Planet Normal

The Telegraph

The podcast that speaks your language. News and views from beyond the bubble with Telegraph columnists, Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan, every Thursday.

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317 episodes
Updated Wednesday

Episodes317

Newest first

Sep 16, 2020 · 57 min
You have to laugh
... or you'll cry. This week Telegraph columnists Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan are joined by a man whose raison d'être is to get the country smiling. Geoff Norcott, one of the UK's only vocally Right-wing comedians, tells Planet Normal why the BBC's pledge towards diversity of opinion might prove futile, why the "woke" musn't be exempt from comedy and why he would never apologise for a joke. Also on the podcast: Allison and Liam weigh up whether Victoria Wood's comedy would fall victim to so-called "cancel culture" and the pair find a cunning loophole to make their Christmases Covid-compliant. Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ | Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ | "The UK has to defend itself against predatory diplomacy, deal or no deal" - Ambrose Evans-Pritchard: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2020/09/13/uk-has-defend-against-predatory-diplomacy-deal-no-deal/ | Do you need help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ | Get 30 days’ free access to The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normal | Email: planetnormal@telegraph.co.uk | See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sep 9, 2020 · 57 min
Blighty not frighty
The lockdown rules are changing and Telegraph columnists Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan aren't happy about it. On today's show, Allison asks what on earth has happened to the country's "Blighty not frighty" spirit, Liam chastises Matt Hancock for his doom-laden language, plus, they deliberate the three Bs - Brexit, the backstop and Brad Pitt. Also on the podcast: this week’s guest and former Supreme Court judge Lord Jonathan Sumption pulls on his space boots and tells Planet Normal listeners why he thinks the government is trying to avoid public scrutiny and why he believes Extinction Rebellion is "verging on facism". Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ | Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ | Do you need help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ | Listen to the Telegraph's Chopper's Politics podcast: https://www.playpodca.st/chopper | Get 30 days’ free access to The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normal | Email: planetnormal@telegraph.co.uk | See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sep 2, 2020 · 49 min
The Great Awokening
The BBC is making the headlines for all the wrong reasons, and Telegraph columnists Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan have something to say about it. On today’s podcast, Allison tells us why she feels as if she’s in a toxic relationship with the broadcaster, Liam weighs in the corporation’s “mini moral lectures” and the pair agree that BBC comedy needs to stop using Donald Trump as a punchline. Plus, this week’s guest and long-time Editor of the Jewish Chronicle, Stephen Pollard buckles up his spacesuit and tells Planet Normal listeners the real reason why he believes Britons are increasingly embarrassed by their nationality and why much government criticism over its handling of the pandemic just isn't fair. Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ | Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ | Do you need help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ | Get 30 days’ free access to The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normal | Email: planetnormal@telegraph.co.uk | See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 27, 2020 · 49 min
Red tape and coral spacesuits
Financier Dame Helena Morrissey dons her spacesuit to join Telegraph columnists, Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan on their latest voyage to Planet Normal. The founder of The 30% Club talks about the pandemic's ambiguous effect on women in the workplace, why staying silent over Brexit wasn't an option, and why we need a "burning of the red tape" to save the economy. Plus, she tells us why you won't catch her in a fashionable face mask. Also on the show: Liam and Allison weigh in on face covering in schools and take part in a rousing sing-a-long (brace yourselves). Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ | Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ | Do you need help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ | Save 50% on your Telegraph subscription in our summer sale: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normal | Listen to the Telegraph's Chopper's Politics podcast: https://www.playpodca.st/chopper | Email: planetnormal@telegraph.co.uk | See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 20, 2020 · 46 min
"We don't need to be world-leading, we just need to be competent"
David Davis MP is Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan's latest passenger as they blast off to Planet Normal. The Tory veteran talks about whether the A-Levels U-turn will be this government's poll tax moment, says don’t need to be “world leading”, we just need to be competent when it comes to coronavirus, and that the Cabinet would have benefitted from more experience in hindsight. Plus, a glimpse behind the scenes of the rows that caused him to step down as Brexit secretary. Allison and Liam also talk exams, and whether "Gav has to go", and hear about home-made explosives and Starsky and Hutch inspired car chases in your Health and Safety stories. Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan Do you need help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ Listeners can get 30 days' free access to the Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normal Listen to the Telegraph's Chopper's Politics podcast: https://www.playpodca.st/chopper Email: planetnormal@telegraph.co.uk See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 12, 2020 · 47 min
