Ever since the dawn of podcasting, recap podcasts have emerged, where hosts recap and discuss a TV show or movie, offering some of their own commentary and insight to distinguish it from an audio Wikipedia summary. However, recently, there’s been a surge in recap podcasts starring the people who actually starred in the shows they’re recapping. It’s extremely meta.

Some of the most famous examples of the recap podcasting industrial complex include Wizards of Waverly Pod, Office Ladies, and And That’s What You REALLY Missed. These podcasts star actors who played supporting characters in Wizards of Waverly Place, The Office, and Glee, respectively. These podcasts have a reputation for being low-effort content that serves only to employ out-of-work performers who haven’t moved on from their glory days.  Although they can be oddly entertaining they often these podcasts often leave you wondering why these people haven’t moved on with their lives. But is that really all there is to them?