Rephonic
Artwork for Critics at Large

Critics at Large | The New Yorker

The New Yorker
Netflix
Social Media
The New Yorker
Harry and Meghan
Criticism
Romantasy
Sesame Street
Gambling
Technology
Hollywood
True Crime
Academy Awards
David Lynch
Sports Betting
Jane Austen
American Culture
Hayao Miyazaki
Oscar Politics
Dubai
Literature

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes127Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Society & Culture

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Critics at Large

Latest Episodes

“Michael”—a new film, directed by Antoine Fuqua, charting Michael Jackson’s rise to fame—just had the best opening weekend in the history of bio-pics, proving that audiences are still eager to celebrate the King of Pop. The movie also ends, pointedly... more

Cynicism is widely considered a defining quality of our conspiracy-addled, irony-poisoned age. But audiences and creatives alike now seem ready to cast it aside in favor of an attitude that’s long been out of style: earnestness. On this episode of Cr... more

In 2019, marriage rates in the United States hit their lowest point in a hundred and forty years. They still haven’t rebounded. On this episode of Critics at Large, Vinson Cunningham, Naomi Fry, and Alexandra Schwartz consider how recent cultural off... more

In the new HBO miniseries “DTF St. Louis,” Jason Bateman plays a weatherman living with his wife and kids in a sleepy town just outside of St. Louis. He befriends a coworker, Floyd Smernitch (David Harbour), and the two sign up for a dating app that ... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Recent Guests

Jason Adam Katzenstein
New Yorker cartoonist
The New Yorker
Episode: Why Earnestness is Everywhere
Michael Schulman
Oscars correspondent and The New Yorker staff writer
The New Yorker
Episode: The Hall of Fame—and of Shame—of Oscars Hosts
Louisa Thomas
The New Yorker sports critic
The New Yorker
Episode: Why Football Matters
Padma Lakshmi
Emmy-nominated producer, television host, food expert, and New York Times bestselling author
Host of Top Chef and America's Culinary Cup
Episode: Critics at Large Live: Padma Lakshmi’s Expansive Taste
Alex Barasch
Editorial advisor at The New Yorker and horror movie enthusiast
The New Yorker
Episode: Why Horror Still Haunts Us
Morgan Spector
Actor known for his role as Mr. Russell on HBO's The Gilded Age
Episode: I Need a Critic: October, 2025, Edition
Helen Rosner
Food critic at The New Yorker.
The New Yorker
Episode: What's Cooking?
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

Hosts

Vinson Cunningham
Host and Co-host of Critics at Large, Vinson is a staff writer at The New Yorker, known for his insightful critiques and engaging presence in conversations about culture and media.
Alexandra Schwartz
Co-Host of Critics at Large, Alexandra is a staff writer at The New Yorker, offering critical perspectives and fostering insightful dialogues on popular culture.
Naomi Fry
Co-Host of Critics at Large, Naomi serves as a staff writer at The New Yorker, known for her engaging critiques and contributions to discussions surrounding media and culture events.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 2k ratings
  • Endorsement & continuation of Kennedy myth making.

    While I appreciate that The New Yorker is now willing to examine the Kennedy Myth, it was disappointing to hear how ingrained the myth making is with the hosts. First, RFK, jr is a pretty horrific human being. But this isn’t new or has recently come to light. This has been known for decades. Sadly, it only matters now to some people because he joined the Trump Administration. Second, they conclude the JFK, jr was a swell guy. He also treated women horrifically, including the two he killed flying... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    FS1703
    United Statesa month ago
  • just, ick

    such a low bar here with a very little depth, insight, or joy. Think of someone scrunching up their nose and saying I didn’t like it.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    artemisbee
    United States3 months ago
  • Naomi Please Stop 😭

    This is an amazing podcast but please stop Naomi from interrupting

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    1284749603
    United Kingdom3 months ago
  • 5 stars

    I love Critics at Large. No notes.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Green24
    United States3 months ago
  • Heated Rivalry

    Great Episode! I blanched a bit when Vinson called it good but 'corny,' but to be fair, us 'loons' must be honest with ourselves - it does fall on some corn. But...it's the Corn we NEED right now. It's the balm to our aching hearts from all this madness in the US. It's just hopeful and optomistic. Again...thank you Canada 🇨🇦. You gave us the gift we didn't deserve!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    blinks50
    United States3 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Many express enthusiasm for recommendations and the deeper explorations into societal themes, seeking clarity and context on contemporary issues.
Feedback reveals some listeners find the dialogue engaging, although there are occasional criticisms about interruptions and style.
Listeners appreciate the insightful analysis and discussions about culture and media, often highlighting the hosts' chemistry and intelligence.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

I Need a Critic: One-Hundredth-Episode Edition
Q: How should one choose a baby name?
Choose a name that you love and has a nice sound to it, without worrying about family pressure.
I Need a Critic: One-Hundredth-Episode Edition
Q: How do you manage reading in the age of distraction?
Put your phone in another room to avoid distractions while reading.
I Need a Critic: One-Hundredth-Episode Edition
Q: What book would you recommend for someone who doesn't read at all?
Many memoirs work well; I Regret Almost Everything by Keith McNally is a great choice.
I Need a Critic: One-Hundredth-Episode Edition
Q: What would you recommend for a child who has just started her music collection?
Consider taking her to record stores to let her explore and pick out music she finds exciting.
Critics at Large Live: Padma Lakshmi’s Expansive Taste
Q: Do you have advice for people who want to cultivate their sense of taste?
Develop your palate by eating, traveling, and being exposed to what you want to learn.

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?

The content focuses on a wide range of cultural topics, from classic literature and contemporary films to the dynamics of pop culture phenomena. With engaging discussions led by a trio of knowledgeable staff writers, the podcast analyzes current obsessions and historical texts alike, offering fresh insights and nuanced critiques. Episodes frequently touch on significant cultural themes, exploring the intricacies of American identity and societal dynamics from various angles, including race, gender, and history. This podcast stands out for its blend of scholarly analysis with lively banter, enticing listeners who appreciate deep cultural commentary infused with humor and personality.

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?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for Critics at Large, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for Critics at Large?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Critics at Large, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

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 New Yorker: The Writer's Voice - New Fiction from The New Yorker
3. The Book Review
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 127 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.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

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

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Critics at Large. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on Critics at Large?

Recent guests on Critics at Large include:

1. Jason Adam Katzenstein
2. Michael Schulman
3. Louisa Thomas
4. Padma Lakshmi
5. Alex Barasch
6. Morgan Spector
7. Helen Rosner
8. Richard Brody

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.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days