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Andy Zaltzman is joined by his panel of political satirists to unpack the critical essays of Tony Blair, the spending habits of Peter Murrell and the SNP, the sweltering heat, social media ban proposals for under 16's and young people in record levels of unemployment.This week's panellists are Scott Bennett, Cody Dahler, Ayesha Hazarika and Bella Hull.Written by Andy Zaltzman.With additional material by: Angela Channel, Sam Nicoresti, Pravanya Pillay and Peter Tellouche. Producer: Rajiv Karia Executive Producer: Pete Strauss Production Coordinator: Asha Osborne-Grinter Sound Editor: Marc WillcoxA BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.
Simon Mann is alongside the BBC's Chief Cricket Commentator Jonathan Agnew, former England captain Michael Vaughan and TMS stats guru Andy Zaltzman to review the second day of the First Test between England and New Zealand at Lord's. A day where 17 wickets fell and Emilio Gay scored a half century. Hear from Gay and New Zealand bowler Nathan Smith who took six wickets on a frantic day.
Recorded at Hay Festival, Andy asks the panel the dreaded question - is Brexit back on the table? Also on the menu is Welsh independence, the National Conversation and an update on just how much money has been wasted on HS2.This week's panellists are Kiri Pritchard-McLean, Robin Morgan, Stephen Bush and Chloe Petts.Written by Andy Zaltzman.With additional material by: Maisie Adair, Catherine Brinkworth, Angela Channell and James Farmer Producer: Georgia Keating Executive Producer: James Robinson Production Coordinator: Asha Osborne-Grinter Sound Editor: Marc Willcox Recorded at Hay FestivalA BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.
What a week it's been for the Prime Minister. In the aftermath of seismic local elections results, there's been non-stop Labour party in-fighting. Wes Streeting has resigned as Health Secretary so the race for Labour leader is seemingly on - who will throw their hat in the ring? Will Andy Burnham, i.e. the King of the North, make his move? In other news, the panel discuss Trump's state visit to China and why the Royal Navy has to redesign women's uniforms over 'inappropriately placed' buttons.Helping Andy make sense of it all this week is Nish Kumar, Ian Smith, Katy Balls and Mhairi Black.Written by Andy Zaltzman.With additional material by: Alex Kealy, Ruth Husko and Claire Rammelkamp Producer: Georgia Keating Executive Producer: Richard Morris Production Coordinator: Asha Osborne-Grinter Sound Editor: Marc Willcox Recorded by David ThomasA BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.
Recorded on Friday morning, Andy and the panel dig into the election results from 7th May. Who's done well? Who's done not so well? And how does this have anything to do with The Grand National? Also up for discussion is The Met Gala and the legend that is Sir David Attenborough's 100th birthday.Written by Andy Zaltzman.With additional material by: Mike Shephard, Cameron Loxdale, Stephanie Kemp and Angela Channell Producer: Georgia Keating Executive Producer: Pete Strauss Production Coordinator: Asha Osborne-Grinter Sound Editor: Marc Willcox Recorded by Jerry Peal and Jon CalverA BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.
This week you're all cordially invited to join us for King Charles' state visit to Donald Trump's White House. Please dress to impress. We'll also be digging into the state of the nation ahead of the upcoming elections on 7th May. Plus, what do we think about MPs drinking at work?Written by Andy Zaltzman.With additional material by: Matt Hulme, Eleri Morgan, Joe Topping and Angela Channell Producer: Georgia Keating Executive Producer: James Robinson Production Coordinator: Asha Osborne-Grinter Sound Editor: Marc WillcoxA BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.
Some hot topics of conversation this week include the ever evolving Peter Mandelson vetting saga, phones being banned in schools and robots who can take over the world... sorry robots who can take over sports. Helping Andy make sense of it all are Daliso Chaponda, Catherine Bohart, Hugo Rifkind and Ria Lina.Written by Andy Zaltzman.With additional material by: Jade Gebbie, Christina Riggs, Henry Whaley and Angela Channell Producer: Georgia Keating Executive Producer: Richard Morris Production Coordinators: Asha Osborne-Grinter & Caroline Barlow Sound Editor: Marc WillcoxA BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.
