24 episodes
Downlowd: The Rise and Fall of Harry Knowles and Ain't It Cool News Joe Scott
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- TV & Film
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3.8 • 107 Ratings
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Downlow.d is a deep dive audio documentary series that explores the morally complicated, occasionally inspiring and often forgotten oral histories of the internet. Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/downlowdpod/support
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Bonus Episode: Exit Interview with Alan Cerny
Former AICN writer Alan Cerny, aka Nordling, talks with Joe Scott about his experiences with The Rise and Fall of Harry Knowles, and shares what he liked and didn't like about the show. Alan also speaks to why he chose NOT to listen to the interview with Harry Knowles.
READ ALAN'S REVIEWS:
https://www.vitalthrills.com/author/alanc/
LISTEN TO ALAN'S PODCAST:
http://matineeheroes.com/
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Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/downlowdpod/support -
BONUS: The Final Comments Section of Season One
Executive producer Kristina Bell returns to talk with Joe about reactions to the interview with Harry Knowles, updates within the world of AICN, and wrapping the first season of their show. Plus a deleted 'wedding scene' from Episode Seven.
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Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/downlowdpod/support -
BONUS EPISODE: Postscript From Xanadu at Skull Island
After the conclusion of The Rise and Fall of Harry Knowles and Ain't It Cool News, we are sharing excerpts from a 2021 conversation with Harry Knowles. During this talk, we try to find out what - if anything - the once pioneering webmaster learned from The Rise and Fall of Harry Knowles and Ain't It Cool News.
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Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/downlowdpod/support -
Episode Nine: "The Air We Breathe"
The emotional conclusion of "The Rise and Fall of Harry Knowles and Ain't It Cool News." Even after Harry Knowles destroys his website twice, there are lingering influences from AICN that few could have expected.
Written, narrated, and edited by Joe Scott.
Executive produced by Kristina Bell
With production and sound engineering by Eddie Garcia
Production assistance by Abrar Mubashar
Online production by Janessa Smith.
With Ben Jones as the voice of Harry Knowles
And Jake Steward as The Christmas Eve Poet
Got questions or comments?
Visit our website at www.downlowdpod.com
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Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/downlowdpod/support -
Episode Eight: "Hay Bales (Parts I & II)"
Part I (0:00) - In September of 2017, a perfect storm of controversies threaten to destroy the Alamo Drafthouse, Fantastic Fest, and Ain't It Cool News.
Part II (50:07) - The bravery of the women who stepped forward to speak out against Harry Knowles helped one woman to gain new context for events that transpired in 2004. Plus an examination of the culture that enabled sexual harm in the Austin film and internet movie geek communities for more than two decades.
Written, narrated, and edited by Joe Scott.
Executive produced by Kristina Bell
With production and sound engineering by Eddie Garcia.
Editorial assistance by Erin Poythress.
Production assistance by Abrar Mubashar
And Online production by Janessa Smith.
With Ben Jones as the voice of Harry Knowles.
AJ Schraeder as James Gunn
Jake Steward as Devin Feraci
Cabell Wilkinson as Caroline
Jon Chenoweth as Todd Brown
Kristen Korkowski as Jen
And Jasmine O'Connell as Diane.
Got questions or comments?
Visit our website at www.downlowdpod.com
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Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/downlowdpod/support -
Episode Seven: "The Anti-Social Network (Part Two)"
Through his website’s only technological innovation, Harry Knowles exploits a secret that will eventually transform future social media platforms into billion dollar companies. And Drew McWeeny 'fixes' one last major film production before leaving AICN for good.
Written, narrated, and edited by Joe Scott.
Executive produced by Kristina Bell with sound engineering by Eddie Garcia.
Production assistance by Reis Allyn and Abrar Mubashar as well as online production by Janessa Smith.
Featuring Ben Jones as the voice of Harry Knowles with a chorus of angry ‘Talkbackers’ played by AJ Schraeder, John Chenoweth, Reid Pegram, and David Decareax.
Visit our website at https://www.downlowdpod.com/.
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Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/downlowdpod/support
Customer Reviews
Joe Is Annoying But Not Wrong
Yes, “white male nerd rage” is a thing and still prevalent on the internet. That is true.
Do I think Joe is also a virtue signaler of the worst kind? Also true.
Mildly interesting until midway thru ep 9
When he veers into ridiculously biased and uninformed political bias…
A Fascinating Look at Internet History
Although it makes a few mistakes, most notoriously by giving Harry Knowles one last platform to spout his narcissistic lies, you won’t find a more comprehensive look at the early years of Internet film criticism and the sharp-elbowed, often abusive culture of toxic masculinity that accompanied it. Recommended, although I’d skip the Knowles episode.