Comfort Blanket

Cheese & Pickle

Talking about the films, TV shows, books or music which people go to again and again to feel safe, happy and welcome.

To join our Patreon, with access to exclusive companion podcast 'Home Comforts' visit www.patreon.com/comfortblanketpod

"Brilliant... A lovely listen" - Sunday Times

"Highly recommended" - The Week

Selected as one of the Sunday Times' TOP 25 PODCASTS TO MAKE YOU HAPPY

Presented and produced by Joel Morris.

Part of the Cheese And Pickle family of podcasts.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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72 episodes
Updated July 29
Explicit

Episodes72

Newest first

Sep 10, 2023 · 1 hr 8 min
Withnail & I - with Jim Howick
Actor and writer Jim Howick (Ghosts, Horrible Histories) talks about his love for Bruce Robinson's 1987 film 'Withnail & I', the studied debauchery of the striving, starving artist, its ache of regret for the 60s, and the strange, romantic comforts of desperation, booze and enormous herb-laced joints (lamb and otherwise). Support us making these podcasts by becoming a paid subscriber at: https://joelmorris.substack.com/ or: https://www.patreon.com/c/comfortblanketpod or donate via ko-fi at: https://ko-fi.com/gralefrit Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 23, 2023 · 1 hr 1 min
Rush - with Rufus Wright
Actor Rufus Wright (Rogue One, Quantum of Solace, The Audience) talks about the comfort he gets from the often overlooked 1974 debut album by Canadian heavy prog rock trio Rush, and we share our thoughts on the appeal of heavy metal for teenage boys, the gawky magic of school bands, and the sweet horror of adolescent lyrics. Support us making these podcasts by becoming a paid subscriber at: https://joelmorris.substack.com/ or: https://www.patreon.com/c/comfortblanketpod or donate via ko-fi at: https://ko-fi.com/gralefrit Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 9, 2023 · 1 hr 5 min
The Good Place - with Bec Hill
Comedian and writer Bec Hill (Makeaway Takeaway, Horror Heights, A Problem Squared) talks about the comforts of Michael Schur's philosophical afterlife sitcom The Good Place, and how comedy can tackle the really, really big stuff. Support us making these podcasts by becoming a paid subscriber at: https://joelmorris.substack.com/ or: https://www.patreon.com/c/comfortblanketpod or donate via ko-fi at: https://ko-fi.com/gralefrit Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 20, 2023 · 39 min
Laurel & Hardy - with Andrew Male (PART TWO)
The second part of our 2-part celebration of the sound shorts of Laurel & Hardy, with journalist Andrew Male (Sight & Sound, Mojo, Sunday Times), talking about Towed In A Hole, Their First Mistake, Them Thar Hills, and its sequel, Tit For Tat. Please do listen to part one first! Support us making these podcasts by becoming a paid subscriber at: https://joelmorris.substack.com/ or: https://www.patreon.com/c/comfortblanketpod or donate via ko-fi at: https://ko-fi.com/gralefrit Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 19, 2023 · 46 min
Laurel & Hardy - with Andrew Male (PART ONE)
Journalist Andrew Male (Sight & Sound, Sunday Times, Mojo) talks about the sound shorts of Laurel & Hardy, and the leap forward in comedy instigated by their unique, warm double act adapting to the new technology of sound. Part one of two, dealing with Stan and Ollie's craft, and looking at their Oscar winning 1932 short, The Music Box. Support us making these podcasts by becoming a paid subscriber at: https://joelmorris.substack.com/ or: https://www.patreon.com/c/comfortblanketpod or donate via ko-fi at: https://ko-fi.com/gralefrit Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 29, 2023 · 40 min
Spider-Man - with Carrie Quinlan (PART TWO)
PART TWO of actor and writer Carrie Quinlan talking about Spider-Man, and the endlessly retellable tale of the nerd-turned-neighbourhood superhero. This part talks in more depth about the latest Spider-Man film 'Across the Spiderverse'. If you haven't heard part one, please find it and start there! This is PART TWO of TWO. Support us making these podcasts by becoming a paid subscriber at: https://joelmorris.substack.com/ or: https://www.patreon.com/c/comfortblanketpod or donate via ko-fi at: https://ko-fi.com/gralefrit Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 28, 2023 · 33 min
