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Artwork for What The F Is Going On?

What The F Is Going On? with Mark Steel

WTF Productions
Labour Party
Comedy
Mental Health
Boris Johnson
Brexit
Donald Trump
Jeremy Corbyn
UK Politics
Green Party
NHS
Cancer
Immigration
Racism
John Mcdonnell
Rishi Sunak
ADHD
Covid-19
Israel
Conservative Party
Elliot Steel

The world’s a mess, politics is ridiculous, and nobody seems to know what’s going on. Join Mark Steel as he sets out to make sense of the chaos — and maybe even figure out how we can fix it. Each week, Mark sits down with brilliant guests from comedy, politics and culture for funny, honest and occasionally furious conversations about modern life. Featuring guests including Miles Jupp, Jeremy Corby... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes244Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ComedySociety & Culture

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Artwork for What The F Is Going On?

Latest Episodes

This week, communications strategist Russell Warfield joins the show to discuss the shifting landscape of UK politics and the dramatic rise of the Green Party. Russell worked for the Greens for five years, ran the comms for the London 2021 elections ... more

We're taking a small break this week as Mark recovers from the Edinburgh Fringe and we transition into our exciting new format starting next week.

In the mean time please enjoy this classic episode with the fantastic Adam Rutherford.

Mark is joined... more

In this special episode, Mark sets out to answer some questions from his patreon supporters and rant about the state of the world. From harrowing festival flashbacks to the sheer madness of modern politics, Mark covers it all before his laptop batter... more

The hilarity and hard truths continue in Part 2 as Mark Steel and Rosie Jones dissect everything from music legends to British political absurdity. Mark recounts the agonizing heartbreak of missing Dolly Parton at Glastonbury to perform for 30 people... more

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Recent Guests

Rosie Jones
Comedian, author, and disability advocate
Episode: Ep 190 with Rosie Jones Pt 1: My Disability Is Not The Most interesting Thing About Me!
Sophie Willan
Actor, writer, and creator of Alma's Not Normal
Episode: Ep 189 with Sophie Willan (Live in London)
Andy Parsons
Comedian and guest on the episode
Episode: Ep 188 with Andy Parsons Pt 2: Mock The Week Changed Comedy
Gary Younge
Author and commentator introduced as the guest with many books
Episode: Ep 187 with Gary Younge Pt 1: Immigration was never the problem!
Susie McCabe
Glaswegian comic who has done BBC shows about her experiences of being gay, born in Glasgow in 1980
BBC
Episode: Ep 186 with Susie Mccabe Pt 1: I am unapologetically Glaswegian!
Nick Hancock
Former TV presenter and guest on the episode
Former host of Room 101 and They Think It's All Over
Episode: Ep 185 with Nick Hancock Pt 1: The World Cup Is Going To Be A F***ing Circus!
Alan Davies
British comedian and actor known for QI, Jonathan Creek, and stand-up work
Episode: Ep 184 with Alan Davies Pt 1: Comedy Became My Family
Rachel Millward
Deputy Leader of the Green Party
Green Party
Episode: Ep 183 with Rachel Millward Pt 1: Labour Came FOURTH!
Nigel Boulevard
Satirical persona host uses on show
Fictional persona for segment on Reform UK funding
Episode: Ep 182: What The F Is Going On With Peter Mandelson?

Host

Mark Steel
Host of the show

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 1.7k ratings
  • A dose of sanity

    I only discovered this podcast recently. Mark and his excellent guests have great discussions about a wide range of interesting topics that not only inform but also amuse and put things in a good perspective and context.

    Not to say that you’ll be much wiser by the end of the episode but you will at least be content in the knowledge that it isn’t just you that wonders ‘what the eff is going on?’

