We Have Notes with Liv Little and Miranda Sawyer

In this episode, Miranda and Liv provide the ultimate culture guide to 2026, discussing everything you need to know about the big cultural trends, industry news, the people to watch and the moments everyone will be talking about.

Stay in touch!  

Miranda Sawyer on Instagram 

Liv Little on Instagram 

@WeHaveNotes_Pod on Instagram

@WeHaveNotes_Pod on TikTok

[email protected] via email 

Hosts: Miranda Sawyer and Liv Little 

Guest: Stephen Armstrong

Producer: Casey Magloire 

Executive Producer: Jasper Corbett 

Subscribe to The Observer today and get access to:

• Our podcasts before anyone else
• A daily edition, curated by our editors 7 days a week
• Puzzles from the inventors of the cryptic crossword
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A British version of the hit sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live debuted last weekend, but how did this historic moment come about? Miranda speaks to SNL writer, Gráinne Maguire, to get all the behind the scenes details. 

And BTS, the biggest boy band in the world, are back with a new album 82-date tour. The 4-year hiatus is over and the group is returning to the music scene after serving in the South Korean military. But how did seven young Korean men become an international sensation? Former Glamour editor and super fan Jo Elvin joins Miranda to explain. 

Let’s chat! Send us your voice notes! 

@WeHaveNotes_Pod on Instagram

@WeHaveNotes_Pod on TikTok

[email protected] via email 

Watch more on YouTube - HERE 

Hosts: Miranda Sawyer 

Guest: Gráinne Maguire and Jo Elvin 

Producer: Casey Magloire 

Executive Producer: Jasper Corbett 

Subscribe to The Observer today and get access to:

• Our podcasts before anyone else
• A daily edition, curated by our editors 7 days a week
• Puzzles from the inventors of the cryptic crossword
• Recipes for every occasion
• Free tickets to join Observer events in our newsroom or online

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

Legendary documentarian Louis Theroux is back with a new Netflix show - and of course we all watched it. But how did Louis become such a beloved cultural figure, especially with young people? 

And Liv and Miranda ask - how can a relationship benefit or hurt a celebrity's brand in 2026. 

Let’s chat! Send us your voice notes! 

@WeHaveNotes_Pod on Instagram

@WeHaveNotes_Pod on TikTok

[email protected] via email 

Watch more on YouTube - HERE 

Liv and Miranda love to share their recommendations, here’s what’s on their radar this week: 

Liv:

• Dynasty: The Murdochs (TV) available on Netflix 

Miranda: 

• Groovy, Laidback and Nasty: A History of Independent Music in Sheffield (Book) by Daniel Dylan Wray

Read more On My Radar recommendations from The Observer’s New Review HERE 

Hosts: Miranda Sawyer and Liv Little 

Producer: Casey Magloire 

Executive Producer: Jasper Corbett 

Subscribe to The Observer today and get access to:

• Our podcasts before anyone else
• A daily edition, curated by our editors 7 days a week
• Puzzles from the inventors of the cryptic crossword
• Recipes for every occasion
• Free tickets to join Observer events in our newsroom or online

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

The finale of this year’s awards season takes place this Sunday, with Hollywood’s biggest stars gathering in LA for the 98th Academy Awards - also known as the Oscars. 

While Oscars can be won on merit alone, many are the result of strategic campaigns akin to an election. 

So, how do you win an Oscar? Liv and Miranda get all the details from journalist and award campaign strategist, Leila Latif. 

Watch more on YouTube - HERE 

Liv and Miranda love to share their recommendations, here’s what’s on their radar this week: 

Liv: Deutsche Börse Photography Foundation Prize 2026

Read more On My Radar recommendations from The Observer’s New Review HERE 

Let’s chat! Send us your voice notes! 

@WeHaveNotes_Pod on Instagram

@WeHaveNotes_Pod on TikTok

[email protected] via email 

Hosts: Miranda Sawyer and Liv Little 

Guest: Leila Latif 

Producer: Casey Magloire 

Executive Producer: Jasper Corbett

Subscribe to The Observer today and get access to:

• Our podcasts before anyone else
• A daily edition, curated by our editors 7 days a week
• Puzzles from the inventors of the cryptic crossword
• Recipes for every occasion
• Free tickets to join Observer events in our newsroom or online

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

This weekend was all about the BRIT awards But what do the top winners of the night have in common? They all went to the prestigious BRIT school in south London. So how did this performing arts state school end up shaping and creating the biggest UK talent of the last 20 years. 

