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Critics at Large | The New Yorker

The New Yorker
Criticism
Hayao Miyazaki
Dubai
Princess Latifa
The Boy and the Heron
Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Heidi Blake
My Neighbor Totoro
Spirited Away
Scammer Archetype
George Santos
Dolly Parton
Arts Journalism
Joan Acocella
In the Dark
Fantasy
Technology
Nature
Princess Mononoke
Japanese Childhood

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes98Founded2 years ago
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Society & Culture

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Artwork for Critics at Large

Latest Episodes

In contemporary cookbooks—and in the burgeoning realm of online cooking content—there’s often a life style on display alongside the recipes. Samin Nosrat is a fixture of this landscape, and her new book, “Good Things,” aims to pick up where her mega-... more

In the past twenty years, more than a third of all American newspapers have shuttered; trust in media institutions is now at a historic low. And yet we’re still drawn to depictions of reporters onscreen. On this episode of Critics at Large, Vinson Cu... more

Last week, it was announced that Polymarket—a site where you can bet on basically anything, from the likelihood of a government shutdown to the winner of New York City’s mayoral race—will be allowed to operate in the U.S. The decision was the culmina... more

Though the character known as Labubu has been around for a decade, the toy version—around six inches tall, sporting bunny ears and a demonic grin—is only just becoming a must-have accessory. On this episode of Critics at Large, Vinson Cunningham, Nao... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Richard Brody
A cherished colleague and one of the favorite writers and critics
The New Yorker
Episode: How to Watch a Movie
Lauren Collins
Writer for The New Yorker based in Paris
The New Yorker
Episode: Les Américains à Paris
Eric Lach
Writer at The New Yorker and political observer
The New Yorker
Episode: How Zohran Mamdani Became the Main Character of New York City
Paul Elie
Colleague at The New Yorker and writer about the Catholic Church
The New Yorker
Episode: The Grand Spectacle of Pope Week
Julio Torres
Director, writer, and comedian from El Salvador
Episode: Critics at Large Live: Julio Torres’s Dreamy Surrealism
Jennifer Wilson
Writer and expert on mysticism
Episode: Tarot, Tech, and Our Age of Magical Thinking
Nick Paumgarten
Staff writer at The New Yorker
The New Yorker
Episode: The Irresistible Myth of Las Vegas
Kelefa Sanneh
Music critic at The New Yorker
The New Yorker
Episode: Charli XCX, Chappell Roan, and the Unstable Hierarchy of Pop
Jiayang Fan
Colleague and admirer of Alice Munro, currently teaching a class about her.
Episode: Alice Munro’s Fall from Grace

Hosts

Vinson Cunningham
Host and critic known for his engaging commentary on contemporary culture and film.
Alexandra Schwartz
Host and cultural critic with a focus on arts, literature, and social commentary.
Naomi Fry
Co-host and critic known for in-depth cultural analysis and discussions.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 1.7k ratings
  • Eric Lach interview

    Naomi Frye is fine as a panelist on the show but not a good interviewer. She talks way too much…asking very long questions and inserting herself as Lach is speaking. Lach is insightful so I listened until the end, but interviewing is not her strong suit

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    listener 2031
    United Statesa month ago
  • Annoying podcast

    Wasted several minutes listening to this nonsense. Wanted to hear about Memdani, instead heard inane chatter about nothing.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Clicknation
    United Statesa month ago
  • Zoran episode (“youngness”?)

    For a podcast on Zoran’s candidacy, I would listen to Brian Lehrer. For a podcast on NYC mayors in popular entertainment, I would listen to Culture Gabfest. I really can’t listen to another episode of Critics at Large. For these reasons I’m out.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    wilhelmina a.
    United States2 months ago
  • This is gross

    Yapping about entertainment while your country perpetrates a genocide in Palestine. This is so disgusting.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    here-to-read
    South Africa2 months ago
  • Transports me back to college seminars

    Tune in for three students vying for the bell-curved seminar participation grade at a liberal arts college, except now they are called "critics".

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Elaine3858301
    United States2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

The hosts engage in insightful and articulate discussions about various cultural topics, providing depth and relatability.
Some feedback indicates that the hosts occasionally dominate conversations, which may detract from the listening experience for certain audiences.
Listeners appreciate the mix of humor and thoughtful commentary, often finding the perspectives refreshing and intellectually stimulating.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

How to Watch a Movie
Q: Is the director again a kind of worker for hire to deliver a vision that is not their own?
The speakers discuss how contemporary studio systems still impose constraints on directors, particularly in high-budget filmmaking.
How to Watch a Movie
Q: What's the future of the singular artist with a burning vision?
The discussion reflects on how the landscape of filmmaking is evolving with independent producers influencing how films are created and distributed, especially in relation to established artists like Spike Lee.
How Zohran Mamdani Became the Main Character of New York City
Q: Eric, maybe we can start with you giving us kind of a brief primer on Zohran. Who is this guy? You know, why is he such an object of fixation?
Zohran Mamdani is a young state assembly member from Queens who has quickly risen to prominence with clear policy proposals and effective use of social media, becoming a significant figure in the city's political landscape.
The Diva Is Dead, Long Live the Diva
Q: What does it mean to be a diva today compared to the past?
The concept of a diva has evolved, with contemporary expectations leaning towards more controlled public behavior and relatable personas, contrasting sharply with the messy, outrageous lives of past divas.
I Need a Critic: May 2025 Edition
Q: How do I get rid of the guilt of not reading all the books that I buy every year?
They recommend letting go of guilt about unread books and appreciate the personal library you are creating.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Critics at Large

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

A weekly culture podcast that engages listeners with a wide range of discussions surrounding current cultural obsessions and classic texts, offering fresh perspectives through the lens of arts and pop culture. Each episode features hosts who share lively, surprising conversations about topics spanning from literature, film, and television, to social trends and prominent figures in contemporary society. The podcast stands out for its blend of rigorous analysis and personal anecdotes, providing behind-the-scenes insights that reflect on significant cultural moments and foster a deeper understanding of the world today. Listeners can expect a mix of intellectual depth and entertaining commentary as the hosts dissect the cultural landscape.

Where can I find podcast stats for Critics at Large?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Critics at Large. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Critics at Large and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Critics at Large get?

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What are the audience demographics for Critics at Large?

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How many subscribers and views does Critics at Large have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Critics at Large has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

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 New Yorker: Fiction
5. The Political Scene | The New Yorker

How many episodes of Critics at Large are there?

Critics at Large launched 2 years ago and published 98 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Critics at Large?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Critics at Large?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Critics at Large from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Critics at Large?

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What guests have appeared on Critics at Large?

Recent guests on Critics at Large include:

1. Richard Brody
2. Lauren Collins
3. Eric Lach
4. Paul Elie
5. Julio Torres
6. Jennifer Wilson
7. Nick Paumgarten
8. Kelefa Sanneh

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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