Listener sentiment
My Favorite Murder's recent ratings remain strongly positive on balance, with the most recent weeks (late August into September) almost uniformly enthusiastic — though the window still carries the residue of a contentious spring and early summer that produced a cluster of low scores. Longtime fans, many listening since the show's 2016 launch, continue to describe Karen and Georgia as warm, relatable companions whose humor, candor, and mental-health advocacy feel genuine and irreplaceable, with solo and historical episodes drawing particular praise. The negative wave, concentrated between May and July, coalesced around three recurring complaints raised independently by multiple reviewers: the hosts' political commentary — especially direct voting appeals around the LA mayoral race — alienated listeners who felt it was condescending or outside the show's remit; the content has drifted from true crime toward feel-good historical and human-interest stories that many say no longer match the podcast's name; and the ad load is widely described as excessive, including mid-story breaks and sponsorships (UnitedHealthcare, Israel tourism) that some listeners call hypocritical given the hosts' progressive stances. Secondary frustrations include overproduction with stories apparently researched by staff rather than the hosts, frequent live-show replays, and aggressive cross-promotion of Exactly Right network shows. The politically driven backlash appears to have largely run its course, with recent ratings returning to near-universal praise — though the tensions around content identity and commercialization remain embedded in the show's review landscape.
Apple4.1 · 2,266
Summary generated Sep 5, 2026
