Top 5 Podcasts that We Can’t Stop Listening To

This. Is. Going. To. Get. Wordy. I’ll try to keep it to a minimum but we are on a topic that I love. Podcasts are a baby in the world of entertainment; simply put they are the evolution of radio. What is a podcast? A podcast is an episodic show, where people chat on a theme. They can be based around anything, from comedy to news, and from film to music to art, and everything in between. They can be downloaded from that newfangled internet thing via several different locations. iTunes has an entire section devoted to Podcasts, you can basically search any topic you want and there is probably a show about it. Most shows have a home page that you can download the show from as well, however; I’ve found that iTunes is the easiest.

To listen, follow these easy steps: search, download, up load to MP3 player, listen, enjoy, repeat.

What makes a podcast so good that you can’t stop listening to it? I will say four things: Hosts, Content, Accessibility, and Length. A good set of Hosts is a must. Someone who is passionate, entertaining, and informative. Content. You as a listener have to be interested in what you are listening to. It has to be a topic you want to hear about; Podcasts are the king of niche entertainment. Accessibility. You have to be able to hear the show, and know when it’s going to come out. I found that I enjoy shows with a consistent release schedule, that way I can create a consistent listening schedule. Lastly, Length. I’m not saying a show can’t be long because I enjoy some long podcasts, they just have to have enough material fill that time. Some can go on far too long. If you meet all of these requirements, then I say you have a great show.

*As you read through the list, please note that not all of these shows are appropriate for all ages. Some of them include foul language and off color topics. The more asterisks next to the name of a podcast, the more non-family friendly the show is.

            The Guidelines: It has to be a podcast, and it has to be one we can’t stop listening too. If I can miss a week, if I can miss an episode, if I can download but not listen, then your show is simply not good enough to make this list.

            Honorable Mention: This week’s topic I had more than just 5 podcasts I wanted to talk about. All of these are great, but for one reason or another they missed the top 5. So very quickly here is 6-10:

10. You Made It Weird*** – great, funny, irreverent a fantastic listen. Pete Holmes talks about religion, politics, sexual escapades, and the underside of comedy with all of his friends. Not appropriate for all ages.

9. Mike and Tom Eat Snacks* – Just two really funny guys eating snacks and making jokes. Hosts Michael Ian Black and Tom Cavanagh eat their way though each episode and have you reaching for the snacks. Fun for all Mates! Not appropriate for all ages.

8. The Buffy Rewatch – This show is great, a very smart show with quality hosts and solid viewpoints (whether you agree or disagree with them). The show is a critical analysis of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, which both makes it great and holds it off the main list. The show is specific to fans of the show, so unless you care about Buffy a LOT (which you all should) this show is not for you.

7. The Nerdist*** – The basic premise is Chris Hardwick, Jonah Ray, and Matt Mira talk about all things nerdy and interview guests and celebrities. This was one of the first shows that I listened too every week. It’s funny, it’s nerdy, and it’s a great listen.  However, there are a ton of episodes and the show has fallen to the status of “I’ll listen if I like who they are talking to.”

6. Inside the Magic – The show is a recap, review, and news show about all things Disney. It’s based around the theme parks but covers films, TV, merchandise and anything else you can think of. This was the hardest show to leave off the list. Why? I listen to it every week, like clockwork, and enjoy it. It may be the most enjoyable hour and half plus of podcast that I listen to. Why is it not in the actual list? Two simple reasons: it can run upwards of 2 hours an episode and you have to care about Disney a LOT. If Disney and Disney news don’t interest you, then this show is not for you.

           

The List:

5. Alohomora/MuggleCast – So… I have a tie at #5, but both of these shows are great and on the same-ish topic. You put them together and you have about a weekly show. MuggleCast and Alohomora are podcast about Harry Potter (if you couldn’t already tell). The first show has been running for about 7 years and covers the pop culture side of the Potter phenomenon. The second is only about 2 months old and is an in-depth reread of the Potter books. Each has its strengths but together they serve as a great way to keep Harry Potter new and fresh.

Yes, these shows are about a very specific topic, but as I state before, a good podcast piques your personal interests. However, for this list I tried to picks shows reach beyond their theme. MuggleCast looks at Harry Potter as a cultural phenomenon and talks about it in terms of the films, their profits, and (lack of) awards, Pottermore and its impact on the fandom and the internet, the books and their impact on society, the actors and their characters, gives in depth analysis of the series (in the back logs you get some pretty conversations about what will happen in the series.), talk about the Wizarding World Theme parks and other Potter attraction, as well as news and notes on J. K. Rowling herself. MuggleCast releases one episode a month, usually about an hour and half long.

