The Small Fries

Photo: hellofromthemagictavern.com

I may be a little late to hop on this bandwagon, but lately I’ve come to find Podcasts as a refreshing form of entertainment. Thanks to our other editor, Julie, I have come to enjoy several different ones from Serial to Welcome to Nightvale and Comedy Bang Bang. However, recently I saw a new podcast sneak its way on to my Twitter feed and decided to check it out. That was possibly the best decision I made all day.

Hello, From the Magic Tavern is truly a one of a kind podcast about a man named Arnie, played by Arnie Niekamp, who fell through a magical portal behind a Burger King into a land called Foon. He is able to get a weak WiFi signal from the restaurant and broadcasts weekly episodes from the tavern, The Vermillion Minotaur, in the town of Hogface. He is accompanied by his co-hosts Chunt and Usidore, and each week they have special guests talk about this magical land so that people on Earth know that there are other worlds in other dimensions.

Chunt was Arnie’s roommate, that is Arnie has become a permanent resident of The Vermillion Minotaur. Chunt, played by Adal Rifai, is a shapeshifter who is currently in the form of a badger. He is a different kind of shapeshifter, considering he only changes shape when he has sex; he takes his partner’s form. Chunt is a very “chill” character who used to work at the tavern. His job there really depends on his current form. If he’s a larger form, he is usually a bouncer -- as opposed to being a caterpillar, to which he is in the kitchen. Chunt is a badger/shapeshifter who is just looking for a good time. Which is why he frequents the hot spot, “Make Out Point.” It’s not what it sounds like. Make Out Point is a haunted shack, and if you and your partner are able to make it through alive, you will fall in love. Chunt is 0 for 30. Poor Chunt. Over the last eight episodes of Magic Tavern, I’ve decided that Chunt is a character that I would love to be friends with. He’s laid back, easy-going, and won’t hesitate to let you room with him during your hardships. Everyone needs a Chunt in their life.

Usidore, the wizard of too many names to remember and played by Matt Young, is Arnie’s other co-host/friend. He is a wizard of great power and has the ability to summon miniature horses for imps to ride all while famously falling into the “Wizard State” mid conversation. Usidore is hellbent on completing his quest to defeat the Dark Lord with his carefully selected party. For the majority of the show so far, he has had no one join him, that is until the most recent episode. Pimbly Nimblebottom, an imp that poops coins and rubies, has volunteered to join Usidore on his quest. Now, he only needs to recruit twelve more adventurers, and he can continue on his quest. Good luck, Usidore! I would join if I were in Foon….maybe. This character is such a funny character. He is the polar opposite of the relaxed Chunt, because at any moment he could be bursting with energy and exploding on the podcast about his quest or something that could doom us all. He is the type of character that any description given would not do justice. I can only suggest you go listen to this podcast and experience all that is Usidore yourself. He goes on rants and tirades that usually get the group off topic of whatever the guest is speaking about. However, like Chunt, he has done a wonderful job educating us on Foon: from the seasons to social norms. By the way, there are six seasons in Foon, just in case you were wondering.

There have been various special guests on Magic Tavern ranging from a talking Flower to the Foon Mittens League Commissioner to a Princess. Each tie in with the other in some way: For example, the Flower is a key component of the sport, Mittens, and each episode we learn something different about this magical land. It is the home of goblins, wizards, and smorps. Yes, smorps. I am not going to explain Smorps only because Usidore and Jak Vorpal, Foon's Greatest Swordsman, do a better job explaining these magical beings.

This podcast is a healthy mix between weird, ridiculous, and hilarious which is what makes it so addicting. I can honestly say that I have listened to each episodes multiple times, and not just because they are that funny; I know I’ve missed something in each cast just from laughing all the time. To give you a better idea of what kind of podcast you are getting into, I mostly describe it as The Chronicles of Narnia meets Saturday Night Live. Each episode is funnier than the last and full of things that you won’t see coming; each an adventure in itself.

Hello, From the Magic Tavern is released every Monday.

Catch up, subscribe and review on iTunes!

Visit their website: http://hellofromthemagictavern.com

--Kasey