Podcasts. Have you been infected yet? I only bought my first iPod back in March, a shiny black 30GB fifth generation model, with video playback, yet I have been listening to Podcasts, via iTunes on my laptop, for much longer.
It all started with the Ricky Gervais podcasts, which of course have gone down in history for their popularity. Ricky’s podcasts, while overrated, are a fine diversion and occasionally very funny. They are now subscription only, and certainly not worth a financial outlay. However, since my first foray into the world of Podding, I have racked up many hours of listening, and to be honest, I wouldn’t be able to live without them.
Oh the shame.
What has really annoyed me over the past few weeks has been the condescending manner, in which Jeremy Paxman has insulted listeners of the Newsnight podcast. He’s obviously annoyed at being told to record the introductions for the show (something he shares with the other presenters), and in his own self-important style, is determined to belittle the 30,000 people who download the show. Get with the programme Jeremy, it’s the twenty-first century, whether you, and your fellow Luddite Oxbridge colleagues, like it or not.
The reason I like Podcasts so much, is that I can listen to them while I do other things. So, for the first time, I can multi-task like a woman. Now I’m not getting carried away, I’m still always too busy to vacuum the lounge, but I can get stuck into the garden, take the boy for a much-needed walk, or, just sit around playing Pro Evolution Soccer on the XBOX, all while catching up on news, comedy, and opinion from around the world. It’s fantastic.
Anyway, I thought I would give some quick recommendations on Podcasts I download (all from Apple iTunes), in hope that readers may also find something they like.
The ‘Torygraphs’ effort is one of the oldest, and best produced Podcasts, and if you can ignore the obvious rightwing bias, it’s a decent listen. Guy Ruddle, the podcast editor, has some very cheeky exchanges with the utterly delightful Celia Walden, who dishes society and celeb gossip – completely brainless, but good fun. Watch out for the well-written pieces by business writer Jeff Randal, and the always-interesting comments from the global reporters.
Guardian Unlimited Podcasts
The Guardians efforts are certainly comprehensive, even if the production values are somewhat inconsistent (i.e. audio recording levels - it’s no use providing Podcasts where segments are at differing volumes, you’re either struggling to hear or having your eardrums perforated). Obviously the Guardian, being probably the best online newspaper in the world, has a lot riding on these offerings.
First up is the Newsdesk Podcast, which is uploaded at 12:30 in the afternoon, which is too late for me, although I do listen later in the day. It’s a good podcast, with some excellent analysis and some diverting stories. Very good, like the Guardian itself, on foreign affairs.
The Culture Vulture is occasionally brilliant. Although I was disappointed that it didn’t have any lectures from the Hay-on-Wye festival, which the Guardian sponsors. They did have an outstanding debate between Christopher Hitchens and Stephen Fry, on religion, a few weeks ago. It also has interviews with artists and writers.
The Guardian’s Science Podcast is a good and enjoyable listen, but there is a lot of competition already available.
BBC Podcasts
The hilarious The Now Show is the best comedy offering on the web, indicated by its high position in the charts. Although it’s out of season at the moment, you would be wise to subscribe in time for next season’s shows.
For the intellectuals, I would confidently recommend Melvyn Bragg’s In our Time, and Andrew Marr’s brilliant Start the Week, both of which are harvested from Radio Four’s ample crops. In our Time is very much dependent on the subject, as academics thrash out whichever one Bragg has chosen, but recent highlights include John Stuart Mill and the Abyssinian Caliphates. Start the Week is a bit like listening to the London Review of Books, if that means anything to you.
From our own Correspondent and Broadcasting House should also be given a listen.
Instapundit.Com Podcasts - The Glenn and Helen Show
Glenn, and his lovely Tennessean wife Dr. Helen Smith, interview political, cultural, and scientific experts from across the United States. Right leaning, but always interesting, Glenn Reynolds can rely on his prominence, as the Blogfather, to pull in politicians and top writers from across the country.
The American political institution. Not to be missed.
The Beautiful Game
A seemingly independent, but excellently produced, podcast by London-based football fans. Genuinely interesting and always good fun, with likeable knowledgeable pundits, and a decent format.
Others
I would also nominate a few of the other radio shows that are compressed (sans adverts & songs), and uploaded to iTunes. Al Murray – the Pub Landord, which is originally broadcasted on Virgin FM, is a great laugh, as Al sends up the British Bulldog spirit; highlights include Jamie News, which is a weekly rant about people with the ‘effeminate’ name Jamie.
Chris Moyles - Enhanced is probably the most digestive way to swallow Moyles’ occasionally brilliant, but usually annoying, show.
The best show by a country mile is The Adam and Joe Podcast, from their excellent XFM show. The show boarders on the daft, but it has elements of pure comedic genius thrown in. The sooner Adam and Joe are given a TV show again, won’t be moment too soon – they were always way ahead of their time.
To find the shows, log into iTunes and search the podcasts by keywords. I haven’t time to link to them all.
I’m sure I will remember others, so I will recommend them, as and when I do.
Sphere: Related Content
My player has only 128Mb, but it was only £8.
Have you tried The Economist ? I downloaded their piece about Poland, from 13th May - it was quite good (and free).
Hi - I promise you Jeremy doesn’t mean to annoy you. I think he secretly enjoys voicing the podcast; his cynicism is just an act really. Anyway do keep listening, we are Number 2 News podcast now and take the whole project very seriously. In the very near future we’ll be launching the Newsnight Vodcast.
Daniel
Dep ed, Newnsight
Wow.
The BBC is listening…very scary. I’ll keep listening, if you keep reading!
AS Heath