Grey's Anatomy and Euphoria actor Eric Dane died on 19th February, after battling ALS. The following day, Netflix dropped a new episode of their show Famous Last Words featuring Dane. The secret interview was intended to be his final goodbye to the world and his daughters. Can artists ever shape their legacy after their death? 

Liv and Miranda love to share their recommendations, here’s what’s on their radar this week: 

Liv:

• Water Bearers (book) by Sasha Bonét 

Miranda: 

• Fenian (album) by Kneecap out on 24th April 

Read more On My Radar recommendations from The Observer’s New Review HERE 

Watch more on YouTube - HERE

Let’s chat! Send us your voice notes! 

@WeHaveNotes_Pod on Instagram

@WeHaveNotes_Pod on TikTok

[email protected] via email 

Hosts: Miranda Sawyer and Liv Little 

Producer: Casey Magloire 

Executive Producer: Jasper Corbett

Subscribe to The Observer today and get access to:

• Our podcasts before anyone else
• A daily edition, curated by our editors 7 days a week
• Puzzles from the inventors of the cryptic crossword
• Recipes for every occasion
• Free tickets to join Observer events in our newsroom or online

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

Capitalising on a massive cultural moment, like Brat, is easier said than done. But has Charli xcx successfully brought Brat summer to an end with her new mockumentary film - The Moment? 

BFI Flare, the largest LGBTQIA+ film festival in Europe, is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. How has queer cinema evolved over that time? 

Plus, we discuss the fallout of the Bafta awards. Headlines that follow award shows typically highlight the night’s winners and losers. But this week is very different. Liv and Miranda discuss the incident that saw the N-word broadcasted on the BBC. 

More about the BAFTAs: 

• The Observer: The BBC wins no marks for its production at the Baftas
• The Guardian: Sinners studio say they raised N-word use with Bafta immediately as Google ‘deeply sorry’ for offensive notification
• The BBC: BBC edited a second racial slur out of Bafta ceremony
• Deadline: BAFTA Says It Has Begun “Comprehensive Review” After Slur Incident At Film Awards

Follow us on YouTube - HERE 

Liv and Miranda love to share their recommendations, here’s what’s on their radar this week: 

Liv:

• If I Had Legs I Would Kick You (film)
• Spirit by Bafta award winner Akinola Davies Jr. (film)

Miranda: 

• National portrait gallery exhibition -  Lucian Freud: Drawing into Painting

Read more On My Radar recommendations from The Observer’s New Review HERE 

Let’s chat! Send us your voice notes! 

@WeHaveNotes_Pod on Instagram

@WeHaveNotes_Pod on TikTok

[email protected] via email 

Hosts: Miranda Sawyer and Liv Little 

Guest: Grace Barber-Plentie, BFI Flare programmer 

Producer: Casey Magloire 

Executive Producer: Matt Russell 

Subscribe to The Observer today and get access to:

• Our podcasts before anyone else
• A daily edition, curated by our editors 7 days a week
• Puzzles from the inventors of the cryptic crossword
• Recipes for every occasion
• Free tickets to join Observer events in our newsroom or online

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

This week, we are tackling two types of drama: reality TV and gothic literature. 

First up: a new Netflix doc lifts the lid on the hit TV show, America's Next Top Model. Was host and former supermodel Tyra Banks the ultimate TV villain or a victim of toxic 00s culture? 

And then, we’re switching gears to the big screen and talking about the new Wuthering Heights film. Does a film have to be "faithful" to the book to be good, or are we okay with a total vibe-shift? Director Emerald Fennell made some bold choices with the latest version of the Brontë classic, does it work?

Watch more on YouTube - HERE 

Liv and Miranda love to share their recommendations, here’s what’s on their radar this week: 

Liv:

• Pillow Talk - Nicolas Deshayes & Paloma Proudfoot

Miranda: 

• Unfortunate: The Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch

Read more On My Radar recommendations from The Observer’s New Review HERE 

Let’s chat! Send us your voice notes! 

