Over the past few years we’ve entered into the world of subscription services for entertainment, among other things. It started out with a few, but media companies have found the benefits of having their own streaming services outweigh selling their content to an existing service. At least, that’s what they think now, but what happens when people get subscription fatigue? It’s happening to me. Let me start by first listing all the entertainment subscriptions that I currently pay for.
Read moreI listen to a lot of podcasts. Too many, actually. It seems like I pick up a new podcast 2-3 times a month, and I rarely drop them. It has gotten to the point where I spend more time listening to podcasts than I do watching TV or reading. It’s a good way to get through the work day, relax, or make the drive to and from work go by a little quicker.
One of the podcasts that I’ve been hearing a lot about over the past few weeks is The Angel of Vine. If you’ve listened to any podcasts recently, there’s a good chance you’ve heard one of the many talented actors that are involved with the project promoting it. After about the fourth or fifth podcast where I heard the actors involved talk about it, I decided to give it a shot. So, what is it? It is a fictional true-crime podcast. From the iTunes description:
A present day journalist uncovers the audio tapes of a 1950s private eye who cracked the greatest unsolved murder mystery Hollywood has ever known… and didn’t tell a soul. Starring Joe Manganiello, Alfred Molina, Constance Zimmer, Alan Tudyk, Camilla Luddington, Mike Colter, Misha Collins, Khary Payton, Nolan North, and Oliver Vaquer.
If you like stories about old Hollywood or true crime/detective stories, you’ll love this podcast. The acting is pretty wonderful. Joe Manganiello, Alfred Molina, and Alan Tudyk really stand out. Honestly, is there anything Alan Tudyk can’t do? As I was listening to the podcast, which is 10 episodes in the first season (they have not announced additional seasons at this time), I couldn’t help but be reminded of the old radio dramas that aired pre-television. In fact, it’s kind of amazing that after all this time radio plays are making a come back in the form of podcasts. Season one has a very satisfactory ending so don’t worry about there only being one season. It doesn’t end on a cliffhanger. I really hope it finds an audience and more are made.
For the past couple of years I’ve been listening to a lot of podcasts. In fact, the list of podcasts I listen to has grown a great deal over the past six months. Today, I was thinking about all the podcasts I subscribe and listen to and noticed that I listen to podcasts more than I watch TV these days, which is a pretty big deal as I am a TV junkie. I listen to them to and from work, while at work, and while I’m watching baseball at night.
While I listen to a lot, I realize that podcasting is still outside of the mainstream. I think one of the biggest turning points for podcasts came when everyone started talking about Serial Podcast. It became so mainstream that it even garnered an SNL parody. While Serial is an exception to the rule, there are a ton of great podcasts out there, so I thought I’d give a list of the ones I subscribe to. Some have ended their run, but are still great to go back and listen to anyway.
Accidental Tech Podcast – This is a great technology (mostly Apple news and discussions). The podcast features Marco Arment, John Siracusa and some other guy (Casey Liss). 1
Clockwise – This is a quick 30 minute podcast where 4 people discuss 4 different topics in technology weekly.
The Dead Authors Podcast – Comedian Paul F. Tompkins plays H.G. Wells and interviews dead authors.
Doug Loves Movies – America’s favorite stoner comedian invites comedians and actors to play games revolving around movies. Very funny.
Fat Man on Batman – a podcast from director Kevin Smith on all things comics
Go Bayside – Comedian April Richardson invites a guest to watch and discuss each episode of Saved by the Bell. One of my personal favorites.
Harmontown – Community creator Dan Harmon rambles (comedically) in front of a live crowd each week.
How Did This Get Made – A podcast that asks what we all wanted to know, how did this (each episode is a different movie) movie get made? Very funny.
I Was There Too – Another movie podcast that interviews actors who had small parts in major movies
The Incomparable – Movies, books, comics, TV. Anything is on topic on this great podcast.
Kevin Pollak’s Chat Show – Comedian and character actor Kevin Pollak interviews a wide-range of guests.
Kumail Nanjiani’s The X-Files Files – Comedian Kumail Nanjiani re-watches X-Files with guests and discusses. 2
Maltin on Movies – Critic Leonard Maltin and comedian Baron Vaughn discuss, what else, movies.
The Rebound – Another tech podcast.
Nerdist – Chris Hardwick interviews actors, musicians, comedians, and people he finds interesting. Excellent podcast.
Reconcilable Differences – Merlin Mann and John Siracusa talk about life. Great podcast.
Tacos & Chocolate Milk – Rappers Tonedeff and Pack FM (sometimes) podcast about everything from life, movies, rap music, and comedy.
Talk Salad and Scrambled Eggs – Director Kevin Smith and comedian and writer Matt Mira talk watch and talk about Frasier. 3
The Talk Show with John Gruber – The Apple podcast from Daring Fireball’s John Gruber.
Today We Learned – Random facts and interviews with famous people.
Top Four – Marco Arment and his wife Tiffany give their top four (each episode is a new topic)
TV Talk Machine – Jason Snell and Tim Goodman of The Hollywood Reporter break down the latest TV News.
Unjustly Maligned – Each week is a new discussion of a book, movie, band, comic, TV show that is generally maligned.
Upgrade – A great tech podcast.
You Made it Weird with Pete Holmes – Comedian Pete Holmes has lengthly discussions with celebrities.
TeeVee – TeeVee is a podcast that spans a variety of TV shows, everything from Game of Thrones and Doctor Who Recaps and more.
Comedy Bang Bang – You may have seen the show. Listen to where it all started.
The Black Tapes Podcast – A paranormal story told in the style of Serial Podcast.
Others that I listen to less often:
By the Way, In Conversation with Jeff Garlin
Bullseye with Jesse Thorn
Robot or Not 4
Still Untitled: The Adam Savage Project
The i Word: An Image Comics Podcast
The Incomparable Game Show Podcast 5
There have been others I’ve listened to that have ended that are no longer in my Overcast subscription list.
This past weekend SNL took on the popular podcast Serial with a brilliant digital short. Cecily Strong does a great impression of host Sarah Koenig. The spoof investigates the story of Kris Kringle, an elf who allegedly leaves presents in people’s homes. Watch it below.
If you’re like me you are completely addicted to Serial, the podcast that tells one story, week by week, over the course of a season. They are looking for donations so they can produce a second season of the podcast. Please consider donating now. If you love the podcast’s great story telling and in-depth research, it’s worth it.