picks of the week
north news
Widely available, weekly episodes
“Mom finds a whole soggy potato in her packet of onion cheese fries!” That’s just one of the headlines “Northern London” comedians Amy Gledhill and Ian Smith are catching up on in the local papers from home in the opening of this fun and light-hearted series. As they review events in the North, they are joined by guests including Maisie Adam, Isy Suttie, Tim Key, Phil Wang, Rosie Jones and Nick Helm. holly richardson
breaking mississippi
BBC Sounds, all episodes available Monday
This powerful podcast tells the story of James Meredith, the first black student at the University of Mississippi. At almost 90 years old, it’s precious to hear him tell his story, and in the first episode, journalist Jenn White explains how his segregated upbringing and progressive father inspired her quest for equality. hannah verdier
started from the bottom
Widely available, weekly episodes
Broken Record’s Justin Richmond knows that for people of color, getting into college or an important job is just the beginning. He speaks with leaders and success stories, including Nike executive Larry Miller, who opens up about being convicted of murder when he was 16, a secret he kept throughout his career. high voltage
under the lights
Widely available, all episodes available now
Jaguar’s excellent two-part series (pictured above) reveals what life is like for women, trans and non-binary people in dance music, with guests like Annie Mac, Jamz Supernova and Blessed Virgin. It’s not just about breaking into the boys’ club: DJ Priya tells a horrifying story of being mugged while she was taking to the decks at a concert. high voltage
smart after
New episodes on Tuesdays and Thursdays
This rom-com podcast with 15-minute episodes stays on the right side of wacky. It follows Amelia, the owner of a children’s bookstore who falls down a well after a failed Tinder date and too much wine. This leads to a rewrite of the fairy tales with lots of irony and eye-rolling, but can anyone really resist Prince Charming? high voltage
There’s a podcast for that.
Before this weekend’s ceremony, ann lee choose Five of the Best Podcasts for Oscar Fans, Whether you want information on awards past and present, or a look back at movies that didn’t make the cut.
little golden men
Vanity Fair’s annual Oscar party is he party to be seen posing after the ceremony and the magazine podcast is equally essential in the lead up. Enthusiastic hosts Katey Rich, Richard Lawson, Rebecca Ford and David Canfield take us through the awards race with in-depth analysis, insider gossip and thoughtful celebrity interviews. While the latest episodes have dissected the furor over Andrea Riseborough’s best actress nomination and the lessons learned from the Golden Globes, they’ve also looked at the Academy Awards through a historical lens with their Oscar Flashback series. It’s the closest you’ll get to the red carpet without leaving your house.
and the runner-up is
Even if you pull off the colossal achievement of being nominated for an Oscar, there’s still a good chance you’ll go home empty-handed. The Kevin Jacobsen Show focuses on the Oscar-nominated movies and actors who were outbid. He is joined each week by special guests to explain why the presumed finalist lost that year and debate the quality of the winner (and whether the voters picked the right one). Fascinating and informative.
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This had Oscar rumor
Remember when Martin Scorsese’s Shutter Island was considered a possible best picture contender but received no Oscar nominations? Or when Jennifer Lopez was tipped to win her first nomination for Hustlers (above) but she didn’t make the cut? Oscar buzz is one of those elusive, slippery things that can disappear as easily as it is conjured up. In each episode of this long-running group, entertainment writers Joe Reid and Chris Feil consider a film once seen as a sure bet for nominations but ultimately passed over. The duo bring their encyclopedic knowledge to insightful discussions of the many reasons Oscar hopefuls may fall at the last hurdle on their path to awards glory.
The panorama
The Big Picture is not dedicated exclusively to awards talk, but the episodes it dedicates to the Oscars (such as the one with the WTF moments of the nominations) reel them off in an entertaining and accessible way. The show explores new movie releases and sets itself apart from similar podcasts with its fun formats for each show: top five, ratings, halls of fame, and in-depth analysis. Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins, along with special guests, also examine movie history through their beloved movie drafts, where they compete to create a list of their favorite movies from a memorable year or era. That of the Oscar winners in the 2000s is a particular hoot.
Variety Awards Circuit
This podcast’s interviews with actors and directors involved in the Oscars conversation always reveal some fascinating tidbits: Pinocchio director Guillermo del Toro revealed in a recent conversation that he has written 22 scripts for projects that have yet to be made. There are lively debates, too, with Variety’s awards editor Clayton Davis joining co-hosts Jenelle Riley, Jazz Tangcay and Michael Schneider to single out every step of awards season. A hugely enjoyable show that offers a comprehensive look at the Oscars run.
