Radio Roundup and Panoply of Podcasts
Feb. 21st, 2014 09:42 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
tealinAll right, readers, gather round, grab a blanket and cocoa because this post is going to be long.
As you may have gathered from the dwindling radio picks, and then a few weeks without a post, I've been weaning myself off streaming radio at work, an effort which has been helped immensely by BBC Radio decommissioning the iPlayer website on which I drew sustenance, not to put it too lightly, not that I'm bitter or homesick or anything, heaven forfend. I will refrain from moaning further because I live outside the UK so my opinions on the matter matter to no one.
[deep breath]
I've managed to scrape together some links anyway, and am including the expiry day so you know what to prioritise.
RADIO
On Now
News Quiz Extra (Mon) - It was already one of the most enjoyable News Quizzes ever, then they added back in 15 minutes cut for broadcast, which include Susan Calman's impression of Prince William and POTATO ANARCHY. Cruelly moved to Monday so there's one fewer day to catch it than usual.
Dilemma (Tue) - The panel game where contestants vie for the moral high ground as Sue Perkins throws increasingly ambivalent hypotheticals at them. (Hint: Sue Perkins = quality.)
On The Hour (Thurs) - I haven't even listened to this episode this week but I am linking it anyway because On the Hour is always worth it.
The Exorcist (Thurs/Fri) - I link to this not because it's particularly fantastic, in my estimation, but because it made me think a lot, and I'll probably be posting those thoughts later, so here is the prerequisite listening (not actually required).
The End of the Dial (indef.) - An ode to the glories of radio and its place (or lack thereof) in the age of the internet. Manages to go on for an hour about radio, internet, and international accessibility, without mentioning the BBC once. Ira Glass does admit bending all NPR to his model, though, which brought me great personal vindication if not actual pleasure. (The news shouldn't be chatty! Argh.)
Coming Up
Cabin Pressure: Qikiqtarjuaq (Sat) - One of the best scripted comedies ever written, for serious. I am getting happy just thinking about it. This episode contains polar bears and the travelling lemon. Also Benedict Cumberbatch, if that will persuade you to listen.
On the Town with the League of Gentlemen (Wed) - The radio show before the TV show, in the town of Spent before it was Royston Vasey. Interesting to compare to the TV show, if you know it, and if you don't, it's good listening anyway.
A Canticle for Liebowitz (Mon) - A monk in the 26th century happens upon a desert cavern holding a relic of the most holy sainted Liebowitz – a shopping list. This is only Book 1 of the, um ... book ... but it's darn good. Very glad to see it coming round again.
PODCASTS
I've taken to subscribing to as many podcasts as I can instead of streaming radio, which covers some of what I would have ordinarily listened to, and keeps me off thejuice internet while I should be working. I thought I'd share my favourites of those as well, in case anyone would like to subscribe. We'd be listening to the same things! It's like a book club, but sort of radio-ish and usually nothing like a book at all! How droll!
BBC:
Analysis - In-depth look at the history and ramifications of ideas, people, and stuff affecting current events.
Best of Natural History Radio - I used to think "What do you mean nature shows on the radio, you can't see anything" but then I listened and the soundscapes, amazing, completely immersive, it's almost as good as travelling, but with your eyes shut.
Beyond Belief - Religion, faith, spirituality, etc. in the modern world. Pretty good representation from all corners.
Comedy of the Week - not the topical stuff or anything popular enough to sell, but sometimes quite good.
Documentary of the Week - Can't find it on the BBC Podcasts page, but it comes up on iTunes.
File on 4 - Mainly because I want Archive on 4 but this is the closest I get.
Friday Night Comedy - Topical comedy/satire, usually The News Quiz or The Now Show. The News Quiz is so much better than Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me; there is no going back; be warned.
From Our Own Correspondent - Assorted audio postcards from the BBC's foreign correspondents
In Our Time - A handful of experts sit around a table chatting about something while shuffling paper and pouring liquid (I assume water, one never knows). It's like eavesdropping on the most fascinating neighbours at a restaurant. It's so fantastically varied, you frequently get things like 45 minutes of thermodynamics finished off with "and next time, Jane Austen."
The Radio 3 Documentary - I used to wonder why the BBC didn't have a show like the CBC's Ideas, and then I found out it was hiding on Radio 3. Silly. I recommend the Villains and Camus episodes for starters.
Things We Forgot to Remember - Alternative and/or refreshing look at history
Thinking Allowed - Sociology, psychology, behaviourology, affability, and their applications in the real world.
Tweet of the Day - Birdsong podcast!
CBC:
Day 6 - Weekly news magazine offering challenging perspectives on current events and culture, fascinating guests, and an interviewer who does his job.
Ideas - Documentary series about practically everything. It's changed my life twice. I miss having it on my terrestrial radio.
