Straight Up

The pop culture podcast with no filter, brought to you by besties and journalists Kathleen and Ellie. New episodes out every Thursday!

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256 episodes
Updated Thursday
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Episodes256

Newest first

Jul 18, 2024 · 55 min
Katy Perry’s ‘comeback’, Zara McDermott and PR relationships exposed
What was Katy Perry thinking making a female empowerment anthem with one of music’s most problematic men, Dr Luke? We discuss the absolute flop that is the pop star’s comeback song Woman’s World. Much more inspiring is Zara McDermott’s courageous statement following the shocking abuse she endured on last year’s Strictly from her dance partner Graziano di Prima. Why does the performing arts world normalise extreme behaviour? Also this week: a snappy but hilarious tangent on the rumours that profesh celebrity BFF Derek Blasberg had an accident in Gwyneth Paltrow’s bed. Apparently, their friendship may never recover. And finally, we investigate the ‘cheating’ slash ‘PR relationship’ drama between rapper Central Cee, TIkToker Madeline Argy and rapper Ice Spice: is it the best marketing ploy the music industry has seen in years? Reccos discussed: Katy Perry, Woman’s World review, Guardian Katy Perry, Woman’s World review, Pitchfork Scat’s Out the Bag, Popbitch TAR Whiplash Black Swan Did it First by Central Cee and Ice Spice Madeleine Argy on Call Her Daddy podcast 14 Celebs Who Admitted To Fake Relationships And Other Publicity Stunts For Attention, Buzzfeed The Jetty, BBC One DM us your thoughts on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠⁠, and as ever please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, a rating on Spotify, lysm! Thanks so much to our amazing partners: Incite Nutrition, which is a UK based supplement company that makes the best and tiniest biotin which has given Ellie the healthiest nails of her life. Incredibly reasonably priced and amazing quality. Get 15% OFF via Amazon with the code STRAIGHTUP at https://amzn.to/4eY4odu London Nootropics, our fave adaptogenic coffee that naturally boosts mental clarity and physical energy, while also easing anxiety, all without any of coffee's usual jitters. Get 20% OFF with the DISCOUNT CODE straightup at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠londonnootropics.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 4, 2024 · 1 hr 7 min
The dark side of celebrity: from Armie Hammer to Jay Shetty
Why have we normalised celebrities abusing their power? This week we are joined by fellow journo and fab friend Olivia Petter to talk about celebrity narcissism, manipulation, power trips and industry open secrets. It's right on theme with her excellent debut novel Gold Rush, which explores the dark consequences of when Rose, a 20-something single woman working in the press office for a magazine publisher in London, spends the night with the most famous man on the planet. It's a gripping exploration of power, consent and celebrity, add it to your summer reading list right now! Ps: we are taking a one week break next week as Kathleen is getting married! Normal service resumes 18 July :) DM us your thoughts on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠⁠, and as ever please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, a rating on Spotify, lysm! Thanks so much to our amazing partner London Nootropics, our fave adaptogenic coffee that naturally boosts mental clarity and physical energy, while also easing anxiety, all without any of coffee's usual jitters. Get 20% OFF with the DISCOUNT CODE straightup at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠londonnootropics.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Reccos: One Taste, Bloomberg One Taste, Netflix American Nightmare, Netflix Baby Reindeer, Netflix Painful Lessons podcast (Armie Hammer) Spacey Unmasked, Channel 4 Jeanne du Barry (Depp film) Who Trolled Amber? Podcast, Tortoise Media Unbelievable, Netflix Freedom, and Corrections, both by Jonathan Franzen Joe Alwyn profile The Sunday Times Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 27, 2024 · 1 hr 1 min
House of the Dragon, A Family Affair and the year of the cougar
House of the Dragon is the biggest show on TV right now huns, but how does it compare to Game of Thrones? Kathleen is a huge fan of both so gives us her verdict. And hot on the heels of The Idea of You, we now have Nicole Kidman and Zac Efron playing out a hefty on-screen age gap in a new Netflix rom-com A Family Affair. Are critics right to say Hollywood has entered its cougar era, and what’s driving it if so? Plus, Ellie debriefs on whether Disney’s new Karl Lagerfeld drama goes too easy on the highly problematic late designer. Finally, we pick apart Tom Bower’s new book attacking brand Beckham: assessing his motivations for writing such a snide book, and whether these ‘explosive’ revelations offer anything new. DM us your thoughts on Instagram ⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠⁠, and as ever please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, a rating on Spotify, lysm! Thanks so much to our amazing partner London Nootropics, our fave adaptogenic coffee that naturally boosts mental clarity and physical energy, while also easing anxiety, all without any of coffee's usual jitters. Get 20% OFF with the DISCOUNT CODE straightup at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠londonnootropics.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Reccos discussed: IF (2024 film) House of the Dragon, HBO Max The Last of Us, HBO Max A Family Affair, Netflix The Cougar Bites Back, Financial Times The Mother (2003), Amazon Prime Video Becoming Karl Lagerfeld, Disney Plus America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders, Netflix Business Barbie: Margot Robbie on how she built an empire, The Times House of Beckham, Tom Bower Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 20, 2024 · 57 min