As part of his PhD research, soon-to-be doctor Sami Shah put together a comprehensive investigation into a topic very dear to our hearts: the actual value of satirical podcasts. In this snippet from his pod-doco, Sami hears from satirists from far and wide, including Andy Zaltzman, James Schloeffel, Alice Fraser, Dan Ilic, and someone by the name of Dom Knight. If you would like to hear this full episode, check the link below!Listen to Sami Shah's podcast doco here: https://shows.acast.com/news-weakly/episodes/news-weakly-196-not-talking-bout-the-revoluion---Listen AD FREE: https://thechaserreport.supercast.com/ Follow us on Instagram: @chaserwarSpam Dom's socials: @dom_knightSend Charles voicemails: @charlesfirthEmail us: podcast@chaser.com.auChaser CEO's Super-yacht upgrade Fund: https://chaser.com.au/support/ Send complaints to: mediawatch@abc.net.au Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
After six weeks off air Andy Zaltzman is back. Helping him kick off the series are Andrew Maxwell, Zoe Lyons, Stephen Bush and Kiri Pritchard-McLean. They'll be tackling the big questions - how is the country feeling ahead of the potentially seismic elections on 7th May? Why is Donald Trump feuding with the Pope and why are mini-gherkins now harder to find than ever?Written by Andy Zaltzman.With additional material by: Mike Shephard, Ruth Husko, Dee Allum and Angela Channell Producer: Georgia Keating Executive Producer: Pete Strauss Production Coordinator: Asha Osborne-Grinter Sound Editor: Marc WillcoxA BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.
This week Ian welcomes back yet another previous guest correspondent to the studio, it's the brilliant Andy Zaltzman!Headlines this week include the discovery of some extremely large creepy crawlies, and Andy brings what is quite possible the oldest story we've ever had on the podcast.Andy's continues touring his brilliant show The Zaltgeist around the UK for just a few more weeks. For tickets and dates head to andyzaltzman.co.uk.Ian is bringing his Edinburgh Comedy Award nominated show Foot Spa Half Empty to London's Soho Theatre from 28 April - 1 May. For tickets head to sohotheatre.com.And we'll be heading up t'North to record a live edition of the pod at Crossed Wires Podcast Festival on Saturday 4 July 2026! For tickets head to crossedwires.live.Want Extra! Extra! content? Join our Patreon for weekly bonus episodes, videos, live show discount codes, BTS clips and more...Got a juicy story from t'North? Email it to northernnewspod@gmail.com.Follow Northern News on Instagram @NorthernNewsPodcastProduced, recorded and edited by Aniya Das for Plosive.Artwork by Welcome Studio.Photography by Jonathan Birch. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Kemi Badenoch repeatedly asked Keir Starmer about his decision to make Peter Mandelson US ambassador at PMQs today. But MPs were left frustrated by the Prime Minister's evasive responses.Hugo Rifkind unpacks the exchanges with The Sunday Times' Deputy Political Editor Lara Spirit and the comedian and statistician Andy Zaltzman. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Joining Andy for the final episode of this series are Simon Evans, Zoe Lyons, Cindy Yu and Ahir Shah and not one of them can be deemed a flight risk. Along with the latest on Peter Mandelson's arrest they discuss how UK politics is no longer a two-party system with the Greens and Reform taking centre stage in Gorton and Denton, why Trump's State of the Union address could have been mercifully shorter and why the Chagos Islands are off limits.Written by Andy Zaltzman.With additional material by: Mike Shephard and Pravanya Pillay Producer: Georgia Keating Executive Producer: Richard Morris Production Coordinator: Giulia Lopes Mazzu Sound Editor: Marc WillcoxA BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.
