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The second part of our Royal Special. Yesterday we broke down the patterns in the coverage and comments. But today we ask why Meghan Markle remains the lightning rod for public fury, even when the former Prince Andrew is in absolute disgrace? From the “Duchess of Pork”, to “Princess Pushy” and “Waity Katie” - the media loves a Royal nickname, but what does it say about what we expect from the Royal women? Join us as we breakdown why we love a royal scandal, question whether princesses are just supposed to look pretty and shut up, and explore whether Disney is to blame. In today’s episode, we also investigate how this latest scandal has reignited the debate about what purpose the British Monarchy plays in a post-Queen 21st Century. Questions or Comments you’d like us to cover?We love answering your questions and analysing the stories you’ve found. Send them to us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/s2tcpodcast Enjoyed the show?Leave us a 5-star review on Spotify and a review on Apple Podcasts - it really helps others discover the podcast. References: Pod Save The King Podcast: Episode - The Prince Andrew Distraction: the unwanted gift that keeps giving. Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York (2025). By Andrew Lownie Carlsmith, K. M., Darley, J. M., & Robinson, P. H. (2002). Why do we punish? Deterrence and just deserts as motives for punishment. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. Article on Electric Literature.com - Cliff Huxtable Stole My Heart, Bill Cosby Broke It. By V.V. Ganeshananthan Article on The Conversation - A problematic history of obsessing over royal women’s looks, from Camilla to the ‘ugly’ Elizabeth of Austria. Bustle Article - The Complicated, Empowering, Messy History Behind Our Obsession With Princesses. By Lucia Peters Ms Magazine Article - Megxit and The Death of Fairytale Romance. By Laurie Essig BBC Article - The strange world of the Royal Family. By Hephzibah Anderson Al Jazeera Article - Taxpayer ripoff or bargain? The cost of the British royal family. By John Power The New Statesman Article - Abolish the monarchy. It’s more than Prince Andrew - the whole House of Windsor is rotten to the core. By Will Lloyd Article on Debunking Myths About Fairytales.com - Myth: Fairy Tales Are Narratives About Passive Heroines. By Anne E. Duggan Babak Ganjei on Instagram Megan Markle podcast interview on The Jamie Kern Lima Show

Frances Farmer and Britney Spears. Two women, decades apart, who found out exactly what happens when you're famous, female, and having a breakdown in public. Today, from Victorian asylums to Instagram comments, we're talking about how easy it is to brand a woman "hysterical" or "crazy". And what are the consequences? We explore the treatment of women once labelled difficult - from lobotomies, to hysterectomies and conservatorships and ask: have we really moved on from the days when the mentally ill were seen as entertainment? Questions or Comments you’d like us to cover?We love answering your questions and analysing the stories you’ve found. Send them to us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/s2tcpodcast Enjoyed the show?Leave us a 5-star review on Spotify and a review on Apple Podcasts - it really helps others discover the podcast. -------------- Clips used in this episode: Lobotomy scene from film - Frances (1982) Much Interview with Kurt Cobain (1993) Britney Spears - Oops I did it again References: Kenneth Anger - Hotel Babylon (1972) William Arnold - Shadowland (1982) You Must Remember This Podcast: Episode 4 - (The printing of) the Legend of Frances Farmer. Episode 5 - The Lives, Deaths and Afterlives of Judy Garland. Janet Frame - An Angel at my Table (1984) The New York Times Presents: Framing Britney Spears (2021) New Yorker article: Britney Spears Conservatorship Nightmare by Ronan Farrow & Jia Tolentino Crime Analyst Podcast: Episode 29 - Who Framed Britney Spears? With Dr Jessica Taylor. Dr Jessica Taylor - Sexy But Psycho: Uncovering the Psychiatric Labelling of Women and Girls Kevin Federline - You Thought You Knew (2025) Britney Spears - The Woman in Me (2023) Selena Gomez: My Mind and Me documentary (2022) Dr Jessica Taylor Talks About Stuff Podcast: Ep 2 - Medical and Social Model of Mental Health Part 2