Taylor Swift’s killer strategy, Miley Cyrus and Kevin Spacey’s tears
Taylor Swift’s tour has hit the UK and so of course we’re kicking things off with a debate on the queen of pop herself, most notably the recent suggestions that she is employing a calculated release strategy that keeps other artists like Billie Eilish and Charli XCX off the top spot. Is her Ed Sheeran-style obsession with having the best numbers admirable, or annoying? Next, we drill into Miley Cyrus’ interview with David Letterman last week, covering everything from her only celeb friendship (with Beyoncé no less) and her mum Tish Cyrus’ potent weed, to how she’s navigated fame since the age of 13. Plus, Kristen Stewart’s incredible new film Love Lies Bleeding, with a look back at her 2012 ‘affair’ scandal and public apology to Robert Pattinson, as well as her hilarious recent interviews and quite frankly iconic quotes. Finally, a recap of Kevin Spacey’s car crash interview with Piers Morgan, where the actor, despite having been found not guilty of sexual assault, seemed to incriminate himself, turning his previous supporters against him. DM us your thoughts on Instagram ⁠@straightuppod⁠. And as ever please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, a rating on Spotify, lysm! Thanks so much to our amazing partner London Nootropics, our fave adaptogenic coffee that naturally boosts mental clarity and physical energy, while also easing anxiety, all without any of coffee's usual jitters. Get 20% OFF with the DISCOUNT CODE straightup at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠londonnootropics.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Reccos discussed: Miley Cyrus on My Next Guest Needs No Introduction With David Letterman Miley Cyrus Finally Gets Her “Flowers”, W Magazine Love Lies Bleeding (film) Kristen Stewart, Rolling Stone (May) Personal Shopper (film) Kevin Spacey on Piers Morgan’s Uncensored Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 13, 2024 · 1 hr 9 min
Sabrina Carpenter, Hit Man and the Queenie adaptation
Barry Keoghan and Sabrina Carpenter’s relationship is top of our hit-list today hunnies, since the singer released a music video all about an embarrassing boyfriend with a cameo from none other than… her 'embarrassing' boyfriend, Barry. Is he a secret scumbag, or is this all a PR ploy? Next, we revisit Lily Allen and Miquita Oliver’s podcast, Miss Me?, specifically the episode on sabotage and the Billie Eilish interview, followed by a review of the eagerly-anticipated TV adaptation of Candice Carty Williams’ book Queenie, which has divided critics and audiences. Plus, an ode to Clarkson’s Farm, which has returned to Amazon for a third season. How does a man with an unsavoury reputation as Jeremy Clarkson manage to make such charming, hilarious TV? And finally, a fascinating interview with the founders of London Nootropics, longtime partner of the pod and makers of the best adaptogenic coffee on the market. With Shez and Zain, we cover everything from medicinal mushrooms and coffee to biohacking trends like barefoot shoes and life-extending supplements. DM us your thoughts on Instagram @straightuppod, and let us know what you’d like us to cover next week! And as ever please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, a rating on Spotify, lysm! Thanks so much to our amazing partner London Nootropics, our fave adaptogenic coffee that naturally boosts mental clarity and physical energy, while also easing anxiety, all without any of coffee's usual jitters. Get 20% OFF with the DISCOUNT CODE straightup at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠londonnootropics.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Reccos discussed: Sabrina Carpenter, Please Please Please Dua Lipa Has No Lore, LA Times Miss Me? Lily Allen and Miquita Oliver’s podcast Hit Man, Netflix Hit Man by Skip Hollingsworth, Texas Monthly Kiss The Ground, Netflix Queenie, Channel 4 Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams (novel) Rye Lane, Disney + Queenie review – so half-baked it could have been made by AI, Guardian Queenie Reminds Us That Black Women Have A “Right To Exist Messily”, Refinery 29 Clarkson’s Farm, Amazon Prime Video (season 3) Vivobarefoot shoes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 6, 2024 · 1 hr 4 min
Ozempic, ‘nepo baby’ North West and Netflix’s Eric
