This current season, last 12 weeks, is a complete waste of time and kind of offensive. It follows a guy on death row that was already convicted of multiple violent underage rapes before he was sentenced to death row for a series of murders. It disgusts me how much sympathy and time they devote to this man’s story. The interview with the rapist in the 4th episode is down right disturbing. Expresses absolutely no remorse about the children and women he stalked and raped. He sounds like a textbook narcissist and manipulator and makes all these lawyers and journalist seem naive and misguided. There is so much to report on within the prison system. I don’t understand why serial and the ny times would choose this abhorrent man to focus on. Disgusting and kind of bewildering. I feel for these victims family for being dragged into this utterly pointless endeavor. Seems like bleeding heart liberals go to the south and believe any damn thing this multiple time convicted child rapist says. With the copious amount of resources behind these kind of journalistic productions, I wish they would choose worthy subjects. Also, The Idiot kinda sucked too.

In this rendition of serial it seems like there’s an effort to speak just like Sarah. Much like how hosts of The Daily mimic Barbaro’s style and do the affected “HMMMM.” It’s weird.

huh?

Serial has been in decline for a long time. This series is just a continuation of sub-par work from this channel. The case is boring. It’s all the same script. Crime so long ago that no one can dig any thing new. Questionable actions from law and legal system. A criminal that probably did it but “you be the judge”. This kind of work is what I would expect from a channel with 10 subscribers, not a NY Times production. It’s clear Serial isn’t going to produce interesting content anymore. Just hang it up.

We subscribe but unlike the host says in the show you do not provide access to LINK our NY Times account - just subscribe. I hate The Times digital- even as a subscriber I can never access articles/podcasts without constantly signing in again and again. It’s a constant headache and I just end up finding other sources for info I need quickly. It’s such a hassle. One would Think they would make life easy for subscribers. Es Tu Serial? I listened to the last series and March, why am I not already signed up for this one? Forget it! Too many other platforms make accessing good content easy!

Complete bore!! Long, drawn out story that could have ended after the first episode. What is so special? A guy puts a hit on his wife. Literally, THAT is the story. Complete disappointment.

I’ve enjoyed listening to Serial since its inception and I’ve always appreciated Sarah Koenig‘s direct reporting style. That’s why I was disappointed by the process required to access Season 16 episode 2 of Idiot. The experience felt less like a straightforward content offering and more like an attempt to steer listeners into subscribing to the The New York Times app. As a longtime listener, I found the lack of transparency, frustrating, and inconsistent with the values of directness and honesty that have made Serial so compelling.

Serial used to be great. Not it’s garbage. The season called The Preventionist was allegedly researched for years with very little to show for any actual research. They rely on abusive parents reports of what happened vs naming experts or understanding the systems they are trying to invalidate. I used to think the New York Times was better than this, these days it’s par for to course. Shame on you.

I have loved Serial for years. I even re-listen to some to some series. But why do I have to hear ads if I am paying for the New York Times subscription? Can this be fixed, please?

I have loved serial since the beginning and that’s why I’m honestly shocked at how irresponsible and poorly researched “ the preventionist” is. It is extremely dangerous and further fueling the antiscience anti expert attitudes our country is dealing with, and I think is honestly going to endanger a lot of kids. I truly can’t believe they failed to mention the accused parents at the center of the podcast have an adult son who has come forward after being emancipated to share he was also medically abused by his parents. The Preventionist casts many cases as uncertain despite multiple conflicting stories and medical findings that simply don’t match the explanations given and truly undermine child safety by elevating fringe theories over decades of established research. Please listen to the podcast ‘nobody should believe me’ for a very compelling rebuttal. Truly disappointed in serial.

As someone who experienced severe physical dv and emotional manipulation from x husband, this is a breath of fresh air. My wasp family abandoned me (considered it was my fault for marrying a catholic!) despite having a young son to care for. At 60 yo and still living paycheck-to paycheck, despite having a master’s degree, really appreciate you digging deeper into story.

The Kids of Rutherford County. Story was good but the narrator/reporter’s glottal fry was so irritating. Hope she doesn’t do anymore seasons.

Riveting. I was completely pulled in to the story of M. Gessen’s cousin Allen, and by extension the interesting family relationships. Their Aunt is a true villain, yet there is underlying compassion for all. I thought their narration was well done. Highly recommend!

Sorry this was boring. It sounded like a personal story . Sorry Serial you lost my interest

I really tried to love the Idiot, but it never gripped me.

I understand the concept of the story, and that premise IS interesting, but it just never seems to fully engage. The last 2 episodes were nearly impossible to get through. They can’t be all winners, serial team.

Really interesting story. Thanks!

I like Serial usually but The Idiot wasn’t even interesting. I listened all the way through hoping there would be a gotcha moment, but nope, wasn’t a fan of this one.

I wanted to like it, but it was so flat.

Interesting story as usual but unfortunately the journalist who researched this story about his own family is not a good voice for podcasts. Mumbles and often can’t tell what the heck he said! Would’ve been better to have someone else do the bulk of narration and interviewing the writer. Sorry but true!

I really enjoyed this podcast. It is so well done - it’s thoughtful, clever and poignant. M is a funny and brilliant host. I was so impressed with how they told this almost Greek-like tragedy with deference and humanity. Loved it.

