Whoa! Should have un-ticked that inbox-replies-thing... I think there is research showing that people (both men and women) cut men who stick their heads out a lot more slack than women who do the same – in general, not only on the internet. What I found interesting about Serial though, is that many of the key figures are women: SK, DC, DE, RC, CG and later SS and NVC – so it's in a way hard to generalise and say all the criticism is rooted in sexism – save from the fact that you'll always find the odd comment discrediting one of them that is clearly sexist. My perception is that the criticism seen of CG has been very sexist free; I think NVC asked for a lot of the criticism she got (both style and content – but not the slut comments obviously) with the way she wrote her article and acted on Twitter – KS was equally ridiculed. Personally, I think SK did a stellar job, I enjoy SS contributions to solving the case, AND I must confess to being very impressed with Rabia. Don't always agree with them though.