Ethical non-monogamy, platonic friendships and TikTok dating coaches: we get into all manner of divisive topics this week, huns, before a big old debate on North West, who has recently reignited the nepo-baby conversation with her controversial performance as Simba in the Lion King. Should adults be critiquing a child on the internet? And how does Kim and Kanye’s parenting approach figure? Speaking of, the Kardashians have returned to Disney for a new season and the elephant in the room is Ozempic. From Kylie and Kims’ shrinking frames, to scenes blatantly showing Wegovy in Scott Dissick’s fridge – are they now knowingly positioning themselves as the poster family for weight loss drugs? And how do we as a society navigate the glamorisation of Ozempic; can the benefits really outweigh the side effects? Next is a look at Will Smith’s upcoming comeback, why Brad Pitt’s daughter is dropping his surname and, finally, a review of the new Netflix series everyone’s talking about, Eric, starring Benedict Cumberbatch as Vincent, a puppeteer in 1980s New York whose nine-year-old son goes missing. Is Eric the most divisive show of 2024? DM us your thoughts on Instagram @straightuppod, and let us know what you’d like us to cover next week! And as ever please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, a rating on Spotify, lysm! Thanks so much to our amazing partner London Nootropics, our fave adaptogenic coffee that naturally actually boosts mental clarity and physical energy, while also easing anxiety, all without any of coffee's usual jitters. We are obsessed and you will be too! Get 20% OFF YOUR BOX with the DISCOUNT CODE straightup at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠londonnootropics.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Reccos discussed: Sentimental Garbage, Caroline O’Donoghue Aubrey Marcus on the dark side of open relationships, Diary of a CEO Where Have All My Guy Friends Gone? The Cut Gone Girl (the ‘cool girl’ monologue) The Case for Marrying an Older Man by Grazie Sophia Christie, The Cut The Cult of the Provider Man, The Cut The Kardashians Season Five on Disney + Magic Pill: The Extraordinary Benefits and Disturbing Risks of the New Weight-Loss Drugs by Johann Hari Our review of Jada Pinkett’s memoir (19 Oct 2023 episode) Eric, Netflix Eric review – Benedict Cumberbatch will win awards for this wildly ambitious drama, The Guardian Eric review: Benedict Cumberbatch excels as a weirdo in dark, misanthropic missing-child drama, The Independent Eric Shows Everything That’s Wrong With Mid TV, The Atlantic Dark Days (2000 documentary film) Machinal at The Old Vic Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 30, 2024 · 42 min
The Bennifer drama, AI gone wrong and Ryan Gosling’s rom-com
Jennifer Lopez’s latest film has arrived on Netflix and, phew, do we have thoughts! From its botched messaging around AI, to J.Lo’s absurd (if admirable) commitment to her role as a serious scientist, we review Atlas in all its ridiculousness before debriefing on the latest Bennifer drama. Are the reports suggesting that Jen and Ben are separating after less than a year of marriage really true? And can Ben Affleck possibly be claiming temporary insanity as grounds for divorce? Also this week, we recommend The Fall Guy starring Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt, a charming rom-com meets action thriller about a stuntman that promises good vibes and classic Gosling unlikely leading man energy. And finally, an update on Sarah Jessica Parker, whose recent podcast appearances show an intriguingly different side to the ‘cruel’ one we’ve read about amid all the SATC drama. DM us your thoughts on Instagram @straightuppod, and let us know what you’d like us to cover next week! And as ever please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, a rating on Spotify, lysm! Thanks so much to our amazing partner London Nootropics, our fave adaptogenic coffee that naturally actually boosts mental clarity and physical energy, while also easing anxiety, all without any of coffee's usual jitters. We are obsessed and you will be too! Get 20% OFF YOUR BOX with the DISCOUNT CODE straightup at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠londonnootropics.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Things discussed: MOTH Drinks and Vinca Wine The Mother, Netflix Atlas, Netflix The Fall Guy Babylon starring Margot Robbie A Quiet Place Glad We Had this Chat, with Caroline Hirons Ruthie’s Table with Sarah Jessica Parker This Is Not A Pity Memoir, Abi Morgan Eric (Netflix) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 22, 2024 · 1 hr 7 min
Sophie Turner, ‘sluts’ and the sexiest film of 2024
Sophie Turner has given a tell-all interview to Vogue all about her explosive divorce from Joe Jonas, her experience of mum-shaming, her mental health, and becoming friends with Taylor Swift. We have MANY thoughts (and a few hot takes), which prompted a look at how so much mum-shaming online in the UK is linked to classism and slut-shaming. Plus, Ellie has seen Challengers and reveals whether it's up to the hype. DM us your thoughts on Instagram @straightuppod, and let us know what you’d like us to cover next week! And as ever please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, a rating on Spotify, lysm! Thanks so much to our amazing partner: London Nootropics, our fave adaptogenic coffee that naturally actually boosts mental clarity and physical energy, while also easing anxiety, all without any of coffee's usual jitters. We are obsessed and you will be too! Get 20% OFF YOUR BOX with the DISCOUNT CODE straightup at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠londonnootropics.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Reccs discussed Sophie Turner Talks Mum-Shaming, Misogyny And Why The Best Is Yet To Come, British Vogue Joan (coming to ITV in Autumn) "My abortion story went viral - because even though I wanted it, the process was still painful", Cosmopolitan Nelly London’s reel ‘I joined the childfree movement - and discovered its dark side’, Beth Ashley for Inews Sluts: The truth about slutshaming and what we can do to fight it, Beth Ashley Nicholas Galitzine interview, GQ Ashley Madison: Sex, Lies & Scandal, Netflix All anyone wants is a hot rodent boyfriend, Dazed Eudelo inaugural facial, Eudelo Sloane Avenue London Mr Bao and Daddy Bao, Peckham and Tooting Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 15, 2024 · 47 min
