News Round Up - Madonna, Tom Holland, Threads - June 2023

 

Image: CNN (CC BY 4.0)

It's time for a news round up of the month and this week, we're talking about all the greatest entertainment news, including the new movies being released. We also discuss Tom Holland's announcement and Madonna's stay in hospital as well as President Biden heading over to the UK on a state visit.

What was your most newsworthy moment of June?

News Round Up: Scandoval, Prince Harry and Blackadder's 40th Anniversary - May 2023

 

Image: Cambridge Independent (CC BY 4.0)

In this news round up we discuss Scandoval, the Vanderpump Rules drama that's gripping the nation, the Phillip Schofield and This Morning drama that is gripping the other nation, Prince Harry's battle royale with the press in London's High Court and a cunning portrait of Blackadder that appeared in a Jacobean stately home.

What news item have you been tuned into this month??

The Quiz of 2022 - Episode 338

 

 

Happy New Year!

The greatest quiz the world has ever known is back! Join us in the first episode of 2023 as we take a look back on 2022 with a quiz on all the most important things that occurred during the year. We also briefly talk about our favourite shows and movies of 2022.

What was the best thing that happened in 2022?

News Round Up December 2022 - Episode 336

 

Image: Netflix (CC BY 4.0)

It's that time again for another news round up! This week, we're talking about the global event brought to us by Netflix; Harry and Meghan. We discuss our thoughts on the documentary and what it may mean for the future of the Royal Family. We also discuss the World Cup (Yes, it's still going on! Not long till the final now though!) and how Unicorn licenses are being granted in California.

What's your favourite news story?

A News Round Up - Episode 328

 

Image: Public Domain

With the news of the Coronation of King Charles III being on May 6th 2023, we decided to kick off our new weekly news round up with what is going on. In this episode, we talk about the Coronation and if Harry and Meghan will be invited or accept an invitation. We also discuss the current crazy that's happening in the UK Government under the Prime Minister Liz Truss and whether she'll be forced to resign or call an election. Also, the deaths of Angela Lansbury and Robbie Coltrane are discussed and their impact on cinema and TV all over the world.

What are your memories of Angela Lansbury and Robbie Coltrane?

The Lord Lucan Mystery - Episode 290

 

Image: NYTimes.com (CC BY 4.0)

 

The Brian Laundrie and Gabby Petito case is one that has been driving social media crazy over the last month and several British twitter users have likened the mysterious disappearance of Brian Laundrie to that of Lord Lucan back in 1974. While it's only been a month since Laundrie disappeared, Lucan was declared dead in 1999 but that hasn't stopped several sightings of him popping up all over the world.

Do you believe Lord Lucan is still alive?

A Royal Funeral - Episode 241

 

Public Domain

In this latest podcast episode, we discuss Royal funerals, in particular, the events of the funeral of Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and also the parallels of Harry returning on his own for it just like the Duke of Windsor returned for the funeral of King George VI in 1952 amidst controversy. The funeral of the Duke of Edinburgh had COVID restrictions so the Queen and the rest of the Royal family were socially distanced in St. George's Chapel at Windsor castle.

What were your key takeaways from the funeral of Prince Philip?

A Tribute to Philip, Duke of Edinburgh - Episode 239

 

Image: Allan Warren (Public Domain)

As you may already be aware, the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip, has died at the age of 99. In this podcast episode, we look back on his life and discuss many of the aspects of who he was, what he did and why he mattered to so many in the world beyond his family. From his early life in exile from Greece to marrying the future Queen of England, this is Windsor Phil as you've never seen him before.

What are your thoughts on Prince Philip?

Haz & Megs: The Interview (Part 1) - Episode 229

 

 

Image: Harpo Productions. (CC BY 2.0)

The erstwhile Duke and Duchess of Sussex were interviewed by Oprah Winfrey and this weekend. It was a very boring interview that shed absolutely no light whatsoever on the inner workings of the British Royal Family but we thought we'd talk about it any way and we managed to squeeze two parts out of it, so here is part one for your listening pleasure!

What do you think of Meghan Markle?

