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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
Donald Trump
Brexit
Jeremy Corbyn
Green Party
NHS
UK Politics
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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes238Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ComedySociety & Culture

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Artwork for What The F Is Going On?

Latest Episodes

Join us this Wednesday 29th for a live recording of the podcast at our studios in West London.

Mark will be joined by actress Sophie Willan for a live streamed interview in front of a small audience for this special live event.

Tickets can be purch... more

Mark is joined by comedian Andy Parsons for a conversation that starts with Ben Stokes, cricket curfews and Gareth Southgate, before expanding into a much bigger question: why Britain seems permanently disappointed with itself. They discuss entitleme... more

In Part Two, Gary Younge reflects on growing up black in Britain, covering Nelson Mandela's election in South Africa, interviewing some of the world's biggest figures, and why identity politics is so often misunderstood.

Mark and Gary discuss racism... more

Gary Younge joins Mark for a conversation about what has gone wrong with British politics. They discuss Andy Burnham's leadership, Labour's collapse, the rise of the Greens, Gaza, immigration, the media's failure to ask difficult questions, and wheth... more

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Recent Guests

Andy Parsons
Comedian, Mock The Week alumnus
Comedian/TV performer
Episode: Ep 188 with Andy Parsons Pt 1: Sport Is Never Just Sport
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
Special guest, comedian
Episode: Ep 186 with Susie Mccabe Pt 2 : Scottish People Can’t Relate To Posh Etonians
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!
Matthew Norman
Guardian Diary columnist and author
The Guardian
Episode: Ep 182: What The F Is Going On With Peter Mandelson?
George Galloway
British politician and broadcaster
Various (media/political roles)
Episode: Ep 182: What The F Is Going On With Peter Mandelson?
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?
Mothin Ali
Deputy Leader of the Green Party, political activist
Green Party
Episode: Ep 181 with Mothin Ali (Part 1): They Tried To Brand Me A Terrorist

Host

Mark Steel
Host of What The F*** Is Going On? with Mark Steel

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 1.7k ratings
  • 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 Kingdoma month 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 Kingdoma month 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 Kingdom2 months ago
  • Sport

    I have no interest in sport whatsoever, however this episode made me laugh out loud, it was soooooo

    funny and insightful all at once. Thank you you cheered me up

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    WampumMum
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • Fantastic podcast from my favourite rabid Trotskyite!

    I don’t share many of Marks political views but I find him and his podcast super-funny and he comes across as such a nice guy. I loved his characters (Fred Truman, George Galloway, Mike Concrete, Woman in cafe whose husband is head of marketing for Pringles actos the whole of the Reigate area). However - the pod seems to have changed into a one to one interview format which is disappointing. Not that there’s anything wrong with these but they’re not what I lived the pod for!

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Dunxxxxx
    United Kingdom2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Some critics note shifts toward more opinionated or polemical content in certain episodes.
Fans praise a varied roster of guests and humorous yet insightful conversations.
Many appreciate the long-form interview format and memorable guest moments.
Listeners value the balance of hard political critique and warmth in tone.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#113
United Kingdom/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#228
Austria/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#233
Ireland/Comedy

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
Ep 180 with Emma Warren (Part 2): We've Abandoned A Whole Generation!
Q: Why were youth clubs so central to communities over the years?
They provided safe, communal spaces where young people could learn, express themselves, and build resilience, while also offering structured activities like sports and music that fostered belonging and identity.
Ep 176 with Dawn Butler (Part 2) : Now Is The Time For A Revolution
Q: Could you ever stand for higher office like prime minister or mayor of London?
There's openness to leadership roles, including mayoral ambitions, but the emphasis is on ensuring changes reflect public needs and party roots, rather than chasing headlines.
Ep 176 with Dawn Butler (Part 2) : Now Is The Time For A Revolution
Q: Do you think Labour should shift its policy emphasis to appeal to a broader electorate?
Yes, but not at the expense of core values; the focus should be on policies that improve everyday life (housing, minimum wage, public services) while staying true to social justice principles.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
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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 sharp, often humorous interview format that brings together political analysis, culture, and personal storytelling. Guests span Green and Labour politics, media, healthcare, and entertainment, with conversations frequently tackling policy shifts, social justice, and the state of modern politics in the UK. The host's style blends wit with probing questions, producing long, in-depth chats that illuminate both policy details and human experiences behind political issues. Noteworthy is the show's willingness to mix serious critique with lighthearted banter and pop-culture references, making complex topics approachable for engaged listeners who enjoy candid discourse and diverse viewpoints.

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Which podcasts are similar to What The F Is Going On??

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

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

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

What The F Is Going On? launched 5 years ago and published 238 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. Andy Parsons
2. Gary Younge
3. Susie McCabe
4. Alan Davies
5. Rachel Millward
6. Matthew Norman
7. George Galloway
8. Nigel Boulevard

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