With the passing of another year, it's time to countdown the highs and lows of the year gone by. In today's entry, it's time to look back at the growing medium known as podcasting, which thanks to shows like Serial have started to become respected as mainstream entertainment. The following audio shows released weekly (sometimes even daily and monthly) reflect the best that the medium has to offer in entertainment as well as education. Today will end the two part series by highlighting the top half of the Top 20. What made the list? Well, whatever did should likely be going on your radar sooner than later. So check out today's Listmania, and hit that subscribe button to find your new favorite show.
10. The Flop House (Maximumfun)
All hail the greatest bad movie podcast for the umpteenth year in a row. For whatever reason, the magic has only grown for the three hosts as they cover a variety of movies - mostly using them as an excuse to riff on anything that comes to mind. While there may be shows with better commentary, few are as lively and hilarious as this one, especially when they rip into an especially confusing choice. While the episodes have gotten longer, they haven't changed that much in quality. I don't even recommend watching every film they talking about, because that'll just put you into a depression. Just listen and have some fun. It's sure to cure your blues.
9. International Waters (Maximumfun)
If you haven't given this cross-continental game show a chance, what's wrong with you? For the past few years, host Dave Holmes has asked questions to two opposing teams: one from America and one from Britain. Not only does it lead to occasionally interesting insights into the other country's lifestyle, it's usually a very funny and informative way to learn about current events. Trust me, all of these questions have true answers - so you will not be duped by various players' need to be condescending. Released bi-monthly, it's one of those shows that doesn't need a familiar name to draw you in. It just needs you to sit back and laugh at the current events, as riffed on by English and American comics.
8. The Cracked Podcast (Earwolf)
There's a variety of reasons to love this spin-off series from the popular Cracked website. For starters, the show is just as entertaining to listen to as it is to read one of their various articles about anything and everything. It also helps that the show's rotating panel (notably David Wong) usually are experts and are capable of making everything from time travel to politics sound fascinating. While not as funny as the website, the conversations are often intriguing and will leave you smarter. If you're not into the lengthy discussions (which have sometimes gone close to two hours), then you'll at least get great music recommendations. While it has expanded its base from strictly hip-hop to a wider variety, it still makes for some of the best transitional music on any show this year.
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| Dana Gould |
7. The Dana Gould Hour
Among every show on here, Dana Gould may be the only acquired taste. With episodes running often between two and three hours, his lengthy ode to classic nerd culture is sometimes overbearing if you don't care. However, if The Planet of the Apes and Tod Browning stories interest you, then this podcast will definitely be for you. Gould's humor and insight can sustain the average episode's multiple conversations and leave you entertained. It's the perfect variety show that has a lot of fun talk and information. It may get meandering at times, but it's hard to find a show quite as special as this one in being fully expressive of pop culture that isn't often talked about.
6. The Gimlet Media Shows
Recipients:
-Reply All (Gimlet Media)
-The Mystery Show (Gimlet Media)
-Surprisingly Awesome (Gimlet Media)
If there's one podcast network that came out of 2015 with the most to show for, it's Gimlet Media. While Reply All is a series that has been around for awhile, its new shows displayed a new and exciting way of presenting information. While The Mystery Show has unfortunately been on hiatus (at least I hope so), its short run is an astounding mix of episode-long sleuthing that covers everything from movie rental fees to the height of Jake Gyllenhaal (with an actual interview to boot). On its own, it would be among the best of the year. However, Surprisingly Awesome came out just under the wire and solidified Gimlet's impact with an equally ingenious gimmick: convince someone that something normal sounding is cool. Considering that co-host Adam McKay's previous entry into podcasting was awful (Owen and T.J. Read the News), this is a welcomed relief. Gimlet wants to expand in 2016 to include more shows, so expect them to be even more cluttered on this list next year.
5. Firewall and Iceberg
Among the many shows lost in 2015, few feel as tragic as Firewall and Iceberg. For the past few years, critics Alan Sepinwall and Dan Fienberg have been covering TV together weekly on the podcast with some of the best comical banter spliced into the insight. For those wanting someone to tell them what to watch, there were few resources as effective. Even their occasional retrospective to older TV and current events added a nice touch to the show. While it ended on good terms, it's going to be hard to think of too many other shows that have quite the appeal and levity that this one had.
4. The Dead Authors Podcast
If nothing else, next year's line-up will be very interesting in Listmania. This is the second in the Top 5 to say farewell in 2015, and one that is unlike anything else out there. True, host Paul F. Tompkins has another show (Spontaneanation), but it's not quite the same as this show which pits Tompkins as H.G. Wells against various dead authors in interviews ranging from factual to insane. It's a crazy and infectious concept that has met the end of its run after 50 official episodes (and several "bonus" ones). While it had a lot highlights, including a two parter with L. Ron Hubbard, it is the concept that will be missed most - especially since Tompkins is quite an effective interviewer, whether he's in character or not.
3. You Must Remember This (Panoply)
This podcast is so great that I even wrote a special article awhile back about it. Karina Longworth is an exceptional researcher and someone who brings her all to each and every episode. Thankfully, the show's love of Old Hollywood has become more focused this year and even features themes, which include a series on MGM Studios and a series-best (so far) about the life and times of Charles Manson. It's very much a great podcast to subscribe to if you like film history and wish to know more about the people behind the glitz. It's more than just an information show. Its production values alone are some of the most enviable. In a sense, this is the epitome of what educational podcasts could be with a little extra work.
2. Fighting in the War Room
Much like the other shows on this list, 2015 was a year of change for the all things movie and TV podcast. For starters, co-host Da7e Gonzalez moved and was replaced sometimes by Joanna Robinson for weeks on end (she also appeared in a special three part series on Star Wars recently). However, it's hard to find much fault with the winning formula, no matter who the fourth party is. Matt Patches, David Ehrlich, and Katey Rich have all had banner years career-wise (working at Esquire, Rolling Stone, and Vanity Fair respectively), which makes this show even that more impressive. Thankfully, they still maintain their charm and expertise and are one of the main highlights for news and opinions that is fun and informative.
Also, it doesn't hurt that they read my review of the show back in episode 69. Spoiler: David Ehrlich liked it more than the others did.
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| Left to right: Barack Obama and Marc Maron |
1. WTF with Marc Maron
I am looking forward to the day when Marc Maron doesn't top this list every single time. Where last year felt special because of its chronicling of his fame, this year felt like the tidal wave that followed. His guests were bigger than ever, and their tidbits were nevertheless fascinating. However, there's one moment that arguably makes him impossible to beat (for 2015 at least): Barack Obama. Unlike most shows created by frustrated comedians, this one managed to land a sitting president and produced one of the most interesting interviews of Obama's time in office. There's a variety of other names worthy of note, but good luck topping the president. Even Keith Richards and the long awaited Lorne Michaels episode couldn't do that. Also, kudos on still being one of the best podcasts out there, Maron. Here's hoping that someone can even compare to your charisma in the year to come.
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