Anglophiles abroad love the British sense of humour – but what does that actually mean? In a recent review for the paper, Jonathan Coe takes a scalpel to the satire boom and its aftermath to find out what, if anything, sets British comedy apart. He joins Malin for a serious chat about comedy and its double-edged role in the UK’s political life.Further reading on the episode page: lrb.me/coecomedySubscribe to the LRB here: lrb.me/now Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nineteenth-century Britain is often imagined as gloomy and dark, epitomised by Dickensian grime and Queen Victoria’s prolonged state of black-clad mourning. But in reality this period saw an explosion of colour, following a number of scientific discoveries.In this short discussion, Charlotte Ribeyrol, co-curator of Colour Revolution, a major new exhibition at the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, talks about some of those technical advances and the dazzling objects visitors will find on display at the show, from jewel-like Pre-Raphaelite paintings to bookcases and socks, as well as some of the debates of the time – between Ruskin, Darwin and others – about the meaning of colour in nature and society.Colour Revolution runs at the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford until 18th February 2024. Find out more here:https://www.ashmolean.org/exhibition/colour-revolution-victorian-art-fashion-design Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Daisy Hay, Reviewer of The Dictionary People, discusses the diverse characters who contributed to the Oxford English Dictionary. The podcast explores the challenges faced by the editor, the freedom of choice of contributors, and the tragic lives of some of the unsung heroes. It also delves into the process of making the dictionary and the evolution of technology in accessing dictionaries.

Discussions on the war in Gaza, its impact on the region, and the international repercussions. The unprecedented scale of atrocities in southern Israel and the fear of annihilation. Netanyahu's motivations and the political implications in Israel. Uncertainty and concerns of Palestinians in Gaza. Comparisons to the war in 1973. The toxic political system and its impact on Israeli and Palestinian politics.

Crass, violent, misogynistic, dumb, fake – and irresistible. Tom Crewe was one of many unlikely diehards who fell sway to the theatre of pro-wrestling, despite and because of its excesses. Here, he reads his 2021 piece unpacking his youthful obsession with a sport both ‘hideous’ and ‘Homeric’.Find further reading on the episode page: lrb.me/wrestlingdaysSubscribe to Close Readings:In Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3pJoFPqIn other podcast apps: lrb.me/closereadings Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This podcast explores the 19th century obsession with Mount Vesuvius, discussing its influence on poets, tourists, and statesmen. It highlights the connection between erupting volcanoes and aesthetics. It delves into the trade, fashion, and commercialism that developed from the excavations at Pompeii and Herculaneum. It explores the process of naming and distinguishing mountains and the impact of new scientific ideas on society. It discusses the conflicting perspectives on volcanoes as a source of sadness and inspiration. It also explores the transition from religion to science and geology.

For many on the right, Arif Naqvi epitomises the idea of the 'woke capitalist'. The private equity multimillionaire has promoted sustainable development and donated heavily to the Gates Foundation to invest in healthcare, but now awaits possible extradition to the US on fraud charges. Laleh Khalili joins Tom to discuss Naqvi’s story, and what goes wrong when private equity firms look to profit from public services.Read Laleh's piece here: https://lrb.me/khalilipod2Sign up to our Close Readings podcast:In Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3pJoFPqIn other podcast apps: lrb.me/closereadings Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The podcast explores the misuse of statistics in UK politics, focusing on misleading numbers surrounding GDP, immigration, and Premier League odds. It discusses the impact of manipulative language in politics, the consequences of austerity measures, and the exploitation of emotions in football gambling. The importance of accurate data, analytics in football, and the failure to understand numbers, especially during the COVID pandemic, are also highlighted.

Adolfo Kaminsky, a first-class forger and agent of the French Resistance, saved thousands of lives. He later used his counterfeiting skills for anticolonialist causes and became a renowned photographer. This episode explores his life, including his rigorous approach to forgery and his contributions to resistance movements worldwide. It also delves into his early life, involvement in the resistance, life in Algeria, and work as a counselor. The experiences of a 93-year-old forager who connects anti-colonial resistance and anti-fascism are also shared.

Armed with Thom’s Directory, James Joyce strove to recreate 1904 Dublin as accurately as possible, down to the last solicitor and street railing. But, as Colm Tóibín explains in a recent piece, the novel is pockmarked with errors, only some intentional. Colm joins Tom to discuss Joyce’s deliberate and accidental mistakes, Trieste’s essential influence on the novel, and why a queer reading of Ulysses really does hold water.Find further reading on the episode page: lrb.me/factcheckingjoyceSubscribe to Close Readings:In Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3pJoFPqIn other podcast apps: lrb.me/closereadings Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.