Serial podcast revives the lost art of listening parties

By Bhakthi Puvanenthiran
Updated December 19 2014 - 4:14pm, first published 3:33pm
On the wireless: Jess McGuire is hosting a listening and discussion party to mark the final episode of the <i>Serial</i> podcast. Photo: Penny Stephens
On the wireless: Jess McGuire is hosting a listening and discussion party to mark the final episode of the <i>Serial</i> podcast. Photo: Penny Stephens
On the wireless: Jess McGuire is hosting a listening and discussion party to mark the final episode of the <i>Serial</i> podcast. Photo: Penny Stephens
On the wireless: Jess McGuire is hosting a listening and discussion party to mark the final episode of the <i>Serial</i> podcast. Photo: Penny Stephens
Serial staff: (From left) Dana Chivvis, Emily Condon, Sarah Koenig, Ira Glass and Julie Snyder. Photo: Meredith Heuer/Serial
Serial staff: (From left) Dana Chivvis, Emily Condon, Sarah Koenig, Ira Glass and Julie Snyder. Photo: Meredith Heuer/Serial
On the wireless: Jess McGuire is hosting a listening and discussion party to mark the final episode of the <i>Serial</i> podcast. Photo: Penny Stephens
On the wireless: Jess McGuire is hosting a listening and discussion party to mark the final episode of the <i>Serial</i> podcast. Photo: Penny Stephens
On the wireless: Jess McGuire is hosting a listening and discussion party to mark the final episode of the <i>Serial</i> podcast. Photo: Penny Stephens
On the wireless: Jess McGuire is hosting a listening and discussion party to mark the final episode of the <i>Serial</i> podcast. Photo: Penny Stephens

Listening parties are back. No need to check the date to see if we've wound back the clock to 1950, it's happening here in Melbourne and it's all thanks to one podcast.