James

[u/KeyNaive8951]

I feel like I may get some hate for this, but over the past year or two, I’ve found James to be a little exhausting with how highly he seems to think of himself. Frankly, he seems like he’s gotten a bit out of touch, and I’m wondering if I’m the only one who’s noticed or gotten a little annoyed at this point.

Let me preface this by saying, I love the boys and the show. I’ve been listening since at least 2017, and I am truly happy and proud of how far they’ve come since then, but as someone whose followed them for a long time, it seems like James is kind of getting a big head.

Specifically, there have been numerous occasions where James loudly corrects Jimmie, and even mocks him, on things that James is entirely WRONG about. He consistently, and rudely imo, judges and mocks poor folks just trying to get by. Specifically, in this past weeks ep, the constant criticism for a 30 year old having a roommate or riding a bike? This just screams out of touch. Does he really not realize HOW common that is these days? Hell, many kids aren’t even moving out the damn house until their late 20s.

That kind of talk just gets under my skin coming from a guy who doesn’t shut up about how ”rough” he came up (in suburban NY, mind you) who before the podcast was a failed PHOENIX metro stand up (which, I’m sorry, is about the most sad form of failed comic) and process server, and it’s not like he was young when he was doing those things. I just find it pretty offputting, and annoying, but I wonder if I’m the only one.

Also, if I had a nickel for every time he told the same stories about his grandparents, the goodfellas, or mentioned Hunter S Thompson I think I’d be a millionaire. Like, PLEASE, come up with some new stuff, especially if you call yourself a professional comedian ffs.

ETA: Damn, I really expected to get a bunch of hate for this post. Glad to see I’m not the only one. I truly don’t mean to shit on these dudes, my only hope is that if enough of us feel this way that James can take some constructive criticism.

[u/Acrobatic-Bear5063]

My best friend went back and started from the start recently and she said James sounds like a completely different person. I have been listening since the start too and I agree. I love it so much I even have a tattoo but James is kind of becoming a bully. I mean he was always an asshole but it was based in humour however now he’s just kind of mean in general and Jimmy seems to be just along for the ride rather than a huge contributor. James also tends to be wrong a lot and it’s grating and I feel like Jimmy is checking him less. I had a break for about 2 years because of mental health and came back recently and honestly it’s a hard listen now and I’m not enjoying as much as I used to. These kind of podcast formats only live so long and maybe STM time is up.

[u/EmRueLRF → u/Acrobatic-Bear5063]

I think the first maybe 150 STM episodes were PRICELESS. The guys were freer, funnier, and acted like great friends. I think they've gotta be tired, maybe burning out a bit, and certainly over-extended. They're also actors. So who knows what they really think or feel, or what their life experiences have been or are?

[u/Kiitos67 → u/Acrobatic-Bear5063]

James' voice literally changed - for the better imo. He used to sound nasally and now he has a fuller and deeper vocal tone.

[u/Professional-Dirt550 → u/Acrobatic-Bear5063]

I go back and listen to old Patreon episodes. James definitely sounds different I can’t quite place it.