It's all treat and no trick this SpoOooky Season, as Jo and Adam welcome back Best Friend of the Pod, acclaimed novelist Leigh Stein, for a bumper Halloween special (rustle rustle). Together they discuss the origins and development of Leigh's new novel, IF YOU'RE SEEING THIS IT IS MEANT FOR YOU, a gothic satire set inside a TikTok hyper house. Leigh also fills us in on life as TikTok's resident expert on satire, pulling off her own viral satirical hoax and what Tiktok has done to publishing and the way we read more generally. Jo also updates us on the Brontë Parsonage Shirley Read-a-Long (Shirley, Charlotte Brontë's second novel, which is definitely satirical) and Adam tells us what he learnt about satire and alcohol during his most recent international escapade at the University College Dublin.
Inspired by the return of sketch show comedy to British television in the form of the surprisingly satirical Mitchell and Webb Are Not Helping, Jo and Adam go on a whistle-stop tour of British sketch show comedy and even have an argument (live on air!) about whether there is something intrinsically satirical about the sketch show format. They also check in on the alarming satire-related events taking place across the Atlantic, with some blaming South Park for the tragic death of Charlie Kirk, and others observing that some of the bullet casings used in his assassination were etched with messages from the hugely popular satirical video game Helldivers 2. Adam also reflects on his recent visit to the Storm Museum of Humour and Satire in Copenhagen and Jo shares a charming breakfast update about a Toast Man.
In this episode, Jo and Adam turn their attention to American animated satire, revisiting their own memories of cartoon-watching while asking what makes animation such a distinctive vehicle for social and political critique. From King of the Hill’s return in the Trump era to South Park’s take on immigration, right-wing troll culture, and ChatGPT, they explore how animated satire has adapted to address the controversies of Donald Trump’s second presidency. Along the way, they share updates on their recent media appearances and reflect on Jane Austen’s place in the history of satire.
This episode isn't a grab-bag in the sense of an oversized packet of Monster Munch, but it is a kind of mystery bag of miscellaneous treats that you might grab from a caravan site kiosk during the summer holidays as a child in the 1980s or 90s. What's inside? Stickers? Sherbet? A colourful pencil? A fake tattoo of a Power Ranger? Or a horrible old Moomin? On this occasion it is a bunch of stuff even better than all of those things... In this episode Jo and Adam talk 28 YEARS LATER, and if it is satire; new SQUID GAMES, and if it is satire; new ALAN PARTRIDGE: FROM THE OASTHOUSE, and if it is satire; new SOUTH PARK, and if it is satire; the COLDPLAY KISSING COUPLE, and if they are satire. Jo also tells us about her recent trip to France and the shoes they wore there, and Adam recounts his recent experience delivering a lecture to The Thackeray Society of the Reform Club. And that's not all! Stick your hand in and see what you find, we promise it probably isn't a Moomin.
Could You be Satire? Jo and Adam discuss the weird Netflix show about putting women in cages and quoting literature at them. Along the way, they chat about academia in popular culture, the dangers of quoting out of context, and the representation of Charlotte Brontë in memes and quotations. Then they explore the ways Brontë used her pen-name Curer Bell for satirical purposes, which Jo has written about in a forthcoming chapter - and her love-hate relationship with William Makepeace Thackeray. In a neat coincidence, Adam is about to give a talk at the literary society of The Reform Club in London, which takes its name from Thackeray ("The Thackeray Society"), so the hosts trail that and speculate on the breakfast he might have there.
Inspired by Adam's recent adventures in Santiago de Comepstela, Spain, where he talked about satire at the second Conference on Feminisms and Humour: Humour-Sofías, and a new BBC Report which determined that comedy is a premium British export, Jo and Adam investigate the reception of British comedy abroad. They take a look at an enormous project undertaken by King's College London to survey screen encounters with Britain abroad, before considering the tricky question of whether comedy can be successfully adapted across international borders (with specific reference to The Inbetweeners and The American Office). In the second half, Jo and Adam respond to a listener question about comic songs and satire in music, which takes them on a wide ranging musical journey that touches on Half Man Half Biscuit, The Beautiful South, Eminem, The Lancashire Hotpots and much more else besides.
Jo and Adam warmly welcome you to their Eggztra Special Easter Eggstravaganza, which they hope will make you hoppy and not (hot)cross. It's (hotcross) bun a funny old couple of weeks for satire, so leave it to our Eggsperts to pick out a few Eggstremely interesting Eggxamples to discuss. In this episode, Jo and Adam reflect of their Eggsperiences of watching the new series of Charlie Brooker's dystopian sci-fi satire show, Black Mirror and Apple TV's new cinema skewering satire The Studio and discuss the unexpected but highly welcome return of the hilarious podcast Dear Joan and Jericha. They also survey the satirical responses to J D Vance's first and very final meeting with the late Pope Francis, consider a very appropriate Eggstract from Jonathan Swift's Gulliver's Travels, and share notes on the best ways to eat an Easter Egg. Happy Easter, one and all!
