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Straight Up

The pop culture podcast with no filter, brought to you by besties and journalists Kathleen and Ellie. New episodes out every Thursday! <p style="color:grey; font-size:0.75em;"> Hosted on Acast. See <a href="https://acast.com/privacy" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color:grey;" target="_blank">acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

Mega-influencer Alix Earle’s new reality show has dropped on Netflix and so we’re unpacking it all, from all the details of her feud with Alex Cooper to the family’s bizarre dynamics. Could Earle Meets World be Gen Z’s answer to The Kardashians? Also this week: series two of The Gentlemen starring Maya Jama, as well as the brilliant film spin-off of French comedy Call My Agent! featuring an excellent cameo from George Clooney.   Join us on Patreon for exclusive bonus episodes plus early access and ad-free listening at patreon.com/straightuppodcastTry the adaptogenic coffee that changed our lives with 20% off using code straightup at londonnootropics.comFollow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppodFind us on YouTube @straightupmediapodEmail at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.ukRecs/ reviews: Where Are The Kings, Donal Ryan The Gentlemen, NetflixCall My Agent! The Movie, Netflix Earle Meets World, Netflix . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alix Earle, her Alex Cooper feud and the business of influence

Ali G is back after more than 20 years, sparking a backlash over the character’s racist stereotypes with cinemas saying they’ll boycott the new film. And speaking of controversial comebacks, the planned John Galliano exhibition at the Met has been pulled, so this week we’re discussing cancel culture, second chances and when some things are better left in the past. Also on the show: the sky-rocketing of push-up bra sales, breastfeeding in public, Bonnie Blue’s baby announcement and Olivia Wilde’s new film, plus the Lindsay Clancy trial.Join us on Patreon for exclusive bonus episodes plus early access and ad-free listening at patreon.com/straightuppodcastTry the adaptogenic coffee that changed our lives with 20% off using code straightup at londonnootropics.comFollow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppodFind us on YouTube @straightupmediapodEmail at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.ukRecs/reviewsGet our book club pick Where Are the Kings hereFRIENDSHIP BREAKUPS: ghosting, group dynamics and comparison culture (our ep) Outcome, AppleTVToy Story 5, SkyTVFurious, Disney PlusI Want Your Sex, in cinemasEyes Down Here: Push-up bras are back with a vengeance, The Cut Not My G, More Brit (ish) Than Ever Substack, Afua HirschThe Metropolitan Museum of Art Is Making a Very Bad Mistake, New York TimesLucky Boy, Tortoise Investigates . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ali G, the Met Gala backlash and cleavage’s big comeback

Why do so many adult men seem stuck in arrested development? We review the buzzy new novel from the “male Sally Rooney” Jem Calder, whose rom-com I Just Want You to Be Happy charts a dysfunctional age-gap relationship between a 35-year-old man-child and 23-year-old woman. Also on the show: our thoughts on the backlash to North West’s “age inappropriate” Dazed cover, Meghan Markle’s new career move, Kendall Jenner and Jacob Elordi’s hard launch and a possible sequel to How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days.We’ve released a final batch of tickets to our book club on Wed 2 September! Get yours at via Ticket Tailor and order Where Are the Kings here Join us on Patreon for exclusive bonus episodes plus early access and ad-free listening at patreon.com/straightuppodcastTry the adaptogenic coffee that changed our lives with 20% off using code straightup at londonnootropics.comFollow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppodFind us on YouTube @straightupmediapodEmail at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.ukRecs/reviewsI Want You to be Happy, Jem CalderI Want You to Be Happy is the excruciating millennial novel everyone will be reading this summer, The IndependentAlice and Steve, Disney PlusPrue Leith – On leaving Bake Off and finding love again at 70, Experience is EverythingKendall Jenner and Jacob Elordi’s Dating World Tour Continues in London, VogueNorth West: ‘Music is what I wanna do with my life’, DazedFresh Hell, Tina Brown’s Substack. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

North West, Meghan Markle’s return and the man-child epidemic

Ariana Grande’s tour has been getting rave reviews, but the increasingly feverish discussion around her weight has us asking whether it’s more harmful to comment or stay silent, and what this and the tragic case of Jason Arday tell us about how journalists can lose sight of the real people behind headlines. Also this week: romantasy fans rejoice as Sarah J Maas reveals the covers, titles and blurbs for ACOTAR 6 and 7, Nicole Kidman faces backlash for looking “unrecognisable” on the cover of Vogue and the passing of actor Hayden Panettiere.Join the ticket waitlist for our book club on Wed 2 September via Ticket Tailor and order Where Are the Kings here Join us on Patreon for exclusive bonus episodes plus early access and ad-free listening at patreon.com/straightuppodcastTry the adaptogenic coffee that changed our lives with 20% off using code straightup at londonnootropics.comFollow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppodFind us on YouTube @straightupmediapodEmail at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.ukRecs/reviewsDTF St Louis, HBO Max  The A Court of Thorns and Roses series, Sarah J Maas The Last House, Netflix The InviteCamp MiasmaHow do you assign a star rating to Ariana Grande? Ellie’s SubstackWhen the Snowflakes Pretend They Played No Part in the Avalanche, Conquest of the Useless Substack“Where Am I Going? And What’s Next?”: Nicole Kidman Is Keeping Her Heart Open, VogueWe call her Emma podcastThis Is Me: A Reckoning, Hayden Panettiere Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Ariana Grande discourse, ACOTAR and Nicole Kidman’s Vogue backlash

Nara Smith came on Call Her Daddy to rebuke her status as “poster girl” for the tradwife movement, but do we buy her rebrand? We discuss whether her content glamourising hyper-feminine domesticity causes real-world harm or whether she’s being held to unfair standards. Plus, rave reviews of masterpiece non-fiction thriller London Falling, the epic third season of House of the Dragon, and Epstein-coded serial killer drama Furious.Tickets for our book club on Wed 2 September are on sale now! Get yours at via Ticket Tailor and order Where Are the Kings here Join us on Patreon for exclusive bonus episodes plus early access and ad-free listening at patreon.com/straightuppodcastTry the adaptogenic coffee that changed our lives with 20% off using code straightup at londonnootropics.comFollow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppodFind us on YouTube @straightupmediapodEmail at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.ukRecs/reviewsLondon Falling by Patrick Radden-Keefe Patrick Radden-Keefe on How to FailWhere Are The Kings, Donal RyanHouse of the Dragon, NOWTV The House That Dragons Built, HBO Furious, Disney Plus“Furious” Is a Crime Drama for a Post-Epstein World, New YorkerCape Fear, AppleTVNara Smith: Stop Calling Me a Tradwife, Call Her DaddyYesteryear, Caro Claire Burke  The Tradwife Illusion Meets the Anti-Trump Reality, New York Times“You Can’t Just Be Showing Matcha-Pilates-Alo”, VultureInfluencers Are Being Paid to Spread the Mormon Church's Gospel, BloombergEmilie Kiser: The Loss That Changed Her Forever, On Purpose with Jay ShettySpider-Man: Brand New Day, in cinemasGary Stevenson: “I was obsessed with making money”, The Louis Theroux PodcastWe Call Her Emma, Tortoise Investigates . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nara Smith, the tradwife discourse and this year’s buzziest crime thriller

This week we’re revisiting one of our most popular episodes on a topic that still feels like a taboo despite its clear universality, with the help of lots of deeply honest and moving DMs from the huns. A friendship ‘breakup’ is an experience more than 80% of women have been through and it can be even more gut-wrenching than ending a romantic relationship. Yet in our society that prioritises romantic over platonic love, there’s no social script for dealing with it. We cover everything from ghostings and estrangement to boundaries and therapy-speak, as well as how politics, exes and different life stages can lead to rifts and resentment. If you’ve been through something similar, then hopefully this ep will help you feel less alone! Tickets for our book club on Wed 2 September are on sale now! Get yours at via Ticket Tailor and preorder your copy of Where Are the Kings here Join us on Patreon for exclusive bonus episodes plus early access and ad-free listening at patreon.com/straightuppodcastFollow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppodFind us on YouTube @straightupmediapodEmail at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.ukRecsBad Friend, Michelle ElmanBride Wars We Need to Talk about Our Ex Best Friends, ElleBad Friend, Tiffany Watt SmithThe Lingering Wounds of Friendship Breakups, Elle The White Lotus S3 E8, HBO Will Our Friendship Survive Your Baby, New York Magazine . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

FRIENDSHIP BREAKUPS: ghosting, group dynamics and comparison culture

This week we’re diving into Jia Tolentino’s viral essay on the new age of cosmetic enhancement, from how algorithms are changing our faces to whether Botox really helps women get ahead at work – and why our own feelings on tweakments have recently radically changed. Also on the show: Olivia Wilde’s brilliant new film The Invite, where she and Seth Rogen play a miserable middle-class married couple, Apple’s sci-fi dystopia Silo, dispatches from the newborn trenches, and the latest doc exploring the ethics of reality TV, The Love Island Curse. Enjoy huns!Tickets for our book club on Wed 2 September are on sale now! Get yours at via Ticket Tailor and preorder your copy of Where Are the Kings here Join us on Patreon for exclusive bonus episodes plus early access and ad-free listening at patreon.com/straightuppodcastTry the adaptogenic coffee that changed our lives with 20% off using code straightup at londonnootropics.comFollow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppodFind us on YouTube @straightupmediapodEmail at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠Recs/ reviews: On whether having a baby ruins your life or not, Sam Parker, SubstackSilo, AppleTVThe Invite, in cinemasThe Drama, available to rentHalf Man, iPlayerThe Curse of Love Island, Prime Video Our incredible September book club pick Where Are the Kings, by Donal Ryan – pre-order your copy here Our Plastic Surgery Nightmare, The New Yorker How 'The Botox Psyop' Broke Our Brains in the Name of Beauty, Diabolical Lies. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our plastic surgery nightmare, Love Island and marital misery in The Invite

We are so excited to be reunited and resuming normal service this week with a very overdue pop culture catch up! First up: reviews of Christopher Nolan's much talked-about Hollywood epic The Odyssey and "perimenopausal" crime caper Ride or Die starring Hannah Waddingham, before we dive into the fascinating new Katie Price docu-series. Plus: the new data showing that nine out of 10 of Britain's best-selling novels feature a murdered woman, and the Chris Martin-curated World Cup halftime show, from its bizarre performances to Madonna and Justin Bieber's reported feud. Enjoy huns and don’t forget to put Wednesday 2nd September in your diaries for our next book club at The Hoxton Holborn! Join us on Patreon for exclusive bonus episodes plus early access and ad-free listening at patreon.com/straightuppodcastTry the adaptogenic coffee that changed our lives with 20% off using code straightup at londonnootropics.comFollow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppodFind us on YouTube @straightupmediapodEmail at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.ukRecs/ reviews:The Odyssey, in cinemasSex, beds and grisly executions: what Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey changed, invented – and left out, GuardianChastity, nodding and enormous pores: will women also love Nolan’s Odyssey?, GuardianObsession, in cinemasRide or Die, Amazon Prime ‘An overnight success after 25 years? Delicious’: Ted Lasso’s Hannah Waddingham on sexism, stunts and stardom at 51, GuardianLucky, Prime VideoKatie Price: Nothing to Hide, NOWTV/ SkyNine out of 10 bestselling novels in UK have one thing in common: a woman is murdered, Guardian9 of Britain's 10 Bestselling Novels Begin With a Dead Woman. I Asked Authors, Literary Experts and a Criminal Behavioural Analyst Why, Marie ClaireHawk, Netflix. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Katie Price’s doc, The Odyssey and Justin Bieber vs Madonna

This week we’re sharing our favourite reads of the year so far, from the novels we couldn’t put down and 2026’s most-talked about titles to the memoirs that kept us up at night. Consider this your summer reading inspo: including the ultra-hyped Strangers by Belle Burden, Lost Lambs by Madeline Cash and Devil Wears Prada-style thriller Workhorse. As promised, we’re also reviewing the trad-wife thriller Yesteryear again, as well as the addictive true story of how actor Hannah Murray found herself sucked into a creepy wellness cult. Enjoy huns and please do share your book recs in the comments! Our next book club will be announced in the next couple of weeks – watch this space hunnies! You can also find our 10 best books of all time over on Patreon, where we drop bonus eps every month and offer our main eps completely ad-free.Get 10% off our fave (flat pack!) furniture brand Swyft Home with our code straightup10 at swyfthome.comTry the adaptogenic coffee that changed our lives with 20% off using code straightup at londonnootropics.comFollow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppodFind us on YouTube @straightupmediapodEmail at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.ukRecs/ reviews: Strangers, Belle Burden Belle Burden on the Collapse of Her 20 Year Marriage & Her Bestselling Memoir, The Oprah PodcastWhy I Don't Feel Sorry for Belle Burden, Kathleen Harmer on Substack Yesteryear, Caro Claire BurkeI’m obsessed by the trad wife world — this was the best way to expose it, The Times The Caro Episode, Diabolical LiesLost Lambs, Madeline Cash “I Always Felt Ripe for a Cult”: Meet Madeline Cash, Author of the Year’s Buzziest Debut, Interview Magazine The Make-Believe: A Memoir of Magic and Madness, Hannah MurrayWorkhorse, Caroline Palmer Hooked, Asako Yuzuki. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The best books of 2026 so far

We have more entertainment than any generation in history, so why does everything feel boring now? Fatigue, the death of originality and digital overwhelm are things we’ve been mulling over a lot recently, after finding ourselves sick of the onslaught of mid-level media, the memeification of politics, nihilism, AI slop and remake after re-release upon algorithm-driven copycat. Is this all just a symptom of the attention economy in overdrive? And what can we do to reclaim our interest? This week we’re deep-diving into why we all feel so bored of everything and how we fight back in the age of average.Get our brand-new bonus episode (plus early access and ad-free listening) on Patreon! patreon.com/straightuppodcastGet 10% off our fave (flat pack!) furniture brand Swyft Home with our code straightup10 at swyfthome.comTry the adaptogenic coffee that changed our lives with 20% off using code straightup at londonnootropics.comFollow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppodFind us on YouTube @straightupmediapodEmail at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.ukRecs / reviews: “Is This the Worst-Ever Era of American Pop Culture?” The AtlanticThe decline of Hollywood talent and originality, Brad Starks on LinkedInThis is what it looks like when nothing matters, The AtlanticWhat Does '6-7' Mean? Don't Expect Gen Alpha to Explain It. New York TimesWhat Does Boredom Do to Us—and for Us? New YorkerWhen Did Reading Become A Competitive Sport? Elizabeth Day on Substack. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why we’re all bored of everything

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are supposedly getting married this weekend, so we discuss how much of a spectacle it will be. Plus, what Olivia Wilde’s unfiltered Call Her Daddy episode says about the demonisation of mothers, what the glamourisation of smoking says about today’s weight-loss era, and why the exploitation of Marilyn Monroe feels so deeply relevant today. Also, the return of Caroline Calloway, boyfriend shaming, and why singles nights are revolutionising dating. Thank you to this week’s wise and wonderful guest co-host Olivia Petter, award-winning journalist, author of the brilliant debut novel Gold Rush and founder of Red Lips Dating.Hear Olivia answer your juicy dating questions in our exclusive bonus ep now on Patreon! patreon.com/StraightUpPodcastOlivia’s IG: @oliviapetterGet 10% off our fave (flat pack!) furniture brand Swyft Home with our code straightup10 at swyfthome.comTry the adaptogenic coffee that changed our lives with 20% off using code straightup at londonnootropics.comFollow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppodFind us on YouTube @straightupmediapodEmail at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.ukRecs/reviewsRed Lips, @redlipsdating on IGGold Rush, Olivia PetterOlivia’s first Straight Up ep in 2024The Unheard Tapes, NetflixMarilyn Monroe–The Rest Is HistoryLetters from Scamelot, AirmailMy Week with MarilynI recognise the person in Netflix’s Wellmania — it used to be me, The TimesOlivia Wilde, Call Her DaddyOlivia Wilde has to disappear, The CutMonsters: A Fan's Dilemma by Claire DedererTwo Weeks in August, ITVThe Invite, in cinemas Friday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Taylor Swift’s wedding, Olivia Wilde and the rise of singles nights

Did Brooklyn Beckham just blow up any chance of a family reunion with his controversial $1m Door Dash ad, or is it straight out of the Victoria Beckham playbook? Also this week: the increasingly fraught discourse about Ariana Grande's weight loss, and whether Emily Ratajkowski is ragebaiting us with her viral new essay and accompanying photoshoot that’s ‘sexualising breastfeeding’. Plus, why women are obsessed with Off Campus, the must-read, five-star book about the Kardashians, and the traumatising experience of reporting sexual misconduct within the Met Police. Thank you to this week’s incredible guest co-host, broadcaster, writer, pop culture queen and OG hun Jackie Adedeji! Jackie’s IG: @jackieadedejiGet our brand-new bonus episode (plus early access and ad-free listening) on Patreon! patreon.com/straightuppodcastGet 10% off our fave (flat pack!) furniture brand Swyft Home with our code straightup10 at swyfthome.comTry the adaptogenic coffee that changed our lives with 20% off using code straightup at londonnootropics.comFollow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppodFind us on YouTube @straightupmediapodEmail at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.ukRecs/reviewsDeKonstructing the Kardashians, MJ CoreyThe Moment, AppleTVOff Campus, Amazon PrimeOff Campus’s Hannah Finally Makes Me And My Big Boobs Feel Seen, Pedestrian TVKatie Price: Nothing to Hide, SkyTV (out July 8)Karen Carpenter offers a haunting warning for Ariana Grande fans, Telegraph What if we're not actually worried about Ariana Grande? Liz Plank, SubstackReporting ‘police sexual misconduct’ - my traumatic experience, Channel 4 NewsMy Big Boobs: Untold, Channel 4I Don't Trust My Therapist: Untold, Channel 4. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ariana Grande, Brooklyn Beckham’s ad and reporting a police officer

Pregnant women are being unfollowed in their droves on social media, but at the same time, pronatalist messaging has never been harder to escape. So why is it that both the child-free community and parents alike feel so under siege? We take a look at the celebs at the centre of the discourse, from Margot Robbie facing backlash for “pretending she’s not a mum” and Emma Grede catching heat for her comments on balancing work and motherhood, to Rihanna’s body being under constant surveillance and Nara Smith-style ‘momfluencer’ culture. Plus: K’s personal experience of pregnancy, why society isn’t set up for people to procreate and postpartum representation. Get our brand-new bonus episode (plus early access and ad-free listening) on Patreon! patreon.com/straightuppodcastGet 10% off our fave (flat pack!) furniture brand Swyft Home with our code straightup10 at swyfthome.comTry the adaptogenic coffee that changed our lives with 20% off using code straightup at londonnootropics.comFollow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppodFind us on YouTube @straightupmediapodEmail at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.ukRecs/ reviews: Madeleine White Responds to Commenters Who Say They Are Unfollowing Her for Being Pregnant, PeopleMargot Robbie, stop pretending you’re not a mum, The Courier Mail The Bump Watch That Won't Quit, Yahoo EntertainmentInfluencers are selling a delusional fantasy of being postpartum. Why is it so easy to believe? SubstackThe Kardashian Whisperer Who Says Three Hours With Her Kids Is Enough, WSJEmma Grede: from the East End to $300m with the Kardashians, The Times The Big Kids Question: does anyone want to be a parent anymore? Straight Up Dispatches from Motherhood, Substack . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Margot Robbie, Emma Grede and the politics of pregnancy

