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Oh God, What Now?

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Making sense of our political hell every Tuesday and Friday! Oh God, What Now? is the no-bulls**t politics podcast, making the unbearable bearable with top quality guests and analysis, plus poor quality jokes.  Regulars include: Dorian Lynskey, author of The Ministry Of Truth: A Biography of Orwell’s 1984 and host of Origin Story • Writer and commentator Ros Taylor • Rachel Cunliffe of the New Statesman • Writer and host of This Is Not A Drill Gavin Esler • Social affairs journalist Hannah Fearn • Comedian Matt Green • The Lead's Westminster Editor Zoë Grünewald • Group Editor Andrew Harrison • Journalist Marie Le Conte • Podmasters Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis • New Statesman columnist Jonn Elledge • Guardian writer Rafael Behr Sign up and get ad-free shows earlier than anyone else: patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow. Oh God, What Now? is a Podmasters production
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Episodes

EmergencyCast! – Johnson is Finally, Finally, Finally Finished

Boris Johnson was in for trouble. But, bloody hell – the report is worse than even we imagined. So, we’re back to tear through the details in another bonus edition… Dorian, Alex and Naomi gather for a rough and ready EmergencyCast. “Increasingly this does look like the end to Boris Johnson’s political career because of the hurdles between him and returning.” – Naomi Smith “I think this is more explosive than anything we’ve heard before.” – Alex Andreou “He’s basically using a unanimous report to...

Jun 15, 202330 minSeason 2Ep. 219

Boris Johnson’s Lying Circus

Recorded before the Privileges Committee report landed. We thought the whole point of resigning was to shut up and go away? On his way out, ex-MP Johnson trashes everything from the Privileges Committee to Tory detente to objective truth itself. We reassemble the original Remainiacs team to look at the squalid final days of Britain’s worst Prime Minister. Could he ever come back? Plus, as Trump ends up in court and Berlusconi goes to the Great Bunga Bunga Party in the Sky, is populism unravellin...

Jun 15, 20231 hr 15 minSeason 2Ep. 218

The Too Much News Edition

Johnson quits! Trump indicted! Berlusconi dies! Telegraph for sale! Sturgeon nicked! Dorries does… whatever it was she did! This one’s got it all. After a weekend that felt like the ‘Layla’ bit of Goodfellas, the OGWN team convene to look at the aftershocks of Boris Johnson’s flounce, what Trump’s worsening legal woes mean for America’s stability, and who we’d like to take over at the Torygraph. With special guest Eleni Courea, deputy editor of Politico’s London Playbook. Listen to our new paper...

Jun 13, 20231 hr 9 minSeason 2Ep. 217

EmergencyCast! – The Pathetic End of Boris Johnson

Johnson quitting as an MP caused a stir in the Oh God, What Now? group chat – and it quickly dawned upon us it was EmergencyCast time. So, here we go. Wake me up before you BoJo and so on. The guy we all hate to hate is gone. Jarv, Ros and Alex gather for a bit of quickfire punk rock podcasting to discuss the fallout. Vocal power chords at the ready. www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Jacob Jarvis with Alex Andreou and Ros Taylor. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarv...

Jun 10, 202337 minSeason 2Ep. 216

Negative Energy

The horrifying dam destruction in Ukraine has ruined countless lives and sparked disgust the world over. Will this war crime go unpunished? And how is the West responding? Plus, we unpack the latest Starmer drama. Is Labour’s relationship with the Unions on the rocks? And in the extra bit for backers, TURN DOWN THAT RACKET! Why are noise complaints for late-night venues on the rise? This week’s guest is former FSN bureau chief Laura Makin-Isherwood. “This lays open a bigger question, which is wh...

Jun 09, 202356 minSeason 2Ep. 215

Spot the Difference: Labour and Tory Special – with guest Marina Purkiss

Labour might be leading the polls over the terrible Tories, but maybe the two are more similar than most of us think. Have we seen the return of 1950s ‘Butskellism’? With that in mind, a new report suggests that most millennials hate the Tories (shock), does that mean they’ll vote Labour though? And Phillip Schofield’s been plastered across the news, is this the end of his TV career? Or is there a way back from TV cancel culture for disgraced celebs? That’s Oh God, What Now? with special guest M...

