Olivia Rodrigo, Bad Bunny Top Spotify’s 2021 Year-End Charts
Globally speaking, with more than 9.1 billion streams this year, Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny is Spotify's most-streamed artist of 2021.
By Jem Aswad
What to Hear
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Audible
Audible Reboots ‘Cinnamon Bear’ Holiday Radio Classic as Musical With Alan Cumming, Ryan Reynolds
The original radio series debuted in 1937 as a cliffhanger-style children's show. Audible is bringing the event back with a modern makeover in a series adapted by Eric Gilliland.
The 20 Best Podcasts to Listen to Right Now
Here are 20 can't-miss shows that deserve a download right now.
Ross Golan’s ‘And the Writer Is’ Podcast Marks 150th Show With Clear-Eyed View on Songwriters’ Challenges, Diversity
Songwriter of multiplatinum hits for Ariana Grande and One Direction, Ross Golan's schedule was already full when he started his podcast. But his episodes have racked up millions of downloads.
The Best Old Hollywood Podcasts
If you can't get enough of Old Hollywood, here are 10 podcasts you'll definitely want to add to your personal playlist.
Audiobooks
Variety Recommends
Dive into the audiobooks getting Hollywood's attention, for your next vacation or long car drive.
By Mel Brooks
Narrated By Mel Brooks
'All About Me! My Remarkable Life in Show Business'
Mel Brooks looks back on 95 years of his life, spilling all the tea about the lessons he learned (and the stunts he pulled) in Hollywood. Thankfully, he narrates the audiobook as well.
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By James S.A. Corey
Narrated By Jefferson Mays
'Leviathan Falls'
Celebrate the return of 'The Expanse' Dec. 10 with the ninth book from the beloved sci-fi series which is currently burning up Audible's best seller chart.
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By Dave Grohl
Narrated by Dave Grohl
'The Storyteller Tales of Life and Music'
From childhood mishaps and adolescent adventures to stories about his time in Nirvana and Foo Fighters, Grohl's memoir covers his life's craziest and most touching moments.
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By Diana Gabaldon
Narrated by Davina Porter
'Go Tell The Bees That I Am Gone'
The ninth "Outlander" book drops in less than a week. Use this time to steel yourself for the return of the series in 2022.
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By Katie Couric
Narrated by Katie Couric
'Going There'
Katie Couric investigates her own rise to stardom, breaking down her bumpy road though television journalism and the difficult choices (and people) she dealt with along the way.
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Partner Content
Audible Recommends
Our partners at Audible give their picks for the best audio books to consider.
By Wendy Walker
Narrated by Paige Layle
'American Girl'
Murder in a sandwich shop. A local businessman is found dead in Sawyer, Penn. and 17-year-old employee Charlie Hudson is stuck in the middle trying untangle herself from this crime.
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By: Eric Gilliland
Narrated by: Sarah Vowell, Alan Cumming, Milo Manheim and more
The Cinnamon Bear
A revival of a classic 1937 holiday radio show starring John Goodman, Ryan Reynolds and more. Alan Cumming plays the titular bear, as he searches for his Christmas tree's missing star.
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By Mark Greaney
Narrated by Robert M. Jimenez, Ana Osorio, Andrew Call, Barrie Kreinik, Brandon Dirden, Chris Andrew Ciulla, Dan Bittner, Elizabeth Evans, Fajer Al-Kaisi and more
'Armored'
A military contractor is offered a chance at redemption after his last mission totaled his career. The new job sends him to Mexico on the hunt for a member of the drug cartel.
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By James Patterson, Duane Swierczynski
Narrated Narrated by John Lithgow, Bryce Dallas Howard, Peter Gallagher, Aldis Hodge, Corey Stoll, Marsha Stephanie Blake
'The Guilty'
A Broadway director returns with a mysterious play titled "The Guilty." The premise and actors involved are all unknown. On opening night, the audience's reaction is split: half joy, half terror.
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By Paul Lieberstein
Narrated by Will Forte, John Malkovich
'Middlespace: The Rebels Attack, And Then The Other Side Attacks As Well'
Will Forte plays a Starship Captain who quits his job, stranding his ship in space while he focuses on other passions. His idea to do nothing will instead lead him on a failing upwards trajectory.
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By Sharon Van Etten
Narrated by Sharon Van Etten
'Sharon Van Etten: All I Can'
On Audible's long-form original series "Words + Music," singer and songwriter Sharon Van Etten reveals her musical journey from a kid obsessed with Ani DiFranco to today's powerhouse creator.
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Narrated by Eddie Vedder
'Eddie Vedder: I Am Mine'
Eddie Vedder joins Audible's "Words + Music" series to play, break down his famous lyrics and discuss the intersection of art and life in this show named after the 2002 single.
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By Chris Brandon
Narrated by Daisy Ridley, Jason Tobin, Windson Liong, Nitin Ganatra, Alice Lowe
'Zoetrope'
New to Singapore, main character Tamsin, voiced by Daisy Ridley, has to navigate a mystery sparked by an anonymous voice.
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Podcasts
Trending
From daily news to true crime, find the next can't-miss podcasts that everyone is talking about and are sure to get you hooked.
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'Chasing Ghislaine'
As the Ghislaine Maxwell trial continues, go deep inside Jeffrey Epstein's world with interviews with more than 20 people that help uncover the story of money laundering, sexual misdeeds and more.
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'Bent By Nature'
This KCRW series examines the life of Deirdre O'Donoghue, the best dj you never heard of. Guests including Michael Stipe and Henry Rollins unpack her impact on independent music in the '80s and '90s.
