Critics at Large | The New Yorker
The New Yorker
Critics at Large is a weekly culture podcast from The New Yorker. Every Thursday, the staff writers Vinson Cunningham, Naomi Fry, and Alexandra Schwartz discuss current obsessions, classic texts they’re revisiting with fresh eyes, and trends that are emerging across books, television, film, and more. The show runs the gamut of the arts and pop culture, with lively, surprising conversations about everything from Salman Rushdie to “The Real Housewives.” Through rigorous analysis and behind-the-scenes insights into The New Yorker’s reporting, the magazine’s critics help listeners make sense of our moment—and how we got here.See Critics at Large live at 92NY on February 19: https://www.92ny.org/event/vinson-cunningham-naomi-fry-and-alexandra-schwartz
Episodes
Mentioned books
8 snips
Mar 26, 2026 • 46min
The Soft Power of BTS
A deep dive into BTS’s long-awaited return, their new Korean-rooted record, and the Netflix concert and documentary accompanying it. Conversation touches on the group’s crafted image, intense ARMY practices like coordinated streaming, and how K-pop functions as global soft power shaping tourism, beauty, and national image. They also probe monetized parasociality and the industry pressures behind fandom.
10 snips
Mar 12, 2026 • 51min
“Love Story” and Why We Cling to the Kennedy Myth
A lively talk about Ryan Murphy’s Love Story and its glossy recreation of 1990s style. The conversation probes how the Kennedys became a politics-meets-fashion myth and how aesthetics can mask darker history. They compare cultural portrayals from paparazzi photography to films like JFK and Jackie. The critics debate ethics of fictionalizing real lives and why the Kennedy story keeps captivating America.
10 snips
Mar 5, 2026 • 49min
The Hall of Fame—and of Shame—of Oscars Hosts
Michael Schulman, New Yorker staff writer and author of Oscar Wars, provides historical context on Oscars hosting. He and the panel revisit classic triumphs and cringe-making flops. They discuss why hosting is so hard, the insider-outsider comedy balance, and how celebrity culture and changing tastes shape who succeeds on the Oscars stage.
Feb 26, 2026 • 49min
Critics at Large Live: “Wuthering Heights” and Its Afterlives
A live conversation about why Emily Brontë’s strange, intense novel keeps inspiring bold retellings. They debate Emerald Fennell’s polarizing film and what gets cut or doubled down in adaptations. The panel traces race, class, narrative framing, eroticism, and memorable screen versions from Olivier to Andrea Arnold. They also riff on Kate Bush, pandemic resonance, and imagining modern casting.
12 snips
Feb 19, 2026 • 52min
The Truth of Toni Morrison
A lively dive into Toni Morrison's novels and how they center complicated Black lives. They revisit The Bluest Eye, Beloved, and Jazz to explore form, memory, and musical storytelling. The conversation questions celebrity and monuments while celebrating Morrison's insistence on flawed, deeply human characters.
13 snips
Feb 12, 2026 • 46min
Charli XCX Misses the Moment
A lively take on Charli XCX’s mockumentary The Moment and how it parodies the culture of polished concert films. Short debates about when satire succeeds or falls flat. Comparisons with Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Madonna, and risky documentary moments that actually reveal something. A broader conversation about the impossible balancing act of staged authenticity in pop stardom.
16 snips
Jan 29, 2026 • 54min
“Heated Rivalry,” “Pillion,” and the New Drama of the Closet
A spirited conversation about a surprise hockey romance that became a cultural phenomenon and why its earnestness resonates. A look at how hidden lives and secrecy keep queer stories dramatic, from classic forbidden-love tales to new, subtler closets. A discussion of a film about kink, family reactions, and the idea of closets within closets in today’s more accepting culture.
14 snips
Jan 22, 2026 • 45min
I Need a Critic: One-Hundredth-Episode Edition
In a celebratory milestone, the hosts advise listeners on transforming non-readers into book lovers and curating the perfect road-trip playlist. David Remnick joins to discuss cultural dilemmas, including navigating attention in the digital age. Plus, they tackle parenting dilemmas like baby names and maximizing family time for culture. Listeners also receive reassurances regarding their taste in films and share thoughts on sports and enriching media. The tables turn as hosts seek advice from their audience, adding a fun twist!
33 snips
Jan 15, 2026 • 47min
Why Football Matters
Louisa Thomas, a New Yorker sports critic and journalist with a focus on football, joins the hosts to explore why the sport captivates America. They discuss football's evolution from a 'war game' and its cultural roots, along with the community it fosters. The conversation dives into the appeal of watching football, its strategic complexity, and its portrayal in media like "Friday Night Lights." They also address concerns over player safety and the sport's future, all while celebrating its emotional impact and societal rituals.
11 snips
Jan 8, 2026 • 50min
Do We Need Saints?
The podcast dives into the fascinating themes of sainthood and religious fervor showcased in Mona Fastvold's film about Ann Lee, the Shaker leader. Hosts discuss how the film's music and dance evoke a spiritual experience that connects with modern viewers. They explore saints' depiction in culture, from Scorsese's docuseries to Rosalía's album, highlighting the allure of saintly figures and their human qualities. The conversation touches on the modern obsession with elevating public figures to saintly status and the enduring relevance of these narratives today.