British Reality TV - Episode 216

 

'Jeph' was a main feature of series 1 of Celebs Go Dating. (CC BY 2.0)

Reality TV, in its current form, was apparently invented in the UK. So, USA, you have Britain to thank for your trash TV. You are welcome/We are sorry. Pick one of those depending on your viewpoint. Currently, Britain's biggest reality TV stars come from either 'Made In Chelsea', 'The Only Way Is Essex' (or 'TOWIE' as it's more commonly known) or 'Geordie Shore'. Names like Joey Essex, Charlotte Crosby and Georgia Toff Toffolo are among the ones being bandied about on social media and, in this episode, we're talking about them.


Do you have a favourite British Reality Show?

The Big Quiz of 2020 - Episode 213

 

 2020 was the year that dreams came true for everyone, really, wasn't it? We look back on this fantastic year with a quiz of all the things that happened on both sides of the Atlantic. From the outbreak of COVID-19 to the time that we heard a vaccine was on its way! Listen to our latest podcast episode and play along!

What are some things from 2020 that you forgot happened?

The British Invasion of The 1960s - Episode 201

 

United Press International, photographer unknown, Public domain.

It isn't taught much in schools, but in 1964 the USA was invaded by Britain. No, it was not a military incursion, but a cultural and musical one. The Beatles, arguably the most famous band in the world, landed at Idlewild airport (soon to be renamed JFK in honour of the recently deceased President) in New York City on February 7th 1964 to an estimated five thousand screaming fans. Two days later, they made their first appearance on the Ed Sullivan show and 73 million Americans got their first look at what was to come in the years that followed.

What is your favourite British Invasion band?

Living In America: Black Lives Matter

I'm a firm believer that bigotry is the product of extreme ignorance and woeful lack of education. Kids aren't born racist. They do not give a toss who they play with on the playground until Mum or Dad say "You shouldn't be playing with them" and that's where it starts.

Growing up in the UK, I wasn't taught about the bad things Britain did in its empire days. In most respects, the bad things the USA has done pale in comparison to the British Empire's antics. Slavery was only one part of it. Of course, British schoolchildren aren't taught about it in history class. It's more along the lines of "Wasn't Henry the VIII a bit of a lad with all his wives?!" and "Wasn't Francis Drake so cool playing bowls when the Spanish Armada were coming to get us??"

Take Bob, for example. Bob is my hypothetical white bloke from Small Town. That's Small Town anywhere, not just USA or UK.

Bob is (you guessed it) white, raised by white people, went to school with white people and now works with white people in his white collar job. Bob has never been anywhere outside of Small Town, only watches things that come on his TV that his dad liked and they are comedies that involve white families from Small Town doing the same thing that Bob's family does, but funnier. Bob also enjoys watching movies where a white guy from Small Town saves the day. So when Bob's friend Bill, also born and raised in Small Town, starts talking about the couple that's moved next door to him being from somewhere different and also looking different, Bob becomes worried. Who are these different people? Bob didn't go to school with them. His parents didn't know their parents. They're from somewhere that isn't Small Town. How can that be? Small Town is the only place to be from. Bill and Bob decide that this won't do. People who look different, sound different and are from somewhere different. They need to leave. Only the same people here. Bob and Bill teach their kids the same values they hold and the same ignorant bigoted beat goes on.

Bob and Bill and all their similar friends believe that it's only right to see people they want to see, doing the things they think they should be doing. Bob and Bill haven't been educated or thought to educate themselves, so they're easily led to believe anything different from their way of life is wrong.

Now, this is just me, a white person's perspective on everything. Yes, I'm privileged but I don't consider myself uneducated.

Don't be like Bob and Bill. Educate yourselves. Anyone different from you isn't to be feared or hated simply because they are different. Black Lives Matter.

If you want to help, please consider donating to the American Civil Liberties Union.

https://www.aclu.org/

-Dominic Williams

The Weather - Episode 154

An F5 Tornado in full force, 2007. Image: Justin1569. (CC BY-SA 3.0)

"Been a bit drizzly today, hasn't it?" That's something you'll hear a lot of in the UK. Talk of the weather. Usually a good conversation starter! When Dominic first moved to Texas, he had never experienced the threat of a tornado. He still isn't a fan of being awoken by his phone buzzing at 5am to warn him that there was a tornado on the ground close to him. Erica will wake the neighbourhood up though!

Have you ever been in a tornado? If not, what kind of scary weather do they have in your part of the world?

