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Artwork for The Sam Sanders Show

The Sam Sanders Show

KCRW & Sam Sanders
Hollywood
Pop Culture
Oscars
KCRW
Mental Health
Spotify
Tiktok
Streaming Music
Grief
Comedy
Heated Rivalry
Queer Representation
Youtube
Hip Hop
Movie Stars
Black Music
Bad Bunny
AI Music
Social Media
Beyoncé

The Sam Sanders Show from KCRW is your guide to entertainment. Find out what makes your favorite artists tick, dissect the trends that shape our culture, or just make sense of that random meme you can’t stop thinking about. Join us every week to unpack the pop culture we love.

Sign up for Sam’s Newsletter to get behind the scenes stuff from every interview each week.

Sam Sanders is an award-winn... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes156Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureTV & Film

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Artwork for The Sam Sanders Show

Latest Episodes

Books are bringing people together this year in ways Sam has never seen before. There have been a handful of times in the last few months alone when it felt like he was in one giant book club with his friends, reading the same books, and having deep ... more

David Archuleta shot to fame while competing on American Idol when he was just 17 years old.  During his time on the show he was a poster boy for his Mormon faith, but behind the scenes he was forced to hide his sexuality and queerness. He describes ... more

We gotta admit, this summer felt great for movies! From all the monoculture surrounding The Odyssey, to the successful sleeper hits like Backrooms and Obsession, the past few months felt like a magical comeback for the industry. Joining Sam to break ... more

Musician and rapper Wyclef Jean shot to fame in the ‘90s after founding the seminal hip-hop group Fugees. Since then, he’s had an impressive solo career with plenty of acclaimed projects. He’s also become an undeniable hitmaker, creating massive reco... 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.

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Recent Guests

Fred Armisen
Actor/Comedian, co-creator and star of Portlandia
Portlandia
Episode: Fred Armisen Revisits Portlandia
Ann Powers
NPR music critic and correspondent
NPR
Episode: What Made Dolly Parton So Beloved?
Esther Zuckerman
Culture and Film Reporter for The Wall Street Journal
The Wall Street Journal
Episode: Did Summer 2026 Bring Back Monoculture?
Janelle James
Actress and comedian known for Ava Coleman on Abbott Elementary
ABC/Hulu
Episode: Janelle James: What’s It Like To Embody A Diva?
Naveen Kumar
Theater critic at large
The New York Times
Episode: Can Mamdani Save Broadway?
Willa Paskin
Host of Decoder Ring, Slate culture podcast
Slate
Episode: Is Culture Stuck? (From Decoder Ring)
Hannah Einbinder
Actor and comedian known for Hacks; star of Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma
Actor/Comedian
Episode: Hannah Einbinder on Comedy, Connection & Queer Art
Charlie Harding
Co-host of Switched on Pop
Switched on Pop
Episode: The Cyndi Lauper Conspiracy (From Switched on Pop)
Megan Levengood
Music theory professor
George Mason University
Episode: The Cyndi Lauper Conspiracy (From Switched on Pop)

Host

Sam Sanders
Host of The Sam Sanders Show, KCRW

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 1.2k ratings
  • Melodica influence, Cyndi Lauper and the Hooters

    Enjoyed this episode. What you call an “accordion” sound on that acoustic demo of “All Through The Night” may be an instrument called the Melodica made by Hohner, which local Philly hometown heroes The Hooters used extensively in their own band and recordings. Eric Bazilian and Rob Hyman, both members of the Hooters, played on all songs on that album. I wish she recorded more albums with them.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Luckylily70
    United Statesa month ago
  • Meh.

    I expect more from the great Sam Sanders than an interview with an author who clearly at some level idolises and normalises the corrupt and boring Kardashians, even emulating their laughable vocal fries and lethargic tones (perhaps unconsciously) while also working to pass herself off as a morally neutral academic; it’s difficult to engage with such a boring and disingenuous approach. Her arguments are half-cooked, muddy, and frankly lazy. This “academic” also praises Alfred Adler’s outdated, de... more

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Shalma M.
    United Statesa month ago
  • 90s Nostalgia

    I had to watch this one on YouTube. So funny. Sadly, agreed with the panel and the audience on the winner.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Noahm22
    United States2 months ago
  • Marvelous podcast!