@WeHaveNotes_Pod on Instagram

@WeHaveNotes_Pod on TikTok

[email protected] via email 

Hosts: Miranda Sawyer and Liv Little 

Producer: Casey Magloire 

Assistant Producer: Amalie Sortland 

Executive Producer: Jasper Corbett

Subscribe to The Observer today and get access to:

• Our podcasts before anyone else
• A daily edition, curated by our editors 7 days a week
• Puzzles from the inventors of the cryptic crossword
• Recipes for every occasion
• Free tickets to join Observer events in our newsroom or online

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

Michelle de Swarte joins Liv and Miranda to speak about her career and the changing UK comedy scene. Will SNL UK be the new vehicle for introducing up-and-coming talent to the mainstream? 

Bad Bunny made history at the Super Bowl Halftime Show on Sunday and new super fans out of Miranda and Liv. For many, this was their introduction to the Puerto Rican star - but how did he get so big? 

Get tickets to Michelle de Swarte’s comedy tour - The Afters → HERE 

Liv and Miranda love to share their recommendations, here’s what’s on their radar this week: 

Liv:

• How to Mend: Motherhood and Its Ghosts by Iman Mersal
• Between the Covers live

Miranda: 

• The Muppet Show! 

Read more On My Radar recommendations from The Observer’s New Review HERE 

Let’s chat! Send us your voice notes! 

@WeHaveNotes_Pod on Instagram

@WeHaveNotes_Pod on TikTok

[email protected] via email 

Hosts: Miranda Sawyer and Liv Little 

Producer: Casey Magloire 

Assistant producer: Amalie Sortland 

Executive Producer: Matt Russell

Subscribe to The Observer today and get access to:

• Our podcasts before anyone else
• A daily edition, curated by our editors 7 days a week
• Puzzles from the inventors of the cryptic crossword
• Recipes for every occasion
• Free tickets to join Observer events in our newsroom or online

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

The HBO hit, Industry, is back on TV and more stressful than ever. The gritty financial thriller doesn’t pull its punches when it comes to showing the darker elements of British society. Liv and Miranda discuss what they think the show is about. Class? Capitalism? Race? A combination of all three, perhaps?

Harry Styles, Bruno Mars, Coldplay, Beyoncé and Taylor Swift are just a few of the artists who are taking touring to the next level. Long gone are the days of acts occupying a stadium for a night or two - now, tours appear to be closer to international residencies. And you need to take out a loan to buy tickets. What’s happened?

Liv and Miranda love to share their recommendations, here’s what’s on their radar this week: 

Liv:

• Sirât (film) 
• My Father’s shadow

Miranda: 

• Zine Age Kicks (book) by James Brown

Read more On My Radar recommendations from The Observer’s New Review HERE 

Let’s chat! Send us your voice notes! 

@WeHaveNotes_Pod on Instagram

@WeHaveNotes_Pod on TikTok

[email protected] via email 

Hosts: Miranda Sawyer and Liv Little 

Producer: Casey Magloire 

Executive Producer: Jasper Corbett 

Subscribe to The Observer today and get access to:

• Our podcasts before anyone else
• A daily edition, curated by our editors 7 days a week
• Puzzles from the inventors of the cryptic crossword
• Recipes for every occasion
• Free tickets to join Observer events in our newsroom or online

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

On Monday, Ye (formerly known as Kanye West) published a full page ad in the Wall Street Journal, apologising for his antisemitic behaviour and hate speech. He said that a late diagnosis of frontal lobe damage following a car crash and bipolar disorder was to blame. 

But can Kanye uncancel himself? 

And, hit show Bridgerton is back! What will the ton be wearing this season? We get all the details from the show’s costume designers John Glasser and Dougie Hawke.

Watch full episodes on YouTube - HERE 

Liv and Miranda love to share their recommendations, here’s what’s on their radar this week: 

Liv:

• Brogan Bertie (artist) 

Tickets to The Observer Book Club HERE

Read more On My Radar recommendations from The Observer’s New Review HERE

Let’s chat! Send us your voice notes! 

@WeHaveNotes_Pod on Instagram

@WeHaveNotes_Pod on TikTok

[email protected] via email 

Hosts: Miranda Sawyer and Liv Little 

Producer: Casey Magloire 

Executive Producer: Jasper Corbett 

Subscribe to The Observer today and get access to:

• Our podcasts before anyone else
• A daily edition, curated by our editors 7 days a week
• Puzzles from the inventors of the cryptic crossword
• Recipes for every occasion
• Free tickets to join Observer events in our newsroom or online

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