Daniel Jalkut:

I see The Talk Show’s format as the prototype for many other successful podcasts on the 5by5 network: Dan Benjamin plays the cool, somewhat disinterested straight-man to a “star” whose own temperament, philosophies and interests ultimately define the show. After the initial success of The Talk Show, Dan threw the net wide, inviting folks such as Marco Arment, Andy Ihnatko, Merlin Mann, John Siracusa, Horace Dediu, and Jim Dalrymple to indulge audiences with their own personalities and areas of expertise.

Very true, it’s a great formula for podcasting.