Kermode & Mayo’s Take - Podcast Rankings and reviews

Mark Kermode and Simon Mayo have nailed it again with their new version of Wittertainment and the accompanying film reviews. As ever, and I speak as a LTL, there is compelling conversation which encapsulates their relationship and British culture. However, they also weave in really objective film reviews which help listeners to prioritise their viewing, in cinemas or otherwise. I love these shows.

I am a subscriber (i.e. vanguardista) from Kentucky. Listening to the weekly witterings of the good doctors puts me in my happy place. At times cultured and often silly, this pod has it all. If you love movies — from indie arthouse to summer blockbusters — give this pod a listen.

And if you enjoy listening to the ad-supported hour, please give consideration to supporting the creators and their unrivaled production staff with a subscription. A year ago, I spent an entire summer listening to the ad-supported hour, before I took the plunge. “You mean for the price of one fancy coffee, I get TWICE the witterings per month?” Sold.

Keep up the good work, guys!

As a Colonial Commoner, my national news and media continually flog at my psyche, determined to drag me down a spiral of subservient sadness.

Mark and Simon provide the aural antidote with their weekly unique, erudite witterings. Around a creamy filling of film reviews, the doctors administer a surprisingly healthy donut of hope and happiness. Four out of five medical doctors approve of this podcast (the fifth one is a fan of Michael Bay, and only looks at feet).

As the Laughter Lift raises my spirit, I raise my spirit of the Japanese whiskey varietal to solute these two men of unrivaled intelligence. Sirs, may you continue to lift us out of dark times, denounce dunces, and loudly praise bloody-good cinema!
(Not swearing, that’s a Horror flick reference)

I am a sarcy native of the UK’s shores living with the “oh so pleased with themselves” techarati in Silicon Valley and this is hands down my favourite listening of the week. Feels like two old friends sitting at my kitchen table with a suitable beverage making me laugh, shout, disagree and learn in the same debate, question the nonsense but celebrate the really talented, creative stories and people we have in this choppy world. Cheers to you both - for a naturally optimistic soul with a grumpy gene like me, I feel like I have my tribe with me three times a week!!

I am sick of old wealthy men gleefully trying to get me to pay them as a young student. I was introduced to this pod by my dad (as everyone is), and I used to love it. But now they have left the BBC, the show is way shorter, and they always just talk about how much you miss if you don’t pay. As a student, I can’t afford a subscription, so it just feels like a slap in the face when they are laughing about getting money from people. This will only consolidate their audience as old and middle class (their own demographic), while young people excited to learn about film miss out. Personally, I have pretty much stopped listen now, after listening every week for years. Congratulations on getting rid of the young filmmakers in your audience.

Every week Take 2 gets shorter. Are we being tested? How much do we love Mark and Simon? How little content will we still be prepared to pay for? I haven’t unsubscribed yet but given the quality is definitely deteriorating and the pod seems increasingly lazy and undisciplined since they left the BBC, the drastically reduced quantity is testing me.