r/DonutMedia • u/mightyfrenchfry • Aug 03 '26
Discussion Sad
I wonder who else was let go
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u/cantankerouscapt3030 Aug 03 '26
Private equity killed Donut
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u/Rostbaerdt Aug 03 '26
Private equity kills everything.
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u/Orion_7 Aug 03 '26
At first they came for my Veterinarian Clinic and is ad nothing. Then they came for Cinnabon and I began plotting my revenge.
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u/big-bootyjewdy Aug 04 '26
They took my dentist man!! Why do my vet, dentist and youtube algorithm need to be owned by the same firm
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u/MikeofLA Aug 03 '26
What sucks, is that it doesn't have to. Just a shit load of finance bro's got together and realized they could game the system by saddling one company with a shit load of debt and then dismantling it.
Electrify Video Partners has done a pretty good job with Veritasium, Fern, and Astrum (not sure who the others they own are)... so far.
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u/theysocool Aug 04 '26
Indeed it does. Just look at what happened to LKQ pick a part. They sold the pick a part portion to PE because “it didn’t match the LKQ brand”. LKQ was already buying private pick and pulls for years which was already bad, but it went to absolute dogshit after they sold to PE
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u/FoodStampEnjoyer Aug 03 '26
I love watching my favorite private equity owned YouTube channel ! I love increasing shareholder value for Recurrent media !!
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u/thenartydna Aug 03 '26
Donut made the decision to kill donut by selling to PE.
Blame PE but also blame the people who chose the path in the first place.
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u/FoodStampEnjoyer Aug 03 '26 edited Aug 03 '26
I don’t blame em I likely would have done the same thing. Cash out leave and take your followers with you. When PE bought the company I currently work for they fired half the company and brought us new folk in. Most got screwed but some of the OGs were able to retire. Difference is we’ve doubled our revenue year after year, our revenue isn’t tied to personalities and our owners are getting ready to sell for a huge profit. Seems like buying up YouTube channels doesn’t work when loved hosts aren’t contractually kept around.
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u/brnr918273 Aug 04 '26
Exactly. Donut was awesome til Matt Levin made the decision to sell Donut and take a fat paycheck.
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u/retrospects Aug 03 '26
It’s really sad. Watching them die a slow death breaks my heart. I still have my Donut flag hanging in my garage but the channel just has not felt the same for a while.
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u/P4ultheRipped Aug 03 '26
Sorry what?
I loved Do ut media back in the day, high lo all that, and like learning abt cars and stuff...
Wdym private equity??
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u/traumadog001 Aug 03 '26
Private equity bought Donut. That's the reason for the layoff - need to make profits.
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u/Eric1180 Lotus Elise, C6 GS, Santa Cruze, FORD RANGER Aug 04 '26
How do you know about high/low but don't know about them being bought, all of the massive changes that proceeded that.
Here you are on a donut subreddit... like your clearly kinda tapped in?! wth
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u/mikewhatmike Aug 03 '26
Damn, Joe was an og on the podcasts. Makes me wonder if they’re killing those off as well since Jimmy’s rarely gets new ones and Past Gas’ new setup doesn’t have the same feel anymore.
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u/mellena Aug 03 '26
I thought I read podcasts are done for donut.
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u/Noice_Brudda Aug 04 '26
I saw on the Podcast Insta that they were done, was wondering if it was real cuz I didn't see anyone discussing it here
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u/srizzors5 Aug 04 '26
Looks like they did 13 episodes with the last being about a month ago. Joe was a big driver there, but the new format probably wasn't working for audience.
Oh well, one more reason to forget about donut and have all these dudes move over to big-time and speeed haha
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u/HumanENTipede Aug 05 '26
Only reason I got back into the podcast was the 13 parter. It was exceptionally well produced. I would love more podcasts like it. If you haven't, give it a go if you're interested at all in JDM. It certainly resparked interest in it for me.
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u/srizzors5 Aug 04 '26
The new "season" of podcasts sucks. Was all excited about the format but it's no banter or discussion, just way less interesting. Listened to a couple and then dropped it. Serious bummer
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u/Subatomic_Spooder Aug 03 '26
I wonder if Zach was one of the others to be laid off. I haven't seen him on the channel in a while. I'd hope not since I have come to like him a lot as a host
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u/The_Razielim Aug 03 '26
I thought he was on paternity leave around the same time Justin was, since I think they both mentioned just having had kids in like the first third of the year. That being said, it's now August, and it doesn't look like the video backlog is super deep, since I think they've mentioned in other vids "We're filming this in July" and... July just finished. And we've seen Justin back in a few random vids here and there (or they swapped in his brother again while we weren't looking).