Piers Morgan’s Baby Reindeer interview, Kate Moss and celebrating singledom
Fiona Harvey, the woman unearthed as 'the real-life Martha' by internet sleuths following the wild success of Baby Reindeer, gave a highly controversial interview to Piers Morgan on his YouTube channel last week, so of course we had to debrief. Was she lying? Was Piers wrong to interview her? What are the ethics of all this? Plus, since we love an age gap, we discuss Kate Moss holding hands with a 27-year-old Skip Marley, while Ellie has read a brilliant memoir on living a single life and has many wise nuggets to share with us all. DM us your thoughts on Instagram @straightuppod, and let us know what you’d like us to cover next week! And as ever please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, a rating on Spotify, lysm! Thanks so much to our amazing partner: London Nootropics, our fave adaptogenic coffee that naturally actually boosts mental clarity and physical energy, while also easing anxiety, all without any of coffee's usual jitters. We are obsessed and you will be too! Get 20% OFF YOUR BOX with the DISCOUNT CODE straightup at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠londonnootropics.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Reccs this week: This Is Not A Pity Memoir by Abi Morgan The Split, BBC Dark Matter, Apple TV Arrangements in Blue by Amy Key Sex and the City Season 6, Episode 9: A Woman's Right to Shoes Dear Dolly: ‘My boyfriend of 12 years doesn’t want to get married’, The Times One Pot, One Portion by @good_food_mood__ on TikTok Piers Morgan Uncensored interview with Fiona Harvey New Moth cocktails – Paloma and Cosmopolitan, www.mothdrinks.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 9, 2024 · 1 hr 19 min
The Idea Of You, Dua Lipa and Pandora Sykes’ podcast
Dua Lipa’s third album came out last week, huns, and we had such high hopes. So why has Radical Optimism fallen a little flat for us? This got us discussing the general ‘mood’ around the superstar: is she reaching her potential? And how authentic is her media empire, Service95, At Your Service podcast and her new production company Radical22? Plus, we’ve both watched the much-hyped new Anne Hathaway rom-com, The Idea of You, which explores the relationship between a 40-year-old divorcee and the 24-year-old frontman of a superstar boyband (Nicholas Galitzine), based on the hit 2017 novel of the same name. And finally, Kathers gives us the lowdown on the new season of Pandora Sykes’s new podcast, How Do We Know If We’re Doing it Right. Thanks so much to our amazing partners: London Nootropics, our fave adaptogenic coffee that naturally actually boosts mental clarity and physical energy, while also easing anxiety, all without any of coffee's usual jitters. We are obsessed and you will be too! Get 20% OFF YOUR BOX with the DISCOUNT CODE straightup at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠londonnootropics.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ AMBL, the London reservations app that finds you incredible restaurants and bars in real time, tailored to you, from vibe to cuisine to cocktails and live music! Search Ambl in the App store;⁠ ambl.co Recs discussed Dua Lipa, Radical Optimism (album) Dua Lipa, Service95 (newsletter) Dua Lipa, At Your Service (podcast) Dua Lipa Manifested All of This, Time magazine Dua Lipa on pop, psychedelics and proving her haters wrong, The Guardian The Idea of You by Robinne Lee (book) The Idea of You, Amazon Prime Anne Hathaway Is Too Hot for 'The Idea of You', The Cut The Mother (2003), Amazon Prime Anne Hathaway on Tuning Out the Haters and Embracing Her True Self, Vanity Fair How Do We Know If We’re Doing it Right podcast, Pandora Sykes Decolonising My Body, Afua Hirsch Brit(ish): On Race, Identity and Belonging, Afua Hirsch Omnilux contour face mask Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 2, 2024 · 1 hr 8 min
Billie Eilish’s erotic advice, Zendaya and Bridget Jones 4
