Just exactly how tall is Jake Gyllenhaal?
For months this was a heavily debated measurement on online celebrity height databases. That is, until Starlee Kine, host of “Mystery Show,” stepped in and got to the bottom of it.
In each episode of the podcast, Starlee takes on a case like this one. They can range anywhere from puzzling scenes depicted on vintage lunchboxes, to the details of Britney Spears’ reading list. The one thing they all have in common, however, is that their answer cannot be found simply by Googling.
Season one of “Mystery Show” can be found on Gimlet Media’s website, and season two is currently in the works.
"Welcome to Nightvale" follows the events of a small desert town through community radio news briefs. Narrator Cecil Baldwin updates local listeners on the movements of the Sheriff's Secret Police, the gory horror of Valentine's Day and the impossibility of mountains. You see, Nightvale isn't the average U.S. town.
Creators Joseph Fink and Jeffrey Cranor seem to understand that there is no “normal” — just behaviors or characteristics that are more prevalent than others.
After a few episodes of “Welcome to Nightvale,” specific actions and names start to matter less, and universal truths about fear, hope and individuality start to come through. Which makes the news from the terrifyingly corporate town of Desert Bluffs even more bizarre in comparison. Turn on your radio and hide.
“Doug Loves Movies” is hosted by movie-loving comedian Doug Benson. Benson is an affable host and has a great rapport with every guest. It is recorded in front of a live audience consisting of passionate fans.
Each episode features comedians talking about movies and playing movie trivia games. It is easy and fun to play along with the games, such as Last Man Stanton and the Leonard Maltin Game, as you listen.
The live audience adds some great spontaneity to “DLM.” Benson has had great guests on the show, like Jon Hamm and Patton Oswalt. Listening to “DLM” is 90-minutes well spent.
First airing in 1995, “This American Life” is a weekly hour-long radio program produced by WBEZ and hosted by Ira Glass (a.k.a. America’s radio sweetheart). Since 2006, the program has offered listeners a free podcast version, which becomes available the Monday following the national broadcast.
Each week the show has a theme. In its 20 years, “This American Life” has explored everything from doppelgängers to game shows to shark bites.
We can’t recommend “This American Life” enough. With every episode, you are reminded of how extraordinary life can be. If you don’t already listen to it, you really should be.
“Lore,” from writer, host and producer Aaron Mahnke, is the perfect combination of history and mystery. Each episode of the biweekly podcast revolves around a historical element of folklore.
No matter the topic, Mahnke weaves a story so engrossing and thrilling that you don’t want to stop listening. Start with “Unboxed,” one of the creepiest episodes about the true story behind the new horror movie “The Boy.”
Each episode is perfectly produced, easy to listen to and guaranteed to give you something chilling to think about for the rest of the day.
