And also trivializes the extent that executives and others sexually harassed talent in the 90s and the 00s. At the end, one of the "hosts" explains why they named their detective agency "Arden". The explanation makes no sense, but their conclusion is that Everything is Connected. The writers apparently think this means that everything can be included in their hour long episodes. It is hard to be hateful because the acting and production are good. Perhaps the characterization of Brenda and Bea are is a little simplistic, and the fact that 75% of the humor is about the leads, one the hardened cop who needs an answer and the reporter looking for a big break (Podcast Style!), and the awfully Big Daddy sponsor of said podcast Andy Wheyface (white face!?!). That is tiresome and there is just too much including the dumb parody ads like (seriously) one for "Oral Emojis". It is amusing enough until the 11th episode when it is revealed there is True Crime that the show is about. Distantly but just enough the disappearance of Julia Capsom is ultimately related to a Harvey Weinstein-like director's attempted sexual assault of the teenage starlet. Trivializing because the daughter of an established star married to a rich and powerful lawyer was not the target of Weinstein and his like, but more ordinarily actresses who had climbed a rung or two up in Hollywood and had much more to lose. Their probably can be a silly even funny podcast about Me too, but we are meant to take Julia and Ralph's story as a tragedy and her reaction to her predicament as sad. At the mushy core, there is a meet cute and a story about what Ralph's dad said to his mom at their meet cute. (By the way Mrs Montgomery is a visa overstayer from the 1980s. This show cannot go an episode without including some talking point.) Instead getting annoyed about the lack of substance in the podcast, this illustrates the Arden point: everything is connected, so anything can be brought up. It is not just tonal shifts between episodes and within each episode (somehow the couple are both the most saintly teenagers ever and are thought so by friends) but how the whole podcast lives in am imaginary 50s style era of plot points, motivations and even slang and the jokey voices of the larger casts. Julia is called a "debutante" by her friend and Ralph (who has a doomed affair with a Ralph?) is called a "science whiz". I would not be surprised if the car with the torso was a Malibu. It seems the writers are a bit self-aware of this, but it reinforces what the podcast is really about. It is not a parody, not a mystery, but a cozy form of of true crime fanfic that happens to include Me-too as a plot point. To use a different line from the podcast, "It was made in 2006, so it was about 9-11." I think Arden is really about 9/11 and I hope this is addressed by the second season.

Really enjoy this parody of the usual crime podcast show. I like the banter between to Bea and Brenda it reminds me of old screwball comedies. While it is a parody the crime they are investigating does have me intrigued so it work on the mystery level as well as the comedy level.

great show, anxiously awaiting season 2 ep 12’s re-release… 😬

The show is funny to listen. The dynamic is great. Funny when the boss shows up with his quips. Good stuff

I read some of the other reviews and clearly there are many ppl who have no sense of humor. Great show ! Loved the silly banter between Bea and Brenda. Give new season 3 PLEASSSEEEE

I actually really like this show. The story is well written and clever, the wayface commercials are funny, and the premise is fresh. But the audio is terrible. The actors quietly mumble one line and then blow your ear drums out the very next one, and in some scenes one actor is way too loud and the other is so quiet you can hardly hear them. It’s been difficult to get through the first season because of this. I really hope they get someone capable of fixing this for future seasons episodes or I may have to find a different podcast.

I really enjoy this show so far, starting from season 1. I enjoy the comic relief and the whole premise. But I am REALLY struggling with the mouth sounds and swallows when one of the radio hosts. It makes it listening very difficult for someone with misophonia. Hope it improves with the seasons.

This show has its heart in the right place. I appreciate the important and timely message it’s trying to send about media, celebrity, and misogyny; but, ultimately, Arden doesn’t have the writing chops to be a good vessel for these themes. I’d happily recommend Episode 11, where the story really does land; however, it lands largely because the two protagonists are almost entirely absent in it. The rest of Arden is a character-driven story about two podcasters, but I never felt a connection to either of them. The characterization never goes much deeper than the rational smart one and fun quirky one, and the dynamic between them amounts to little more than constant bickering and sexual tension–which, as you can imagine, grows tiresome quickly. All in all, Arden’s premise could have been truly powerful, but it doesn’t manage to live up to that ambition. And, well, I’m getting kind of tired of stories about women that just leave me feeling sick, and sad.