Bridge will soon be back on our screens with a new love interest we are VERY excited to see: young Leo Woodall. Do we like this 28 year age gap for our fave clumsy hun? We discuss! Plus, why everyone is talking about the steamy new psychosexual film Challengers, and why its star Zendaya is becoming one of the most powerful people in Hollywood. Also: our thoughts on Billie Eilish’s highly candid Rolling Stone interview, why J Lo’s is having some personal PR problems, and a debrief on Call Her Daddy host Alex Cooper’s wedding. Thanks so much to our incredible partners: Innermost Nutrition, our favourite new plant protein that's actually really good for you, full of immune-boosting ingredients, a whopping 31g of plant protein and no nasty additives. It's stocked in Ocado, John Lewis, and Soho House, or visit⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠LiveInnermost.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ London Nootropics, our fave adaptogenic coffee that naturally actually boosts mental clarity and physical energy, while also easing anxiety, all without any of coffee's usual jitters. We are obsessed and you will be too! Get 20% OFF YOUR BOX with the DISCOUNT CODE straightup at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠londonnootropics.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ AMBL, the London reservations app that finds you incredible restaurants and bars in real time, tailored to you, from vibe to cuisine to cocktails and live music! Search Ambl in the App store; ambl.co Reccs discussed Bridget Jones Diary 4: Spoilers, cast, trailer and plot, elle.com Zendaya talks Challengers, talks to Serena Williams and considers her future, Vogue Jimmy Carr: "There's A Crisis Going On With Men!", Diary of a CEO Challengers, in cinemas now Dune: Part Two, Netflix 'Challengers' Star Josh O'Connor Is Filthy in Every Movie, Vulture 3 Body Problem, Netflix The Last of Us, HBO Blue Lights, BBC Billie Eilish Would Like to Reintroduce Herself, Rolling Stone Hack Your Health: The Secrets of Your Gut, Netflix Meet Emily English, the nutritionist everyone’s talking about, The Times The Truth About Nutrition With Em The Nutritionist, Working Hard, Hardly Working podcast Yuka app The Call Her Daddy breakup, Shameless podcast Inside Alex Cooper And Matt Kaplan’s Intimate Beachside Wedding In Riviera Maya, Vogue Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 25, 2024 · 1 hr 16 min
Baby Reindeer, Nicola Peltz Beckham’s mortifying movie and The Tortured Poets Department
Baby Reindeer is of course our main talking point this week, huns, as we debate the deeply ironic investigation undertaken by internet sleuths trying to uncover Martha and Darrien’s real identities. Sure, to uncover the ‘truth’ behind the chilling story of stalking is tempting, but is it fair to speculate when Richard Gadd has asked us not to? Ellie has also watched Nicola Peltz Beckham’s toe-curlingly vain attempt at filmmaking, Lola, and we mull over whether it could ever be OK for a billionaire’s daughter to write a screenplay from the perspective of a working class stripper. And of course we had to give our verdict on Taylor Swift’s new record, including an inside look at the power moves of her longtime publicist Tree Paine. Please do send us a DM @straightuppod or email hello@straightuppod.co.uk. We absolutely LOVE hearing from you and so appreciate it. LYSM! Thanks so much to our amazing podcast partners: Innermost Nutrition, our favourite new plant protein that's actually really good for you, full of immune-boosting ingredients, a whopping 31g of plant protein and no nasty additives. It's stocked in Ocado, John Lewis, and Soho House, or visit⁠⁠ ⁠⁠LiveInnermost.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ London Nootropics, our fave adaptogenic coffee that naturally actually boosts mental clarity and physical energy, while also easing anxiety, all without any of coffee's usual jitters. We are obsessed and you will be too! Get 20% OFF YOUR BOX with the DISCOUNT CODE straightup at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠londonnootropics.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Reccos discussed this week: Baby Reindeer, Netflix ‘I was severely stalked and severely abused’: Richard Gadd on the true story behind Baby Reindeer, the Guardian Baby Reindeer review – Richard Gadd's solo theatre debut is a haunting hour, the Guardian Richard Gadd: how I turned my stalking nightmare into a Netflix drama, The Times Nicola Peltz Beckham, a billionaire’s daughter, made a movie about abject poverty. It’s as bad as you think, the Guardian Memmo Alfama terrace bar, Lisbon Magnolia restaurant, Lisbon Mama Shelter rooftop, Lisbon Praia da Adraga beach (one hour from Lisbon) Nat's nourishments harissa potatoes There Are Plenty of Power Publicists. But Only One Works for Taylor Swift, Wall Street Journal Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 18, 2024 · 1 hr 5 min
Amy Winehouse, celeb booking and Prince Andrew’s teddies in Scoop
The new Amy Winehouse biopic is finally out, but Back to Black has bitterly divided critics and fans. Some are disgusted by the ‘sanitisation’ of key figures such as her dad Mitch Winehouse and former husband Blake Fielder-Civil, while others are delighted to see a film that doesn’t revel in the sordid details of her drug addiction. We get into the thorny debate around the Sam Taylor-Johnson directed ‘love story’, starring Marisa Abela and Jack O’Connell, as well as the wild recent reporting on how Mitch is currently suing two of Amy’s best friends for auctioning off items she gave them. First, though, we give our verdicts on Netflix’s Scoop, the thrilling dramatisation of Prince Andrew’s car-crash Newsnight interview from 2019, told from the perspective of BBC celebrity booker Sam McAllister, played by an excellent Billie Piper. How accurate is the show when spotlighting the inner workings of celebrity booking? DM us your thoughts on Instagram @straightuppod, and let us know what you’d like us to cover next week! And as ever please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, a rating on Spotify, lysm! Reccos discussed: