This used to be my favorite podcast, but over the past several years it's been dying a slow and painful death that, quite frankly, is hard to watch. I have been an avid listener of Chunga's (aka Brett Smith) over the past several decades. I used to listen to the him and Mr. West in the mornings on my way to school. But, the death of Radio Ronin was pretty much foretold after the way he booted Mister from the morning show back in 2007.
I am not here to solely pile it onto a morally bankrupted individual, there are legitimate problems with the current configuration of this podcast. Granted they are more or less related to Chunga's toxic ego and behavior, but I really want to base my review on why this show isn't worth your time and (and in some instances) money.
Let me state the reasons ...
1) "Chunga Stories" are constantly repeated and/or fantastically fabricated. Don't get me wrong, I understand that most storytellers, podcasters, writers, vloggers, etc. embellish a story to make it more interesting. But, there's a difference between embellishment and fabrication. I've caught Chunga in many lies and have had many validated by past hosts, acquaintences and people from his past. For instance I heard that the house Chunga fled in 2016 because of how haunted it was, wasn't even remotely haunted. They got evicted for back taxes. Why lie about something like this?
Plus, all of the connections he's had with rockstars, actors, etc. are, AT BEST, severly embellished. A former listener asked me this simple question. If Chunga so buddy, buddy with them, why doesn't he have them on his show? Fair question.
A little honesty would do this show and Chunga's inflated ego a lot of good.
2) The current host choice is not good. As mentioned above this all started with Mr. West, but Chunga pushes through cohosts like Elizabeth Taylor went through husbands. He can't help it. It's nothing to do with them being able to "HANG WITH THE PRESSURE" as Chunga once told me after asking about why Josh left. He's a jerk and having asked seeked for both sides of the story on both past radio and podcast hosts, Chunga is the problem.
That's why after pushing Kenny, Josh and Spencer it seems like Chunga just has what he has with Chandler (his son), Gregg and Chris. All of which are (or seem like) good guys, but Chandler comes off like a "YES MAN" to his dad. Can you stop pretending to have heard a story your dad shared for the first time that he's shared millions of times before? Times you were even in on the conversation? It's annoying and bad acting. Also, Gregg is really awesome, but the movie shout-outs are stale and I wish he'd review movies like Kenny used to do on the show. Then Chris seems nice, but he gets lost in the conversations a lot. He's very quiet.
My favorite team was Chunga, Chandler, Josh and Spencer. That's when I obessively listened to Radio Ronin to just get me through the pandemic. They had great chemistry and is one of the reasons why I love listening to Kenny, Josh and Spencer's new podcast "The Other Show." The chemistry on this show right now ... stinks.
3) The Patreon name readings are ridiculous. I hate the inside jokes. I hate how long it takes to get through them. Can't you just read them and move on?
4) This is kind of directly associated with the Patreon name readings, but the episode length is TOO long. When I listened it was hard for me to get through an entire episode because it was SOOOOO long. Top that with two episodes a week and I could never catch up. I can't begin to tell you how many episodes I left with 20-40 minutes unplayed.
5) I won't go into specific reasons here, but their Patreon isn't worth the money. I got almost no value for my $20 a month pledge. I got one of three t-shirts and gave up even caring after it was impossible coordinating with Chandler to get them. I don't care if I get my shirts, but between that and the infrequent bonus episodes ... what am I paying for? Chunga's Magic Key? There's no value IMO.
In all, it's sad to see the current state, but it's no surprise. This was a highlight of my week, but after getting both sides of the story on why people left, what people think of each other, etc., I can't support a person like Brett Smith. He reminds me a lot of my mother, as someone who puts on a good show, but will cut you down and demean you behind closed doors.
I can't support someone like this. Sad.