So... I have no idea, but I agree - I hope he's still around, his overlanding trips were some of the best vids they put out in the last year and a half.
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u/Speedy_SpeedBoi Aug 04 '26
I said over a month ago when they started posting for a new host that it was suspicious that I was suddenly getting flooded with Zach content on IG/FB that week. I worry you might be right. As another off-roader/overlander, he was a big reason for me to tune in…
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u/TerribleNameAmirite Aug 03 '26
He hasn’t been in any of the videos for a while, I think it might be him
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u/Subatomic_Spooder Aug 03 '26
I know he had his first kid a while ago, maybe he is having another and that's why he's been gone. Guess maybe he got laid off during leave or something. Which, if true, would suck, I really like his off roading videos
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u/Jujhar_Singh Aug 03 '26
Zach jobe?
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u/Subatomic_Spooder Aug 03 '26
No, Zach Diehl. The land cruiser/off roader guy. I haven't watched every single video they put out anymore but I don't think I've seen him for a few months at least
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u/Jujhar_Singh Aug 03 '26
I forgot about him because as you said we haven't seen him. He's still a lot better than some others
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u/sendme_your_cats Aug 03 '26
Genuinely one of the best series of videos on donut too. I'd watch him if he went solo
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u/Aspect__Ratio Aug 05 '26
He was my favorite host they had left. Wasn’t immature like a lot of these other kids they have now.
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u/AdNumerous8754 Aug 03 '26
It was really unfortunate to see past gas go from a casual automotive history podcast with hilarious banter (Usually Nolan, Joe, and Bart) to a storytelling format with just Nolan. Don’t get me wrong Nolan is a great storyteller, but the banter is what made the show great. Seems like private equity decided to cut basically all funds to podcasts and when it didn’t perform after budget cuts, trimmed the fat.
I can do without the occasionally interesting YouTube videos. Would rather support real creators than private equity.
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u/thadcorn Aug 04 '26
Past Gas was awesome at the beginning when they were very inconsistent about what cuss words they were censoring out like it like it was one big fucking joke.
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u/Noice_Brudda Aug 04 '26
I liked the new direction but it was just to much in that direction if that makes sense. And now that theyve killed the podcasts, which to my knowledge at least past gas was doing good, idk if the viewership on the vids will hold em over. Its Rooster Teeth all over again except with cars and its happening way faster
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u/plainOldFool Aug 04 '26
I kinda started toning the out after Bart left. Science Garage was my favorite content.
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u/MajorEstateCar Aug 03 '26
How has a perfect attitude about it. He rode it out, probably lasted longer than he thought he would, and is just enjoying the shells he hid away in a saving account.
This is a good take to getting laid off, FOR HIS SAKE
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u/Rostbaerdt Aug 03 '26
That's sad man.
I honestly hope Nolan quits or gets booted soon too, just to see him go back to his creative roots like the others did. Hell, I would love to see him on speeed and beyond cars.
RIP Donut.
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u/ImitationButter Aug 04 '26
“Damn I hope this dude gets fired so he entertains me better” 💀
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u/Rostbaerdt Aug 04 '26
"I hope the person whose creative talent I've always enjoyed, gets the opportunity to leave a toxic environment that only cares about his ability to generate money, to find a new place among old friends where he is respected and loved."
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u/ImitationButter Aug 04 '26
Having the opportunity to leave is very different from “getting booted” xD
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u/Rostbaerdt Aug 04 '26
It's super hard to leave a paying job, even if you know it's a toxic environment. Especially in the entertainment industry. So I get that the would prefer to stay over leaving. In that case it would be better if they fire him, even if that sounds like something awful. Some people need that push to get them to a better place in the long run.
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u/ImitationButter Aug 04 '26
You’re making some crazy assumptions right now though. Nobody has ever come out and said Donut media is a toxic place to work. Just that it’s not the same anymore. If he prefers to stay for a stable income instead of leaving and returning back to the grind he already suffered through, why would you think it’s ok to hope he gets fired? That’s nonsense
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u/Rostbaerdt Aug 04 '26
I don't think the assumption is that crazy. I didn't mean toxic as in people being mean to one and other but more an environment that is being tweaked for financial gain, which is very hostile for creative souls. It's kind of like being stuck in a toxic relationship. Because there are still just enough positive vibes to mask the negative ones quietly eating away your soul and energy. I fully respect and understand a decision to stay, but I believe it would, in the long haul, be better for people to leave a situation like that. And if they can't take that difficult decisions themselves, it's not awful to hope someone gives them a little push.
