The subtly witty program announcer from the free podcasts. And as I mentioned last week, the changing gallery of ridiculous photos and descriptions that appeared on iTunes (or one’s video iPod; I have a Shuffle and it’s sweet, so I’m not ready to upgrade).

Other than that, I actually think they’re trying harder now that the show isn’t free and is getting an even bigger audience. In the newest show, Stephen describes the worst Carnivale vacation ever and actually gets to talk for more than five seconds. He even gets angry! I like that. I had a very happy fantasy recently in which Stephen and I were wed. I could try to reproduce the festive speeches by my friends and the Office types alike, the grudgingly/cheerfully granted slow dance to “Only You” by Lucy Davis and Martin Freeman, and the terrific London real estate preferable even to that represented in Match Point, as well as of course the general good times, but you probably had to be there.

Note: I consume quite a lot of other media besides these podcasts, but since they’ve created a tidal wave of traffic for my wee blog, I feel a special connectedness to them. Stephen’s Carnivale reminiscence made me think once again about Black Orpheus, a favorite film of my mother’s that I saw for the first time at Film Forum last week. It is magnificent.

Speaking of Gervais one more time (not likely), one of the now-famous Knob at Night DJs has just revamped his compulsively listenable—total cliché, but in this case it’s true—mashup of David Brent’s earnestly soulful “Free Love Freeway.” Download it here and you’ll see what I mean.

Well, for one thing, I miss the little iTunes pictures and taglines that went along with the old podcast for those listening/observing on their laptops or video iPods. I have a little collection on Flickr that you might want to check out.

While I was waiting for the latest download, I rented the Office Christmas specials DVD and watched the commentary track. It was like a much longer podcast, minus Karl (though he’s referred to). Lots of fun and I recommend it. I’d seen the specials, of course (“All I needed was the love you gave…”), but had somehow missed those special features. Oh, I know why; I was watching the bootleg advance Kim’s Video version. I’m so edgy.

In other Britpod news, have you heard the Simulacrum interview with Buster Keaton yet? It’s a pip.