Did Dua Lipa just host the celebrity wedding ‘of the decade’? We rake over all the gossip from the three-day bash in Palermo and debate over whether Callum Turner’s status as ‘Mr Dua Lipa’ is reductive and career-damaging. Also on the show: how former ‘kidfluencer’ Piper Rockelle monetises a Lolita fantasy on OnlyFans (including a countdown to her 18th birthday), Bonnie Blue's 'golden' baby shower and Euphoria star Chloe Cherry’s viral interview about how we’re having the wrong conversations about sex work. Plus, Cara Delevingne’s incredible Call Her Daddy episode, the Right-wing backlash to Alex Cooper’s pregnancy, and the woman selling ‘good wife’ courses to Christian women. Thank you to this week’s very special guest Emma-Louise Boynton, journalist, broadcaster and author of the incredible new book Pleasure: The Reclamation of My Body, about how sex therapy transformed her relationship with her body and broke a 17-year-cycle with bulimia.Pleasure: A Reclamation of My Body, by Emma-Louise Boynton is available to buy here. Come to see Ellie and Emma-Louise at our How to Date Better event next Wednesday in London! TicketsGet our brand-new bonus episode (plus early access and ad-free listening) on Patreon! patreon.com/straightuppodcastGet 10% off our fave (flat pack!) furniture brand Swyft Home with our code straightup10 at swyfthome.comTry the adaptogenic coffee that changed our lives with 20% off using code straightup at londonnootropics.comFollow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppodFind us on YouTube @straightupmediapodEmail at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.ukRecs/reviewsMichael Jackson: The Verdict, NetflixMargot’s Got Money Troubles, AppleTVThe strange surveilled life of Piper Rockelle: why did a former child influencer decide to go on OnlyFans?, GuardianEuphoria’s Chloe Cherry On Cassie’s OnlyFans Storyline: “Holy Sh*t, That’s Where We Are In Society?”. Refinery29The Dark Side of Kidfluencing, NetflixWhy is the Right so mad about Alex Cooper’s pregnancy? New York MagazineGen Z Women's New "Anti-Woke Voice", Diabolical Lies‘A husband expects a yes’: how wife schools are shaping submissive Christian women, Guardian. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dua Lipa's wedding, the Alex Cooper backlash and sex therapy

Insecurities from body image in the Ozempic era to aging and whether we’d have cosmetic surgery are first up on the agenda today, huns, as we answer all your juiciest questions! We get deep into changing our minds about having children, gender disappointment, pregnancy, the single life and getting back with an ex, as well as whether incel culture is making dating harder. Also: book recs, subreddits and our absolute fave things about one another! Enjoy and please do let us know any questions you might have for future ‘ask us anything’ eps xGet our brand-new bonus episode (plus early access and ad-free listening) on Patreon! patreon.com/straightuppodcastGet 10% off our fave (flat pack!) furniture brand Swyft Home with our code straightup10 at swyfthome.comTry the adaptagenic coffee that changed our lives with 20% off using code straightup at londonnootropics.comFollow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppodFind us on YouTube @straightupmediapodEmail at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

ASK US ANYTHING: Tweakments, body image and gender disappointment

The BBC’s disturbing new Panorama documentary about Married at First Sight’s abuse allegations should be a watershed moment for reality TV, but will anything actually change? Plus, the problem with Harper Beckham’s new skincare line, the rise of tween skincare influencers and the ‘toe-dipping’ rumours around why Maya Jama split with Reuben Dias. Finally, a big debrief on Rivals s2, from Rupert Campbell Black’s potentially problematic redemption arc to the show’s female stereotypes.Get our brand-new bonus episode (plus early access and ad-free listening) on Patreon! patreon.com/straightuppodcastGet 10% off our fave (flat pack!) furniture brand Swyft Home with our code straightup10 at swyfthome.comTry the adaptagenic coffee that changed our lives with 20% off using code straightup at londonnootropics.comFollow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppodFind us on YouTube @straightupmediapodEmail at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.ukRecs/ reviews: 1536, Ambassador’s TheatreThe Dark Side of Married at First Sight, iPlayer‘An element of exploitation’: the world of TikTok child skincare influencers, GuardianRivals s2, Disney PlusRivals is a depressingly familiar study of women and the toxic workplace, GlamourTopology Interiors. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Married at First Sight, Rivals, and Maya Jama's break up

The Guilty Feminist, aka Deborah Frances-White, is on the show this week and we couldn’t be more excited! In this fascinating chat with the OG podcasting queen, we get into everything from whether feminism is currently on the defensive in mainstream culture and the eroding of women's rights, to the rise of the manosphere, ‘brocasters’ and her thoughts on Steven Bartlett. Plus: the threat of Christian nationalism, dating apps, identity politics and Deborah’s culture recs! You can buy Deborah’s book Six Conversations We're Scared to Have: How to Change Minds, Including Your Own here. Deborah's IG: @theguiltyfeministGet our brand-new bonus episode (plus early access and ad-free listening) on Patreon!  patreon.com/straightuppodcastGet 10% off our fave (flat pack!) furniture brand Swyft Home with our code straightup10 at swyfthome.comTry the adaptagenic coffee that changed our lives with 20% off using code straightup at londonnootropics.comFollow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppodFind us on YouTube @straightupmediapodEmail at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.ukRecs/ reviews: Backlash: The Undeclared War Against American Women, Susan FaludiFeminism on the defensive in the mainstream culture, The iPaper Money, Lies, and God: Inside The Movement To Destroy American Democracy, Katherine Stewart The Conspiracists, in cinemasManhunt, Apple TVStalked (podcast)  All British Comedy Explained (podcast) ROAD TO GILEAD: Fascism with Desiree Burch and Professor Roger Griffin, Guilty Feminism In The Print, King’s Head Theatre . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Deborah Frances-White: dating apps, manosphere ideology and Steven Bartlett

Dua Lipa and Britney Spears have been embroiled in very different legal dramas this week, so we’re breaking down exactly what’s going on with both. Kris Jenner has been raving about peptides – but what actually are these supplements and why are celebs and biohackers alike so obsessed? Plus: the tragic passing of reality TV star Jake Hall and the so-called “TOWIE curse”, those Sarah Ferguson and P Diddy romance rumours, Amandaland series two and gossip from the set of Rivals, from Alex Hassell’s prosthetic penis fitting to Danny Dyer’s return as Britain’s most unlikely heartthrob. Get our brand-new bonus episode (plus early access and ad-free listening) on Patreon!  patreon.com/straightuppodcastGet 10% off our fave (flat pack!) furniture brand Swyft Home with our code straightup10 at swyfthome.comTry the adaptagenic coffee that changed our lives with 20% off using code straightup at londonnootropics.comFollow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppodFind us on YouTube @straightupmediapodEmail at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.ukRecs/ reviews: But First, Dinner, Eleanor Steafel Amandaland s2, BBC iPlayerLegends, Netflix All Consuming: Why We Eat the Way We Eat Now, Ruby TandohBritney Spears Embraces ‘Spiritual Journey’ After Pleading Guilty to Reckless Driving: ‘All a Blessing in Disguise,’ Singer Says, PeopleAlex Hassell: ‘On Rivals we’re all filthy with each other’, The Times ‘Men are so frightened of being too cuddly or affectionate’: Danny Dyer on going from hardman to heart-throb in Rivals, Guardian Kris Jenner Is a Peptides Devotee, Too, The Cut Why Are People Injecting Themselves with Peptides? The New Yorker What are peptides, are they safe and is there evidence to back up the hype? Guardian. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dua Lipa’s lawsuit, Britney Spears and the peptides craze

The Devil Wears Prada 2 is out and so ofc we had to review it on today’s show! From how the sequel compares to the 2006 cult classic to Vogue’s piggy-backing of the promo cycle, we’re diving into its very timely depiction of billionaire influence over fashion and the decline of glossy magazines – arriving in the exact same week the Met Gala faced backlash over its Bezos ties. Like Miranda Priestly, does Anna Wintour have a master plan? Plus: the return of The Celebrity Traitors, Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni have settled out of court and our thoughts on Matthew Rhys’ hit new comedy horror Widow’s Bay. Get our brand-new bonus episode (plus early access and ad-free listening) on Patreon!  patreon.com/straightuppodcastGet 10% off our fave (flat pack!) furniture brand Swyft Home with our code straightup10 at swyfthome.comTry the adaptagenic coffee that changed our lives with 20% off using code straightup at londonnootropics.comFollow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppodFind us on YouTube @straightupmediapodEmail at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠Recs/ reviews:Widow’s Bay, AppleTVDTF St Louis, Now TVShould I Marry a Murderer, NetflixWhy the Bezos-backed Met Gala is so controversial, Today In FocusThe Devil Wears Prada 2, in cinemas nowThe Devil Wears Prada 2' Filmmakers on How They Nailed the Fall of Fashion Magazines, Back Row with Amy OdellMeryl Streep and Anna Wintour on Power, Fashion, and Acting the Part, Vogue The Devil Wears Prada 2 Is A Love Letter To Female Ambition, Grazia The Real-Life “Emily” From ’The Devil Wears Prada’ Publicly Reveals Her Identity Decades After Film, Hollywood ReporterExclusive: Leslie Fremar on Being the Real Emily In 'The Devil Wears Prada', The Run-Through with VogueLife After 'The Devil Wears Prada', Vogue . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Devil Wears Prada 2, Anna Wintour and the Met Gala

Baby Reindeer creator Richard Gadd is back with a divisive new series about toxic masculinity: should Half Man be mandatory viewing for men or is it just trauma porn? Also on the show: Harry Styles and Zoë Kravitz seem to be engaged, what the explosive I’m a Celeb live show fallout says about reality TV and the Bloomberg expose into Alex Cooper’s company. Plus, Dan Levy’s new crime comedy, Netflix thriller Unchosen and a look at some of the creepiest real-life British cults. Join us on Patreon for exclusive bonus episodes and ad-free listening patreon.com/straightuppodcastGet 10% off our fave (flat pack!) furniture brand Swyft Home with the code straightup10 at swyfthome.comFollow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppodFind us on YouTube @straightupmediapodEmail at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠Recs / reviews: Strangers, Belle Burden Big Mistakes, Netflix Unchosen, Netflix Transmissions From JonestownInside Alex Cooper’s Unwell: Tears, Screaming and Employees Looking for the Exit, BloombergI Read Russell Brand's Unreadable New Book, For My Sins, New StatesmanHalf Man, NetflixHalf Man review – more brave, brutal, blazing TV from the maker of Baby Reindeer, GuardianHalf Man Is Masochism at Its Absolute Worst, Esquire. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Half Man, Harry Styles’ engagement to Zoë Kravitz and Russell Brand’s bible

OnlyFans, motherhood and sex work are in the spotlight this week as one of our fave novels, Margo’s Got Money Troubles, gets an Apple TV+ adaptation starring Elle Fanning. Also on the show: the murder charges against alt-singer D4vd dominating the pop culture news cycle, a first look at the new Kate Moss biopic, Zayn Malik allegedly punching Louis Tomlinson and the Gen Z vs millennial divide at the heart of Carey Mulligan's season of Beef. Join us on Patreon for our oversharing bonus and ad free eps! patreon.com/straightuppodcastGet 15% off our fave eSim with the code straightup at saily.com/straightupShop our go-to canned wine from 100% organic Sicilian wine company Vinca at vincawine.comFollow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppodFind us on YouTube @straightupmediapodEmail at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠Recs/ reviewsBeef S2, NetflixHow a Gold House Dinner Helped ‘Beef’ Creator Lee Sung Jin Land Season 2 Star Charles Melton, Hollywood ReporterI Love My Husband (Who Hates Me), The CutD4vd charged with first-degree murder over death of teenage girl, BBCMoss & Freud trailerKate meets Lucian and they get on brilliantly with absolutely no funny business at all, GuardianMargo’s Got Money Troubles, Apple TVElle Fanning comedy drama about OnlyFans and motherhood is five-star TV, Independent Margo’s Got Money Troubles actually gets OnlyFans right, GQ ONLYFANS: Bonnie Blue, sex stunts and the rise of the porn 'influencer'Behind the Scenes With Sophie Rain, the Clean Queen of the Dirty Internet, GQ. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

OnlyFans, Margo’s Got Money Troubles and the D4vd charges

This week we’re diving into Lena Dunham’s brilliant but provocative new memoir Famesick, about chronic pain, the toxicity of fame, and the turbulent making of GIRLS. Why is it that Dunham gets so much hate from the media, and is she a reliable narrator? Also on the show: our reviews of Euphoria and the Testaments, the two biggest TV shows of the year. Is Euphoria as “grubby” as the critics are saying, and does The Testaments live up to the Handmaid’s Tale? Plus: Ruby Rose’s disturbing allegations against Katy Perry, the Alex Cooper vs Alix Earle beef, and a quick debrief on Coachella.Join us on Patreon for our oversharing bonus and ad free eps! patreon.com/straightuppodcastGet 15% off our fave eSim with the code straightup at saily.com/straightupShop our go-to canned wine from 100% organic Sicilian wine company Vinca at vincawine.comFollow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppodFind us on YouTube @straightupmediapodEmail at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠Recs/ reviews:The Testaments, Disney+In 'The Testaments,' Teen Girls See Gilead Differently, New York TimesEuphoria s3Euphoria has descended into one man’s creepy, sex-obsessed fantasy, TelegraphAlix Earle Replies After Alex Cooper Calls Her Out for 'Passive Aggressive' Behavior, PeopleFamesick, Lena DunhamLena Dunham Is Still Trying to Figure Out Why People Hated Her So Much, New York TimesI got everything I dreamed of – when I had no ability to handle it’: Lena Dunham on toxic fame, broken friendships and her ‘lost decade’, The Guardian. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lena Dunham’s memoir, Euphoria and the Katy Perry allegations

The drama surrounding Zendaya and Robert Pattinson’s new rom com The Drama is first on the agenda this week, alongside the hugely hyped, Ballerina Farm-inspired tradwife thriller Yesteryear. Plus, the latest in the Blake Lively vs Justin Baldoni case, the Kanye West Wireless controversy and our review of Jame Laing and Sophie Haboo’s documentary series Raising Chelsea. Enjoy huns!Get tickets to our book club this Sunday at The Hoxton, Holborn via Ticket TailorJoin us on Patreon for our oversharing bonus and ad free eps! patreon.com/straightuppodcastGet 15% off our fave eSim with the code straightup at saily.com/straightupShop our go-to canned wine from 100% organic Sicilian wine company Vinca at vincawine.comFollow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppodFind us on YouTube @straightupmediapodEmail at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠Recs/ reviews: The Drama, in cinemasYou Need a Dark Sense of Humor for The Drama, EsquireThe Drama Is Too Cowardly to Commit to Its Provocative Premise, Vulture Yesteryear, Caro Claire BurkeDiabolical Lies podcast‘Serve, smile, procreate’: Yesteryear author Caro Claire Burke on the rise of the tradwife, The GuardianI’m obsessed by the trad wife world — this was the best way to expose it, The TimesA Tradwife Wakes Up in 1805… The New York TimesWhy women can't resist tradwife porn, CosmopolitanInside the secret smear machine that's targeting Hollywood, Hollywood ReporterWho Trolled Amber podcastRaising Chelsea, Disney+ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zendaya’s The Drama, Kanye West and a tradwife nightmare

Should stars get a say in who plays them and how they’re portrayed? We’re diving into the debate this week after actor Kim Novak called Sydney Sweeney “totally wrong” for her upcoming biopic, and Daryl Hannah spoke out about her reputation-ruining portrayal in Love Story. Also on the show: the record-breaking Harry Potter teaser, a look at Euphoria's long-awaited series three, much-hyped hospital drama The Pitt, Riz Ahmed’s latest passion project, Rachel McAdams’ new satire and the Rupert Murdoch doc on Netflix. Join us on Patreon for our oversharing bonus and ad free eps! patreon.com/straightuppodcastGet 15% off our fave eSim with the code straightup at saily.com/straightupGet tickets to our book club on Sunday 12 April at The Hoxton, Holborn via Ticket TailorFollow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppodFind us on YouTube @straightupmediapodEmail at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠Recs/reviewsBait, Amazon PrimeRiz Ahmed’s ‘Bait’ Is About James Bond — But Mostly About Shame, Rolling StoneDynasty: The Murdochs, Netflix The Pitt, HBO MaxSend Help, rent on Sky, Amazon etcKim Novak: ‘Sydney Sweeney looks sexy all the time. She could never play me’, Times How Can ‘Love Story’ Get Away With This? New York TimesEuphoria s3 trailer 2Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone official teaserHow ITV met its match when it got hitched to Olivia Attwood, Times. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Harry Potter, The Pitt and Sydney Sweeney's latest controversy

Chappell Roan’s in the news after being accused of making Jude Law’s 11-year-old daughter cry, so this week we’re diving into the debate around celebrity boundaries vs fan behaviour. Do stars have a right to set limits when it comes to fame? And is the kind of brutal trolling Barry Keoghan has recently spoken out about ever justified? Also on the show: the latest AI publishing controversy, our review of Saturday Night Live UK, the glossy new thriller starring Elizabeth Moss and Kerry Washington, Rose Byrne’s motherhood horror, and a return to the ethics of reality TV after The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' Taylor Frankie Paul’s season of The Bachelorette was abruptly cancelled. Get tickets to our book club on Sunday 12 April at The Hoxton, Holborn via Ticket Tailor and order your copy of our book pick Hooked here. We can't wait to hang out with you all!Follow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppodFind us on YouTube @straightupmediapodEmail at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠Recs/reviewsImperfect Women, Apple TVThe Square, Prime VideoForce Majeure, Prime VideoIf I Had Legs I’d Kick You, in cinemas I confessed a deplorable secret about motherhood to a friend – and it changed my life, GuardianWhy Does A.I. Write Like … That? New York TimesShit You Should Care About, SubstackProject Hail Mary, in cinemasThe Bachelorette's messy break-up with its unlikely star Taylor Frankie Paul, BBCMomfluencer Faces More Consequences than All Men In Epstein Files Combined, Liz PlankSaturday Night Live UK, Sky/ Now TV Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Chappell Roan controversy, Barry Keoghan and SNL UK

Did Louis Theroux’s Inside the Manosphere go far enough? That's the big question on the show this week as we review his divisive new Netflix doc about male alt-right influencers. We discuss misogyny vs ragebait, the manosphere’s influence on politics and how this all affects young women and girls. Plus: a debrief on the Oscars, Kylie Jenner’s Hollywood career pivot, a Devil Wears Prada 2 update and the ‘bombshell’ new book about Meghan Markle. Get tickets to our book club on Sunday 12 April at The Hoxton, Holborn via Ticket Tailor and order your copy of our book pick Hooked here.Follow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppodFind us on YouTube @straightupmediapodEmail at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠Recs/ reviewsTrain Dreams, Netflix The Secret Agent, in cinemas Kylie Supreme! A Makeup Mogul Enters Her Hollywood Era, Vanity FairJessie Buckley’s Oscars win is a battle cry for women in their mid-thirties,Grazia‘I, too, get to make mistakes’ — how Meghan put herself first, Times Louis Theroux: Inside The Manosphere, Netflix Louis Theroux On Internet Culture, The Manosphere & Getting "Cooked", The Romesh Ranganathan ShowDid Louis Theroux’s Manosphere documentary Change Anyone's Mind?, BBC News@YourmoneymateSarah,TikTokGen Z males twice as likely as baby boomers to believe wives should obey husbands, GuardianI am a 15-year-old girl. Let me show you the vile misogyny that confronts me on social media every day, GuardianGIRLS: Gen Z and the commodification of everything, Freya IndiaWhy does Bari Weiss keep winning? Vox Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Louis Theroux, the manosphere and the hell of being a teenage girl

