It’s a Fair Cop is this month’s review of a hilarious podcast from BBC Sound by the ex-police officer and now comedian Alfie Moore. However, from this short introduction, you already know that I love it. It’s funny, and I recommend you listen to it.
As an ex-Police Officer in Humberside for 20 years. Alfie uses his podcast it’s a fair cop to swears you ‘in’ as a Police Officer for the session. During the session, he picks on one piece of legislation. Furthermore, he explains the legislation via a case he has investigated. Additionally, he asks the audience what they would do and the ramifications of their actions. Each episode is fast-paced and full of information.
The themes covered are of a grown-up nature and cover most aspects of lawbreaking, from speeding in a car to breaking and entering. Naturally, names have been changed. The audience is asked their opinion of what they should do and the consequences. It was amusing that many of the responses seemed to reflect what each person did for a living. For example, one member of the public suggested that a drug addict stays in the Police Cell as he was ‘kicking off’ until he calmed down. His chosen career was as a paramedic. If he was in an ambulance, the paramedics would have to calm them down instead! Clearly, Alfie’s delivery is amusing, fast, and very thought-provoking.
It’s a Fair Cop – The Best Episode
Undoubtedly, my favourite episode of It’s a fair cop must be from Series 7, episode 2, entitled Custody Officer.
A drunk in the cells was ‘kicking off’ and keeping everyone awake. The custody sergeant instructed Alfie to bring the drunk to the courtroom (which was in the same building as the Police Station). Before this, a box of dressing-up clothes had been stored at the Police station. A key point to this story is that part of this haul was a moose’s head. Alfie duly did as he was told, handcuffed the drunk, and brought the drunk to court. Someone then entered the courtroom from the judge’s chambers.
Obviously, wearing a judge’s robe and the moose’s head and looking at the drunk. Immediately, the judge got a black handkerchief and laid it on his head. He pointed to the drunk and sentenced the drunk to death. They took the drunk back to the cell and heard nothing afterward. I know it’s all in the delivery!!!
This is an uplifting comedy series that looks at our current legislation. It turns it upside down and puts a comedy spin on it. There are seven series currently. Despite this, I got through them in about a week. Also, I have gone back and listened to some of the episodes twice as they were that good. Listen to this series if you find life difficult or just want a laugh.
It’s a fair cop is available on Audible, Amazon, and BBC Sounds. Highly recommend it.
This month’s review is a podcast by Rachel Johnson entitled “Difficult Women”. A name inspired by Ken Clarke’s description of Theresa May as “being a bloody difficult woman”. In this podcast, the journalist, presenter, and writer speak to various influential and successful women in their industry. Johnson discusses the title they have been as “being a difficult woman”? A term typically applied to women by men, or are they, in fact, just passionate and determined?
The podcast style is very much interview/conversation with the added bonus that the women are able to answer the question. It is obvious some of the interviewees are friends with Johnson, or they socialise in the same circles. The opening podcast is with Lady Brenda Hale, who in 2004 was the only woman appointed as a Lord of Appeal in Ordinary. Then in 2017, she served as the President of the UK Supreme Court. She is now a member of the House of Lords.
Criticism – Well, there would be!!
There has been criticism of the podcast in that, so far, the women are all middle-class with middle-class views. What is wrong with that? Being a middle-class woman with views and opinions is not a crime. In the interview with Sasha Swire, Swire discusses how the wives of some politicians express their political views. They are then regarded as an object of fun with views that are unimportant.
If you listen to the stories, some of the women interviewed had to work hard from poor backgrounds and carve out a career for themselves. The significant takeaway is that education is a great advantage. Whether you went to grammar school or secondary school and then worked your way through the education system, you must take a risk, fight the ‘Old Boy Network’ and at times fight prejudice and discrimination.
I have enjoyed these podcasts, and if you want to listen to Sarah Vine, Baroness Joan Bakewell, and Prue Leith discuss the differences, barriers, and discrimination they had to overcome, this podcast will be for you. Leave your political view of her brother aside, your idea of what a middle-class woman should be and listen to the inspirational stories of these exceptional women at the top of their field.
This month I thought I would let you know about a new podcast entitled ‘Go Love yourself’. It’s one of the latest podcasts for women on a mission to figure out who they are and how life treats them. The idea behind this show is that everyone deserves love, regardless of size or shape – something which can be difficult when surrounded by the diet culture. This podcast talks about everything from body image issues to self-love and the lessons learnt along the journey of life. The hosts are two best friends, one of whom you might know from The Great British Bake Off, Laura Adlington and Lauren Smith.
The podcast takes on a light-hearted tone as it explores the reality of womanhood. With interviews, open discussions and events happening in the world, you will be entertained and thought provoked! The podcast style is more of a coffee, a chat, and a giggle rather than preaching at you.
What’s discussed on Go Love Yourself
One of the biggest topics they discuss is weight loss in both an open and honest way. The two ladies discuss the diets they’ve tried but ultimately rejected because they didn’t work for them – or at least not long term. They also discuss their hatred of the diet industry and how they portray a negative image of how a woman should act and behave. Their core belief is that the diet industry will keep:
You on a diet for the rest of your life
Counting calories, points, or syns forever
Punishing you for not being the size; they believe you should be
You feeling guilty for eating cake
Unaware that the diet industry is all about money and the more weight you put on, the more money you earn
They are open and honest and invite their listeners to participate in the content via texts, emails, and social media.
Go Love Yourself – required listening
This podcast should be required listening for any woman feeling self-conscious, has body confidence issues, or needs to build confidence in their appearance. The idea is to get women to look differently at themselves, love themselves, and, let’s be frank, give each other a break. Life is hard enough without adding hidden pressure that doesn’t have to be there.
One of the most entertaining quotes from the show is when someone says, “You’re not fat, you’re beautiful”, and their response “b**ch, I’m both”. The go-to question for any guest is always, “What is the best bit about you?”
These ladies are undoubtedly brave; talking about their weight in a world where being bigger than a size 10 is a social offence. There is some offensive language, but the information and content are encouraging and empowering and will make you smile.
From a personal point of view, I agree that we have to break this cycle of women-hating ourselves and our bodies because society tells us how we should look. Please don’t take my word for it; listen to their podcast yourself. Available from all good podcast providers.
