Reviews

such a sweet show! a slice-of-life, absurd & surreal comedy-drama about an alternative reality Boston. lots of fun characters, though the sheer number of them can get a little confusing sometimes, especially later in the show. it's about how they all relate, the selves they used to be/are/want to be, how good intentions balance with help and harm. it's got a lot of great queer rep, the writing is really good, the sound design and music are great, it's quite funny, voice actors are wonderful, just a lot of heart in it. I really enjoy how they peppered the lil snippets from interviews with actual Boston residents throughout, usually in ways that were related to the themes of what was goin on in the episode. the only thing that kept me from absolutely loving it (would rate 4.5 if i could), is that it often seems a little lost. It meanders a fair bit, and toward the 4th season they start experimenting with some trippier elements, usually involving lots of voices and space/time jumps, where often the sound design was just kinda confusing and broke immersion for me. And the sheer number of characters they tried to jam in towards the ending... would've work better for me if they focused in more deeply on some of the main ones instead of what felt like spreading things a little thin across the cast. definitely recommend if you wanna listen to something light and full of heart that will put a smile on your face! i love Guy and Marlowww <3

This podcast hits all of the marks: writing, imaginative story lines, acting, production, and it makes me homesick for a town I once called home.

Novelistic. Conisdered. Smart. Greater Boston is a great joy to listen to; it has an easy, deliberate pace, a magic realist tone, and an arch, wry wittiness that projects a wounded but warm heart. I'm excited to see where this show goes next.

Surreal and lovely and sort of impossible to describe.

Go listen to Episode 1 and tell me you're not all mad at them for making something this good. Seriously, f*ck these people for being so talented, and also for not including me on their "What People are Saying" section of their website. Greater Boston is what I always wished Prairie Home Companion could have been.

But I seriously cannot stand the lip smacking that Leon’s sister does when she monologues. I’m trying to get thru it lol. But oh lord. Smack smack smack. Really wish stuff like that didn’t irritate me so much! But other than that, it’s a great podcast. Thanks for making it! And Leon’s sister: you’re great- the problem is me, not you. Your acting is 🏆. ❤️

This podcast is severely underrated. It is in the ranks of Wolf 359 in terms of acting, storytelling, weaving details beautifully throughout the series, and turning an absurd concept into something truly emotional and moving. This will go on my roster to regularly relisten. Truly a beautiful story.

One of few stories to ever make me fear the death of a character

Absurd in the best ways possible, this show is mostly about community and the effects, knowingly and unknowingly, people have on each other's lives. Some great and fun stylistic storytelling, including: letters, recordings, Google calendars, monologues, narration, and real-world interviews. Weaves together the storylines of several distinct characters and makes them and their dynamics interesting and memorable. Not exclusively a comedy, but one of the funniest podcasts I've listened to. Balances humor (ex. a kidnapping scene in which the kidnappers, victim, and a ghost argue over how to pluralize 'hippopotamus') and emotional storylines (dealing with grief and systemic racism).

This is a full-cast comedy/drama about community and interpersonal connection, how someone's actions, however small or seemingly inconsequential, influence other's lives. In the first episode, this is illustrated by two Sasquatch hunters mistaking the other person for a Sasquatch and is also exemplified through the line, "Hell is a city without her citizens." A series of events following one man's death leads to a train line becoming a city. This story also explores grief, how corporations gain control through political interference, and recovery. Blends stylistic storytelling, including: letters, recordings, Google calendars, monologues, narration, and real-world interviews. Weaves together the storylines of several distinct characters and makes them and their dynamics interesting and memorable.

Best quirkiness in a storyline, supreme overall voice acting, perfect sound design (ex:the vacuum tube and stress squeezies), writing wizardry. AND new season coming soon!!! Take the time to catch up now!

It's a fun podcast with a surreal and deeply engaging plot.

Gorgeously written, thought provoking, poignant without ever being heavy-handed. Even within such a busy universe as that upon the red-line, this podcast always pauses to dwell on the mundanity of humanity and I just really love that. Really well rounded characters that are allowed to be messy (but are still loved) and a satisfying story that never holds back. So excited for more!

The masterful use of language really serves the world building. It makes you want to learn more about the characters and environment. Highly engaging.

The spirit of Lemony Snicket is alive and well in this show with its colorful characters, crazy misadventures, and interesting locations. I cannot recommend it enough.