The ultimate Marmite man
Nigel Farage buckles up to join the Telegraph's Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan on their weekly voyage to Planet Normal. Never one to hold back, Mr Farage accuses the French navy of being a taxi service for immigrants, warns the Prime Minister that he's at risk of losing Middle England, and declares the Cabinet a bunch of "kids with rich daddies". Plus, Liam welcomes Allison back after her well-earned break with a chat about exam results (don't mention the D in O-level Maths...), and the pair weigh up who would get the top job in a Planet Normal fantasy Cabinet. Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ Do you need help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ Listeners can get 30 days' free access to the Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normal Listen to the Telegraph's Chopper's Politics podcast: https://www.playpodca.st/chopper Email: planetnormal@telegraph.co.uk See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 5, 2020 · 45 min
We can't we all just get along?
Broadcaster Iain Dale hops into the passenger seat to join the Telegraph's Liam Halligan and guest co-pilot Kate Hoey on this week's voyage to Planet Normal. Iain tells Liam why he's been known to shame people for rudeness on social media, how he suffers from imposter syndrome, and why he's written a book about listening to the other side of the debate. Plus, Kate and Liam discuss why it's hard to talk about immigration and how Liam's the only person from last week's episode not to have been awarded a peerage. Plus the pair reminisce over the time Liam played bus driver to his co-host in Northern Ireland... Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ Do you need help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ Listeners can get 30 days' free access to the Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normal Listen to the Telegraph's Audio Football Club podcast: www.playpodca.st/afc Email: planetnormal@telegraph.co.uk See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 29, 2020 · 45 min
A war on history
For the next two weeks former MP Kate Hoey steps into Allison Pearson's space-boots to join Liam Halligan as co-pilot to Planet Normal. Their guest this week is former MEP and director of the Institute of Ideas, Claire Fox, who tells Liam that there is a war on history led from the top, that the BBC is the now the "woke" channel and how she bruises after social media showdowns. Plus, Kate and Liam discuss the government announcing that people will have to quarantine after returning from Spain, identity politics and racism within football, and of course, Nando's. Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ Do you need some help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ Listeners can get 30 days' free access to the Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normal Listen to the Telegraph's Chopper's Politics podcast: www.playpodca.st/chopper Email: planetnormal@telegraph.co.uk See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 22, 2020 · 48 min
The truth about the NHS
Planet Normal goes back to its roots and speaks to... a normal person. This week it’s brave district nurse and Planet Normal listener, Holly, who tells Telegraph columnists, Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan about the horrors of treatments delayed over the coronavirus crisis: a devastating move she thinks will cause more deaths than the pandemic itself. Plus, she reveals how care homes were “bullied” into taking patients with suspected Covid-19 and why some health workers used the pandemic as an excuse to stay home. Also on the podcast: Allison and Liam reflect on Boris Johnson’s tumultuous first year as PM, the real reason teachers were among the public sector workers to receive a pay rise, and why former Speaker of the Commons, John Bercow, won’t be invited on the show anytime soon. Telegraph subscribers can listen to Holly’s full interview: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/07/23/people-treatable-cancers-will-die-due-government-scaremongering/ Read The Sunday Telegraph interview with Boris Johnson: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2020/07/18/boris-johnson-exclusive-interview-will-not-need-another-national/ Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ Do you need some help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ Listeners can get 30 days' free access to the Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normal Listen to the Telegraph's Chopper’s Politics podcast: https://www.playpodca.st/chopper Email: planetnormal@telegraph.co.uk See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 15, 2020 · 41 min
Don't be afraid to be a contrarian
Entrepreneur Luke Johnson is Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan's latest guest to blast off to Planet Normal. The man behind Pizza Express and Gail's Bakery tells Allison why the government's only effective lockdown policy has been 'Project Fear', how the High Street will have to get creative to survive, and reveals what other captains of industry are telling him behind closed doors. Plus, Allison and Liam respectfully disagree over face masks, discuss the government's 'My way or the Huawei' ruling, and enjoy more of your 'elf and safety tales. Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ Do you need some help subscribing or reviewing? Read more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ Listeners can get 30 days' free access to the Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normal Listen to the Telegraph's Audio Football Club podcast: https://www.playpodca.st/afc Email: planetnormal@telegraph.co.uk See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 8, 2020 · 44 min
The magic money forest
