What The F Is Going On? with Mark Steel

Mark is joined by music journalist Simon Price, along with Elliot Steel, as he tries to make sense of Shane MacGowan's genius, Rishi Sunak's amnesia – and Elliot's worst ever gig!   Plus, Mike Concrete interviews a campaigner for the Welsh language, and – Rejoice! – it's The Liz Truss Guide To Christmas.   Get ad-free extended episodes, early access and exclusive content on Patreon: https://www.pa...

Mark is joined by columnist and political commentator Matthew Norman, along with Elliot Steel, as he tries to make sense of Boris Johnson at the Covid inquiry, Rishi Sunak's latest immigration rules – and how Matthew's hypochondria could solve the NHS's problems!   Plus, sympathetic financial advice from money-saving expert Martin Sunak – and a live session at the Covid Inquiry is interrupted by N...

Mark is joined by the wonderful Maria McErlane (actress, presenter, agony aunt)along with Elliot Steel, as he tries to make sense of Joe Biden, the Covid inquiry – and Maria's life story, as told through a series of bicycles!   Plus, a woman who Mark overheard in a cafe is upset at the situation in Gaza – and the broadcasting legend that isn't Mike Concrete interviews a grief counsellor.   Get ad-...

Mark is joined by comedian Sally-Anne Hayward, along with Elliot Steel, as he tries to make sense of the Covid inquiry, middle class shoplifting – and having an MRI scan at the zoo.   Plus, a woman on a phone-in show who's sick of the situation in Gaza – and Britain's most patriotic man Nigel Boulevard on his new £1.5 million trade deal with Australia.   Get ad-free extended episodes, early access...

Mark is joined by Andy Zaltzman of News Quiz, The Bugle and Test Match Special fame, along with Elliot Steel, as he tries to make sense of David Cameron's comeback, Nigel Farage in the outback, and Suella Braverman being sent back to the backbenches.   Plus, more financial advice from money-saving expert Martin Sunak – and the long awaited return of Nadine Boris!   Get ad-free extended episodes, e...

Mark is joined by comedian Nick Revell, along with Elliot Steel, as he tries to make sense of events in Gaza, Suella Braverman – and the world's sweariest vicar. (Contains very strong language!)   Plus, Mike Concrete interviews a fireworks safety expert – and a woman who Mark overheard in a cafe isn't happy with Suella Braverman's crackdown on people sleeping in tents.   Get ad-free extended episo...

Mark is joined by Rosie Holt for a special extended interview with the comedian whose Tory MP character has become an online phenomenon (and fooled plenty of people into the bargain!) Recorded before Mark's recent surgery, it's a funny and thought-provokingdiscussion that covers everything from Russell Brand to GB News – and asks what lockdown expert Chris Whitty is up to these days... Get ad-free...

Mark is joined by comedian Angela Barnes, along with Elliot Steel, as he tries to make sense of his recent cancer diagnosis.  And what better way to celebrate the 100th episode of the podcast than a cancer special? Nigel Boulevard rages against the European Cancer Quota, our very own George Galloway shares his views on the subject – and a woman who Mark heard on a phone-in show is sick of all thes...

In this special episode, Mark talks about his recent cancer diagnosis and asks “What The F*** Is Going On?” From big needles to biopsies to the Rolls Royce of scanning machines, it's a funny, moving and informative account of the rollercoaster ride that Mark has been on over the past few weeks since he noticed a lump in his neck when he was shaving.  And – spoiler alert! – the good news is it look...

Mark is joined by comedian Scott Bennett, along with Elliot Steel, as he tries to make sense of Seven Bins Sunak, the latest HS2 fiasco – and how anyone can manage to be offensive enough to getsuspended by GB News! Plus, Mike Concrete interviews an origami expert – and there's the latest instalment in the domestic dramas of a woman who Mark overheard in a cafe. Get ad-free extended episodes, early...

Mark is joined by Seann Walsh for a special extended interview, covering everything from getting PTSD after going on a dance show, to what it's like growing up with a father who's a heroin addict – and whether it's a suitable subject for comedy. Plus, why Mark would argue that (whether he thinks he is or not) Seann is actually a political comedian – and a disturbingly accurate impression of Stewar...

Mark is joined by comedian Rachel Fairburn, along with Elliot Steel, as he tries to make sense of the Spanish football president refusing to resign, Elliot making his audience faint in Edinburgh – and the RSPB demanding the overthrow of the Government! Plus, Nadine Boris's long-awaited resignation speech – and a remarkable revelation about Prince Andrew from Lieutenant Colonel Sir Ambrose Chislehu...