When the cricket loving comedian Andy Zaltzman is not dotting balls and crossing fours off the Test Match Special stats sheet he can be found hosting The News Quiz on Radio 4 and on stage with his new stand-up tour Zaltgeist.But it was his father's love of blues that sparked his love of music...and bad trumpet playing. Inherited: Got My Mojo Working by Muddy Waters Passing on: My Very Best by The Big MoonProducer: Ben Mitchell
On Saturday Live this week we'll be looking up, down and all over the place. Dame Maggie Aderin, space scientist, will have us looking to the skies in wonder before David Mearns, shipwreck hunter, takes us down into the ocean deep as we marvel at his life's work - and a man never short of a sense of wonder is writer, actor, comedian, sailor and lover of alpacas...Griff Rhys Jones.Also today, we'll rise from the depths to the surface for some sea shantying from The Longest Johns - and we'll be getting the Inheritance Tracks of Andy Zaltzman. Presenter: Adrian Chiles Producer: Ben Mitchell Assistant Producers: Lowri Morgan and Alice McKee Researcher: Angharad Butler Editor: Glyn Tansley(The live music performed in this programme has been shortened for music rights reasons)
Top of the agenda this week is some royal breaking news - who got a special birthday visit from the police? We'll be analysing yet another government U-turn and see who's emerged from the shadows for Nigel Farage's proposed ‘shadow cabinet'. Plus a couple of stories on robots and aliens - something for everyone.Joining Andy this week is Mark Steel, Daliso Chaponda, Coco Khan and Bella Hull.Written by Andy Zaltzman.With additional material by: Jade Gebbie, Ruth Husko and Peter Tellouche. Producer: Georgia Keating Executive Producer: Pete Strauss Production Coordinator: Giulia Lopes Mazzu Sound Editor: Marc WillcoxA BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.
This week the panel discuss PM Keir Starmer fighting off a potential coup; whether it's a good idea to take Valentine's day tips from a two-timing Norwegian athlete; and after 40 days of rain in some parts of the UK, is the country actually getting sunnier?Joining Andy this week is Alasdair Beckett-King, Rachel Fairburn, Stephen Bush and Mhairi BlackWritten by Andy Zaltzman.With additional material by: Cody Dahler, Eve Delaney, Jade Gebbie, Ruth Husko and Peter Tellouche. Producer: Georgia Keating Executive Producer: James Robinson Production Coordinator: Giulia Lopes Mazzu Sound Editor: Marc WillcoxA BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.
Is there a way out for Keir Starmer after the Peter Mandelson scandal? Who fled ‘under the cover of darkness' from their royal lodgings? What exactly is a humble address? And why are iguanas falling out of trees? Helping Andy answer some of the big questions of the week are Desiree Burch, Pierre Novellie, Daniel Finkelstein and Catherine Bohart.Written by Andy Zaltzman.With additional material by: Cody Dahler, Eve Delaney and Sarah Mills Producer: Georgia Keating Executive Producers: Richard Morris and James Robinson Production Coordinator: Giulia Lopes Mazzu Sound Editor: Marc WillcoxA BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.
On the agenda this week is Starmer vs Burnham in Labour's latest civil war, Suella Braverman's defection to Reform, and working out how to save The Great British pub. To get to the bottom of all this, Andy is joined by Daliso Chaponda, Kiri Pritchard-McLean, Hugo Rifkind and Holly Walsh.Written by Andy Zaltzman.With additional material by: Christina Riggs, Cameron Loxdale and Sarah Mills Producer: Georgia Keating Executive Producer: Pete Strauss Production Coordinator: Jodie Charman Sound Editor: Marc WillcoxA BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.
This week we'll be looking at Trump's Board of Peace and asking whether Trump is bored of peace. We'll be working out how China managed to afford to get on the central London property ladder with their new mega-embassy, and hoping that a clever cow who can use a tool to scratch its back can up its game and sort out global diplomacy before it's too late. Joining Andy to help make sense of all the madness is Lucy Porter, Alasdair Beckett-King, Stephen Bush and Shappi Khorsandi.Written by Andy Zaltzman.With additional material by: Christina Riggs, Cameron Loxdale, Ruth Husko and Dee Allum. Producer: Georgia Keating Executive Producer: James Robinson Production Coordinator: Giulia Lopes Mazzu Sound Editor: Marc WillcoxA BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.