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'Welcome to Your Fantasy'
Packed with muscular male dancers, Chippendale's dance club was the ultimate '80s fantasy. But entrepreneur Steve Banerjee's story turned out to be much darker than party-hearty reputation.
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'Anything for Selena'
Available in English and Spanish, host Maria Garcia weaves her own reflections on the impact of Mexican-American singer Selena, who was murdered at the height of her career.
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'I Will Teach You to Be Rich'
In this relatable series, money expert Ramit Sethi dissects why couples fight about money, why you can make a high income and still be unhappy and how to prioritize what really matters.
Podcasts
Variety Produced
Keep it in the family with our suite of Variety produced podcasts covering everything from awards, Broadway and business.
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'Just For Variety'
SubscribeEach week, Hollywood's most recognizable red carpet correspondent, Marc Malkin, sits down with today's biggest stars to talk film, television, pop culture and the latest news.
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'Awards Circuit'
SubscribeThe weekly "Awards Circuit" podcast features interviews with top film and TV talent and creatives; discussions and debates about awards races and industry headlines; and much, much more.
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'Stagecraft'
SubscribeBehind the scenes with the biggest stars on Broadway, off-Broadway and beyond. Hosted by Gordon Cox.
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'Strictly Business'
SubscribeIndustry leaders converse about business deals, strategy and the future of media and entertainment.
Music
Album Reviews
Who doesn't love new music, our critics pick the best new albums of the moment.
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‘Raise the Roof’
Robert Plant and Alison Krauss
Listen'Raise the Roof' is both warm and otherworldly.
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'Red'
Taylor Swift
ListenOn 'Red (Taylor's Version),' Taylor Swift's vault tracks are all too swell.
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‘Evening With Silk Sonic’
Silk Sonic
ListenBruno Mars and Anderson .Paak's 'Evening With Silk Sonic' is a luscious blast of '70s soul
What To Hear News
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Music Producer Maejor to Release Audible Podcast About Healing Power of Sound (EXCLUSIVE)
Maejor has been in the music biz for more than a decade. Over his career, the singer, songwriter and powerhouse producer has worked with the likes Justin Bieber, Drake, Trey Songz, Ciara…
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‘Annie’ Sequel Musical Podcast Stars Laura Benanti, Lance Reddick, Alan Ruck
A new podcast imagines what happens five years after the events of beloved musical “Annie.” “Tomorrow,” a scripted drama series featuring new music and new arrangements of the musical’s…
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Audible Authors Talk About How Music Inspires Them in ‘Chapter and Verse’ Series on SiriusXM, Pandora
SiriusXM and Pandora have teamed with Amazon’s Audible for “Chapter and Verse,” an audio series featuring conversations with top authors of Audible audiobook originals about the music and…
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Joe Rogan Had the No. 1 Podcast in 2021 on Spotify (Podcast News Roundup)
In today’s podcast roundup, Spotify and Apple have released their year-end rankings and lists of the top podcasts of 2021, among other news from the world of audio…
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Ross Golan’s ‘And the Writer Is’ Podcast Marks 150th Show With Clear-Eyed View on Songwriters’ Challenges, Diversity
As the songwriter of multiplatinum hits for Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber, One Direction and Demi Lovato, among many others, Ross Golan’s schedule was already full when he started his podcast, “And…
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Olivia Rodrigo, Bad Bunny Top Spotify’s 2021 Year-End Charts
Spotify has unveiled its annual 2021 Wrapped campaign — where users can see the music they listened to the most all year — and with that comes the top artists, albums, songs, playlists and…
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Issa Rae Unveils Next ‘Insecure’ Soundtrack, With Saweetie, Thundercat and More (EXCLUSIVE)
Issa Rae has unveiled the soundtrack for the next soundtrack to her Peabody-award-winning HBO series “Insecure,” which features new songs from Saweetie — “Get It Girl,” which dropped earlier…
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‘Grantchester’ Producer Kudos Takes Stake in Podcast Company What’s The Story?
Kudos, the Banijay U.K. outfit behind “Grantchester” and “Code 404,” is expanding into the podcast business by taking a 25% equity stake in podcast production company What’s the Story? What’s…
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European Podcast Startup Podimo Raises $78 Million to Fund Content, Market Expansion
Podimo, a Copenhagen-based podcast and audio entertainment subscription service, said it closed $78 million in a Series B round of funding. The round brings Podimo, founded in 2019, to about…
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Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck Star in First Looney Tunes Scripted Podcast Series (Podcast News Roundup)
In today’s podcast news roundup, Bugs and Daffy hit the road in a Thanksgiving-themed podcast from Warner Bros. Animation; NBA star Stephen Curry goes off-court with Audible; and Spotify does a deal…
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Robert Plant and Alison Krauss’ ‘Raise the Roof’ Is Both Warm and Otherworldly: Album Review
Robert Plant and Alison Krauss’ “Raise the Roof” is an intense conversation between two friends who’ve sat at this table before, hashing out the blues. For all of its familiarity, this fresh…
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Kristen Stewart on ‘Spencer’ and Her Oscar Buzz: ‘We Don’t Make Movies to Not Connect With Each Other’
Actress Kristen Stewart delivers the performance of her career in Pablo Larraín’s “Spencer,” which has thrust her to the forefront of the best actress conversation. But when asked about her…
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NAACP Image Awards Announces Ceremony Date, New Podcast Categories for In-Person 2022 Event
The NAACP Image Awards will return with an in-person ceremony on Saturday, February 26, 2022 — and broadcast live on BET. The NAACP announced Thursday that it has added new podcast categories to…