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The Bugle
Real Housewives of the UN
This week, Andy Zaltzman is joined by Anuvab Pal and Tiff Stevenson for a global sweep of OH GOD NOT ANOTHER WEEK LIKE THIS. At least we have a fun top story...
🤖 In Albania, the government now has an AI Minister. Is this the future of politics, or just the first step toward being ruled by ChatGPT in a suit?
🇺🇸 In America, chaos reigns yet again—scandals, dysfunction, and a national mood that can best be described as “existential shrug.”
🇬🇧 Meanwhile in the UK, the far right edges further into the conversation. We ask: what does this mean, and will they sue if you call them far right?
🧭 And in history news: Marco Polo. Explorer? What exactly did he do?
🎧 Support The Bugle! Come to our live stream. Get bonus episodes, exclusive videos, and the smugness of a Team Bugle subscription: thebuglepodcast.com
📺 Watch Realms Unknown on YouTube
Produced by Chris Skinner and Laura Turner.
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4359. Space Junk, Big Trains & Hot Potatoes - Bugle 4359
49:24||Season 6, Ep. 4359The Bugle turns 18 — and we’re not done celebrating yet! In Part 2 of our birthday special, Andy Zaltzman is joined by Alice Fraser and Nish Kumar to take a sideways look at some of the week’s more alternative headlines.🚆 UK News: Double-decker trains could be coming to Britain — but is it a great leap forward, or just a taller disaster waiting to happen?🛰️ Australian News: Space junk keeps falling from the sky. Should we be worried, or is this just nature’s way of redecorating the Outback?📚 Online News: Wikipedia turns out to be even stranger than you remember — and possibly more reliable than your uncle’s Facebook feed.🥔 Bugle Hot Potato: Producer Chris Skinner finally reveals the results of our first-ever Bugle audience survey, and the findings are… troubling, hilarious, and statistically unsound.🎉 It’s been 18 years of world events, weird news, and questionable analysis — and somehow we’re still here.🎧 Support The Bugle! Become a Team Bugle subscriber for bonus episodes, exclusive videos, and the smug glow of loyalty: thebuglepodcast.com📺 Watch Realms Unknown on this YouTube channel.Produced by Chris Skinner and Laura Turner
4358. Warships of the Caribbean - With John Oliver
42:39||Season 6, Ep. 4358This week, Andy is joined by special guest John Oliver for a very special reunion episode of The Bugle.🏛️ From the White House: The latest updates from the most powerful building in the world — still home to confusion, scandal, and policy made via impulse tweet.🎨 The Louvre Heist: Art! Intrigue! Security guards on lunch! We break down the most stylish theft of the year and ask the big question: if you steal art ironically, does it count?📻 Bugle Nostalgia: Andy and John take a stroll down Bugle memory lane, reminiscing about the early days of international nonsense, awkward satire, and moments that aged about as well as a banana in the sun.Expect high-brow theft, low-brow politics, and top-tier Bugle chemistry.Bugle Christmas Jumpers/Sweaters are now on sale - this is a one time thing: thebuglepodcast.comProduced by Chris Skinner and Laura Turner.
4357. No Kings, and Barely a Prince
44:04||Season 6, Ep. 4357This week, Andy Zaltzman is joined by Tom Ballard and Ria Lina for another round of international nonsense.👑 TOP STORY: Prince Andrew has officially been fired. We look at what happens when a royal loses his job — and his headed notepaper. 🇬🇧 OTHER UK NEWS: China has threatened the UK following the collapse of a major trial and some truly diplomatic chaos. But why are they targeting dweebs called Chris? And does this extend to The Bugle’s own producers? (We hope not, Chris.)🇺🇸 US NEWS: No Kings! Americans are once again protesting monarchy — real, imagined, and symbolic. It’s a weird time to love liberty and hate coronations.🤸 SPORTS NEWS: Indonesia has banned Israel from gymnastics competition, sparking debates that require some serious mental gymnastics to follow.🎟️ Don’t miss The Bugle Live Stream! Join us on 26th October for a live Bugle you can watch in real time. Grab your tickets now at thebuglepodcast.com.🎧 Support The Bugle! Become a Team Bugle subscriber for bonus episodes, exclusive videos, and a smug sense of global awareness: thebuglepodcast.com📺 Watch Realms Unknown on YouTubeProduced by Chris Skinner and Laura Turner.