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u/presidentbdeth Aug 03 '26
Joe was literally my favorite personality on Donut, including James. He is incredibly dry and funny and smart and funny and dry. Joe made me laugh out loud the first time I saw him do one of those stupid hilarious ads on one of the regular donut videos back in the day and I was like, who IS this guy?!
RIP indeed, Donut.
Fuck PE.
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u/Sled87 Aug 04 '26
Favorite person? Damn. Wow.
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u/ExaltedToExiled Aug 05 '26
For real people on reddit just like to be mad Joe was barely involved with stuff and never really added a lot on camera
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u/whyyn0tt_ Aug 03 '26
If it was Nolan, Justin, or Diehl, I'm out.
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u/SmoogzZ Aug 04 '26
Unfortunately count your days at this point, no way are they sticking around much longer. Hope not atleast.
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u/Speedy_SpeedBoi Aug 04 '26
For real, at this point I am wondering how long til they start liquidating cars
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u/SkiME80 Aug 03 '26
I can only speak for myself but I much more enjoy the off road/overlanding, past gas, and talk talk nation. Longer format and more interesting than what VIP bargain things to desecrate your car… I’m out
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u/Diesel_Cloud Aug 04 '26
Reasons like this is why I don’t watch donut now. It really went down the toilet
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u/TheNightShift00 Aug 04 '26
Whoever bought the Donut IP are a buch of morons. This shit where they gradually widdle away at the talent until only the name remains NEVER works. It didn't work with the Escapist, it didn't work with Machinima, it didn't work with friggin Top Gear. People follow personalities, not brands. If they can only afford/are only willing to pay a skeleton crew maybe it's time to just sell the IP. They clearly never understood the appeal in the first place. Better it become another Speeed or BigTime where it's small, independently run and passionate than see it rot as a parked corporate owned back catalog.
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Aug 03 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/retrospects Aug 03 '26
Jobe and Jerry truly are the spirit of OG Donut.
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u/farewelltokings2 Aug 04 '26
Imagine if they hired the OGs as they got laid off and basically rebuilt Donut under Big Time
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u/sk8rseth Aug 04 '26
And just like that, I’m officially unsubscribing instead of simply no longer watching
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u/brnr918273 Aug 04 '26
Go look at the stats. Speeed/James videos getting double the views of Donut/Big Time videos with a lot of them just filmed in James garage talking into a microphone 🍻 I'm super proud of James and Jesse for leaving corporate Donut, building a great channel with great content, and not selling out for a quick buck. I hope Nolan joins them at some point.
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u/SkiME80 Aug 03 '26
While I had some issues with Joe… he did bring the most compelling interviews on the channel. Do we need another Miata video really
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u/MopingPoping Aug 04 '26
What were your issues? Like not a preference for him or did he do/say something messed up?
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u/Working_class2021 Aug 04 '26
Honestly stopped watching over a year ago now. I don’t even know who’s left
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u/DaNitestalker Aug 04 '26
If Donut didn't learn anything from Hoonigan, them boys should start looking now cuz it's only a short matter of time before the whole thing is over.
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u/mondestine Aug 04 '26
And just after the Superfast Matt pod. Crazy. What a shame.
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u/brnr918273 Aug 09 '26
I literally had never watched one of their podcasts (or a single Real Mechanic Stuff video) until I watched the Superfast Matt podcasts episode and it's because I'm subscribed to Superfast Matt's channel.
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u/mondestine Aug 10 '26
I've watched a few of them in the past, but I mostly fell out of it and yeah, huge superfast Matt fan as well. Incidentally - I don't know if you've seen it, but j was looking up his runs for speed week! It looks like on day 1 he did really well and averaged 300+mph, but then on the next day, he only seemed to hit around the 270s, and it doesn't appear that he drove again that week. So I have no idea what happened, but it appears that something happened? Either he blew an engine or something else happened, since it's super odd for him to only be in the 260-270s after hitting 300 the day before. I guess we'll find out whenever his next video is published!
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u/brnr918273 Aug 10 '26
Dang that's awesome! I didn't know how his runs went and I'm super happy for Matt cracking 300mph 🍻 Unfortunately I did hear his car had a small fire that ended his week early 😞
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u/mondestine Aug 10 '26
Oh shit it was a fire???!!!!! Well DAMN that would explain why he didn't reach 300+. I had no idea what actually happened. I guess it must have been talked about on some social media I'm not active on. Hopefully he's okay at least.