Jun 06, 20231 hr 15 minSeason 2Ep. 214

It’s the End of the World and A.I. Feels Fine

So, we’re in the future I guess – and apparently A.I. threatens bringing an end to humanity. With top scientists sounding the alarm – should we be worried or panicked? Plus, vaping is in the Government’s firing line. Why is it on the agenda and how does Sunak balance crackdowns with his apparent Thatcher adoration? And in the extra bit for backers our panel discusses why so many of us get it wrong on recycling… Our guest this week is Zoë Grünewald of New Statesman. “It’s not the worry that A.I. ...

Jun 02, 20231 hrSeason 2Ep. 213

Succession Finale: Goodbye to the Beastie Roys

So it be, so it is – Succession has come to an end. We’re all obsessed with the HBO drama, so we thought why not give it the Oh God, What Now? treatment. If you’re scared of spoilers – you have been warned, this will be full of them. Andrew Harrison, Hannah Fearn and Alex Andreou discuss the fate of the Roys and Waystar Royco. “Everybody in the show is awful to a greater or lesser degree.” – Andrew Harrison “The character development even continues right into the final moments.” – Hannah Fearn w...

May 31, 202330 minSeason 2Ep. 212

Redaction Man

Boris Johnson’s in hot water…again. The former PM has thrown an epic tantrum over the COVID inquiry wanting unredacted WhatsApp messages. What will the Government do next – and will there be any end to this row? Plus our panel discusses “safe pair of hands” Jeremy Hunt. What’s going on with the MIA Chancellor? “Johnson is the dead cat here and the reticence has to do with how many other people will be implicated.” – Alex Andreou “Where is Hunt? Is he sitting back preparing for his leadership bid...

May 31, 202354 minSeason 2Ep. 211

Tories of Future Past – Live in London Pt. 2

In Part Two of our latest live outing: Who will be the Conservative Corbyn for their impending wilderness years/psychological meltdown? Our panel ponders whether it’ll be Badenoch, Mordaunt, Braverman… or David Frost? And (for your nerves) we wind up with some reasons to be cheerful for the year ahead. www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Ros Taylor with Alex Andreou, Marie le Conte and Arthur Snell. Audio producer: Alex Rees. Producer: Chris Jones. Art: James Parrett. Theme music by Corner...

May 26, 202354 minSeason 2Ep. 210

A Multitude of Sins – Live in London Pt. 1

In part one of our latest live outing: When we look back upon this Government… it’s always with a sense of blame. Join us live in London as we go over the Seven Deadly Sins of 13 years of Toryism. Plus, as cheese sandwiches and Heinz beans are reclassified as luxuries, our panel come up with some modest proposals for economic living that might meet Anne Widdecombe’s approval. Your panel at the Leicester Square Theatre is Ros Taylor, Andreou, Marie le Conte and Arthur Snell. www.patreon.com/ohgod...

May 25, 202359 minSeason 2Ep. 209

Never Did Me Any Harm

Now that cheese sandwiches, Heinz beans and swimming in poo-free water are officially luxuries, have we reached Peak We Had It Hard When I Were A Lad? New figures show that our anti-migration government has managed to, er, double migration to the UK. How will Sunak get out of that? Plus our panel discusses a new survey which says a third of us are too tired to get fit. Comic writer John O’Farrell of the We Are History podcast is our special guest. Listen to We Are History: https://link.chtbl.com...

May 23, 20231 hr 7 minSeason 2Ep. 208

The Anti-Nat C League: Inside the far right's Glastonbury for wingnuts

There were some frankly bizarre statements made at the National Conservatism Conference. Now it’s over, we’re left asking: what was the point of it all? Our Seth Thevoz was there and spoke to Andrew Harrison about what he made of it. Plus, Kemi Badenoch: problem solver or is she just making everything worse? We know the answer. And in the extra bit - for subscribers only - our panel talks Succession and the parallels it draws with reality. “It’s like they’re talking about a Conservative Party lo...

May 19, 20231 hr 12 minSeason 2Ep. 207

Rats in a Sack: The Tory civil war is a go

The Tories are at each other’s throats…again. Both Suella Braverman and Priti Patel took a pop at the party’s leadership at recent conservative conferences. Could Sunak survive a looming Tory revolt? And the state pension age may rise to 68, would you return to work if it meant a shot at rebuilding the country? Plus, the panel discusses their favourite accents and why we judge them so much. “The point here about the Conservatives is that they’re finished.” – Tom Peck. “I think it’s a deepening a...

