Jump to content

Savage Lovecast

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Savage Lovecast is a sex advice podcast hosted by Dan Savage and produced by Nancy Hartunian. The show began in 2006 as an extension of the Savage Love column in The Stranger.

Background

[edit]

The show is hosted by Dan Savage and produced by Nancy Hartunian.[1] The podcast debuted in 2006 as an extension of the Savage Love column in The Stranger.[2] The show uses a freemium model with advertising in free "micro" episodes and extra content behind a paywall.[3] The free "micro" episodes are roughly 50 minutes long, while the paid "magnum" episodes are about 90 minutes in length.[4]

Format

[edit]

In each episode, Savage answers voicemail messages from listeners seeking advice.[5] For instance, in the October 13, 2015 episode, Savage answers a voicemail about jelousy of a partner's longterm relationship with someone of the opposite sex and discusses the Westermarck effect.[6] Sometimes rather than answer a voicemail, Savage will have a guest on the show. The show opens with a short and upbeat theme song, which is followed by Savage delivering a monologue about the news or a personal experience.[3] While earlier in the show's run, the monologue was often serious and political in tone, in more recent years the monologue has grown less serious and focuses on lighter subjects.[7]

Reception

[edit]

According to The Guardian, the podcast had 200,000 weekly listeners in July 2014.[4] According to Slate Magazine, the podcast had 300,000 monthly listeners in September 2021.[1]

In Slate Magazine, Bryan Lowder chose episode 109 as one of the best podcast episodes ever.[8] The Atlantic deemed the show one of the best podcasts of 2016.[9] Time Magazine included the podcast on their list of the best podcasts of 2017.[10] The Guardian considered the show one of the best podcasts of 2018.[11]

Peter Wells wrote in The Sydney Morning Herald that "the Savage Lovecast is a podcasting institution" due to the show's longevity and reach.[12] Lauren Passell wrote in LifeHacker that the podcast helped shape the sex and dating advice genre within the medium of podcasting.[2]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Anderson, L. V. (September 23, 2021). "Dan Savage Revolutionized Sex. Then the Revolution Came for Him". Slate Magazine. ISSN 1091-2339. Archived from the original on January 9, 2024. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  2. ^ a b Passell, Lauren (January 20, 2023). "12 Podcasts That Changed Podcasting". Lifehacker Australia. Archived from the original on January 9, 2024. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  3. ^ a b Gallagher, John J. (October 12, 2015). "'The Savage Lovecast' provides refreshing take on sex and relationships". The Tufts Daily. Retrieved August 17, 2024.
  4. ^ a b Raptopoulos, Lilah (July 2, 2014). "Listen to This: Savage Lovecast with Dan Savage". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on January 9, 2024. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  5. ^ Dibdin, Emma (March 29, 2022). "6 Advice Podcasts to Navigate the Weirdness of Daily Life". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on March 29, 2022. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  6. ^ Saunders, Charlotte (October 17, 2015). "'Savage Lovecast' Podcast Review". aAh! Magazine. Manchester Metropolitan University. Archived from the original on January 9, 2024. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  7. ^ Strimpel, Zoe (January 31, 2023). "Still fabulous: Savage Love podcast reviewed". The Spectator. Archived from the original on August 17, 2024. Retrieved August 17, 2024.
  8. ^ Haglund, David; Onion, Rebecca (December 14, 2014). "The 25 Best Podcast Episodes Ever". Slate Magazine. Archived from the original on September 11, 2016. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  9. ^ Standley, Laura Jane; McQuade, Eric (December 18, 2016). "The 50 Best Podcasts of 2016". The Atlantic. Archived from the original on February 21, 2021. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  10. ^ Dockterman, Eliana (March 30, 2017). "The 50 Best Podcasts Right Now". Time Magazine. Archived from the original on June 26, 2020. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  11. ^ Verdier, Hannah (June 30, 2018). "The 50 best podcasts of 2018". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on October 3, 2020. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  12. ^ Wells, Peter (June 20, 2018). "What to podcast this month". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on January 9, 2024. Retrieved January 9, 2024.