Harry Styles has dropped his long-awaited album, ACOTAR author Sarah J Maas went on Call Her Daddy and Timothée Chalamet is facing backlash for his comments on ballet and opera – it’s been a busy week in pop culture! Plus: Rachel Weisz and Leo Woodall’s sexy new series Vladimir has landed on Netflix just as the “smut renaissance” reaches fever pitch. From romantasy to Heated Rivalry, is our insatiable appetite for steam a symptom of the loneliness epidemic? Finally, a quick look at Lily Allen’s tour reviews, that *very* awkward new Louis Theroux interview and a super exciting announcement: book club is back in April! We can’t wait to see some of you there <3Get tickets to our book club on Sunday 12 April at The Hoxton, Holborn via Ticket Tailor and order your copy of our book pick Hooked here.Follow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppodFind us on YouTube @straightupmediapodEmail at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠RecsMaybe Knowing Too Much About Motherhood Has Ruined Me, The Cut‘I regret having children’, The CutVladimir: A Novel, Julia May Jonas Vladimir, NetflixVladimir author Julia May Jonas: ‘We’re imprisoned by our obsessions’, The GuardianIs it true that … if you pluck a grey hair, two will grow in its place? The GuardianJulia May Jonas on Bringing Vladimir to Netflix—and What She Changed, ElleHooked, Asako YuzukiSarah J. Maas on Call Her Daddy Are We in a ‘Smut Renaissance’? New York TimesKiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally, Harry StylesHarry Styles - Zane Lowe & Apple Music ‘Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally’ Interview‘Would you like me to cry now?’: Louis Theroux on the manosphere, marriage and misunderstandings, The Guardian. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Harry Styles, Sarah J. Maas and the Timothée Chalamet backlash

Love Story: John F Kennedy Jr & Carolyn Bessette has us all hooked, from the Sex and the City-style NYC setting to its retelling of the 90s' most iconic romance. But how much of it is dramatised vs what actually happened? Also this week: star of the moment Olivia Dean’s BRIT Awards sweep, why Jay Shetty remains un-cancellable despite an excruciating new interview, Lily Collins as Audrey Hepburn and former Call Her Daddy host Sofia Franklyn’s revenge memoir about her split from Alex Cooper. Enjoy huns and please do get in touch to let us know what you think of the ep!Follow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppodFind us on YouTube @straightupmediapodEmail at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.ukRecs/ reviews:Love Story: John F Kennedy Jr & Carolyn Bessette, Disney+I Knew JFK Jr. I Thought I Would Sob Through ‘Love Story.’ Instead, I Laughed Out Loud, Hollywood Reporter What’s Fact And What’s Fiction In Disney's 'Love Story', Elle Calvin Klein! The brand that made Kate Moss into the ’90s It Girl, Talk 90s to me podcast ep with Sali HughesPaul Anthony Kelly Tells Mel Ottenberg How He Became John-John, Interview Uncovering the higher truth of Jay Shetty, The Guardian Wellness guru Jay Shetty has raised some doubts. Including his own, The Interview, New York TimesJay Shetty Knows Exactly What You Want. That's the Problem. Liz Bucar, SubstackHard work, romance and bell hooks: how Olivia Dean became British pop’s newest megastar, The Guardian Emily in Paris star Lily Collins to play Audrey Hepburn in film about Breakfast at Tiffany’s, The GuardianThe Babies Kept in a Mysterious Los Angeles Mansion, The New Yorker . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Love Story: JFK Jr & Carolyn Bessette, Olivia Dean and the Jay Shetty cult

The new America’s Next Top Model doc has everyone talking about the ethics of reality TV and just how bonkers the 15-year phenomenon really was, so this week we’re diving into everything from how things have changed since the noughties to how terribly Tyra Banks comes across. Also on the show: Gordon Ramsay’s Netflix docuseries and the scandals it skips over, Bonnie Blue’s pregnancy announcement, the gorgeous BAFTA-winning film My Father’s Shadow and a recap on everything that went down at the awards on Sunday night. Follow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppodFind us on YouTube @straightupmediapodEmail at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠Recs/reviews:Paris recs: La Fondation hotel, Le Cheval D'or, MischiefMy Father’s Shadow, in cinemas nowReality Check: Inside America's Next Top Model, Netflix We were all rooting for Tyra Banks to give us some answers – but this America’s Next Top Model documentary gaslights its audience, IndependentBeing Gordon Ramsay, Netflix Swearing, Marty Supreme … and Prince William: Bafta’s 12 biggest snubs and surprises, GuardianI Swear, AppleTV/Amazon Prime Video‘Marty Supreme’ Ties BAFTA Record for Most Losses in History, Variety. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

America’s Next Top Model, Gordon Ramsay and the BAFTAs

Symbol of survivor-led justice Gisèle Pelicot has released her memoir, so this week we’re discussing some of the most powerful and inspiring interviews from her press tour. Also on the show: hologram concerts, Dua Lipa and Callum Turner top the Standard’s list of London’s 25 power couples, Cruz Beckham’s Beatles-themed 21st birthday bash, and our thoughts on Vogue’s viral essay from a woman who refuses to split the bill on a first date. Plus, reviews of the Derry Girls’ creator’s new show How to Get to Heaven from Belfast and the gorgeous BBC sitcom Small Prophets.  Follow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppodFind us on YouTube @straightupmediapodEmail at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.ukRecs/ reviews: Abba Voyage at the Abba ArenaTivoli La Caleta, TenerifeHow to get to Heaven from Belfast, Netflix Waiting for the Out, BBC iPlayer Small Prophets, BBC, iPlayerAnniversary, Netflix Traindreams, Netflix A Hymn to Life, Gisèle PelicotGisèle Pelicot, The Interview, New York TimesGisèle Pelicot: “I’ve Given Myself Permission To Be Happy”, VogueGisèle Pelicot: The Newsnight Interview review, GuardianSo the Epstein scandal is about politics? Silly me for thinking it’s about the mass abuse of women and girls, GuardianI don't want children. I don't want children. I don't want children. I don't want children, Jameela Jamil, SubstackThe Girl Who Wouldn’t Split the Bill, Vogue. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gisèle Pelicot, celeb power couples and splitting the bill

Emerald Fennell’s adaptation of Wuthering Heights is the most talked about and divisive film of the year, so obviously we had to race home from the cinema to record our review for you as a special bonus episode! From Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi’s chemistry to the many controversies that have people hating, we weigh in on every juicy detail and share the honest thoughts we had while watching. Enjoy huns, we’ll be back tomorrow with our usual pop culture debrief! Follow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppodFind us on YouTube @straightupmediapodEmail at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠Recs Wuthering Heights, in cinemas nowShould Jacob Elordi Play Heathcliff? Why the ‘Wuthering Heights’ Casting Is So Controversial, According to Literary Experts and More, VarietyJacob Elordi, Heathcliff and the Controversy Over ‘Wuthering Heights’, New York Times'The hostility has been relentless': How Wuthering Heights became this year's most divisive film, BBCHow Far Is Too Far? Emerald Fennell on Gothic Obsession and Wuthering Heights, V&A Museum YouTube . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

WUTHERING HEIGHTS: chemistry, controversies and our honest review

Wuthering Heights is out this weekend so we’re diving into some of the press tour’s juiciest moments, from Jacob Elordi and Margot Robbie’s ‘affair baiting’ to Elordi’s Esquire interview with Emerald Fennell. Also on the show: Bella Hadid’s break-up, Charli XCX on her fave red carpet moments, and the powerful rise of motherhood horror, from Rose Byrne’s ‘monumental’ new film to an addictive, hun-recommended book about a baby shower gone terribly wrong. Plus, the viral Billy Bob Thornton and Demi Moore TV series, an excellent Romantasy rec and Freida McFadden’s new revenge novel.Follow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppodFind us on YouTube @straightupmediapodEmail at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠Recs/ reviews: Landman, Paramount+Yellowstone, Netflix What ‘Landman’ Understands About Oil, New York Times Charli xcx is the Moment, Gloves Off with Nicky Campbell on YouTube Jacob Elordi Opens up on the Magnetic Power of Margot Robbie and the Yorkshire Moors in Wuthering Heights, EsquireRose Byrne: ‘You lose part of yourself when you become a mother’, The Times If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, in cinemas from 20 FebExpectation, Anna HopeSo Thrilled for You, Holly BourneDire Bound, Sable SorensenDear Debbie, Freida McFadden. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jacob Elordi, the Wuthering Heights press tour and motherhood horrors

Chappell Roan’s nipple-ring dress was the talk of the Grammy Awards red carpet, so naturally we’re debriefing on that this week, as well as the night’s other biggest moments. Also on the agenda: all things Formula 1, from Brad Pitt’s Oscar-nominated F1: The Movie to the latest rumours that Lewis Hamilton is dating Kim Kardashian, The White Lotus season 4 updates (including Helena Bonham Carter’s casting!) Katie Price’s highly concerning new husband, Olivia Attwood’s separation, a tribute to comedy icon Catherine O'Hara, the long-swirling allegations against David Walliams and a check-in on Marvel’s newest superhero show, which is actually all about acting. Enjoy huns! Get one of the last few tickets to our book club on 15 Feb at the Hoxton, Holborn via Ticket Tailor. Follow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppodFind us on YouTube @straightupmediapodEmail at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠Recs/reviewsWonderman, Disney+F1: The Movie, AppleTVGrammys 2026 highlights: the 10 biggest moments of the night, The Times Katie Price starting to think marriage to Lee Andrews was ‘huge mistake’, Metro Olivia Attwood ‘to divorce’ Bradley Dack & removes wedding ring, The SunHilltop hijinks: White Lotus to take over luxury chateau on French Riviera, Guardian . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chappell Roan, Kim K’s Lewis Hamilton romance and Katie Price’s scammer husband

The Beckham feud rolls on and of course we have a big juicy update for you! We comb through everything that’s happened over the last week, from wedding witness DJ Fat Tony setting the record straight on Victoria’s “inappropriate” dance, to weigh-ins from Brooklyn and Nicola’s exes. So what’s the future for Brand Beckham? Also on the show: what unsealed texts from the upcoming It Ends with Us trial reveal about Taylor Swift and Blake Lively’s rumoured fallout, and our thoughts on the Meghan Trainor surrogacy backlash. Plus, the snubs from this year’s Oscar nominations and a debrief on The Beauty, the wild body horror satirising our culture of physical perfection starring Bella Hadid. Enjoy huns! Get your ticket to our book club on 15 Feb at the Hoxton, Holborn via Ticket Tailor. Follow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppodFind us on YouTube @straightupmediapodEmail at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠Recs/ reviews: Steal, Amazon PrimeAlana Hadid, whose brother dated Nicola Peltz, weighs in on Brooklyn Beckham drama,  Independent Victoria Beckham owns trademarks to all her children’s names, TimesBrooklyn Beckham doesn’t need his parents. He’s got a secret weapon, TimesMeghan Trainor Faces Onslaught of Hate Over Surrogate Baby, Newsweek The Baby Died. Whose Fault is it? WiredThe Beauty, Disney PlusRatched, Netflix . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Taylor vs Blake, the future of Brand Beckham and Sophie Turner’s Steal

Harry Styles has new music out, ‘Skins meets Succession’ show Industry is back for season four and Paul Mescal is playing Shakepeare in tear-jerker Hamnet – it’s a good week for pop culture! Also on the show, we’re debriefing on Amazon’s first-look at Sophie Turner as Lara Croft, the ice hockey romance that’s taken the internet by storm, Heated Rivalry, and Molly Mae’s Adidas collab. Plus a fab Call Her Daddy ep with Jennette McCurdy (author of our book club pick Half His Age), a gripping podcast series from Alice Levine and our initial thoughts on s2 of Idris Elba’s Hijack. Enjoy huns and don’t forget to listen to our Brooklyn Beckham bonus episode from yesterday, where we deep-dive into his explosive statement on his relationship with Victoria and David! Tickets for our book club on 15 Feb at the Hoxton, Holborn are going quickly! Get yours via Ticket Tailor. Follow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppodFind us on YouTube @straightupmediapodEmail at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠Recs/reviewsHamnet, in cinemas nowHamnet feels elemental, but is it just grief porn? New YorkerHow accurate is Hamnet? The Times21 Questions to Fall in Love with Paul Mescal, GQ The Roofman, AmazonExplosive Lies podcastRiot Women, BBC iPlayerHeated Rivalry, NOW TV/ SkyUK viewers warm up for steamy ice hockey hit Heated Rivalry, BBC Jennette McCurdy: Half His Age, Call Her DaddyHeavy Is the Crown: George R.R. Martin on His Triumphs and Torments, The Hollywood ReporterA Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, NOW TVMolly Mae: Behind It All, Amazon Industry, BBC iPlayerIndustry’s Marisa Abela and Myha’la on success, sisterhood and strap-ons, GlamourHow to Fail with Marisa Abela Marisa Abela: ‘Industry isn’t afraid to do things that upset people’, TimesHijack, Apple TV . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Harry Styles, Heated Rivalry and Paul Mescal in Hamnet

Brooklyn Beckham has broken his silence on the family feud and so *obviously* we had to record an emergency episode for you huns! In an utterly jaw-dropping statement, Brooklyn has accused his parents Victoria and David of putting brand Beckham above absolutely everything, with allegations ranging from a vendetta against wife Nicola Peltz that includes planting false stories in the press, to his mum dancing inappropriately “on” him after hijacking the first dance at their wedding. Is this fall out the inevitable culmination of a lifetime in the public eye? Or is Brooklyn a brat with a controlling wife whose parents have tried their best? We dissect it all! As always we’re dying to know your thoughts huns so please do get in touch with your takes xTickets for our book club on Sunday 15 Feb at the Hoxton Holborn are now live here!Follow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppodFind us on YouTube @straightupmediapodEmail at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠References: It’s a Brooklyn v Beckham Inc disaster: what happens when the elephant in the room goes rogue, The Guardian VICTORIA BECKHAM: marriage, money and the Brooklyn fall out, Straight Up (our ep)I don't want to reconcile with family, says Brooklyn Peltz Beckham, BBC Nicola Peltz Has Married Brooklyn Beckham At Her Family’s Oceanfront Palm Beach Estate, Vogue Nicola Peltz’s Custom Valentino Couture Wedding Dress Was Like “A Work Of Art”, Vogue . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

BROOKLYN BECKHAM: the family feud goes nuclear

Timothée Chalamet won Best Actor at the Golden Globes so it’s time for our Marty Supreme review! Also on the show: Kendall Jenner has set the record straight on her sexuality and plastic surgery in her most candid interview yet. But could her nose really have changed shape from acne medication? Plus, our thoughts on the backlash against Diary of a CEO founder Steven Bartlett following his guest Chris Williamson’s controversial comments about the falling birth rate, and a couple of TV recs to beat the January blues. Tickets for our book club on Sunday 15 Feb at the Hoxton Holborn are now live here!! Run don’t walk because the first 20 ticket buyers get a FREE baby tee from the iconic slogan baby tee brand Ruby Loot.Follow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppodFind us on YouTube @straightupmediapodEmail at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠Recs/reviewsHis & Hers, Netflix People We Meet on Vacation, Netflix Evil Influencer: The Jodi Hildebrandt Story, Netflix Hunting Wives, iTVXThe Night Manager, iPlayer‘Diary of CEO’ Guest Calls Out Girl With the List on Birth Rate—She Replies, Newsweeks The Golden Globes ceremony ignored politics. But their big winner taps today’s unhappy turbulence, Guardian Marty Supreme, in cinemas Hamnet, in cinemas. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Timothée Chalamet, Steven Bartlett and Kendall Jenner’s plastic surgery

The Traitors is back with a whole new twist and we have thoughts! Also this week, we review Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried’s wild thriller The Housemaid and Callum Turner’s afterlife romcom Eternity. Speaking of, Mr Dua Lipa looks set to be the next James Bond… but would he make a good 007 or is he too safe a bet? Then of course we had to debrief on Timothée’s Chalamet’s speech about Kylie after winning Best Actor at the Critic’s Choice awards, and update you on the never-ending Beckham family feud saga. Plus, our first book club title has been decided and tickets will be on sale very soon! Enjoy the ep huns and as always please do let us know your thoughts, we LOVE hearing from you. Follow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppodFind us on YouTube @straightupmediapodEmail at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠Recs/reviewsSo Thrilled For You, Holly BourneHalf His Age, Jeanette McCurdyFlesh, David SzalayThe Housemaid, in cinemas now Eternity, AppleTV Can Callum Turner handle what it takes to be the new James Bond? TimesCritics Choice Awards: Full Winners List, Hollywood ReporterWeapons, available to rent from homeThe Beckham family's 'sad' escalating feud with Brooklyn and his wife Nicola explained, Hello! The Traitors, BBC iPlayer . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Traitors, new Bond Callum Turner and The Housemaid

Happy almost New Year, huns! We’re rounding off 2025 with our list of the top ten books of the year, from award-winning heavyweights to addictive romantasy and some stand-out non-fiction. We’re reviewing the reads that dominated group chats, the ones recommended by you guys, and the under-the-radar faves we still can’t stop thinking about. Plus: the books we’re desperate to dive into in 2026 and an update on our book club! We really hope you enjoy this ep, we’ll be back next Thursday for our usual pop culture chaos. Let us know what you think of the ep, share your fave books of the year and just generally get in touch via socials or email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠. We LOVE hearing from you!Follow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok @straightuppodRecsThe Names, Florence KnappFlashlight, Susan ChoiOnyx Storm, Rebecca YarosShield of Sparrows, Devney Perry Our Salt Path episodeCareless People Sarah Wynn-WilliamsGirl on Girl, Sophie Gilbert New Age of Sexism, Laura Bates Bring the House Down, Charlotte Runcie Flesh, David Szalay Alchemised and CeCe reviews episode Alchemised, SenLinYuCeCe, Emmelie Prophete The Safekeep, Yael van der Wouden The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny, Kiran Desai Perfection, Vincenzo LatronicoAtmosphere, Taylor Jenkins Reid What We Can Know, Ian McEwanHalf His Age, Jeanette McCurdyDear Debbie, Freida McFadden.. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The 10 best books of 2025

Happy Christmas hunnies and here’s a little treat from us: our definitive list of the top 10 TV shows of 2025. From thrillers to comedies and coming-of-age dramas, these should keep you entertained throughout the Christmas hols. We've kept our main list to original shows of the year, but with special mentions to our fave returning seasons too. Plus a run through of a few of the year’s very worst shows. We’ll be back next Tuesday for our Best Books of 2025 ep, then back to our usual Thursday pop culture debrief the week after that!Enjoy and please do let us know what you think of the ep, share your top TV recs of the year and just generally get in touch on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠. We LOVE hearing from you!Follow us on TikTok @straightuppodRecsThe Beast In Me, NetflixPluribus, AppleTVSirens, NetflixFilm Club, BBC iPlayerAdolescence, Netflix Toxic Town, NetflixThe Girlfriend, Amazon Prime VideoDown Cemetery Road, AppleTVWhat It Feels Like For A Girl, BBC iPlayer Overcompensating, Amazon Prime VideoPlatonic, AppleTVAmandaland, BBC iPlayerSeverance, AppleTVBig Boys, Channel 4The White Lotus, NOW TV. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The 10 best TV shows of 2025

