The Feast of Fun podcast (formerly titled "Feast of Fools") is a Chicago, Illinois-based talk show hosted by Fausto Fernós and Marc Felion that showcases celebrity guests, artists, musicians, actors, and members of the LGBT community and those who support them. A typical program will include one or more of a number of features, including roundtable discussions, unusual news and social trends, LGBT issues, comedy, music, food and cocktail recipes, or interviews.
The Feast of Fun podcast continually ranks as the top-rated gay and lesbian podcast on iTunes and is frequently listed in the Top 100 list of Comedy podcasts. On average, the podcast is downloaded 30,000 times per week, making it the most downloaded GLBT podcast in the United States. On March 13, 2009, the producers changed the name of the show from "Feast of Fools" to "Feast of Fun" to better reflect changes in the program's design and functionality.
Podcast
The first Feast of Fools Podcast was posted on Tuesday, February 8, 2005. It featured Fernós, Felion and former live show band leader (and recurring podcast contributor) Link Pinks. The name "Gay Fun Show" was added to the title of the Podcast to help prospective listeners easily discern what the show is about when searching podcast databases. As one of the earliest podcasts produced, the Podcast is recognized as a pioneer in the podcasting industry, and is responsible for a number of podcasting firsts, such as: First podcast hosted by an openly gay couple. First podcast to feature an HIV-positive person discussing living with AIDS. First podcast to use album art. First podcast to use show titles.
Show format
A typical Feast of Fun show consists of a round table discussion featuring unusual news stories, GLBT issues and social trends. Other shows may feature celebrity interviews (live or by phone), cocktail recipes, or "how to" sessions, such as "How drag queens lip sync and put on makeup". Until 2008, celebrities and other notable guests were frequently asked a series of "Breakdown" questions at the end of the show, such as "Describe yourself as a fancy shade of paint" and "What would you like to see Oprah doing in 5 years?" Since 2005, the Feast of Fools podcast has interviewed many celebrities, including Carol Channing, Cassandra Peterson (known for portraying "Elvira"), Margaret Cho, Kathy Griffin, Teri Garr, George Takei, John Waters and Bruce Vilanch. Occasionally, a show will open with an original cocktail recipe, usually given a name that pays tribute to that episode's special guest. Cocktail recipes feature unique ingredients or put a new spin on classics.
When not interviewing a special guest, Fernós and Felion are often joined by a rotating cast of frequent guests.
Music
Music is an integral part of the Feast of Fun podcast, and the show frequently interviews and features the music of up-and-coming talent, mostly unsigned or signed to independent record labels. Born out of necessity due to copyright and RIAA restrictions on the use of music on podcasts, this feature of the podcast has grown into an important avenue for emerging musicians to reach a previously untapped audience. Musicians whose music is featured on the Feast of Fun podcast realize increased sales on iTunes and Amazon.com.
Awards
In 2006, Fausto Fernós was recognized as one of nine Chicago GLBTQ community leaders for his work on the Podcast by the Chicago Reader.
On September 29, 2006, the Podcast was awarded the 2006 "Best GLBT Podcast" by Podcast Awards/Podcast Connect, Inc. In November 2006, the Podcast was named "Best Podcast" for 2006 by Gay Bloggies, operated by Queerclick.com. Fausto Fernós and Marc Felion were named "Queers of the Year" by Time Out Chicago in the December 28, 2006 – January 3, 2007, issue for their work on the Feast of Fools podcast.
In 2007, the Podcast was nominated for both 2007 "Best GLBT Podcast" and the "People's Choice" overall award by Podcast Awards/Podcast Connect, Inc. On October 4, 2007, the Podcast was awarded 2007 "Best GLBT Podcast."
In 2008, the Podcast was again nominated for both "Best GLBT Podcast" and the "People's Choice" award by Podcast Awards/Podcast Connect, Inc. The Podcast was awarded 2008 "Best GLBT Podcast."
In 2009, the Podcast was awarded "Best Gay News Source" by the readers of the Chicago Reader. Also in 2009, the Podcast was again nominated for both "Best GLBT Podcast" and the "People's Choice" award by Podcast Awards/Podcast Connect, Inc. The Podcast was awarded 2009 "Best GLBT Podcast."