April 13, 2022
Best Classic Podcast
Have you ever wanted to turn back the clock and reminisce about the past? Here is a classic podcast that will transport you right back to the early 2010s!Welcome to Night Vale
Somewhere in the middle of the American Southwest, there is a small town called Night Vale. Twice each month, you can hear the radio broadcast from this strange place where reality isn’t quite right. Cecil Palmer is the radio host who narrates the whole show, sharing the daily news, community calendar, the weather, and many other segments which appear from time to time. While this might sound boring, you quickly learn that nothing is as it seems in Night Vale. For example, one of the first things the show establishes about the town is that no one is allowed in the new dog park. No humans, dogs, or any other creature except for the hooded figures may enter. Ever. And the towering creatures living in Old Woman Josie’s house? Oh, those are just angels, all named Erika. You can’t acknowledge them, though, as the City Council does not legally recognize their existence and will arrest anyone who tries to do so. All this weird information and much more can be heard throughout the show’s run.Beginning in 2012, Welcome to Night Vale has dropped episodes on the 1st and 15th of every month, meaning you have plenty of content to binge. Often, the creators, Jeffery Cranor and Joseph Fink, write hints in episodes which eventually lead up to a major plot arc. All the audio is top notch, even from the beginning (which is really uncommon for shows that old). I highly recommend this for anyone who enjoys comedy and horror, as the podcast is a lovely combination of both genres. Some of the humor leans toward the random = funny comedy prevalent in the early 2010s, but overall, the show has aged well. Plus, the main character, Cecil, is openly gay and dating Carlos, a mysterious interloper who came to study Night Vale as a scientist. This is one of the best podcasts ever made, so it’s no wonder it’s a classic! Find Welcome to Night Vale on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Spotify, or on other podcasting platforms.
—Serenity Block, Podcasts Editor