Q the Podcast - Arts & Culture magazine, really insightful and delightful but not a fluff show at all.
The Sunday Edition - A little like a cross between Day 6 and Q but more relaxed and two hours long. Quite often brilliant.
Happy listening, radioland!
As you may have gathered from the dwindling radio picks, and then a few weeks without a post, I've been weaning myself off streaming radio at work, an effort which has been helped immensely by BBC Radio decommissioning the iPlayer website on which I drew sustenance, not to put it too lightly, not that I'm bitter or homesick or anything, heaven forfend. I will refrain from moaning further because I live outside the UK so my opinions on the matter matter to no one.
[deep breath]
I've managed to scrape together some links anyway, and am including the expiry day so you know what to prioritise.
On Now
News Quiz Extra (Mon) - It was already one of the most enjoyable News Quizzes ever, then they added back in 15 minutes cut for broadcast, which include Susan Calman's impression of Prince William and POTATO ANARCHY. Cruelly moved to Monday so there's one fewer day to catch it than usual.
Dilemma (Tue) - The panel game where contestants vie for the moral high ground as Sue Perkins throws increasingly ambivalent hypotheticals at them. (Hint: Sue Perkins = quality.)
On The Hour (Thurs) - I haven't even listened to this episode this week but I am linking it anyway because On the Hour is always worth it.
The Exorcist (Thurs/Fri) - I link to this not because it's particularly fantastic, in my estimation, but because it made me think a lot, and I'll probably be posting those thoughts later, so here is the prerequisite listening (not actually required).
The End of the Dial (indef.) - An ode to the glories of radio and its place (or lack thereof) in the age of the internet. Manages to go on for an hour about radio, internet, and international accessibility, without mentioning the BBC once. Ira Glass does admit bending all NPR to his model, though, which brought me great personal vindication if not actual pleasure. (The news shouldn't be chatty! Argh.)
Coming Up
Cabin Pressure: Qikiqtarjuaq (Sat) - One of the best scripted comedies ever written, for serious. I am getting happy just thinking about it. This episode contains polar bears and the travelling lemon. Also Benedict Cumberbatch, if that will persuade you to listen.
On the Town with the League of Gentlemen (Wed) - The radio show before the TV show, in the town of Spent before it was Royston Vasey. Interesting to compare to the TV show, if you know it, and if you don't, it's good listening anyway.
A Canticle for Liebowitz (Mon) - A monk in the 26th century happens upon a desert cavern holding a relic of the most holy sainted Liebowitz – a shopping list. This is only Book 1 of the, um ... book ... but it's darn good. Very glad to see it coming round again.
I've taken to subscribing to as many podcasts as I can instead of streaming radio, which covers some of what I would have ordinarily listened to, and keeps me off the
BBC:
Analysis - In-depth look at the history and ramifications of ideas, people, and stuff affecting current events.
Best of Natural History Radio - I used to think "What do you mean nature shows on the radio, you can't see anything" but then I listened and the soundscapes, amazing, completely immersive, it's almost as good as travelling, but with your eyes shut.
Beyond Belief - Religion, faith, spirituality, etc. in the modern world. Pretty good representation from all corners.
Comedy of the Week - not the topical stuff or anything popular enough to sell, but sometimes quite good.
Documentary of the Week - Can't find it on the BBC Podcasts page, but it comes up on iTunes.
File on 4 - Mainly because I want Archive on 4 but this is the closest I get.
Friday Night Comedy - Topical comedy/satire, usually The News Quiz or The Now Show. The News Quiz is so much better than Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me; there is no going back; be warned.
From Our Own Correspondent - Assorted audio postcards from the BBC's foreign correspondents
In Our Time - A handful of experts sit around a table chatting about something while shuffling paper and pouring liquid (I assume water, one never knows). It's like eavesdropping on the most fascinating neighbours at a restaurant. It's so fantastically varied, you frequently get things like 45 minutes of thermodynamics finished off with "and next time, Jane Austen."
The Radio 3 Documentary - I used to wonder why the BBC didn't have a show like the CBC's Ideas, and then I found out it was hiding on Radio 3. Silly. I recommend the Villains and Camus episodes for starters.
Things We Forgot to Remember - Alternative and/or refreshing look at history
Thinking Allowed - Sociology, psychology, behaviourology, affability, and their applications in the real world.
Tweet of the Day - Birdsong podcast!
CBC:
Day 6 - Weekly news magazine offering challenging perspectives on current events and culture, fascinating guests, and an interviewer who does his job.
Ideas - Documentary series about practically everything. It's changed my life twice. I miss having it on my terrestrial radio.
Q the Podcast - Arts & Culture magazine, really insightful and delightful but not a fluff show at all.
The Sunday Edition - A little like a cross between Day 6 and Q but more relaxed and two hours long. Quite often brilliant.
Happy listening, radioland!