Whereas Alohomora takes a look solely at the Harry Potter book series, it becomes a much broader conversation when looking at Harry Potter in terms of other literature. This show looks at 2 chapters per show and gives some great analysis of the series. This is like sitting a Harry Potter lit class with your really smart, good natured, and funny friends who also happen to love Harry Potter. This is a relatively new podcast so they are still finding their legs a bit, but it’s a great time to jump in! Alohomara releases one episode every two weeks and are about an hour and half long.

4. ESPN Fantasy Focus Baseball – This is probably the most specific interest show on this list. ESPN Fantasy Focus Baseball & Football are show about, exactly what they say they are about, fantasy sports. But what’s different about them? The hosts: Matthew Berry, Nate Ravtiz and their producer Pod Vader. These guys add a little comedy to the show, and realize that what they do shouldn’t be taken seriously. You are never going to hear two guys yelling at the top of their lungs about player. What you will hear is great running jokes, self-deprecating humor, Matty’s Dating Advice corner, and, oh, yeah, some fantasy advice.

I will admit that, as much as I love this show I have blinders on. This was the first podcast that I listened to; I’ve followed it since 2008 and actually get a little bummed in January and February when they cut back to monthly shows. This is the show that introduced me to podcasts, a form of media that I now love. So I say a simple thanks to the 06010, from a longtime fan and listener. ESPN Fantasy Focus Baseball releases one episode every weekday during the baseball season (and football season for the football show) and they usually run between 30 and 45 minutes.

3. Doug Loves Movies** -- One of my top two favorite comedians is Doug Benson. Doug Benson loves movies, so of course I’m going to listen to this show. And it also happens to be great. One of the most consistently funny shows on the internet, this features three fresh comedians every week talking to Doug about movies. What they have seen recently (in theatres or not) and what they think about it. The show sticks to movies the best it can but frequently goes off the rails and as Doug tries to get the show back on the road, hilarity ensues.

In all honesty the show is more comedy than movies. But the best, the absolute best part of the show is the last segment where Doug and his guests play the Leonard Maltin game. The Leonard Maltin game is a movie based trivia game that lends itself to great conversation and comedy.

The show on the whole is great but what it really hinges on are the guests. Mostly all of the comedians and celebrities that are on the show are funny in their own right, however, if there’s chemistry between them the show vaults to another level. A great, fun, and funny show loosely based on film and trivia games, Doug Loves Movies releases one episode (sometimes more) a week on Fridays and it’s about an hour long.

2. Talkin’ Toons with Rob Paulsen – Rob Paulsen is a voice actor whose podcast is full of love, friendship, joy, and some of the most famous and talented people you’ve probably never heard of, and Mark Hamill. Rob himself is the voice of some really famous toons, he’s Rafael from The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Yakko from The Animaniacs, and Pinky from Pinky and The Brain, and on top of all of that he seems like the nicest dude you’d ever want to meet.

The show is a conversation between Rob and another voice actor, which usually turns into stories of how cartoons are made, voices are created, and the crazy interactions they’ve had with famous people. Also mixed in is some really good advice on how to be a voice actor (or just actor) in Hollywood.

Pulling on the nostalgic heart strings, this show has me filled with so much joy when I listen that I find myself marathon-ing episodes that I’ve already heard instead of listening to new material. Talkin’ Toons with Rob Paulsen is a show that everyone should give a shot. It’s family friendly, all about cartoons that we know and love, and is a blast to listen to. It releases weekly and runs about an hour in length.

1. Comedy Film Nerds* -- This, for me, is a can’t-miss show. Sadly it’s not always family friendly, but it’s smart, funny, and helps me find some really good films. The show comes out weekly and discusses new releases into theatres and on DVD as well as has a featured topic related to film and the guest of the week.

Comedy Film Nerds is a great mix of comedy and criticism. The hosts Graham Elwood and Chris Mancni are knowledgeable and have very different views on what makes a good film. So if they both like it then you know it must be good. I have found plenty of good films because of this show. I’ve also joined the message board on their website for some great film conversation.

Even when the show goes off topic, it always hilarious. I have been with this show since the start, and have never missed an episode. It’s well made, worth listening to, and more than worth your time. (The only drawback is the language at times can be vulgar – not a draw back for me, but just so you know). Let’s all put our kitten hands together and enjoy our time hanging with the gargoyles in the garage.