Scoop, Netflix Prince Andrew would 'scream and shout' if his 72 teddies were not put back properly, Express Wendy Ide on Scoop for The Guardian Clarisse Loughgrey on Scoop for The Independent Peter Bradshaw on Scoop for The Observer Off the Fence newsletter on Scoop, Substack (9 April edition) Sam McAlister, Emily Maitlis and the drama behind Netflix’s Scoop, Telegraph Civil War (in cinemas now) My Amy by Tyler James A Private War (film and book) Back To Black (in cinemas now) Sam Taylor-Johnson on art, age gaps and Amy Winehouse, The Guardian It’s a grotesque insult for Back to Black to suggest Amy Winehouse died of heartache over her childlessness, Laura Snapes for The Guardian The Amy Winehouse I knew — by our critic, Will Hodkingson for The Times The row raging between Amy Winehouse’s father and her best friends, The Times Emily The Criminal, Netflix Thanks so much to our amazing podcast partners: Innermost Nutrition, our favourite new plant protein that's actually really good for you, full of immune-boosting ingredients, a whopping 31g of plant protein and no nasty additives. It's stocked in Ocado, John Lewis, and Soho House, or visit⁠ ⁠⁠LiveInnermost.com⁠⁠⁠ London Nootropics, our fave adaptogenic coffee that naturally actually boosts mental clarity and physical energy, while also easing anxiety, all without any of coffee's usual jitters. We are obsessed and you will be too! Get 20% OFF YOUR BOX with the DISCOUNT CODE straightup at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠londonnootropics.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 11, 2024 · 1 hr 8 min
Mind games, Sacha Baron Cohen and gold digging intellectualised
There’s yet another headline-grabbing ‘feminist’ debate raging on the internet, angels, so we give you the lowdown on The Cut’s viral piece The Case for Marrying an Older Man, from the intellectualization of gold digging (lol) to the persistent cultural misinterpretations of Lolita. Next, we debrief on the exposé on Andrew Huberman, the world’s biggest pop scientist and host of the third biggest podcast globally. How did the self-styled Mr Perfect manipulate six different women into believing they were his only partner? And should his questionable personal choices have bearing on his work? Very fittingly, we also cover the allegations detailed in Rebel Wilson’s book against Sacha Baron Cohen, including a look back at his highly questionable output, and he and Isla Fisher’s announcement last week that they are going through divorce. Finally, we recommend Lily Allen’s new podcast Miss Me, and chat all things Cowboy Carter and virginity. Please do leave a review on Apple, and send us love, feedback and gossip on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod⁠, our DMS are always open and we love chatting with you! Thanks so much to our partners: Innermost Nutrition, our favourite new plant protein that's actually really good for you, full of immune-boosting ingredients, a whopping 31g of plant protein and no nasty additives. It's stocked in Ocado, John Lewis, and Soho House, or visit ⁠⁠LiveInnermost.com⁠⁠ London Nootropics, our fave adaptogenic coffee that naturally actually boosts mental clarity and physical energy, while also easing anxiety, all without any of coffee's usual jitters. We are obsessed and you will be too! Get 20% OFF YOUR BOX with the DISCOUNT CODE straightup at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠londonnootropics.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Reccs discussed: The Case for Marrying an Older Man by Grazie Sophia Christie, The Cut Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov Andrew Huberman’s Mechanisms of Control, The Cut My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie The Exes Who Froze Embryos and Regret It, The Cut Dopamine Nation by Anna Lembke The Molecule of More by Dr Daniel Z Lieberman Uncovering the Higher Truth about Jay Shetty, Guardian Miss Me with Lily Allen and Miquita Oliver (podcast) The Hunks Du Jour Need to Start Having Fun on Instagram Again, Vulture All of You (film) Cowboy Carter by Beyoncé Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 4, 2024 · 58 min
Katie Price, Netflix’s The Gentlemen and where the Skins actors are now
Why do the tabloids write about Katie Price nearly every day? The former glamour model better known as Jordan has said in a recent interview that her relationship with the media has changed from a ‘game’ to ‘mental health abuse’, so we get into what has prompted such a media frenzy. And, is it hypocritical of Price to say women in their 20s shouldn’t get cosmetic surgery? We also give our brutally honest thoughts on Channel 4’s much hyped new millennial comedy about mental illness, Big Mood, while Kathleen’s review of The Gentlemen, starring Kaya Scodelario (aka Effy from Skins) prompts a trip down memory lane… Vote in our Spotify poll, leave a review on Apple, and send us love, feedback and gossip on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠@straightuppod, our DMS are always open and we love chatting with you! Thanks so much to our partners: Innermost Nutrition, our favourite new plant protein that's actually really good for you, full of immune-boosting ingredients, a whopping 31g of plant protein and no nasty additives. It's stocked in Ocado, John Lewis, and Soho House, or visit ⁠LiveInnermost.com⁠ London Nootropics, our fave adaptogenic coffee that naturally actually boosts mental clarity and physical energy, while also easing anxiety, all without any of coffee's usual jitters. We are obsessed and you will be too! Get 20% OFF YOUR BOX with the DISCOUNT CODE straightup at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠londonnootropics.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 28, 2024 · 1 hr 14 min
