This year's Listmania continues with a countdown of the best podcasts of 2017. It was a year of incredible highs and lows, and the fledgling medium was there to capture and comment on it all. With more shows coming out almost daily, it is impossible to boil it down to only a handful of shows that mattered. So while this is a "Top 20," certain entries were broken down into categories and themes. There's closer to 25 between this two day extravaganza, so heat up that subscription button and prepare to have hours and hours of great (and mostly free) entertainment.
11. '80s All Over
A good podcast is a compendium to a certain subject and serves as a deep dive into what makes the subject worth remembering. Considering the vast content that came out in the 1980's, 80's All Over continues to remain one of the essential listens for those wanting to discover what made the cinema of the decade so unique. Scott Weinberg and Drew McWeeney are children of the era and have a lot of fascinating things to say about these films that may seem disposable, but were crucial to understanding deeper themes and trends of the era. It's one full of problematic cinema and underseen classics that pushed boundaries. The show is one of the few in this countdown that feels multilayered, managing to having ongoing narratives about filmmakers and actors in ways that make this a rewarding listen. You can check it out for the film recommendations, though the commentary is just as essential thanks to the fun dynamic between the two hosts.
12. Extra Hot Great
There have been few TV podcasts that have withstood the test of time with such ease as Extra Hot Great, whose daunting love of TV has only grown in spin-off podcasts over recent years on Previously.TV. Still, their main show remains the best thanks to David T. Cole's itchy finger that finds the best time to drop in clips for retro programming. The commentary is inspired and usually very funny no matter if it's talking about the most prestigious dramas of the year, or the trashiest reality show of the week. Everything is fair game and it makes for a fun listen and exploration of TV from veterans who know what makes something great. You're bound to get some good recommendations by the end of an average episode, and maybe that's enough to keep listening.
13. Blink-155
The premise is rather novel: do deep dives on every single Blink-182 song released. And yes, that includes the juvenile joke songs and several untitled tracks. The dedication alone makes it a charming piece of entertainment especially with the cult-like personalities that have formed on Twitter. These two Canadian journalists have a deep love of punk rock and mix nostalgia with actual history as they take sides on who their favorite member is, how awkward the album "California" is, and what the real meaning of "Dude Ranch" is. More than any other show, it feels like a psychological exploration of a band that maybe didn't put as much thought into their work. The insight is great, and the ability to look on what it means to be a fan of music that is sometimes problematic is one of the most honest debates of the year. It also features a solid amount of covers, which may or may not have to do with the band (the episodes' music section is based on Googling the song name and has lead to repair videos). It may be a niche show, but its all-encompassing nature is a format that should be imitated more, if for no other reason than to understand the importance of music in our lives and those who wrote it.
14. The Next Picture Show
The premise is simple: no film exists in a vacuum. That is why every two episodes feature a thematic connection from a recent release and an older one. Sometimes it's as simple as a franchise looking back on previous installments (example: the Mission: Impossible movies) or more thematic (example: the combative women nature of Mean Girls and The Favourite). Whatever the case may be, it's one of the richest explorations of film released on a weekly basis, and more than any other shows the evolution of film in an accessible manner. There's not too many dud episodes and so long as the subject interests you expect to learn quite a bit about the technical side as well as deep dives into the plot of how two films are interconnected. There's a lot to love about the show, and it remains a mainstay for anyone wanting to take film criticism seriously.
15. Awards Coverage:
Little Gold Men, This Had Oscar Buzz,
Top Shelf: OSCARS Best Picture Winners
It seems like every year in recent times has made the debate around the Oscars more and more essential. After all, 2018 was the infamous year where they introduced the Best Popular Film category and infamously saw Kevin Hart retire from hosting after less than 24 hours. There's a lot to debate about, especially as the idea of a Best Picture winner has changed over time. Little Gold Men remains one of the essential places of insight into current news and interviews, which help to give a sense of how Oscar season is shaping up. Newer shows that are worth checking out include This Had Oscar Buzz, which looks at films that barely missed the cut or were box office bombs. Hosts Joe Reid and Chris Feil have a love of awards season that shines through in elaborate debates on why Seven Pounds or Alexander were taken seriously at some point. Meanwhile, Top Shelf: OSCARS Best Picture Winners has taken it upon themselves to look at every Best Picture winner and explore what makes them important. As a whole, The Academy's 90 years has a lot to say right now, and these three shows will help navigate those new to the conversation.
