Listener sentiment
Recent reviews of Up First remain strongly positive overall, with the core appeal unchanged: a fast, digestible morning briefing of the top stories that listeners rely on daily, often paired with affection for the weekday hosts' chemistry and banter. The recurring criticisms continue to cluster in a few well-worn areas — a persistent contingent of conservative and independent listeners says the show leans left and over-covers Trump; others object to celebrity and political interviews (a Tucker Carlson conversation drew particular fire) being mixed into what they expect to be a straight news roundup. Weekend and Sunday host Ayesha Rascoe is still the most polarizing figure, drawing a steady stream of complaints about her voice, delivery, and interview style from listeners who otherwise like the show, though a few reviewers defend her work. Scattered newer complaints touch on perceived timidity in coverage of the current administration, AI-related advertising, and paid subscribers still reporting ads in supposedly sponsor-free episodes — a customer-service issue rather than a content one. No clear shift from the prior summary; the show's standing with its core audience appears stable.
Apple4.5 · 738
Summary generated Oct 11, 2026
