News Weakly – Episode 142 – 24th January 2025

TOP STORIES OF THE WEEK

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was MAGA!

Also, the government solves antisemitism!

All that, and more, on News Weakly!

Summary:

This week, News Weakly plunges into the biblical chaos of Trump’s inauguration as he resurrects 1500 January 6th rioters and brings an unholy mix of executive orders to life, from TikTok bans to climate carnage. Meanwhile, antisemitic incidents in Australia rise, with an investigation uncovering a dark twist: hate outsourced to paid actors. Yes, bigotry is apparently on payroll now. Sami Shah unpacks it all with biting satire and the sharp edge of truth.

Quote of the Week:

"Nothing screams 'commitment to the cause' like subcontracting your racism."

Stay Tuned for More:

Don’t miss out on the News Weakly 150th live show, coming March 21st at Melbourne’s Comedy Republic! Patreon supporters get early ticket access and discounts. Sign up now at patreon.com/samishah.

For the full breakdown of the stories shaping your world—and ruining your faith in humanity—catch the latest episode of News Weakly!

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: thesamishah.com

Theme music "Historic Anticipation" by Paul Mottram.

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Get bonus content on Patreon

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

News Weakly Episode 141 – 18th January, 2025

Join Sami Shah as he punches the news in the headlines weakly! This episode dives into the latest on the Gaza ceasefire negotiations and Peter Dutton's "Back on Track" campaign strategy.

Top Stories of the Week

Ceasing to Cease Fire

Hamas and Netanyahu might be edging closer to an agreement that could stop the bloodshed – at least temporarily. But is this deal about hostages and humanity, or just egos and political survival?

Back Off Track

Peter Dutton’s campaign slogan sounds like a railway PSA, but it’s aimed at derailing Labor’s momentum. Sami breaks down the slogans, culture wars, and pithy phrases Dutton hopes will steer Australia into his corner.

Quote of the Week

“Maybe his plan to help with the cost of living crisis is all the money we’ll save on flags.”

Support the Show

Keep News Weakly ad-free and independent by joining Sami’s Patreon at patreon.com/samishah.

Paying members get exclusive access to discounts for the upcoming live show celebrating 150 episodes of News Weakly on March 21st, 2025, at the Comedy Republic in Melbourne.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: thesamishah.com

Theme Music: Historic Anticipation by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Get bonus content on Patreon

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

News Weakly – Episode Notes – 11th January, 2025

This Week’s Punchlines in the Headlines: Trump goes full Risk with a bizarre annexation plan, LA faces literal hellfire while Steve Guttenberg makes a surprising cameo, Zuckerberg taps out on fact-checking but not on his MMA delusions, and Justin Trudeau says "au revoir" to the Canadian Dream.

Top Stories of the Week:

1. Trump’s Anschluss Ambitions: Donald Trump’s pre-inauguration antics take a surreal turn as he announces plans to annex Greenland, the Panama Canal, and parts of Canada. We unpack the logic—or lack thereof—behind his geopolitical Monopoly game.
2. Flame of Thrones: The LA fires wreak havoc, claiming homes, billions in damages, and even some celebrity anonymity. Steve Guttenberg gets unrecognised, but Hollywood’s burning continues.
3. Meta Taps Out: Mark Zuckerberg ends Meta’s fact-checking program and appoints Dana White as his fact-checker, but not in the way you’d expect.
4. Justin Time to Leave: The rise and fall of Justin Trudeau, Canada’s progressive poster boy. From yoga poses to blackface scandals, we chart his complicated legacy.

Quote of the Week:

“Justin Trudeau’s time as Prime Minister has officially come to an end. And like the maple syrup Canada is famous for, his tenure started sweet but ended in a sticky mess.”

Support the Show:

Enjoy News Weakly? Keep us going by supporting the podcast on Patreon at patreon.com/samishah. Every contribution keeps us ad-free and sharp!

About the Host:

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme Music:

"Historic Anticipation" by Paul Mottram.

Listen Now and Stay Weakly Updated!

Get bonus content on Patreon

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

NEWS WEAKLY – 4th January, 2025

This week on News Weakly, Sami Shah kicks off the new year by questioning what even counts as terrorism anymore, breaking down Labor’s attempts to scare voters into loving Medicare, and saying goodbye to two world leaders who somehow managed to avoid causing the downfall of democracy.

Top Stories of the Week:

1. White Guys Can’t Terrorism

Two terrorist attacks in the US reveal that anyone – even a Tesla-driving Trump supporter – can now join the ranks of extremists, leaving Republicans struggling to decide whether the real enemy is ISIS or Granny Smith apples.

