Snap Judgement’s “Spooked,” takes us all on a journey through thrilling supernatural horror events. Each episode includes a variety of short recollections of real life events that occurred to people. For this blog post I will be analyzing and comparing the next two episodes of season one; “Lost in Time” and “Borderlands”.
Similarly to the first episode, these two episodes open with the same host, Glenn Washignton. His voice is easy to pick out and helps bring a sense of familiarity to concurrent listeners. I’ve noticed that all of these episodes are structured the same, Washington introducing and concluding the podcast and two guest speakers fill in the middle of the podcast with their enticing stories.
In this second episode, “Lost in Time,” the intro is played almost immediately. There is less need for a long hook because it is the second episode and most listeners are probably rejoining. Like the previous episode the intro gives an insight into what basic theme the following stories will follow. We are drawn into a world of thinking about being lost on our own and the possibility of anything being able to happen to us. However, unlike the previous episode, the dark and spooky background music is replaced with more upbeat sounding music. This ultimately sets up the mood and theme for the following stories.
In the first story we are actually introduced to another podcast known as the Campfire Podcast, by Jim Herald. This story is set in an old fashioned bar where an unknown figure plays the same song on the jukebox every night. However, it is later found out that the unknown figure was not an employee, and maybe never truly existed. Flashforward to the next story in this episode we are introduced to a male character who has been receiving mysterious love letters in their new house. The so-called mysterious love letters are said to come from some ghost that lives in the house because unknownst to the owner, his house is haunted.
This episode is concluded much quicker than the first because as listeners we have already become accustomed to the format of the podcast. This episode also carries a more lighthearted tone throughout, mainly because the stories are less interactive and more of just a weird feeling. However, unlike the previous episode, we are introduced to two different narrators for one story. In the second half of the episode instead of the victim just recalling their story on their own, we see someone actually interview the storyteller. Not only does the introduction of another voice help keep listeners attention, but it also allows for us as listeners to relate more with the story teller. We are put into the moment, and also taken out of it every time the interviewer asks another question.
The introduction of an interviewer and storyteller helps visualize an allow for us as listeners to personally connect more with the story. The interviewer is able to ask the questions that lingers on everyone else’s mind, without disrupting the flow of the story itself. It also adds a more comforting setting for people to ease into. It makes the story seem less glamorous, but not in a negative way, by drawing attention into the more casual environment. As listeners, it is refreshing to hear a more casual conversation rather than just a story.
In the third episode, “Borderlands,” we are brought back to the tense music that plays slow and just repeats in the back of your mind. The introduction and conclusion are much shorter in this episode, and this episode in general is much shorter than the previous.
The first story in this episode tells the tale of a border patrol agent who feels as though he is being watched by some sort of animal. He is told that there is nothing around him, however he is never able to shake off that eerily feeling. In the second story we are taken into Sri Lanka where a woman wakes up to discover that she has lost feeling in his lower and upper extremities. She then goes onto a journey in an attempt to gain back her mobility,
Similarly to the previous episodes, the first story is told from the victim themself, and just themself. However this first narrator uses a very casual tone by quoting exact words he was told throughout his time working. The second story also uses a similar format to the second episode by having an interviewer and storyteller.
While the formatting of each episode remained the same, the way in which each story is told is always different. The introduction of new, multiple, voices every episode always capture listeners’ attention. Washington’s ability as a host to create such a familiar environment also helps consistency in transitioning from each episode to the next. Every episode always introduces a new concept and a new story, each one keeping me excited for the next.
(WC: 822)
I <3 Spooked! I have a Glenn Washington mug. Glad you're enjoying! (Matt)