So, not to embarrass anyone, but the Sliders Rewatch originated as a truly ghastly podcast by Cory and Karen. It was very obvious from the first episode that Cory and Karen loved SLIDERS; it was also very obvious that they lacked the vocal presence to convey that love in a podcast. They are slow, hesitant, overly-deliberate speakers -- and you know, there's nothing wrong with that, but it made for a truly slumber-inducing podcast. I had to stop listening to it for the safety of myself and others -- which is to say I listen to podcasts when driving and Cory and Karen were making me so sleepy that I had to turn them off or risk an accident.
But now we have a reboot with Tom2Point0 and Cory. And I have to say, Tom is that peculiar X-Factor -- that missing ingredient of elusive definition who, injected into the Sliders Rewatch, suddenly amps it up from sedating to spectacular. Tom's commanding vocal presence and sly humour is ideal for podcasts and he bounces off Cory perfectly. Cory is the ideal contrast to Tom's voice; higher pitched and more thoughtful and calculated, and where with Karen, Cory was incredibly dull -- well, with Tom, Cory's voice suddenly becomes earnest and heartfelt and this partnership is just ideal.
I really enjoy the format of two episodes per podcast. I love listening to Dan and Jim and Ian talking for 82 minutes about "In Dinos Veritas" on SLIDERS as a more informal gab-fest between friends, but there's something very crisp, professional and compact about Sliders Rewatch. Neither is better; they're just different products with different aims and the contrast is flattering to both. I particularly like how Cory and Tom have a very affectionately admiring take on SLIDERS, such as noting how Quinn in the Pilot inexplicably points the timer at the sky when seeking to escape a tornado or how Rembrandt's plan to rescue Quinn from the CDC in "Fever" consists of driving up to the building and waiting for Quinn to escape.
They're all done with Season 1 now and they've done a great job. I'm eager to hear them take on Seasons 2 - 5 and I am very pleased to see that this reboot with Sliders Rewatch has become a great success. Congratulations to Tom and Cory. Well done! Fix your website. Oh my God, the dark blue on black is unreadable. (Not that I can talk; it took me a month to fix Sliders.tv because I'd been so distracted by some personal affairs.)