Why is it that so many classic British sitcoms (such as Keeping Up Appearances , The Good Life and One Foot In the Grave) are set in the suburbs? The recent smash hit Amandaland seems to be drawing satirical inspiration from these shows. Similarly, musicians (such as Pulp and The Pet Shop Boys), poets (such as Philip Larkin), film-makers (such as David Lynch) and novelists (such as Hanif Kureishi in his seminar Buddha of Suburbia) all seem to have found a reach source of satiric inspiration amidst the liminal hinterlands of the "burbs." Why is this? Jo and Adam are back to investigate. They also discuss Boon Joon Ho's Mickey 17, and reflect on their recent life event at the York Literature Festival, "Literary Feuds: Authors Hating Authors in the Olden Days."
"Motherhood is a bitch." So reads the tagline of the Amy Adams film 'Nightbitch', which recently arrived on Disney+. Adapted from Rachel Yonder's 2021 novel of the same name, the film has been widely reviewed as a work of satire... but a satire of what, exactly? Jo and Adam are here to ask the question. They also discuss Kevin Rulo's book "Satiric Modernism", and consider whether it is fair to say that there is something intrinsically satirical about the Modernist movement in early 20th-Century literary history. And, finally (because no podcast in 2025 is complete without a conversation about Elon Musk), Jo and Adam examine a range of responses to the controversial "salute" at Trump's inauguration from a range of different political perspectives.
At the time of recording, Traitors UK is on TV, Nosferatu is dominating at cinemas, Donald Trump is one day into his second presidency, leaving Jo and Adam with many memes to discuss as they try to determine what will be their 2025 energy. Charged by a listener to determine whether or not Robert Eggers's new adaptation of Nosferatu is in any way satire, Jo and Adam diligently investigate. What follows is a surprisingly clarifying discussion of the relationship between satire, sincerity, parody, and Paul Simpson's case for satire as an "echoic discourse". You'll also hear the phrase "having sex with the air" more than once. Adam and Jo also tease two forthcoming publications arising from their research on satire and hating in the works of Charlotte Brontë and Samuel Johnson. And Jo has brought a curious artefact to the recording which involves satire, Brontës, and once more, potatoes.
Come in, and know my satire, man! It is that time of year once again, when satire is all around you and you are cordially invited to the Smith & Waugh Festival Satirical Party! This year Jo and Adam take a look at the Christmassy satire of Stella Gibbons' Christmas at Cold Comfort Farm, the festive scenes in George and Weedon Grossmith's Diary of a Nobody and the contagious comedy of Nancy Mitford's Christmas Pudding. Jo also revisits a cherished Christmas story from her childhood and, of course, no Smith & Waugh Christmas would be complete without our very special, extremely self-indulgent Christmas sketc h(featuring a wonderful cameo appearance from our friend, Ben of The Pod)!
Jo and Adam reflect on their recent experience of venturing to a special screening at York Picture House Cinema on Halloween night to watch a film so disgusting viewers have been reported to have left the cinema to be sick. The film is The Substance, and Adam and Jo are here to analyse its satire. Heralded as a satire on female beauty standards, we wonder if it is actually having too much fun laughing at grotesque caricatures of the ageing female body? Is patriarchal capitalism really the target, or is it the vanity of Demi Moore's character for hoping she still had a place in it? Intergenerational conflict is also the theme of our second study in this episode: Ben Wheatley's Generation Z, which announces itself as a 'satirical horror series in which Baby Boomer Zombies eat their relatives' -- but is that really all that is going on? Also, Jo and Adam talk about the role of satire during the American presidential election, and the suggestion that big tech should use AI to label online content as satire.
Is there something strange [rustling and leaving faeces] in your neighbourhood? Who you gonna call? Smith & Waugh, of course! SpoOoky season is upon us once again and, as the veil between worlds draws thin, we invite you on a perilous journey into the liminal spaces that exist, sometimes, (for those open to possibilities beyond...), between the modes of satire, and of HORROR. Are these two things the same? Do they ever intermix? Or are they completely irreconcilably different? To find out, Jo and Adam are here to take you on a tour that will visit the worlds of Danny Robins, the BBC Sounds Uncanny parody Follow The Rabbit, our favourite ever episodes of Inside No 9, the phenomena of the "satirical horror movie", and two recent(ish) films: Speak No Evil and Late Night with the Devil. But be warned, dear listener, this is a journey so spoOoky you will almost certainly soil yourself. Happy Halloween!
