6 FUNNY podcasts to chortle your way through January 2021
If you don’t laugh, you’ll cry, and if you cry you probably needed it.
Here are six podcasts that have kept me buoyant, busy and stopped me from sitting down and watching endless episodes of Four in a Bed and The Real Housewives of whatevs. Between working and staying the f indoors what else is there to do?
1. Athletico Mince by Bob Mortimer and Andy Dawson
I hate football. I’m fine about this, you should be too. So it took me a lot of convincing to get into this - but now I realise what a fool I’ve been! If you LOVE footballers like Peter Crouch or Jamie Redknapp then don’t listen to this - it might upset you. It’s got characters, sketches and songs that play up to both Bob and Andy’s quick wit and genius. There are canny wind ups, questions and stories that are just brilliant. It’s kind of culty, so be prepared to be shouting ‘BOILED ONIONS!’ at the top of your voice and having endless conversations about ‘runny poachers’.
Listen here: Athletico Mince
2. No Money Mo Problems by Mo Gilligan
I’m still making my way through these, but my gosh, the first episode starts so incredibly strong with house party etiquette. I think I love these because Mo’s observational accounts reignite a very specific time in the 00s that are quintessentially London and revolve around pirate radio, sh*t jobs in retail and drinking Alizae - the latter, if ya know, ya know! There is a reason why Mo is killing it at the moment, because this guy can spin a yarn and he brings you along with him whether you live in London or Leicester.
Listen here: No Money Mo Problems
3. Wolf and Owl by Romesh Ranganathan and Tom Davis
Everyone knows about Romesh, he’s great, we love his mum too and we love his other podcast Hip Hop Saved my Life. But - for me - Tom Davis aka King Gary and the star of Murder in Successville, steals the show. This is a podcast where two friends ramble on about their previous lives and things like Romesh being trolled on the school run. In nearly every episode Romesh questions the validity of Tom’s facts and Tom hands the evidence right back to him. The banter tennis never stops. They’re like the modern day chuckle brothers where the topics range from a pissmas tree, Area 51, how to tell people they’re annoying c*nts, and whether poo pics are ever appropriate on What’s Ap groups.
It’s heartwarming, it’s friendship and it’s funny.
Listen here: Wolf and Owl
4. I’m Absolutely Fine! by The Midult
Spiky, warm, bitchy and fun with a sprinkle of the sardonic big sis on top. Usually I veer away from podcasts from middle class moaning myrtles. But The Midult, I’m here for The Midult. Hosted by authors and journalists Annabel Rivkin and Emilie McMeekan, they explore everything from shaving off dead skin on their feet, talking about the ‘perineum of the year’ and those annoying people Annabel artfully coins as ‘happiness c*nts’. The Midult say what you’re actually thinking and feeling, they talk about anxiety and the unexpected joy of people canceling on you so you can go back to bed. From bag rummaging with guests to pearls of (f*ck it!) wisdom and excellent interviewees. Enjoy in your bath as you wrestle with your existential dread and know that both Annabel and Emilie have got you (in hysterics).
Listen here: I'm Absolutely Fine!
5. The Worst Idea of All Time by Tim Batt and Guy Montgomery
Kiwi comedians Tim Batt and Guy Montgomery joint-watch and review the same shitty film every week. Even when they’re in different countries they’re zooming. That’s 52 watches of Adam Sandler and chums in ‘Grown Ups Two’, 52 watches and reviews of ‘Sex and The City Two’ - you all know that one went down! Plus 52 watches and reviews of club smash with wannabe deej’ Zac Efron in ‘WE ARE YOUR FRIENDS’.
It sounds like a recipe for madness; it is. That’s why it’s so funny.
I’m pretty sure they smoke doobz and at one point there is a drinking game. It’s an addictive listen and before you know it you’ll be at home watching these terrible films, crying into egg cups of blue Aftershock wanting to gouge your own eyes out with a spoon.
Approach with caution: Worst Idea of All Time
6. 3 Girls, One Keith by Amy Schumer, Bridget Everett, Rachel Feinstein and Keith Robinson
It’s all about Keith Robinson in this podcast. The way he sees the world is like no one I’ve ever met, the gals refer to him as ‘morally bankrupt’ which from listening to all 37 episodes I’m inclined to agree with. While Amy Schumer (we know her) holds court, her other co-hosts include incredible cabaret singer Bridget Everett and the totally hilarious Rachel Feinstein. Regular sections like ‘pound it or pass’ are exactly what you would expect and the brilliantly executed ‘why is Keith a bad person?’ delve into the underbelly of Keith’s tales of yore. In the latter series they bring in a few tasty guests like Jerry Seinfeld, David Byrne and Quentin Tarantino. It’s a real tonic.
Listen here: 3 Girls, One Keith