Season 1 was fantastic. 5 stars. The others have been a mixed bag. But I’m writing this review specifically about The Idiot. What a waste of time. Not funny or clever or interesting. I’m so annoyed I listened to it. And wow the narrator is just awful. No emotion whatsoever and difficult to understand. Weird choice for a podcast.

I tried. I slowed him down, I turned up the volume, I lowered the pace, Imput him in speakers, I plugged him into buds. Honey. Trust me. This guy is the worst. Might be a good tale? I doubt it. The producers didn’t respect it enough to hire a decent teller.

Season 16 put me to sleep. The host is so monotone, and difficult to understand at times. The subject matter is interesting but there’s no suspense or build-up. I stopped on episode three.

As usual, Serial delivers a brilliant story about us humans. Thank you

I’m not sure if it’s just me but the host is so hard to understand. Good story and reporting otherwise!

Considering the resources Serial has, The Preventionist is beyond upsetting. This conspiracy narrative with cherry picked information endangers children. Furthering misinformation and mistrust of medical professionals right now is… gross.

A gross misrepresentation of CAPs. Awesome job fear mongering and villainizing these highly trained physicians while giving a platform for parents (multiple of whom have long records of DV and CA) to perpetuate conspiracies that will ultimately lead to more cases like Gabriel Hernandez - PROTECT MANDATED REPORTERS

I loved every bit of The Idiot, another great Serial experience (we need more of this)

The host mumbles through the show, making it hard to understand and follow the storyline.

Your other shows are so good I just can’t understand this season. Where is the voice of the actual victims (the children)?!

Love serial!! I usually only allow myself 1-2 episodes per day so i can strech out the pleasure😭!

Allen and Seth Bader (protagonist in Legally Dead, by Kevin Flynn) are brothers from another mother! By coincidence, I just read this true story a day before finding The Idiot. It was impossible to separate Allen and Seth. See for yourself.

I really enjoyed this story and the way the narrator told it.

The YouTube CEO episode just posted in The Interview actually plays The Idiot. And I’m sorry, I love M Gessen’s work, but I can’t listen to her read out loud. It’s unfortunate.

The Idiot….excellent journalism job! Despite all the circumstances. Congratulations!!

Love hearing Sarah’s voice! Loving the 4th season!!! Sarah is the best narrator! I do not like the season titled the idiot… ugh it’s all just so bad. Bring back Sarah!

Don’t subscribe to the NYT apps thinking you’ll get ad-free content. Due to the arrogance of the NYT, you get to pay for commercials.

Great story and great music. Cant believe Priscilla still has sympathy for the guy.

M. Gessen has long been a favorite journalist! This was such an interesting podcast, I binge listened in one day! My own experience with a cousin similar to Allen in many ways drew me in immediately. It’s fascinating from a slightly distant vantage point to see how someone (especially a relative) can do something like that? Thank you!

You ever have a friend introduce you to someone, and that person just bombards you with stories about how crazy their family is, and you’re just stuck there saying “that’s crazy” a bunch of times, but you’re thinking “I don’t care about this get me out of here”? That’s “The Idiot” to me. This is not the binge-worthy compelling storytelling from classic Serial; it’s missing the humanity somehow. Also the host often mumbles, so for ex. it’s hard to tell between characters who are named Allen, L, Ellen, O? They all are said so similarly.

I have an all access subscription, but all I see on Apple Podcasts is the trailer.

Love this production !! Wish there were more!!

Just a thought, we went carrying candy bar phones in our back pockets. What type of phone was it?

I’m baffled how serial allowed such horrible, unsubstantiated reporting to happen. The host is lazy, which in other circumstances whatever, but this involves the safety of children and I hope she is incredibly ashamed of the ‘work’ (if you could even call it that) she’s done. Many of the people she spoke to have spoken on other podcasts about how she edited them to fit her agenda, unethical and shady. Play the rest of your conversations if you have nothing to hide. I digress… this just upsets me so much. If you don’t understand the stakes of something you’re reporting on, then check your privilege at the door and investigate something that isn’t too complicated for such a lazy reporter. Serial, I’m shocked and embarrassed for you. I no longer trust this platform.

Season 4 Episode 2 isn’t on here!

I can’t stand how I can hear the host constantly take breaths in. It’s annoying and distracting

Sarah Koenig and Dyan Neary not only flopped on season 15, but were willfully biased and intentionally only telling one side of events. The lack of journalistic integrity on Dyan Nearys part is so discouraging for a Podcast of this caliber, all of the unnamed parents she interviews who are claiming “medical kidnapping” are deeply suspicious and many of them have had multiple encounters with CAPs and the CPS system. They are not innocent. Dyan Neary never told the listener the full story of these parents and allowed the parents to portray the victim with absolutely no rebuttal or fact checking. I have loved Serial since season 1 but this is just awful, 3 whole episodes of nothing but bias and misinformation.

Marxist, racist, trash content.

Hands down the best podcast season I’ve ever listened to. I don’t even know how to describe S-Town other than saying it has a little bit of everything- very deep and intense, sad, funny, intelligent, etc. Highly recommend. I’ve already listened to it 3 times 🤷🏻‍♀️😂