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Artwork for James O'Brien's Mystery Hour

James O'Brien's Mystery Hour

Global
Dogs
Cats
Pheasants
Evolution
Face ID
Horse Racing
Time Zones
Rainbows
Finger Reattachment
Geordies
Bird Behavior
Laughter
Tea
Drinking Etiquette
Left-Handedness
Black and White
Wind Speed
Race
Child Development
Downing Street

If you've ever wondered "why", then this is the hour for you. Sometimes simple, sometimes intelligent, but almost always entertaining, probably the best hour of radio you could ever download! You can email the show below and get involved at any time jamesobrienshow@global.com for regular listeners or jamesobrienPlus@global.com for subscribers. For advertising opportunities on this podcast, email: ... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes620Founded13 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ComedySociety & Culture

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for James O'Brien's Mystery Hour

Latest Episodes

This is a catch-up version of James O'Brien's Mystery Hour. To join the game, call 0345 60 60 973, Thursdays at 12pm.

This is a catch-up version of James O'Brien's Mystery Hour. To join the game, call 0345 60 60 973, Thursdays at 12pm.

This is a catch-up version of James O'Brien's Mystery Hour. To join the game, call 0345 60 60 973, Thursdays at 12pm.

This is a catch-up version of James O'Brien's Mystery Hour. To join the game, call 0345 60 60 973, Thursdays at 12pm.

Key Facts

Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

Recent Guests

Natasha Clark
Correspondent providing breaking-news updates on the resignation
LBC / Global
Episode: Ducks in the sea?
Ian Brown
Former broadcaster and commentator, guest on the show
Torque Sports (former)
Episode: How do football commentators remember players?
Gina Fogarty
Commentary contributor arriving in studio
Episode: How do football commentators remember players?
Guy Cuney
Editor of News Wireless
News Wireless
Episode: Why are slugs coming for my dishwasher?

Host

James O'Brien
Host of Mystery Hour; known for guiding fast-paced call-ins with humor and rapid explanations.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 1.4k ratings
  • I can't get enough of James O'Brien! So smart and funny. He and Ian Dunt should do a podcast.

    Podchaser
    5
    Erin Peck
    6 months ago
  • He built it, we came

    Truly excellent, supported by a cast of thousands

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    bandapro
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • James Obrien mystery hour

    Very Interesting lots of great info ℹ️ and questions.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Pfjhfhrhr
    Canada2 years ago
  • Very funny

    James is funny and sarcastic. He enforces the rules as they should. Best presenter on LBC. The show is light relief for annoying train commutes.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    HM_01
    United Kingdom3 years ago
  • Great show!

    Wonderfully entertaining, brilliant mate!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    wfhvjhdbkuf
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the host's wit and the show's informative, entertaining bite.
Overall, feedback highlights strong value in learning through crowd-sourced, question-driven discussions.
Many praise the educational yet light-hearted approach, with engaging guest perspectives.
Some listeners criticize rude or patronising tone from the host, noting it can be hard to listen to for some.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#138
United Kingdom/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#146
Ireland/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#187
United Arab Emirates/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#228
South Africa/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#238
Colombia/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#244
Norway/Comedy

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Who's filtering these callers?
Q: Why do we pull a similar facial expression when listening to bass or a bad smell?
The same facial expression is connected to universal, involuntary physiological reactions to strong sensory stimuli, whether auditory or olfactory, indicating how our nervous system processes intense experiences.
I've got to smell my dog's paws
Q: Why do dog paws smell of popcorn, and is it normal?
Because of the mixture of sweat, oil, bacteria, and skin on the paw, which together create a savory odor often likened to popcorn; it's a common, normal canine trait.
What makes a crisp a crisp?
Q: What defines a crisp in terms of ingredients and processing?
The consensus leans toward a crisp being a fried slice of potato, though exceptions (like maize-based snacks) are debated, with some arguing that a true crisp must be a potato crisp and others noting industry classifications complicate the label.
What's the point of bay leaves?
Q: Why do we put bay leaves in food?
Bay leaves are used to contribute a subtle savory depth (umami) and to anchor oils and flavors during long cooking, acting as a culinary herb rather than delivering a strong, immediate taste.
Why does posh slang stay the same?
Q: What role do historical influences play in keeping posh pronunciation and terms stable?
Historical influences, such as post-revolution linguistic attitudes and deliberate avoidance of certain sounds as a marker of identity, contribute to maintaining specific speech patterns and vocabulary within posh circles over time.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About James O'Brien's Mystery Hour

What is James O'Brien's Mystery Hour about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show is a fast-paced, call-in Q&A that covers science, everyday phenomena, language quirks, and odd trivia, guided by a quick-witted host. Listeners drive the questions, with occasional experts and guests providing concise explanations that ground curiosity in fun, practical demonstrations. Topics range from physiology and meteorology to place-name origins, animal behavior, and pop culture trivia, often mixing humor with accessible science. A defining edge is the participatory, crowd-sourced format, which makes complex ideas approachable and endlessly rewatchable for fans who love learning through playful banter. A notable strength is its ability to surface surprising facts and crowd-sourced solutions in a lively, inclusive atmosphere, ... more

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How many listeners does James O'Brien's Mystery Hour get?

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How many subscribers and views does James O'Brien's Mystery Hour have?

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Which podcasts are similar to James O'Brien's Mystery Hour?

These podcasts share a similar audience with James O'Brien's Mystery Hour:

1. James O'Brien - The Whole Show
2. Full Disclosure with James O'Brien
3. James O'Brien Daily
4. The News Agents
5. The Rest Is Entertainment

How many episodes of James O'Brien's Mystery Hour are there?

James O'Brien's Mystery Hour launched 13 years ago and published 620 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact James O'Brien's Mystery Hour?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

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What guests have appeared on James O'Brien's Mystery Hour?

Recent guests on James O'Brien's Mystery Hour include:

1. Natasha Clark
2. Ian Brown
3. Gina Fogarty
4. Guy Cuney

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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