Popular Reviews of The Phone Booth

Ira Glass with superherosWriting:A-Voice Acting:B+/A-Sound Quality: ASound Creativity:BDirecting/Production: AIf you have read any of the Wild Cards sci fi series, you know the premise of this podcast. In this podcast, a person explodes in the sky and several hours later, people start changing. Like in the wild cards, sometimes it turns someone into a superheros, sometimes you can do something simple like float, sometimes it turns people into something not human and sometimes nothing happens.Our protagonist is in the last category and has turned to his limited skills to hosting a podcast that tells the stories of those people who were affect by the explosion. The format begins with some chatter by the host in that hints at the story we are about to hear. A different voice actor each week tells their character's story and the host has a coda at the end. I feel like I am listening to This American Life (TAL) in an alternate universe. Its format is the same as TAL. The format is the same. The the tone of the stories is the same. The host has the same calm self deprecating humor that hints at the many neuroses that are hidden just beneath the surface. Lastly, the host gaining a bit of fame because let's the people tell their stories.I gave the writing an A- because one of the stories was not the same quality as the rest. The B+/A- for voice acting was because the skill levels of the voice actor range from very good to superb. I capped it at an A- because of the voice actor who plays the host. He is very good but there is just something missing that keeps me from really caring about the host (I feel that way about Ira Glass too).Its well worth your time. I binged it and I recommend doing so because you pick up on subtleties you might miss otherwise.Disclaimer: Those who can, doThose who can't do, teachThose who can't teach criticize.I am in the latter category where my neuroses are on full display. If you think I should be seeing a mental health specialist instead of doing podcast reviews. I have tried it. Podcast reviewing works better😁

Really excellent take on the concept of superpowers.

I've slogged through a lot of podcasts that didn't work for me for one reason or another. I live for that 𝘏𝘰𝘭𝘺-𝘚𝘩𝘪𝘵-𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴-𝘍𝘶𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘳-𝘐𝘴-𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺-𝘎𝘰𝘰𝘥 moment. Well let me tell ya, 𝘏𝘰𝘭𝘺-𝘚𝘩𝘪𝘵-𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴-𝘍𝘶𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘳-𝘐𝘴-𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺-𝘎𝘰𝘰𝘥. The episode "What I Know" 𝙖𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙚 is worth an award. Rod Serling would have loved it!

Digging the NPR Story Corps format

I was completely caught off guard by how much I enjoyed this audiodrama. I'd put it off for a while because I've been somewhat burnt out on the superhero genre as a whole, but wow I regret not listening to it sooner.I honestly wouldn't slot it into the superhero genre at all, it's not about superheroes, it's about people both extraordinary and ordinary in turn, and it's captivating. From the horrifying h2o to the lovely and sad Joe in the Minor Key to the haunting What I Know, I really can't say enough about how captivating these stories are. Even the second season, stripped down in comparison to season one because of the pandemic, is still fantastic storytelling and well-executed. I look forward to future episodes immensely.