Spider-Man - with Carrie Quinlan (PART ONE)
Actor and writer Carrie Quinlan (Home, Agendum, John Finnemore's Souvenir Programme) talks about her love of the comic character Spider-Man, in all his (and her, and its) incarnations, and what enables the story of the teenage nerd turned neighbourhood crime fighter to be endlessly reinvented, to provide life-long comfort for alienated kids, teens and grown-ups. This is part ONE of TWO. Support us making these podcasts by becoming a paid subscriber at: https://joelmorris.substack.com/ or: https://www.patreon.com/c/comfortblanketpod or donate via ko-fi at: https://ko-fi.com/gralefrit Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 7, 2023 · 1 hr 3 min
Pride - with Margaret Cabourn-Smith
Comedy actor and podcaster Margaret Cabourn-Smith (Crushed, John Finnemore, Penny Dreadfuls) talks about the uplifting British comedy film Pride (2014) with its story of unlikely alliances and the power of unity, and the winner of an imaginary BAFTA for best White Writing At The End In A Motion Picture. Support us making these podcasts by becoming a paid subscriber at: https://joelmorris.substack.com/ or: https://www.patreon.com/c/comfortblanketpod or donate via ko-fi at: https://ko-fi.com/gralefrit Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 31, 2023 · 59 min
Asterix - with Jay Foreman
Comedian and YouTuber Jay Foreman (Map Men, Politics Unboring-ed) talks about the comforts of Goscinny and Uderzo’s indomitable Asterix, about the sort of jokes and storytelling that can only work in comic form, and how good it is to read something from a neighbour's point of view. Support us making these podcasts by becoming a paid subscriber at: https://joelmorris.substack.com/ or: https://www.patreon.com/c/comfortblanketpod or donate via ko-fi at: https://ko-fi.com/gralefrit Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 17, 2023 · 1 hr 1 min
Bridget Jones's Diary - with Daisy Buchanan
Author and journalist Daisy Buchanan (Insatiable, How To Be A Grown Up) talks about the comforts of Bridget Jones's Diary, by Helen Fielding, and how book Bridget differs from the version we now think we know, how the book acts as a manual for self-acceptance, and how it might open a door to grown-up life if you read it when you're anxious and thirteen. Support us making these podcasts by becoming a paid subscriber at: https://joelmorris.substack.com/ or: https://www.patreon.com/c/comfortblanketpod or donate via ko-fi at: https://ko-fi.com/gralefrit Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 10, 2023 · 1 hr 7 min
Monty Python (Series 4) - with Michael Spicer
Comedian Michael Spicer (The Room Next Door, Mandy, The Mash Report) talks about the comforts of Monty Python's final, short and strange TV series (the one nobody really talks about), why sketch shows are all-hit-and-no-miss (provided you love them enough) and why enjoying the weird stuff is sometimes the most comforting part of being a fan. Support us making these podcasts by becoming a paid subscriber at: https://joelmorris.substack.com/ or: https://www.patreon.com/c/comfortblanketpod or donate via ko-fi at: https://ko-fi.com/gralefrit Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 26, 2023 · 1 hr 2 min
Ronald Searle - with Jo Neary
Comedian and artist Jo Neary (Ideal, Man Down) on illustrator Ronald Searle, in particular his school satires: St Trinian's and the immortal Molesworth books, with Geoffrey Willans. Support us making these podcasts by becoming a paid subscriber at: https://joelmorris.substack.com/ or: https://www.patreon.com/c/comfortblanketpod or donate via ko-fi at: https://ko-fi.com/gralefrit Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 19, 2023 · 1 hr 5 min
Pride and Prejudice - with Abigail Burdess
Writer and actor Abigail Burdess (Mother's Day, Mitchell & Webb) talks about the comforts of the 1995 BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, and talks about the invention of the romcom, and whether Jane Austen is the most successful comedy writer ever. Support us making these podcasts by becoming a paid subscriber at: https://joelmorris.substack.com/ or: https://www.patreon.com/c/comfortblanketpod or donate via ko-fi at: https://ko-fi.com/gralefrit Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 27, 2023 · 29 min