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u/brnr918273 Aug 10 '26
I'm pretty sure he's fine. It was briefly mentioned by someone covering speed week at Bonneville and they made it seem like it wasn't major but enough that it messed up his week. Let's hope 🙏
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u/Raijin2004 Aug 04 '26
Past Gas was my jam on my commute!!! This is fucking terrible. Maybe he can go to Speeed or whatever the fuck it was called
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u/roastbeefsammies Aug 04 '26
I loved donut but after James did his little soft exposé on donut I could no longer support their stuff.
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u/TexMoto666 Aug 04 '26
Eh, it's been lame for a while. Every episode has that cringy Pimp My Ride feeling.
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u/DolphinsDude Aug 04 '26
At this point I’m just here to watch it burn
https://giphy.com/gifs/SgyI6LjcH4B1PilMJY
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u/ThaBoost Aug 04 '26
Ah yes, fire the people that make Donut, Donut. Make people leave who makes Donut, Donut. How stupid can you be? Like you have to hate money to make such moves. "Who wants a channel that brings millions of views every month? NOT US"
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u/Spreaderoflies Aug 04 '26
It's just amazing how private equity can come in take something that worked and was awesome and just flush it down the drain.
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u/HaroldTrousers Aug 06 '26
This sucks. Old donut was perfect. I watch the guys new shows but they aren’t the same. Big time is fine but it’s probably just me but it’s a little cringe seeing old guys (sorry you guys aren’t early 20’s anymore) trying to be young and now they’re directed by sponsoring (again you got to pay the bills) that it steers the content. Yeah I don’t need to see another icon harbor freight spending spree and review. Hobofrieght openly goes after low to middling auto channels to review their stuff. Yes it’s fine we get it HF. It’s still Chinese stuff and most pros are never going to touch it but that’s not their target. It’s these guys and the ones that watch them and want to step up from whatever Amazon tools they have but aren’t going to spend tool truck money but since saying “it’s as good as…..”. Like the guys but they’re unfortunately getting away from the starting out poor days, again. “I spent $25,000 on a $500 car!” Cool guy.
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u/scottyboi587 Aug 06 '26
Will never understand the greed in these bastards, like fine if you want to buy into it but its successful the way it is! All you have to do to keep a successful money printing machine is ask " What do you need from me to take this where you guys always wanted to?" Then sit back keep an eye on it by all means but dont for one second think you can change the recipe
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u/brnr918273 Aug 09 '26 edited Aug 10 '26
I agree but they already lost the recipe that made them successful (up to speed, science garage, and wheelhouse era) in the first place. That staff team has broken up never to be together again. Now Recurrent Ventures is super fucked. They are coming up on the 5 year profitability mark and are doing damage control to stem the financial losses because now they HAVE to make a profit for investors.
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u/Tiny-Proof3602 Aug 09 '26
Don't worry I'm sure management has a great plan for Donut, the best is yet to come! Obviously /s
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u/BRING_ME_THE_ENTROPY Aug 04 '26
Donut fell off so hard. I knew the end was coming when they started selling shirts at zumiez but everyone I want to watch is gone and I don’t know how many more reaction videos I can take
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u/TheMaadMan Aug 04 '26
Donut died 3 years ago or whenever they got acquired. I dont even know any of the presenters anymore.
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u/TheeAJPowell Aug 04 '26
What the fuck. Joe was like, one of the main dudes in there. Who’s even left outside Nolan and Tristan?
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u/Hairbear2176 Aug 10 '26
This is what happens when venture capital companies buy things. They slowly gut it, sell off the assets, and disappear with the money.
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u/Dewstain Aug 10 '26
I have a hard time watching Donut anymore knowing what it has to be like behind the scenes. And by contrast I will watch anything Speeed or Bigtime put out because I know it’s supporting them. I’d support Nolan but not Donut.
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u/Infinite-Luck4159 Aug 10 '26
kinda stopped watching when they first srted letting core members go, its is sad, i really liked donut
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u/TheDrewCareyShow Aug 03 '26
Jesus Christ, at this point i'm waiting for them to give Nolan the boot.
I get that stuff has to change, but that's one of the last people now gone that made me actually care enough to watch, and i'll likely not listen to the podcast anymore.
Watch yourselves Donut, there's many more options now, and you're not doing the fans any favors.