Mark is joined by Tom Walker (aka Jonathan Pie) for a special extended interview, covering everything from 'cancel culture' and causing offence, to the attitudes of the left (and the right) to humour and 'free speech'.  Plus, what happened when the BBC suggested it would be a good idea to have a swear word right at the start of "Call Jonathan Pie"... It's a fascinating and thought-provoking discus...

Mark is joined by comedian Nick Revell, along with Elliot Steel, as he tries to make sense of Stopping The Boats, Stopping The Boats, Stopping The Boats – and why the Tories now only have one policy. Plus, a woman who Mark heard on a phone-in show complaining about time-travelling Legionnaires being housed on a barge – and Nadine Boris is a surprise caller in this week's Saving With Sunak. Get ad-...

Mark is joined by actor and comedian Hugh Dennis, along with Elliot Steel, as he tries to make sense of dishonest politicians, early morning dog-walkers – and why Hugh is famous in Zimbabwe! Plus, multi-millionaire Martin Sunak hands out more financial advice in Saving With Sunak; and Britain's hardest working MP Nadine Boris shares another chapter of her novel: “The Plot – and How I Lost It.” Lis...

Mark is joined by comedian Michael Odewale, along with Elliot Steel, as he tries to make sense of Donald Trump's latest indictment, whether Ben Stokes practices Stoicism – and what Elliot is getting up to at the Edinburgh Festival. Plus, broadcasting legend Mike Concrete interviews a BMX rider – and a woman who Mark overheard in a cafe is concerned about the heatwave in Europe. Listen on Podurama ...

Mark is joined by comedian Stuart Goldsmith, along with Elliot Steel, as he tries to make sense of the climate crisis, southern Europe burning – and whether we should be worried that Rishi Sunak is rich enough to have access to a bunker. Plus, a woman who Mark heard on a phone-in show complaining about people escaping from Greek wildfires in small boats – and there's another extract from the diari...

Mark is joined by comedian Yacine Belhousse, along with Elliot Steel, as he tries to make sense of the Paris riots, the French philosophical approach to the work life balance – and why you can't get lamb flavour Pot Noodle. Plus, top tips from money-saving expert Martin Sunak (who recently eased the country’s money worries by telling us to ‘hold our nerve’) and an exclusive extract from Nadine Bor...

Mark is joined by comedian Nabil Abdulrashid, along with Elliot Steel, as he tries to make sense of the Sun's treatment of Huw Edwards; a Tory MP telling teachers they should strike in the school holidays – and the ornate crack pipes used by the crack connoisseurs of West Croydon! Plus, Mike Concrete interviews a British boxer who grew up in Nigeria – and a woman who Mark overheard in a cafe tries...

Mark is joined by Green Party MP Caroline Lucas for a special extended interview, covering everything from climate change to Jeremy Corbyn; from Progressive Alliances and PR to Labour Party tribalism – and how the f*** she managed to keep her temper when Boris Johnson was lying his head off in Parliament!  Impassioned, informative and funny – this is a must-hear interview! Get ad-free extended epi...

Mark is joined by comedy writer Pete Sinclair, along with Elliot Steel, as he tries to make sense of Rishi Sunak telling us to hold our nerve, what it was like writing for Spitting Image – and whether it's a coincidence that Mark and Pete both started out as milkmen! Plus, a woman who Mark heard on a phone-in show complaining about children identifying as cats – and deceased Yorkshire cricketer Fr...

Mark is joined by Angela Barnes and John O'Farrell from the We Are History podcast for a special extended interview, which asks the question “What The F*** Was Going On?” Mark talks to Angela and John about everything from tipping points in history, to whether 'good' and 'bad' people exist – and if so, whether we can safely put Hitler and Stalin in the latter category! Get ad-free extended episode...

Mark is joined by Jim Bob, lead singer of Carter USM, along with Elliot Steel, as he tries to make sense of Boris Johnson, Donald Trump – and why buses don't just change drivers at the end of the route. Plus, Nadine Boris has a meltdown – and Nigel Boulevard celebrates the return of the great British barbecue! Get ad-free extended episodes, early access and exclusive content on Patreon: https://ww...

Mark is joined by comedian Mick Ferry, along with Elliot Steel, as he tries to make sense of the Prince Harry phone-hacking trial, pub quizzes – and what a Mark Steel column would be like if it was written by an AI chatbot! Plus, Mike Concrete interviews a rambler – and there's a woman who Mark overheard in a cafe complaining about house prices falling. Get ad-free extended episodes, early access...

Mark is joined by Robin Ince, along with Elliot Steel, as he tries to make sense of the Covid inquiry, Phillip Schofield – and people who insist that the Earth is flat! Plus, a woman who Mark heard on a phone-in show complaining about phone hacking – and a remarkable anecdote about King Charles from Lieutenant Colonel Sir Ambrose Chislehurst-Diplodocus. Get ad-free extended episodes, early access...