The podcast bubble is bursting: This year has been filled with a slew of cutbacks and cancellations as major players like Spotify discover that hiring a former royal is no guarantee of retaining an audience. But perhaps podcast producers will return to their roots, turning away from half-baked celebrity series and back to chatty shows where critics talk about culture, to shows with well-researched investigative journalism and explorations of hefty topics like class—ideally with a charming host who knows how to keep even heavy subjects light.
Those kinds of podcasts make up most of my feed, though admittedly I did get lured by some big names this year, specifically Paul McCartney and the various late-night hosts, who eschewed self-congratulation and found ways to offer new insights and laughs to their listeners. Without further ado, here are the best podcasts of 2023.
10. Strike Force Five
Toward the end of the Hollywood writers’ strike, all five late-night hosts—Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel, John Oliver, Jimmy Fallon, and Seth Meyers—teamed up for a single podcast, the proceeds of which went entirely to their striking staffs. The hosts took some time to figure out the comedic rhythm of the show, proof of the value of their writers. But these funny men found their groove in their attempts to one-up one another with anecdotes about interviewing manic celebs and tease each other about their respective comedic styles. Celebrity podcasts can be self-aggrandizing and irksome, but this particular group charms with their willingness to humiliate themselves. In one of the funniest episodes, Fallon tries to host a version of the Newlywed Game for the other hosts and their wives but fails spectacularly and earns laughs from his peers in the process. Certain anecdotes, like Kimmel’s attempt to get a vasectomy during the writers’ strike, and recurring bits, like one about Fallon’s failed attempt to read Moby Dick, will have you laughing out loud.
Start With: “Stories We…
Read the full article here