Happy radio lads! Don't mind if I do.3 (or 4) guests this week – Stevie Martin, Andy Zaltzman, and Flo & Joan – plus huge news about Leon, and an insight into Radio X research.Thanks for downloading the podcast – remember, you can be an Early Worm and catch the show live on Radio X every Sunday 8am – 11am.Get in touch on sunday@radiox.co.uk@EdGambleComedy@matthewcrosby@5teviem@zaltzcricket@floandjoan
Andy's returned from The Ashes and is back in the News Quiz chair. He's come home to a selection of defections, some serious U-turning and 30,000 properties without water in his hometown of Tunbridge Wells. He was only away for one week! Helping Andy make sense of it all is Susie McCabe, Paul Sinha, Cindy Yu and Scott Bennett.Written by Andy Zaltzman.With additional material by: Mike Shephard, Eleanor Morton and Dee Allum Producer: Georgia Keating Executive Producer: Richard Morris Production Coordinator: Giulia Mazzu Sound Editor: Marc WillcoxA BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.
This week's Bugle is a US Special, hard not to be at the moment. Kick starting 2026, Andy Zaltzman joined by Nish Kumar, and Nato Green try to navigate their way through what might be the worst start to a year since, well since 2025.
A satirical smorgasbord of The News Quiz's best bits of the year, covering local elections, flag fever, Starmer's struggles, Trump's travails, and a very special meeting between King Charles and Pope Leo XIV. Written and presented by Andy Zaltzman.Producer: Rajiv Karia Executive Producer: Pete Strauss Production Coordinator: Giulia Lopes MazzuA BBC Studios Audio Production for Radio 4 An Eco-Audio certified Production
Australia win the 5th Test at the SCG by 5 wickets to complete their Ashes victory. We hear from England coach Brendon McCullum plus captain Ben Stokes as well as player of the match Travis Head, Player of the series Mitchell Starc and the retiring Usman Khawaja. Plus there's analysis from Simon Mann, Jonathan Agnew, Glenn McGrath, Phil Tufnell and Andy Zaltzman
A satirical smorgasbord of The News Quiz's best bits of the year, covering local elections, flag fever, Starmer's struggles, Trump's travails, and a very special meeting between King Charles and Pope Leo XIV.To hear more episodes of The News Quiz, search "Friday Night Comedy" on BBC Sounds.Written and presented by Andy Zaltzman.Producer: Rajiv Karia Executive Producer: Pete Strauss Production Coordinator: Giulia Lopes MazzuA BBC Studios Audio Production for Radio 4 An Eco-Audio certified Production
We hear from Joe Root who scored his 41st Test century and Australia fast bowler Scott Boland. Plus, there's analysis from Simon Mann, Jonathan Agnew, Phil Tufnell, Glenn McGrath and Andy Zaltzman.
It may be a new year, but it's an old John we find on today's podcast. An attempted new year's resolution meant the odd tear was shed, and now he's in hell. But it's not all bad, because he does have the cleanest crotch in show business thanks to a hand sanitiser mishap.Spirits get lifted by a visit from our in-house statistician, our very own Andy Zaltzman, Statman Ross. He reveals that John's Made Up Game stats are akin to those of Roger Federer, and there's confirmation that Elis can certainly go down as one of the big 4 MUG winners of his generation. An aural heat map is drawn up of Elis's connecting hotspots, and some geographical blind spots present themselves.Elsewhere there are celeb call centre tales, and Dave sheds light on his brief stint as a professional Mario Kart racer.Do you have some correspondence to lift John out of hell? Send them to elisandjohn@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp 07974 293 022.
