Mevio network and requests karma for her children, who are furloughed Disney World employees.

A proposal is made to implement "station IDs" for the various podcasts on the No Agenda stream to help listeners identify what they are hearing. The hosts suggest using a specific female voiceover artist to provide "station color" and appeal to modern social sensibilities. This branding effort aims to professionalize the 24-hour stream.

Donor Joel Nelson requested "human resource karma" for his wife and "small business karma" following a physical altercation. The discussion shifts to the technical aspects of television news production, specifically the "dead sound" of voiceover booths. The hosts describe the jarring transition in audio quality when a reporter moves from a field recording to a soundproof booth.

Sir Dave Fugazotto donated $999.99, prompting a discussion about the unique vocal skills of voice actor Fletcher. A new promotion is announced where donors of $1,000 or more can receive a personalized call-out from Fletcher. Sir Dave is upgraded to the rank of Viscount, with his territory expanded to include America's Heartland and Saudi Arabia.

Personal finance experts on CNBC suggest unusual jobs for retirees over 55, including medical supply repair and voiceover artistry. The hosts joke about starting a wheelchair repair company as a backup plan if podcast donations decline.

John C. Dvorak performs a series of "strip bar announcements" for fictional dancers like Raven, Bambi, and Sharona. He references his past experience doing similar work in Amsterdam at age 16. The segment includes mock promotions for private dance rooms and "buy 10 get one free" deals.

A critique of a McDonald's radio advertisement for the "Sirloin Third Pound Burger" focuses on the specific vocal style of the voiceover artist. The host argues that the "hip, modern" casting brief resulted in a distinctive, slightly lisped delivery. The segment also questions the marketing of ground sirloin as a premium product, noting it is a common and relatively inexpensive cut of beef.

A commercial for San Antonio tourism is critiqued for its poor voiceover quality, leading one host to lament his own lack of voiceover work despite his professional background. An anecdote is shared about nearly being cast as Dr. Johnny Fever in a "New WKRP in Cincinnati" revival. The host expresses frustration with his voice agent and the current state of the industry.

Adam Curry announces an upcoming trip to Amsterdam for family birthdays and plans to broadcast from Europe. He also reveals he landed a voiceover gig performing an impression of Frank Underwood from "House of Cards" for a corporate presentation. The hosts discuss the process of auditioning and the benefits of getting "out of the house" for professional work.

Adam Curry reads a script for a Chevrolet "Purple Roads Initiative" commercial he is auditioning for, which focuses on cancer survival rates. He notes the irony of potentially becoming the voice of a major advertiser while hosting an ad-free podcast. The segment concludes with a promotion for new merchandise on the No Agenda Nation store, including "Slave Silk Ties" and "Drone Bait."

The hosts discuss the historical meaning of the word "macaroni" in the song Yankee Doodle, noting it was 18th-century slang for something ultra-fashionable or "cool." This leads to a discussion about the recurring Velveeta "Ham Radio Guy" commercial and Adam Curry's recent voiceover audition for a National Geographic reality show titled "Sheer Madness" about sheep farming.

Producer Josh Hastings discusses the influence of Carl Jung's Red Book and the song "46 and 2" by Tool on his donation. This leads to a host sharing the frustrations of the voiceover industry, specifically the "non-announcer" spec. A sample read for a Kellogg's commercial is performed to demonstrate the "natural, laid-back" style currently demanded by advertisers.

The hosts analyze a Burger King commercial containing sexual innuendo about "the equator" that aired immediately after a Cialis advertisement. Adam Curry then shares a recording of his recent voiceover audition for a Kellogg's "Master Brand" commercial, which Dvorak critiques for its "announcer" tone.

The hosts critique an Australian entertainment report featuring a correspondent with a perceived "fake" American accent. The report focused on actor Nicolas Cage joining Twitter to promote his directorial debut. The segment highlights the often generic and mishandled nature of international entertainment reporting.

A brief performance in the style of old-time radio horror demonstrates the potential for a new "informatic" voiceover career. The segment references the work of Arch Oboler and involves a descriptive script about internal organs, suggesting a market for classic radio-style storytelling.

Adam Curry proposes a new business venture called "Manuals on Tape" featuring John C. Dvorak reading technical instruction manuals. The concept involves Dvorak providing step-by-step audio guidance for tasks like printer network configuration to replace traditional reading. Curry suggests branding the service with Dvorak wearing a spandex superhero suit.