Buzz
Last month, when Hrishikesh Hirway and Joshua Malina revealed their new West Wing podcast, fans erupted with excitement, as though the beloved series was making a comeback to television.
“I initially thought it would appeal to a small, dedicated group,” says Hirway, who also runs the weekly music podcast Song Exploder. He continues, “I completely underestimated how many people would tune in.”
Their hit podcast, The West Wing Weekly, provides a detailed analysis of each episode of the NBC political drama that aired from 1999 to 2006. While Malina shares insider stories from his time as campaign manager-turned-Congressman Will Bailey, Hirway brings the perspective of an avid fan.
“When I first proposed the idea to Josh, we were deep in the primary season,” Hirway recalls. “I thought, ‘This is going to be a wild year.’ The contrast between the chaos of the election and the calm of The West Wing seemed perfect.”
The West Wing Weekly isn’t the only podcast to explore a TV series episode by episode. While countless podcasts dissect modern shows such as The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, The Real Housewives franchise, and nearly every other current program, retro TV podcasts allow audiences to revisit timeless classics. These podcasts often thrive when, like The West Wing, the series is accessible on streaming platforms like Netflix.
Here are some other classic TV podcasts that might inspire you to rewatch these shows at home:
1. GILMORE GUYS
This well-loved Gilmore Girls podcast offers detailed episode breakdowns by longtime enthusiast Kevin T. Porter, newcomer Demi Adejuyigbe, and a variety of special guests. “I’ve appeared as a guest a few times, and it’s always been a fantastic and enjoyable experience,” says Hirway, who notes that the witty, nerdy podcast served as a key inspiration for The West Wing Weekly.
2. TALK SALAD AND SCRAMBLED EGGS
This podcast, led by the talented filmmaker and podcaster Kevin Smith and comedian Matt Mira, takes a deep dive into all 250-plus episodes of Frasier, tackling them one at a time. (They’re currently in Season 2.) Though the hosts frequently wander into discussions about entertainment news or, for instance, which Cheers stars have aged gracefully, they always return to the world of Dr. Crane.
3. KUMAIL NANJIANI’S THE X-FILES FILES
If you’re planning to revisit every episode of The X-Files, Nanjiani’s humorous and thorough podcast is the perfect companion. Earlier this year, the show hit a milestone when Nanjiani interviewed David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson on set—where he also had a minor role in a new episode. It’s proof that sci-fi fantasies can indeed become reality.
4. OUT ON THE LANAI: A GOLDEN GIRLS PODCAST
Promoted as “the ultimate Golden Girls podcast,” hosts H. Alan Scott and Kerri Doherty bring a deep love for the sitcom, sharing insights that go beyond what a casual fan might anticipate (or even require). Guests like Dave Holmes and Grace Helbig have joined the show, and listeners often express their only grievance: they wish the episodes were longer.
5. EVERYTHING’S COMING UP PODCAST!
Hosts Allie Goertz and Julia Prescott radiate pure excitement for The Simpsons, inviting fellow fans to join their journey. Guests like Yo Gabba Gabba!’s DJ Lance Rock, actor Samm Levine, Gilmore Guys’ Porter, Adejuyigbe, and Talk Salad’s Matt Mira have all stopped by to analyze episodes. It’s a joyful, Homer-loving community.
6. DUSTED: A BUFFY PODCAST
Unsurprisingly, multiple podcasts explore Buffy the Vampire Slayer episode by episode. On Dusted, the passion Lani Diane Rich and Alastair Stephens have for the series is contagious, and they share a wealth of Buffy insights weekly. For those craving more Whedonverse content, Dusted also features a concurrent Angel rewatch. (They even host a Veronica Mars podcast on the side.)
7. MISSION LOG: A RODDENBERRY STAR TREK PODCAST
The podcasting world is filled with shows dedicated to Star Trek, and this one stands out for its ambitious scope. Weekly, hosts Ken Ray and John Champion delve into one of the over 700 episodes from the Star Trek catalog. Having completed the original series, they’re now exploring Season 4 of Star Trek: The Next Generation.
8. AND 9. THE TWILIGHT ZONE PODCAST and TWILIGHT PWN: A TWILIGHT ZONE PODCAST
If you’re in the mood to revisit The Twilight Zone, these two podcasts take you through Rod Serling’s eerie world, one episode at a time. Since each story stands alone, you can easily pick your favorites without starting from the beginning. (Feel free to dive straight into “The Eye of the Beholder.”)
10. THE LOST PODCAST WITH JAY AND JACK
Countless Lost fans, myself included, discovered podcasting through this insightful show by Jay Glatfelter and his father, Jack, which has been running for over a decade. While they continue to reflect on Lost, they’ve also branched out to cover Survivor, The Leftovers, and other TV series through additional podcasts.
11. AND 12. BEST OF FRIENDS PODCAST and SEINCAST: A SEINFELD PODCAST
The ‘90s were a golden era for NBC, and thanks to syndication and streaming, new audiences continue to discover the network’s iconic shows. Both podcasts are filled with fascinating trivia and heartfelt appreciation for these beloved New York-based sitcoms. (Seincast has even featured interviews with people connected to the show, such as actor Danny Woodburn, who portrayed Mickey Abbott, and former Seinfeld writer Peter Mehlman.)
13. GO BAYSIDE!
Although host April Richardson concluded her Saved by the Bell rewatch podcast in 2014, it remains a timeless listen (much like the show itself … or so we hope). What’s truly impressive is not just the countless hours she dedicated to Zack, Screech, and the gang, but also the high-profile guests she welcomed, including Chris Hardwick, Aimee Mann, and Diablo Cody.
For more podcast recommendations and interviews, visit the archive.
