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Critics at Large | The New Yorker

The New Yorker
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Colson Whitehead
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Critics at Large is a weekly culture podcast from The New Yorker. Every Thursday, the staff writers Vinson Cunningham, Naomi Fry, and Alexandra Schwartz discuss current obsessions, classic texts they’re revisiting with fresh eyes, and trends that are emerging across books, television, film, and more. The show runs the gamut of the arts and pop culture, with lively, surprising conversations about e... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes145Founded3 years ago
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Society & Culture

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Artwork for Critics at Large

Latest Episodes

As the school year resumes, Vinson Cunningham, Naomi Fry, and Alexandra Schwartz consider the work—and pleasure—of teaching and learning, reflect on their own experiences in the classroom, and counsel listeners on scholastic concerns. One teacher cal... more

Upon news of Dolly Parton’s death last week, flags across the country were lowered to half-mast. A petition circulated to rename the Nashville airport in her honor, and social media read like a greatest-hits reel of the charisma and musical acumen th... more

In May, two low-budget movies from début filmmakers opened in theatres and quickly made box-office history. “Obsession” and “Backrooms,” which together have grossed nearly a billion dollars, defied conventional industry wisdom and inaugurated the bur... more

During her tenure as The New Yorker’s television critic, Emily Nussbaum famously railed against ranking the year’s best shows; she once wrote a piece entitled “I Hate Top Ten Lists.” But naming her favorite series of all time is an easier proposition... more

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Recent Guests

Kathryn Schultz
Staff writer at The New Yorker; wrote Dolly Parton's Postscript
The New Yorker
Episode: Remembering Dolly Parton
Amanda Petrusich
Music critic; expert on Dolly Parton's music
The New Yorker
Episode: Remembering Dolly Parton
Lauren Michele Jackson
Scholar on celebrity and image making; author
The New Yorker
Episode: Remembering Dolly Parton
Emily Nussbaum
TV critic and author
The New Yorker
Episode: Critics’ Cult Classics: Emily Nussbaum on “Slings & Arrows”
Hannah Goldfield
Food writer for The New Yorker, specializes in food culture and culinary journalism
The New Yorker
Episode: Critics’ Cult Classics: Hannah Goldfield on the Food World’s Secret Tastemakers
Hanif Abdurraqib
Poet and writer focusing on music, art, and culture
Independent/The New Yorker contributor
Episode: Critics’ Cult Classics: Hanif Abdurraqib on Camp Lo’s “Uptown Saturday Night”
Julian Lucas
New Yorker staff writer, profiling Colson Whitehead
The New Yorker
Episode: The Irony and the Ecstasy of Colson Whitehead
Vinson Cunningham
Staff writer for The New Yorker and Critics at Large co-host
The New Yorker
Episode: From The Political Scene: The Politics of the Big Game
Naomi Fry
Staff writer for The New Yorker and Critics at Large co-host
The New Yorker
Episode: From The Political Scene: The Politics of the Big Game

Hosts

Vinson Cunningham
Host of Critics at Large; staff writer for The New Yorker; co-host of the program.
Alexandra Schwartz
Co-host and staff writer on Critics at Large; contributor to The New Yorker.
Naomi Fry
Co-host of Critics at Large; staff writer for The New Yorker.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 2.1k ratings
  • The Odyssey

    I love the podcast. Regarding “Who Owns the Odyssey” I felt that Nolan included too many and too long battle scenes, and he left out Odysseus’ reunion with Penelope, his reunion with his father, Laertes, and the final scene in the poem where Telemachus commits a manly act of war, only to have Athena end the war. Regarding Wilson’s excellent translation, it sings and excels when read aloud.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    jbowers
    United Statesa month ago
  • I dig this podcast but am unable to log in

    I am a regular listener and subscriber but now that you are behind a paywall, every time I try to log in I just get a message that reads “connecting” and then nothing happens. 10/10 on the podcast; 1/10 for the tech.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Miranda1811
    United Statesa month ago
  • Losing me

    The chemistry of this group is wonderful—and there is, more often than not, a lot to like about this podcast. As a critic myself, I’m glad it exists as a humanizing and democratizing force for the humanities. But the subjects/topics this show features—and the ways they choose to dissect them—are truly hit and miss. Shockingly 50/50. Odyssey episode? Genuinely interesting. The one that followed about “stupidity” in media? I could not finish it. Baffling waste of time. I want to rate this higher b... more

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Purpletaco55
    United States2 months ago
  • Hey Critics!