Taylor Swift’s The End of an Era documentary is already breaking Disney records, so we review the first two episodes. Is it pure hagiography or genuinely insightful? Also on the show: why Bonnie Blue wrote a Spectator op-ed backing Nigel Farage, George Clooney’s new marital rule, and the surprising subculture that’s helped make Zootopia 2 box office gold. Plus a review of Alchemised, the incredible fanfic inspired by Harry Potter and the Housemaid’s Tale that netted a seven-figure film deal. Enjoy hunnies and remember next week’s ep is dropping on Tuesday!Enjoy and please do let us know what you think of the ep, share your recs and just generally get in touch on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠. We LOVE hearing from you!Follow us on TikTok @straightuppodRecs/ reviews Backstage Beauty SalonAlchemised, SenLinYuThe fanfiction written on a notes app that’s become a bestseller – with a seven-figure film deal, GuardianMargaret Atwood on Desert Island Discs, BBC Sounds The MaddAddam Trilogy, Margaret AtwoodCece, Emmelie PropheteGrace Beverley: the Oxford student with a £70m wellness brand, The Times Zootopia 2, in cinemas nowWake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, Netflix Taylor Swift: The End of an Era, Disney. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Taylor Swift’s Eras doc, Bonnie Blue and the biggest film of 2025

50 Cent’s explosive Diddy documentary is dominating the headlines, so this week we’re unpacking the most shocking moments from Sean Combs: The Reckoning. Also on the show: Sydney Sweeney finally addresses her “great jeans” ad controversy, Margot Robbie has given a wonderfully juicy Vogue interview around Wuthering Heights, Channing Tatum’s “career defining” film with Kirstin Dunst is out, Miley Cyrus’s fiancée has everyone talking about age-gaps again and Ellie Goulding’s new baby daddy is a “bad boy”. Plus: the Netflix and Warner Bros mega-deal that has Hollywood spooked! Enjoy and please do let us know what you think of the ep, share your recs and just generally get in touch on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠. We LOVE hearing from you! Follow us on TikTok @straightuppodRecs/reviews:Roofman, Apple TV‘Roofman’ Stars Channing Tatum, Kirsten Dunst Talk That Nude Scene, Which Toys They Took From Set, Hollywood Reporter Margot Robbie, British Vogue The end of big-screen cinema? What Netflix hopes to achieve by buying Warner Bros, GuardianAll About Miley Cyrus’s Fiancé Maxx Morando and Their ‘Low-Key’ Relationship, ElleSean Combs: The Reckoning, NetflixSean Combs: The Reckoning review – you can see why the musician is fighting to ban this horrific documentary, Guardian . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Diddy documentary, Sydney Sweeney and Miley Cyrus’ younger man

Ed Sheeran’s new songs hint at cracks in his seemingly perfect, previously ultra-private marriage, while Jessie J has had to set the record straight on her breakup with Channing Tatum. So just how literally should we take pop stars’ lyrics? Also this week, we’re diving into the BBC’s Gossip Girl-style mother-daughter thriller Wild Cherry, the so-called “female Adolescence", David Szalay’s Booker Prize-winning novel Flesh and 2025’s Word of the Year. Plus, the surprising news that we’re technically teenagers until 32, reports of wild parties from the set of Rivals, and, finally, our (spoiler-free) review of Wicked 2!We love hearing from you, DM us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ and follow us on TikTok @straightuppod too!Recs/reviews:Wild Cherry, BBC iPlayerFlesh by David Szalay Shuggie Bain, Douglas StuartIgnore the pessimists – we are living through a literary golden age, New StatesmanHow to Stop Time, Matt HaigThrew it Away, Jessie JPlay, Ed SheeranStraight Up behind the music miniseries ep with Ed Sheeran’s manager Stuart CampAdolescence lasts into your 30s, major new study on brain development finds, The IndependentWicked: For Good, in cinemas now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ed Sheeran, Wicked 2 and the new British ‘Gossip Girl’ Wild Cherry

The Beast in Me is the buzzy new Netflix thriller everyone’s talking about, so this week we’re sharing our (spoiler-free!) review and the standout moments from its star Claire Danes’ latest interviews. First, though, we dive into Jennifer Lawrence’s career-defining performance in Die My Love, also starring Robert Pattinson, and her personal reflections on postpartum life, as well as Charli XCX’s fab Substack on the realities of being a pop star and the celeb newsletter boom more generally. Plus: the brilliant new sci-fi about a romantasy writer, Pluribus; the Guardian’s viral investigation into ‘free birth’ influencers; and Ambika Mod’s latest role as a porn-addicted academic. Enjoy hunnies! Get 10% off our fave sofa brand Swyft with the code straightup10 at swyfthome.com, and the code works on top of Black Friday sales! Stylish, comfy, flat-packed and no tools required.We love hearing from you, DM us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ and follow us on TikTok @straightuppod too!Recs/reviews:Pluribus, AppleTVThe Lost Bus, AppleTVDie My Love, in cinemas now ‘Die My Love’ and the savage truth about the postpartum experience, Gillian Orr, SubstackInfluencers made millions pushing ‘wild’ births – now the Free Birth Society is linked to baby deaths around the world, GuardianThe realities of being a pop star, Charli XCX’s substack  Why is Everybody Losing Weight and What do we do Sincerely? A person who's lost weight, Lizzo’s SubstackLizzo Starts Over The pop star’s success once felt radical. Can she capture the Zeitgeist again?, VultureThe Beast In Me, Netflix ‘I’d barely kissed a boy, but was making out with Adonis’: Claire Danes on sex, spy camp and teen stardom, Guardian  Porn Play, Royal CourtThe 31-Year-Old Creator Of Porn Play Wanted To “Do Something Provocative”, Vogue. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jennifer Lawrence, Charli XCX on pop stardom and The Beast In Me

From Frankenstein, One Battle After Another and Bugonia, to Sinners, Materialists, and The Roses, in this very special bonus episode we're battling it out for the best films of 2025 live from the Curzon cinema Hoxton! Why are so many of this year’s top films so divisive, and is horror taking over Hollywood? Plus, why blockbuster icons like Leonardo DiCaprio should take note of Timothée Chalamet’s marketing tricks for Marty Supreme, the joys of the Wicked press tours, and our Oscar predictions. Finishing up with a few questions from our huns in the audience! TYSM to everyone who joined us, we loved meeting you all and we can’t wait to do more next year. Thank you so much to our fave cinema Curzon for hosting and sponsoring this episode. PSA for all the huns who want to watch the incredible films reviewed in this ep, Curzon have got a brilliant Black Friday deal on their Classic Film Membership, which runs from 28 November to the 1 December and includes a whopping seven free cinema tickets instead of the usual five, as well as 20% off all additional cinema tickets for you and a guest, and 10% off food and drink in all Curzon cinemas. Find out more here.We love hearing from you, DM us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ and follow us on TikTok @straightuppod too!Recs/reviewsFrankenstein, Netflix Bugonia, in Curzon cinemas now  One Battle After Another, AppleTVEddington, Amazon Prime VideoLilo and Stitch, Disney+After The Hunt, Amazon Prime Video The Roses, Disney+Materialists, Amazon Prime VideoThe Ballad of Wallis Island, Amazon Prime VideoWicked: For Good, in Curzon cinemas nowBridget Jones: Mad About The Boy, Amazon Prime Sinners, Amazon Prime VideoWeapons, Amazon Prime VideoBabygirl, AppleTVDie My Love, in Curzon cinemas now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The best films of 2025 (LIVE from Curzon cinema)

The Devil Wears Prada 2 trailer has just dropped and we couldn’t be more thrilled about it! Will Miranda and Andy’s return live up to the iconic first film? Also this week: Jack Whitehall’s glossy thriller Malice, the Caroline Flack documentary that reveals new details about the role the tabloids and police played in her tragic passing, Louis Theroux interviews Florence Pugh, Hilary Duff is making a comeback, Rachel Sennot’s fab influencer comedy I Love LA, Michelle Obama publishes a fashion book and Paris Hilton has been problematic again. Enjoy hunnys and look out for our bonus episode next Wednesday!Get 10% off our fave sofa brand Swyft with the code straightup10 at swyfthome.com, and the code works on top of Black Friday sales! Stylish, comfy, flat-packed and no tools required.We love hearing from you, DM us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ and follow us on TikTok @straightuppod too!Recs/reviewsI Love LA, NOW TVMalice, Amazon PrimeCalifornication, Paramount +‘Diabolical move’: Miranda Priestly’s red shoes get Instagram fashion no-no, Guardian Allow Hilary Duff to Reintroduce Herself, Vogue Florence Pugh on the Louis Theroux podcastMichelle Obama at 61: ‘I feel as free now as I did when I was a kid’, The Times Paris Hilton: ‘I’m not scared of anything — except spiders, bees and dying’, The TimesCaroline Flack: Search for the Truth, Disney+. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Caroline Flack, The Devil Wears Prada 2 and Hilary Duff's comeback

Sydney Sweeney’s new film Christy has bombed at the box office, days after her GQ cover interview went viral for all the wrong reasons. Are her days as Hollywood’s golden girl over? We take a look at evolving public image and explore whether her controversies have actually damaged her career. Also on the show: how Sarah Snook’s new kidnapping thriller has prompted a conversation about the gender gap, the I'm A Celeb lineup, what Timothée Chalamet’s very revealing Vogue interview means for Kylie,  and we are so here for JLaw’s comeback! Finally, is it fair to say Kim Kardashian has created the worst TV show of all time with All’s Fair? Plus two fab new book recommendations. Get 10% off our fave sofa brand Swyft with the code straightup10 at swyfthome.com, and the code works on top of Black Friday sales! Stylish, comfy, flat-packed and no tools required.We love hearing from you, DM us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ and follow us on TikTok @straightuppod too!Recs/reviewsAll Her Fault, Sky/ NowTV All her Fault is a misandrist masterpiece, VultureSarah Snook And Dakota Fanning On How New Show ‘All Her Fault’ Reveals The “Invisible Labor” Women Take On In Relationships, Deadline Sarah Snook on Why She Opted for ‘All Her Fault’ After ‘Succession’: “I Can’t Top That, So Finding Something Different Was Really Important”, Hollywood ReporterOur October bonus ep: The myth of having it all and how to break freeDid women ruin the workplace?, New York TimesJennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson Vanity Fair lie detector test, YouTubeJennifer Lawrence, The Interview podcast (NYT)Sydney Sweeney, GQThe Universe According to Timothée, VogueAll’s Fair, DisneyIs All's Fair really the 'worst TV drama ever'? BBC The All's Fair cast: ‘It’s good to see women come together and protect one another', GlamourWith ‘All’s Fair,’ Ryan Murphy gives us the ultimate Trump-era TV show, LA Times‘All’s Fair’ and the New Television of Nothingness, Hollywood ReporterHave we passed peak social media? Financial TimesShield of Sparrows, Devney PerryUnder The Blue, Suzannah V EvansThe Safekeep, Yael van der Wouden. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sydney Sweeney’s reputation, Timotheé Chalamet and Jennifer Lawrence’s return

Is having a boyfriend embarrassing now? Vogue’s viral piece arguing that male partners have become “culturally loserish” has broken the internet, so we dive in and discuss whether it’s a feminist reckoning or pure TikTok rage bait. Also this week: Millie Bobby Brown’s bullying claims against David Harbour, Jennifer Aniston’s Hollywood hypnotist boyfriend, People Magazine’s Sexiest Man Jonathan Bailey, Cruz Beckham’s new music, and The Cut’s hot take on high-earning women dating younger men. Plus some far from mid TV for you to enjoy! Last two tickets to our very special live recording at Curzon Hoxton on 19 November are available here :)Get 10% off our fave sofa brand Swyft with the code straightup10 at swyfthome.com, and the code works on top of Black Friday sales! Stylish, comfy, flat-packed and no tools required.We love hearing from you, DM us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ and follow us on TikTok @straightuppod too!Recs/reviewsDown Cemetery Road, Apple TV Emma Thompson: The spy thrillers I read as a teenager told me women should fall in love and get killed, Radio TimesThe Dead of WinterGirl Bands Forever, BBC iPlayerJonathan Bailey named People magazine’s 2025 Sexiest Man Alive, PeopleMillie Bobby Brown Reportedly Filed Harassment and Bullying Claim Against David Harbour, Vanity FairJennifer Aniston Finally Hard-Launched Her Hypnotist Boyfriend, The CutOPTICS and Lick The Toad, Cruz BeckhamJust Find a Younger Man: Dating is horrible right now, but some women have discovered a loophole, New York MagazineAll Fours by Miranda JulyThe myth of having it all and how to break free, our bonus from last weekIs Having A Boyfriend Embarrassing Now? VogueIs it really outrageously uncool to have a boyfriend? the Guardian. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How boyfriends became embarrassing, David Harbour and Jennifer Aniston

Lily Allen’s West End Girl isn’t just a comeback, it’s a brutally honest divorce album and everyone is talking about it! We unpack where art ends and reality begins, who “Madeline” might be and Lily’s viral interview quotes about sex, age, personal branding and the media’s obsession with her private life. Also this week: our reviews of the second season of Nobody Wants This, Julia Roberts and Andrew Garfield’s controversial campus cancel culture film After the Hunt, Aimee Lou Wood’s gorgeous rom-com series Film Club and Dave’s new album. Plus: are we rooting for Sophie Turner and Chris Martin? And why is Geri trying to stop Netflix’s Spice Girls biopic? Enjoy hunnies! Final tickets to our very special live recording at Curzon Hoxton on 19 November are available here :)Get 10% off our fave sofa brand Swyft with the code straightup10 at swyfthome.com, and the code works on top of Black Friday sales! Stylish, comfy, flat-packed and no tools required.We love hearing from you, DM us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ and follow us on TikTok @straightuppod too!Recs/reviewsAfter the Hunt, in cinemas nowAfter the Party, Channel4The Chair, NetflixFilm Club, BBC iPlayerAimee Lou Wood reveals how debut writing project Film Club helped her embrace her neurodivergence, Radio TimesWest End Girl, Lily AllenLily Allen on her sensational new album, Perfect Lily Allen: ‘Intimacy is messy… I’ve had a tough year’, The Times ‘Madeline’ from new Lily Allen album comes forward after affair with David Harbour, NME The Boy Who Played the Harp, Dave Nobody Wants This, Netflix. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lily Allen’s West End Girl,  Nobody Wants This and Julia Roberts’ controversial thriller

The myth of having it all has us trapped and the pressure to excel in every area of life can feel relentless. No wonder there’s a crisis in women’s happiness. Whether you’re single and stretched thin, dating and disillusioned, or juggling work and motherhood, it feels like we can never do enough. In this special ep, economist Corrine Low, author of Femonomics: What Data Tells Us About Women’s Lives and How to Get the Most Out of Yours, explains why it’s not all in your head and why women today are overwhelmed from every angle. She breaks down why divorced women are statistically happier, the rise of heteropessimism, why she made the data-driven decision post-divorce to only date women and how to navigate those impossible trade-offs between success and self-care. From dating to fertility and the career ladder, Corrine is here to help us all ensure we get a better deal and ultimately enjoy life more! You can check out Corinne’s free resources at corinnelow.com and get Femonomics via all major booksellers. We love hearing from you, DM us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ and follow us on TikTok @straightuppod too!Femonomics: What Data Tells Us About Women's Lives and How to Get the Most Out of YoursPlatonic, AppleTVAll Fours by Miranda JulyThis Economist Crunched the Numbers and Stopped Dating Men And she’s never been happier, The Cut . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The myth of ‘having it all’ and how to break free

Celebrity interviews without substance seem to be officially out, as the reaction to Kim Kardashian’s surprisingly flat Call Her Daddy episode proved last week, while thoughtful conversations about art (think Cillian Murphy and Stephen Graham) are in. We discuss! Also this week: Callum Turner’s heart-melting Sunday Times interview about Dua Lipa, Lily Allen’s candid Vogue comeback piece, Britney Spears' response to Kevin Federline’s new memoir, as well as our reviews of Molly Mae: Behind It All S2 and the Austin Butler–Zoë Kravitz film. Plus two gripping true-crime recs: a podcast discovery courtesy of a hun, and Netflix’s ‘revolutionary’ new doc The Perfect Neighbor.Final tickets to our very special live recording at Curzon Hoxton on 19 November are available here :)Get 10% off our fave sofa brand Swyft with the code straightup10 at swyfthome.com. Stylish, comfy, flat-packed and no tools required.We love hearing from you, DM us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ and follow us on TikTok @straightuppod too!Recs/reviewsWisecrack podcast The Perfect Neighbor, Netflix The Perfect Neighbor: How a 'revolutionary' CCTV film captures a shocking US killing, BBCCallum Turner: ‘Love? It’s never not worth it’ The TimesGwyneth’s Second Coming: “I’m Much Easier On Myself, I Would Say”, Vogue‘It Was a Way for Me to Process What Was Happening’: Lily Allen on Marriage, Motherhood, and Her Music Comeback, VogueBritney Spears: the brutal media shaming of America’s teen dream, Straight Up You Thought You Knew, Kevin Federline  Britney Spears, The Woman in Me Kim Kardashian on Call Her DaddyKim Kardashian’s faux pubic hair thong is a patriarchal fever dream, ImpactMolly Mae: Behind It All S2, Amazon PrimeDear Dickhead by Virginie Despentes, in all good bookshopsThe Beauty Queens of MAGA World, Wall Street JournalCaught Stealing, available to rent on Amazon Prime etc. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kim Kardashian, Dua Lipa’s real-life rom com and why fluffy celeb interviews are out

Celebrity Traitors is giving us the will to live as we battle flu season hunnies, and we are so hooked! We debate our faves to win and round table strategy. Also this week: we review Keira Knightley’s The Woman in Cabin 10, Harris Dickinson’s directorial debut, Joe Wicks’s provocative doc about protein bars and Elizabeth Day’s new book. Plus our thoughts on the rumours surrounding Ariana Grande and Kylie Jenner’s relationships, new couple Katy Perry and Justin Trudeau, and the lowdown on Charli XCX’s feature film and Kim K’s TV drama. And make sure you listen to yesterday’s bonus ep on Victoria Beckham if you haven’t already!Tickets to our very special live recording at Curzon Hoxton on 19 November are available here :)Get 10% off our fave sofa brand Swyft with the code straightup10 at swyfthome.com. Stylish, comfy, flat-packed and no tools required.We love hearing from you, DM us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ and follow us on TikTok @straightuppod too!Recs/reviewsJoe Wicks: Licensed to Kill, C4Ultra-Processed People, Dr Chris van Tulleken Why Karolina Krzyzak Followed the Raw Vegans to Bali, The Cut Urchin, in cinemas nowHarris Dickinson won’t be your heartthrob, VultureThe Moment teaser Father of the Bride Part II, Disney+All’s Fair trailerCelebrity Social Media (Ariana Grande story), Lainey GossipDear Dickhead by Virginie Despentes, in all good bookshopsCelebrity Traitors, BBC1One of Us, Elizabeth DayFlesh, David SzalayThe Woman in Cabin 10, Netflix. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Celebrity traitors, Ariana Grande and Keira Knightley’s new thriller