Cults, Kate Middleton and the monarchy vs the media
In light of Kate Middleton’s recent announcement (and the prior ‘where’s Kate’ internet circus), this week we debate the fraught but symbiotic relationship between media and monarchy, from what ‘right’ we as the public have to access to the royal family, to previous privacy breaches like tampongate, Kate’s topless holiday pics and the hounding of Harry and Meghan. Next up is Ellie’s favourite new podcast discovery, Sounds Like A Cult, about the modern day cults we all follow. A tale of Lululemon leggings and murder ensues, followed very fittingly by Kathleen’s review of Netflix’s new true crime drama The Program: Cons, Cults and Kidnapping. A shocking look at ‘disciplinary schools’, we found this especially fascinating considering our recent dive into Paris Hilton’s mission to have the industry shut down. Enjoy huns and please do rate review and subscribe as well as shooting us a DM on Insta ⁠⁠@straightuppod Thanks so much to our partners: Innermost Nutrition, our favourite new plant protein that's actually really good for you, full of immune-boosting ingredients, a whopping 31g of plant protein and no nasty additives. It's stocked in Ocado, John Lewis, and Soho House, or visit LiveInnermost.com Flare, which makes the best earplugs for light sleepers: tiny, unobtrusive, with memory foam balls that perfectly moulds to your ear, and they don't fall out! Grab a pair at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠flareaudio.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ London Nootropics, our fave adaptogenic coffee that naturally actually boosts mental clarity and physical energy, while also easing anxiety, all without any of coffee's usual jitters. We are obsessed and you will be too! Get 20% OFF YOUR BOX with the DISCOUNT CODE straightup at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠londonnootropics.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Reccs discussed: The Princess Of Wales’s Decision To Share Her Cancer Diagnosis Represents A Powerful Break From Royal Tradition, British Vogue Sounds like a Cult podcast The Program on Netflix The Disney Adult Industrial Complex, New Statesman The Pulling, by Adele Dumont Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 21, 2024 · 1 hr 36 min
The Big Kids Question pt II: fertility, pop culture parenthood and unspeakable truths
Male infertility accounts for half of all IVF cases, so why does society so often consider it a ‘women’s issue’? We get into the taboo around fertility and masculinity, as well as the thorny topics of egg freezing, the 'queer tax' and the commodification of reproduction in this second part of our exploration of why more and more people are putting off having children. We also dive into plenty of other unspeakable truths, from 'unnatural' parents, the fantasy mother vs monster mother tropes in Hollywood, and loss of identity. Plus, we discuss some of the most joyous things about being a parent, how social media is shaping parenthood norms, and much more. Reccos discussed Stand Up to Infertility, BBC 'Elizabeth Day: At 45 I will never be a mother. I’ve made peace with it', The Times Magpie by Elizabeth Day The Birth of My Daughter, The Death of My Marriage by Leslie Jamison, New Yorker Laura Jackson on Grace Beverley's podcast Why Must We Pay Queer Tax? the Guardian 'I’m a sexual and single but wanted to become a mum’, Stylist Straight Up with Tove Lo, and Straight Up with BabyQueen Diary of a CEO: No.1 Neuroscientist: "Kids will make you unhappier" I chose my marriage over having kids by Ruby Warrington, The Times The School for Bad Mothers, Jessamine Chan Still Born by Guadalupe Nettel The false escapism of soft girls and trad wives, Time How Long Can You Wait To Have A Baby? The Atlantic Thanks so much to our partners: @flareaudio makes the best earplugs for light sleepers: tiny, unobtrusive, with memory foam balls that perfectly moulds to your ear, and they don't fall out! Grab a pair at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠flareaudio.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ London Nootropics, our fave adaptogenic coffee that naturally actually boosts mental clarity and physical energy, while also easing anxiety, all without any of coffee's usual jitters. We are obsessed and you will be too! Get 20% OFF YOUR BOX with the DISCOUNT CODE straightup at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠londonnootropics.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ambl, the incredible app that's like a personal pocket concierge. Perfect for our spontaneous huns who need a last minute dinner reservation in London, Ambl matches you with the restaurants with real-time availability, all the while letting you fine-tune your choice with filters from vibe to price range.⁠⁠ Search Ambl in the app store, or visit https://www.ambl.co Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 14, 2024 · 1 hr 19 min
The Big Kids Question: does anyone want to be a parent anymore?
