Critics at Large | The New Yorker

Tarot, Tech, and Our Age of Magical Thinking

The Irresistible Myth of Las Vegas

Charli XCX, Chappell Roan, and the Unstable Hierarchy of Pop

This podcast episode dissects the vibrant landscape of summer pop music, focusing on emerging artists and the dynamics shaping the genre. It examines the surprising rise of Charli XCX and Chappell Roan, the intricacies of pop rivalries exemplified by Sabrina Carpenter and Olivia Rodrigo, and the shifting tides in music...

Why We Want What Tom Ripley Has

The Kamala Harris Vibe Shift

From Vanity Fair’s “Dynasty”: Can Harry and Meghan’s Hollywood Dream Last?

Alice Munro’s Fall from Grace

In this episode of Critics at Large, Vinson Cunningham, Naomi Fry, and Alex Schwartz discuss the recent revelations about Alice Munro's personal life, specifically the sexual abuse of her daughter by Munro's second husband and Munro's decision to stay with her husband. They grapple with how these revelations impact the...

The Changing World of Nature Documentaries

From The New Yorker Radio Hour: Emily Nussbaum on the Beginnings of Reality TV

Summer Obsessions

The Therapy Episode

Is Travel Broken?

This podcast episode dives into the complex world of modern travel, highlighting the booming tourism industry, which is expected to hit $11.1 trillion by 2024. It explores the psychological reasons behind our wanderlust and critically analyzes how mass tourism affects local cultures and environments. The hosts discuss ...

The Many Faces of the Hit Man

In this episode of "Critics at Large," Naomi Fry, Vinson Cunningham, and Alex Schwartz delve into the archetype of the hitman in culture, sparked by Richard Linklater's new movie, "Hitman." They discuss the film's meta-narrative, where Glen Powell plays a man who pretends to be a hitman, and debate its moral ambiguity....

The Rising Tide of Slowness

The New Midlife Crisis

In this episode of "Critics at Large," Vinson Cunningham, Alex Schwartz, and Naomi Fry delve into the evolving concept of the midlife crisis, examining how it's portrayed in contemporary culture through literature and film. They discuss Miranda July's new novel, "All Fours," which Alex profiled, as a modern take on the...

Kendrick Lamar, Drake, and the Benefits of Beef

Our Collective Obsession with True Crime

The podcast episode explores the cultural obsession with true crime, questioning whether it honors victims or exploits them, and examines the ethics of turning real-life tragedies into mass entertainment. The hosts interview Patrick Radden Keefe, a staff writer at The New Yorker, about his true crime writing, including...

Why the Sports Movie Always Wins

This podcast episode explores the intersection of sports and film, focusing on the portrayal of sports in movies and the themes they explore. The hosts discuss the movie "Challengers," which incorporates both sports and sex, challenging traditional depictions of gender roles in sports movies. They also delve into other...

“Civil War” ’s Unsettling Images

“Curb Your Enthusiasm” and the Art of the Finale

This podcast episode explores the significance of endings in popular TV shows, focusing on the finales of "Curb Your Enthusiasm," "Seinfeld," and "Sex and the City." The hosts discuss how these endings provide closure and reflect the themes of the respective shows. They also delve into the emotional impact of endings, ...