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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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes241Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ComedySociety & Culture

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Artwork for What The F Is Going On?

Latest Episodes

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

In Part 1 of this episode of What The F Is Going On?*, Mark Steel sits down with the brilliant comedian, author, and force of nature Rosie Jones. Ahead of their respective Edinburgh Fringe shows, the pair dive into early-afternoon gigging schedules, ... more

In this special Live episode of What The F Is Going On?, Mark is joined by BAFTA-winning writer, comedian and creator of Alma's Not Normal, Sophie Willan.

From growing up in Bolton to breaking into television, Sophie tells the extraordinary story of... more

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

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Recent Guests

Rosie Jones
Special guest discussing comedy, disability, and culture
Comedian, author
Episode: Ep 190 with Rosie Jones Pt 2: I’m Underestimated Every Day
Sophie Willan
Actor, writer, and creator of Alma's Not Normal
Episode: Ep 189 with Sophie Willan (Live in London)
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
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!
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
Co-deputy leader of the Green Party
Green Party
Episode: Ep 183 with Rachel Millward Pt 2: We Are Sleepwalking Into Disaster!
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 the show

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 Kingdom2 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 Kingdom2 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 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 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
#123
United Kingdom/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#227
Saudi Arabia/Comedy

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
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.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
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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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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. 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 241 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. Alan Davies
7. Rachel Millward
8. Nigel Boulevard

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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