    I love this podcast so much always entertaining

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    PaulSEldn
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • Erudite, informed & entertaining

    New favorite Pod - period. If you like the idea of a Salon discussion between 3 erudite & informed friends on a zeitgeist topic that then uses this as a nexus point to Culturally explore then slip into this Pod that will stimulate, cleanse & relax your mind like an aural warm bath. Listen & learn…

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    LordOfNewYork
    United Kingdom3 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners praise the thoughtful critiques and breadth across media.
Some criticisms cite tense interruptions or tonal preferences during discussions.
Shows deep, nuanced cultural analysis with lively host chemistry.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#139
United States/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#117
United Kingdom/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#152
Canada/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#224
Italy/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#239
Australia/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#245
Philippines/Top Podcasts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

What is Gen Z Afraid Of?
Q: What makes Gen Z horror distinct from earlier eras?
The filmmakers' reliance on hangout dynamics, allegory, self-awareness, and audience participation—alongside tech-savvy lower budgets and YouTube-to-theater pipelines—creates a sense of immediacy and relevance that resonates with younger audiences.
Remembering Dolly Parton
Q: Lauren, how does Dolly's image making intersect with broader celebrity culture and issues of representation?
Dolly's image cleverly blends Southern working-class aesthetics with global glamour, creating a multilayered persona that resonates across demographics and highlights complexities in fame, feminism, and class.
Remembering Dolly Parton
Q: Amanda, how do Dolly's songs articulate female experience in a way that feels radical for its time?
Dolly places women at the center of storytelling with nuanced emotional realism, often without labeling herself as a feminist, which broadens who can relate to the songs while still pushing for authentic female experience.
Remembering Dolly Parton
Q: Kathryn, what about Dolly's origin story helps explain the magnitude of her later success?
Dolly's upbringing in a large, hard-scrabble family in Sevier County shaped a sense of resilience, craft, and self-mythology that she translates into music, entrepreneurship, and philanthropy, making her both relatable and aspirational.
The Irony and the Ecstasy of Colson Whitehead
Q: How does Whitehead balance historical critique with narrative pleasure?
By prioritizing fiction and storytelling while embedding deep historical and social concerns, allowing readers to engage with heavy themes without losing the momentum and enjoyment of the read.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Critics at Large

What is Critics at Large about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A weekly culture conversation featuring three The New Yorker staff writers who dissect current obsessions, revisit classics with fresh lenses, and connect pop culture to larger social and political themes. Episodes span books, film, television, music, and visual culture, often weaving literary analysis with current events to illuminate how culture shapes and reflects our moment. Notable strengths include rigorous, context-rich discussions, behind-the-scenes reporting insights, and a knack for pairing deep dives with broad cultural contexts. A recurring edge is the blend of scholarly insight with accessible banter, making it useful for listeners who want thoughtful critique across mediums and a sense of how cultural institutions influence pu... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Critics at Large?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Critics at Large:

1. The New Yorker Radio Hour
2. The Book Review
3. The New Yorker: The Writer's Voice - New Fiction from The New Yorker
4. The Political Scene | The New Yorker
5. The New Yorker: Fiction

How many episodes of Critics at Large are there?

Critics at Large launched 3 years ago and published 145 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Critics at Large?

Recent guests on Critics at Large include:

1. Kathryn Schultz
2. Amanda Petrusich
3. Lauren Michele Jackson
4. Emily Nussbaum
5. Hannah Goldfield
6. Hanif Abdurraqib
7. Julian Lucas
8. Vinson Cunningham

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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