The Prancing Pony Podcast By cover art

The Prancing Pony Podcast

By: The Prancing Pony Podcast
Listen for free

  • Summary

  • The Prancing Pony Podcast is a weekly show about the Middle-earth legendarium of J.R.R. Tolkien, hosted - for six seasons - by Alan Sisto and Shawn E. Marchese. As the show returns for its seventh season, Alan welcomes an all-star cast of co-hosts to join him as he explores the first part of The Return of the King!

    Alan and all his co-hosts are passionate Tolkien enthusiasts, and they invite listeners to enjoy their detailed exploration of Tolkien’s work, with smart but straightforward discussion and a healthy dose of self-effacing humor, pop-culture references, and bad puns. These are the folks you'd want to hang out with at a pub and talk Tolkien with.
    © The Prancing Pony Podcast
    Show more Show less
Episodes
  • 330 – And Here’s To You, Master Barliman

    330 – And Here’s To You, Master Barliman
    May 19 2024
    Dark shapes and dreadful things are terrifying Barliman; James and Alan will try not to make it any worse. Join The Man of the West and The Sage of the South as the hobbits conclude their visit to Bree in the final episode on Homeward Bound. Barliman is deeply confused about this whole king thing, the hobbits wonder exactly what Barliman means by “funny goings on”, and Gandalf makes it clear the Shire isn’t his circus and the hobbits aren’t his monkeys. We discuss land-use plans near Bree, and wonder if we should invest in real estate nearby. Also, The Lord of the Mark joins for a Philology Faire — Italy called and wants to talk to him.
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 50 mins
  • 329 – Hello Pony, My Old Friend

    329 – Hello Pony, My Old Friend
    May 12 2024
    Not all wounds can be healed, and not all episode descriptions can be clever. Join The Man of the West and The Sage of the South as we accompany Gandalf and the hobbits on their journey home from Rivendell in the first of our two episodes on Homeward Bound. Frodo provides an accounting of his wounds, Nob’s grammar skills nearly cause a tragedy, and Barliman puts on a brave (albeit talkative) face. We wonder if Erestor gets migraines, discover James is descended from Bill Ferny, and decide to write Barliman and Ioreth fanfic. Also, never ask a valet to park your Bugatti.
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 31 mins
  • 328 – Alive and Kicking

    328 – Alive and Kicking
    May 5 2024
    Wormtongue wishes he could leave Saruman; James is stuck with Alan for a few more episodes: make of that what you will. Join The Man of the West and The Sage of the South as we get to Rivendell in time for a party in the last of our three episodes on Many Partings. Saruman offers some parting words to the hobbits; the Keepers of the Rings offer total silence; Bilbo offers gifts he’s already given. We note that Gríma and Zathras have something in common, discuss the items for sale on Middle-earth eBay, and agree wholeheartedly with Bilbo about packing. Also, James does a pretty good Aussie accent.
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 38 mins
Art Literary History & Criticism
Show more Show less

Featured Article: When Does The Rings of Power Take Place? Tolkien's Second Age, Explained


The Prime Video streaming series The Rings of Power is set thousands of years before the events of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Rooted in J.R.R. Tolkien's history of Middle-earth, the series is expected to cover all of the major events of the fictional world's Second Age. But what is the Second Age, and how does this period of time factor into the rest of Tolkien's world? Read on to find out.

Featured Article When Does The Rings of Power Take Place Tolkien's Second Age Explained
Continue Your Journey Through Middle earth

Continue Your Journey
Through Middle-earth

Explore collection

What listeners say about The Prancing Pony Podcast

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    21
  • 4 Stars
    1
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    21
  • 4 Stars
    1
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    22
  • 4 Stars
    0
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Audible.com reviews

Amazon reviews
Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Red Riverbrook

True Tolkien scholars, for true Tolkien scholars!

An informative and thought provoking journey through Tolkien's world. The show has a very seamless performance as well.

Report this

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Anonymous User

Awesome. I absolutely love this podcast. Thanks for the great insight

This podcast is funny, interesting and entertaining. I absolutely love it. Please keep it going!

Report this

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Arthur Vandalay

Simply splendid!

These two experts on Tolkien and his works deliver a delightful, in-depth discussion on the wonders of JRR Tolkien’s books. Their discourse will leave you laughing and pondering the underlying themes of Middle Earth.

Report this

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Joshua de Rose

New Listener Not a New Nerd

Hey guys I’m about 35 episodes into this podcast and I love it. Is exactly what I’m looking for as a fantasy fan. Especially as a J. R. R. Tolkien fan. These guys dig right into the heart of the lengendarium and pinpoint supple plots and Easter eggs. I love it. If you’re a fan you should listen.

Report this

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Chiara Siasat

My go to Podcast

Been a huge fan of the PPP for a while now and Alan and company do not disappoint with their vast knowledge of the books and lore as well as the many interviews with Tolkien scholars and artists. I can’t think of a better podcast to listen to everyday.

Report this

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Joan Frederickson

Tolkien for All!

Wow! that's my main reaction! Family friendly, Feanor piñata bashing, hilarious, deep word nerdery dives...fun!

Report this

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Michael M.

Details

Can you guys do an episode on the New Shadow ? I am enthralled with the little bit that the master wrote and would very much like to hear your perspectives

Report this

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Aimee H

Helped me get through the Silmarillion...

These guys are amazing. their podcast was suggested to me in March of 2020 on Spotify and I saw they were going chapter by chapter through the Silmarillion. I've been a hard-core Tolkien fan since I saw the Peter Jackson films and I read the Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings books. I could never get through the Silmarillion and the Prancing Pony Podcast got me through it! These guys are delightful and knowledgeable. I can't recommend them enough!

Report this

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for andre hernandez rosado

Genius !

I started this podcast and I can't get enough. I find everything so entertaining and I can relate so much to what is being discussed. I feel like I can visit Tolkien world with friends and I am so happy I founded this.

Thank you so much for creating this!

Btw the way back machine was so genius

Report this

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for V. Adams

Humor and scholarship combined.

As a word lover…and a Tolkien lover…movies and books both…this podcast covers everything beautifully. Thank you!!!

Report this

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!