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Giles Coren Has No Idea
The Secret Diary of Giles Coren aged 13 ¾
Ep. 140
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Artist Jonathan Yeo has painted luminaries such as Tony Blair, David Cameron and most recently the King. He has also painted Giles (twice) and Esther’s sister. As old friends of Jonathan, Giles and Esther are well placed to guide the philistines of Instagram through his artistic talents.
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt is seeking to reassure the nation that all is well in the UK. Unfortunately, his lacklustre writing style is the least of his problems; he has an 800 year old tax rebate and a batty flautist to sort out first.
A new carrot and carrot approach to the obesity crisis is showing positive results. Are incentives the way forward to change behaviours…? How much to make people pronounce semaglutide correctly…?
Finally, Giles gets in touch with his feminine side in the swimming pool, once he has buried his acorns…
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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?164. It's cancer but it's not a tragedy - Giles opens up about his "heartbreaking diagnosis".
26:47||Ep. 164This week Giles revealed that he had been diagnosed with cancer. In this week’s episode he relives the moment he found out and the responses of those around him, and his own. Is it a big deal “it’s only a dash of cancer after all?” Or are he and Esther in denial? They consider the language around cancer and wonder why Bob hasn’t been in touch…?For some light-hearted distraction a one hundred and thirty four page document on how to speak to passengers, ye gods! How to enunciate HampSTEAD and ringing endorsements - “Buy this book it was written by a human.”163. Don't mention the Jews
27:15||Ep. 163Giles has modified his coffee intake and is ready to tackle the pressing issues of the week.First up, say it loud say it proud – Jew! Easier said than done for some…but why is that? Could “People of Nose” be a better option?The touchy-feely millennial generation may actually be the hardest of the lot; they’re embracing the potential return of the death penalty.After being overheard making sexual comments Wynn Evans left the strictly live tour to “priorities my wellbeing.” Esther has little sympathy, but Giles wonders about the BBC’s casting policy – “We’d like a blokey bloke please…oh god not one like that!”Finally, what is the secret to a good face lift? Don’t have one is Esther’s tip but is it too late for Gwyneth Paltrow and other multi-millionaires..?162. Went Woke, Went Broke!
26:47||Ep. 162Lots of laughs in this week’s episode. As Harrow school adopts a therapy puppy, will there be a similar puppy on a bursary…? Either way don’t expect the canines to bring much happiness.The good literary agency is closing. Were they victims of the culture war or the marketplace? Giles thinks he knows the answer.A conversation about clever footballers brings up stereotypes but gone are the days when it is acceptable to mock the working classes, Brian. Giles has a brilliant business idea; three products, one audience and a lot of exclamation marks!161. "I'm going to stand here till you get fat!"
27:30||Ep. 161After a busy but very enjoyable Christmas Giles and Esther return to ponder some of the talking points of the week.What is a work life balance and how does one get one? How do you wire a plug – why not ask one of Giles many deceased relatives. Is post war rationing the root cause of child obesity? Finally, how to play Fagin without bowing to stereotype and… stop climbing Everest!160. The Corens' Second Christmas Quiz
32:07||Ep. 160As described in the title - a fun festive quiz.We hope you enjoy it. If you do, please share.Merry Christmas, see you in the New Year.- 00:17|No new episode this week due to unforeseen circumstances. We'll be back next week with a Christmas Special. See you then.
159. Podcasts don’t get tougher than this
26:55||Ep. 159Where now for Gregg Wallace and the BBC? Esther is focused on the BBC’s HR department – what were they doing? Giles ponders the consequences of a decision made twenty years ago. And if this is the new bar for public opprobrium - who might be next? Board games at Christmas, marvellous. All the family sat round the fire, rolling the dice…until one falls asleep, one cheats, and one gets so competitive they flip the board and it all ends in tears. Excellent, let’s do it again next year. The governments new junk food advertising ban has caused quite a stir but what is it exactly? Have they really banned porridge, have they actually banned anything? Time for some clarity, insight and war time meal planning.158. What did you do in the Culture War, daddy?
27:12||Ep. 158Giles thought he was going to be cancelled due to his last two rather edgy pieces. One was about an Israeli restaurant and the other took a big bite out of the super-woke Jaguar re-brand. But, the total opposite happened and everyone loved them. It’s all in danger of going to Giles’s head and he toys with leaning in and becoming the UK’s answer to Joe Rogan. If the culture war is truly over, what happens next? And where does it leave a country that has just elected a government that is now totally out of fashion? Meanwhile, British Airways spends millions on doing up their First Class cabins rather than "...fixing their p***poor app."