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The Way They Were

W!ZARD Studios
Celebrity Relationships
Marriage
Romance
Hollywood
Mental Health
Celebrity Culture
Lily Allen
Divorce
Cheers
Chesney Hawkes
Reality Television
David Harbour
Katy Perry
Relationships
Chantelle Houghton
Preston
Celebrity Big Brother
Pop Culture
Fame
Diane Chambers

The podcast where every celebrity split is the one that got away. Each week comedians Grainne Maguire and Chantal Feduchin-Pate take a deep dive into a celebrity breakup, chosen by a special guest, that still lingers in their hearts and minds. We scour interviews, over-analyse iconic pictures and search for meaning in post-breakup media statements. Celeb gossip hounds will feel right at home, but ... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes165Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Comedy InterviewsHistoryComedy

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Artwork for The Way They Were

Latest Episodes

Emergency episode! Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater have split, and Gráinne and Chantal are diving headfirst into the Wickedly juicy chaos. Is Ariana trapped in a cycle of whirlwind romances and reinventions? How did Ethan Slater go from respected thea... more

In 2015, Bad Blood turned a rumoured fallout between two pop princesses into the biggest cold war of the 2010s, Taylor Swift and Katy Perry became locked in a feud fuelled by stolen dancers, subtweets, stan armies and forensic lyric analysis. This we... more

This week, Gráinne Maguire returns from SNL UK as we slip into the fallout between Sarah Jessica Parker and Kim Cattrall. On Sex and the City, Carrie and Samantha felt unbreakable. Off-screen? Pay disputes, mean girl accusations and contract disputes... more

Gráinne is back for a very special edition of The Way They Are book club, diving into Famesick by Lena Dunham. A memoir that reads less like a victory lap and more like a slow, uneasy unravelling, it takes in blind-item anecdotes, her breakup with Ja... more

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Accepts Guests
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Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

Michelle Shaughnessy
Bravo gossip commentator guest
Bravo reality TV scene
Episode: Real Housewives Gossip with Michelle Shaughnessy
Bella Hull
Guest on episode
SNL UK writer/comedian
Episode: Sabrina Carpenter and Barry Keoghan with Bella Hull
Esther Manito
Comedian and guest on the episode
Comedian
Episode: Jennifer Lopez and Diddy with Esther Manito
Rosalie Minnitt
Actress and comedian, currently on tour with her new show Clementine.
Episode: Napoleon and Josephine with Rosalie Minnitt
Tracie Egan Morrissey
Pop culture expert and host of Potpsychology
Potpsychology
Episode: Kim Kardashian & Kanye West with Tracie Egan Morrissey
Stuart McPherson
Comedian and guest on the podcast
Comedian
Episode: Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren with Stuart McPherson
Tiger Woods
Professional golfer whose relationship is being analyzed.
Episode: Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren with Stuart McPherson
Elin Nordegren
Ex-wife of Tiger Woods and subject of discussion.
Episode: Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren with Stuart McPherson
Chelsea Birkby
Comedian and Kardashian expert
Episode: Chelsea Birkby: Khloé Kardashian and Lamar Odom (Our first ever Kardashian episode!)

Hosts

Gráinne Maguire
Host of The Way They Were; co-host with broad TV and comedy background
Chantal Feduchin-Pate
Co-host with a background in comedy and pop culture commentary

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 253 ratings
  • Tough listen

    Both of these women constantly sound like they have too much saliva in their mouths at all times

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    061692
    Canadaa month ago
  • Disappointed

    I am a new listener to this podcast and was excited to see the preview of the Real Housewives episode. The conversation about Boz did leave me a bit uneasy though, the comments calling her a bully felt disproportionate and loaded, coupled with the constant mispronunciation of her name, it all left a sour taste in my mouth.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Schnia Schnomas
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • Hilarious broads!

    I found this pod thanks to the Brian Safi episode and now I’m hooked! These ladies are delightful and hilarious… and I share the love for their patron saint Cher.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    DJCurlzzz
    United States5 months ago
  • Get a Map

    Chantal wishes us all good versions of the varieties of celebrations in December…then call Grainne British. How on earth is this STILL unchallenged.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Garryowen House
    Ireland6 months ago
  • Fun, funny and interesting

    Love this podcast! Both hosts are hilarious and it’s a fun trip down memory lane.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Lydia1500
    United Kingdoma year ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners praise the hosts' humor and deep dives into nostalgia and celebrity gossip.
Some listeners feel the dynamic and mispronunciations can be off-putting for new listeners.
Fans love the blend of research, banter, and candid takes on high-profile breakups.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Jennifer Lopez and Diddy with Esther Manito
Q: Why do you think their relationship lasted only two years despite the intensity and media fascination?
Because the dynamic was unstable and fueled by fame, power, and constant public scrutiny; personal values and loyalty took a backseat to the image and external pressures, leading to an unsustainable mix.
Jennifer Lopez and Diddy with Esther Manito
Q: Esther, can you imagine and talk us through what it would be like going on a date night with Jennifer Lopez and Puff Daddy?
A night would likely blend high glamour with a lot of performative showmanship, where conversation feels secondary to the image—an experience more about spectacle and status than intimate connection.
Napoleon and Josephine with Rosalie Minnitt
Q: Why do you think ultimately Napoleon and Josephine couldn't make it work?
Rosalie suggests Napoleon's ego and ambition overshadowed their relationship, leading to Josephine's emotional decline while Chantal mentions that once Josephine conformed to Napoleon's expectations, he lost interest, reflecting a common theme in relationships.
Ian Smith: Effie Gray & John Ruskin (A Very Victorian Scandal)
Q: Ian, why could they not make it work?
It seems as well like he, all he really wanted to do was to like read and study. I don't think he wanted to go out and do anything.
Chelsea Birkby: Khloé Kardashian and Lamar Odom (Our first ever Kardashian episode!)
Q: Why do you think they still seem so besotted with each other?
Chelsea reflects on how Khloé is likely still in love with Lamar from the early stages of their relationship, whereas Lamar's love seems directed towards the present version of Khloé.

Audience Metrics

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Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Way They Were

What is The Way They Were about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A witty, entertainment-focused show that investigates celebrity breakups through deep-dive discussions, data-backed context, and playful banter. Each episode spotlights a couple or relationship, with a rotating panel of guests and a long-running duo of hosts who blend nostalgia, media analysis, and humor to unpack how fame, money, and public narratives shape separations. Noteworthy aspects include candid takes, strong host chemistry, and a format that blends fan service with thoughtful critique, making it appealing to listeners who love pop culture historiography as much as laughs.

Where can I find podcast stats for The Way They Were?

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How many listeners does The Way They Were get?

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What are the audience demographics for The Way They Were?

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How many subscribers and views does The Way They Were have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Way They Were has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to The Way They Were?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Way They Were:

1. Miss Me?
2. The Rest Is Entertainment
3. Sidetracked with Annie and Nick
4. Sara & Cariad's Weirdos Book Club
5. How To Fail With Elizabeth Day

How many episodes of The Way They Were are there?

The Way They Were launched 5 years ago and published 165 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 The Way They Were?

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Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Way They Were?

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What guests have appeared on The Way They Were?

Recent guests on The Way They Were include:

1. Michelle Shaughnessy
2. Bella Hull
3. Esther Manito
4. Rosalie Minnitt
5. Tracie Egan Morrissey
6. Stuart McPherson
7. Tiger Woods
8. Elin Nordegren

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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