Something You Said’s best podcasts of 2014
The somethingyousaid.com poll to discover our contributors’ favourite radio show/podcast of 2014 was a complete non-event. Why? Well because pretty much everyone voted for the exact same thing. You know what it is. So rather than a Top 20, we bring you the overwhelming champion of podcasts 2014, plus a few other radio shows/podcasts that we think you should be checking out:
SOMETHINGYOUSAID.COM’S PODCAST/RADIO SHOW OF THE YEAR IS: SERIAL
Who wasn’t HOOKED on Serial since about the third week, when word of mouth started to spread about this incredible new podcast from the creators of This American Life? Who didn’t wake up every Friday morning anticipating a new development in the story? Who didn’t start to feel that sense of dread in about week ten that, actually, we weren’t going to get closure?
In case you are one of the seventeen people in the world who has yet to listen to Serial, here’s a heads-up. Sarah Koenig (pictured, top) narrates the true story of the murder of Hae Min Lee, an 18-year-old student in Baltimore. She was last seen at approximately 3pm on January 13th, 1999 and her corpse was discovered on February 9th. Lee’s ex-boyfriend, Adnan Syed, was charged with first-degree murder. He has been in prison ever since. Throughout the series, Koenig considers and questions Syed’s guilt. She conducts interviews with people directly related to the case and indeed with Syed himself. She also trawls through court records and audio and has created one of the most gripping pieces of radio in recent years.
Adnan Syed is likely one of the most talked about people in the world right now and the case has become something that everyone is interested in. Best Buy’s car park? Jay? Butt-dialling? These have all become part of the common parlance. Please listen to Serial. We guarantee you will love it. And roll on season two. Melissa Barrass and Bobby Townsend
ALSO, HIGHLY COMMENDED
Here are some other podcasts to wrap your ears around when you’ve finished with Serial…
THE MEMORY PALACE
The Memory Palace is a wondrous, magical slice of history. It takes fascinating and little known stories and people from the past and tells their stories in a short format. Nate DiMeo manages to imbue each story with something magical be they heartbreaking, heartwarming or hysterical. My only criticism is that there aren’t enough episodes. Neil Martin
U2 TALKIN’ U2 TO ME
As I feel there are probably already enough words written about Serial (and rightfully so) I just want to highlight the absolute stupidity and hilariousness of Adam Scott (of Parks & Rec fame) and Scott Aukerman’s U2 Talkin’ U2 To Me? Seriously, go listen. Felix Englund Örn
THIS AMERICAN LIFE
Listening to podcasts such as This American Life not only filled up many idle hours on planes, trains and in automobiles – but taught and inspired me in many ways. Rose Ashton
HOME GROWN
Where Triple J seems to many to have sold its soul to commercial music (always debatable), Home Grown based up in Goldie features Australian music, from the musical taste of a young 20-year-old chick who gives not one shit about trend or going with the flow. It has a country-town feel about it, a conversational, share a piece of toast on the front porch, easy-like-Sunday-morning good time. Ruth Hodge
MARK KERMODE AND SIMON MAYO’S FILM REVIEWS
If you are mourning the loss of Margaret and David from your television screens, then let UK radio broadcasters Mark Kermode and Simon Mayo (pictured) fill the gap. Their film show is simply the best. Kermode is the most respected reviewer around and his rants are legendary. Hear his blood boil when he goes on a 15-minute diatribe about Pirate of the Caribbean or Sex and the City. Essential listening for anyone with even a passing interest in films. Bobby Townsend
WTF! WITH MARC MARON
I initially found out about the WTF! podcast when I heard another show mention comedian Marc Maron had interviewed someone I admired and was interested in hearing the interview. I was instantly hooked not only to the humorous side of the interviews, but also the relatable stories Marc brings out of his guests, both well-known and some not so well known, and his love for music. Guests have covered many creative types including comedians, musicians and actors. Heather Vousden
THE RE-READERS
The Re-readers is all you need. I’ve made this easy for you: http://www.therereaders.com/. Jack Colwell
606
Saturday evening’s must listen radio show, 606 with Darren Fletcher and Robbie Savage pulls no punches regarding the weekend’s football/soccer. As usual the ridiculousness of football fans comes to the fore and there’s nothing better than a confrontation between the obstinate Savage and an irate football supporter. Gary Page
RICHARD HERRING’S LEICESTER SQUARE THEATRE PODCAST
The first time I listened to a Richard Herring podcast he was essentially being a bullying arsehole towards Andrew Collins, but when his Leister Square Theatre Podcast came along I decided to give him another chance and I’m glad I did – essentially it is a chat show that sometime ventures quite deep (Stephen Fry’s revelation of his suicide attempt) but will always pull back out in the nick of time with an emergency question (Ham Hand or Sun cream dispensing armpit?) Peter Watts
Did we miss any of your best podcasts of 2014? Tell us in the comments section.
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