The startling new data revealing the sharply declining fertility rate in the UK taps into the fraught and personal conversations that we’ve been having since turning 30: are we ready to have kids, financially and emotionally? How has everything from increased gender equality and the thriving child free movement to social media and the pandemic skip affected our reasoning? We try to answer all these questions and more in this two-part series on the societal and cultural issues shaping how we think about parenthood in modern Britain. Next week we will discuss: male infertility, IVF & egg freezing, the child free movement, the taboo of the ‘unnatural’ mother, how pop culture has influenced our idea of parenthood, plus loads more listener DMs. If you don’t feel like your experience has been represented in, shoot us a DM or email us at hello@straightuppodcast.co.uk as this is very much just a conversation starter! We’d love to keep the conversation going. Also don’t forget to vote in our poll, leave us a review, and share this ep with a friend :) Thanks so much to our partners: @flareaudio makes the best earplugs for light sleepers: tiny, unobtrusive, with memory foam balls that perfectly moulds to your ear, and they don't fall out! Grab a pair at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠flareaudio.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ London Nootropics, our fave adaptogenic coffee that naturally actually boosts mental clarity and physical energy, while also easing anxiety, all without any of coffee's usual jitters. We are obsessed and you will be too! Get 20% OFF YOUR BOX with the DISCOUNT CODE straightup at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠londonnootropics.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ambl, the incredible app that's like a personal pocket concierge. Perfect for our spontaneous huns who need a last minute dinner reservation in London, Ambl matches you with the restaurants with real-time availability, all the while letting you fine-tune your choice with filters from vibe to price range.⁠ Search Ambl in the app store, or visit https://www.ambl.co Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 6, 2024 · 54 min
The Poor Things controversy, Paul Mescal’s antics and a night at the Brits
Have there ever been so many women divided by a film as Poor Things? We get into the controversy ahead of the Oscars, and report on all the BTS gossip from our gals night at the Brit Awards (which is why we went live a little early this week! ). Plus, we dissect some seriously juicy gossip surrounding Leonardo DiCaprio and Paul Mescal, and, following last week’s chat, get into the fascinating real life ‘Shitty Media Men’ list that inspired Yomi Adegoke’s book. Enjoy huns and please do rate review and subscribe as well as shooting us a DM on Insta ⁠@straightuppod Reccos discussed: I Want to Live Like Normal People, The Fence Extraordinary, Disney Plus Poor Things, Disney Plus I Started the Media Men List, The Cut Thanks so much to our partners: @flareaudio makes the best earplugs for light sleepers: tiny, unobtrusive, with memory foam balls that perfectly moulds to your ear, and they don't fall out! Grab a pair at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠flareaudio.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ London Nootropics, our fave adaptogenic coffee that naturally actually boosts mental clarity and physical energy, while also easing anxiety, all without any of coffee's usual jitters. We are obsessed and you will be too! Get 20% OFF YOUR BOX with the DISCOUNT CODE straightup at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠londonnootropics.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ambl, the incredible app that's like a personal pocket concierge. Perfect for our spontaneous huns who need a last minute dinner reservation in London, Ambl matches you with the restaurants with real-time availability, all the while letting you fine-tune your choice with filters from vibe to price range. Search Ambl in the app store, or visit https://www.ambl.co Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Feb 29, 2024 · 1 hr 9 min
Taylor Swift, The List and the dangers of a life lived online
After months of her dominating the news cycle, we’re finally getting down to it and talking about Taylor Swift. From her embodiment of girlhood to the problematic PR moments she’s generated over the years, we dissect Swiftie mania and interrogate our own feelings towards pop’s brightest star. Next up is a review of debut novel The List by Yomi Adekoke, a gripping exploration of online shaming, cancel culture and carefully crafted celebrity in the wake of movements like #metoo. Then, Netflix’s latest true crime offering and the first from Louis Theroux’s production house, Can I Tell You A Secret, continues the theme of cyber-stalking, while Sandra Bullock’s Lost City Of D, a fun adventure satire about a depressed erotic novelist starring Channing Tatum, Brad Pitt and Daniel Radcliffe, offers some light relief at the end! Enjoy huns and please do rate review and subscribe as well as shooting us a DM on Insta @straightuppod Reccs covered: Taylor Swift and the Good Girl Trap by Anne Helen Peterson, Substack The List by Yomi Adekoke, available via all booksellers Can I Tell You A Secret, Netflix The Lost City of D, Netflix Thanks so much to our partner @flareaudio for this ep, the cutting edge company behind the Calmer earbuds, which soften horrible sounds like chewing, tapping and loud breathing for sensitive souls like us (misophonia!). If you’re someone who gets distracted easily then you absolutely NEED these in your life. Grab a pair at ⁠⁠⁠⁠flareaudio.com⁠⁠⁠⁠. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.