Little Gold Men by Vanity Fair - Podcast Rankings and reviews

Katey Rich is the foundational magic of this show.

The show has dealt with cycling major voices out over time yet managed to survive (even losing the fantastic Joanna Robinson!) and there’s not much bad to say about its various continuing contributors (Richard Lawson is particularly great with his quick wit).

However, the show really excelled with Rich’s presence on many levels. A great sense of flow to keep things on track, warm personal knack in interviews with thoughtful follow-up questions, encyclopedic knowledge of awards minutae, (not so much a podcast thing but I appreciated the degree to which she was a mindful writer about topics outside her own life experience,) and specifically she brought an every-person engagement of award season through her lived experience.

While there was a lot of valuable insight provided by her peers as feet on the ground at festivals or hearing things through industry connections, by not being in media hubs of the NY-LA scenes, Rich helped make these self-congratulatory industrial award ceremonies seem less “local” and more something for everyone to find “fun” in, if that’s their kind of thing.

A lot of the other award season coverage tends to come off Moneyball and coldly data-driven and somewhat smug, but Katey Rich could somehow both seem to know raw award stats inside and out while still calling attention to the quality of films or movies as art and/or entertainment.

While it seemed like she was pretty mindful to never score cheap points dunking on media she didn’t care for, I wholeheartedly trust her recommendations and wish she were still in a position to keep making a livelihood out of such a personal passion.

Avid fan of this show - and every other bit of content VF and these hosts help produce - for years. Obviously, there's are millions of pods on every topic imaginable. But if you're looking for a impeccably produced show featuring well rounded discussion, thoughtful interviews with a wide variety of individuals involved in the entertainment industry, hosted by a group of people who genuinely enjoy both the topics they discuss as well as each other, give LGM a shot. (Also, consistent output and wonderful audience engagement. Which, ya know.. is huge. 👏🏼👏🏼)

I look forward to this podcast every week, and think the mix between personal preferences and awards predictions is perfect. I’ve always enjoyed awards shows, even when I haven’t seen everything, but the way that the critics on Little Gold Men talk about the movies they love has gotten me to watch more new movies in general.

Love this podcast. I am not in the entertainment business but consider this an essential podcast for my life and wellness. I am a busy public interest lawyer doing rewarding, but depleting work. This podcast provides me much a needed positive space to learn from the brilliance, humor and analysis of its phenomenal hosts. I am saddened & confused by the news that Katey is (what sounds like) being moved away from this show? Katey brings powerful perspectives as a scholar of cinema, and I value her insights as a mom. In dark times we need good art, writers, and storytellers more than ever. Thank you Katey for your excellent work.

I enjoy much of their take on Oscar worthy films and actors. But this podcast loses its credibility when they push certain films and actors that fit their desire for ‘representation.’ They’re quick to imply racism when their chosen actors and narratives don’t get the accolades. It’s a turnoff for an otherwise interesting program.