True Blood, Twilight, Buffy… so many of us can’t get enough of vampires and werewolves. But lately, our feeds have been flooded with full-on “Alpha” werewolf erotica — a darker, hungrier kind of fantasy. In this episode, we dig into how paranormal romance has shifted from seductive Draculas to dominant werewolves. Why is it everywhere now? Who’s creating it? And is this just Beauty and the Beast on steroids or something more unsettling? Join us as we indulge our love of all things supernatural, just in time for Halloween month. Clips featured in this episode: Gary Oldman in “Bram Stoker's Dracula” (1992 film) Matt Bourne in “Interview With the Vampire, Anne Rice, & 150 Years of Gay Vampires” Craig Thomson in the TED-Ed video “The dark history of werewolves” Frans de Waal in his TED talk “The surprising science of alpha males” “Claimed By The Mega Size Alpha King No She-Wolf Dared To Mate” by Wattpad Dark Romance Fantasy Stories Reference to ContaPoints YouTube video on Twilight: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqloPw5wp48 Questions or Comments you’d like us to cover?We love answering your questions and analysing the stories you’ve found. Send them to us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/s2tcpodcast Enjoyed the show?Leave us a 5-star review on Spotify and a review on Apple Podcasts - it really helps others discover the podcast.

Blake Lively says she was harassed and then “buried” with a sophisticated smear campaign. Justin Baldoni says he’s actually the victim. But the fiercest battle isn’t unfolding in court - it’s playing out in the comments. In this episode, we explore how online narratives can flip from #MeToo solidarity to “victim fatigue,” how smear campaigns are manufactured and spread, and why figures like Candace Owens seize on moments like this to stoke the rage economy. From astroturfing to viral edits, we ask what these culture wars reveal about power, gender, and the precarious value of reputation in the internet age. Clips featured in this episode: Candace Owens on her YouTube channel, Ep 137 Sara Pascoe on High Performance Podcast, Ep 335 Questions or Comments you’d like us to cover?We love answering your questions and analysing the stories you’ve found. Send them to us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/s2tcpodcast Enjoyed the show?Leave us a 5-star review on Spotify and a review on Apple Podcasts - it really helps others discover the podcast.

When Damian Hurley released his debut film, "Strictly Confidential," people were shocked that he directed raunchy scenes starring his own mother, Elizabeth Hurley. From critics labelling their relationship as "disturbing" to others dismissing them as mere "publicity hounds," we dissect some of the fierce responses to this erotic thriller and reflect on the discomfort it evokes. In our guessing game, we go into the wild comments around boundaries. Questions for us or comments you want us to review? We love answering your questions and analysing stories you have found. Send them to us over on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/s2tcpodcast/ If you enjoyed the show, please give us a 5* review on Spotify and review on Apple.

A year on since we did our "Fatshaming" episode featuring Adele, Rebel Wilson, and Lizzo, we find the three women are once again the centre of attention due to discussions about their weight. With Lizzo announcing she is "quitting" due to body-shaming and Rebel claiming in her new memoir "Rebel Rising" that Adele "hates her" because they were both plus-sized women in the entertainment industry, we dive into the online reactions to these unfolding stories. But first, we start with our comment guessing game, which involves Sons of Anarchy and Angelina Jolie. Questions for us or comments you want us to review? We love answering your questions and analysing stories you have found. Send them to us over on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/s2tcpodcast/ If you enjoyed the show, please give us a 5* review on Spotify and review on Apple.

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, is back with the launch of her new lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard. Today, we are examining the mixed (putting it mildly) reactions to her launch, particularly the responses to The Cut’s Instagram post, questioning the timing of her launch. Did Meghan really deliberately time her launch to divert attention from Kate Middleton? What exactly is her new brand and who is her target audience? Also, Sarah tries to guess which company is stalking Lisa online (maybe even you?). Get ready to find out about Temu, supposedly the fastest growing company in the world, which no one seems to know much about. Questions for us or comments you want us to review? We love answering your questions and analysing stories you have found. Send them to us over on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/s2tcpodcast/ If you enjoyed the show, please give us a 5* review on Spotify and review on Apple. This series is produced by Emily Crosby Media.

