The ‘Pod’ Has Come to Save America

Friday saw the premiere of “Pod Save America” on HBO, a podcast turned limited series that will focus on the state of national politics ahead of the 2018 midterm elections. Advertised as a “no bullshit conversation about politics,” the show takes an in-depth look at the 2018 midterms and campaigns being run all across the country. Transitioning from a podcast to a TV show, “Pod Save America” puts a new spin on politics for a new audience.

The show is hosted by Barack Obama’s former speechwriters Jon Favreau and Jon Lovett, along with former Obama National Security Spokesman Tommy Vietor. They are joined by Obama Communications Director and Senior Advisor Dan Pfeiffer. This episode, held in Miami, Florida, marks the first of a four-part limited series, with subsequent episodes to be held in California, Texas, and Pennsylvania. They will speak with candidates, organizers, and activists throughout the country.

Much of the show was spent on straightforward commentary. Key issues included President Donald Trump, healthcare, the Republican Congress, campaign strategies, and getting out the youth vote. This episode features panel guest Erin Ryan, student activists from Florida, and voting rights activists Demetrius Jifunza. The way the show communicates its content can be overwhelming at times, perhaps to put the often cynical and bleak news climate into the context of impending change.

The hosts are impassioned, and their opinions are genuinely and skillfully articulated. This is clearly a politically-savvy group. Their depth of knowledge and understanding of political tendencies and nuances is impressive and convincing. This is no doubt due to the combined experience of working in numerous political capacities both in and outside of the Obama administration. The banter is lively and quick, with the whole panel matching each other’s wit and style. For example, Favreau’s gravitas complements Lovett’s humor well.

Although the show and its hosts display a clear Democratic bias, it holds up to a high standard of quality in terms of content, analysis, and wit. They make their opinions known bluntly, and do not shy away from partisan rhetoric. It should then not be a surprise to people that the hosts take some shots at President Trump, as so much of midterm politics centers on him. However, they make it very clear that divisive partisanship is not their primary goal. “We have to make the election about big things. About the things that matter to people’s lives,” Favreau says.

Pod Save America is a show about political urgency. In this time of political divisiveness, confusion, and cynicism, this is a necessary conversation to listen to. As Favreau acknowledges, “let's turn those cheers into existential screams, because it’s time for more news.” The show does this by transcending the typical pundit strategy, and trying to engage with voters rather than talk at them.

“Pod Save America” pushes past the podcast in their new TV medium. While parts of the episode do adhere to the podcast model (just sitting around and talking), other segments take advantage of the visual aspect, like in the canvassing segment with Vietor and Lovett, where the audience follows them on an afternoon of door knocking. This short, segmented format enables active engagement capable of attracting a larger audience unfamiliar with the new format.

The show, in its essence, is a call to action for Americans looking for significant change in the upcoming 2018 midterms. They stress its critical importance and potential consequences, but also inject a great deal of optimism into their outlook. No matter your party or political ideology, it cannot be questioned that the hosts care very deeply about Democratic politics. They don’t want you to just scream into the void. They want America to show up and vote.