Latest news with #HJD
The Guardian
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Jerry Springer's scandalous backstory laid bare: best podcasts of the week
Long before he was a chatshow titan, Jerry Springer was a plucky young politician who held the post of mayor of Cincinnati before setting his sights on the state of Ohio at large. Slow Burn's Leon Neyfakh goes all the way back to those beginnings for this nine-part series, marrying excellent journalism with some unbelievable source material – not least when it comes to Springer's 70s sex scandal. Hannah J DaviesAudible, all episodes out now Listener discretion is advised as Yinka Bokinni examines legal cases where the perpetrators – often well-liked and respected in their fields – offended in plain sight. The first is about paedophile football coach Barry Bennell, with insight from Ian Ackley, whom he abused, and experts who explain how his crimes went undetected. HJD Audible, all episodes out now The snappy satirical mystery series returns with a new case in the fictional Beavertown – where residents are unfailingly nice, in that famously Canadian way, despite the bonkers crime rate. In the first episode, Frenchie, an ice-hockey rink cleaner, is arrested for murder. Hollie Richardson Widely available, episodes weekly Actor Paul McGann hosts this podcast about the world's most infamous shipwreck, featuring contributions from his brother Stephen. Both are nephews of a Liverpudlian named Jimmy McGann, who survived the disaster. They build a vivid picture of nautical near-misses and class separation that contradicts Hollywood's more romanticised version of events. HJD Widely available, episodes weekly Sign up to What's On Get the best TV reviews, news and features in your inbox every Monday after newsletter promotion 'I try really hard to maintain my control,' says Kellie from Utah of her rocky relationship with money. This series is perfect for nosy parkers, with producer Courtney Harrell dissecting one American's spending each week. It's sensitive, too, particularly when it comes to topics such as mounting credit card and student debt. HJD Widely available, episodes weekly
The Guardian
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Maxine Peake scrutinises a baffling law: best podcasts of the week
Pick of the week In It Together: The Joint Enterprise Podcast Despite the title, Maxine Peake's new podcast is not about political solidarity or social unity; instead, it focuses on one of the UK's most baffling, controversial and destructive laws. Joint enterprise has resulted in many people being imprisoned for serious crimes they didn't actually commit. Here, Peake speaks to activists, criminal barristers, MPs and those convicted in order to better understand the law's flaws. Rachel Aroesti Widely available, all episodes out now The Mangione Trial View image in fullscreen Conspiracy theories … Luigi Mangione appears in court for a hearing in February. Photograph: Steven Hirsch/AP New episodes of this series are being released in line with developments in the case of the alleged CEO killer Luigi Mangione. The story of a six-year-old's costly medical treatment is sure to shock those who aren't au fait with the US healthcare system, while a new instalment on Wednesday examines conspiracy theories. Hannah J Davies BBC Sounds, out now; further episodes on Wednesday 30 April Uncovering Roots A new run of Zila Demirjian and Maxim Saakyan's history show dedicated to untold stories from south-west Asia and north Africa. 'It feels like stepping into a memory … or maybe a dream,' says Demirjian of Aleppo's Baron Hotel, once a cultural and social hub frequented by Agatha Christie, now abandoned and frozen in time. HJD Widely available, episodes weekly Studio Radicals View image in fullscreen Musical visions … sound engineer Marta Salogni. Photograph: Handout Marta Salogni has worked with Depeche Mode and FKA twigs, and sees herself as a translator who brings their musical visions to life. In this rich series from journalist Kate Hutchinson and audio company dCS, the record producer and other leading women in the industry dissect their creative processes. HJD Widely available, episodes weekly skip past newsletter promotion Sign up to What's On Free weekly newsletter Get the best TV reviews, news and features in your inbox every Monday Enter your email address Sign up Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain info about charities, online ads, and content funded by outside parties. For more information see our Newsletters may contain info about charities, online ads, and content funded by outside parties. For more information see our Privacy Policy . We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. after newsletter promotion Legacy: Stalin Another series of the podcast that reappraises the lives of figures from history. Afua Hirsch and Peter Frankopan turn their attention to Joseph Stalin to ask whether we should consider more than just the bad stuff (and, well, there really is a lot of it isn't there, from gulags and purges to the millions who died during Stalin's leadership of the Soviet Union). HJD Widely available, episodes weekly from Wednesday 30 April
The Guardian
24-02-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Pearl Mackie delves into murder: best podcasts of the week
Hosts Pearl Mackie, Emma Sidi and Kiell Smith-Bynoe claim to be 'reinvestigating' the infamous 1907 'Camden Town Murder' – via 'reimagining key moments' (read: inventing dialogue) with hammy accents. True crime can feel exploitative, and given that a real person – 22-year-old Emily Dimmock – died in this case, not all listeners will find an attempt to turn it into chucklesome light entertainment to be in the best taste. Alexi Duggins Widely available from Tue 25th February, episodes weekly An absorbing investigation into Gareth's claims that when he was a 14-year-old student at a prestigious school, he felt like a 'lucky boy' to be in a relationship with the teacher that everybody fancied. Host Chloe Hadjimatheou asks: what does it mean when the abuser is an attractive woman? Hollie Richardson Tortoise, all episodes out on Tue 25th February Who are the people who send scam texts/emails? This shocking show about the gangs with whole organisations dedicated to deceit focuses on a young Thai man who thought he was getting a legitimate job, only to be held captive in an armed compound and made to send messages 14 hours a day. His sister's daring rescue attempt helps propel the narrative. AD Widely available, episodes weekly High-tech sex trafficking, aliens, a top-secret military operation – or something a little more prosaic? This podcast about a string of spooky drone sightings across the US will surely hook you in with its wild theories and X-Files-esque soundtrack. Although whether host Gabe Lenners gets to the bottom of it all is yet to be seen. HJD Widely available, episodes weekly Dan Hooper is a comedy writer for Radio 4's The News Quiz. Here, he turns his hand to something more idiosyncratic – and it works. Based on his own experiences growing up in the small Welsh town of Haverfordwest, supplemented with some offbeat embellishments, these strange little monologues are brimming with dry wit and unlikely twists. Hannah J Davies Widely available, episodes monthly
