What started in 2005 as a video podcast with episode commentaries by Tucker Colburn and Derek Russell in Starkville, Mississippi eventually turned into one of the first audio podcasts to ever cover a television show.
Starkville’s House of El came on the scene nearly two decades ago, beginning with the fifth season of The WB (and later The CW) series “Smallville,” centered around a young Clark Kent before he became Superman. Throughout the years, Russell hosted alongside Colburn, Graham Hancock, Houston Longino, Will Cooper, Steve Glosson, Damian Holbrook, Robin Burdge and Joe Hummrich.
Since its inception, Starkville’s House of El – or SHoE, as it has been known to its loyal listeners – has gained enormous success: consistently being listed in the top 25 podcasts on iTunes/Apple Podcasts, garnering thousands of downloads a week from all over the world, hosting interviews with cast and crew from “Smallville” and more Superman properties throughout the years – and having the podcast hosts featured on the “Smallville” season 6 DVD and Blu-Ray documentary: “Big Fans.”
In early 2013, a server crash crippled SmallvillePodcast.com and its backup, losing thousands of iTunes reviews and episode database. Through the support of listeners and friends, SHoE rebuilt and has returned to continue coverage “Smallville,” “Superman and Lois” and the library of DC characters that fans have come to love over the last 80+ years.