ArtHoles

Thank you for writing and making the best podcast in the world. Well researched, witty, funny, and learned something too. Started listening on runs and quickly changed to listening at home because I didn’t want to miss a word.

Michael Anthony combines intensive research, comedic and storytelling skills and a love for history and art into the best podcast I have ever listened to. I am spoiled now! Thank you Michael.

I found this podcast about 2 years ago when I was working nights at a pizza restaurant. It took me two nights to finish the first series. At first it just made me laugh. Then there was Pollock which broke something inside me. I went to the MET specifically to look at his paintings and bored my friend to tears with poorly articulated facts about the artist. Frida made me laugh and cry and rage. For the past two years I’ve been begging anyone who would listen to give this podcast a try. “Oh you like history well I have the podcast for you” or “If you want to know more about art then you should definitely try out this podcast”. The best was when my almond mom decided to discuss the differences between butter and olive oil with me and was very disappointed when I told her my big opinions on the history of it all. Then one day after spending 8 hours learning about French history, elephant stew, and cousins who are too close I pressed that next episode button. And nothing happened. I waited for a year. Stalking your instagram harder than I’ve ever stalked an ex, hoping for a clue. But nothing. Then one night in late October it came. Artholes has released two new episodes. I couldn’t believe it! Plans couldn’t be canceled so I listened to the first episode at a bar. I felt like a bad girl who’d unblocked her ex and texted them to meet up. All her friends carrying on around her, blissfully unaware that for the next three months all they would hear from her was gushing and wondering when he’d release another episode. “Do you think he’s okay?” “Did you see the instagram Post about his childhood dog” “Actually it’s kinda intellectual if you ignore the cousin stuff” I have listened to each episode at least once and haven’t been able to find and history or comedy podcasts that hits the same since. Please don’t make me wait another year but if you do I will still be here.

I would give this a 6/5 if possible. This is one of the best podcasts I’ve ever encountered. Super deep dives into the lives of artists, their artwork, with extensive historical sociocultural context, plus hilarious commentary. Could listen to forever—very sad there is a limited number of seasons.