4356. Can Russian AI get thrown out of Windows?
45:51||Season 6, Ep. 4356This week, Andy Zaltzman is joined by Hari Kondabolu and Alice Fraser for another round of global absurdity and barely contained disbelief.🕊️ We begin in the Middle East, where “peace” has apparently broken out — at least according to the press releases. But what’s Trump’s role in it all, and can a man who once tried to buy Greenland really solve millennia of conflict?🤖 Then we dive into the weird world of AI, where influencer Tilly Norwood is reshaping tech headlines, ethics, and possibly humanity’s sanity.🦁 In animal news, we meet pescatarian lions — proving that even apex predators can try a new diet (or are just really bad hunters).👮♂️ And in South Korea, a holographic police officer is now on duty. Finally, a cop who can’t arrest you but can give you nightmares.🎧 Support The Bugle! Get bonus episodes, exclusive video editions, and moral superiority at thebuglepodcast.com📺 Watch Realms Unknown on YouTube, and pick up A Passion for Passion - The Audiobook on our site.Produced by Chris Skinner and Laura Turner.
4355. This Episode is Tr*mp Free!
46:46||Season 6, Ep. 4355This week, Andy Zaltzman is joined by Helen Zaltzman for a transcendental episode of The Bugle — one that’s proudly, intentionally, and gloriously Trump-free.👼 We turn our attention to higher beings — spiritual, celestial, and possibly bureaucratic. Are they watching us? Guiding us? Or just muting Earth’s notifications?🐒 In animal news, we ponder what our furry co-inhabitants might think of humanity’s latest efforts at intelligence — artificial or otherwise.💘 And speaking of which… relationships with AI. Love in the time of algorithms: when your soulmate’s a chatbot and your toaster knows too much.Expect enlightenment, existential dread, and at least one argument about whether your phone is judging you.🎧 Support The Bugle! Get bonus episodes, exclusive videos, and the smug serenity of a Team Bugle subscription: thebuglepodcast.com📺 Watch Realms Unknown on YouTube, and pick up the audiobook for A Passion for Passion here: thebuglepodcast.comProduced by Chris Skinner and Laura Turner.
4354. Sorry Iran, it's Cost-No
53:22||Season 6, Ep. 4354This week, Andy Zaltzman is joined by Josh Gondelman and James Nokise for a satirical sprint through the week’s most surreal headlines.🇺🇸 Trump at the UN — the world’s most chaotic diplomat-in-chief takes his brand of bluster to the global stage. What did he say this time, and did anyone manage to stay awake?🐒 In Palau, macaques are making mischief—proof that not all international crises involve humans (though these monkeys are giving it a good go).⛳ And at the Ryder Cup, golf’s most polite competition turns into a not-so-polite chaos-fest. Who lost their cool? Who lost their balls? And how did it all go so very wrong?🎧 Support The Bugle! Get bonus episodes, exclusive video editions, and a warm glow of smug satisfaction: thebuglepodcast.com📺 Watch Realms Unknown on YouTubeProduced by Chris Skinner and Laura Turner. Herded by macaques.
4353. What a State
48:36||Season 6, Ep. 4353This week, Andy Zaltzman is joined by Nish Kumar and Sara Barron for a globe-spanning episode of satire, scandal, and despair.💻 Don’t miss our live stream! Join us on 26th October for a Bugle you can watch in real time. Tickets available now at thebuglepodcast.com.🇺🇸 In the US, late-night comedy takes a hit as Jimmy Kimmel gets cancelled—we unpack what it says about culture, politics, and the endless churn of outrage.🇬🇧 Across the pond, Donald Trump visits the UK, oh please.🇵🇸 And Palestine, what a state.🎧 Support The Bugle! Subscribe for bonus episodes, exclusive videos, and smug satisfaction: thebuglepodcast.comProduced by Chris Skinner and Laura Turner.
4351. (Strong)men Making Friends
49:11||Season 6, Ep. 4351This week, Andy Zaltzman is joined by Alice Fraser and Nato Green for a world tour through... 🇨🇳 In China, the latest “conference” brings together a rogues’ gallery of global strongmen. At least it’s nice to see Men Having Friends—even if those friends are terrifying.🇺🇸 In the US, the rebranded Department of War makes a bold statement, and bad rhymes.🇬🇧 Meanwhile in the UK, the government is serving up yet another omnishambles⚽ And in sport: once again, Trump nearly ruined it. Because of course he did.Plus we announce major guests for our live show...exciting! #JohnnyShowbiz🎧 Support The Bugle! Get bonus episodes, exclusive videos, and that smug Team Bugle glow: thebuglepodcast.com📺 Watch Realms Unknown on YouTube, and pick up A Passion for Passion here: Bookshop.orgProduced by Chris Skinner and Laura Turner.