Today, we are discussing the internet's relentless speculation surrounding Kate Middleton's recent surgery announcement. From genuine concern to mind-bending conspiracy theories, we explore the reactions to this news. We also investigate the trend of celebrities, like Selena Gomez, openly discussing their medical issues. On the flip side, we delve into Jamie Foxx's decision to keep his health matters private, leading to significant medical speculation, even claims of cloning. We ask: Why do some people leap to conspiracy theories when details are kept private? Is it a case of frustration or genuine concern for transparency? Should celebrities feel compelled to share all their health information with the public? Let's go Straight to the Comments. Questions for us or comments you want us to review? We love answering your questions and analysing stories you have found. Send them to us over on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/s2tcpodcast/ If you enjoyed the show, please give us a 5* review on Spotify and review on Apple. This series is produced by Emily Crosby Media. 43f727846c375156d07819bd1585593a2c1db37d

Today, we are exploring the "celebrification" of criminals in the age of social media, particularly that of Gypsy Rose Blanchard and Anna Delvey. Gypsy Rose Blanchard, recently released from prison for the murder of her mother, and Anna Delvey, a con-artist currently under house arrest in New York, have become prime examples of how criminals can now capitalise on their notoriety in the digital era. Whereas historically, a criminal might be jailed, do their time, and disappear from the public radar, now they can brazenly evade the law and even flaunt their lifestyle on social media, like the Tindler Swindler. So why are we so captivated by certain crimes? And is it ok for people to profit from their conviction? Let’s go straight to the comments to find out. Questions for us or comments you want us to review? We love answering your questions and analysing stories you have found. Send them to us over on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/s2tcpodcast/ If you enjoyed the show, please give us a 5* review on Spotify and review on Apple. This series is produced by Emily Crosby Media.

We have a jam-packed, tinsel-draped Christmas bonanza episode for you today. We're talking about the cult of Taylor Swift, why Swedish fans were left cold by Beyoncé, and Madonna's big tour comeback. We also have an update on Alice Evans, who recently stated she might have to work at Starbucks to make ends meet after her divorce from Ioan Gruffudd. Plus, we discuss the reactions to Zac Efron getting his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, which were all about his new face. We ask why are good looking men getting cosmetic surgery? Grab a drink or mince pie as it's tiiiiiiime to go Straight to the Comments! Questions for us or comments you want us to review? We love answering your questions and analysing stories you have found. Send them to us over on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/s2tcpodcast/ If you enjoyed the show, please give us a 5* review on Spotify and review on Apple. This series is produced by Emily Crosby Media.

Before we return in December with our Christmas specials, enjoy a re-run of our most popular episode of 2023, 'When the Mask Skips: The Case of James Corden & Ellen.' We introduce the episode with the latest news about James Corden's new SiriusXM radio job and break down some of the online reactions. Also, we ask why have we seen the downfall of so many TV presenters this year. Can even TV's new relatable faces like Drew Barrymore and Kelly Clarkson live up to their everywoman magic? Join us as we go Straight to the Comments. Questions for us or comments you want us to review? We love answering your questions and analysing stories you have found. Send them to us over on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/s2tcpodcast/ If you enjoyed the show, please give us a 5* review on Spotify and review on Apple. This series is produced by Emily Crosby Media.

Last week, Justin Timberlake apparently turned off the comments on his Instagram because of the "hateful, disgusting things people were saying". The once golden boy has become the target of one of the biggest backlashes we've seen since starting the podcast. With the release of Britney Spears' book, 'The Woman in Me,' we're investigating why he's facing this reckoning. Did the superstar have it too good for too long? Did he really claw his way to mega-stardom at the expense of others, including his *NSYNC bandmates and Janet Jackson? Or is there more to this controversy? Join us as we go Straight to the Comments. Questions for us or comments you want us to review? We love answering your questions and analysing stories you have found. Send them to us over on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/s2tcpodcast/ If you enjoyed the show, please give us a 5* review on Spotify and review on Apple. This series is produced by Emily Crosby Media.