Greater Boston has made me laugh. It's made me cry (like really cry on the MBTA in front of strangers). This show has some of the most gorgeous writing and stunning storytelling. It's a masterclass in character development and careful plotting. I cannot recommend it enough.

I came across this podcast, not knowing what to expect. Unique storytelling. It’s a treat!

I can’t express the amount of emotions Greater Boston makes me feel as I listen. The comedy is amazing and hits you like a Red Line so you can’t stop yourself from letting out a loud chuckle. The dripping emotion that can bring tears to my eyes and make me relate to the characters. The story is equally chaotic and interesting, but it gives Greater Boston its charm. Thank you for this phenomenal podcast!

Greater Boston is a really wonderful, immersive and emotionally engaging show. The Watch Factory is one of the most brilliant pieces of audio drama I can think of!

The production value of this show is insane. Some of the best acting in the game, high on the list of the many audio dramas I’ve heard. Consistently thoughtful at every step, the definition of detailed writing. Criminally underrated.

I have been beyond sad and scared for this country and the direction it has been seeming to drive relentlessly toward- the exact opposite of all that our forefathers prayed we would rise to. Listening to this has given me hope, that we must persevere even when it seems that the cards are forever stacked against us. This is not just a story for me. Thank you and please keep up this wonderful work.

I started listening three weeks ago and am already caught up! I didn't realize how engrossing this would be. What a fun and weirdly hyperlocal story. I think the themes are universal enough you don't need to be from Boston or Metrowest to enjoy it

I had this recommended to me a ton before I picked it up, and while I’m now a subscriber, I do think it has its issues. I love many of the stories and characters, but I feel like absurdism of the plot elements sometimes distracts from my ability to invest emotionally. If you’re down for something a little weirder, I would definitely try Greater Boston out, but you definitely need to give it room to be what it is, for which reason it’s not always my precise cup of tea.

It took me longer than I’d like to admit to really appreciate this show for what it is (2 and a half seasons and then a re-listen of season 1). But once I finally came around, it became one of my all time favorites. The story is unique, the setting surreal and whimsical, the format fresh and constantly changing. The characters are complex and messy in a way you can’t help but love, the questions it asks about community are important and thought-provoking, and all of the writing is impeccable, from the twisting structure of the countless plot and character arcs intertwining with each other, down to the rhythm of the narration and scenes. I appreciate the way the show addresses more sensitive themes, such as grief, addiction, misogyny, racism, and systematic oppression. It delves into all of these topics respectfully and artfully, while keeping an uplifting and hopeful tone. It is not a show that’s interested in making its characters suffer, only in showing the problems that exist in their lives, and how they confront them. The action picks up a lot in season two, and I love all of the twists and turns that brings, but I will always have a soft spot for the season one monologues. They are breathtaking. I am about two days of quarantine away from starting to memorize some of them. I don’t even have anyone I want to recite them to—it’s just a way to keep them with me. This show is special to me. It intrigues me, and it comforts me, and most of all it inspires me to be better—a better friend, a better community member, and a better person.

I'm still only in the second season but I really adore this show! I wasn't so sure at the beginning and took a break from it but after meeting the creators at Podtales I gave it another go and I'm SO glad I did! Seriously, such an amazingly written and acted show. Also, I don't know why the guinea pigs are there but I love them.

At first I was just drawn in by the connections to Boston like the jokes about Dunkins/Market basket/etc because I’m a Bostonian and it was fun to relate, but the more I listened to the show the more invested I got. The writing is amazing and the story is really unique and interesting. I get slightly annoyed sometimes because I think some of the characters need to get over themselves, but it might just be written like that purposely. Anyways my main point is that this show is incredible and I’m so glad I started listening to it.

This show is a hard one to explain to people but one I keep recommending! The world of Greater Boston is a treat that you must partake in.

As I saw mentioned in another review, it was hard to tell from the first episode as to how intriguing a story this tells. I’m a native Bostonian as well and really appreciate all the references and local callbacks in the show. The best part? How the Someday Cafe lives on in this podcast while the actual cafe is about 15 years dead. Glad I’m not alone in its adoration.

I’ll admit that I wasn’t sure sure about this after checking out the first episode. But if you give this a go, you won’t be disappointed! it’s one of those RARE shows that sticks in your brain.

Holy crap, this is amazing. Just binged season 1, and episode 11, the “liberation” segment, was one of the most gorgeously written and performed pieces I’ve ever heard. Thanks to the entire team - it’s something that will stick with me.