This did not work for me. There was way to much fluff and goofiness that was more annoying than entertaining. I would have loved to finish the podcast but I could only handle listening up to Season 1 episode 5. It was just to staged and weird.

Was binging this podcast and got to the end and it is missing the second to last episode. Frustrating and wish I would have known this before I started

Yes, there is tonal whiplash between the goofy comedy moments and the dramatic ones but I’m truly glad I gave this series a shot and I think you will too. The story just keeps getting better!

The plot sounded so good, I got hooked but the banter of the main characters was so obnoxious. I actually finished the whole first season and it truly wasn’t worth it because of how annoying the characters were. Once they took a detour mid-season to focus more on the characters, I barely made it but just wanted to know what happened.

Half way through season 1 and liking it! It’s definitely more of a comedy than an enthralling mystery, but a fun listen. However, the volume of this podcast ranges from 3 to 8 (out of 10) and I’m constantly having to turn it up and down. It’s made it SO hard to listen in the car while traveling. 😩 Other than that, enjoying it.

New listener, three episodes in. The banter between the two hosts is almost unbearable. I’ve skipped ahead so many times because it’s so pointless. Their arguing in the first episode was horrible writing and nails on a chalkboard. Who wants to listen to a murder podcast when it’s just two women having a stupid argument? I hope it gets better.

I am NOT a frequent listener of fictional podcasts, though not for lack of trying! Every once in a while one catches my interest, but usually I struggle to get through even one or two episodes. Weird, because I love audiobooks and actual plays. Arden is an exception. While some aspects are a little silly for my taste, most of it is pitch perfect. It has the kind of referential world building that makes you feel smart, and adds up to feel like a substantive engagement with genre and form rather than a pastiche. The fictional ads are always a chuckle, I always smile at the Karina Longworth reference, and there’s an extended Kenneth Lonergan allusion midway through the second season that lands super well. Also, the cast is strong and the two co-leads have amazing chemistry. The only part I don’t understand is how it retells Romeo and Juliet, but not being much of a Shakespeare head hasn’t impacted my enjoyment. If anything, knowing that kept me from trying it for ages—if I had realized that it was a fictional true crime investigation about celebrity worship in the aughts I would have picked this podcast up much sooner. The first season is great! I am excited to hear the rest!

I liked both seasons, but I felt like season two had some nonsensical/unnecessary things that slowed it down. I also felt like transitioning from one episode to another, there were some elements that contradicted themselves. And, four-story continuity that kind of personally bugs me but it’s not a big deal over all. But I really like all the effort the actors put into their characters and the complexity of both seasons.🤟🏻(All my personal opinion of course)

Amazing

I wanted to like it but it’s hard to get around how horrible these characters would be if they really covered a murder case like this…. In real life they would be deeply insensitive and unethical as investigators with how they absolutely make light of people’s alleged murders. Also not a fan of humanizing billionaires like they can exist without exploitation of the working class, which they absolutely can’t. Andy should be paying the crew more but instead he funds cutesy things like moon mines as if that’s not a feature of a dystopian society that that level of luxury exists alongside homelessness. Not to mention the glossing over of the death of a homeless teen and mutilating his body like he didn’t matter to anyone because he was homeless. They just said “oh I’m such a bad person maybe” and moved on completely. All this and Andy being presented as a lovable character and all the cop loving weirdness made the whole show very unrelatable. I know it’s supposed to be a comedy but god it’s so neoliberal that it’s just grating in the end.

