LAST CALL AT THE BAR: The End Of An Era · 10:23pm March 25th
MORE OFFICAL POST HERE: https://www.fimfiction.net/group/212308/the-barcast/thread/536073/retirement
As some of you may have noticed, our last podcast was number #250!!! That’s a HUGE accomplishment in 4 years, and we’re very proud. We’ve done other streams in the last 10 years (also something to be very proud of, holy shit 10 years) but 250 interviews is something to fucking brag about, at least to me.
Because of this milestone, we figure it’s about time to clean out the glasses, turn off the jukebox, and close down the bar. That’s right: The Barcast is officially ending.
Now, I know some of you will be surprised. Others? Not so much, lol. But either way I figured I’d answer some of the questions I most expect us to get. Other Barcast members will be making posts about this too, and I’m sure we’ll see an official one in the Fimfic group. You should go read those as well. Please know, this is my perspective only, I’m not representing the entire Barcast with this. But also know, we are all in this together. This decision belonged to all of us.
Let’s get to some of these questions…
Q: WHY?
Okay, so I know this is going to be the big one. To keep it fairly simple, Milk felt he no longer wanted to continue with the Barcast (WHICH IS FAIR, don’t you dare be mean to him about it!!). He gave us the option of taking his leadership role and continuing without him, which was met not with a no, but a resounding HELL no. Milk birthed this abomination of a podcast into existence a whole ass decade ago, with weird skype calls that weren’t even recorded. Without him, there is no Barcast. We all sink with this ship TOGETHER. That was the pretty quick consensus.
More than that, we all agreed that… it’s time. It just is. It’s not that we’re not sad or wistful. Believe us, we ARE. I know I can only speak for myself, and I feel a sort of peace with the Barcast ending but I will still probably shed a few tears about it. And it wouldn’t have been the same without Milk. I have the big homosexual gay feels for Milk, and the moment he said he wanted out, I knew I would stand with him and let this all come to an end. It wasn’t a hard choice. It may not be an answer all of you like, but it’s the truth.
Q: Do you guys like… hate each other? Are you all breaking up?
Not a fucking chance. Believe it or not, the guys from the Barcast are my damn family. We love each other. I’m also… you know… DATING Priest, so that’s certainly not going away just because we’re not doing the podcast anymore. I think some of us are actually looking forward to where our friendship will go from here. Without the pressure of the cast, we can hang out without any sort of plans, intents, or pretenses. We’re already planning a vacation this year where we can just be shitlords together. You may ALSO see us at some conventions in the future, though it will be in a strictly civilian capacity. No more panels. It’s a very freeing feeling, tbh.
Q: Can we convince you to…
NO. Do not try. There’s no “saving” this podcast. Throwing money at this problem will not convince us. You cannot offer to run the cast in Milk’s place. You cannot talk us into changing our minds. Let. Us. Go. To quote an old friend: “To be clear, my decision on this is final.”
Q: What will happen to your intern, Alex?? Will he be ok??
Alex will be fine, I have complete faith in him. He’s a smart, bright young lad. We raised him well, and we still love him. I know we’ll still stay in contact, even after this ends. If any of you are looking for some kinda intern, I recommend him HIGHLY. He kicks all the ass. Also, Alex, you’re fired. (wuv you bby, frfr)
Q: What will happen to the Patreon?
To put it simply, we’re going to shut that down. We’ve donated literally thousands to horse rescue charity over the years, and we’re happy we were able to do that. But no worries, you won’t be asked to give us more money. Spend it on something nice, why dontcha, I like your face. You are still welcome to donate to Redwings Horse Sanctuary directly though! I even recommend it, I may continue to sponsor Little Bit myself. You can do so here: https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/RWHorseSanctuary?code=new%20website%201
Q: Can I have the Barcast name or podcast rights?
NO. Even in death, she belongs to us. No, really, we own the name, we own the website domain. We’re not giving it up. Who knows? Maybe we’ll want to use the name sometime again in the future for some other project. So no. The Barcast still is ours. For-Eh-Vur.
Q: What will happen to the Barcast discord server?
Ah, now that really is the question. The honest answer is, we’re not sure yet! I can confidently say we ARE going to close the server. So, no one new can join. Will we shut it down altogether? That remains to be seen in the coming months. But just in case, if you have any media on there you want to save/download, now is the time.