Victoria Beckham’s docuseries has arrived on Netflix so we’re diving into the glossy three-part portrait of Posh Spice turned fashion powerhouse in this bonus episode! From what it reveals about fame and misogyny, to her relationship with David and the bitter Brooklyn feud, we unpack all the drama and our favourite moments. Is it a boring advert for brand Beckham or juicy TV? We hope you enjoy hunnies, see you back here tomorrow for our regular Thursday debrief!Get tickets to our very special live recording at Curzon Hoxton on Weds 19 November here! We can't wait to meet you!!We love hearing from you, DM us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ and follow us on TikTok @straightuppod too xRecs/ reviewsVictoria Beckham, NetflixBeckham, Netflix Learning To Fly, Victoria Beckham Spiceworld The Movie, rent via Sky Store Nadia Hallgren on directing the new Victoria Beckham documentary, StylistVictoria Beckham: ‘It takes a lot to make me cry, but I did cry’,The Times Louis Tomlinson on Diary of a CEO . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

VICTORIA BECKHAM: marriage, money and the Brooklyn fall out

Taylor Swift’s Life of a Showgirl has caused quite the storm since it’s release on Friday, so we’re getting into everything from the Charli XCX ‘diss track’ to the recent gear shift around music criticism. Also this week: Nicole Kidman’s divorce drama, the new AI actor touted as a real-life The Substance situation, Diddy’s sentencing, two excellent film recommendations and a review of Amazon’s new rom-com The Threesome. Get 10% off our fave sofa brand Swyft with the code straightup10 at swyfthome.com. Stylish, comfy, flat-packed and no tools required!We love hearing from you, DM us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ and follow us on TikTok @straightuppod too.Recs/ reviews: I Swear, in cinemas nowI Swear Review, VarietyWeapons, Amazon Prime, Apple TV and Sky Store etcWeapons review — gorgeous, terrifying and the best thriller of the year, Times The Life of a Showgirl, Taylor Swift The Life of a Showgirl review, Pitchfork Taylor Swift says diss track is 'love letter to someone who hates me', BBC Taylor Swift’s Charli xcx hit job misses the point – and underscores her tedious obsession with conflict, Guardian Dear Dickhead by Virginie DespentesNicole, Keith, and Maggie, Lainey GossipThe Threesome, Amazon Prime. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Taylor Swift’s Life of a Showgirl, The Threesome and Nicole Kidman

Emma Watson’s first longform interview in five years has been making headlines this week, huns, so ofc we had to dive in and dissect the nearly-three hour podcast with Jay Shetty. A bounty of excellent film and TV has also arrived just in time for cosy season, from Dakota Johnson’s dark comedy about open relationships, to Leonardo DiCaprio’s ‘era defining’ film One Battle After Another. As well as our five-star review, we discuss why everyone still seems to love Leo despite his controversies. Plus: House of Guinness, Mae Martin’s Netflix thriller Wayward and ITV’s The Hack. Finally, some advice to a hun needing help with a friendship breakup dilemma. Enjoy! Get 10% off our fave sofa brand Swyft with the code straightup10 at swyfthome.com. Stylish, comfy, flat-packed and no tools required!Get 20% off our favourite ready-to-drink cocktails from Whitebox, including the best spicy margs, espresso martinis and negronis, with our code SU20 at Whiteboxcocktails.comWe love hearing from you, DM us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ and follow us on TikTok @straightuppod too!Recs/reviews:Emma Watson, Jay Shetty’s On Purpose podcastFrom Palestine to JK Rowling, has Emma Watson taken her final form as the millennial people’s princess? Independent Splitsville, AppleTVOne Battle After Another, in cinemas now‘One Battle After Another,’ With Its Thriller Vision of Authoritarianism, Is the Rare Movie That Could Rule the Cultural Conversation, VarietyHouse of Guinness, NetflixDear Dickhead by Virginie DespentesLet There Be Light, why modern TV shows are often too dark to See, Independent The real life Descendants of the Guinness Dynasty to Know Now according to one of the family, VogueThe Hack, ITV1Wayward, NetflixFeel Good, Netflix Wayward is unlike any other thriller – for one unexpectedly inspired reason, Radio Times Stereophonic, Duke of York’s Theatre (tickets via OfficialLondonTheatre.com). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Emma Watson, Leonardo DiCaprio and open relationships

On the show this week: Reese Witherspoon has teamed up with Harlan Coben to write a thriller, an AI R&B artist has just landed a £2.4 million record deal and Matthew McConaughey’s take on the secret to lasting love has gone viral. Plus, Harry Styles’ marathon run, Charli XCX’s Sicily wedding, the controversial new Kanye West doc In Whose Name and our review of the Bumble founder biopic Swiped. Does Lily James’ portrayal of Whitney Wolfe Herd signal the return of the girl boss, or provide proof that dating apps really are dead? Enjoy hunnies! Get 10% off our fave sofa brand Swyft with the code straightup10 at swyfthome.com. Stylish, comfy, flat-packed and no tools required!Get 20% off our favourite ready-to-drink cocktails from Whitebox, including the best spicy margs, espresso martinis and negronis, with our code SU20 at Whiteboxcocktails.comThanks so much to our partner Official London Theatre! Get can up to 50% off theatre tickets with amazing deals on the biggest shows at OfficialLondonTheatre.com.We love hearing from you, DM us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ and follow us on TikTok @straightuppod too!Recs/reviewsReese Witherspoon, The Interview, NYTGone Before Goodbye, Reese WitherspoonGen Z Only Watches TV Through Social Clips. Hollywood is Scrambling, The AnklerMatthew McConaughey, Diary of a CEOCornfield Chase, Hans Zimmer’s Interstellar soundtrack In Whose Name Dear Dickhead by Virginie Despentes, from all good bookshopsSwiped, Hulu / Disney+ Tell Me Lies, Disney+ Culture Debrief: Are We Witnessing The Second Coming Of The Girlboss? Grazia Black Rabbit, NetflixLily James leads a Girl Boss social network that is half film, half Bumble advert, Independent Lily James: ‘Would I use a dating app? Maybe I don’t need one’, Telegraph. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Harry Styles, controversial new Bumble film Swiped and Reese Witherspoon

We prayed for good TV and The Girlfriend more than delivered! We review Robin Wright and Olivia Cooke’s deliciously crazy psychosexual thriller: team Cherry or team Laura? Plus, why millennial women have fallen head over heels for The Summer I Turned Pretty, a look at whether Thailand is as ‘dark’ as Zara McDermott’s new documentary portrays, and our verdict on divorce comedy The Roses starring Olivia Colman and Benedict Cumberbatch. Also: our thoughts on Yellowface author RF Kuang’s new book Katabasis. Enjoy hunnies!Thanks so much to our partner Official London Theatre! Get can up to 50% off theatre tickets with amazing deals on the biggest shows at OfficialLondonTheatre.com.Get 20% off our favourite ready-to-drink cocktails from Whitebox, including the best spicy margs, espresso martinis and negronis, with our code SU20 at Whiteboxcocktails.comWe love hearing from you, DM us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ and follow us on TikTok @straightuppod too!Recs/reviewsThe Roses, in cinemas nowThailand: the dark side of paradise, BBCAntioxidant scanning at BACKSTAGE Salon The Girlfriend, Amazon Prime VideoThe Girlfriend: Warning! This sexy oedipal thriller may be too shocking for vanilla viewers, GuardianThe Summer I Turned Pretty, Prime VideoWhy Are Forty-Something Women Obsessed With The Summer I Turned Pretty?, VogueWhy Almost Every Woman You Know Is Obsessed With The Summer I Turned Pretty, ElleIn ‘The Girlfriend,’ Robin Wright and Olivia Cooke ‘go feral.’ But who’s the real villain?, LA TimesKatabasis by RF KuangThe Problem With RF Kuang's Fiction, SlateKatabasis by RF Kuang review – a descent into the hellscape of academia, Guardian. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Summer I Turned Pretty, marriage resentment and The Girlfriend

Saltburn director Emerald Fennell seems to have enraged the internet with the trailer for her new Wuthering Heights adaptation starring Jacob Elordi and Margot Robbie, but is this really ‘ragebait cinema’ or just her signature ‘stylised depravity’? We discuss! Also this week: Elordi’s other big trailer for Netflix’s Frankenstein, the Thursday Murder Club adaptation, queen of RichTok Becca Bloom’s wedding and the Etsy witches she credits with banishing bad weather, a viral Wired long-read about surrogacy, the rise and fall of Vice magazine, and what a new ‘nepo baby’ editor means for Vogue.Thanks so much to our partner Official London Theatre! Get can up to 50% off theatre tickets with amazing deals on the biggest shows at OfficialLondonTheatre.com.Get 20% off our favourite ready-to-drink cocktails from Whitebox, including the best spicy margs, espresso martinis and negronis, with our code SU20 at Whiteboxcocktails.comWe love hearing from you, DM us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ and follow us on TikTok @straightuppod too!Recs/reviewsPopbitch, SubstackThursday Murder Club, NetflixAttack of the Rotten Tomatoes, Puck MagazineAtomic, NowTVBland, easy to follow, for fans of everything: what has the Netflix algorithm done to our films? GuardianEmerald Fennell’s Hyper-Sexualized ‘Wuthering Heights’ Gets Polarized Reception at First Test Screening, World of ReelIs Emerald Fennell the Bonnie Blue of cinema? Dazed$3 Million Watches and Caviar for the Cat: How Becca Bloom Became the Queen of RichTok, WSJI hired an Etsy witch to save my wedding day weather. Here's what happened, GlamourVice is Broke, Amazon Prime VideoThe Baby Died. Whose Fault Is It? Wired Can Vogue Go Niche, Business of Fashion The Memification of Nepotism and How Proud Nepo Babies Are Rebranding Inequality, Substack. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wuthering Heights, Jacob Elordi's next role and a wild RichTok wedding

Hi hunnies! We had so many messages about Serena Williams’ weight-loss jab ad that we knew we had to dig deeper behind the headlines into the world of GLP-1s for this extra episode. From the shame still clinging to these drugs, to the groundbreaking new research on how they could help treat psychiatric disorders, addiction and even Alzheimer's, we’re weighing up the pros and cons. We also share how a GLP-1 has transformed the life of one listener with PCOS, ask what’s really driving the obesity epidemic and get into the difference between GLP-1s for medical vs. aesthetic use. We love hearing from you, DM us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ and follow us on TikTok @straightuppod too!Reccs:How is Ozempic changing the world? Why? With Emma Kennedy podcastA GLP-1/obesity expert breaking down Jameela Jamil's postHow weight-loss wonder drugs are redefining the way our bodies work, Guardian Here’s Why Doctors Are Hopeful That GLP-1s Can Help Treat PCOS Symptoms, Women's HealthHealth and productivity losses from obesity ‘far outstrip weight-loss jab costs’, GuardianA Year on Ozempic Taught Me We Are Thinking About Obesity All Wrong, New York Times. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

OZEMPIC: medical miracle or body image nightmare?

British OnlyFans creator Lily Phillips comes second to Bonnie Blue for her extreme sex stunts, yet she has a very different public image, as a new Stacey Dooley doc makes clear. What does this say about our notions of femininity? And is the criticism around Stacey ‘platforming’ Lily fair? Also on the show: Sydney Sweeney’s new romance, Molly Mae’s nanny furore, our verdict on Sabrina’s new album and another season of With Love, Meghan on Netflix. Enjoy hunnies!Thanks so much to our partner Official London Theatre! Get can up to 50% off theatre tickets with amazing deals on the biggest shows at OfficialLondonTheatre.com.Get 20% off our favourite ready-to-drink cocktails from Whitebox, including the best spicy margs, espresso martinis and negronis, with our code SU20 at Whiteboxcocktails.comWe love hearing from you, DM us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ and follow us on TikTok @straightuppod too!Recs/reviewsInter Alia, National Theatre (or National Theatre Live)Lilo and Stitch, Disney+ Disney's latest unnecessary remake is a monstrosity, GuardianChief of War, Apple TVThe Inheritance, C4 Stacey Dooley Sleeps Over with Lily Phillips, S6 E1, ULily Phillips: I slept with 100 men in a day, YouTubeONLYFANS: Bonnie Blue, sex stunts and the rise of the porn 'influencer' (Straight Up ep from May)Man’s Best Friend, Sabrina CarpenterSabrina Carpenter to Taylor Swift: Why female pop stars embracing sex is still controversial in 2025, BBCWith Love, Meghan, Netflix. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sabrina Carpenter, the Lily Phillips doc and Meghan Markle’s return

Serena Williams has sparked a serious debate with her sponsored content promoting an Ozempic-style weight-loss jab. We get into the pros and cons of these so-called ‘miracle drugs’ and the inevitable media-fuelled fall-out with Jameela Jamil. Also this week, we dive into the Millie Bobby Brown adoption ‘backlash’, give an update on the most divisive film of the year (match-making rom com The Materialists), and review the controversial new Amanda Knox Disney drama, along with Netflix’s number one show Hostage. And, of course, as promised, our verdict on The Real Housewives of London!Thanks so much to our partner Official London Theatre! Get can up to 50% off theatre tickets with amazing deals on the biggest shows at OfficialLondonTheatre.com.We love hearing from you, DM us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ and follow us on TikTok @straightuppod too!RecsThe Materialists, in cinemas now The Logic of the ‘9 to 5’ Is Creeping Into the Rest of the Day, The Atlantic Speculating about Millie Bobby Brown’s adoption is unacceptable, Stylist Op-Ed: I Judged Serena Williams For Using A Weight-Loss Drug — Now, I Get It, EssenceFears that sport will be the loser as Serena Williams embraces weight loss jabs, The ObserverDua Lipa, #SkinnyTok and the labubu doll craze, Straight Up May episode Why with Emma Kennedy podcast: How is Ozempic changing the world? The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox, Disney+Why the new Amanda Knox TV drama is misguided, BBC‘It’s a new kind of prison’: Amanda Knox on redemption , rage, and her unlikely friendship with the prosecutor who hounded her, Guardian Hostage, Netflix  The Real Housewives of London, Hayu. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Serena Williams’ weight-loss ad, Millie Bobby Brown and the twisted tale of Amanda Knox

Taylor Swift has officially entered her sexy era, announcing a new album in her first-ever podcast interview with Travis Kelce, alongside a showgirl-themed shoot that’s got everyone talking. We debrief on both! Also this week: from Weapons to 28 Years Later, we’re deep in a horror renaissance, Chris Hemsworth drops a wellness doc with an appearance from pal Ed Sheeran, the mind-blowing new science of signs, Netflix’s depressing Biggest Loser doc and of course, yet another Beckham update, this time courtesy of Brooklyn and Nicola’s vow renewal.Thanks so much to our partner Official London Theatre! Get can up to 50% off theatre tickets with amazing deals on the biggest shows at OfficialLondonTheatre.com.We love hearing from you, DM us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ and follow us on TikTok @straightuppod too!Recs/reviews discussed: 28 Years Later, in cinemas nowWeapons, in cinemas nowTogether, in cinemas now Limitless: Live Better Now, DisneyNeuroscientist (Dr. Tara Swart): Evidence We Can Communicate After Death! Diary of a CEOThe Signs: the New Science of How to Trust Your Instincts, Tara Swart Pillow Talk. What Travis Kelsey does that's made Taylor Swift suddenly so sexy, Daily Mail Taylor Swift’s Sultry, Spangled Next Act, VogueTaylor Swift has gone raunchy for the life of a showgirl. What can it mean? Times Wait, Is Taylor Swift Teasing a Super Bowl Halftime Performance? VultureDavid and Victoria Beckham face fresh heartache as new details emerge of Brooklyn's vow renewal speech to wife Nicola Peltz, Daily Mail Fit for TV: The reality of the Biggest Loser, Netflix . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Taylor Swift, the horror renaissance and another Beckham update

From unqualified therapists planting false memories in vulnerable people and an obsession with labels to ‘therapy boasting’ on Hinge and the weaponisation of ‘therapy speak’, we deep-dive into the dark side of the therapy boom. Plus, what makes a good therapist, and can AI offer an accessible alternative to what has become a luxury? We hope you enjoy this special bonus hunnies, we’ll be back with our usual Thursday pop culture debrief tomorrow!We love hearing from you, DM us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ and follow us on TikTok @straightuppod too!Recs:Dangerous Memories podcast My therapist told me Mum had abused me. She hadn’t, TimesThe therapist who planted false memories, Pandora Sykes, SubstackHow the language of therapy took over dating, NYTNobody has a personality anymore, SubstackOpenAI CEO Sam Altman warns users not to trust ChatGPT agent with sensitive or personal data, Decoder Chatbots Can Go Into a Delusional Spiral. Here’s How It Happens, NYTHe Had a Mental Breakdown Talking to ChatGPT. Then Police Killed Him, Rolling StoneWhat does bad therapy actually look like? StylistCan AI therapists really be an alternative to human help? BBC. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

THERAPY: ChatGPT, false memories and therapy speak

‘Heteropessimism’ is all over our feeds right now, so this week we’re asking: where are all the eligible men? Plus, our verdict on the Freaky Friday sequel (Freakier Friday), Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson’s rumoured romance, “recreational argument” families and the recent but inescapable rise of rage-bait, from Sydney Sweeney’s genes and the Skims chin strap, to sex stunts and wedding cake-smashing. Also: why Seth Rogan and Rose Byrne’s Platonic might just be our favourite TV show of the year!We love hearing from you, DM us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ and follow us on TikTok @straightuppod too!Recs/reviews:Freakier Friday, in cinemas nowFreakier Friday is humiliating to everyone involved, Time Cosmetic procedures make Freakier Friday confusing as hell, Allure ‘Generations of women have been disfigured’, Jamie Lee Curtis, Guardian Platonic, AppleTVMy Oxford Year, NetflixThe Store, OxfordHow the Right Shaped the Debate over Sydney Sweeney ads, New York Times From Kim Kardashian’s ‘face shapewear’ to Sydney Sweeney’s jeans controversy, is everything rage bait now? Glamour Heteropessimism and our declining faith in the straight, cis man, Glamour Where Are All The Eligible Men? British Vogue Pamela Anderson and Liam Neeson Are Dating: 'It's Clear They're Smitten' People The Emma Guns Show . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Freakier Friday, Pamela Anderson and why 'all the good men are taken'

This week we're diving into the pressure female authors face to turn their personal trauma into marketable content. Why is women’s fiction so often mistaken for ‘autofiction’? And why does the publishing world seem to reward pain over imagination when it comes from women? Writer (and returning guest!) Caroline O’Donoghue joins us to unpack her brilliant recent piece in The Bookseller, deep-diving into everything from the first-person industrial complex, stolen time and tweakments, to her current pop culture picks including books, TV and film. Also this week, K has been to see match-making rom-com The Materialists and E has a book rec! We love hearing from you, DM us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ and follow us on TikTok @straightuppod too!Get 20% off the adaptogenic coffee that changed our lives, London Nootropics, using our code straightup at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠londonnootropics.com⁠⁠⁠Recs/reviews:I Who Have Never Known Men, Jaqueline Harpman Orlanda, Jaqueline Harpman The Materialists, in cinemasMaterialists review – Celine Song’s Past Lives follow-up is a mixed bag, Guardian ‘Materialists’ Review: When Dakota Met Pedro (and Chris), New York Times Past Lives, Amazon PrimeUp close and personal, Caroline O’Donoghue for The Bookseller Skip Shock, Caroline O’Donoghue Where's the 'you'? Naoise Dolan on Substack I felt myself split into before and after’: how giving birth triggered a life-changing illness, Guardian The Terrible Things I Have To Do To Be Me, Philippa SnowIn Love With Love, Ella Rusbridger 84 Charing Cross Road, Helene HanffThe Cinemile podcast You’re Wrong About podcast Lena Dunham’s C Word podcastOlogies podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Caroline O’Donoghue, stolen time and the problem with selling trauma

