As someone who isn’t chronically online, this podcast does a great job breaking down what has been happening in internet culture!

Entertaining journalism. Hosts do a great job navigating a bunch of different online subcultures. Highly recommend. I would even call it enlightening sometimes!

I used to love this show when Rachelle Hampton and Candace Lim were cohosts. They had great rapport and could take a trivial subject and make it feel substantial. Nowadays every episode I venture to listen to feels incredibly boring and culturally irrelevant. This show has become the podcast equivalent of a bowl of Hershey’s kisses—unfortunately not worth the calories anymore.

I can’t believe other smart Slate podcasts have been cancelled and this keeps limping along. Back in the beginning, this podcast used to be good. If I see they’re trying a new host maybe I’ll give it another chance. But for now, this is bad. And I’ll add, they are unserious. You cannot contact the hosts, none of them provide an email to reach them, which for a podcast about the internet, all about engagement and interaction online, to refuse to hear any feedback yourself is cowardly.

The new host is good. Nadira is good too. Candace consistently sounds scripted. Also are you all looking at the Apple description of your show? It still has Madeline and Rachel as hosts…

excruciatingly millennial

I don't like spending a ton of time in the toxic-but occasionally-fun-wasteland. This is one of the pods I listen to when I wanna be plugged-in without being plugged-in!😊

How did the hosts get this job? This is meaningless gossip with no journalism to be found… what’s worse? the commentary is boring. If you’re going to gossip on air about people you’ve never spoken to, why not spice it up and make it interesting for the listener?

new cohost is great

I only recently started listening to ICYMI and have been loving the addition of Kate as a co host. It feels like listening to friends talk about new or fringe internet trends / topics that I wouldn’t necessarily discover myself. Following and subscribed!

Malicious and one sided podcast.

No research or journalism needed for this podcast, simply one sided arguments.

Way better podcast out there

They literally are too lazy to even fact check the most basic details they rant about. Zero subject matter expertise on their arguments and generally just no talent ranting. Joke of a podcast

Lazy podcasters. I've only listened to a few episodes and likely will stop after hearing the last Lively/Baldobi one. Did the podcasters or other staff do literally any research beyond reading the NYT article? They just accepted the Lively side with zero push back, making it seem like they are park of a manufactured narrative that they are criticizing. 🧐

Even if she’s living in LA moments later she said she grew up in PA. You gotta be a phillies fan come on girl!!

Education? Nothing to see here.

I enjoyed this podcast when I started listening a year and a half ago, but it’s gone down hill since former co-host Rachelle Hampton left. There are moments I can take Candice Lim but mostly she’s insufferable. Recent episode topics and commentary also feel just “meh” as of late. Unfortunately it’s come time to remove ICYMI from my feed.

I’ve started listening again - I did not enjoy her hosting style

so frustrating because i’m SO interested in every topic you guys choose to cover, but there seriously needs to be some fact checking, more research, or experts on these episodes! my last straw was when you talked about dan and phil and said when they both came out they also announced they were together? that certainly never happened lol. sad because i love the topics you choose and the hosts are fun to listen to, i just wish the episodes were more well-researched.

The novel by the author discussed in this episode is, in part, a story about rape and how that unravels a longtime friendship—and what it means to be a survivor. It is not primarily about the ex-bff, Izzie, or her family, but unfortunately the hosts made it seem this way. The way the hosts emphasized, especially at the beginning, that “they love mess” was tonally off and extremely dismissive to the author’s experience of sexual assault (and her ex-friend’s). There could have been more research here (one of the hosts could have read the book, at least?) and more care for the sexual assault narrative.

The idea of this show is solid, but I think where it tends to miss is the host treating the subject of each episode as if it’s disposable fluff. On one hand, yes, we all understand this is silly internet stuff, but if it’s 100% trivial, why do an episode? There has to be a balance of also asking an interesting question - and treating it as an interesting question. I think Candice usually achieves the first, but often fails on the second, partly because of her cutesy delivery, but also because she seems determined to make everything seem light when it doesn’t need to be. I really, really like Nadira Goffe, who manages to effortlessly bland these two things. The latest ep on the new Bad Art Friend is a perfect example - smart, incisive, confident commentary that was also funny and charming. Make her the permanent co-host! She’s what a show like this needs.

