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Critics at Large | The New Yorker

The New Yorker
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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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes130Founded3 years ago
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Society & Culture

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Artwork for Critics at Large

Latest Episodes

The phrase “toxic masculinity,” deployed ad nauseum over the past decade, now borders on cliché, but the fact that men are in some kind of crisis feels beyond dispute. Statistics on boys’ prospects are bleak, showing falling graduation rates, diminis... more

In the original “The Devil Wears Prada,” a hapless Andrea Sachs stumbles into the office of Miranda Priestly, the exacting editor of Runway magazine and a titan of the fashion world. The film, released in 2006, was adapted from a novel by the former ... more

“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

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Recent Guests

Kelefa Sanneh
Staff writer, The New Yorker; guest host substituting for Alex Barish
The New Yorker
Episode: What “Michael” Tries to Show—or Hide
Jason Adam Katzenstein
New Yorker cartoonist
The New Yorker
Episode: Why Earnestness is Everywhere
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
  • All-Time Favorite Cultural Crit Podcast

    This is the podcast I recommend anyone who loves pop culture/cultural criticism. Alex, Vinson and Naomi always bring thorough context, interesting takes and varied examples across mediums (literary, film, tv, etc.) in every episode on broad topics in the zeitgeist. I never skip an episode. Feels like sitting in on the best college lecture every week. We’re so lucky to have this podcast!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    burnernoot
    United Statesa month ago
  • Back for the BTS episode

    I was a regular listener at the start of the pod since I’m familiar with Naomi Fry via How Long Gone. Fell off for a bit, I don’t entirely remember why, but excitedly pressed play on the BTS episode. As a BTS fan of 7+ years, I really appreciated this thoughtful conversation about the group. I’m happy you folks didn’t have an expert guest or ARMY on, as tons of pods often do, because the conversations then are afraid of being critical. It was refreshing hearing three perspectives from people ent... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Raymund de Vega
    United Statesa month ago
  • 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 States2 months 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

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

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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

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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?

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.

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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 3 years ago and published 130 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. Kelefa Sanneh
2. Jason Adam Katzenstein
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.

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