Picks of the week
Northern News
Widely available, episodes weekly
“Mum Finds Soggy Whole Potato in her Packet of Cheese and Onion Crisps!” That’s just one of the headlines that “northerners-in-London” comedians Amy Gledhill and Ian Smith are catching up on in local newspapers from back home in the opener of this fun, breezy series. As they check in on the happenings up north, they’re joined by guests such as Maisie Adam, Isy Suttie, Tim Key, Phil Wang, Rosie Jones and Nick Helm. Hollie Richardson
Breaking Mississippi
BBC Sounds, all episodes out on Mon
This powerful podcast tells the story of James Meredith, the first Black student at the University of Mississippi. At nearly 90, it’s precious to hear him tell his story and in the first episode journalist Jenn White covers how his segregated upbringing and forward-thinking father inspired his quest for equality. Hannah Verdier
Started from the Bottom
Widely available, episodes weekly
Broken Record’s Justin Richmond knows that for people of colour, getting into college or a top job is only the beginning. He speaks to leaders and success stories including Nike executive Larry Miller, who opens up about being convicted of murder when he was 16, a secret he harboured throughout his career. HV
Under the Lights
Widely available, all episodes out now
Jaguar’s (pictured above) excellent two-part series reveals what life is like for women, trans and non-binary people in dance music, with guests such as Annie Mac, Jamz Supernova and the Blessed Madonna. It’s not just about breaking into the boys’ club – DJ Priya tells a horrific story of being assaulted as she took to the decks at a gig. HV
Clever After
New episodes on Tue and Thu
This romcom podcast with 15-minute episodes stays just the right side of quirky. It follows Amelia, a children’s bookshop owner who falls down a well after a failed Tinder date and too much wine. This leads to a rewriting of fairytales with plenty of irony and eye-rolling, but can anyone really resist Prince Charming? HV
There’s a podcast for that
Ahead of this weekend’s ceremony, Ann Lee chooses five of the best podcasts for Oscars fans, whether you want the lowdown on the awards past and present, or a look back at the films that didn’t quite make the cut.
Little Gold Men
Vanity Fair’s annual Oscars bash is the party to be seen posing at post-ceremony and the magazine’s podcast is just as much of an essential in the run-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 furore over Andrea Riseborough’s nod for best actress and the lessons learned from the Golden Globes, they also look at the Academy Awards through a historical lens with their Oscar Flashback series. It’s as close as 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 is still a good chance you may go home empty-handed. Kevin Jacobsen’s show focuses on the Oscar-nominated films and actors that got pipped at the post. Each week he is joined by special guests to break down why the presumed runner-up lost out that year and debate the quality of the winner (and whether voters picked the right one). Fascinating and informative.
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This Had Oscar Buzz
Remember when Martin Scorsese’s Shutter Island was considered a possible best picture contender but received zero Oscar nods? Or when Jennifer Lopez was tipped to win her first nomination for Hustlers (above) but failed to make the cut? Oscar buzz is one of those elusive and slippery things that can disappear just as easily as it is conjured up. In each episode of this long-running pod, entertainment writers Joe Reid and Chris Feil consider a film that was once seen as a shoo-in for nominations but ultimately ignored. The duo bring their encyclopedic knowledge to insightful discussions about the many reasons why Oscar hopefuls can fall at the last hurdle on their path to awards glory.
The Big Picture
The Big Picture isn’t dedicated exclusively to awards chat, but the episodes it devotes to the Oscars (like the one about the WTF moments from the nominations) break them down in a fun and accessible way. The show explores new film releases and sets itself apart from similar podcasts with its playful formats for each show: top fives, rankings, halls of fame and deep dives. Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins, along with special guests, also examine film history via their much-loved movie drafts, where they compete to build a roster of their favourite films from a memorable year or era. The one on 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 titbits: Pinocchio director Guillermo del Toro revealed in a recent chat that he has written 22 scripts for projects that haven’t been made yet. There are lively debates, too, with Variety’s awards editor Clayton Davis joining co-hosts Jenelle Riley, Jazz Tangcay and Michael Schneider to pick apart each step of awards season. A hugely enjoyable show that offers a comprehensive look at the Oscars race.
