
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
| Publishes | Twice weekly | Episodes | 235 | Founded | 5 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Category | Comedy | |||

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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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
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.
Thanks Sami
Great Podcast that gives a an alternative perspective (geographically and otherwise) - and it's funny, too.
Sami reminds me a bit of Mehdi Hasan - such an excellent command of language, but also much funnier than Mehdi
Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
Apple Podcasts | #208 |
Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.
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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.
Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for News Weakly. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to News Weakly and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.
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1. The Chaser Report
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4. Realms Unknown
5. Democracy Sausage with Mark Kenny
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.
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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
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