Any Tips on making a successful Podcast?

As a podcast junkie, I've subscribed to tons of programs both informative and entertaining, and boring and flat. I mainly hover around film and game podcasts, but I've found what makes these things stay in my library are likable hosts, lighthearted tones, and viewer participation (e-mails, phone calls and the like).

Anyways I was considering starting one up with a few friends of mine. HOWEVER, we want this to be something people will actually give a fuck about, and seeing as there is already a huge amount of gaming/media related podcasts (I'm thinking of covering movies and games) I want something that people will find unique and actually want to participate in/listen to. There will more than likely be  a lot of swearing involved.

General Questions:

-What'll I need to get started? (I assume microphones and a program such as Audacity, but reccomend anything you've had experience with or are knowledgeable about).
-Will I need a site to host it from?
-Is there a program that'll allow us to record when we're not in the same room together (n00bish question, I know, but I'm not the greatest with computers)
-How picky is iTunes with letting you post podcasts? In other words, what's the moderation process like?
-What general tips can you give us for our first show?

Test random drinks.

Pick a store.  Try something new from it each episode.

Well i know that iTunes podcast are just a direct rss feed from a website url.  I made a podcast for school and garage band actually worked pretty well, however if you don't have a mac a really can't recommend anything.  Why don't you ask the Bomb Cast for more tips.

Skype is a program you can use to record over the internet, its free and its not super difficult to use.As for a site to host the podcast, having one is probably a good idea. It'll allow other people to find it easier I'd imagine. For the first show, really I imagine just introducing yourself and talk about what your all about.

Think about these two questions before you get started: 

1. Are you going to be contributing something new to the world of podcasting?
2. Why will people want to listen to your podcast?

I don't have any advice, but if you start it up, give me a link. I'm always looking for more podcasts

Be funny.

"Be funny."

Thanks for the advice thus far guys.

Be funny, be interesting and make sure you know what you want to talk about. It's all about timing, if your podcast is slow and boring, people will never listen again.

Yeah, i said "be funny" before,

Also, be casual. Don't make it seem like your trying to hard. Make it so the listener can relate to it.

That's probably what we'll focus most on: accessibility. We wanna make sure it's at a speed so anyone whose new to this sorta thing can get informed as well as moving quickly enough so anyone who just wants the news doesn't feel like the show is moving slowly.

Feature naked women on your podcast.

i guess avoid awkward silences, have an emergency list of subject so you always have something to talk about

"Feature naked women on your podcast."

What are you making this podcast about?

It'll more than likely stick to film and video games, if not just video games.