The Fimfic group will likely be closed in some capacity too. Maybe we’ll leave it in existence as a kinda memorial to the past ten years of insanity and dumb.
Q: What’s next for you?
Me personally? Well, I am working hard at my job, being a writer, and living my life. Hoping to have a novel or two picked up for publication soonish, not just short stories. In general, I’m feeling good about my life’s direction. You will likely still see Priest and I doing Screaming Closet together, but it won’t be Barcast-affiliated. Just us, yelling a lot, at video games, inane shit like that. We enjoy it, and that’s all that really matters to me. You’re always welcome to join us there. Hell, you may spot a few fellow Barcasters there from time to time. Who knows.
I’ll also likely write here on rare occasions still, if/when the mood strikes me. If you want to read my non-pony writing, shoot me a message sometime or something. I’ll see what I’ve got in store at the time.
As for the six of us degenerates, we’re going to be just… trying to be happy. We’re going to hang out, be friends, and that’s it. No big group projects, no Youtube vids, no convention guesting. I think happiness is a pretty good goal. You can also ask the others about their personal projects, I’m sure they have fun stuff in the wings.
Q: This makes me sad. Will you hold me?
The point of life is not to avoid pain at all costs. Go ahead and suffer. Embrace the suffering. But ye, I’ll give you a hug or something if you ever spot me in the wild, I guess.
Q: So… is that really it? It’s all over?
…ALMOST. Lucky for all of us, we’re not going out with just a big episode #250 with Wuten (though that was fun). In the coming weeks, we WILL be having a big send-off party (OR MAYBE EVEN TWO!)!!! We’ll do some final flash interviews, answer your questions, reminisce, read all your lovely messages of encouragement, DRINK, and be fucking stupid. You’ll also probably get to hear me ugly cry at some point.
We don’t know WHEN yet, but it’ll be next month sometime for sure. I’m actually really looking forward to it. It feels like the right way to cap off this absolutely crazy ride. You all are invited, and I hope you’ll participate as we celebrate the slow, belabored death of this podcast. So, stay tuned for that, keep an eye open for a party-post. Itsa’ comin’.
Then, after that, yes, it’s all over. No more Barcast.
And that’s ok.
Please believe me, it’s really ok. <3
If you have any other questions, feel free to let me know in the comments. I’ll do my best to answer if I can. Please know that I WILL keep some things private, but generally this decision to end things is an open book as far as my feelings are concerned.
Thank you for everything over the years. You have no idea how much this has all meant to me. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
I’ll see you soon.
-anonpencil
I ain't quitting u tho <3
Like I said in Priest's post, I'm glad you guys are ending things on your own terms. Sorry to hear you go, but glad I was along for at least a bit of the ride. n_n
Here's to living a good life.
While sad to see it go, I understand completely that all things must end. I wish you all the best of luck in your future endeavors and hope to see you at some cons in the future.
Love you and the team! Thanks for always being there!
Damn, gonna miss it, even though I was mostly lurking. I guess it's good to go out on a high note. Thanks for interviewing me! :)
It was a ride fellas. You guys are some of my favorite authors on this site. I'll definitely miss it.
a shocker! :O but at least this is a good ending!
no D:
I've only known these guys for a short time when they first interviewed me last year, but I'm glad I was able to be a part of their happy times, so... thank you.
Will the past podcasts themselves stay up though?
5773778
Yes they will! We're not taking down the YouTube. They'll be there until they kick us off :)
5773780
What’s the name of the YouTube channel by the way? I always thought end up forgetting.
The flag is drawn down at the last.
We hear the trumpet's final blast.
But shed no tears or sorrow's shout.
The flame of Friendship will ne'er go out.
In other matters, while Closing time might be here, does this mean no more jackbox shenanigans?
5773796
https://www.youtube.com/@TheBarcastPodcast
5773808
It means no more streaming jackbox unless it's just me and priest doing it for Screaming Closet. The Barcast is closing down entirely.
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Aww man, I have to go job hunting
Thanks for all the laughs and good times over the years!
5773858
Alex, we genuinely could not have done all this without your help at times. Thank YOU.
As I said in the main post, no shame in going out on a high note, and thank you for everything.
Thanks for so many years of laughs and good times. Hats off to you all and wishing you the best in whatever comes next.
Via con dios.