Listener sentiment
Cannonball launched in mid-2025 to rapturous reception from longtime Still Processing fans eager to have Wesley Morris back in their feeds, and a strong majority of recent ratings still praise his intellectual range, emotional vulnerability, and singular ability to make cultural criticism feel both rigorous and joyful. Standout episodes on Toni Morrison, Nikole Hannah-Jones, and a Roberta Flack tribute are cited as among the most moving podcast listening reviewers have encountered. However, a clear and recurring critical pattern has emerged alongside the praise: multiple listeners across many months independently flag Morris's tendency to interrupt and talk over guests — most notably chef Samin Nosrat — derailing substantive conversations with tangents and enthusiasm that can feel self-indulgent. A cluster of low ratings centers on the Diddy trial episode, which critics argue framed the case around the criminalization of Black male sexuality while largely sidestepping the abuse of Black women, a blind spot several say prompted them to unsubscribe. More recently, frustration has grown around the repeated appearances of Morris's editor Sasha Weiss, with listeners calling her a poor match for his depth, questioning the narrowed guest rotation, and wondering whether the Times is steering the show toward a more conventional sensibility. The most recent ratings suggest some listeners feel the show has settled into a meandering, less essential rhythm — a notable shift from the early, near-universal enthusiasm that greeted its debut.
Apple4.5 · 637
Summary generated Aug 21, 2026
