Mixed Blessings

I love the sense of fun, the musicality and the outrageous humor of these two hosts! I also dig their sincere attempts to be thoughtful and culturally sensitive when approaching topics of race, religion, socioeconomic status, sexuality, gender identity etc.

However — and this is the number 1 thing that detracts from my full enjoyment — Poodle can be incredibly caustic. Now, I understand that these two engage in a lot of “playful” ribbing. But where Matty (who is a joy, btw) employs jabs that are funny without feeling mean-spirited, Poodle CONSTANTLY gets in digs at Marty’s expense that feel like easy pickings. Poodle’s teasing is relentless and often feels malicious. Worse, he uses these “jokes” to tear down Matty in service to his own vainglorious self-aggrandizement. Honestly, it’s wearying and may someday drive me away for good.

Again, love the show on the whole (yes, sometimes it takes too long to get into discussions of the actual show) but I’d love it more if I felt more of Poodle’s actual affection for Matty (they’re longtime friends so I know it exists) rather than than feeling like he’s mocking him mercilessly. Note to Poods: The recent episode without Matty illustrated vividly why you NEED him to make the magic. Show him some respect.

Keep going Queen Matty - dial it back, Poods.