Giles Coren Has No Idea

Recent research suggests that most men don't understand what the menopause is. But Giles is not most men, he has a thorough grasp of the topic...or so he thinks until Esther sets him straight. What is it, how will it affect Esther, and can he do anything to help? All good questions, but sadly lost as he is distracted by an image of a very specific type of queue outside the GP’s surgery. Giles and...

It has been a pretty bad week for Giles. His article on Zionism generated a mixed reaction, gaining support from some but rebuke from others. Does hearing Esther’s take on the matter cause him to rethink? A more domestic problem is Esther’s birthday, or rather her present. For once Giles was well prepared, he’d chosen the perfect gift well ahead of time. He knows where he left it, where it should...

In a recent interview George Clooney said he and his wife Amal never argue. The Clooneys may not, but the Corens most certainly do! And, as if my magic they demonstrate how to have a good argument…three times…in half an hour! Everything is going well until Giles attempts some in pod production, then there is an unexpected phone call, followed by more production disagreements. It all proves too muc...

A 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 Luc...

Esther 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, thi...

How 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? J...

"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...

What 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 t...

Parenting, 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 ze...

Does 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...

This 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...

Giles 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 sexua...

Lots 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 wh...

After 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!   Hosted on...

As 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

No new episode this week due to unforeseen circumstances. We'll be back next week with a Christmas Special. See you then. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Where 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 competitiv...

Giles 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,...

After a very quick diversion round rats learning to drive this week’s episode begins with a debate over farmers and inheritance tax – a tax dodge for the affluent or a hit to hard working farmers? Giles leans on his knowledge of the French Revolution and his own experience of tax ‘manoeuvring’.  Zoe Ball is stepping down from the Radio 2 breakfast show. Is it really to spend more time with he...

As the Archbishop of Canterbury resigns Giles asks the key question - does anyone care? Following Donald Trump’s election victory there is a rumour doing the rounds that some rich celebrities plan to leave the US for Britain. Do we want them, does anywhere want them? Might they be in for a surprise with the reality of modern London not quite matching the dream… How does one deal with a moth infest...

What do Kamala Harris and QPR have in common? Giles and Esther react to the breaking news that Donald Trump is back as the American President. They ponder the reasons and how to break the news to a despondent teenager. Any mood can be lifted by a good cheese trolly, some people can even build a career off the back of a cheese trolly. Can being married also keep one chipper? Depends on who you’re m...

Is Kemi Badenoch rude, or just straight talking? Esther has changed her ways and now plays a very polite tactical game; Giles on the other hand takes too much pleasure in expressing his true feelings in glorious technicolour. Who cares if its rude. It’s all change at British Airways as they switch from lunch to brunch on many flights; Esther isn’t sure what all the fuss is about… How do you get a...

Tomorrow is the big day! Budget Day looms, and we're bringing you a special feature from The Times' brand new show: Feel Better About Money. In her inaugural money chat, Holly Mead is talking about budgeting and the budget. She looks at the many different aspects of money to help you make better financial decisions about pensions, mortgages, investments. With so many suggestions, rumours and suppo...

Are Sir Keir Starmer and Angela Raynor following in the footsteps of The Coren's builders – telling you how bad the previous tradesmen were? Who is in charge around here? Giles has a boomer bee in his bonnet and wonders if they’re just struggling to accept their waning influence in society. He takes to the comments to do battle; but he certainly doesn’t call them c…. ! Ozempic may be a miracle dru...

All change this week as The Corens are having work done – brick work not cosmetic work. As a result, they have decamped to someone else’s house…it prompts discussion about interior decor and the ‘Sandbanks House Wars’ where multi-millionaires are competing to build the grandest home. It turns out Christopher Columbus was Jewish; unfortunately, now he has been branded imperialist and racist its 500...