The Bugle

Australian political comedian Tom Ballard and British satirist Nish Kumar join Andy for a gleefully chaotic tour of the headlines. They imagine Australia edging toward Europe, dissect America’s plans for space weapons, and unpack the Ed Sheeran-Macklemore controversy. Along the way: mice with human brain cells, AI speaking baffling slang, and a 940-litre baptism tank rejected on theological grounds.

Scottish-American comedian and writer Sara Barron joins British political satirist Nish Kumar and Andy Zaltzman for a hilarious tour of looming AI doom, from climate damage and bioweapons to a possible stock-market bubble. They tackle Trump’s Irish golf holiday, Reform UK’s crypto funding, far-right protests, and a botched Renoir heist featuring spectacularly clumsy thieves.

Helen Zaltzman, British podcaster and language commentator, joins Anuvab Pal, Indian comedian and playwright, for a sharp tour of the absurd. They tackle Trump-themed White House arcade games, AI-generated legal blunders in Quebec, and a mysterious island that keeps vanishing. Also in the crosshairs: Arctic ice loss, tuk-tuk language rules, Australia’s flag mix-up, and the Bayeux Tapestry’s unraveling threads.

Nato Green, a San Francisco comedian and political commentator, joins Alice Fraser, an Australian comedian and science podcaster. They tackle El Niño anxiety, Australia’s crackdown on AI-generated chart music, and the childish Canada-US trade war. Plus: the Bayeux Tapestry’s suspiciously phallic headlines, Andy Burnham’s rocky start as PM, crypto tax panic, and how the title came to be.

A grab bag of spicy clips covers claims that arts engagement might slow aging and what counts as culture. There is a wild recap of a celebrity wedding with NDAs and personal anecdotes. They unpack the shaky money and data-center debt behind big AI bets. Conversation also wanders to a nearby potentially habitable exoplanet and playful takes on strange science details.

A highlights reel of Ask Andy Q&A curiosities. Topics range from medicine and media overload to a playful childhood joke about having an orange head. Hear confessions about how he describes his job in public and a mock five-a-side of recent prime ministers. There are witty takes on sports comebacks, marriage tips, MIDI theme trivia, and how hereditary peers still exist.

Hari Kondabolu, comedian and satirist, and Tiff Stevenson, stand-up comic and writer, spar over global news and culture with sharp wit. They tackle Elon Musk’s AI remake of Homer’s Odyssey, an elaborate Italian amphitheatre con, political and press controversies in the US, quirky research funding stunts, and the spectacle of the Commonwealth Games in quick, comic turns.

Nato Green, comedian and writer known for sharp political satire, and Alice Fraser, comedian and science and fiction commentator, join the conversation. They riff on a US cyclosporiasis outbreak and public health funding, Pete Hegseth’s mandatory testosterone screening idea, the surprise of Andy Burnham becoming the UK’s seventh prime minister in a decade, and a newly discovered Earth-like exoplanet with an atmosphere.

Josh Gondelman, comedian and writer known for sharp satirical bits, and Nish Kumar, stand-up comic and political commentator, join for a rowdy rundown. They riff on America’s 250th celebrations, the tense Iran headlines, a tongue-in-cheek secret celebrity wedding at Madison Square Garden, Nigel Farage’s political chaos and England’s World Cup run. Fast, funny takes and playful speculation throughout.

John Oliver, comedian and political satirist, joins in with sharp comedic commentary and sketches. They revisit Snowden-era spying and mass surveillance concerns. They retell the absurd 1859 Pig War and riff on Super Bowl culture. There are reflections on Osama bin Laden’s death and Obama’s 2008 victory. The show closes with a rapid presidential pun run and playful birthday tributes to the USA.