May 16, 20231 hr 4 minSeason 2Ep. 206

The Great British Bog Off

The Government’s Illegal Migration Bill is “morally unacceptable” according to the Archbishop of Canterbury. But since when did that stop the Conservatives? We look at the chaos, the confusion and the growing asylum seeker backlog. Plus, Labour did OK in the locals but were the real winners the Greens and the Lib Dems? And what does it mean for the General Election? And in the Extra Bit, for subscribers only, our panel discusses their favourite on-air mistakes. “The UNHCR says the legislation wo...

May 12, 20231 hr 1 minSeason 2Ep. 205

Republic Enemy: The Met’s arrest scandal

The republicans doth protest too much, according to the Met police. Can the force change? And does it really want to? Speaking of change, should the Tories be terrified by the local election results? And Trump, Carlson and DeSantis – no, not the start of a bad joke, but a trio who are pushing forward the far-right in America. “In recent years, it’s felt there has been scandal after scandal after scandal from the Met.” – Rachel Cunliffe “If you hand the police sweeping new powers and say you can ...

May 10, 20231 hr 9 minSeason 2Ep. 204

Localscast: ‘Stop the Small Votes’ Fails

Despite the Tories’ best efforts at damage control they still got utterly trounced at the locals. Stopping boats didn’t work (in any way whatsoever) and neither didn’t stopping votes. So while Sunak will be moping, should the rest of us – and Starmer in particular – celebrate? Or are the results a little more confusing than that? Andrew, Ros and Naomi discuss. “Without question it has been a very bad night for the Conservatives.” – Naomi Smith “It’s very clear lots of Conservatives just stayed a...

May 05, 202327 minSeason 2Ep. 203

Never Mind the Monarchs

It’s Coronation weekend and Charles “invites” you to pledge your allegiance to the crown. A wholesome tradition? Or just a bit much? And should we actually read much into the local elections? We ask special guest Ben Walker, senior data journalist at New Statesman and a Labour council candidate. Then in the extra bit – for subscribers only – with rock legends Aerosmith retiring, the panel discusses people they’d like to see pack it in. “I won’t be saying it and I imagine very very few people wil...

May 05, 202356 minSeason 2Ep. 202

The Secret Civil War

A Whitehall bust up is underway with Sue Gray and Simon Case clashing over the former’s appointment as Keir Starmer’s chief of staff. Is this a witch hunt – or are there just questions? Plus, conflict in Sudan means the UK has organised a second rapid evacuation in two years. Has this one gone smoother than the last? And with the high profile departures of cable anchors Tucker Carlson and Don Lemon across the pond – we discuss our favourite TV hosts. “Opinion of Sue Gray is totally moveable. The...

May 03, 202358 minSeason 2Ep. 201

Book of Revelations

More details of Johnson’s chaotic reign have emerged in Anthony Seldon’s new book Johnson at 10. He might now be in the history books but have we truly heard the last of him? And can we track his scandals without giving him the attention he wants? Plus, send in the subs! Our panel discusses Dominic Raab’s obscure replacements. Comedian, actor and Twitter sensation Matt Green is this week’s guest. “Johnson may be confined to the history book but Johnson-ism isn’t.” – Seth Thévoz “There is every p...

Apr 28, 20231 hr 8 minSeason 2Ep. 200

Karate Kid Gets the Chop

That’s a Raab! Karate guru Dom has lost several Cabinet jobs after an investigation into bullying allegations. What fallout can we expect? Plus, the Home Office has tried to clean up its act and says it will now refer to asylum seekers as “customers”. How compassionate. And another local councillor drops the ball, after replying to an email in Welsh in German. Why can so many Brits not speak a second language? Plus, our special guest this week is Geri Scott, political reporter at The Times. “He ...

Apr 25, 20231 hr 8 minSeason 2Ep. 199

Rishi Sunak’s Theatre of the Absurd

Rishi Sunak promised an end to sleaze after the dark days of Johnson. But has his faux competency made us take our eyes off the ball? Plus, it’s not just lorries stuck in Calais. Our panel discusses the impact Brexit has had on the music industry and why it’s now so tough to get a gig in Great Britain. “The first rule when you’re talking about trust is don’t keep banging on about trust.” - Ros Taylor “Sunak just simply thinks that his wife’s financial affairs are separate from his own – but that...

Apr 21, 20231 hr 1 minSeason 2Ep. 198

Is Keir Starmer Blowing It?