Andy Zaltzman hosts the, now traditional, TMS Awards looking back at 2025's best (or worst) cricketing moments. As is tradition, TMS commentators Daniel Norcross and Henry Moeran are on the adjudication panel to help Andy decide who wins ‘favourite wicket of the year', ‘worst loss of the year', and the prize everyone wants to go home with: The Noosa Award for commitment to the cricketing cause.
Every weekday during the 2025-26 Ashes, comedian and statistician Andy Zaltzman poses new a cricketing conundrum. It won't be easy though. You might want to take it away, share in your group chats and challenge your friends. Andy will reveal the answer the following day.Test Match Special has live commentary on BBC Sounds with a team including Jonathan Agnew, Simon Mann and Jim Maxwell. England's 2005 Ashes-winning captain Michael Vaughan, legendary Australia seamer Glenn McGrath and ex-England spinners Phil Tufnell and Alex Hartley will be part of the punditry team.
England beat Australia by 4 wickets at the MCG to end a run of 18 winless Tests. We hear from Ben Stokes, Josh Tongue, Joe Root, Jacob Bethell and Steve Smith plus Simon Mann is joined by Jonathan Agnew, Phil Tufnell, Glenn McGrath and Andy Zaltzman.
Simon Mann is joined by Michael Vaughan, Jonathan Agnew, Glenn McGrath and Andy Zaltzman to review an incredible opening day of the 4th Test. Plus reaction from England's Josh Tongue who took 5/45 and Australia fast bowler Scott Boland who had figures of 3/30 and opened the batting!
Recorded live in Melbourne, this week's Bugle is a full-throttle Rage Bait Special, with Andy Zaltzman joined by Lloyd Langford, Sami Shah, and Alice Fraser to chew through the year's biggest stories with fury, confusion, and jokes of questionable legality.
Season 19, Episode 16: Merry Christmas to all. In carrying on our tradition of a festive interview with a much-loved contributor to the game, not many people create more smiles and fewer enemies than Andy Zaltzman. But beyond the cricket stats lies a vast career in comedy, from the stand-up circuit of the previous millennium through the Edinburgh fringe and pioneering days of podcasting to his huge success on Taskmaster. We talk creative practice, rivalries, and the role of chance. Support the show with a Nerd Pledge at patreon.com/thefinalword Get your copy of Bedtime Tales for Cricket Tragics: linktr.ee/tfwbook Stop snoring with 5% off a Zeus device: use code TFW2025 at zeussleeps.com Get yourself some lovely BIG Boots UK, with 10% off at this link: https://www.bigboots.co.uk/?ref=thefinalword Try the new Stomping Ground Final Word beer, or join Patreon to win a case: stompingground.beer Maurice Blackburn Lawyers - fighting for workers since 1919: mauriceblackburn.com.au Get your big NordVPN discount: nordvpn.com/tfw Get 10% off Glenn Maxwell's sunnies: t20vision.com/FINALWORD Find previous episodes at finalwordcricket.com Title track by Urthboy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
It's Champion of Champions time! Who will reign supreme and who will join Ed Gamble in the Taskmaster caravan? Andy Zaltzman, John Robins, Maisie Adam, Mathew Baynton and Sam Campbell are all contenders but tune in to the pod to get the full run down from the overall champ! Taskmaster the Podcast returns on January 2nd after the first instalment of the festive treat! For all your TM news visit taskmaster.tv and visit channel4.com to catch up or rewatch your favourite episodes!
Every weekday during the 2025-26 Ashes, comedian and statistician Andy Zaltzman poses new a cricketing conundrum. It won't be easy though. You might want to take it away, share in your group chats and challenge your friends. Andy will reveal the answer the following day.Test Match Special has live commentary on BBC Sounds with a team including Jonathan Agnew, Simon Mann and Jim Maxwell. England's 2005 Ashes-winning captain Michael Vaughan, legendary Australia seamer Glenn McGrath and ex-England spinners Phil Tufnell and Alex Hartley will be part of the punditry team.
