The Best Entertainment-Centric Audiobooks to Listen to Right Now
We live in a glorious time in which it's completely normal to fall asleep to the sound of your favorite Hollywood star reading you a story.
By Anna Tingley
What to Hear
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13 Essential Music Industry Podcasts
Here is a selective list of 13 podcasts aimed at both music-industry hopefuls and insiders alike.
As ‘Drive’ Turns 10, Its Composer and Key Songwriter Recall the Film’s Innovative Soundtrack
The lives of two key figures behind 'Drive's' pivotal soundtrack, Johnny Jewel and Cliff Martinez, have changed for the better, thanks to the film.
James Bond ‘No Time to Die’ Official Podcast Goes Live
Hosted by James King, the podcast features exclusive interviews with Daniel Craig, director Cary Joji Fukunaga and producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli.
Concert Canceled? Give These 50 Live Albums a Listen
Live albums so good, you may find yourself wanting to keep listening to them even after your favorites return to the stage.
Audiobooks
Variety Recommends
Dive into the audiobooks getting Hollywood's attention, for your next vacation or long car drive.
By Seth Rogen
Narrated by Seth Rogen
'Yearbook'
Seth Rogen's memoir is filled with drug-fueled antics from his youth and Hollywood. The audiobook edition is also stuffed with surprise cameos from Nick Kroll, Billy Idol, Jason Segel and more.
Listen
By Danny Trejo and Donal Logue
Narrated by Danny Trejo and Donal Logue
'Trejo: My Life of Crime, Redemption, and Hollywood'
This unflinching story details how Danny Trejo survived addiction, abuse and found his way into the hearts of millions on screen.
Listen
By Matthew McConaughey
Narrated By Matthew McConaughey
'Greenlights'
Calling this book a "love letter to life," Matthew McConaughey's memoir will make you want to get up, get out and start your own legacy.
Listen
By Brit Bennett
Narrated By Shayna Small
'The Vanishing Half'
Soon to be adapted into an HBO TV series, the story follows twin sisters raised in a small town in the Jim Crow South. Traumatized by their childhood, the two take different paths into adulthood.
Listen
By Arthur Conan Doyle
Narrated by Stephen Fry
'Sherlock Holmes: The Definitive Collection'
Audiobook king Stephen Fry entertains with over 70 hours of original Sherlock Holmes mystery novels. This is the end-all, be-all car trip lifesaver.
Listen
Partner Content
Audible Recommends
Our partners at Audible give their picks for the best audio books to consider.
By Deepak Chopra
Narrated by Deepak Chopra
'Mind Body Zone'
Expand your awareness with Deepak Chopra's podcast. Chopra shares stories that will give you tools to change your life and find new possibilities "outside the box."
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By Daymond John
Narrated by Daymond John
'Founding Fubu'
Star of "Shark Tank" and founder of the $6 billion brand FUBU Daymond John takes you through the creation of his enterprise.
Listen
Narrated by Elizabeth Banks
'My Body, My Podcast'
Actor Elizabeth Banks invites doctors, activists, actors (Laverne Cox) and even her mother onto her podcast to talk sex education.
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By Rhiannon Giddens
Narrated by Rhiannon Giddens
'To Balance on Bridges'
Rhiannon Giddens blends songs and stories together to examine questions of race, culture, appropriation and class.
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By Neil Gaiman, Dirk Maggs
Narrated by Neil Gaiman
'The Sandman Act II'
"The Sandman: Act II" will adapt the Neil Gaiman graphic novel series starring James McAvoy, Jeffrey Wright, Regé-Jean Page, Brian Cox, Emma Corrin, John Lithgow, David Tennant, Kevin Smith and more.
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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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'You're Wrong About'
From O.J. Simpson to the Satanic Panic, hosts Mike and Sarah set the record straight on topics or historical events widely misunderstood and misrepresented to the public.
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'Dr. Death'
The podcast that sparked the 2021 Peacock series starring Joshua Jackson. Meet Dr. Paolo Macchiarini: globe-trotting surgeon, Casanova and murderer.
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'Asian Enough'
Celebrities, politicians and tastemakers join hosts for an in-depth discussion about being Asian American, "the joys, the complications and everything in between." Recent guests include Simu Liu.
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'Raising The Game'
Anthony Frasier's podcast tells the untold story of Jerry Lawson, the man who helped build the video game industry we know today.
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‘Slow Burn’
With Ryan Murphy's "Impeachment" premiering, now is the time to jump into this deep dive podcast that analyzes political milestones from the Clinton scandal and Watergate to the Iraq war.
