Feast Of Fools

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This article is about the gay and lesbian themed podcast. For the medieval festival, see Feast of fools.
Hosts Fausto Fernós (left) and Marc Felion (right).Photos by Jason Smith. Album art by Fausto Fernós.
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Hosts Fausto Fernós (left) and Marc Felion (right).
Photos by Jason Smith.
Album art by Fausto Fernós.

The Feast of Fools is the name of a popular podcast based out of Chicago, Illinois in the United States. It is also the name of the live show on which this podcast is based which began in the spring of 1998. This podcast is also identified by the intials "FoF," an abbreviation for the show's name. It currently ranks highest in popularity for both the keywords "gay" and "lesbian" on the iTunes music store and as the most popular comedy-themed podcast based in Chicago. The FoF podcast is one of the highest-ranked iTunes comedy podcasts worldwide and has garnered a large and fiercely devoted GLBT and straight fan base. The Feast of Fools won a People's Choice Award in 2006 for Best GBLT Podcast.



Contents

[edit] The Podcast

"Gay Fun Show"

The Feast of Fools began in the spring of 1998 as a live theatrical experience performed in many Chicago area venues. It was a variety show that featured music, dance, poetry, comedy and performance art strung together by an outrageous play that took place between acts. Fausto Fernós and his boyfriend Marc Felion wanted to take the show a step further by creating a cable access show, but then podcasting burst onto the scene with the promise of video podcasting in the near future. They decided to embrace this new medium. This podcast became a roundtable discussion of odd news and social trends, peppered with cocktail recipes and celebrity interviews.

The first FoF podcast was posted on Tuesday, February 8, 2005. It featured Fausto, Marc and the band leader from the live show, Link Pinks. Unfortunately, the show is no longer available for download, due to copyright issues. There have been over 400 FoF podcasts produced since its inception. According to the Apple iTunes music store, the podcast currently ranks as the most popular gay-themed comedy podcast on that directory, with many positive reviews by devoted listeners from every age group.

The major players of the podcast hold semi-regular meet 'n greet events with their audience. The first out of town meet'n greet was in New York City on April 13th, 2006. It was here that show regular Amanda Steinstein stated that the Feast of Fools was "world's largest gay neighborhood" to describe the show and its fanbase.

The term "Gay Fun Show" was an attempt to translate the show's name into Vietnamese when they began performing at the Ha Mien Restaurant and Music Hall, one of the major Vietnamese venues in Chicago. Ha Mien was closed by the city of Chicago and the Feast of Fools found a new home at Schubas' Tavern.

The show is posted five days a week. Each show lasts about an hour. Margaret Cho, Kathy Griffin, John Waters, Teri Garr, Dee Snyder, Lea DeLaria, Holly Woodlawn, Randy Jones, Charles Busch, Jason Adonis, Bruce Vilanch, Levi Kreis, The Wet Spots, Baby Teeth, Miss Understood, George Takei have all been special guests on the show.

The podcast averages 6,000-10,000 downloads per show and over 1 million total downloads in a year. There have been over 400 shows to date.

The Feast of Fools podcast is notable for bringing gay content to people who live in areas where gay culture is not readily visible.

[edit] The Regulars

Fausto Fernós
He is active in the theater and performing arts community. He is also an aspiring singer. Fausto Fernós innovative spirit and sense of inclusivity have shaped his many shows over the years. In the mid 90's he was well known for his cable access show Faustina, which featured him in drag interviewing artists and musicians in the capital of Texas. He met his partner Marc Felion in Chicago, Illinois seven years ago and together they grew the Feast of Fools from a local variety show into one of the most popular comedy podcasts on the Internet.

Marc Felion
Marc Felion became involved with the Feast of Fools in 1999. Marc helped write material and create costumes for the for the live show. Although reticent at first about podcasting, Marc grew to embrace the new technology and his role on the show.

Amanda Steinstein
Amanda Steinstein found the Feast of Fools through an ad that was placed on craigslist.org. The add read:“Rejected by American Idol? Humiliated by your peers? The Feast of Fools wants YOU. Bring us your geeks, your misfits, your outcasts, your oddballs. We want big chested, bold women to sing, crack jokes, collaborate and dance in our musical variety shows.” Amanda Steinstein was the only person who shined in the auditions.

Miss Ronnie
Cesar Torres
Sal-E
One of the REAL Club Personalities/Host/Makeup Artist/Hair Dresser/Model/Performance Artist/Photographer/Dj/Peoples Choice Winner
Victoria Lamarr

[edit] Meet 'n' Greets

[edit] Previous events

[edit] Future/planned events

[edit] Awards

  • The Feast of Fools podcast was voted "Best Podcast" in a stiff race for the 2006 "Gay Bloggie" in November 2006.

[edit] External links