It took me several tries to get into S2 of Arden. I had to find just the right mood, kept trying, and finally did. Had a blast. So I’m revising this review. I still had trouble distinguishing two of the actors who have very similar sounding voices and mannerisms ... they both also pull similar fake voices for emphasis, and their characters fulfill very similar functions within the plot, so it’s really hard to follow which of the two is speaking. That’s a significant issue. Plus, all the bickering is really tedious and abrasive to me. The side plots … I just get confused. But the use of music was a lot of fun. Most of the acting was outstanding. And if you’re in the right listening mood to focus, the writing does some fun stuff with suspension of disbelief and reliability and shifting of POV characters that’s worthy of proper literary review and discussion. Sound wise, there are some issues with inconsistent volume and painful sudden spikes in sound to be weary of.

This show just keeps getting better! Season 2 really drew me in with compelling characters and clever adaptations of Shakespeare. A clever critique of the true crime with writing that makes me laugh out loud. This show is truly unlike anything else I’ve listened to and I was sad when finally reached the end, it felt like I was saying goodbye to friends. Give it a listen!

The story is great and really had me hooked since the beginning. I couldn’t wait to hear more. My only complaint is that the hosts’ “banter” gets tiring at times and seems to drag on. Season 2 is great! The penultimate episode is not my favorite but oh well.

Great storytelling, believable characters, and strong pacing - highly recommend it!

The story line is great and the banter is entertaining: to a point. It goes overboard to the point of “get on with it already” and tends to take away from the overall quality. Great voices, great effects.

I am sure there is meant to be a story here, but the endless “witty banter” it is hard to find.

A much needed escape from reality. I can’t wait for more!!!

I LOVE this show. It combines true crime, comedy, and Shakespeare. And awesome queer representation!!! Seriously, what else are you looking for? It is at times so funny—— and other times so heart wrenching. It is cleverly written, and well executed. It was my first dive into audio fiction, and although I’ve since listened to a lot of other shows, this is the only one I listen to over and over. I love Bea and Brenda. Rosalind is an icon. And Lorena Christopher is just too personally relatable, but I’m ok with the call out. This is a great show!!!!!

I think I've listened to S1 a dozen times, easily. I haven't finished S2 yet but that's on me, not a reflection of S2. This is the podcast I recommend when people start talking about podcasts. It's witty, well-written, easy to get into, and features possibly my favorite cast in all of podcasting. You can't go wrong with Michelle Agresti, ever, really. Emily VanDerWerff, Sara Ghaleb, and Chris Dole are creating something phenomenal here.

Can we just talk about how much I love the stars of Arden? Brenda and Bea make me so happy. Brenda, I love her. Her comedic timing is impeccable and she gets those moment right. You know the moments I’m talking about? The ones where your heart has plummeted deep into your stomach and you're showing everything. Completely vulnerable. Gaaaaah! She’s so good. Bea, little lunatic wound so tightly that only Brenda has the patience to slowly but surely unwind her. It’s just so good. Anyway, thank you for season 2 and for bringing Brenda and Bea into my life.

I didn’t think season two could get better than season one, but wow, you did it. Also, Brenda Bentley’s solo episode made me laugh so hard I almost peed. I LOVE BRENDA BENTLEY! Thank you Arden for making my commute easy and entertaining!

Absolutely love Arden! I binged the first season in three days. There’s so many layers to the show. The cast of characters is rich and well voiced. And the reimagining of Shakespearean plays is a delight. I’m decently versed in Shakespeare and yet could not figure out the plot until the final episodes. A true mystery whodunnit that’ll keep you guessing until the end, all the while you enjoy not only the characters but their growth over time as well.

Couldn’t even get through the first episode

Season 2 was one of the best things to come out of 2020

I'm not great at writing reviews but I love this podcast. Yep that's it.

They give content warnings for transphobia, they don’t warn you that it’s weak lazy and serves no purpose but adding some edge. For white upper class cis women, by white upper class cis women.

