Standard Issue Podcast

There’s no doubt that Yosra’s picked* one of last year’s juggernauts: John M Chu’s cinematic take on Winnie Holzman’s ridiculously successful musical version of Gregory Maguire’s dark adult novel reimagining the L Frank Baum children’s books that became a 1939 film classic still beloved today. Phew! That’s a whole load of fan bases to tickle. But what if you’re new to the new version of Oz? Why is it in two parts? Just how hard a sell is it to Mick and Hannah? And is… is Ariana Grande funny?

* An epic fantasy musical? Of course it was Yosra.

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There's a cryptid been spotted in Cambridge and it's far from the least believable thing you'll hear in today's podcast, where Mickey and Hannah are chatting about exclamation marks, assisted dying, renters' rights and AI being bad for older women in the workforce.

* If you're missing your Jenny Off The Blocks fix, get over to our Substack where Jen is chatting about Mary Earps' autobiography and the many, many opinions on it: https://standardissuepodcast.substack.com/

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The Destiny’s Child theme tune celebrated all the women being independent, but – question - how appropriate are those lyrics for McG’s 2000 “action-comedy” film version of the 1970s TV series? Was it made for Jen, Hannah and Mick? Was it made for any women? And how many Susan Faludi references can Mick fit into a single episode?

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Radio 4 and BBC World Service reporter and producer Ellie House makes some really interesting podcasts. Her latest, The Real ‘Yellowstone’: a battle for the cowboy way of life, focuses on the proposed sale of public land in Montana and the strange political bedfellows that have resulted. Ellie and Hannah also chat about the introduction of National Service for women in Denmark and the joys of travelling for work.

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It's another OTB of two halves this month, with Mickey joining Hannah to chat about Riot Women, Only Murders In The Building, The Last Frontier and High Potential. Then Jen tag teams in to talk about Slow Horses, Coldwater, Blue Lights and How Are You? It's Alan (Partridge).

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As the concept of ID cards rears its ugly head once again, Hannah and Jen are asking if Keir Starmer’s revolutionary way of eliminating faff will be as effective as Brexit in terms of reducing bureaucracy. Elsewhere, it seems the Home Office could do with some help in getting its day job done. Meanwhile, Henry VIII is repping Sexism of the Week via Hemel Hempstead, there are big international fixtures in Jenny off the Blocks, and thank God, as ever, for the French.

If you want to know more about what Hannah thinks about ID cards, and indeed, what we all think about all sorts of things, check out our Substack here.

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Or is it the long good objectification of a young Pierce Brosnan? Mick, Hannah and Jen are here to prove a Rated or Dated can be both, as they watch the cornerstone British gangster flick written by Barrie Keefe, directed by John Mackenzie, and which made a full-blown film star out of the late, great Bob Hoskins. He’s joined by a host of familiar faces, including Helen Mirren, in a film that’s prescient, political, tight and brutal.

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As an 18-year-old in search of freedom and adventure, Gosia Buzzanca left her small hometown of Poznan, Poland, eventually settling in Wales. In her new book, There She Goes, My Beautiful World, she charts her physical and emotional journey, teenage traumas, love and loss.

Jen chats to Gosia about her book, growing up in Poland, post-Brexit immigration in the UK, and the universal harsh realities facing young women. 

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With the Grand Old Duke of York’s title now vacant, Mick and Jen visit the horrific allegations against Prince (for now) Andrew, made in Virginia Giuffre’s posthumous memoir, and his other right royal cock-ups. There's more horror, this time in England's maternity wards. But fear not, there's also some joy, including puppies – 13 of ‘em! Woof! – a delicious turning of the tables in SOTW, and some half decent cricket results in Jenny Off the Blocks.

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Can an Australian film be a Western? Can one female character represent all of womankind? Is this the best Ray Winstone? And, most importantly, who's this Nick Cave fella? Find out all the answers, as we watch John Hillcoat's blood-stained, sun-baked drama.

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