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    The Denise Person
    Norway2 months ago
  • Always A good listen

    Always make you think. You can agree or disagree with what is talked about. But the discussion always broadens your mind and knowledge.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    WTFAllgoodNickNamesTaken
    Australia2 months ago
  • Susie McCabe

    Loved these episodes as usual but more so because a lot of it related to my home country (specifically Edinburgh) you referred to people like Jimmy Reid I always thought he was such a good communicator Susie so knowledgable on Scottish politics -funny with insight and knowledge what more do we need

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Scot in England
    United Kingdom3 months ago
  • Excellent

    So inspiring to hear funny intelligent reflections on where we are right now, and particularly for me, to get new perspectives on how we got here. Whether you’re familiar with them or not every guest is fascinating.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Al Purcell
    United Kingdom3 months ago
  • A master of comic kindness

    I listen all the time, usually at the end of the day when I could do with a chuckle, knowing that Mark is the one of the wittiest, at times also gentlest, political comedians out there

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    AlsoJeremy
    United Kingdom3 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners praise the host's wit and warmth, and appreciate how guests combine humor with insightful analysis.
Overall, audiences describe it as a valuable, entertaining source for left-leaning political satire and analysis.
Guests are consistently engaging and bring fresh perspectives on politics, culture, and media.
Some critics wish for broader or different types of guests and note moments of strong ideological viewpoints.
The show is valued for its candor and thought-provoking discussions, with strong producer quality and entertaining banter.
Format shifts to longer interviews are noted as positive by many, though a few prefer the older episodic style.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#140
United Kingdom/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#154
Norway/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#245
Ireland/Comedy

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Classic Episode with Adam Rutherford
Q: Why did eugenics appeal to so many in the 19th and early 20th centuries, and how did it evolve into policy?
It gained traction because it offered a seemingly rigorous framework to justify existing hierarchies and expansionist agendas; it evolved into policy through funding, racial ideologies, and the belief that biology could justify social control, which culminated in horrific outcomes in the Nazi regime and in various sterilization programs elsewhere.
Classic Episode with Adam Rutherford
Q: So, what would you say does Eugenics mean?
Eugenics is the early attempt to improve a population scientifically by selective breeding, tying biological traits to desirability and social ranking, often justified by flawed data and biased power structures.
Ep 189 with Sophie Willan (Live in London)
Q: Has talked about using sad and dramatic incidents and turning them into humorous ones. When does she know she's ready to do this?
She explains that readiness comes from a combination of recognizing personal experiences as worth sharing, having the skill to translate them into a narrative, and understanding what the audience needs. It's a journey from early writings to more mature, staged material, aided by feedback and practice.
Ep 188 with Andy Parsons Pt 1: Sport Is Never Just Sport
Q: It is absolutely marvelous to have you with us. And we can ask questions, can't we?
Yes, that's the idea, to ask questions and explore the bigger picture behind sport and society.
Ep 187 with Gary Younge Pt 1: Immigration was never the problem!
Q: Do you think that it would be possible to put that argument and retain a sort of level of popularity that meant that you could still win an election?
Gary suggests that taking a principled stand on immigration could be politically costly in the short term, but argues that leadership would require prioritizing long-term social justice over immediate electoral gains.

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 What The F Is Going On?

What is What The F Is Going On? about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A politically infused, comedy-driven interview show where a veteran host chats with a rotating slate of guests from politics, journalism, and culture. Episodes blend sharp analysis with accessible humor, often pairing long-form conversations with timely reflections on current events, media, and public life. Guests range from comedians and writers to Green Party politicians and prominent journalists, offering personal stories, behind-the-scenes industry insights, and provocative takes on society, policy, and identity. The format occasionally leans into two-part deep dives, with entertaining asides and memorable character bits that keep complex topics engaging and approachable for a broad audience.

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These podcasts share a similar audience with What The F Is Going On?:

1. Friday Night Comedy from BBC Radio 4
2. Strong Message Here
3. Comedy of the Week
4. The Bugle
5. Page 94: The Private Eye Podcast

How many episodes of What The F Is Going On? are there?

What The F Is Going On? launched 5 years ago and published 244 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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What guests have appeared on What The F Is Going On??

Recent guests on What The F Is Going On? include:

1. Rosie Jones
2. Sophie Willan
3. Andy Parsons
4. Gary Younge
5. Susie McCabe
6. Nick Hancock
7. Alan Davies
8. Rachel Millward

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