    Sam Sanders’ excellent, insightful and genuine interviews make for great episodes! Recommended. Kudos to Sam and all involved in making this podcast!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    SweetGoofyMo
    United States3 months ago
  • Rich people get a free pass!

    I love the conversations. I just feel like when people who don’t fit the dominant power dynamic are on, they are held to a different standard. Then when you have rich folks like yourself on, especially when discussing concert prices, you let these people who make better than $200k chat and act like they’re middle class. Cake eaters make everything terrible and unrelateable.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Hieronymous? Bosh!
    United States3 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Some listeners note pacing or breathing as areas to refine.
Listeners praise Sam's sharp questions and engaging interview style.
The host's humor and warmth are frequently highlighted as a strength.
Guests consistently deliver deep, informed perspectives on culture and media.
Audience appreciates diverse guest lineups and candid conversations about representation.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Not The Odyssey: Small Movies Had A Big Blockbuster Summer
Q: Do you think this momentum will continue into next year?
Momentum may continue if studios recalibrate budgets, focus on brave, original storytelling, and rebuild theater experiences; the key will be balancing risk with sustainability and preserving theater-going culture.
Not The Odyssey: Small Movies Had A Big Blockbuster Summer
Q: Which titles stood out as the biggest surprises?</answer
Obsession, Backrooms, and Sheep Detectives stood out as surprising successes due to their budgets, audience targeting, and strong word-of-mouth; Coyote Versus Acme also became a standout for its creative approach and marketing.
Not The Odyssey: Small Movies Had A Big Blockbuster Summer
Q: What was your overall take on the summer box office performance this year?
The summer did exceptionally well, driven by a mix of blockbuster franchises and surprising smaller films; the numbers looked strong, but there were lessons about budgets and market expectations, with some studios learning the wrong lessons by over-investing in IP-heavy projects.
Wyclef Jean: How To Write A Hit Song
Q: What is the key to crafting a real hit according to you?
Aim to write a cultural movement rather than chasing a temporary chart-topping hit, focusing on unification and an emotional or societal impact that lasts beyond a single song.
Fred Armisen Revisits Portlandia
Q: How would you describe the show Portlandia?
Fred describes it as a show about a fictional version of Portland, focusing on people trying to do the right thing within a comedy framework that blends sketch structure with character-driven humor.

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 The Sam Sanders Show

What is The Sam Sanders Show about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show delivers searchable, culture-first conversations with a wide range of guests across music, film, theater, and media. Hosts bring warmth, curiosity, and sharp cultural analysis, drawing out personal stories, craft insights, and industry context from artists, critics, and thought leaders. Sponsorships occasionally anchor episodes, but the core appeal lies in informed, nuanced interviews about identity, creativity, and the evolving media landscape, making it a strong fit for listeners who want thoughtful takes on pop culture and its broader social impact.

A notable strength is the consistent ability to surface practical insights for creators and brands alike—whether unpacking production choices, representation, or industry economics—... more

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How many listeners does The Sam Sanders Show get?

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How many subscribers and views does The Sam Sanders Show have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Sam Sanders Show 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 The Sam Sanders Show?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Sam Sanders Show:

1. Vibe Check
2. It's Been a Minute
3. Pop Culture Happy Hour
4. Keep It!
5. Culture Study Podcast

How many episodes of The Sam Sanders Show are there?

The Sam Sanders Show launched 2 years ago and published 156 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 The Sam Sanders Show?

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 The Sam Sanders Show?

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What guests have appeared on The Sam Sanders Show?

Recent guests on The Sam Sanders Show include:

1. Fred Armisen
2. Ann Powers
3. Esther Zuckerman
4. Janelle James
5. Naveen Kumar
6. Willa Paskin
7. Hannah Einbinder
8. Charlie Harding

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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