Forget engagement rings, mortgages and whether you fart in front of each other, there’s a new couple status in town: a podcast together. It’s the new ‘comedian takes a relative on holiday and films it as a travel show’ of British culture.
Recently it was announced one of our favourite couples, Vogue Williams and Spencer Matthews would be the latest pairing to join the club, fronting their own podcast, Spencer & Vogue (did they argue over whose name went first? Guess we’ll hear when it starts…)
Most notable in its success is Chris and Rosie Ramsay’s Shagged Married Annoyed. Launched in Spring 2019, the pod has a huge following and has blasted the couple into couple fame – their recent pregnancy announcement joining the celeb sections of most news websites. It won the listeners award at the most recent British Podcast Awards.
There was Kate Lawler’s Maybe Baby, where she and her fiancé discussed whether they should have kids. Scarlett Moffatt presents her (recently criticised) conspiracy theory podcast, Scarlett Moffatt Wants To Believe with her boyfriend, Scott Dobinson. There’s The Froth, with Rhod Gilbert and Sian Harries, married comedians.
YouTuber Jenna Marbles and her partner Julien Solomita recently quit their couples podcast amidst controversy, but the final episode was so popular it was trending as it aired.
Obviously they’re not a couple, but Danny Dyer and his daughter Dani Dyer today also announced they’re launching a podcast – another slice of domesticity and family squabbles to be invited into for 25 minutes or so a week.
So why the sudden obsession with couple pods? Don’t the single amongst us not want to hear smug marrieds chatting? Don’t the coupled amongst us here enough of two people moaning over domestics in our own four walls? Especially at the moment?
Apparently not, with Spencer & Vogue and Shagged Married Annoyed topping the charts on iTunes.
There’s probably something in getting inside the homes of other couples – and checking they’re annoyed with each other as we are. Especially if they’re famous – a dose of ‘they’re just like us’ always plays well. And the added bonus of a famous couple doing a podcast is it being a bit like a reality show played straight into our ears, guilt free, with no-one shaming us for clicking on our eighth episode of Selling Sunset.
There’s also the relatability factor – and normalness, we probably all need some of that these days, a feeling that there’s an extra, welcoming couple joining us in our homes, while they can’t really – one friend tells me she regularly refers to ‘My friends Chris and Rosie…’
Speaking of Chris and Rosie, Joanie tells me it’s the humour she comes for, with the coupling perhaps being less important. ‘It’s funny,’ she says. ‘What makes it is the emails they have in too – people are hilarious and disgusting and I love it. As for them being a couple, sometimes it can annoy me, but mostly they just make me smile.’
And, to be fair, we could all do with more smiling at the moment. I’m with my friend Sarah though, who, when I asked who her favourite podcast couple was, responded: ‘Adam Buxton and Rosie’.
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The Best Fashion Podcast's To Listen To Right Now
1 of 9The Memory Of... With John Galliano
Maison Margiela launched this podcast as a means of expressing Galliano's whimsical inspirations and tales. Revel in his signature British drawl and titillating anecdotes of the treasure trove of influences that go into making his signature theatrical creations.
2 of 9Gucci podcast
Candid conversations between the likes of Gucci President and CEO, Marco Bizzarri and Alessandro Michele, with his irreverent and sporadic list of muses and inspirations. We recommend listening to Dapper Dan recount his history in Harlem whilst Florence Welch dives into her poetry. It's a marvellous listen.
3 of 9Pieces of Me by Porter
The premise is simple, but the conversations are anything but. This weekly series features the likes of Tracee Ellis Ross and Zainab Salbi discussing their lives through seven signature garments in their wardrobe. Tune in for love and laughs.
4 of 9The BOF Podcast
These hour-long episodes are key for anybody with a discerning interest in the fashion industry. Topics range from Carine Roitfield and her stellar career, Ganni Founder Nicolaj Reffstrup on measuring ecological impact effectively and Vogue Italia editor in chief, Emanuele Farneti, on lessons learned in isolation.
5 of 9Dior Talks
Since Marie Grazia Chiuri took the reign at Dior, a heavy emphasis has been placed on feminism. This latest series of podcasts help to contextualise the array of artistic inspirations and collaborators. Hear from Judy Chicago, the feminist artist whose work titled The Feminist Divine'' adorned the Couture SS20 show with its politically charged feminist call to action.
6 of 9The Collectors House by Matches Fashion
Hosted in its Mayfair townhouse store, The Collectors House is Matchs Fashion's foray into the podcast sphere, with a host of stellar guests. Susie Lau talks about her life as one of the early bloggers to fashion powerhouse, Venetia Scott covers her career highlights and childhood whilst Jenn Nkiru details growing up in Peckham to shooting Beyoncé and Jay-Z's 'Apeshit' video overnight in The Lourve.
7 of 9Métier Class: 3.55 By Chanel
Catch up on all the behind the scenes scoop from one of the worlds largest and highly lauded couture Maisons. Guest included muses from Pharell Williams to Keira Knightley alongside a dose of Germain Louvert discussing his eight year ascent to the peak of Ballet Corps at the Opéra national de Paris.
8 of 9The Cutting Room Floor by Omondi
Emerging designer, Recho Omondi, hosts a podcasts which delves into a variety of issues plaguing the fashion industry at large alongside a host of guests.It's typical no-holds-barred approach has won it a legion of fans who appreciate its honesty and insight. Check out specials guests including Diet Prada, Martine Rose, Tibi founder, Amy Smilovic and Ava Nope, Head of Special Projects at Marc Jacobs.
9 of 9Oh Boy by The Man Repeller
Leandra Medine aka The Man Repeller sits down for conversations with women throughout the fashion, art, culture and tech sector, giving a rare glimpse into each individuals life. It's a mix of humour and relatable content from names such as teen comedian, Ruby Karp, Sally Singer and Gloria Steinem.