2. Labor Digs Up Old Campaign Tactics

Labor revives their favourite election scarecrow – MediScare – with a new spin on an old warning: if Peter Dutton wins, say goodbye to Medicare and hello to $7 GP visits and scary hospital bills.

3. Dead Presidents (And Prime Ministers)

Jimmy Carter and Manmohan Singh pass away, reminding the world that not all leaders end their terms with fascist uprisings. Sometimes, you just retire and quietly build houses.

Quote of the Week:

“What is this diversity and inclusion in terrorism?” – Sami reflects on the unsettling fact that terrorism is no longer the exclusive domain of angry brown guys with student visas.

Enjoy News Weakly?

Keep us going by supporting the podcast on Patreon at patreon.com/samishah. Every contribution helps keep the show ad-free and full of weak punches at the news.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music "Historic Anticipation" by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted and produced by Sami Shah.

Get bonus content on Patreon

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

NEWS WEAKLY – 21 Dec, 2024

This week, Sami Shah is untangling the dramas behind an Olympian's defamation threats and Bluey's cinematic debut. Join the satire as Sami breaks down Australia’s cultural priorities with humour, insight, and a little existential despair.

Top Stories of the Week:

1. Breaking Badly: How Raygun managed to turn Olympic mediocrity into a full-blown musical lawsuit.
2. Bluey’s Big Screen Bark: Can a cartoon dog save Brisbane’s animation industry and Australian kids’ TV?

Quote of the Week:

"I mean, I thought my understanding of relationships going into my last marriage was very strong too, but there I was a few weeks later Googling 'how quickly can you get divorced?'"

Enjoy News Weakly? Keep us going by supporting the podcast on Patreon at patreon.com/samishah. Every contribution helps keep us ad-free and committed to bringing you the sharpest satire.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music "Historic Anticipation" by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Get bonus content on Patreon

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

NEWS WEAKLY – 14th December, 2024

This week, Sami Shah dives into Melbourne’s synagogue attack, Australia’s tech tax aimed at social media giants, and the seismic shifts in Syria following the Assad regime’s collapse. With sharp wit and in-depth analysis, Sami breaks down the news, punches up the headlines, and brings a satirical lens to another chaotic week.

Top Stories of the Week:

1. Synagogue Firestorm

Was it arson, terrorism, or just a chance for politicians to grandstand? Melbourne’s Adass Israel Synagogue attack sparks controversy, confusion, and questionable calls for protest bans.

2. Taxing the Tech Titans

The government proposes a “pay or play” tax for social media companies to fund journalism. But is it really about saving small-town newspapers or propping up big media monopolies?

3. Syria Later

As the Assad regime collapses, celebrations turn to chaos. HTS steps in with promises of mercy and diversity, while regional powers move in for their slice of the pie.

Quote of the Week:

“Albanese’s gotta have a better response to problems than just banning things. He’s really putting the ‘ban’ in ‘Al-ban-ese.’”

Enjoying News Weakly?

Keep the podcast ad-free and independent by supporting Sami on Patreon at patreon.com/samishah. Your contributions ensure we can keep punching the news in the headlines, weakly.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music: "Historic Anticipation" by Paul Mottram

Written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Get bonus content on Patreon

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

NEWS WEAKLY – 07th Dec, 2024

News Weakly, hosted by multi-award-winning comedian, writer, and broadcaster Sami Shah, is Australia’s sharpest news satire podcast. This week, Sami unpacks corporate greed, political chaos, and Middle Eastern conflicts with his signature wit and insight.

Top Stories of the Week:

1. Woolies Workers Strike Back

Sami takes on Woolworths’ union clashes, CEO salaries, and the Fair Work Commission’s controversial decisions. Is this a win for corporate greed or a wake-up call for worker rights?

2. When a Coup Isn’t a Coup

South Korea’s martial law fiasco and France’s government collapse reveal the political chaos gripping global powers.

3. Things Get Scary in Syria

The Syrian civil war reignites with new twists, leaving us all wondering: does anyone care about the Kurds?

Quote of the Week:

"It’s sweet how worried Woolworths’ CEO is about customers not being able to overpay for basic essentials."

Enjoying News Weakly? Keep the podcast ad-free and independent by supporting Sami Shah on Patreon at patreon.com/samishah.

About News Weakly and Sami Shah:

News Weakly is Australia’s leading news satire podcast, delivering biting commentary on politics, culture, and global affairs. Hosted by Sami Shah, the show combines comedy, fact-checked journalism, and sharp social insight, making it the go-to podcast for fans of news satire and comedy.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music "Historic Anticipation" by Paul Mottram.

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Why Listen to News Weakly?

• Australia’s funniest news satire podcast.
• Fact-checked commentary on the week's top stories.
• A fresh, comedic take on politics and current affairs.

Listen, laugh, and stay informed with News Weakly!