Home Comforts: Absolutely Fabulous (Sample episode)
If you like Comfort Blanket, we are launching a Patreon so you can join in and show your support. www.patreon.com/comfortblanketpod Patreon membership gives you early ad-free access to future episodes of Comfort Blanket, as well as our exclusive companion podcast 'Home Comforts'. Here's a sample episode to whet your Patreon appetite, with Julia picking Jennifer Saunders' classic sitcom 'Absolutely Fabulous'... Support us making these podcasts by becoming a paid subscriber at: https://joelmorris.substack.com/ or: https://www.patreon.com/c/comfortblanketpod or donate via ko-fi at: https://ko-fi.com/gralefrit Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 10, 2023 · 1 hr 7 min
The Last Of Us - with Melanie Gutteridge
Actor Melanie Gutteridge (Salisbury Poisonings, Undeclared War, The Bill) talks about the comforts of the 2013 video game The Last of Us - recently adapted into the hit HBO series - the power of interactive fiction, and how video games are more like theatre than TV, how they tell their stories and emotionally affect us, and the differences between acting and acting-with-balls-all-over-a-wetsuit. Support us making these podcasts by becoming a paid subscriber at: https://joelmorris.substack.com/ or: https://www.patreon.com/c/comfortblanketpod or donate via ko-fi at: https://ko-fi.com/gralefrit Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Feb 28, 2023 · 34 min
Home Comforts: Close Encounters Of The Third Kind (Sample episode)
We are launching a Comfort Blanket Patreon. Please join and throw some coins in the lovely Patreon hat if you feel you want to support the podcast... www.patreon.com/comfortblanketpod You'll get early ad-free access to forthcoming episodes, as well as EXCLUSIVE access to our companion podcast Home Comforts... Here's a sample episode, about what might be my favourite film of all time: Close Encounters Of The Third Kind. Support us making these podcasts by becoming a paid subscriber at: https://joelmorris.substack.com/ or: https://www.patreon.com/c/comfortblanketpod or donate via ko-fi at: https://ko-fi.com/gralefrit Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Feb 2, 2023 · 1 hr 4 min
BEST OF COMFORT BLANKET series one and two
A look back at some favourite moments from the first two series. Support us making these podcasts by becoming a paid subscriber at: https://joelmorris.substack.com/ or: https://www.patreon.com/c/comfortblanketpod or donate via ko-fi at: https://ko-fi.com/gralefrit Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jan 19, 2023 · 1 hr 13 min
Doctor Who (Classic Series) - with John Higgs
Author John Higgs (Love & Let Die, The KLF: Chaos Magic...) talks about the comforts of classic Doctor Who, and how a science fiction series for children seems to have almost willed itself into being as something far bigger, more powerful, and magical within our culture. Support us making these podcasts by becoming a paid subscriber at: https://joelmorris.substack.com/ or: https://www.patreon.com/c/comfortblanketpod or donate via ko-fi at: https://ko-fi.com/gralefrit Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jan 12, 2023 · 56 min
Sheila Ferguson's 'Soul Food' - with Samira Ahmed
Journalist and broadcaster Samira Ahmed (Front Row) talks about the comfort she finds in 'Soul Food', the 1989 cookbook by Three Degrees singer Sheila Ferguson. Support us making these podcasts by becoming a paid subscriber at: https://joelmorris.substack.com/ or: https://www.patreon.com/c/comfortblanketpod or donate via ko-fi at: https://ko-fi.com/gralefrit Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jan 5, 2023 · 58 min
Animal Crossing - with Ellie Gibson
Comedian, games journalist and twitch streamer Ellie Gibson (Scummy Mummies, Go 8 Bit) talks about the comforts of Nintendo's gentle community-simulator video game 'Animal Crossing: New Horizons', and how it helped her, and millions of others, through the isolation of pandemic lockdown. Support us making these podcasts by becoming a paid subscriber at: https://joelmorris.substack.com/ or: https://www.patreon.com/c/comfortblanketpod or donate via ko-fi at: https://ko-fi.com/gralefrit Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.