i guess i need a late pass because i only recently realized that dan savage had a podcast version of his syndicated column savage love with people actually calling in. i wasn’t a die hard fanatic like a lot of people but would read the column whenever i had the weekly handy. now i’m completely addicted to this audio format cause it’s made me appreciate his intelligence and wit more than i did. one thing i really like about it is hearing the callers describe their issues in their own voices which is so much more personal this way. It’s like hearing the interviews from that movie Sex, Lies, & Videotape, only minus the sexual tension and more detached and funny. i’ve laughed out loud so many times at his smutty and childish ribbing. one woman called about a psycho mean roommate who left his self-portraiture porn cd lying around and wanted to know if she should pursue sweet revenge by posting his photos all over the internet or maybe send the cd to his parents. Savage advised her that since this guy had threatened to kill her beloved cat and tried to destroy her career, she “should probably not poke a sleeping motherfucker.” he also asked her if she would email the photos to him.

at times he gets really dickish and goes on these tirades when he gets inept questions or when sycophantic fanclub types tell him he’s “frickin’ awesome” too many times. he also yells at people and calls them pussies when they’re overthinking or trying to be too ethical/selfless which isn’t a surprise if you’re familiar with the column. but even that is pretty amusing and just cause those calls are annoying to listening to and he still talks sense after the abuse. most of the time he’s sympathetic and engaged. i think what impresses me is that when he’s talking with a caller on the phone, it’s in real time & spontaneous unlike the column and yet he is delivering the same quality of insight. it amazes me listening to him talking with some of these people who are riddled with guilt & confusion because of their freaky fetishes and/or everyday love drama how he can just pull the most sensible and profound POV out of thin air and make them feel less conflicted and like normal people on the spot. he has a really high signal-to-noise ratio and as a long-winded blatherer, i envy people who can articulate themselves so concisely and poignantly. that’s there even when he’s really angry, like when he calls back this clueless misogynist and completely rips him apart everything he says to him is still on point and focused. listening to these episodes also makes me realize how lightweight my emotional baggage is. some of the stuff is eye opening and deep, some of it purely voyeuristic satisfaction. i need to stop listening to this when i’m on the move cause i’m might walk into a wall or traffic. it’s so engrossing. if you are a fan of the column, then you will be a bigger fan of the audio version.