Aha! A transatlantic congregation of: news, puns, impromptu singing, jokes, producer abuse and bullshit you say? Delightful!
The Bugle is a fabulous podcast, hosted by the inimitable Andy Zaltzman, and the entirely more famous John Oliver.
To be fair, this is either the very best or very worst time to discover the Bugle for the uninitiated. It’s the very best, since they’re now 179 episodes in, and have a rhythm that’s simply joyous. Then again, maybe it’s the worst, since two weeks ago they lost their hosting, funding (and thus their previous content), from the Times Online (a distant wing of the Murdoch empire) and thus there is, for now, just the two episodes. The exact reason for their loss of funding is unknown, or is at least limited to the sort of nebulous ‘cost-cutting’ or ‘re-assignment of funds for the online wing,’ or it could be a kick back from their repeated references to Murdoch’s trials and suggestions of his guilt, though that’d be a little bit petty wouldn’t it? But at least now you can get in on the ground floor. Albeit a floor grounded by the removal of the floors lower down.
I have chosen to start with this particular podcast since it bridges the divide between British and American markets and cultures, and thus offers a lovely little entry point into either market. Oh, and because it’s an utter delight, of course. A certain section of the U.S. population are familiar with John Oliver, due to his work on the Daily Show, the John Oliver New York Stand-up Show and his recurring role on Community, which make him an easier entry point for an American listenership than the British. Zaltzman is far less well known, nationally and internationally, being a fairly low frequency stand-up, and an occasional radio contributor. He is also rapidly balding and has a rather impressive explosion of ginger hair. Oh, and he loves puns and semi-terrible accents, but luckily for those less fond of almost excruciating wordplay, he hasn’t done very many so far in the ‘new’ Bugle.
Hulk Hogan Approved
What the hosts offer primarily is a genuinely unusual take on the news. Now this could seem very much like a podcasting cliché, but their take, and the news they suppose on, is from a more unusual perspective than those claiming a ‘skewed take on the weeks news.’ The pair’s indulgence in their topic choice, and the angles they take, frequently verge on the mildly ludicrous, and are often concocted of utterly made up ideas. Though their comments are almost unerringly scabrous, they try and constantly keep the show humorous as well as illuminating. Rarely is a joke missed, meaning that the podcast continues to crack on at a pace, even when the news is either moribund or tiresome. It’s the pair’s chemistry, clearly formed over their 7 or 8 years working together that makes the show so listenable. That and just how funny it is, because it truly captures the art of making you blurt out laughs, especially in places you don’t want to be seen laughing to voices in your head. They offer impressions, transcripts of ‘previously unheard’ chatter by figures of fame, reams of jokes, and the almost unending threat of humour.
A basic knowledge of British news and history might help those coming from abroad, but it’s hardly a prerequisite. Even with the least of trying, you’ll soon know who David Cameron is, or Florence Nightingale, or to switch off a little bit when Zaltzman gets a little carried away with 1980s sports references. And they do cover a lot of American news anyway, since Oliver is based in the U.S. and works on a daily show about the news, so it’d be difficult to ignore.
Oliver and Zaltzman’s light, humorous approach to the world, the news, and even the podcast, means that the whole piece is an almost unending joy. Honestly, I can’t imagine anyone not enjoying this podcast, and to be honest, nothing is more important than honesty. Except the Bugle, because that’s very good too.
The Bugle is downloadable from: www.thebuglepodcast.com, where you can also donate to the ‘Save the Bugle’ fund. The official twitter handle for the bugle is @hellobuglers, and by tweeting with the hashtag #savethebugle you can help raise awareness for the Bugle and hopefully helping it continue for a few years yet!