Is Bonnie Blue a ‘sexual predator’ or an empowered businesswoman? That’s the question driving the controversial new Channel 4 documentary about the porn star’s sex extremism, including sleeping with 1057 men in 12 hours. We went to the doc’s press screening last week, with Bonnie herself in attendance for a post-screening Q&A, so we discuss the its most uncomfortable moments, as well as Bonnie’s motivations, societal responsibility and what she’s really like in person. Also in this ep, a look at the juiciest revelations from the new and unauthorised Gwyneth Paltrow biog, from Goop’s toxic work environment to her fallout with Madonna. Plus a couple of TV reviews for you to get stuck into!We love hearing from you, DM us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ and follow us on TikTok @straightuppod too!Huge thanks to our sponsor⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Yonder⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, the incredible lifestyle rewards credit card packed with rewards you’ll actually *want* to use. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠yonder.com/straightup⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Borrow responsibly. £15 a month. 18+ and UK only. Rep 66.0% APR var. T&Cs apply.Recs/reviewsThe Assassin, Amazon PrimeThe Secrets of TikTok Shop: UNTOLD, Channel 4ONLYFANS: Bonnie Blue, sex stunts and the rise of the porn 'influencer' (our 28 May bonus ep)100 Men and Me: the Bonnie Blue Story, Channel 4 Bonnie Blue: 1,000 men and the worrying normalisation of porn, The TimesConfronting Andrew Tate & Bonnie Blue: World Exclusive: Have Men Lost Their Power & Has Feminism Ruined Society? Disruptors podcastBonnie Blue, Channel four and the problem with commodifying sexual violence, GlamourThe Affair podcastGwyneth: The Biography, Amy Odell Back Row, Amy Odell’s SubstackSorry, you’ll never be Gwyneth Paltrow. Whoever she really is, Washington Post Shakespeare in Love, BBC iPlayer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bonnie Blue’s shocking new doc and the ‘real’ Gwyneth Paltrow

The Coldplay KissCam controversy has everyone talking about cheating, so this week we’re weighing in on affairs and internet sleuthing, as well as the scary rise of ‘sextortion’, investigated by Jordan Stephens’s brilliant new doc. Also on the show: Love Island’s toxic masculinity problem, Charli XCX’s wedding, yet more Blake Lively vs Justin Baldoni drama and plenty of fab recs, from a fascinating memoir about the News of the World scandal and the new Jurassic World, to Eric Bana’s slick Netflix detective show and the funniest comedy you’ll see all year.We love hearing from you, DM us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ and follow us on TikTok @straightuppod too!Huge thanks to our sponsor⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Yonder⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, the incredible lifestyle rewards credit card packed with rewards you’ll actually *want* to use. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠yonder.com/straightup⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Borrow responsibly. £15 a month. 18+ and UK only. Rep 66.0% APR var. T&Cs apply.Get 20% off the adaptogenic coffee that changed our lives, London Nootropics, using our code straightup at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠londonnootropics.com⁠⁠⁠Recs/reviewsJurassic World:Rebirth, in cinemas nowPulp Kitchen, Jurassic World Rebirth Could we make a real Jurassic Park? Why? with Emma KennedyThe Return of the Dire Wolf, Time MagazineHeads of State, Amazon Prime Lion, Amazon PrimeLove Island 2025, brought to you by the manosphere, GlamourHunting My Sextortion Scammer, Channel 4Don’t Let it Break You Honey, Jenny EvansUntamed, NetflixSuch Brave Girls, BBC iPlayerSweet Bobby, Tortoise Media Why does Gen Z smell like sugar? VoxYuka appWeleda Skin Food. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cheating ethics, sextortion scammers and Love Island’s manosphere

Today’s topics have all been chosen by you, huns, in our first ever ask us anything Q&A ep! From tweakments and our most embarrassing celeb encounters to dating, the apps and planning for children, nothing is off limits as we dive into your nosiest questions. We also weigh in on the Tattle Life debate and get into whether the influencer gossip forum is toxic or necessary, as well as advice for a listener going through it and the myth of having it all. Thank you sooo much to the hunnies who sent in questions, we’ll be answering some more in another ep v soon xWe love hearing from you, so please DM us questions, recs or bonus ideas ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod on Insta⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk.⁠ Plus follow us on TikTok @straightuppod! And please do leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or a rating on Spotify – it really does help keep us going!Recs“Trolls on Tattle Life mercilessly tore me apart. The police told me there was nothing they could do” Grace Victory, StylistThe Big Kids Question: does anyone want to be a parent anymoreChoosing love over IVF, with Camille Charrière, Conversations on Love with Natasha Lunn, Substack. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Surgery, celeb gossip, dating and babies: your questions answered!

Lena Dunham remains one of the most controversial people in pop culture, but that hasn’t stopped a glittering roster of A Listers from appearing in her fun new London-based Netflix romcom Too Much. We assess some of her biggest online scandals, while looking at how autobiographical the show really is. Plus, an explainer of the Salt Path: the latest furore to rock the publishing industry. Are readers right to feel betrayed by writer Raynor Winn’s alleged lies and does publishing have a fact-checking problem? We’ve also got yet another juicy little Beckham family feud update for you, hunnies, plus a debate on whether prenups are feminist and two fab book recs! We love hearing from you, DM us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ and follow us on TikTok @straightuupod too!Huge thanks to our sponsor⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Yonder⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, the incredible lifestyle rewards credit card packed with rewards you’ll actually *want* to use. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠yonder.com/straightup⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Borrow responsibly. £15 a month. 18+ and UK only. Rep 66.0% APR var. T&Cs apply.Try BookBeat for free for 60 days (w 40 hrs of listening) and stream millions of audiobooks using our code straightup at bookbeat.comRecs/reviewsMy Name is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout The Tenant by Freida McFadden Too Much, Netflix Too Much: what film and TV get wrong about London, BBCDid the Lena Dunham and Jack Antonoff Relationship Lore Inspire Too Much?, Marie Claire Will Sharpe went too hard on himself in the Too Much finale, Vulture Lena Dunham’s change of pace, New Yorker  Too Much Is Full of Lena Dunham Lore, VultureTALA founder: ‘We weren’t going to make payroll — so I sold my car’, Financial Times The real Salt Path: how a blockbuster book and film were spun from lies, deceit and desperation, The Observer The Salt Path revelations should be no surprise to anyone in publishing, The Observer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lena Dunham's Too Much, the Salt Path controversy and a Beckham prenup

Brad Pitt’s carefully crafted F1: The Movie promo run has us thinking about how celebrities script their own stories and how easily we buy into them. From Brad’s quiet erasure of abuse allegations by Angelina Jolie to Chris Brown packing stadiums despite a long history of violence, we’re diving into the messy, age-old question: can you really separate the art from the artist? Also this week: a gorgeously candid Charlize Theron interview, Tim Key’s rom-com of the summer The Ballad of Wallis Island and Netflix’s jaw-dropping exposé on the cult of American Apparel and the toxic founder Dov Charney. We love hearing from you, DM us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ and follow us on TikTok @straightuupod too!Huge thanks to our sponsor⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Yonder⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, the incredible lifestyle rewards credit card packed with rewards you’ll actually *want* to use. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠yonder.com/straightup⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Borrow responsibly. £15 a month. 18+ and UK only. Rep 66.0% APR var. T&Cs apply.Try BookBeat for free for 60 days (w 40 hrs of listening) and stream millions of audiobooks using our code straightup at bookbeat.comRecs/ reviews:Birnam Wood, Eleanor CattonCharlize Theron, Call Her Daddy  Brad Pitt is Fooling You, Vulture A Complete Timeline of Chris Brown’s Controversies, PeopleScooter Braun, Diary of a CEOBrad Pitt, GQ interview by Otessa Mosfegh, 2022I think I'm done with being interviewed by women. Jameela Jamil Substack Millie Bobby Brown, ageing and Lucy Boynton on domestic violence, our March 6 episode Trainwreck:The Cult of American Apparel, NetflixThe Ballad of Wallis Island, in cinemas now . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brad Pitt’s PR tricks, the American Apparel cult and Charlize Theron

Billionaires, botox, and a newly single Orlando Bloom – this week we’re diving into Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez’s ultra-extravagant Venice wedding, a spectacle that’s reminded the internet that money definitely can’t buy taste. From the Hollywood attendees that made headlines like Sydney Sweeney and Leonardo DiCaprio to the inevitable backlash to the whole thing, we’re getting into it all. Also, as Khloe Kardashian follows in Kylie Jenner’s footsteps and comes clean about her plastic surgery, we’re asking just how much we should applaud the KarJenners for their new transparency. And Ellie reports back from Glastonbury!We love hearing from you, DM us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ and follow us on TikTok @straightuupod too!Huge thanks to our sponsor⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Yonder⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, the incredible lifestyle rewards credit card packed with rewards you’ll actually *want* to use. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠yonder.com/straightup⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Borrow responsibly. £15 a month. 18+ and UK only. Rep 66.0% APR var. T&Cs apply.Try BookBeat for free for 60 days (w 40 hrs of listening) and stream millions of audiobooks using our code straightup at bookbeat.comRecs/ reviews:The Affair with Anna Williamson Story Time with Kayla JadeWaterfront, Netflix The Shark Whisperer, Netflix The Shallows47 Metres DownHouse of Earth and Blood, Sarah J Maas (Crescent City series) Deep Cover, Amazon Prime The Dark Poetry of the Bezos Wedding, AtlanticVogue's Confidently Oblivious Lauren Sánchez Cover Story, Back Row, Substack Khloé Kardashian Is Talking About Her Plastic Surgery Too, The Cut. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Bezos wedding, surgery transparency and a Glastonbury debrief

We’re on hols this week, hunnies, but ofc we weren’t going to leave you without an ep! So, we’ve dug into the archives and stitched together one of our very first specials: a *very* juicy two-parter on the iconic Noughties ‘It Girls’ Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan, Britney Spears and Nicole Richie, which feels extremely relevant right now thanks to the publication of the amazing new book Girl on Girl: How Pop Culture Turned a Generation of Women Against Themselves. In this deep-dive, we cover everything from the toxic rise of tabloid culture and the paparazzi, to how this era ended up shaping celebrity and pop culture as we recognise it today. We know most of you haven’t heard this one yet and so we want to rectify that, bc we’re very proud of it! We hope you enjoy and we’ll be back to usual business next week! We would love to hear your thoughts, pop culture recs and future special ideas so DM us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠. Plus follow us on TikTok @straightuupod too! And please do leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or a rating on Spotify – it really does help keep us going x. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

NOUGHTIES IT GIRLS: feuds, falls and the reign of the tabloids

It’s wedding szn hunnies so we get into the bonkers and wonderful world of weddings, from the most absurd and insufferable wedding tropes to our favourite wedding pop culture, including two excellent book recs. Plus, a few top tips from recent bride Kathleen!We really hope you love this bonus special! We would love to hear your thoughts on all things weddings or ideas for future bonus eps, so DM us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠. Plus follow us on TikTok @straightuupod too! And please do leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or a rating on Spotify – it really does help keep us going xRecs/reviewsThe FenceThe Wedding People, Alison EspachYou’re Cordially Invited, Amazon PrimeThe Materialists, in cinemas August  The Ballad of Wallis IslandFather of the BrideBridesmaids The Bachelorette An Attempt to Make Sense of the Jennifer Lopez Wedding Industrial-Complex Canon, VultureFour Weddings and FuneralShotgun WeddingTicket to Paradise Crazy Rich AsiansThe Princess DiariesAll Hail the New York Influencer Who Posted TikToks Throughout Her Wedding, The Cut The Happy Couple, Naoise DolanDear Dolly, Should we let a pet dog come to our wedding?. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

WEDDINGS: pop culture, tradition and marital myths

The backlash against Sabrina Carpenter’s new album cover supposedly satirising the male gaze has left us grappling with difficult questions, from how much moral responsibility Sabrina owes her young fans to whether this satire serves any greater purpose. Tying in with the release of Laura Bates’s brilliant new book The New Age of Sexism, we debate everything from how messy female ‘empowerment’ has become and what misogyny actually looks like in our terrifying age of AI. On theme, too, is our review of Alex Cooper’s new documentary about her meteoric Call Her Daddy fame: how does her sexual agency compare to Sabrina’s? And on a lighter note we start off with a juicy debrief on Dua Lipa’s new British Vogue cover. Enjoy hunnies!We love hearing from you, DM us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ and follow us on TikTok @straightuupod too!Huge thanks to our sponsor⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Yonder⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, the incredible lifestyle rewards credit card packed with rewards you’ll actually *want* to use. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠yonder.com/straightup⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Borrow responsibly. £15 a month. 18+ and UK only. Rep 66.0% APR var. T&Cs apply.Get 20% off the adaptogenic coffee that changed our lives, London Nootropics, using our code straightup at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠londonnootropics.com⁠⁠⁠Recs/reviewDua Lipa, British Vogue Dua Lipa, SkinnyTok and the Labubu doll crazePop Culture Takes Up Smoking Again, New York TimesWhy Are People Mad at Sabrina Carpenter Again, The CutHow Sabrina Carpenter Dream-Come-True'd Her Whole Life, Rolling StoneThe New Age of Sexism: how the AI Revolution is reinventing misogyny, Laura Bates Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness: A Conversation With Lana Del Rey, PitchforkGirl on Girl, Sophie Gilbert Call Her Alex, Disney+ There's more to Alex Cooper than the 'Call Her Daddy' documentary suggests, Washington Post. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sabrina Carpenter, Alex Cooper and the new age of sexism

It’s a big week for Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, with the judge dismissing Baldoni’s $400m countersuit against Lively and his $200m defamation suit against the New York Times. Who is now winning and where does that leave the trial in March? We bring you up to speed with all the latest developments, as well as news of another legal drama: nine women have accused Jared Leto of sexual impropriety. Now his ‘Mars Island cult’ feels very disturbing indeed. First up, though, we’re talking babies: from Nara Smith’s fourth pregnancy announcement to Jamie Laing’s podcast rebrand. Plus, a primer on Billie Eilish’s new boyfriend, as well as a much overdue debrief on Maya Jama’s adorable hard launch with Ruben Dias. And is the fallout from Bonnie Blue's now cancelled sex stunt valid? Finally we review BBC’s What It Feels Like for a Girl, which might just be the best show of 2025!Please do leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or a rating on Spotify – it really does help keep us going xWe love hearing from you, DM us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ and follow us on TikTok @straightuupod too!Huge thanks to our sponsor⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Yonder⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, the incredible lifestyle rewards credit card packed with rewards you’ll actually *want* to use. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠yonder.com/straightup⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Borrow responsibly. £15 a month. 18+ and UK only. Rep 66.0% APR var. T&Cs apply.Get 20% off the adaptogenic coffee that changed our lives, London Nootropics, using our code straightup at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠londonnootropics.com⁠⁠⁠Try BookBeat for free for 60 days (w 40 hrs of listening) and stream millions of audio using our code straightup at bookbeat.comReviews/ recs:Chicken tarragon lasagne, So Good by Emily English Pearl, Netflix Sinners, AppleTVNewlyparents podcast What It Feels Like For a Girl, BBC iPlayer 'All of us felt like we had touched gold': What It Feels Like for a Girl, the BBC’s electric coming-of-age tale, Guardian Jake Dunn Is Fiercely Protective of BBC Trans Drama ‘What It Feels Like for a Girl’, Hollywood Reporter What It Feels Like for a Girl star Ellis Howard on frank sex scenes, that toilet brush moment, and the emotional finale, British GQParis Lees and What It Feels Like For An Icon, Polyester Judge dismisses Justin Baldoni's $400m defamation lawsuit against Blake Lively, BBCHow Many Times Will Blake Lively Have to Beat Justin Baldoni in Court for It to Matter?, Slate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bonnie Blue’s petting zoo, Billie Eilish and Blake Lively’s big win

A friendship ‘breakup’ is an experience more than 80% of women have been through and it can be even more gut-wrenching than ending a romantic relationship. Yet in our society that prioritises romantic over platonic love, there’s no social script for dealing with it. We dive into a topic that still feels like a taboo despite its clear universality, with the help of many of your deeply honest and moving DMs, which proved to us just how devastating – and common – friendship break-ups can be. We cover everything from ghostings and estrangement to boundaries and therapy-speak, as well as how politics, exes and different life stages can lead to rifts and resentment. Hopefully, if you’ve been through something similar, then this ep will help you feel less alone! We really hope you love this bonus special! We would love to hear your thoughts on all things friendship, so DM us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠. Plus follow us on TikTok @straightuupod too! And please do leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or a rating on Spotify – it really does help keep us going xRecsBad Friend, Michelle ElmanBride Wars We Need to Talk about Our Ex Best Friends, ElleBad Friend, Tiffany Watt SmithThe Lingering Wounds of Friendship Breakups, Elle The White Lotus S3 E8, HBO Will Our Friendship Survive Your Baby, New York Magazine  . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

FRIENDSHIP BREAKUPS: ghostings, exes and group politics

On today’s show: BookTok is engulfed in controversy after an Australian rugby star was seemingly handed a book deal after just a month of posting on BookTok and with no former writing experience or manuscript to his name. We discuss the accusations of white male privilege, the inner workings of influencer publishing and whether we need more ‘literary men’ in our age of incel culture. Plus, is Sydney Sweeney selling droplets of her used bath water to male fans genius marketing or normalising objectification? And, following the news of Bella and Gigi Hadid’s secret sister, how wise is genealogical testing? Finally our usual film and TV recs (including a very honest And Just Like That review), and a highly revealing update on the Beckham feud. Please do leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or a rating on Spotify – it really does help keep us going xWe love hearing from you, DM us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ and follow us on TikTok @straightuupod too!Huge thanks to our sponsor⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Yonder⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, the incredible lifestyle rewards credit card packed with rewards you’ll actually *want* to use. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠yonder.com/straightup⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Borrow responsibly. £15 a month. 18+ and UK only. Rep 66.0% APR var. T&Cs apply.Get 20% off the adaptogenic coffee that changed our lives, London Nootropics, using our code straightup at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠londonnootropics.com⁠⁠⁠Try BookBeat for free for 60 days (w 40 hrs of listening) and stream millions of audio using our code straightup at bookbeat.comRecs/reviewsSydney Sweeney, Dr Squatch ad The Elysian, Elle Griffin, Substack The disappearance of literary men should worry everyone, New York Times  Demon Copperhead, Barbara KingsolverThe Principle of Moments, Esmie Jikiemi-PearsonEvenings and Weekends, Oisín McKenna (audiobook on BookBeat)The Gift, BBC Radio 4 podcast You’ve found a lost relative. Now what? VoxThe Better Sister, Prime Video Long Bright River, c4Overcompensating, Netflix And Just Like That, NOWTVThe Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, Disney +Mormon wives on swinging scandals, friendship fallouts and religious backlash, BBC. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sydney Sweeney’s bathwater, the ‘literary man’ and a Beckham feud update

