It’s been nearly 20 years since theLord of the Ringstrilogy graced the big screen, and the films still have a massive (and active) fan following. Of course, it helps that the book series was a classic before the movies were even considered, butthis story has had a lot of staying powerand is widely regarded as one of the most successful and well-made book-to-movie adaptations ever created. Part of the reason that it’s had such an impact is that everyone who worked on the project had a lot of passion for it, and seem to still enjoy talking about the experience even to this day.
Dominic Monaghan and Billy Boyd, who played Merry and Pippin respectively in theLord of the Ringstrilogy, have recently launched a podcast calledThe Friendship Onion, which involves them relaying stories oftheir time in New Zealand filmingLord of the Rings, among many other topics. It’s a great listen for fans, as they discuss their thoughts and memories surrounding the trilogy, but it’s also fun to just hear two friends bantering and talking about their personal lives. This podcast is a fantastic creation because it works on a few different levels, and doesn’t necessarily need to rely on only talking aboutLord of the Ringsto be an interesting listen.
RELATED:Lord Of The Rings: Why Aren’t The Hobbits As Affected By The Ring?
Obviously,the target audience isLord of the Ringsfans, because the main appeal is the friendship and chemistry between Monaghan and Boyd. After meeting on the set ofLord of the Rings, the two have remained close friends, and it’s clear that their friendship bled through to their on-screen dynamic. There is an easiness and sense of connection in their conversation, and like any good podcast, it makes you feel as though you’re sitting in a room chatting with your friends.
Not only are their personalities a ton of fun (and somewhat reflective of theirLOTRcounterparts), they clearly havea deep love and appreciation for theLord of the Ringsseries, and seem to genuinely enjoy talking about it. They tell anecdotes about their time on set - from long hours spent in the makeup trailer listening to full albums to pass the time, to only having an hour to shoot the “second breakfast” scene because of an incoming flash snowstorm - and host trivia contests where two fans face off to show off theirLOTRknowledge. They even had Elijah Wood on as a guest in the third episode, and his friendship with the two hosts is also abundantly clear.
In general, it’s a really interesting listen for fans because it gives more insight intothe filming process ofThe Lord of the Rings (from the actors' perspectives), but it also gives some insight into the actors themselves. Fans of a piece of content who have really gotten invested in the personalities behind said piece of content love to learn more about those personalities, and for them to feel less mythic and more relatable (though there is a definite conversation to be had about the dangers of developing parasocial relationships with celebrities).
There are a couple of podcasts that have come out recently that accomplish something similar and include actors from a well-loved piece of media discussing their time in that show or movie. Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey (Pam and Angela fromThe Office) have a podcast where they go through each episode ofThe Officeand discuss behind-the-scenes information about their time shooting the show. They also interview other castmates and crew members who worked on the show, and it’s really interesting to hear that insider perspective. Also, similarly toThe Friendship Onion, their real-life friendship and closeness makes the experience of listening to the pod that much more enjoyable. Dante Basco and Janet Varney - who voiced Zuko and KorrafromAvatar: The Last AirbenderandThe Legend of Korrarespectively - also recently started a podcast where they go through each episode ofThe Last Airbenderand discuss it.
Clearly, this is a genre of podcasts that appeals to fans. Podcasts inherently feel intimate, and fans of a show or movie love to hear behind-the-scenes stories, sothe actual cast being able to share their experiencesis a concept that will naturally draw people in.The Friendship Onionseems to be succeeding and is very much a “come forLord of the Ringsbehind the scenes stories, stay for the in-depth discussions about Billy and Dom’s quest to masterLeague of Legends” kind of experience. You tune in because you want to hear these two actors discussing a film that they were involved in and passionate about, but you also get to just hear about their day-to-day lives and listen to their hilarious back-and-forth.
One of the reasonsLord of the Ringscontinues to endure all these years lateris that people connected with the characters. The story is about a grand quest with worldwide consequences, but just as interesting as the plot is the characters and the ways in which they relate to and connect with each other. The casting for theLord of the Ringsfilms was perfect, especially because it feels like so many of the actors brought pieces of their real personality to their characters, which makes them feel that much more real. Fans ofLord of the Ringswho love those characterswill also naturally connect to the actors who played them, and it’s very satisfying to see actors who still love their past roles, and aren’t tired of talking about them, even if it’s the main thing they get asked about.
If creators want theaudience to connect more to their story, going further than just the story itself, podcasts may be the way to go. It’s a way to let the fans in on that behind-the-scenes info that they crave, and to connect more with the people involved in making the show or movie in a way that feels natural or authentic (at least, to a certain extent). Billy Boyd and Dominic Monaghan also have the right idea to get their fans involved by answering their questions, or hosting quizzes that real fans video call into to participate in.It shows appreciation for the fansand also makes the podcast interactive, as though it is a communal experience rather than just two people talking into the void. Podcasts may be over-saturating the market right now, but they really are an ideal way to connect with an audience, and Monaghan and Boyd seem to be well on their way to bringing those worlds together.
MORE:This Is The Best Moment In The Entire Lord Of The Rings Trilogy