16. Hit Parade
On average, no medium's history gets overlooked quite as often as music. After all, they're just simple pop ditties that last three minutes. But what Hit Parade perfectly suggests on a monthly basis is: why does music matter? By looking at the albums that top the charts, it explores the evolution of music as well as what makes those that get there so revered. The subjects range from Donna Summer's disco reign to charity songs to even how country and hip-hop was helped by the chart changing its metrics. For those who love the history of pop music, specifically as it relates to American consumerism, this is a show that treats everything equally and in the process uncovers the rich history of how one song or album went on to make a difference. Sometimes it's so simple, but others it takes years and trends to get to number one and the route there is always exciting.
17. Stand By Your Band
Few shows embody the idea of the guilty pleasure quite like this one. Hosted by a group of comedians, they invite a guest on to look at music that is considered divisive. Where most shows would get by on simply being antagonistic, the show's deep affection and criticism of the average subject provides a better understanding on why we like the music that we do. While some of the subjects may seem baffling, for better and worse, the choice to give every band their fair shake is what makes the show an enjoyable listen. By the end you may not like the music that's played, but there is a unified appreciation of the music. For all of the crass jokes and asides scattered throughout the average episode, it's the equivalence of hanging out with your buddies and trying to understand what makes you like music. There will be ribbing, but there will also be informed opinions as well.
18. TV Recap Shows:
The West Wing Weekly,
The Animanicast, The Simpsons Show
In the modern era, there's few things that feel as essential to pop culture discussion as that of TV. In the realm of older shows, there are few shows that have as much to say on the matter than these three shows, who have slowly uncovered everything good and bad about the show. The West Wing Weekly has the benefit of having actor Joshua Molina, who provides insight into his work on the show as he interviews cast members. Similarly, The Animanicast has acquired connections to Animaniacs crew members in a way that makes every episode feel more special. In the realm of The Simpsons recap shows, The Simpsons Show has the distinct honor of currently entering the post-classic years. In the past three months, they have entered the period of such divisive episodes as "Saddlesore Gallactica" and "Kill the Alligator and Run." Their insight as longtime fans finally pays off as they give some of the best commentary on why these episodes aren't good. While these three shows have different approaches to TV, they all embody what makes TV great in elaborate detail.
19. Benview on Spielberg
It is sad to hear, but one of the best shows that explored the career of director Steven Spielberg has officially closed its doors. However, its final year ended up producing some of their most memorable work as they approached both his work as director and producer. Films included both The Post and Ready Player One as well as an epic four hour dive into Back to the Future. Their commentary has been some of the most enjoyable of the past few years, especially as they disagree over different aspects of what makes Spielberg so essential. But don't worry, everyone. Those missing the voices of Emily and Justin will be rewarded in the New Year with a podcast dedicated to the entire filmography of Japan's greatest monster: Godzilla! Stay tuned for more details. If it's as passionate as it is here, then it will be making next year's Listmania as well.
20. The A24 Podcast
In an age of comic book properties dominating the box office, there are few studios that are ubiquitous with high quality. Among them is A24, who have made the past five years of cinema far richer for their ambitious mix of Oscar-caliber cinema and weird genre fare. It makes sense then why their podcast would be one of the most enjoyable, unpredictable programs of the year. The gist is simple: have two filmmakers who have worked with A24 in the past (no matter how far back) and have them talk about anything and everything that they want. For instance, there is an episode with Sofia Coppola (The Bling Ring) and Paul Schrader (First Reformed) that explores art and what drew the veteran director to make such a dark film. There's also another featuring Ari Astor and Toni Collette (Hereditary) passionately talking about Astor's fan magazine for the actress that is just adorable. It may not be the most consistently amazing show, but fans of indie artists must put this on regular rotation with their monthly episodes. There's no telling what they'll cover, and that's for the best.
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