England showed plenty of fight but Australia won the 3rd Test by 82 runs to retain the Ashes with two games to spare, We hear from England coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes as well as Australia skipper Pat Cummins, Player of the match Alex Carey plus Mitchell Starc. Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head. There's also analysis by Jonathan Agnew, Simon Mann, Glenn McGrath, Phil Tufnell and Andy Zaltzman.
Simon Mann is joined by Jonathan Agnew, Phil Tufnell, Andy Zaltzman and Glenn McGrath to look back on an improved day for England. However, they are still on the brink of defeat as Australia lie 4 wickets away from retaining the Ashes. There's also reaction from Zak Crawley, Alex Carey and Mitchell Starc plus a fascinating chat with former Australia fast bowler turned coach Jason Gillespie.
Simon Mann is joined by Jonathan Agnew, Glenn McGrath and Phil Tufnell to review the 3rd day of the Adelaide Test as a Travis Head hundred nailed down Australia's position.We also get reaction from England's assistant coach Jeetan Patel and Australia spinner Nathan Lyon plus Andy Zaltzman has all the stats that matter.
Daniel Norcross is joined by Jonathan Agnew, Glenn McGrath and former England batter Dawid Malan to review a challenging day in Adelaide with England facing a mammoth Test to keep the Ashes alive. There's reaction from England assistant coach Marcus Trescothick and Australia spinner Nathan Lyon and a statistical round-up by Andy Zaltzman
Recorded live in Brisbane, Australia, this week's Bugle sees Andy Zaltzman joined on stage by Nish Kumar and Alice Fraser for a high-energy international tour of scandal, chaos, and cinematic derangement.
This week, Andy Zaltzman is joined by Josh Gondelman and Anuvab Pal for an episode bursting with chaos, tangents, and stories so random they feel algorithmically generated.As Andy prepares to fly to Australia for The Ashes, the big question is: is he even slightly focused? The evidence suggests no.
This week, Andy Zaltzman is joined by Helen Zaltzman and Josie Long for an episode awash with political upheaval, mild optimism, and existential dread.
The Bugle turns 18 — and we're not done celebrating yet! In Part 2 of our birthday special, Andy Zaltzman is joined by Alice Fraser and Nish Kumar to take a sideways look at some of the week's more alternative headlines.
Alasdair Beckett-King, Laura Lexx, Ahir Shah and Ava Santina join Andy Zaltzman for this week's quiz.Brace yourselves for stories about the stripping of both Royal Titles and Royal Crown Jewels as well as the big question of the moment, are things better or worse than they used to be?Written by Andy Zaltzman Additional material by: Milo Edwards, Cameron Loxdale, Ruth Husko and Marty Gleeson Producer: Gwyn Rhys Davies Exec Producer: Richard Morris Production Coordinator: Giulia Lopes Mazzu Sound Editor: Marc WillcoxA BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.
In a week of budget talks, IMF forecasts of Inflation on the British horizon, flood risk reports and approval of solar farms, Andy Zaltzman is joined by Adam Kay, Zoe Lyons, Ria Lina and Stephen Bush to break down this weeks news.Written by Andy Zaltzman.With additional material by: Daman Bamrah, Ruth Husko, Christina Riggs and Peter Tellouche. Producer: Rajiv Karia Executive Producer: Pete Strauss Production Coordinator: Giulia Lopes Mazzu Sound Editor: Marc WillcoxA BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.
This week, Andy Zaltzman is joined by Tom Ballard and Ria Lina for another round of international nonsense.
This week, Andy Zaltzman is joined by Hari Kondabolu and Alice Fraser for another round of global absurdity and barely contained disbelief.
This week, Andy Zaltzman is joined by Helen Zaltzman for a transcendental episode of The Bugle — one that's proudly, intentionally, and gloriously Trump-free.
This week, Andy Zaltzman is joined by Josh Gondelman and James Nokise for a satirical sprint through the week's most surreal headlines.
This week, Andy Zaltzman is joined by Nish Kumar and Sara Barron for a globe-spanning episode of satire, scandal, and despair.