Labour is ahead in the polls but questions are still being raised over Keir Starmer’s leadership. Could he really be blowing it? Plus, is Suella Braverman Donald Trump’s fault? Then finally, the rise of the non-apology apology with councillors facing further pressure. Rachel Cunliffe, senior associate editor at New Statesman, joins as a special guest. “Council elections are always used as a test bed for the themes that might come along in the General Election.” – Seth Thévoz “I don’t think panic...

Apr 18, 20231 hr 7 minSeason 2Ep. 197

Britain’s Brain Drain, Dunt’s New Book and Succession Shocker

As the Government dishes out fresh lessons in doggedness – does the strike stalemate risk a brain drain for Britain? We discuss health workers ditching the UK for Australia for better money (and weather). Plus, why doesn’t Westminster work? It’s a question we all want to answer – and Ian Dunt has in his new book. And, with *major* spoiler warnings, we talk about the Succession latest. “I hate the word vocation because it tends to be a way of not paying people for their skill.” – Hannah Fearn “Be...

Apr 14, 20231 hr 8 minSeason 2Ep. 196

Sunak’s Long Road to Nowhere

Sunak is expected to cling on until Autumn 2024 for a general election. Why, when there’s clearly no plan of action? And as we creep closer, we unpack what the race might look like as Starmer’s Labour sparks controversy with its attacks on the PM. Plus, why is Elon Musk slowly making Twitter the least cool website on the planet? “All Labour needs to do is think of variations of the same theme – are you better off under the Tories?” – Gavin Esler “I fully don’t understand why on earth something l...

Apr 12, 20231 hr 1 minSeason 2Ep. 195

Illegally Blonde

Donald Trump has had his (first) day in court. How will this alter the course of US politics to come? Plus, Brexit promises are falling short again, quelle surprise. The panel discusses the problem the Government can’t bring itself to mention. In a special guest double-header, we’re joined by comedian, actor and Twitter star Matt Green, and Geri Scott, political reporter at The Times, this week. “The taboo has been broken about indicting a former president.” – Seth Thévoz “This feels like the fi...

Apr 06, 20231 hr 8 minSeason 2Ep. 194

Pot Hole Sun

Sunak was apparently turning it around but now he’s firmly black on the course to oblivion. Should he stop staring at potholes and realise he’s heading to a political black hole? Plus – we unpack the Trump latest, as his arrest looms. And, moanalism (yes, we’ve invented a word). What’s with all these articles where people just want to complain and tell us not to enjoy stuff? “There are comment pages that need to be filled.” – Marie Le Conte “It’s been weird watching Conservative politicians one ...

Apr 04, 202358 minSeason 2Ep. 193

Anti-Social Justice Warriors

What’s with the Tories’ crackdown on anti-social behaviour? And what’s meant to be so wrong with people hanging about in parks? Plus, with protests in Israel and France, the panel discusses the spread of such activity in Europe – and why it feels empowering to people. Jonn Elledge, a regular columnist at New Statesman and Big Issue, is this week’s guest. “They’ve tried to make the case on pollution and anti-social behaviour… even though there’s no link.” – Ian Dunt “We have a government that’s r...

Mar 31, 20231 hr 2 minSeason 2Ep. 192

Whatever happened to the Brexit Wars?

As the Johnson Rebellion fails to materialise and backbench rebellions over Northern Ireland fizzle, are we finally, finally seeing the end of the Brexit Wars? Plus: Humza Yousaf wins the SNP leadership. Can he put the party back together? How does Dominic Cummings still cast such a baleful shadow over the Tories? And Paris is burning. Can Macron put out the fire? Or is he l’allume-feu déformé? “The ERG WhatsApp saga shows you that yes, there’s a friends group… but there’s always the inner frien...

Mar 28, 20231 hr 6 minSeason 2Ep. 191

Hog Roast for Greased Piglet

SPECIAL EARLY RELEASE! THE GREASED PIGLET IS OUT OF THE PEN... It’s his party and he’ll lie if he wants to… Boris Johnson finally, finally goes before the Privileges Committee. How did his tactic of sneering, blustering and lying go over? And is it finally sausage time for the Greased Piglet? Plus as the horrific Casey Report excoriates the Met, does London’s police force have to be dismantled? And in the Extra Bit, what’s the weirdest thing that’s ever happened to our panelists? “Johnson’s defe...

Mar 23, 20231 hr 11 minSeason 2Ep. 190
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