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Artwork for News Weakly

News Weakly with Sami Shah

Sami Shah
Australia
Gaza
Donald Trump
Israel
Peter Dutton
Iran
News Satire
Hamas
Pakistan
Palestine
Anti-Semitism
Pauline Hanson
Anthony Albanese
Sudan
Kate Middleton
United States
Ukraine
Trump
Islamophobia
Melbourne

News Weakly is the sharpest, funniest, and most professional news satire podcast in Australia—where we punch the news in the headlines… weakly.

Hosted by multi-award-winning comedian, journalist, and author Sami Shah, the show delivers a fast-paced, fiercely intelligent breakdown of the biggest stories in politics, global affairs, and culture. With a background that spans stand-up comedy, radio br... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes235Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Comedy

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for News Weakly

Latest Episodes

This week on News Weakly, Sami Shah marks America's 250th birthday by asking what its greatest populist, Huey Long, can teach us about Donald Trump, democracy, and why every generation keeps looking for a king.

Plus, Australia's aged care system dis... more

This week on News Weakly, Sami Shah explains why Donald Trump's favourite movie might also explain his foreign policy.

From Jean-Claude Van Damme's Bloodsport to the Iran war, this episode explores the dangers of confusing spectacle with strategy, h... more

Every week, Sami Shah (ABC, The Gadfly)—comedian, journalist, and award-winning writer of words—breaks down the biggest stories with just enough sarcasm to keep us from screaming into the void.

🎟 Tickets for the 150th episode live show are on sale ... more

NEWS WEAKLY 161 – 31st May, 2025

This week on News Weakly, Tony Abbott emerges from the political crypt, COVID returns for its remix tour, and Gaza and Sudan redefine “humanitarian aid” into a phrase meaning “good luck, you’re on your own.” All that... more

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Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

Grace Tame
Tasmanian survivor advocate and public figure
Autistic AF podcast host, advocate for survivors
Episode: Grace Tame, Charlie Pickering & The Cancellation Olympics
Charlie Pickering
Australian television host and comedian
ABC programs (The Weekly, The Project)
Episode: Grace Tame, Charlie Pickering & The Cancellation Olympics
Jessica Maggio
State political reporter
ABC Victoria
Episode: 207 - Ceasefire Pending, Rejected, Threatened, Walked Back, Re-Threatened!
Ahmed Al Ahmed
Syrian immigrant and hero who disarmed a gunman
Not mentioned
Episode: News Weakly 194 - Ahmed Al Ahmed teaches Journalism 101
Mark Humphries
One of Australia's funniest political satirists
ABC TV, Channel 7
Episode: 168 - Mark Humphries gets thoughtful about satire
Dave Anthony
Host of the comedy history podcast The Dollop.
The Dollop
Episode: News Weakly: Dave Anthony Edition
Fatima Payman
Former Labour senator and current senator in Australia, known for wearing a hijab and her political activism.
Senate of Australia
Episode: News Weakly Issue 129
Mushfiqul Faisal Ansari
DC-based Bangladeshi journalist
Episode: News Weakly Issue 122
Nuzrat Chowdhury
Associate Professor of Anthropology at Amherst College
Amherst College
Episode: News Weakly Issue 122

Host

Sami Shah
Journalist and comedian with a background in news media and political commentary.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 334 ratings
  • Great comedy - terrible theme music

    Hi Sami,

    I like your takes - but the whole over-the-top Star Wars Theme music that’s pervasive is very annoying to me. Can you re-jig this so I don’t wanna turn it off in the first 15 second (maybe 35 seconds?) of OTT music….

    Keith - Brisbane

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Keith Duddy
    Australia2 months ago
  • Razor-sharp hilarious cleverness

    Happier and somehow smarter - that’s how I feel after listening to Sami. His factual observation about One Nation being the political equivalent of shouting at the radio made me snort my coffee out my nose.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    SuzyQ73
    Australia3 months ago
  • Great pod

    Thanks Sami

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    emily.colour
    Australia3 months ago
  • Great Podcast that gives a an alternative perspective (geographically and otherwise) - and it's funny, too.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    malborghetto
    4 months ago
  • Newsworthy and hilarious

    Sami reminds me a bit of Mehdi Hasan - such an excellent command of language, but also much funnier than Mehdi

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ShannynF
    United States4 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Many say the show is informative, witty, and consistently engaging, with strong takes on global affairs.
Listeners praise the host's sharp, funny, and insightful political analysis.
Audiences appreciate balanced, contextual critiques that challenge power without being preachy.
Guests and topics are praised for their depth and relevance to current events.
Listeners highlight the show's ability to entertain while tackling tough issues.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#208
Australia/Comedy

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

168 - Mark Humphries gets thoughtful about satire
Q: How does your comedy approach differ between mainstream news and satire?
Mark notes that while mainstream media needs to maintain a more neutral stance, satire has the freedom to express opinions and elicit emotional reactions, often grounded in factual concepts.
168 - Mark Humphries gets thoughtful about satire
Q: What brought you to this genre? Why news satire?
Mark explains that he fell backwards into news satire through an internship on a daily news comedy show, where he gradually learned and engaged with political topics.
News Weakly: Dave Anthony Edition
Q: What's your prediction for the upcoming election?
I honestly have no idea who will win this election; it's the first time I have no clue.
News Weakly: Dave Anthony Edition
Q: What do you think is the logic behind Democrats considering former enemies like the Cheneys?
They're attempting to gather support from anti-Trump Republicans while risking their traditional voter base.
News Weakly: Dave Anthony Edition
Q: What the fuck is going on in the United States of America?
It's really hard for people to understand because honestly, most people in America don't understand either.

Audience Metrics

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Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
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Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About News Weakly

What is News Weakly about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A fast-paced, sharp-witted take on politics, global affairs, and culture that blends rigorous analysis with satire. The host delivers rapid-fire commentary on Australian politics, policy debates (NDIS, budgeting, media ethics), and international flashpoints, often with a humorous reframing of complex issues. Episodes frequently skew officials, media narratives, and corporate missteps, while offering context and perspective that can be both insightful and entertaining. Notable strengths include a consistent, punchy monologue style, solo deep-dives with strong observational humor, and a willingness to tackle hard topics without becoming preachy, making it appealing to listeners who want both information and wit.

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Which podcasts are similar to News Weakly?

These podcasts share a similar audience with News Weakly:

1. The Chaser Report
2. If You're Listening
3. After America
4. Realms Unknown
5. Democracy Sausage with Mark Kenny

How many episodes of News Weakly are there?

News Weakly launched 5 years ago and published 235 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 News Weakly?

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What guests have appeared on News Weakly?

Recent guests on News Weakly include:

1. Grace Tame
2. Charlie Pickering
3. Jessica Maggio
4. Ahmed Al Ahmed
5. Mark Humphries
6. Dave Anthony
7. Fatima Payman
8. Mushfiqul Faisal Ansari

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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