Continuing through Listmania is a look at my personal picks for the Top 20 podcasts of 2014 (spoiler alert: no Serial). These are the shows that managed to make an impact on the past year whether through talking about things important to the hosts. As the medium continues to grow, things begin to get more interesting and the production values continue to rise. While it is hard to mention all of the great ones, here is a look at some that are worth putting a subscription button onto, even if only for an episode or two. These stand out as being something unique and the ultimate power of talking heads.
11. Bret Easton Ellis Podcast (PodcastOne)
This show barely came out last year and made it onto the list at a very low number. Even then, I was expecting it to rise to one of my weekly favorites. While the show has been quiet in the past few weeks, it has remained one of the most invigorating shows dedicated to talking about film culture and what art truly is. Opening up with rants from the very eloquent and rambling host, the show manages to impress at every turn. I may not always agree with what he says, but not a week goes by where I don't feel like he says something, even one thing, that is insightful and makes downloading the episode worth it.
12. The Smartest Man in the World
Greg Proops is a wunderkind of the podcast community. More often than not, you'll wonder how he manages to come up with so much insight and humor on a weekly basis. Sure, he has an ego and his shows can become nauseating with lengths of over two hours sometimes, but to root through everything is to find some of the deepest truths and most fascinating forms of free speech out there. While his obsessions may get the best of him sometimes, he does manage to bring it all together in one beautiful yet uneven package that makes every week particularly exciting.
13. Jonah Raydio (Nerdist Industries)
It may go down as one of the more demented music podcasts out there, if just for its mixture of drunken insults and insistent use of sound effects. While the show became infrequently released this year due to personal obligations, it remained a reliable source for hilarious incoherence and occasional compelling stories. It all works because Jonah Ray is a music fan with a vast knowledge and history that remains interesting, even when he gives a deadpan insult. The show may remain unformed years later, but it only adds an unpredictable joy to their best moments. I wish that the show had more structure and would pick up its old segments that made it top 10 material. For now however, it is still a great addition to listening whenever it does pop around.
14. International Waters (Maximum Fun)
One of the greatest alterations to this show in the past year is changing the host from Jesse Thorn to Dave Holmes. This helped to allow the show to be released with more frequency and thus find its voice more quickly. The show that pits American comedians against the British has remained a favorite thanks to its irreverent sensibilities that are informative yet silly at times. Most of all, it serves as a great time for those wanting to listen to two countries bicker about why we're easily overrating their achievements. The show is simply fun and serves as one of the best trivia shows currently out there.
15. The Simpsons Show
It has been a banner year for me with The Simpsons. Beyond loving the show, I have finally found a podcast that actually talks about each episode with honesty and intricate dissections. There's plenty to admire as the two hosts have quickly found their voices and incorporated audience interaction that proves just how influential the show is. With occasional guests, it remains my favorite recap show for many reasons and will likely be more essential as the show movies into The Simpsons golden era that is likely to be visited very soon here (they are midway through season 2 as of this publication).
16. You Must Remember This
Thank the world for Karina Longworth. She may not have the flashiest show, but she has one of the best written ones out there. Every week she takes a look at Old Hollywood and covers every story imaginable from Audrey Hepburn to Mia Farrow's love interests. Her episodes are very informed and usually will leave a lot of new information to chew over. If you like shows that talk about movies and old culture, this is a great addition to your list and one that will hopefully be moving further up this list next year.
17. How Was Your Week?
In terms of best variety of guests, there are few that are as reliable as Julie Klausner. From her opening rants that range on the various topics regarding her life and anything pop culture to the actual interviews, she remains a compelling, unique force. Her guests also tend to be very engaging and create the feel almost like that of a parlor show. By now she has gotten audience interaction down pat with conversations about animals and various other things. Most of all, she is an advocate of literature and has helped to promote a lot of books. This is just an overall enjoyable and well produced show that continues to remain unpredictable and fresh with its content every single week.
18. The Canon (Wolfpop Network)
While it didn't come in first during my initial ranking of the new Wolfpop shows, it quickly became a favorite in the weeks that followed. Between two very opinionated critics in Devin Faraci and Amy Nicholson, the discussion of classic cinema has gotten a necessary face lift and has turned into one of the most enjoyable, strange weekly duels. It will open a lot of interesting subtext on films that we have taken for granted, sometimes making us reconsider everything about films ranging from Beauty and the Beast to Goodfellas. It is a vibrant show and one that has quickly become anticipatory every week. I can only hope that it maintains the enthusiasm as time goes on.
19. 99% Invisible (PRX)
While I have been all over the place with the show in the past, there is something that just clicked between me and Roman Mars' show this year. The show that focuses on the details of how different things in this world came into existence suddenly became a fascinating look into reconsidering the world around us. It is short and sweet and always brings something special to the conversation. If you need a quick listen and want to feel enlightened on architecture and design, there are few shows as great as this one.
20. I Seem Fun: The Diary of Jen Kirkman Podcast
On top of writing a great book called "I Can Barely Take Care of Myself," this was another great year for the comedian. She may have lost her job at Chelsea Lately, but her stories about the career that followed made for some compelling radio. The whole thing is often a continuous rambling from her bed about various subjects that are bothering her at that moment. With some songs thrown in, there's a lot to admire about the show and how candid she can be. She is a natural storyteller and one that spikes everything with humor and honesty.
20 Additional Shows Worth Checking Out
The Best Show
Broken Projector
The Carson Podcast
Denzel Washington is the Greatest Actor of All Time Period
The Dissolve
Doug Loves Movies
The Film Experience
Maltin on Movies
Movie B.S. with Bayer and Snider
No Such Thing As Fish
Science Friday
Shut Up, Leonard
Slate's Spoiler Special
Top Shelf
Trash Art and the Movies
The Treatment
Throwing Shade
U Talkin' U2 to Me
Wrong Opinions About Movies
Zilch! A Monkees Podcast
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