Trevor Phillips, broadcaster, writer and former chairman of the Equalities and Human Rights Commission, is Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan's latest castaway to Planet Normal. The former Labour candidate for London Mayor tells Liam why guilt obscures media coverage of racial issues, how he knows what it's like to be randomly stopped by the police, and why he believes parts of the Labour Party just don't care about winning elections. Plus, Allison and Liam discuss the devastating knock-on effect of lockdown on cancer treatments, Rishi Sunak's mini-Budget or "big Economic enchilada", and enjoy listeners' stories of a time before health and safety, featuring a homemade army tank! Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ Listeners can get 30 days' free access to the Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normal Listen to the Telegraph's Chopper's Politics podcast: https://www.playpodca.st/chopper Email: planetnormal@telegraph.co.uk See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 1, 2020 · 43 min
Now is the Summer of our Discontent
Shaun Bailey, Conservative candidate for London Mayor, touches down on Planet Normal, alongside Telegraph columnists, Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan. The former Special Advisor to the PM tells Allison why we're in for a "summer of discontent", why Labour hasn't been able to curb London's knife crime crisis and how speaking out against the Left as a black person is seen as an act of bravery. Oh - and how he found love over a Müller Corner... Plus, Allison and Liam lament Leicester's second lockdown and question whether a Wimbledon-style queueing system is the way to get Britain back to the pub. Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ Listeners can get 30 days' free access to the Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normal Listen to the Telegraph's Chopper's Politics podcast: https://www.playpodca.st/chopper Email: planetnormal@telegraph.co.uk See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 24, 2020 · 39 min
Banking on a return to normality
Former Governor of the Bank of England, Lord Mervyn King, is the co-pilot on Telegraph columnists Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan's fifth orbiting of Planet Normal. He tells us why he believes no-deal Brexit scaremongering was an attempt to reverse the referendum result, how quantitative easing isn't always the answer, and why politicians should admit to changing their minds. Plus, Allison and Liam mourn the simplicity of a pre-Covid pint in the pub, childhood in a time before Health and Safety (hand grenades anyone?!) and their battle with the dreaded "Quarantine Fifteen". Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ Listeners can get 30 days' free access to the Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normal Listen to the Telegraph's Audio Football Club podcast: https://www.playpodca.st/afc Email: planetnormal@telegraph.co.uk See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 17, 2020 · 41 min
We Need to Talk About Unpopular Opinions
Novelist Lionel Shriver buckles up to join Telegraph columnists, Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan for their fourth trip to Planet Normal. She tells us why her political views lose her both friends and awards, and why today’s literature fails to pique her interest. Plus, Allison and Liam weigh in on the footballer who took on the government and won, Marcus Rashford, why the reopening of schools should be “obligatoire” and they reveal who was "leader of the pack" during their Scout and Guides days. Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ Listeners can get 30 days' free access to the Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normal Listen to the Telegraph's Audio Football Club podcast: https://www.playpodca.st/afc Email: planetnormal@telegraph.co.uk See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 11, 2020 · 35 min
The Great British Brain Unwashing
It's what feels like week number 582 of lockdown, and it's trip number three to Planet Normal. This week, Telegraph columnists, Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan blast off into a lively debate on what they'd like to do to a statue of Gavin Wiliamson and whether theme parks could possibly be safer than schools. Plus renowned oncologist, Professor Karol Sikora weighs in on why he wants the nation to "unwash" their brains of fear, and he submits to the ultimate black hole: a war of words with Piers Morgan. Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/allison-pearson/ Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ Listeners can get 30 days' free access to the Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normal Listen to the Telegraph's daily coronavirus podcast: www.playpodca.st/coronavirus Email: planetnormal@telegraph.co.uk See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 3, 2020 · 40 min
From China to the Clapham omnibus
In Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan's second trip to Planet Normal, former Head of MI6 Sir Richard Dearlove tells Allison why he believes the coronavirus started as an accident after it escaped from a Chinese lab, how organised intelligence activities at British universities aren't merely the stuff of spy novels and why he's ticked off with George Osborne. Telegraph subscribers can listen to the explosive full interview here: https://bit.ly/2U6hxcQ Listeners can get 30 days' free access to the Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normal Listen to the Telegraph's daily coronavirus podcast: www.playpodca.st/coronavirus Email: planetnormal@telegraph.co.uk See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 28, 2020 · 33 min
We have lift-off
Telegraph columnists, Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan take their first trip to Planet Normal, a space for shrewd political analysis from a distinctly “down-to-earth” perspective. This week, Allison struggles to defend Dominic Cummings, Liam reveals why the Prime Minister’s most senior advisor once slept on his floor and former Home Secretary, Alan Johnson weighs in on the reopening of schools - with some disquieting words for teachers’ unions. Listeners can get 30 days' free access to the Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normal Listen to the Telegraph's daily coronavirus podcast: www.playpodca.st/coronavirus Email: planetnormal@telegraph.co.uk See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.