Podmasters is a weekly column in which staff writers Andrea Alfano and Laura Rosenfeld highlight the podcasts you need in your life. Every week, they tackle a new genre, recommending everything from well-known series to little-listened-to-gems that will make you laugh, cry and learn. This week, Laura Rosenfeld spotlights five podcasts from hosts who rose to fame on the Internet.
Last week, you probably noticed that your Twitter, YouTube and Instagram feeds were teeming with updates from VidCon — the huge event in which online video makers and enthusiasts gather to meet their favorite YouTube stars, see the latest and greatest projects and generally celebrate the creativity one can put on the Internet. With more than 20,000 attendees expected to have stopped by this year's conference, it's clear that Internet stars are the new celebrities.
YouTubers, Viners and bloggers may have taken over the Internet, but now they're setting their sights on ruling the podcast game as well, with several shows coming from hosts who made it big elsewhere on the Interwebs. You'll find all the wisdom, humor and heart you love about your favorite Internet stars — now in a fresh format.
From these podcasts, you'll better understand what this new media landscape is all about, pick up some vital information about life and maybe even find your new favorite Internet personality. These five podcasts will make it easy to see why these web stars made it big in the first place.
1. The Read
Kid Fury and Crissle began as bloggers, but when they started their pop culture comedy podcast The Read in 2013, they became a bona fide aural sensation — hitting No.1 on the iTunes comedy podcasts chart and picking up 80,000 subscribers. Now they're bringing their podcast on the road, touring all over the country with their live show The Read Live!
You can catch their unique brand of brash, biting and real humor from the comfort of your own home every week on The Read podcast. In each episode, Kid Fury and Crissle take on topics in hip-hop, race and sexuality, and usually take down a few famous individuals for ridiculous behavior in the process. You definitely don't want to be the subject of one of these reads!
2. Hello Internet
If you just want to hear some Internet creative types talk about whatever for a couple of hours, Hello Internet is your jam. The weekly-ish podcast is hosted by CGP Grey, whose Internet claim to fame is creating and narrating short YouTube videos that explain complex topics — and Brady Haran, an Australian video journalist, filmmaker and YouTuber. Unsurprisingly, many of their conversations revolve around tech, but most of the time, they just talk about whatever pops into their heads... kind of like the Internet itself.
3. Rooster Teeth Podcast
Rooster Teeth rose to fame thanks to its satirical sci-fi web series Red vs. Blue and massively popular YouTube channel, which currently has more than 8 million subscribers. Now, every week on this podcast, the Rooster Teeth team pulls back the curtain on production to give listeners an idea about the studio's current projects, in addition to just chatting about the latest in tech, gaming and pop culture. The Rooster Teeth Podcast provides a fascinating look at the operations and thought processes of a big player in the online entertainment game.
4. Gilmore Guys
Kevin T. Porter and Demi Adejuyigbe may not have been Internet stars before starting Gilmore Guys, but they certainly are now. Sometimes, a podcast will do that for you (hello, Serial). Their twice-weekly gabfest about all things Gilmore Girls is blowing up on the Internet, as it should be. Each installment is filled with the Gilmore Guys' delightful takes on past Gilmore Girls episodes, trivia and even some special guests, including series cast members and famous fans alike. Even if you don't watch Gilmore Girls, you won't be able to resist the charm of this podcast.
5. Pointless: With Kevin Pereira
The name of this podcast may have the word "pointless" in it, but you'll probably pick up a few pointers about what it takes to make it big in online entertainment today by listening to it. Kevin Pereira has been a media personality for years, and he brings his big, fun interview style to Pointless as he talks to some of the movers and shakers on YouTube, Twitch, movies and TV shows. You're sure to be entertained and learn a thing or two, too.
Be sure to follow T-Lounge on Twitter and visit our Facebook page.
