I think that many podcasts are basically commentary (see just about any political podcast where the host interviews someone on current events, no need to provide links here…). However, I think there is a growing list of podcasts that provide criticism/critiques of podcasts, similar in some ways to general media criticism or literary criticism. Recently, I listened to the first episode of a podcast (the Phongraph Podcast) which analyzed the very first episode of the show that became “This American Life“. The hosts talked about specific parts of the episode, how they thought the parts worked or didn’t work, or how they liked/didn’t like certain parts of the episode. The hosts admitted that they worked in radio, and had wanted to create stories in the manner that This American Life evolved into over its history. I listened to this podcast based on a post by Alan Levine who heard about it on another podcast (his post is titled “A Podcast about Podcasting Recommended by a Podcaster on a Podcast”). Interestingly, the podcast stopped in 2019, then resumed in 2024, broadening its scope to a range of podcasts other than This American Life.
I was aware of other “fan” podcasts about other podcasts, and “official” podcasts about podcasts, but this was the first one I had ever heard. I was also intrigued how technical it got (analyzing production techniques). Finally, it was amusing that a podcast was used as the medium for analyzing a podcast. For most other media criticism, the analysis occurs in written form. I don’t think there are many examples of radio broadcasts analyzing radio shows, or television broadcasts analyzing television shows. Dave Winer had some thoughts on “official” podcasts today, which I agree with: “There has to be at least a possibility that they will say something critical, or funny, irreverent, even inconsiderate things, and not are not 100% self-promotion”.
My last thoughts on this topic: I will not be listening to more of the Phonograph Podcast, as I would like to spend my time listening to actual podcasts, where people are sharing their thoughts/conversation/knowledge, as opposed to analysis of production techniques or deficiencies in story or plot.
Hi Andy, it’s nice to get a pingback from your blog linking to my post, that’s how the web should work.
Much like books, films, music, wall paint colors, we all have different preferences. I would argue though that to me “podcast” itself is really the delivery mechanism enabled by RSS syndicating audio, that it is not the format or genre, and there are many kinds of shows, not just ones to inform or shock.
For me, the ones that really set the stage in the early days like This American Life, Radio Lab, 99% Invisible, a wild one called The Truth are not talk shows, but they are audio dramas and storytelling, This American Life was first a radio show, they adopted podcasting as a distribution means.
And yes, the appeal of Phonograph to me was, as a fan of the form, a way to analyze and learn about the production of the show, and what went on behind the scenes to develop them. Actually it make sense for podcasters to talk about podcasters, and I submit to consider documentary films about filmmakers, books and writing books, how about sports radio shows that on the radio breakdown a game after the fact? Maybe you wont buy my analogies.
Regardless, I’m glad you find podcasts that work for you, can’t go wrong with Dave Winer. Happy listening!