Two of the most despicably unlikable caricatures in the history of podcast fiction commit a spectacular amount of blatant felonies in pursuit of a (not so) missing girl. Spectacularly annoying in it’s COMPLETE and TOTAL disregard of real life parameters placed on police, private investigators, and podcasters. The two primary imbeciles come across as self-absorbed to the point of delusion, shrewish, surly, insensitive, ignorant, anti-family, and mentally ill. And then there’s the bad news . . .

Yep, that about covers it. Listen to season one it’s fun and cleverly written. Season two is the complete opposite. Season two gets a save your time rating.

I don’t even know where to start because everything about this podcast is so great! An incredibly fun story that had me hooked from episode one, a diverse cast of characters, love, drama, comedy, music, murder, disappearances, skunk apes! Really this podcast has it all!!

My favorite romance podcast! But in all seriousness, this podcast is amazing and one of my favorites. The humor is just right, all the characters are so unique and likeable, superb voice acting, and the plot keeps ya on your toes. Can't wait for Bea and Brenda's marriage!

listen folks. I keep up with somewhere around 50 audio dramas. this show is like no other. the plot is gripping (once you get past the first few episodes as is the case with EVERY PODCAST give them a break folks) and the characters are so lovable and so human. it’s a story you fall in love with overnight—personally, I fell in love with it at the first episode and immediately forgot about the show I was listening to before. I found it at about the middle of summer last year and the next thing I knew I was binge-listening so fast the memories feel like a dream... I think it was about the 12th night that I finished it though... but I digress!! my point here is: the hype isn’t just much ado about nothing ;) ((my ocd largely prevented me from reviewing podcasts before now, but I’ll wrap it in gaff tape for a few minutes if it means a dollar goes to helping trans people, especially at a time like this. thank you Emily. you’re the real Good Person™️ here))

im a lesbian and i listened to this podcast for someone im flirting with and let me tell u!! that’s NOT the only reason i like it!!! it’s funny & tragic & romantic & suspenseful. bea and brenda have GREAT chemistry together, for a start: i love them both SO much, and their personalities bounce off of each other so well. i care about all the characters immensely! and it helps that the voice actors are all really nice to listen to :-) at some point i stopped & took a look at the characters and noticed that (nearly?) all of the key players driving the plot are women, which is. a rare but delicious luxury :”) would absolutely recommend this podcast to anyone who’s any sort of wlw!!! i can’t wait for the second half of season 2 to permanently emotionally devastate me!!!!! WAHOO!!!!!!!!!

Clever and funny writing, great character dynamics, and I love the casual LGBTQ representation

You should listen to the first season it is good. The second season is a waste of time.

I loved the first season and was really excited for season 2 to come out. At first it wasn't grabbing me the way the first season was, but once the mystery started unraveling, i was enraptured. I'm honestly thinking of becoming a patron at this point.

Loved the plot and the humor! However, when listening with earbuds, the sound is either way too quiet or insufferably loud which requires me to constantly adjust my volume levels. My eardrums were not okay after the “advertisement” part in episode 5 lol

If you enjoy true crime, eccentric (and clueless) billionaires, and snarky friends, this is the show for you.

on my second listen through with my dnd group and god i love y'all this is such a good show

I hate to pick favorites, but... this show is amazing. You will love it. Trust me.

This functions on so many levels. The story itself is good. Then there’s the level where it’s a true crime podcast parody. Then there’s the level where it’s a retelling of a Shakespeare tragedy (each season has its own). Then there’s the level where it’s a retelling of a Shakespeare comedy. I have such a nice time with this fun, queer podcast. And then all of a sudden I’m having feelings.

This is the first podcast I have ever listened to from start to... mid season finale? The first season grabs your attention with the weird and wild story. The second season keeps you with the amazing character development. The writing is hilarious, unapologetically real, and the ads are my favorite. You’ll understand once you start listening...

Tbh the plot of the 2nd season can feel a bit sprawling at times but overall its a very tightly wound show with jokes that will make you smile even if you dont always laugh out loud