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Critics at Large | The New Yorker

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

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes108Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Society & Culture

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Artwork for Critics at Large

Latest Episodes

Vince Gilligan’s new show, “Pluribus,” opens with an unconventional apocalypse. A benevolent alien hive mind descends on Earth, commandeering the bodies of all but a handful of people who appear to be immune, including a curmudgeonly writer named Car... more

On October 19th, a group of masked men broke into the Louvre in broad daylight and made off with some of France’s crown jewels. Suspects are now in custody, but the online fervor is still going strong. On this episode of Critics at Large, Vinson Cunn... more

Padma Lakshmi is unquestionably a woman of taste. As a host of the beloved food-competition series “Top Chef” and the star of the culinary docuseries “Taste the Nation,” she’s spent nearly two decades artfully conveying—and critiquing—flavors and aro... more

Horror movies are big business: this year, they’ve accounted for more ticket sales in the U.S. than comedies and dramas combined, bringing in over a billion dollars at the box office. And the phenomenon goes beyond a hunger for cheap thrills and slas... more

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Recent Guests

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
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
Michael Schulman
Critic and reporter known for profiles of show business figures.
The New Yorker
Episode: The Diva Is Dead, Long Live the Diva
Paul Elie
Colleague at The New Yorker and writer about the Catholic Church
The New Yorker
Episode: The Grand Spectacle of Pope Week

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 1.8k ratings
  • My favorite podcast

    This is it folks, it’s the one, my favorite podcast, can’t wait for it every week.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    P.L.X
    United Statesa month ago
  • I Need a Critic

    Listened to this episode, got Covid, and was suddenly in need of many hours of television. This Covid / flu season, I hope others take your advice… the good wife is… great! Thank you, Alex, for making my time at home a little more fun

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    chjdie
    United Statesa month ago
  • My favourite podcasting trio

    I look forward to this podcast every week. Alex, Vinson, and Naomi have such great chemistry and it’s a delight to listen to such highly intelligent people talk about our culture. Sometimes I want to pause and write down their brilliant, perfectly formed thoughts!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Lucy and Winston
    Canadaa month ago
  • Trad wife podcast

    OMG folks. This is the second time you’ve critiqued Nara and Lucky Blue for making toothpaste. Seriously — how old are you guys? That’s not “comedy.” That’s reality from someone who actually cares about ingredients.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Crunchy in cA
    United States2 months ago
  • My weekly listen!

    Truly love the topics that are chosen and the insight that is brought from Alex, Naomi, and Vinson! Each critic balances the other out to give a more well-rounded analysis to the topic at hand. As a girl living in Texas, I appreciate the cultural commentary. It is sometimes high-brow and I do wish there was more of an attempt to be accessible to the masses more in tone than anything else but ultimately there’s something here that’s valuable that keeps me tuned in every week!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    KylieGal!
    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.

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.
Critics at Large Live: Padma Lakshmi’s Expansive Taste
Q: What is the difference between someone with taste and someone who's picky?
A person with taste tries many things and has a wide palette, while a picky person dislikes most things and avoids trying.
Critics at Large Live: Padma Lakshmi’s Expansive Taste
Q: What do you think, Padma, it means to have good taste?
It means to know good from bad, pleasurable versus punishing; it's very subjective, but you know it when you see it.
I Need a Critic: October, 2025, Edition
Q: How do I know if a poem that I write is actually a poem?
The hosts discuss the nature of poetry and creativity, highlighting that if you think of it as a poem, you are already engaging in a poetic mindset.
One Paul Thomas Anderson Film After Another
Q: Who wants to explain the most basic premise of One Battle After Another?
The movie centers around a group of multi-cultural revolutionaries who become embroiled in political violence and personal struggles.

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 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.

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How many listeners does Critics at Large get?

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How many subscribers and views does Critics at Large have?

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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 New Yorker: The Writer's Voice - New Fiction from The New Yorker
3. The Book Review
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 108 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.

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What guests have appeared on Critics at Large?

Recent guests on Critics at Large include:

1. Padma Lakshmi
2. Alex Barasch
3. Morgan Spector
4. Helen Rosner
5. Richard Brody
6. Lauren Collins
7. Eric Lach
8. Michael Schulman

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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