Podcast of the Week: Black Mirror Cracked

This week: It’s a podcast for all things Black Mirror!

We’re big fans of podcasts here at We Are Cult, and we’re always looking for more shows to subscribe to. So if you’re looking for ear candy, we’re here to help!

This week: Suchandrika Chakrabarti tells us all about Black Mirror Cracked, a podcast all about Charlie Brooker’s dystopian Netflix / Channel 4 series Black Mirror.

What’s your podcast about?

The Netflix / Channel 4 series Black Mirror. It’s for all those fans who’re left needing to talk to someone (or feel like they are) after watching the dystopian, philosophical show.

If you had to describe your show in 10 words or less, what would you say?

Your podcast for all things Black Mirror *scream face emoji*

Which episode would you recommend for a first-time listener? Do you have a favourite episode?

You do need to have watched a fair bit, if not all, of Black Mirror.

If you have, you’ll probably be a Charlie Brooker fan, so the interview with him and co-creator Annabel Jones will be a nice entry into the world of over-analysing Black Mirror. Which is basically what I make my guests do…

What inspired you to create this podcast?

I covered the release and review of Black Mirror Season 3 in late 2016 – as a former film journalist, this was a joy.

By late 2017, I was waiting for my previews of Season 4, which I received about a month before release, which ended up being at the end of December 2017.

I had colleagues and friends asking me if I’d seen the new ones yet, would I tell them when I had, what I thought the new season would be like.

At the same time, podcasts have made a major comeback, and our parent company, Trinity Mirror, was making a big push on them.

i just thought – I bet there’s a whole audience out there for podcasts around Black Mirror.

Which guests have you had on your podcast so far?

I loved talking to Gina Bramhill, the voice of the dating app in Hang the DJ.

We’ve got some more Black Mirror actors lined up – the audio’s in the can, but they’ve not been published / broadcast (which one?) yet, so you’ll just have to wait…

Also – a number of my Trinity Mirror colleagues have been so generous with their time and their enthusiasm as to re-watch episodes and spend time talking to me in a tiny windowless room.

Who would be your dream guest?

Oooh… Jodie Whittaker, who plays one half of the most horrifying couple in perhaps the best episode of TV ever: Ffion in The Entire History of You.

Of course, she’s now filming in her new role as the first – the only – female Doctor Who.

Her reps very politely and gently told me that she’s busy, bless them!

Which equipment do you use for your podcast set-up?

Mac laptop, Blue Yeti mic, soundbooth, Audio Hijack and Audacity.

What would you say is the best length of time for a podcast episode?

25-45 mins. Anything less doesn’t feel like enough to get your teeth into; anything more and you’re at risk of being interrupted, leaving it half-listened to.

Which podcasts (other than yours) would you recommend we listen to?

Dear Sugars & Dear Prudence

I love a good agony aunt; Cheryl Strayed and Mallory Ortberg are two of the best.

Also, lest we forget, Ms Ortberg’s mockery of Black Mirror tickled Charlie Brooker so much, it got into the show.

Desert Island Discs – There’s something about music and nostalgia and talking about how your favourite songs made you feel that leads people to open up on this BBC Radio 4 staple – the intimacy of radio at work. Charlie Brooker’s recent one was great, but I say just browse and download a few ahead of your next long, wifi-less train journey.

First Time Dads – a Daily Mirror podcast from colleagues Steve Myall and Richard Innes, exploring the idea of being the ‘secondary’ parent.

Dear Reader – Another ‘Dear’! I’m not just choosing this award-winning pod because I’ve been a guest on it. Host Jessica Stone does a proper literary podcast that’s also accessible.

Where is your podcast available to listen to?

iTunes, Audioboom, Spotify, CastBox, all the usual suspects. Have a Google, it’s been pulled through to most sites and apps.

What is the future of podcasting as a creative medium?

Predicting the future always works out so well in Black Mirror, so let’s say… the future is Choose Your Own Ending.

Listeners will be able to pick the conclusion they want from a selection.

Now there’s a use for all the bits I had to edit for time…!

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❉ Download past episodes or subscribe to future episodes of  Black Mirror Cracked  for free: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/black-mirror-cracked/id1330129470?mt=2 


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