The world cruise ep was the last straw for me. Oblivious and obnoxious, the dismissive “the food waste of it all, the climate change of it all” is such a spoiled and short sighted POV. Can’t handle any more of these immature takes

I’ve been a listener since the beginning and something I’ve missed is how the episodes used to be somewhere between 25-30 minutes. For over the last year the episodes are are now stuff with mostly uninteresting filler. I’m not sure what is going to happen now that Rachelle is leaving. I don’t think it’s fair how much people complain about Candace’s voice.

they really need to fact check these episodes before they get posted. SLANDEROUS

Wow scared about the future if Rachelle isn’t there and we are stuck with Candice… but that to say I’m glad Rachelle is getting out and doing new things. Really sad that we are stuck with Candice her vocal fry and shallow comments.

Averaging a 3-star review because I mostly love Rachelle. But the show hasn’t been the same since Madison left. Candace was and continues to be a poor replacement, and I’ve missed Rachelle each episode she was away. Sadly, I’ll have to stop listening when Rachelle leaves. Candace is intolerable without her. (And was out of her depth and sounded ignorant when she was a guest on Culture Gabfest.)

Stuck thru all the transitions but honestly thought the chemistry was off when finally the new host was brought on. Now that Rachelle is leaving I’m so sad and wish I felt differently but just the new show ain’t it. Since Maddison left. Rachelle tried and tried!! I could feel something was forced but I dunno maybe Candice’s energy just doesn’t work for me . Hope it works for others but Rachelle leaving is the last straw to what was once one of my favorite previous weekly podcasts. Give Rachelle more money or control or whatever would make her stay!!! Miss the old show is all I'm saying officially unsubscribing

I found this while searching for podcasts on layoff support, the first 10 minutes is just ads. Ugh. Moving on to a podcast that actually has a point.

Really enjoyed the interview with Ann Maddox.

I understand that a lot of this show is based on the hosts opinions. I don’t mind that, and I think Rachelle is really thoughtful. I think they should include sources in the show notes when they reference an article/news piece. I went to find out more on a topic they covered and the facts that they sighted were inaccurate (like enough that the conclusion they came to should have been…the opposite.) Yikes 😬

This is bad

I thought this would be a fun way to keep up with pop/Internet culture. I know it’s not the deepest subject but there are ways to cover it that are more thoughtful and interesting. These two have little of interest to say and much of it is quite mean spirited, and almost all delivered in phrases heavily borrowed from TikTok videos/memes. They have some interesting guests but their interviewing skills are just not developed enough to allow these episodes to work. I still listen when I have burned through absolutely everything else, but it always puts me in a terrible mood so I should probably cut it out!

I can’t anymore! I began listening to ICYMI and stuck with Rachelle and her co hosts/guests for a long time, and enjoyed it less and less. I was never looking for some pretentious, high brow podcast content to consume - if I was I would never have listened to this but this past year/season has been appallingly ridiculous. The final episode I’ve stomached is the dreadful latest one the FanCams episode. Where Rachelle and Candice - two valley type girls who hold no diverse opinions or any positive attitudes whatsoever - spent an hour insulting actors, their craft, calling them all “stupid”. It’s just - talk about the pot calling the kettle black. Oh the Irony!!! It’s become unlistenable and as a Slate subscriber and listener to this show since the start- I can no longer endure it. Y’all have lost me, not that y’all care, so bye!

I don’t think I’ve ever left a review for a podcast before, but I am extremely disappointed with the most recent episode of ICYMI about Gypsy Rose Blanchard. I’ve been listening to this podcast for years and was excited when Rachelle found a new cohost in Candice. However, Candice’s takes sometimes feel off and this episode really solidified it. It is beyond common knowledge that Gypsy Rose is a victim of horrific abuse. She has been both publicly accountable for what she’s done and has served time in an abusive legal system. Questioning her victim status, calling her manipulative, and acting as if her act of self defense against her abuser makes her a questionable person is just really gross. I don’t know if I’ll be able to listen to episodes with Candice anymore and I wish Rachelle would have weighed in on this episode because I’d bet she would have been more respectful toward survivors.

I started listening to this show 15 months ago, when I found it really informative and with interesting takes on deep internet culture I don’t always know about. But it’s gone really down hill in the last 6 months. The hosts spend too much time making up obscure inside joke stories about each other, and it’s turned into more of a pop culture gossip show with no clear POV. Sadly, I’ll probably give up on this one soon.

Why do they seem so behind on everything if you’re not going to cover things when they happen then cover them more deeply and get facts right. 10/20/23 Okay, we’re back and I’m happy.