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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'Star-Crossed'
Kacey Musgraves
ListenKacey Musgraves' 'Star-Crossed' is the rare 'divorce record' that boldly embraces mixed emotions.
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‘The Metallica Blacklist’
Metallica
ListenArtists as diverse as Miley Cyrus, Phoebe Bridgers, J Balvin, Jason Isbell, Dave Gahan, Chris Stapleton and Kamasi Washington have their way with Metallica's so-called "Black Album."
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'Certified Lover Boy'
Drake
Listen"Certified Lover Boy" becomes much more enjoyable when you look past these inconsistencies and accept it simply as a playlist of pop hits from our biggest pop star.
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'Donda'
Kanye West
ListenKanye West's fascinating "Donda" mixes holiness with old-school hubris over the course of nearly two hours and a 25+ all-star guest list.
What To Hear News
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Stephen King’s ‘Strawberry Spring’ Podcast Enlists Poo Bear for Original Song, Score
When it comes to music, the podcast sector remains in a grey area of licensing, waffling between being editorial or educational products (allowing for short snippets of songs or score) and pure
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Ricky Gervais Launches ‘Absolutely Mental’ Season 2 Podcast, Priced at $15
Most podcasts are available to listen for free. Comedian Ricky Gervais expects fans to pay $15 to hear his latest musings with neuroscientist and philosopher Sam Harris on life as we know…
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Apple TV Plus to Release ‘Foundation’ Companion Podcast for Original Sci-Fi Series (Podcast News Roundup)
In today’s podcast news roundup, Apple TV Plus sets a sidekick podcast for “Foundation” hosted by Jason Concepcion with David S. Goyer; Showtime preps “Dexter” podcast for special event series…
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Spotify Gets Exclusive Podcast From Lauren Simmons, NYSE’s Youngest-Ever Trader
Spotify inked an exclusive deal for a podcast hosted by Lauren Simmons, who famously was once the youngest person to work as a full-time stock trader on the floor of the New York…
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Reese Witherspoon Brings Her Book Club to Google’s Voice Assistant (Podcast News Roundup)
In today’s podcast news roundup, Reese’s Book Club gets embedded with Google’s voice assistant; Apple Podcasts adds new content-discovery features; Warner Bros. TV takes “Bachelor Nation” and “Band…
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Calm Meditation App Doubles Down on Kids’ Content; Teams With Pink, Maya Rudolph, Minions and More (EXCLUSIVE)
Calm is ramping up original kids content, as the meditation and mental-wellness app company looks to persuade more parents to shell out $70 for an annual subscription — with a roster of celebs…
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The Best Audible Books to Listen to Right Now
We live in a glorious time in which it’s completely normal to fall asleep to the sound of your favorite Hollywood star reading you a story. More and more bold-faced names have joined Audible…
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Marvel Podcast Subscriptions Launch Exclusively on Apple Podcasts
Fans who can’t wait to get their ears on the new slate of Marvel podcasts can subscribe to Marvel Podcasts Unlimited, available exclusively on Apple Podcasts, from SiriusXM and…
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‘Haunt the Johnsons’: Spooky Comedy Podcast Series Starring Aisha Dee, Joel Kim Booster, Kristen Schaal Coming to Audible
Just in time for Halloween, supernatural comedy podcast series “Haunt the Johnsons” — starring Aisha Dee as a teen with paranormal powers who moves to the most-haunted town in America — is…
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As ‘Drive’ Turns 10, Its Composer and Key Songwriter Recall the Film’s Innovative Soundtrack
In the 10 years since the release of Nicolas Winding Refn’s “Drive,” the lives of two key figures behind its pivotal soundtrack, Johnny Jewel and Cliff Martinez, have changed for the better…
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13 Essential Music Industry Podcasts, From ‘Song Exploder’ to ‘Mogul’
With so many podcasts in the audiosphere and only so many hours in the day, it can be a challenge just testing the waters, let alone finding one that delivers what you’re looking for. Well…
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Kate Mara, Adam Scott to Star in ‘Ghostwriter’ Movie-Length Podcast Thriller From Cadence13 (EXCLUSIVE)
Kate Mara and Adam Scott have boarded psychological thriller “Ghostwriter,” a “podcast movie” from C13Features, the feature-length podcast studio division of Audacy’s Cadence13. “Ghostwriter”…
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Billie Eilish, Finneas Join Official James Bond Podcast to Explore Franchise’s Songs
In a new episode of the “No Time To Die: The Official James Bond Podcast,” Billie Eilish discusses her approach to the latest film in the franchise with critic James King, detailing how she wanted…