Rhett & Link, the long-running hosts of YouTube talk show “Good Mythical Morning,” are co-producing and starring in “Ronstadt,” their first scripted podcast project.
In the nine-episode series, Rhett McLaughlin (above left) is the voice of Ronstadt, who is in charge of taking the “weird” calls that come in through the 911 call center in L.A.’s Koreatown — and protecting innocent Angelenos from the supernatural world known as “Side B.” Link Neal has smaller roles throughout the season, including a character called “Kneeslapper.”
The first two episodes of “Ronstadt” are set to premiere June 1, 2021, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other major podcast platforms, followed by a weekly rollout. The series is a production of podcast studio QCode and its Wood Elf label in collaboration with Rhett & Link’s Mythical Entertainment.
“When QCode invited us to be a part of ‘Ronstadt,’ we jumped at the chance to get our feet (or technically, our ears) wet in the scripted podcast world,” the duo said in a statement. “We loved the freaky and funny world the creators, Jonny Strailey and Brando Bestenheider, had built and felt it was a perfect fit for Mythical’s first foray into this medium. We’re excited to take our fans along for this wild auditory ride.”
“Rondstadt” (which has no connection to singer Linda Ronstadt) is created by Jonathan Strailey and Brandon Bestenheider.
The story’s title character has powers of supernatural perception (which he dubs “craydar”). While working at the 911 center, Ronstadt learns of a monster that eventually leads him into a complex and magical otherworld full of evil assassins, mobsters and spies — all of whom, it seems, are out to get him.
L.A.-based QCode, founded in 2018, is an audio production studio focused on narrative stories. Its first podcast was thriller “Blackout” starring Rami Malek. Other shows include erotic drama “Dirty Diana” featuring Demi Moore, “Hank the Cowdog” with Matthew McConaughey and “The Left Right Game” featuring Tessa Thompson.
Rhett & Link are best friends from North Carolina who started Mythical Entertainment, their digital comedy studio, as a YouTube channel in 2006.
Today, their channels collectively reach some 75 million subscribers, including more than 17 million for their flagship “Good Mythical Morning” show, which is entering into its 20th season. Their company employs over 100 people with studio in Burbank, Calif. In 2019, they acquired YouTube comedy brand Smosh for less than $10 million (after Smosh’s then-parent company suddenly shut down).
Guests on “Good Mythical Morning” have included Jack Black, Amy Schumer, Bill Hader, Tony Hale, Craig Robinson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Kevin Smith, Linkin Park, Megan Fox, Nick Cannon, Post Malone, Rascal Flatts and Rachel Bloom.
Listen to the trailer for “Ronstadt”: