
A Mostly F***ING BLEAK-Free Bugle!
đ§ Support The Bugle! Become a Team Bugle subscriber for bonus episodes, exclusive merch, and the unmatched pleasure of elite-tier status: https://thebuglepodcast.comThis week, Andy Zaltzman is joined by 'quibbling sibling' Helen Zaltzman and Josh Gondelman for a mostly F***ING BLEAK-free episode full of satire, jigsaw news and punctuation puns. đšđŠ In Canada news:đ§© US-Canada trade war means jigsaw business owners are left picking up the piecesđ King Charles visits the colonies with promises of arming an ordinarily placid countryđșđž In USA news:âïž Big Beautiful Bill resolute in bid to reach Trump's deskđ€ Food 'sucked' at Trump's $148m meme coin dinner đ In Books and Language news:đ€ AI-generated summer reading list published in newspapersïŒSemicolon usage on the declineâ ïž In Light in the Darkness news:âïž Solar panels in space to transmit electricity to Earthđ§ Feeling awe helps mental healthđ§ Listen to our sci-fi and fantasy comedy show Realms Unknown hosted by Bugle favourite Alice Fraser, and pick up her book A Passion for Passion here: http://uk.bookshop.org/shop/RealmsUnknownProduced by Ped Hunter and Chris Skinner. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
28 Maj 51min

Donald Loves Big Guns
đ§ Support The Bugle! Become a Team Bugle subscriber for bonus episodes, exclusive merch, and the unmatched pleasure of elite-tier status: thebuglepodcast.comThis week, Andy Zaltzman is joined by Tiff Stevenson, Hari Kondabolu, and elite-tier producer Chad for a power-packed episode full of satire, absurdity, and deeply unnecessary sequels.đșđž In American news:Trump gets weirdly complimentary about muscly men in the Middle EastJames Comeyâaspiring hitman or maĂźtre dâ? And we ask: who will save the poor, struggling... private jet-owning white South Africans?đŒ The team reveals their old jobsâthe cash-grabs, the chaos, and the character-building.đŠ Wildlife news returns with animals doing very animal things.đ In The Bin: books, including a baffling follow-up to The Joy of Sex. Spoiler: not joyful.đș Watch our fantasy-comedy series Realms Unknown on this channel and pick up A Passion for Passion here: http://uk.bookshop.org/shop/RealmsUnknownProduced by Chad, along with Laura Turner and Chris Skinner. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
20 Maj 46min

MAGA Pope: Make America Guilty Again
This week, Andy Zaltzman is joined by elite-tier Bugler and guest producer Belinda (as well as Nish Kumar and Tom Ballard) delivering a show so saucy it might get you banned from the Vatican gift shop.đč Support The Bugle! Get bonus episodes, exclusive video editions, and the moral superiority of a Team Bugle subscription: thebuglepodcast.comđ Top Story: India v Pakistan â More than just a cricket match, itâs a boiling cauldron of nationalism, sport obsession, and a few pesky borders. What does this frenzy say about both countriesâand how does it compare to how Russia does fun (spoiler: poorly)?đž Who will step in to sponsor the IPL extended break? Weâre imagining a bidding war between detergent brands and authoritarian regimes.đŹđ§đźđł Plus, we dive into the UKâIndia post-Brexit trade deal: will it involve actual trade, or just ceremonial handshakes and whisky?đïž Also in the news: a Ukraine ceasefire, which may or may not hold longer than a political promise, and Woke Pope Newsâhas the Vatican gone vegan?đ€ And in literary slander: Is Andy Zaltzman truly âthe Wordsworth of anal filthâ? We may never know, but weâll speculate wildly.âïž Also, we remember the Witch Trialsâa time when women were persecuted for floating, speaking, or simply existingâand toss some flaming audio cocktails into the bin for good measure.đ§ Watch our fantasy-meets-satire show Realms Unknown on YouTube, and check out A Passion for Passion here: http://uk.bookshop.org/shop/RealmsUnknownđ Donât forget to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for weekly satire on sport, politics, religion, and righteous nonsense.Produced by Belinda Copeland, with support from Chris Skinner and Laura Turner. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
13 Maj 54min

