The Star Trek Podcast Better Than Most Episodes

As you might have gathered from this Star Trek podcast’s name, The Greatest Generation began as a rewatch podcast of The Next Generation. The format is relatively simple: your two hosts, Adam Pranica and Benjamin Harrison, recap an episode, all while introducing raucous commentary and running gags that reward long-term listening.

Of course, I’m aware that the format of “two guys talk about Star Trek and make jokes” does not sound startlingly original on its own, so let’s dive right into the big question: what makes this podcast the best for fans of Gene Roddenberry’s long-running franchise?

For one thing, production value—I’m something of a snob when it comes to things like Star Trek podcasts because there are many to choose from and I want ones that sound truly professional. With The Greatest Generation, both hosts have filmmaking and videography experience that helps them create a very immersive show, complete with hilarious remixed sounddrops (both from Trek and from pop culture in general).

The two hosts are old friends who have amazing chemistry, and their shared film experience helps them often provide keen insight into the production of your favorite episodes while sending listeners (or “viewers”) into spasms of uncontrollable laughter.

Of course, the spectacular production value helps highlight the duality of the show: even though The Greatest Generation is the most professional and polished Star Trek podcast you will ever hear, it is also the raunchiest and most laid back.

The hosts frequently and gleefully joke about how the show is all about “d*ck and fart jokes,” and it’s not that uncommon for them to get drunk (especially when their ongoing board game lands them on a Mornhammered tile) and tell wonderfully off-color jokes about our beloved characters. Implicitly, they understand that it’s okay not to take Star Trek too seriously, a fact that other podcasters often miss.

Speaking of other Star Trek podcasts, I can never quite get over how The Greatest Generation effortlessly beats out the competition, including shows like Mission Log that seem downright stuffy in comparison.

And while there are podcasts with actual Trek actors recapping their show’s episodes (like The Delta Flyers, featuring Voyager actors Garrett Wang and Robert Duncan McNeill), those shows aren’t as entertaining because being a compelling actor isn’t the same thing as being a compelling (or competent) podcaster.

The Greatest Generation hits the sweet spot by having hosts who are both lifelong Star Trek dorks and professional editors, providing insight and entertainment in equal measures.

In many ways, the success of this Star Trek podcast speaks for itself: it didn’t take long for The Greatest Generation to get picked up by the Maximum Fun network, and the show has gone on to recap other shows such as Deep Space Nine and Voyager.

Meanwhile, it has a sister show from the same hosts, Greatest Trek, which is devoted to recapping NuTrek shows and often dips into other media such as Trek comics. Trust me when I say Greatest Trek is the perfect balm for anyone who wants to celebrate the good and the bad of these shows without getting drawn into toxic online debates.

For what it’s worth, I’m a lifelong Star Trek nerd and someone who is very picky about the podcasts I listen to, and The Greatest Generation is one of… well… the greatest I’ve ever listened to. The recap of The Next Generation season 1 is a little rocky, but the humor and chemistry of the show are apparent right away, and it only gets better from there.

This may be a show “by two guys who are a bit embarrassed to have a Star Trek podcast,” but there’s nothing embarrassing about the sheer joy that Ben and Adam bring to fans like me each and every week.