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What The F Is Going On? with Mark Steel

Ep 170 with Marina Purkiss & Jemma Forte (Part 1)

What The F Is Going On? with Mark Steel

Carousel Studios

News, Society & Culture, Comedy, Politics

4.7888 Ratings

🗓️ 17 November 2025

⏱️ 38 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Mark is joined by Marina Purkiss and Jemma Forte — the outspoken hosts of The Trawl — to talk about the state of British politics, why humour is a vital weapon against despair, and how compassion got lost in the shouting. They discuss Labour’s moral drift, the Green Party’s rise, and what it means to stay human in a political landscape fuelled by fear. Expect sharp wit, rage, and even a baked potato scandal involving Prince Andrew. Please do check out Marina and Jemma’s podcast “the trawl” available on all platforms! You can hear the second part of the interview in next week's episode – but if you can't wait, why not join us on the higher tier of Patreon? For £4 a month you can listen or watch the whole interview straight away. For media, press & guest enquiries please email mikey@carouselstudios.co.uk Follow What The F*** Is Going On? with Mark Steel on Twitter @wtfisgoingonpod  Follow Mark Steel @mrmarksteel   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0

We risk becoming an island of strangers. We will strive for the denopsification of the globe. Because he can't grow, can't grow. Yes you can. They're eating the dogs. They're eating the dinosaurs. Under the EU, we weren't allowed to eat grits. I just don't get it. I just think everyone should be sure. What the fuck is going on?

0:23.9

Hello, I'm Mark Still.

0:25.9

Welcome to my podcast where each week we survey the beauty and glory of the current global situation as people such as Mr Trump and Mr Putin and Mr Netanyahu

0:39.3

just redouble their efforts to fulfil the world with kindness and glory.

0:46.6

And upon surveying all of this, we ask the question,

0:50.5

what the fuck is going on?

0:55.5

To start with, the question, what the fuck is going on? What the fuck is going on?

1:03.2

To start with this week, we bring the sad news that Mike Concrete, who once was a regular feature of this podcast, has lost his job, and it's a very sad business. And in

1:09.5

order to pay proper tribute to this fine soul, we have, in fact, the recording of the meeting in which he was sacked.

1:20.4

And I think it's only fair to Mike if we play that out.

1:25.4

Well, I'm lucky as day.

1:27.7

We've got two sweet little darlings from the fairer sex.

1:31.3

They're both board members of the company that runs my show,

1:34.6

Emily and Petula.

1:35.6

How are you, me lollipops?

1:38.2

We've been like Mike.

1:39.5

Hi.

1:41.2

So tell us what's going on.

1:42.9

Am I getting a top podcast award for my lecture demanding all vegetables are destroyed and controlled explosions and replaced by sausages?

1:51.9

No, Mike. I'm afraid that award went to Alistair Campbell and Rory Stewart.

1:56.4

Am I getting a Nobel Peace Prize for insisting the unemployed shouldn't be given benefit unless

2:01.3

they're prepared to take a job as Catherine wheels in firework displays the parasitic verbin.

...

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