I appreciate all the enthusiasm, but please stop screaming into the mic when you get excited. It is unpleasant in the earbuds. I’m right here, and I love to hear your opinion. There’s no reason to yell other than that all the flowers to Rachelle and Candace!

Have listened for awhile but the takes are pretty immature, un self aware, and like they just were exposed to the internet yesterday. No real nuance just rattling off talking points. Also, very funny when they critique journalism or media because have they heard themselves?

It kept coming up in my Spotify Daily Drive. The “internet culture” of it all felt distant from my interests. But I listened anyway. At the beginning I liked the hosts and their chemistry, the way their lexicon wove intrigue into the topics in a way I hadn’t considered. As time went on, I found myself seeking out new episodes. I really love this podcast! I don’t always know what the topics are but that’s the great thing…they walk you through it! They never assume their listener is on the same page and it makes every episode so accessible. Rachelle and Candice are incredible storytellers, honest contributors, and insightful interviewers. Whether you think the topics are relevant to you or not, you will walk away knowing something that, most likely, will make you an interesting conversationalist when you find yourself forced to make small talk with someone “cooler” than you.

I’ve been a fan of the show when I started listening late 2022. I love their deep dives and takes on reality tv and tik tok trends. I think once they start to dedicate whole episodes to tv shows like Succession or Suits, that’s when they lose me. It feels a little too much like a recap podcast for a show that has a very specific fan base. While I love Rachelle and Candice’s banter, I sometimes find that it takes Candice a while to get to her point so I have to listen to the show in 1.2x sometimes 1.5x speed

I love this podcast but the most recent episode on life coaches was surprising to me. I’m a licensed therapist. We don’t need to go to Yale and we don’t need to attend conferences (???). I’ve listened to a few other podcasts about life coaches recently and it seems most of the hosts and guests either don’t know the difference or have wild ideas about what therapists can and can’t do. My suggestion would be to interview both a life coach and therapist. We’d be happy to clear things up. Sincerely, a therapist who doesn’t attend conferences.

I really enjoy this show as an “elder millennial” who decided not to join TikTok. This show keeps me in the know and I don’t have to give up even more of my personal data for it. I started listening this summer, so I only know Rachelle and Candice as co-hosts. They have a good rapport and chemistry. They seem like they’re having fun, which makes the podcast fun too. I hate to admit this because it’s a criticism so often thrown at women podcasters, but … Candice can be annoying. I like her with Rachelle. The show really needs them both. Also, they discuss reality tv as much as they do internet culture. I’m fine with that. I watch a fair amount of reality tv, and I love their feminist takes on it. But that is part of what they cover.

I used to looove this podcast and its thoughtful takes on viral content, but it’s kind of gone downhill. I want to hear about stuff going on in pop culture/social media — not repetitive dunks on capitalism interspersed with 10 minute ad breaks 😬

There’s sometimes just summaries of recent reality TV episodes?? And sometimes topics are weeks if not months late. I feel like this podcast is losing the thread.

Love the podcast, but since Madison left the topics/discussions have all slid downhill, more gen-z-ish, less big topics, and discussions lack mature nuance. Love the new girl but wish they would have gone with someone older/more journalistic experience. The guest hosts they had were all great, miss that maturity.

I used to really love this podcasts; it was my go to twice a week. I still try to keep up with it but I find myself bored and almost annoyed at newer episodes. Not at all a fan of Candice; her voice is not pleasing to the ears, her opinions drive me insane and can be borderline immature and offensive (that’s if she has any. Half the time, she just responds to guests with “mhmm mhmm” and “yes I agree”). Her interviewing skills could use a lot of work (for example, asking 4 questions at once, having the guest answer, then literally moving onto the next set of questions without addressing any of their answer. ??) I can never relate to her POV in the way I could always relate to, or at least understand where, Rachelle and Madison were coming from. Definitely noticed a shift after Madison left. The topics got a little less interesting, though Rachelle held her own as a solo host. I felt like she focused a lot on her favorite topics & nostalgia vs actual current internet culture. It was okay. I was excited when they hired a new host, as I expected the topics to go back to being interesting, but alas, it just got worse. Feel free to replace the cohost again. Please.

Obsessed with this podcast, so glad I found it!

This pod keeps me young

I want to say but no means is this about the new host, I love her energy and I feel she brings a lot of good to the podcast. It’s the opinions that have become increasingly hard to understand. In the last few months I have finished maybe one whole episode. It doesn’t feel like I know what is going on from the pod anymore.