Pay attention, folks! This list is chock-full of the best TV podcasts out there. Given how complex and radically different TV has become over the past – say, decade, even – it’s crucial to have at your disposal a way to get to know this rapidly-changing world. Familiarizing yourselves with this information will have a far-reaching impact on how you engage with media. It’s designed to make your life better and more satisfying and to keep you on the edge of your seat. Here goes!
The Top TV Podcasts
Buffering: A Rewatch Adventure
This podcast, hosted by ‘90s-loving and patriarchy-smashing Buffy the Vampire Slayer aficionados, started by chronicling Sarah Michelle Gellar’s journeys as she kicked vampires’ butts and now continues by retelling and rehashing other ‘90s and ‘00s genre shows. It’s been recommended by some of the top entertainment critics out there, including the NYT, Entertainment Weekly, Esquire, Time, and Paste.
Pop Culture Happy Hour
While not exclusively a TV podcast, this NPR show covers many elements of the television world, specifically as they relate to themes in contemporary pop culture. Coming to you five days a week, it delves into recommendations and commentary on great current TV shows, music, video games, and movies. It boasts an all-star cast of hosts who are all arts journalists: Linda Holmes, Glen Weldon, Stephen Thompson, and Aisha Harris. Their special guests are also impressive – a rotating collection of pop culture enthusiasts. Both low- and highbrow, it’s got something for everyone.
Fake Doctors, Real Friends
This one’s a comedy hit! Former co-stars Zach Braff and Donald Faison from the medical comedy TV series Scrubs are best friends in real life and have now launched a new podcast dedicated to reliving the show and sharing what went on behind the scenes. Each week covers a different episode. It’s nostalgic for the two and helps listeners reminisce about a super popular millennial show. It also features cast members as special guests, and their interviews are funny and endearing.
The Stranger Things Podcast
A show from Golden Spiral Media, The Stranger Things Podcast shines a light on the brooding darkness that makes up one of the most popular TV shows of all time: Stranger Things. The episodes are replete with memes, news, rumors, and more. You can even text in and request specific content at 304-837-2278! Note that there are several other podcasts about Stranger Things (yes, it’s that popular), so be sure to scope out others that may complement this one.
TV’s Top 5
This exceptional podcast, hosted by The Hollywood Reporter’s Chief TV Critic, Daniel Fienberg, and West Coast TV Editor, Lesley Goldberg, covers the headlines about new and upcoming TV shows. It also provides in-depth analyses of current shows, interviews with prominent voices in the industry, and other elements for a five-pronged approach that’s holistic and comprehensive. You can email the hosts requesting specific content at TVsTop5@THR.com.
Drama Queens
The queens of One Tree Hill themselves return and come together to talk about their time on set with this hit TV show. Keywords? Relive, relove, and rewatch. It’s an entertaining and poignant look at how this show became a wonder and staple of the early 2000s.
Pilot TV+ Podcast
Straight from Empire Media, the same company that provided The Empire Film Podcast, is back with a bonus new podcast on TV shows. This podcast is packed with detailed TV chats from the Pilot team. Insider scoops and other newsworthy info about the hottest up-and-coming TV shows form the mainstay of this show’s content. You can call in or email requesting specific content and asking curious questions to your heart’s content. Check it out today!
TeeVee
From the originators of The Incomparable – an online hub for pop culture nerds and fans – these hosts watch TV so “you don’t have to.” It’s a highly informative show with lots to draw from.
Office Ladies
Another endearing co-star/best-friends show, everyone! Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey help you relive one of the most popular TV shows of all time, The Office. Each week, these ladies break down an episode of the show and give an insider’s peek into the makings of the episode, some of the content, and any cinematographic concepts that may illuminate the listeners.
BAFTA
As some may know, BAFTA, the British Academy of Film and Theatre Arts, is a world-leading British arts charity that hosts top British TV and movie awards (the BAFTA Awards). Did you know they also have a special podcast that covers an entire realm of TV, film, and theater production? Attracting top talent from these different fields and covering the latest in the arts in the UK, this is a wonderful lesser-known, podcast.
Conclusion
This was a fun list to compile, and it really runs the gamut from different genres, eras, and kinds of TV shows. In addition, it encompasses some aspects of TV that are often less understood, like screenwriting, cinematography, and more. Two of the shows star best friends and former co-stars and are charming and nostalgic looks at some of the best TV shows throughout the early 2000s into the present.
We highly recommend perusing all of these and taking a close listen, particularly to the ones whose content and hosts interest you the most. It truly is the “Golden Age of Television” in many ways, so grab your headphones and listen to these fascinating podcasts!
