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Critics at Large | The New Yorker

The New Yorker
Criticism
Academy Awards
Dubai
Oscar Politics
Princess Latifa
Bradley Cooper
Greta Gerwig
Heidi Blake
Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum
George Santos
Scammer Archetype
Dolly Parton
Joan Acocella
Arts Journalism
In the Dark
Barbenheimer
Michael Schulman
Art Vs. Politics
Best Picture
Oscars Snubs

Critics at Large is a weekly culture podcast from The New Yorker. Every Thursday, the staff writers Vinson Cunningham, Naomi Fry, and Alexandra Schwartz discuss current obsessions, classic texts they’re revisiting with fresh eyes, and trends that are emerging across books, television, film, and more. The show runs the gamut of the arts and pop culture, with lively, surprising conversations about e... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes116Founded2 years ago
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Society & Culture

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Latest Episodes

“Heated Rivalry,” a low-budget Canadian series that began streaming on HBO Max late last year, quickly made the leap from unexpected word-of-mouth success to full-blown cultural phenomenon. The show, which follows a pair of professional hockey player... more

Vinson Cunningham, Naomi Fry, and Alexandra Schwartz celebrate the one-hundredth episode of Critics at Large with a special installment of the podcast’s advice series. Together, they counsel callers on everything from turning non-readers into bibliop... more

Someone looking to understand America might do well to study the nation’s embrace of football. N.F.L. games regularly outperform anything else on television, and, in 2025, some hundred and twenty-seven million viewers tuned into the Super Bowl—more t... more

In “The Testament of Ann Lee,” a new film directed by Mona Fastvold, Amanda Seyfried plays the founder and leader of the Shaker movement—a woman believed by her followers to be the second coming of Christ. Fastvold uses song and dance to convey the f... more

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Recent Guests

Louisa Thomas
The New Yorker sports critic
The New Yorker
Episode: Why Football Matters
Padma Lakshmi
Emmy-nominated producer, television host, food expert, and New York Times bestselling author
Host of Top Chef and America's Culinary Cup
Episode: Critics at Large Live: Padma Lakshmi’s Expansive Taste
Alex Barasch
Editorial advisor at The New Yorker and horror movie enthusiast
The New Yorker
Episode: Why Horror Still Haunts Us
Morgan Spector
Actor known for his role as Mr. Russell on HBO's The Gilded Age
Episode: I Need a Critic: October, 2025, Edition
Helen Rosner
Food critic at The New Yorker.
The New Yorker
Episode: What's Cooking?
Richard Brody
A cherished colleague and one of the favorite writers and critics
The New Yorker
Episode: How to Watch a Movie
Lauren Collins
Writer for The New Yorker based in Paris
The New Yorker
Episode: Les Américains à Paris
Eric Lach
Writer at The New Yorker and political observer
The New Yorker
Episode: How Zohran Mamdani Became the Main Character of New York City
Paul Elie
Colleague at The New Yorker and writer about the Catholic Church
The New Yorker
Episode: The Grand Spectacle of Pope Week

Hosts

Vinson Cunningham
Co-host known for his critical insights and engagement with cultural commentary, emphasizes the intersection of personal experiences and broader societal themes.
Naomi Fry
Co-host and cultural critic with a distinctive voice in discussing literature and social trends, recognized for her ability to synthesize complex ideas with humor.
Alex Schwartz
Co-host and insightful critic who explores themes across media, noted for his reflective commentary on contemporary culture and arts.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 1.9k ratings
  • Just Great

    The dynamic between the hosts is great and very natural. Additionally, while I listen around media I have seen or experienced myself, I have also gotten some great recommendations on things to consume from the pod. Keep up the great work!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    theflipside
    United Statesa month ago
  • Smart. Not my sense of humor

    Like the format. Pop culture review that ties to larger themes. Critics always have some interesting insights. I don’t seem to jibe with their sense of humor. Jokes / quips seem forced or unnatural so come off a bit cheesy to me. If genuine, then just not my speed. If not, I’d be without. Not every podcast needs to be funny.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Ckpnut
    United States2 months ago
  • Robust conversation

    While these critics cover a world of stuff - often with conflicting opinions- the episode on Hamnet stirred my own critical ire. They all failed to understand this film was about motherhood more than manhood. The helplessness & joy, the audacity & nature-knowing burden of childbearing- and the excruciating transition from raging grief to wonder (Anne watching Hamlet) was the heart of this film. Will was mostly away.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    DrSook
    United States2 months ago
  • Content is interesting

    I really enjoy the content of the commentary and banter on this podcast. But sometimes, and I sincerely don’t mean to sound harsh, it’s difficult to listen because one (sometimes two) of the hosts constantly elongate word endings so that almost every sentence is reminiscent of a “Valley girl” from the 1990s. Please end a word when it runs out of letters, rather than addingggggg to themmmma.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Annie and Wilson
    United States2 months ago
  • Fantastic

    How did it take me so long to find this, even as a subscriber?! Love the topics, insights and energy all three bring.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    A listener32
    United States2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Hosts provide a mix of personal anecdotes and scholarly insights, creating a well-rounded listening experience.
Listeners celebrate insightful critiques yet occasionally express concern over perceived pretentiousness.
The chemistry among hosts is often highlighted as a significant appeal of the podcast.
Some listeners appreciate the depth of analysis while others feel a need for broader accessibility in discussions.
Engaging discussions infused with humor and intelligence on a variety of cultural topics.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

I Need a Critic: One-Hundredth-Episode Edition
Q: How should one choose a baby name?
Choose a name that you love and has a nice sound to it, without worrying about family pressure.
I Need a Critic: One-Hundredth-Episode Edition
Q: How do you manage reading in the age of distraction?
Put your phone in another room to avoid distractions while reading.
I Need a Critic: One-Hundredth-Episode Edition
Q: What book would you recommend for someone who doesn't read at all?
Many memoirs work well; I Regret Almost Everything by Keith McNally is a great choice.
I Need a Critic: One-Hundredth-Episode Edition
Q: What would you recommend for a child who has just started her music collection?
Consider taking her to record stores to let her explore and pick out music she finds exciting.
Critics at Large Live: Padma Lakshmi’s Expansive Taste
Q: Do you have advice for people who want to cultivate their sense of taste?
Develop your palate by eating, traveling, and being exposed to what you want to learn.

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 Critics at Large

What is Critics at Large about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A culture-focused podcast that engages listeners in vibrant and dynamic discussions surrounding a wide array of topics, including literature, film, television, and various facets of contemporary society. The hosts, comprising skilled staff writers, regularly share insights into their current obsessions and revisit classic works, providing audiences with thoughtful commentary on trending cultural phenomena and artistic expressions. Whether tackling the works of notable authors, analyzing popular media, or exploring societal shifts, the conversations are rich with context and nuanced perspective, appealing to anyone with an interest in understanding the cultural currents that shape our lives.

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How many listeners does Critics at Large get?

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How many subscribers and views does Critics at Large have?

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Which podcasts are similar to Critics at Large?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Critics at Large:

1. The New Yorker Radio Hour
2. The New Yorker: The Writer's Voice - New Fiction from The New Yorker
3. The Book Review
4. The New Yorker: Fiction
5. The Political Scene | The New Yorker

How many episodes of Critics at Large are there?

Critics at Large launched 2 years ago and published 116 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 Critics at Large?

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.

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What guests have appeared on Critics at Large?

Recent guests on Critics at Large include:

1. Louisa Thomas
2. Padma Lakshmi
3. Alex Barasch
4. Morgan Spector
5. Helen Rosner
6. Richard Brody
7. Lauren Collins
8. Eric Lach

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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