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We haven't really entered the British Podcast Awards recently, mainly because it's quite expensive to enter and I thought it was unlikely we'd get nominated (they persuaded us to enter the Les Dennis/Amanda Holden bit to Moment of the Year a few years back - got nominated but didn't win), but we took a punt this year and entered a couple of categories. Ben Evans (not that one), Ben Walker and Chris Evans (not that one) put together two very strong entries - properly funny bits (and a more serious bit for the interview section) so I thought there might be a chance. But I was still genuinely surprised when I clicked on the website today to see my stupid face appearing twice for best entertainment and best interview. There are a fair few nominees and I don't expect to get any further, but that was still a nice little boost for me and the team. Maybe I could take those guys to the ceremony with me as a thank you for their hard work.
I never feel entirely behind awards that are pay to play though. Especially with podcasts, which I still see as a bit alternative and punk rock. If you win you're still only the best podcast that paid to be in the competition.
I also remembered the Podcast Awards as being quite celebratory of independent and diverse stuff and rewarding some lesser known names. But what was clear from the nominations this time round was that there was a lot of shows coming from Audible and the BBC. Someone estimated that only one sixth of the nominees were from independent podcasters.
And then the kicker - you'd think your prize for being seen as one of the best podcast (that paid) would be to get to go to the awards ceremony for free. They must have made some money from all the payments to take part. But no, the ceremony costs about £300+ VAT to attend. Per person. They're not monsters though. They will give you £30 off if you buy your tickets straight away. So it would cost me over £1000 to take three of the team (and myself) to the ceremony (and that ignores the many others who contributed too). And that's £1000 that experience tells me, is a long night spent in a room with execs who've had their ticket paid for them and then to lose your award and feel like a fucking loser. And again, maybe Audible and the BBC can eat up those costs, but an independent podcaster could do a lot with £1000.
Sure it's a free bar, but I don't drink any more and I am not sure how much water I can comfortably drink.
Even though I am not expecting to win, I thought that the awards ceremony might be a nice way to thank my team and have a fun night out, but as Dan Tetsell reminded me, when AIOTM failed to win a Sony Award we agreed that if we got nominated again, we'd spend the £1000 we'd wasted on a night out for the cast and crew in Paris.
It seems a misstep from the Podcast Awards and the fee feels like a punishment for being successful. I don't suppose they will reconsider, but it took the shine off the good news.
Not that it mattered too much. We had one of the best days I think this family has ever had on holiday, in terms of having fun and no one getting too upset at any point. Mainly just hanging out down on the beach where Ernie in particular was endlessly entertained by the waves coming in. At one point he breathlessly returned to tell us that the sea was strong and that two people had nearly drowned and he'd nearly drowned. But he went straight back in. And the waves were just as gentle.
Watching the kids playing on the beach it felt a bit like this was all parenting is or at least all that you remember. It's a load of hard work and tears and then a holiday on a beach and you can't recall anything but the other times you've been on the beach and you're sort of blown away by the fact that the kids are suddenly so much bigger than the last time. It's moving slowly and fast. But today it felt like moments ago since Phoebe was two and we were on a beach and Ernie was just a bump and now look at them. It was in fact six years ago and all I remember is the beaches.
