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Giles Coren Has No Idea
Each week Giles Coren finds himself with no idea what to write about in his weekly column. Having read all the papers and found nothing of interest whatsoever, he takes a break and does the school run. That’s where his wife and fellow journalist Esther...
Each week Giles Coren finds himself with no idea what to write about in his weekly column. Having read all the papers and found nothing of interest whatsoever, he takes a break and does the school run. That’s where his w
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171. Happiness is a Stupid Husband
28:07||Ep. 171A piece of ground breaking research suggests women are tending to marry men less educated than themselves. Twas ever thus… Esther and Giles are on trend, they have a ‘marriage of unequals’ with Esther technically more educated than Giles.A new AI concept offers the chance to talk with fictional characters in books. Might Giles one day be able to chat with Hamlet…the app may prefer he stick to Lucy the turtle for now. Does Badger from Wind in the Willows have a dark secret?In recent weeks Jeff Bezos and David Beckham have each thrown very glamourous parties. But are such parties any good? Do the people attending actually have any fun?Finally, American singer Chappel Roan has lifted the lid on parents – they aren’t very happy. Of course not, they have children!Oh, and President Trump’s ‘liberation day’ tariffs are bound to fail, just don’t ask Esther why.
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170. The Truth About 'Adolescence'
27:40||Ep. 170Esther can’t bring herself to watch the much vaunted Netflix show ‘Adolescence’. Giles watched it and was deeply moved by it. They discuss just how hard parenting is and the complicated relationship between young people, their phones and social media. With a child able to have the world in the palm of their hand, what role does a parent have?Last week was a tribute to Group Captain Hemingway, this week the next generation of heroes have fallen foul of a judge over a stolen Paddington Bear statue, Giles pleads their case.Finally, I wish it could be Christmas everyday…because nothing bad happens then and it would work wonders for church numbers.169. Esther and Giles play 'Mr and Mrs'
27:36||Ep. 169How well do Giles and Esther know each other? Cue a game of Mr and Mrs. What A levels did they take, what were their childhood pets called…or let’s start simple: “What is your wife’s name?” It isn’t Farah Fawcett.Continuing the game theme Giles plays “what’s in the inflation basket this year? If tinned fish isn’t in there, it should be. If Esther can answer correctly, will she win a speed boat?Jeremy Clarkson is back with a Grand Tour spin off…except actually he isn’t, he only appears in archive footage. Is it about time to put the whole thing out of its misery… Finally, a respectful salute to Group Captain John ‘Paddy’ Hemingway, who died this week. He was the last known Battle of Britain pilot. Talk of him and his life stirs up emotional memories for both Giles and Esther leading to a teary end to the show.168. Boomers vs ADHD
26:41||Ep. 168"What's that Lassie? You think you might have ADHD?"Can Giles talk to the animals? Probably not, in fact research suggest none of us can. But does he have ADHD? Esther thinks he might. The prevalence of mental illness is on the rise, could TikTok be to blame? If you ask boomers, it's a case of "pull yourself together" but for Gen Z its "talking about your feelings is good". Giles and Esther take the middle ground and attempt to reconcile the two.Could a whole life’s worth be in a desk? A recent employment tribunal has ruled it might, Giles can understand the reasoning.Finally, they wonder if it is time to compensate their neighbours…167. Inside the Meghan Nightmare
26:25||Ep. 167What better way to spend pancake day than curling up to watch “With Love, Meghan”But what was it exactly, comedy, horror, a sad documentary? Despite wanting to like it Esther just couldn’t. Dinner and candles for imaginary guests, cooking in a cashmere jumper, dragon handlers and all in someone else’s house. Was it a case of advice not given or advice not taken?Another day, another step closer to Armageddon as President Trump continues his unique brand of negotiation - worryingly for Giles it is a tactic he uses himself.Debrett’s is yet to release a guide to ‘how to host President Trump’ but they do offer the very latest in how to eat Al Desko…166. Tough Talk for Gentle Parents
25:29||Ep. 166Parenting, President Trump and UK net zero - is it time for a reality check? Have the middle classes ruined parenting in the UK? Uber head Katharine Birbalsingh has spoken out on parenting methods, and it’s given Giles an idea for a book – “Parenting tips for the working class.” Do the travails of modern parenting have anything in common with the redrawing of post war alliances and UK net zero targets? Could it be that across the board things are a little too comfortable and it is time for shake up? Esther turns to the history books for the answer and espouses the benefits of upheaval and existential threat…purely from an objective standpoint. Anything is better than talking about toilets!165. Get Fit the Nazi Way
24:53||Ep. 165Does a 10k goosestep count as a workout? How many Sieg Heils build the perfect bicep? When faced with a Neo Nazi fitness class what can one do except laugh...?As half term approaches everyone in the world is going skiing, everyone except the Corens. Giles and Esther reiterate their disdain for ski holidays. Instead, they’ll be having a 1970’s style break; they’ll work while the kids stay at home and watch the latest season of White Lotus. The new Michelin guide is out but are the numerous new restaurants up to scratch? Perhaps more interesting is the challenge of a vegan restaurant making it onto the list.Lastly, why are people over fifty happier post pandemic…could it be because death is a little closer?Now, which way is Poland?