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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
Spirited Away
My Neighbor Totoro
George Santos
Scammer Archetype
Dolly Parton
Joan Acocella
Arts Journalism
In the Dark
Princess Mononoke
Fantasy
Nature
Technology
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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes105Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Society & Culture

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Artwork for Critics at Large

Latest Episodes

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

On August 7, 1985, five family members were shot dead in their English country manor, Whitehouse Farm. It looked like an open-and-shut case. But the New Yorker staff writer Heidi Blake finds that almost nothing about this story is as it seems. 

New ... more

Generative A.I., once an uncanny novelty, is now being used to create not only images and videos but entire “artists.” Its boosters claim that the technology is merely a tool to facilitate human creativity; the major use cases we’ve seen thus far—and... more

Key Facts

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

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Recent Guests

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
Katy Waldman
Staff Writer for The New Yorker and expert on Romanticism
The New Yorker
Episode: How Romantasy Seduces Its Readers

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
  • Love the show, stop using “like”

    All three hosts are excellent/well-informed, the interaction is engaging and the topics are generally interesting. I struggle to listen, though, due to the overuse of “like” throughout the shows. It sounds like I’m listening to a middle-schooler rather than articulate critics.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Old School English teacher
    United Statesa month ago
  • Slow

    It’s giving soccer moms ingratiating themself to their kid’s friends.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Aanwadecescakl799
    United Statesa month ago
  • What’s not to love!

    What’s not to love!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    andnowyouarenotacceptingmyname
    United States2 months ago
  • Naomi

    i ❤️ u, naomi.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BeedleJM
    United States2 months ago
  • IDF host

    One of the hosts was in the IDF. When I learned this I stopped listening to the show.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Katharus94
    United Kingdom2 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.

Apple Podcasts
#149
United States/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#112
United Kingdom/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#237
Canada/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#131
Australia/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#170
Italy/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#210
France/Society & Culture

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
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.

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.

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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 Political Scene | The New Yorker
4. The New Yorker: The Writer's Voice - New Fiction from The New Yorker
5. The New Yorker: Fiction

How many episodes of Critics at Large are there?

Critics at Large launched 2 years ago and published 105 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?

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What guests have appeared on Critics at Large?

Recent guests on Critics at Large include:

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

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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