Chris Hughes and JoJo Siwa’s *very* hard launch and rumours of multiple joint TV projects has got us wondering: is this a rare example of a PR relationship? We dive in! Plus, an explainer of TikTok’s Odd Muse drama: can founders get called out without it being bullying? Also, a little look at Kris Jenner’s face lift and how one surgeon seems to be becoming the most popular man in Hollywood. And of course we had to debrief on the Netflix show starring Julianne Moore and Meghann Fahy that everyone is talking about: Sirens. Why are we so obsessed with eat the rich satire and gorgeous cult leaders? Please do leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or a rating on Spotify – it really does help keep us going xWe love hearing from you, DM us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ and follow us on TikTok @straightuupod too!Huge thanks to our sponsor⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Yonder⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, the incredible lifestyle rewards credit card packed with rewards you’ll actually *want* to use. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠yonder.com/straightup⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Borrow responsibly. £15 a month. 18+ and UK only. Rep 66.0% APR var. T&Cs apply.Get 20% off the adaptogenic coffee that changed our lives, London Nootropics, using our code straightup at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠londonnootropics.com⁠⁠⁠Try BookBeat for free for 60 days (w 40 hrs of listening) and stream millions of audio using our code straightup at bookbeat.comRecs/ reviews Pure flourish sleep tapeMy brain finally broke, New YorkerHow to fix your focus and stop procrastinating, Johann Hari  Aimee Smale on Working Hard, Hardy Working podcast Nine Perfect Strangers, Prime Video Sirens, Netflix Maid, NetflixNetflix’s Sirens will leave you with questions, Hollywood Reporter ‘Sirens’ Creator on the Power of Lilly Pulitzer, Michaela’s Bird Obsession and Turning Greek Myth Into New England Nightmare, VarietyIt must be nice to be a West Village girl, The Cut . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chris Hughes and JoJo Siwa, Sirens and the Hollywood facelift

From Bonnie Blue and Lily Phillips to Kayla Jade and Ari Kytsya, OnlyFans influencers are everywhere. In this bonus ep, we’re deep-diving into the porn star meets social media matrix. How did OnlyFans become such a cultural and economic powerhouse? And who are ‘bops’ and ‘mattress actresses’ taking over TikTok? This special covers it all: sex stunts, stigma, empowerment, Margot’s Got Money Troubles, the celebs making millions on OF, explainers on our fave creators and the problem with sex extremism. We really hope you love this bonus special! We would love to hear your thoughts on all things OnlyFans, so DM us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠. Plus follow us on TikTok @straightuupod too! And please do leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or a rating on Spotify – it really does help keep us going xRecs‘We’re not influencers’: Bonnie Blue and Lily Phillips tell us why anger over their sex stunts is ‘misdirected’, Brit Dawson for CosmoMargot’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe Everyone's a sellout now, VoxKayla Jade on TikTok, @blueeyedkaylajadeStory time with Kayla Jade podcast Ari Kytsya on TikTok @notburnttoastheheI Slept With 100 Men in One Day | Documentary by Josh PietersKeily Blair, OnlyFans: ‘We are an incredible UK tech success story’, Financial Times OnlyFans and the Myth of Owning Your Own Hustle, Vanity Fair I’m an  Ex Playboy model. My son 12 was banned from a sports team because of my job.7 top OnlyFans creators on how it changed their lives, GQ Why are we shaming Bonnie Blue and Lily Phillips, but not the masked men queuing up to have sex with them? Glamour Virgin Island, Channel 4From Bonnie Blue To Boysober: Why Sex Extremism Is Doing No One Any Good, Elle. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

ONLYFANS: Bonnie Blue, sex stunts and the rise of the porn 'influencer'

The Diddy trial has been dominating the pop culture convo this week and so on today’s show we debrief, from the horrendous victim-blaming of Cassie Ventura to her husband’s beautifully powerful response. First though, we’re getting into a fascinating piece about how our phones are killing our ability to feel sexy, Bella Hadid’s Vogue interview and Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson’s new film about early parenthood. Also: controversial comments abound as Jameela Jamil gets heat for her views on how women need to step up in the fight against toxic masculinity and Lorde has been interviewed about coming off the Pill. Is this really Right-wing propaganda? We discuss! Please do leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or a rating on Spotify – it really does help keep us going xWe love hearing from you, DM us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ and follow us on TikTok @straightuupod too!Huge thanks to our sponsor⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Yonder⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, the incredible lifestyle rewards credit card packed with rewards you’ll actually *want* to use. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠yonder.com/straightup⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Borrow responsibly. £15 a month. 18+ and UK only. Rep 66.0%APR var. T&Cs apply.Get 20% off the adaptogenic coffee that changed our lives, London Nootropics, using our code straightup at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠londonnootropics.com⁠⁠⁠Try BookBeat for free for 60 days (w 40 hrs of listening) and stream millions of audio using our code straightup at bookbeat.comGet better skin and sleep with sisterly's amazing Elevator powder multivit sachet and use our code STRAIGHTUP for 15% off at sisterlylab.co.ukReviews/recsBreath, James NestorForever, Netflix Ferris Bueller’s Day Off Your phone is why you don't feel sexy, Catherine Shannon SubstackThe DumbPhone Boom is Real, New Yorker Bella Hadid On Self-Love, Navigating Megastardom And Meeting Her Cowboy, British VogueWas Diddy a 'mastermind'? How ex Cassie's testimony builds the sex trafficking case against him, BBCJameela Jamil, Wrong Turns podcast Sommer Tothill, TikTokJameela Jamil on Mamma Mia’s No Filter podcastLorde: 'I'm an Intense Bitch', Rolling Stone Lorde is not a MAGA tradwife for going off birth control, DazedMurderbot, Apple TV. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Diddy trial, Jameela Jamil and why your phone is making you unsexy

Dua Lipa has been hailed as ‘the best literary interviewer’ for her forensically researched Service95 author chats and so ofc we had to weigh in, huns, from the rise of celebrity book clubs (and even book stylists) to why people are so reticent to acknowledge a beautiful woman’s intelligence. Also this week: celebrity couples from Kylie and Timothée to Gigi Hadid and Bradley Cooper, the labubu doll craze and the ‘kidultification’ of culture, plus a deepdive into the disturbing world of #SkinnyTok. Is this the end of body positivity or just recycled fatphobia, emboldened by the Ozempic era? Finally, a few TV recs, including our review of Molly Mae: Behind It All part two. Enjoy and have a fab weekend!Please do leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or a rating on Spotify – it really does help keep us going xWe love hearing from you, DM us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ and follow us on TikTok @straightuupod too!Huge thanks to our sponsor⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Yonder⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, the incredible lifestyle rewards credit card packed with rewards you’ll actually *want* to use. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠yonder.com/straightup⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Borrow responsibly. £15 a month. 18+ and UK only. Rep 66.3% APR var. T&Cs apply.Get 20% off the adaptogenic coffee that changed our lives, London Nootropics, using our code straightup at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠londonnootropics.com⁠⁠⁠Try BookBeat for free for 60 days (w 40 hrs of listening) and stream millions of audio using our code straightup at bookbeat.comGet better skin and sleep with sisterly's amazing Elevator powder multivit sachet and use our code STRAIGHTUP for 15% off at sisterlylab.co.ukRecs/ reviewsIs Dua Lipa the best literary interviewer? The GuardianDua Lipa versus the literary landscape, YouTubeStill Born, Guadalupe NettelWhy countless guys are obsessed with those weird and wild Labubu dolls, GQThe £13 cuddly toys now being sold for thousands thanks to a celebrity craze, TelegraphFlow, in cinemas and to rent on YouTubeWho’s Afraid of #SkinnyTok? Airmail SkinnyTok Isn’t A Trend — It’s The Latest Iteration of Diet Culture & Fatphobia, Refinery29From fashion to the food industry: 11 ways that weight-loss drugs have changed the world, GuardianMolly Mae: Behind It All pt II, Amazon Prime I thought Molly-Mae Hague was self-absorbed – her documentary changed my mind, Metro Malpractice, ITV. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dua Lipa, #SkinnyTok and the labubu doll craze

Ambition feels very complicated in 2025. On the one hand, hustle culture, 5am wake-ups and 'productivity bros' dominate our social media feeds, yet post-pandemic it seems like many have redefined what constitutes ‘success’ through finding purpose, setting boundaries or simply ‘quiet quitting’. So what does ‘making it’ even mean anymore? In this special bonus ep, we’re unpacking everything from side hustles, the girlboss era and softgirl trends to money anxiety, career disillusionment and Emma Grede’s controversial Diary of a CEO interview. Enjoy hunnies and let us know if there’s a special topic you’d love for us to tackle!DM ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or email ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk and please do leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or a rating on Spotify – it really does help keep us going x⁠Recs/ reviews:What We Lose When We're Priced Out of Our Hobbies, AtlanticSide hustles, Zoom waves and the Great Casualisation: how Covid shaped new ways to work, FTI burned out chasing money and hustle culture's standards. Now, I'm taking a 'no shame' approach to my business, Business InsiderEmma Grede on Diary of a CEOSome side hustle ideas to help you with all that money anxiety, The Cut The rise of the side hustle, GuardianMoral Ambition, Rutger Bregman If Books Could Kill podcast on Lean In Careless People by Sarah Wynn-WilliamsThe Psychopath Test by Jon Ronson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

AMBITION: does anyone enjoy their job anymore?

The Beckham family feud is making headlines again, huns, after Brooklyn missed David’s starry 50th bash – the latest in a long line of similar ‘snubbed’ events. He didn’t even post about his dad’s big day, so might this genuinely be more than tabloid rumour? Obvs we’re debriefing on the Met Gala too, from Rihanna’s pregnancy reveal to the apparent fall out between Anna Wintour and Naomi Campbell. Also this week: Dolly Alderton’s new quotes on friendship, Tina Fey’s ‘mid-life’ comedy The Four Seasons and our review of the first ep of the final series of The Handmaid’s Tale. Enjoy and please do leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or a rating on Spotify – it really does help keep us going!We love hearing from you, DM us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠Huge thanks to our sponsor⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Yonder⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, the incredible lifestyle rewards credit card packed with rewards you’ll actually *want* to use. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠yonder.com/straightup⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Borrow responsibly. £15 a month. 18+ and UK only. Rep 66.3% APR var. T&Cs apply.Get 20% off the adaptogenic coffee that changed our lives, London Nootropics, using our code straightup at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠londonnootropics.com⁠⁠⁠Try BookBeat for 60 days for free and stream millions of audio and e-books using our code straightup at bookbeat.comGet better skin and sleep with sisterly's amazing Elevator powder multivit sachet and use our code STRAIGHTUP for 15% off at sisterlylab.co.ukRecs:Slags by Emma Jane UnsworthNaomi Campbell’s charity ended in disgrace. She wants to talk about why, Financial TimesSally Rooney, Naomi Campbell and Nobody Wants This, Straight Up ep Oct 24The Four Seasons, Netflix The Handmaid’s Tale, Amazon Prime/ C4 As the curtain falls on Gilead, is The Handmaid’s Tale too close to the bone? The IndependentThe MaddAddam Trilogy, Margaret Atwood Make Christianity cool again: Why Gen Z is flocking to church, The Independent . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Beckham family fallout, Met Gala drama and Dolly Alderton on friends

Celebrity Traitors, five-star sexy horror Sinners and Penn Badgley’s You finale are all on the agenda this week, huns, as well as Louis Theroux’s return to top form with new doc The Settlers. Is this his most important piece of work yet? We’re also getting stuck into the latest Blake Lively updates, from her ‘feud’ with A Simple Favour 2 costar Anna Kendrick, to the recent Baldoni-related developments. And why are celebs like Blake and Ryan all buying into football teams atm? Plus, Chappel Roan ‘pushing’ her assistant, the problem with ‘POVS’ and Kaitlyn Dever’s heart-wrenching The Last of Us interview. Enjoy and please do leave us review on Apple Podcasts or a rating on Spotify - it really does help keep us going!We love hearing from you, DM us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠Huge thanks to our sponsor⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Yonder⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, the incredible lifestyle rewards credit card packed with rewards you’ll actually *want* to use. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠yonder.com/straightup⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Borrow responsibly. £15 a month. 18+ and UK only. Rep 66.3% APR var. T&Cs apply.Get 20% off the adaptogenic coffee that changed our lives, London Nootropics, using our code straightup at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠londonnootropics.com⁠⁠⁠Try BookBeat for 60 days for free and stream millions of audio and e-books using our code straightup at bookbeat.comRecs/ reviews: ‘I was sexualised, patronised and ridiculed’: how Charlotte Church survived the tabloids to become an earth mother, GuardianLove Life, BBC iPlayerBlake Lively Is on the 2025 TIME100 List, Time MagazineYou S5, NetflixPodcrushed ep with Penn Badgley and Domino Badgley- Kirke How ‘You’ Star Penn Badgley Set Out to Deconstruct His Romantic Icon, Hollywood Reporter A Court of Mist and Fury, Sarah J. Maas Sinners, in cinemas nowSinners Is Bold, Ambitious, and Just Misses Greatness, VultureLouis Theroux: The Settlers, BBC iPlayerThe Settlers review – this vital film forces Louis Theroux to do something he’s never done beforeLouis Theroux On Returning To The West Bank After 15 Years For BBC Doc ‘The Settlers’ & Being “Perpetrator Focused, Deadline It Broke Her, Too: Kaitlyn Dever on The Last of Us, Vulture . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sinners, Louis Theroux’s new doc and the latest Blake Lively ‘feud’

Hen szn is here hunnies and so as promised here is our special deepdive! With the help of your excellent DMs, we assess the good and bad of this increasingly divisive topic: from money anxieties and the growing consumerism of the hen-do ‘aesthetic’ to how this tradition can provide a much-needed opportunity to celebrate and make time for those you love. Plus, the single gal perspective, hen ‘etiquette’, pop culture horror stories,, and whether hens are ultimately progressive or regressive for women. If you enjoyed this please do leave us review on Apple Podcasts or a rating on Spotify - it really does help keep us going! We absolutely LOVE hearing recommendations for Thursday topics or bonus eps too, so please do DM us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ RecsAll the Behind-the-Scenes Debauchery From Writer Tish Weinstock’s Bachelorette, CosmoBring back tacky hen do’s, the I paper  Why I wanted a one-night only hen-do, The Times Why I’m no longer going on hen weekends, New Statesman From penis straws to puppy yoga: Inside the ‘zen do’ revolution, Independent Henpocalypse!, BBC iPlayerBachelorette, Prime VideoBridesmaids, Prime Video Everything I know about love, Dolly AldertonStag and hen parties swap binges for good clean fun, TimesAre You the Only One Who’s Broke? Or Is It ‘Money Dysmorphia’? NY TimesOver and out: why hens, stags and their parties should be put out to grass, Guardian Hens with Heart  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

HENS: the most divisive hallmark of female friendship?

Are Big Brother’s Jojo Siwa and Chris Hughes just friends or something more? We discuss what is ‘normal’ within platonic relationships and whether Chris is really who he appears to be on screen. In other celeb news: a debrief on the Tom Cruise and Ana de Armas rumours, and why Liz Hurley’s new romance is rather concerning. As promised hunnies Kath reports back on her first foray into ACOTAR and how it compares to Fourth Wing, and we have some excellent recs across theatre and TV, including Disney’s The Stolen Girl and whether sleepovers should have parents worried. And last but not least… The Last of Us! We’ve kept our review to the first episode only to avoid spoiling ep two’s shocking (gahhhh!!) twist. See ya next time!Please do leave us review on Apple Podcasts or a rating on Spotify - it really does help keep us going! DM us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠Huge thanks to our sponsor⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Yonder⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, the incredible lifestyle rewards credit card packed with rewards you’ll actually *want* to use. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠yonder.com/straightup⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Borrow responsibly. £15 a month. 18+ and UK only. Rep 66.3% APR var. T&Cs apply.We are blown away by how Sisterly's amazing Elevator powder multivit sachet has improved our health, from skin and nails to sleep and energy. Get 15% off with code STRAIGHTUP at sisterlylab.co.ukGet 20% off the adaptogenic coffee that changed our lives, London Nootropics, using our code straightup at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠londonnootropics.com⁠⁠⁠Recs/reviews A Court Of Thorns And Roses, Sarah J. Maas Powerless by Lauren RobertsI Who Have Never Known Men, Jaqueline HarpmanRetrograde, Apollo Theatre LondonThe Stolen Girl, Disney +The Stolen Girl is here to make us think twice about sleepovers, Stylist Your Friends & Neighbours, Apple TVJon Hamm Runs Deep, L’OfficielThe Last of Us, Sky/ HBO Moya McLothian Lean, The Chaff Substack Bel Priestley, YouTube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Last of Us, ACOTAR and touchy-feely friendships

The queen of podcasting herself, Elizabeth Day, is on the show today to talk all things pop culture and we could not be happier about it huns! We get stuck into her three top recent recs across TV, film and books, the media’s obsession with first person pieces about ‘bad friends’ and the toll of maintaining a personal brand. We also chat about the psychic reading that changed Elizabeth’s life, reality TV, her daily routine and top pieces of dating advice for our single huns. We promise anyone currently jaded by modern dating will feel uplifted hearing her talk about her first Hinge date with now-husband!Check out Elizabeth's podcast How To Date here and pre oder her new book One of Us (out September 25) herePlease do leave us review on Apple Podcasts or a rating on Spotify - it really does help keep us going! DM us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠Huge thanks to our sponsor⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Yonder⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, the incredible lifestyle rewards credit card packed with rewards you’ll actually *want* to use. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠yonder.com/straightup⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Borrow responsibly. £15 a month. 18+ and UK only. Rep 66.3% APR var. T&Cs apply.We are blown away by how Sisterly's amazing Elevator powder multivit sachet has improved our health, from skin and nails to sleep and energy. Get 15% off with code STRAIGHTUP at sisterlylab.co.ukGet 20% off the adaptogenic coffee that changed our lives, London Nootropics, using our code straightup at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠londonnootropics.com⁠⁠⁠Reccs/ reviews:How to Date podcastThe Party, Elizabeth DayBabygirl isn't just a sexy thriller, Elizabeth’s Substack DaylightLove on the spectrum S3, Netflix Bad Influence, Netflix Show Don’t Tell, Curtis Sittenfield Meghan Markle, Confessions of a Female Founder  Ed Sheeran, Call Her DaddyAdolescence, Netflix Conclave, AppleTVCareless People by Sarah Wynn-Williams Chloe, BBC iPlayerErin Doherty, How to FailOlivia Atwood, How To FailOn the Outside Substack  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Elizabeth Day: pop culture, friendship and getting over the ick

Another week, another divisive op-ed from The Cut! This time about the fraught nature of WhatsApp groups: is it wise to use them to discuss such personal things as money, politics and parenting? First though, another op-ed, this time on the 'Singlehood Stigma', tackling why women feel like they are simultaneously being told by society not to want a partner, while also shamed for their singledom. It seems like we can't have it all - and maybe that's OK. Also on the show, we have a look at the new charges against Russell Brand, why Romeo Beckham is feuding with brother Brooklyn, a quick film rec and reviews of this week's top TV: Black Mirror and Dying for Sex. Enjoy hunnies!Please do leave us review on Apple Podcasts or a rating on Spotify - it really does help keep us going! DM us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠Huge thanks to our sponsor⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Yonder⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, the incredible lifestyle rewards credit card packed with rewards you’ll actually *want* to use. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠yonder.com/straightup⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Borrow responsibly. £15 a month. 18+ and UK only. Rep 66.3% APR var. T&Cs apply.We are blown away by how Sisterly's amazing Elevator powder multivit sachet has improved our health, from skin and nails to sleep and energy. Get 15% off with code STRAIGHTUP at sisterlylab.co.ukGet 20% off the adaptogenic coffee that changed our lives, London Nootropics, using our code straightup at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠londonnootropics.com⁠⁠⁠Recs/ reviewsThe New Singlehood Stigma, The Atlantic When Did Dating Become So Depressing? (our ep)Freya India, GIRLS, Substack My Group Chat is Ruining My Life, The Cut Thinking About Myself Too Much is Making Me Sick, Chloe Grace Laws’ Substack Black Bag, in cinemas now Russell Brand: Misogyny, manipulation and the mainstream media 'agenda' (our ep)The Deliriously Witty Spy Games of “Black Bag”, New Yorker Is this the kinkiest show on TV? New York MagDying for Sex, Disney Dying for Sex, Wondery PlusMichelle Andrews on Inherited podcast Black Mirror, Netflix Blue Jean, BBC IPlayer Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Black Mirror, the Beckham feud and WhatsApp group politics