Get bonus content on Patreon

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

TNEWS WEAKLY – 30th November, 2024

This week, Sami Shah dives into Labor’s last-minute legislative frenzy, controversial social media bans for kids, and the latest parliamentary antics courtesy of Lidia Thorpe and Pauline Hanson. Get ready for sharp satire and biting analysis on the stories that matter most.

Top Stories of the Week:

1. A Frenzied Final Sitting

Labor pushes through 32 bills in 24 hours, proving they’re as adept at procrastination as they are at lawmaking. From social media restrictions to multinational tax reforms, Sami breaks down the highlights—and lowlights—of this legislative marathon.

2. Parliament Gets Thorped (Again)

Lidia Thorpe steals the spotlight with her latest parliamentary outburst, while Pauline Hanson does her usual racism routine. Sami dissects the mess and wonders if anyone involved remembers why they’re there in the first place.

Quote of the Week:

"Labor just pushed 32 bills through in 24 hours, with all the energy of a Masters-level university student who spent the entire term skipping class and smoking weed."

Support the Show

Enjoy News Weakly? Keep us ad-free and independent by supporting Sami on Patreon at patreon.com/samishah. Every contribution helps!

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: thesamishah.com

Theme music "Historic Anticipation" by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah.

Get bonus content on Patreon

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

News Weakly - 16 Nov 2024

Sami Shah records a special editorial edition from the iconic Raffles Bar in Singapore, weaving tales of overpriced cocktails, relentless humidity, and the Singapore Writers Festival. Between peanuts and jazz setups, Sami reflects on media, bias, and the complexity of modern news consumption.

Highlights:

• The Singapore Sling Debacle: Why some overpriced cocktails are worth it, if only for the experience (but not this one).
• Architecture of the Future: Singapore’s vision of a retro-future versus the LED-filled dystopias of China, the UAE, and the West.
• News Narratives Gone Awry: A deep dive into the Amsterdam riot story, examining media bias, misinformation, and how the rush to break news is breaking journalism.
• Lessons from Pakistan’s Media Evolution: How 24-hour news, sensationalism, and competing realities transformed the news landscape in the Global South—and what it tells us about the West.

Sami also takes a reflective turn, advocating for slow journalism, the virtues of newspapers, and a life less cluttered by social media doomscrolling.

Quote of the Week:

"Real life is what you escape to when Twitter gets too much to handle."

Whether you're here for the rants or the laughs, don't forget to:

• Support on Patreon.
• Leave a 5-star rating and review.
• Share the podcast with your friends.

No episode next week as Sami takes a short break but will return the week after with your regularly scheduled News Weakly, where we punch the news in the headlines, weakly!

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music "Historic Anticipation" by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted and produced by Sami Shah.

Get bonus content on Patreon

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

NEWS WEAKLY – 9th November, 2024

This week on News Weakly, Sami Shah brings us a special editorial edition, delivered right from the OzAsia Festival in Adelaide, where he’s been curating the Weekend of Words event. The episode splits into two parts to give listeners the option to tune out or dive deep into the U.S. election aftermath. Here’s what’s in store:

• “The Anti-Trump Segment”: Sami kicks off with a section where he avoids any mention of the U.S. election or Donald Trump, fulfilling a listener’s wish for a political escape. Instead, he explores lighter fare, responding to questions from Patreon supporters and discussing personal topics like the quirks of toothpaste, beloved pets, and the origins of his ultimate “porn name.”
• Reflections from OzAsia: In a touching segment, Sami reflects on his experience at the OzAsia Festival, sharing the gala’s theme, “I Was Supposed to Be…” and reading a poignant speech he gave on the value of storytelling, art, and hope in a world that feels increasingly dark.
• “The Trump Section – Enter If You Dare”: For those who want a cathartic take on recent events, Sami reluctantly dives into Trump’s re-election and his own missed predictions. From the pitfalls of punditry to the human psychology behind backing strongman figures, he tackles the complexity of democracy and the allure of authoritarian promises, using his own experience with Pakistan’s political history as context.

Enjoy a uniquely structured episode designed to satisfy political junkies and avoiders alike, packed with humor, introspection, and sharp commentary on the state of the world.

And don’t forget, if you’re in Adelaide, swing by the OzAsia Weekend of Words for Sami’s book club, panels, and stand-up shows, all happening November 8th-10th!

Enjoy News Weakly? Keep us going by supporting the podcast on Patreon at patreon.com/samishah. Every contribution helps us stay ad-free and focused on bringing you the best in satire and news commentary.

Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.

For more: http://thesamishah.com

Theme music "Historic Anticipation" by Paul Mottram

This podcast is written, hosted and produced by Sami Shah.

Get bonus content on Patreon

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.