The Planet

The Planet: The Podcast for L Word Fans consisted of an in-depth look at every episode of the popular Showtime series The L Word from series 3, episode 1 onwards. Although the podcast was not always released on the same day, it did follow roughly the same broadcast pattern as the show itself. Due to the volume of correspondence received by hosts KC and Elka, it quickly spawned a 'spin-off' podcast that was released under the same name with the suffix 'The Chart' that focused exclusively on listener feedback and opinions. The podcast ceased to be released in 2009, two episodes before the end of The L Word.

Origins and Success
The podcast took its name from the coffee house and primary meeting-place in the television show itself, The Planet, and its spin-off listener feedback show was called 'The Chart' in reference to the lesbian 'six degrees of separation' chart that featured heavily in the programme. KC and Elka claimed to have begun the show as an antidote to the lack of L Word related festivities taking place in their home town of Albuquerque.

Perhaps due to the heavy emphasis placed upon listener feedback, The Planet quickly gathered legions of fans who became known as 'Kelkians' - the term being a mash-up of the two hosts' names. An online forum was established for the fans to meet up and talk with each other and this soon became very successful. The podcast went on to earn both a mention in American lesbian magazine Curve and its own float in the 2008 annual Albuquerque Pride parade. The Kelka Pride float proved an enourmous success, and Kelkians from all over the world gathered to meet and march.

Controversey
KC and Elka frequently irked fans by posting shows late, although until the podcast was cancelled they were never so late as to miss the next installment of The L Word. This prompted the production of a button badge reading, 'Where's the Podcast?!' During the summer, when The L Word was not being broadcast, Elka and KC sometimes went weeks without posting a podcast.

Although almost unanimously adored by their fans, KC and Elka caused outrage when they cancelled the podcast with episode 4 of series 6 of The L Word, which was the last-but-two show. No reasons for this were given, and although most fans supported any decision the hosts came to, pointing out that as a free show fans had no right to demand anything more than what the hosts wanted to give, many were left feeling betrayed.

Merchandise
Two Planet T shirts were released, as well as various stickers and an extensive collection of button badges.