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Why are four-hour-long Dungeons and Dragons podcasts so popular?

Amanda Litherland and Ella Watts explore Actual Play podcasts - where people play board games (often DnD) in real time. Episodes are often multiple hours in length, with some shows reaching 100+ episodes per season. This format has seen huge success, with the most popular series boasting millions of fans all over the world, selling out huge arena live shows, and even inspiring graphic novels and animated adaptations.

Podcast Radio Hour speaks to stars from two of the most popular series - Critical Role's Marisha Ray, and The Adventure Zone's Travis McElroy. What are the challenges of delivering such a complex, improvised show, week after week?

And just what is it about these super long form podcasts that makes them so appealing to fans? Ella is a self-proclaimed 'Critter', as is Radio 4 & 4Extra Assistant Producer Chris Pearson, who joins to discuss his experience in the Critical Role fan community, and to answer Amanda's most important question - where do you find the time?!