Chappell Roan has received a backlash for saying all her parent friends are ‘in hell’ – is it warranted? We discuss her controversial Call Her Daddy interview and the perennial issue of the ‘unlikeable’ woman, including Amanda Knox, who has just given a fascinating new interview. Also, why does it seem like the internet has been waiting for Sydney Sweeney’s engagement to fail? Plus plenty of film and TV reviews, from brilliant new AppleTV comedy The Studio to Emilia Clarke’s disturbing fertility sci-fi The Pod Generation, now on Netflix. Finally, we dig into why so many men seem to be fainting at a depiction of abortion in the West End, and the efficacy of trigger warnings.Please do leave us review on Apple Podcasts or a rating on Spotify - it really does help keep us going! DM us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠Huge thanks to our sponsor⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Yonder⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, the incredible lifestyle rewards credit card packed with rewards you’ll actually *want* to use. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠yonder.com/straightup⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Borrow responsibly. £15 a month. 18+ and UK only. Rep 66.3% APR var. T&Cs apply.We are blown away by how Sisterly's Elevator powder multivit sachet has improved our health, from skin and nails to sleep and energy. Get 15% off with code STRAIGHTUP at sisterlylab.co.ukGet 20% off the adaptogenic coffee that changed our lives, London Nootropics, using our code straightup at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠londonnootropics.com⁠⁠⁠Recs/reviewsI’m Sorry You Feel That Way, Rebecca WaitHavoc, Rebecca WaitBrunswick House, LondonThe Studio, AppleTVEllen Pompeo, Call Her DaddyMillie Bobby Brown, Call Her DaddyThe Electric State, NetflixChappell Roan, Call Her DaddyAmanda Knox, How Do I Cope? Con Mum, Netflix The Pod Generation, NetflixI Who Have Never Known Men, Jacqueline HarpmanThe Years, Harold Pinter  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sydney Sweeney, Chappell Roan and dystopian pregnancy

Welcome to another bonus episode, this time on the theme of moving: something we’ve been chatting about a lot over the last six months. Why are so many packing up the career ladder for a different way of life abroad? Is it easier to find love elsewhere? Why are people – including couples – flatsharing later in life than ever? And has it now become acceptable to live with your parents in your 30s? We unpick the most recent data and dive into all these cultural and social trends, while sharing our own experiences of moving, from how our first flatshares compared to pop culture tropes, to living with partners, parents and strangers. We would LOVE to hear about your experiences of moving, in any way shape or form, so please do DM us at @straightuppod, or email us a hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk, and we can continue the conversation. (And don't worry we'll be back with this week's regular ep on Thursday!)Please leave us review on Apple Podcasts or a rating on Spotify - it really does help keep our little pod going <3Recs Homesick, Silvia Saunders The Great Escape: “Why women like me are quitting our jobs in search of sunshine and self-discovery”, Stylist Why everything you know about Gen Z is wrong, The Bunker podcast Everything I Know About Love, Dolly Alderton Girls, Now TV  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

MOVING: flatshares, break-ups and escaping the endless grind

Reality TV is first on the agenda this week huns, as we debrief on Netflix’s bonkers cheating show, Temptation Island, and all the Made In Chelsea alumni currently hitting the headlines. In the wake of the conversations ignited by Adolescence, is a teary Jamie Laing the new face of positive masculinity? Plus, Zara McDermott’s alleged new relationship and the tabloid’s subsequent ‘sad case’ portrayal of her ex Sam Thompson. Also today: the best bits from Gwyneth Paltrow's Vanity Fair profile and Bella Ramsey's British Vogue cover, the previously-promised whistle-stop tour of Chet Hank's many problematic moments in light of his Running Point role, and last but not least, a deep dive into the sixth and most recent episode of The White Lotus. What's driving the incest storyline, and are people right to be offended?Please leave us review on Apple Podcasts or a rating on Spotify - it really does help keep us going! Say hi by DMing us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠Huge thanks to our sponsor⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Yonder⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, the incredible lifestyle rewards credit card packed with rewards you’ll actually *want* to use. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠yonder.com/straightup⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Borrow responsibly. £15 a month. 18+ and UK only. Rep 66.3% APR var. T&Cs apply.Get an extra month free on top of BFI Player’s 14-day free trial using our code STRAIGHTUP at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠player.bfi.org.uk/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get 20% off the adaptogenic coffee that changed our lives, London Nootropics, using our code straightup at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠londonnootropics.com⁠⁠⁠Recs/ reviews: Temptation Island, Netflix Million Dollar Secret, Netflix Big Boys S3, Channel 4Could tearful Jamie Laing be the antidote to Andrew Tate's toxic manosphere? Evening Standard Jordan Stephens on We Need To Talk podcast “There’s No Reason For People Not To Know”: Bella Ramsey for British Vogue Gwyneth Paltrow for Vanity Fair The White Lotus, Sky and NowTV The White Lotus Official PodcastMy Pubic Hair Laser Regret, The CutHow the Four Seasons Hit a Marketing Jackpot With HBO’s ‘The White Lotus’, WSJThe White Lotus outstays its welcome, New Yorker  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Temptation Island, Gwyneth Paltrow and incest at The White Lotus

Adolescence on Netflix has fast become the most talked about TV show of 2025, with Stephen Graham’s new drama igniting much-needed conversations around corrosive social media misogyny and violence against girls. We get into it all from our review to the reception. First, though, a chat about polyamory, non-monogamy and what constitutes ‘cheating’ in light of Ne Yo’s polycule reveal and the fallout from Danny Jones and Maura Higgins’s Brit Awards kiss. And also this week: we debrief on publishing phenomenons Fourth Wing now that we’re both Rebecca Yarros converts, share a listener update on the Let Them theory and return yet again to crisis PR. Please leave us review on Apple Podcasts or a rating on Spotify - it really does help keep us going! Say hi by DMing us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or email at ⁠⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠⁠Huge thanks to our sponsor⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Yonder⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, the incredible lifestyle rewards credit card packed with rewards you’ll actually *want* to use. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠yonder.com/straightup⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Borrow responsibly. £15 a month. 18+ and UK only. Rep 66.3% APR var. T&Cs apply.Get an extra month free on top of BFI Player’s 14-day free trial using our code STRAIGHTUP at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠player.bfi.org.uk/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get 20% off the adaptogenic coffee that changed our lives, London Nootropics, using our code straightup at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠londonnootropics.com⁠⁠⁠Reviews/ recs:Still Bad, Lizzo The Dynamics Of This Relationship Will Expand Your Definition Of Black Love, Huffington PostMel Robbins and Plagiarism, Sage Justice, SubstackLet Them: Words for the Healing Soul by Cassie Phillips  Flack, BBC iPlayer Fourth Wing, Rebecca Yarros Rebecca Yarros on Navigating Fame and What to Expect From ‘Onyx Storm’, ElleRebecca Yarros Talks ‘Onyx Storm’, VarietyAdolescence, Netflix Netflix drama Adolescence has lessons for us all about alienated young men, Observer Ctrl Hate Delete by Cecile Simmons  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adolescence, Fourth Wing and what ‘really’ counts as cheating

How has one of TV’s blandest cooking shows ignited such a storm of controversy? We review Meghan Markle’s new Netflix offering to see if those one-star reviews are valid. We also share our honest thoughts on The Cut’s viral piece about the fallacy of the nuclear family. Is it fair to say that friends flake once they have kids? And is the media exacerbating friction between women? Plus, why Blake Lively’s latest big-guns crisis hires suggests something major might soon rock Hollywood, our favourite quotes from the latest Lady Gaga press run, and a look at Adrien Brody’s highly questionable art. DM us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or email us at ⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ and as ever please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and a rating on Spotify, lysm!Huge thanks to our sponsor⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Yonder⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, the incredible lifestyle rewards credit card packed with rewards you’ll actually *want* to use. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠yonder.com/straightup⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Borrow responsibly. £15 a month. 18+ and UK only. Rep 66.3% APR var. T&Cs apply.Get an extra month free on top of BFI Player’s 14-day free trial using our code STRAIGHTUP at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠player.bfi.org.uk/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get 20% off the adaptogenic coffee that changed our lives, London Nootropics, using our code straightup at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠londonnootropics.com⁠Reviews/ recs:The Brutalist Miss MeIt Ends With Urgh, Reality Bites podcast With Love Meghan, Netflix Furious About With Love, Meghan? Go Cool Off With A Lavender-Scented Flannel, Mate, VogueFive key takeaways from With Love, Meghan, GuardianRunning Point, NetflixNever Have I Ever, Netflix My Friends Abandoned Me When They Had Kids, The Cut The Nuclear Family Was a Mistake by David Brooks, Atlantic Mayhem, Lady GagaLady Gaga: ‘People don’t always make it through success. I did’, Times  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With Love Meghan, a Blake Lively update and being abandoned by friends

We always love it when a guest comes to help us decipher the week in pop culture, and who better to make sense of the Oscars than British actor Lucy Boynton, brilliant star of Bohemian Rhapsody, the Ipcress File, The Politican and Sing Street. She's also in ITV's A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story, a gripping new drama about the last woman to be hanged in Britain, which reveals the horrific elitism and misogyny of the 1950s, and has become horribly relevant in light of the increasing violence against women. We discuss everything from how the media reports on domestic violence to why our society is built for men. Also on the show: Millie Bobby Brown’s powerful statement in response to media trolling of her appearance, a quick debrief on the Brits and our review of new no1 Netflix hit Toxic Town. DM us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or email us at ⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ and as ever please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and a rating on Spotify, lysm!Huge thanks to our sponsor⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Yonder⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, the incredible lifestyle rewards credit card packed with rewards you’ll actually *want* to use. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠yonder.com/straightup⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Borrow responsibly. £15 a month. 18+ and UK only. Rep 66.3% APR var. T&Cs apply.Get an extra month free on top of BFI Player’s 14-day free trial using our code STRAIGHTUP at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠player.bfi.org.uk/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get 20% off the adaptogenic coffee that changed our lives, London Nootropics, using our code straightup at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠londonnootropics.comReviews/ recs:Toxic Town, NetflixA Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story, ITVWitches (documentary)Nickel BoysRosewater, Liv LittleIsland, Aldous HuxleyFrankenstein, Mary ShelleyBurn After Reading When The O.C. Killed Marissa: “What Have We Done?”, Vanity FairThe Politician, Netflix  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Millie Bobby Brown, ageing and Lucy Boynton on domestic violence

We are finally getting stuck into the book everyone has been talking about hunnies: All Fours by Miranda July, which has prompted an 'erotic revolution', with a wave of women 'blowing up their lives' by ending their marriages and pursuing sexual liberation. Why is older women’s sexual desire so taboo? Next, following the viral pictures of a 'gaunt' Justin Bieber and Tuppence Middleton’s memoir on her struggle with OCD, we discuss the ethics of media speculation into celebrity health. And also this week: the debate on AI voice recreation as American Murder: Gaby Petito trends at No1 Netflix, a Substack suggesting Booktok content is becoming soft porn for teenage girls (ft our Forth Wing review) and new AI girlfriend thriller Companion.DM us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or email us at ⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ and as ever please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and a rating on Spotify, lysm!Huge thanks to our sponsor⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Yonder⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, the incredible lifestyle rewards credit card packed with rewards you’ll actually *want* to use. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠yonder.com/straightup⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Borrow responsibly. £15 a month. 18+ and UK only. Rep 66.3% APR var. T&Cs apply.Get an extra month free on top of BFI Player’s 14-day free trial using our code STRAIGHTUP at⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠player.bfi.org.uk/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get 20% off the adaptogenic coffee that changed our lives, London Nootropics, using our code straightup at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠londonnootropics.com/⁠Reviews/recs: Harris Dickinson on Chicken Shop Date, YouTube Harris Dickinson on Off Menu Is Rose Gray the Next Big British Pop Star? Vogue  All Fours, Miranda July Miranda July’s Lucrative Fantasies, Substack  Why Gen X Women are Having the Best Sex Scorpions: a memoir excerpt in the Guardian by Tuppence Middleton  Companion, in cinemas now  Her, Amazon Prime  American Murder: Gabby Petito, Netflix If BookTok Was a Community Of Men We Would be Calling the Police, Substack New York recs: Carbone Baretto Bemelman's, Carlyle Moxy Chelsea Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Girlfriend robots, Justin Bieber and blowing up your life

Happy Thursday huns! We’re checking in at the White Lotus in Thailand to debrief on the start of season three, from our fave characters this time around, to the wild tales from the seven months cast and crew spent on set. But first this week: BAFTAs gossip, Amelia Dimoldenberg’s new boyfriend and a big debate on whether botox is really ruining cinema, as per a recent piece in Dazed. And finally, Louis Theroux’s viral podcast interview with cancelled star Armie Hammer. Could the actor have made any more of a mess of it? DM us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or email us at ⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ and as ever please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and a rating on Spotify, lysm!Huge thanks to our sponsor⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Yonder⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, the incredible lifestyle rewards credit card packed with rewards you’ll actually *want* to use. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠yonder.com/straightup⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Borrow responsibly. £15 a month. 18+ and UK only. Rep 66.3% APR var. T&Cs apply.Get an extra month free on top of BFI Player’s 14-day free trial using our code STRAIGHTUP at⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠player.bfi.org.uk/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get 20% off the adaptogenic coffee that changed our lives, London Nootropics, using our code straightup at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠londonnootropics.com/⁠Recs/reviewsRye Lane, Disney+Rev, BBC iPlayer This reeks of a chemistry recession, SubstackIs botox ruining cinema? Dazed Bridget Jones: Mad About a BoyThis is not a Pity Memoir, Abi Morgan The White Lotus, HBOMike White’s Mischevious Vision for White Lotus, New Yorker Meet the White Lotus series 3 cast: ‘It’s a big, dark, beautiful symphony’, The Times The Louis Theroux Podcast with Armie HammerPodcasts were ruining Louis Theroux – then along came Armie Hammer, Independent House of Hammer, Discovery+ Will I survive getting trolled again? Polly Vernon on Substack Boarders s2, BBC iPlayer  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The White Lotus, botox in cinema and Louis Theroux’s Armie interview

It’s Bridget Jones season, huns, and so obviously we had to review the latest and fourth film in the franchise, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy as a special bonus episode. We laughed, we cried, then dissected everything from Bridget's new boyfriends to Pandora Sykes' official podcast. Be warned, there are spoilers! And don't worry, we’ll be back here tomorrow with our usual pop culture debrief. Let us know what you thought of the film by DMing us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or email us at ⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ and as ever please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and a rating on Spotify, lysm!Recs discussed:  Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy The Official Podcast with Pandora Sykes  Renée And Hugh Reunite For British Vogue’s February Issue Hugh Grant on Smartless If the original Bridget Jones was released today, people would still call her fat, Glamour  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bridget Jones 4: grief, friendship and magical men

It’s Valentine’s week, hunnies, so ofc romance is top of the agenda on today’s show – kicking off with with a review of Elizabeth Day’s brand new podcast ‘masterclass’ How To Date, which she cohosts with MAFS’s Mel Schilling. Do you really have to be ‘healed’ to find love? And are we the only ones feeling a bit triggered by the ‘take your younger self for coffee’ TikTok trend? Plus: Netflix and Amazon Prime’s new rom-com efforts, Amy Schumer’s Kinda Pregnant and Reece Witherspoon’s You’re Cordially Invited, Jordan Stephens’ wonderfully refreshing take on male sexuality and the Bonnie Blue phenomenon, as well as life post-divorce in Amandaland. And, as promised, we’re getting stuck into Apple Cider Vinegar, the highly-anticipated Netflix series about Australian wellness scammer Belle Gibson. DM us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or email us at ⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ and as ever please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and a rating on Spotify, lysm!Huge thanks to our sponsor⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Yonder⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, the incredible lifestyle rewards credit card packed with rewards you’ll actually *want* to use. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠yonder.com/straightup⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Borrow responsibly. £15 a month. 18+ and UK only. Rep 66.3% APR var. T&Cs apply.Get an extra month free on top of BFI Player’s 14-day free trial using our code STRAIGHTUP at⁠⁠⁠ ⁠player.bfi.org.uk/⁠⁠⁠⁠Get 20% off the adaptogenic coffee that changed our lives, London Nootropics, using our code straightup at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠londonnootropics.com/⁠Recs/ reviews:How To Date, Elizabeth DaySludge MagazineEveryone Is Horny Again, DazedMiss Me? Let’s Talk About Sex... with Jordan StephensJordan Stephens: sex on screen, male shame and Andrew Tate, Straight UpAvoidance, Drugs, Heartbreak and Dogs, Jordan StephensApple Cider Vinegar, Netflix You’re Cordially Invited, Amazon PrimeKinda Pregnant, Netflix Amandaland, BBC iplayer‘I met my younger self for coffee’ TikTok trend Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dating advice, Apple Cider Vinegar and the return of horny

We finally got swept up in the Romantasy craze huns! Following the news that Rebecca Yarros’s latest novel Oynx Storm has become the fastest selling adult novel in 20 years, we’re giving her first book in the series, Fourth Wing, a whirl. What is it about these fantasy romances that has millions of women hooked? Plus, our reviews of  Timothée Chalamet’s Oscar-tipped turn as Bob Dylan, an excellent book about building your own boyfriend (if only), Disney’s latest dystopian murder mystery, and Khloe Kardashian’s new podcast. Also, is Mel Robbins’s self-help mantra ‘Let Them’ helpful or just classic therapy speak? And how much weight do these rumbling Ryan Reynolds rumours have: is he the real villain of the It Ends With Us saga?DM us ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or email us at ⁠hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk⁠ and as ever please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and a rating on Spotify, lysm!Huge thanks to our sponsor⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Yonder⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, the incredible lifestyle rewards credit card packed with rewards you’ll actually *want* to use. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠yonder.com/straightup⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Borrow responsibly. £15 a month. 18+ and UK only. Rep 66.7% APR var. T&Cs apply.Get an extra month free on top of BFI Player’s 14-day free trial using our code STRAIGHTUP at⁠⁠⁠ ⁠player.bfi.org.uk/⁠⁠⁠⁠Get 20% off the adaptogenic coffee that changed our lives, London Nootropics, using our code straightup at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠londonnootropics.com/⁠Recs/ reviews: A Complete Unknown, in cinemas now Khloé in Wonder Land Podcast with Mel Robbins  ‘Let them’: can this viral self-help mantra change your life?, Guardian  Blob: A Love Story, Maggie Su  Fourth Wing, Rebecca Yarros Rebecca Yarros’s ‘Onyx Storm’ Is the Fastest-Selling Adult Novel in 20 Years, NYTimes  Did a Best-Selling Romantasy Novelist Steal Another Writer’s Story? The New Yorker  Paradise, Disney + Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.