As a new term begins, Jo and Adam get back in the mood for another year of learning and teaching by having a wonderful conversation with comedian, broadcaster, BBC writer, novelist an 8 time BAFTA winner Dave Cohen; best known, of course, for writing songs for the TV version of Horrible Histories. Dave talks to us about this comedy inspirations for the show, the day-to-day production of the show, its reception over the years, its skirmish with cancel culture, and about how satire played a part in the show's educational mission. (Adam also apologizes for a grievous error in the last episode, which we are ashamed to have broadcast).
Don’t you even know what a brat summer is? Well, It can go that way, like, quite luxury, but it can also be so, like, trashy. Just, like, a pack of cigs, and, like, a Bic lighter, and, like, a strappy white top. With no bra. That’s, like, kind of all you need. And it is in full flow, big time. Jo and Adam take a deep dive into the world of brat, satire of brat, brat satire and the way brat satire is fuelling the campaign of Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris. They also discuss the frighteningly prescient 1979 novel Benefits, a feminist dystopian satire, before looking at responses to the riots taking place across the UK at the time of recording and the memes inspired by the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Pour yourself a spenny natty wine, pump up the aux and get yourself gassed for a snappy genylex afters that is hundy p dank vibes. And if that makes no sense to you whatsoever, fear not, Jo and Adam are here to help. [Translation: Pour yourself an expensive glass of natural wine, turn up your sound system and prepare to laugh with us at our Snap General Election Afterparty which is going to be 100% cool]. Yes, in this bumper episode, Jo and Adam investigate the alleged "satire" of popular TikTok man Henry Rowley, survey the satirical aftermath of the 2024 General Election, reflect on their recent trip to Northampton University for a conference on satire, humour and history, discuss parallels between Bridgerton and Gustave Flaubert's wonderful novel Madame Bovary (1857), dig up the (deservedly) obscure 2013 movie Austenland and react to Steven Moffat's new star-studded drama, Douglas is Cancelled. Wham, bang, wallop, what a grab bag!
Jo and Adam are back sooner than expected with an episode so topical it'll almost certainly by out of date by the time you finish reading this sentence! Rishi Sunak has called a general election, but something seems different this time... At the time of writing, there seems little expectation that the Tories can keep hold of office and, with one PR catastrophe after another, some are even speculating that they're actually TRYING to lose. Meanwhile, Labour seems to be expending all of their energy on pumping out memetastic TikToks whilst Ed Davie is apparently having the holiday of a lifetime. Suffice to day, the internet is drowning in satire. But fear not, Adam and Jo are here to sort the Juvenalian from the Menippean, identify the various subjects of critique and say then everything is bathos. Also featuring further updates on the Mitford sisters and the 18th Century.
We need to talk about campus satire, again. Jo and Adam take a deep dive into two recent cultural takes which wear their satirical ambitions very much on their sleeves: the movie American Fiction, written and directed by Cord Jefferson, starring Jeffrey Wright and based on the novel by Percival Everett, and the controversial new novel by Lionel Shriver, Mania. Each examine their respective satirical targets through the lens of an academic protagonist on the edge, and each wield the blistering scalpel of satire with varying degrees of success. Jo also explains why the Mitford sisters would never want to be confused for one another. SSE!
Hot on the heels of their recent foray into the Brontë “Potatoverse” (see Ep61), Jo and Adam stumble upon what alleges to be a complete history of English Humour which manages to condense women’s contribution to the comic canon into just 7 pages, badging what it terms the distinct humour of the female sex as a kind of “small beer and small potatoes.” This account is written by none other than the celebrated author of “An Inspector Calls”, J. B Priestly, and it claims that there are no fewer than THREE comic women in the literary canon: Jane Austen, Elizabeth Gaskell and Nancy Mitford… Jo and Adam also check in on old friend of the pod, Liz Truss, and examine Count Binface’s frighteningly plausible campaign for London Mayor. Finally, they are also delighted to share a very special preview of a recent episode of Dogeared: A Bookish Podcast, upon which they recently appeared as guests to discuss, satire, Jane Eyre and Jonathan Swift.
Hot on the heels of their sell-out live show at the York Literature Festival (which only saw a slight drop off on the day in terms of the expected number of visitors), Jo and Adam return to investigate a series of urgent satirical questions. Was Anne Brontë the most satirical Brontë? Did Charlotte Brontë like Jonathan Swift? Are the viral Reborn Doll videos on TikTok sincere or satirical? And where oh where is amateur photographer Katherine (or Kate) Middleton?