25 years of Stalin Cosplay
đŻ Support The Bugle! Get exclusive video editions, bonus shows, and the right to feel a little superior: thebuglepodcast.comThis week, Andy Zaltzman is joined by David OâDoherty and Alice Fraser to deliver your weekly fix of democracy despair, snake news, and historical nonsense.đłïž Top Story: Global Democracy Update â The world is somehow both leaning towards and veering away from Donald Trump. We check in on:Australia, where going viral now involves saying racist things in chip shops đThe UK, where a party that is definitely not far-right (and will sue you if you say otherwise) made gains đŽAnd Ireland, where we mark the first hundred days of government with a sigh, a shrug, and mild confusion âïžđ Also this week: Remember when Net Zero was an actual goal and not just a vague eco-dream whispered into the wind? Good times.đ In Snake News: one man basically conquers snakes by letting them bite him. Yes, this is a real story. Yes, heâs probably not okay.đ Plus, we look back at Tennessee banning the teaching of evolution (because that could never happen again, right?), and the thrill of the first four-minute mile.đ§ Check out Realms Unknown, our fully visualised YouTube show, and grab your copy of A Passion for Passion here: Bookshop.orgđ LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for satirical takes on politics, history, science, and slippery reptiles.Produced by Tom Wright, Chris Skinner, and Laura Turner. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
7 Maj 48min

Carney Trumps MAGA, and we explain Pete Hegseth
Support The Bugle! Get exclusive video editions, bonus episodes, and fine smugness: thebuglepodcast.comThis week, Andy Zaltzman is joined by Hari Kondabolu and Anuvab Pal for a turbo-charged tour through history, politics, and questionable phone etiquette.đ In Canada, Trump somehow manages to swing the election against himâwas trying to make just one extra state the fatal flaw? We dig into North America's weirdest geopolitical fantasy.đ± Pete Hegsethâs phone game is all over the placeâso naturally, we guess what might explain his behaviour. We're probably wrong.đ§” The Bayeux Tapestryâbeautiful, historic, and possibly the result of an 11th-century frat house? We count the danglers (yes, actual danglers), and ask: was this the first ever meme thread?đ Hit LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for your weekly dose of international satire, ancient art mockery, and unfiltered Bugle nonsense.Produced by Chris Skinner and Laura Turner. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
30 Apr 48min

The Pope, The Wrestler and The Terrorist
Support The Bugle, we only exist because you make it happen: http://thebuglepodcast.com/donate. Our first Elite Tier Buglers will be co-producing episodes in the next month!This week we look back at the arrival of Pope Francis, and the end of Osama Bin Laden - as revealed by John Cena. Includes a clip from Realms Unknown, which is in your pod feed now!A new Bugle is in your feed next week.This episode was produced by Chris Skinner and Laura Turner.Presented by Andy Zaltzman, with John Oliver, Alice Fraser and James Colley. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
23 Apr 37min

Dr Evil Set To Impose Million Percent Tariffs!
This week on The Bugle, Andy is joined by Josie Long and Nato Green for a chaotic cruise through the weekâs weirdest news.đ° Top Story: Tariffs (ugh, again) â but this time, weâre talking a million percent tariffs. Are we heading toward a financial apocalypse, or just another Tuesday in global trade?đïž America is drifting away from reality, and the news is... not helping. Meanwhile, US university funding takes another hit. Spoiler: itâs not looking good for future rocket scientists.đ And in Rat News from Birmingham: the rats are multiplying, theyâre confident, and some may now speak English. Yes, really.đč Support The Bugle! Get bonus episodes, exclusive merch & warm smugness: www.thebuglepodcast.com/donateđ§ Check out our new show Realms Unknown, now fully visualized on YouTube! And if youâre passionate about passion, donât miss A Passion for Passion â grab your copy here: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/RealmsUnknownđ Donât forget to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for your weekly dose of satirical news, politics, and comedy chaos.Produced by Chris Skinner and Laura Turner Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
14 Apr 38min

Liberation Day: Weird, at best
đč Support The Bugle! Become a Team Bugle subscriber for bonus shows, exclusive merch, and the warm glow of self-satisfaction: www.thebuglepodcast.com/donate.This week, Andy is joined by Alice and Tiff as we toss useless kitchen gadgets into the bin and declare it Liberation Dayâ the world is free⊠or at least pretending to be!đ° Top Story: Global economic weight-loss plans, penguin-based trade analysis, and a surprise appearance from Norfolk Island.đș Trump news (still a thing): Why is he firing national security staff? And what does Laura Loomer have to do with it?đ Cory Booker makes headlines for not peeing.âïž Women in war: Who would have thought a very bad man would have a very bad take.đż In archaeology news: A 3-year-old makes a big discovery. Has she already peaked?And finally, a reminder from earlier: Fascismâstill bad.đ§ Check out our new show, Realms Unknown! Now fully visualized on YouTube. And if you love passion, youâll love A Passion for Passionâgrab your copy here: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/RealmsUnknown.Produced by Laura Turner and Chris Skinner Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
6 Apr 44min