New Yorker's Critics at Large Podcast Tackles Morgan Spector's Core Poetry Question

The New Yorker's "Critics at Large" podcast recently engaged with a fundamental question concerning artistic definition, posed by actor Morgan Spector, known for his role in "The Gilded Age." In an episode released on October 16, 2025, podcast hosts Vinson Cunningham, Naomi Fry, and Alexandra Schwartz addressed Spector's query directly, exploring the elusive criteria that determine whether a written piece truly qualifies as a poem.The "Critics at Large" podcast serves as a weekly cultural forum from The New Yorker, where its staff writers delve into a diverse range of topics, from contemporary obsessions to classic literary works and emerging cultural trends. This particular segment was part of their recurring "I Need a Critic" series, which invites listeners to submit their cultural conundrums for expert analysis and discussion.Morgan Spector, recognized for his portrayal of the ambitious industrialist George Russell in HBO's popular period drama "The Gilded Age," brought a unique perspective to the discussion. His engagement highlights the broad appeal of such intellectual inquiries, drawing connections between popular entertainment and deeper artistic contemplation. Spector's question underscores a common challenge faced by aspiring writers and seasoned poets alike.The central theme of the conversation revolved around the subjective and objective elements that define poetry. The hosts navigated the complexities of poetic form, emotional resonance, and linguistic craft, offering listeners insights into the various lenses through which poetry can be understood and appreciated. They aimed to demystify the creative process and provide guidance on evaluating poetic works.Reflecting on the episode, host Naomi Fry expressed the profound impact of listener interaction. > "How do you know if a poem that you write is actually a poem?" she quoted from Spector's question, adding, "As always after we do this kind of show, my faith in humankind is restored. Our listeners want to connect—they want to grow. They’re looking to pass through life not just on autopilot but to look to culture for meaning." This sentiment underscores the podcast's mission to foster a deeper engagement with culture and art.The full conversation, offering a comprehensive exploration of Spector's question and other cultural queries, is available for listeners to stream. The New Yorker continues to leverage its podcast platform to facilitate informed discussions on art, literature, and contemporary culture, inviting a broad audience to participate in these critical dialogues.