Trivia Time - Episode 137

Could Erica be one of the BBC's famous Eggheads? Image: Tea &A Butty

You know you love it when I quiz Erica on things. This time I'm quizzing her on the UK and smooshing her scrunchie, which she really uses to gain knowledge like that guy who cheated on Who Wants to be A Millionaire years ago. How will Erica fare on this quiz? Well, have a listen to find out.

Did you play along? How many did you get right?

St. Patrick's Day - Episode 131

A St. Patrick's Day Parade in Dublin. Image: Wikimedia Commons

Top of the morning to ya! Okay, that might be a very outdated Irishism now but it feels right this St. Patrick's Day to say it to you all. As you are no doubt aware, the world is in the grip of COVID Mania. We've all been advised to stay indoors and self isolate and all that so here's a podcast to lift your spirits! We're talking all about St. Patrick's day and what the different traditions are in the USA and the UK on this day! So get some corned beef and cabbage, a pint of Guinness and have a listen below!

Do you celebrate St. Patrick's Day?

CORONAVIRUS 2020 - Episode 129

Image: Peter O'Connor, CC By-SA 2.0

Remember the Ebola outbreak of 2014?  Yeah, clearly not.  Well, here's the gist: it wasn't great.  And now, here we are in 2020, faced with a shiny new virus, and we're all acting like we haven't been there, done that.  In fact, people are straight up losing their minds, acting like they've never seen an illness, like... ever, panic buying literally ALL the hand soap, hand sanitizer, Tylenol (paracetamol, for our British friends), disinfectant spray, and randomly... toilet paper.  Seriously, some stores in the UK are sold out.  Some stores in Australia have security guards patrolling the toilet paper aisle!  Has the world finally lost its collective mind?  We think that might be a possibility, but we'll discuss all things Coronavirus as best we can in today's podcast.  Here's a preview: You can't catch it by drinking Corona beer.  Phew.  I know.  Have a listen and then, please, do chime in.  We'd love to know your thoughts and experiences, as we're all in this madness together.

#Megxit - Episode 113

Image: Northern Ireland Office, CC By 2.0

The image above serves as a perfect representation of everything of which Prince Harry and Meghan of Sussex have had enough.  They are sick and tired to death of being greeted with bouquets of flowers and having to smile at children dressed in period clothing.  They're done.  The couple wants out and yesterday, after having a "sit down", The Queen made a statement that there is more work to be done to achieve Harry and Meghan's independent life and that she (Queen Elizabeth) has asked for "final decisions to be reached in the coming days."  But, what does it all mean?  Well, we're back in this podcast to talk on the subject as if we're authorities (hint: we're not), so if you're interested, have a listen and then let us know what you think.  We're actually dying to know.  If you're not interested, it's okay, because we'll be back on Thursday with a royal-family-free podcast!  We can hear your sighs of relief from here and we totally get it.

Harry and Megs Going It Alone - Episode 112

Image: Northern Ireland Office, CC By 2.0

So, it would appear from the announcement made by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, that they are "stepping back" from being senior royals and will be splitting their time between the UK and North America.  In addition, they plan to become "financially independent."  That last part, I'm sure, has numerous British "subjects" jumping for joy.  But, what does this all mean?  We're breaking it all down for you in today's podcast, and let me tell you, we have lots of opinions on this matter, all of which are very well informed and clearly, absolutely correct, so please don't even bother trying to argue with us.  No, no.  We know these people very well, so we are authorities on this subject, m'kay?  Yeah, I didn't even convince myself with that one.  But even though we are definitely not authorities on this sitch, we are still filled with opinions, so you might as well listen, if for no other reason than to get wound up by what we have to say.  Afterward, feel free to visit our Facebook group to have a go at us.

The 2010s in Review - Episode 110

A new year, a new decade, and the end of another.  In this episode we're discussing a small selection of events and television programs from the 2010s.  It was quite a strange decade, so we thought it only appropriate to do quite a strange podcast in honor of the ten years that were.  Not to worry, it wasn't a stretch for us.  Ten years full of... let's just call them events.  Quite frankly, I'm happy to see the back of it.  Roll on 2020!  Have a listen to today's episode and let us know any events we left off (disclaimer - we left off a lot), and if you feel like it, let us know your own highlights of the past decade.