Continuing today on the subject of Podcasts I feel obliged to report on one of the US and A’s most financially successful Podcast brands — Grammar Girl, part of the Quick and Dirty Tips Podcast empire.

In brief: It’s crap.

In more detail: A short and sweet daily grammar tip is a great idea, but here’s how a typical 5-minute ep of Grammar Girl breaks down:

1. Opening, sponsor plug – 1 minute;
2. Listener question – 30 seconds;
3. Official answer, usually verbatim from Strunk & White’s Elements of Style – 30 seconds;
4. Negating that answer (and fundamentally your Podcast’s raison d’être) with the admission that popular use makes bad grammar acceptable in most cases – 30 seconds;
5. Really awkward segue into another sponsor plug – 1 minute;
6. Plug for the Quick and Dirty Tips Empire – 1 minute;
7. Wrap-up and preview of next episode – 30 seconds.

Even if Grammar Girl’s host didn’t speak with all the authority of a twelve-year-old this Podcast would still be a waste of both your precious time and your iPod’s precious space. You’re welcome.