What The F*** Is Going On? with Mark Steel
From the rise and fall of Boris Johnson to Putin's 'special operation' in Ukraine; from the cost of living crisis to sending refugees to Rwanda; award winning comedian Mark Steel takes an exasperated and frankly baffled look at the state of the UK and the rest of the world. Joined by comedian (and son) 26-year-old Elliot Steel for the 'youth's' perspective, and a special guest each week, with occasional contributions from the likes of a deceased cricketer and a woman who's overheard in a cafe, Mark tries to answer that age old question: What The F*** Is Going On?! Get bonus content on Patreon
Episodes
April 27, 2024 • 58 mins
Mark is joined by Rachel Fairburn, comedian and co-host of the All Killa No Filla podcast, along with Elliot Steel, as he tries to make sense of the Rwanda bill passing, the cost of renting in London - and upmarket graffiti in Hampstead!
Plus, a woman that Mark heard on a phone-in show shares her thoughts on Rishi Sunak's Rwanda scheme – and deceased Yorkshire cricketer Fred Trueman gives his views on the plans to scrap F.A. Cup ...
Mark as Played
April 20, 2024 • 54 mins
Mark is joined by actress, presenter and agony aunt Maria McErlane along with Elliot Steel, as he tries to make sense of Iran v Israel; New York v Donald Trump; Rishi Sunak v Smoking – and Liz Truss v Reality!
Plus, Nigel Boulevard, Britain's most patriotic man, goes to Belgium for a conference – and there's an exclusive extract from Liz Truss's book “50 Days To Crash The Economy...”
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Mark as Played
April 13, 2024 • 50 mins
Mark is joined by actress and impressionist Jan Ravens, along with Elliot Steel, as he tries to make sense of Liz Truss, Gillian Anderson playing Emily Maitlis in Scoop – and whether the Israeli Defence Force should be forced to leave Gaza and deal with the Post Office management instead.
Plus, money saving expert Martin Sunak surprises some small business owners on a helpline – and a woman who Mark overheard in a cafe isn't happ...
Mark as Played
April 6, 2024 • 62 mins
Mark is joined by columnist and political commentator Matthew Norman, along with Elliot Steel, as he tries to make sense of profiteering landlords, surreal conversations in a spa – and what happened when Elliot gave Mark a nicotine pouch to help him produce saliva!
Plus, our very own George Galloway MP shares his thoughts on Paddy McGuinness joining Radio 2 – and broadcasting legend Mike Concrete demands answers from a 99 year ol...
Mark as Played
March 30, 2024 • 70 mins
Mark is joined by Robin Ince - comedian, writer and broadcaster - for a special extended interview, as he tries to make sense of the rise of conspiracy theories and the challenges faced by rational thought.
It's a hilarious and wide-ranging conversation that covers everything from Naomi Klein and Donald Trump to Robin Askwith, star of Confessions of a Window Cleaner!
Mark and Robin discuss whether it's worth arguing with anti-v...
Mark as Played
March 23, 2024 • 56 mins
Mark is joined by broadcaster Dan Norcross of Test Match Special fame, along with Elliot Steel, as he tries to make sense of people who are obsessed with the Royals, overrated classic films – and the so-called war on motorists.
Plus, our very own George Galloway MP shares his thoughts on Beyonce's new country album – and there's deceased Yorkshire cricketer Fred Trueman on the rumours of another Tory Party leadership contest.
G...
Mark as Played
March 16, 2024 • 52 mins
Mark is joined by author and comedy writer John O'Farrell, along with Elliot Steel, as he tries to make sense of Diane Abbott and the Tory donor, Lee Anderson blaming everything on the Wokerati – and what Bob Geldof said about John's Live Aid musical.
Plus, our very own George Galloway MP shares his thoughts on the Oscars – and Lieutenant Colonel Sir Ambrose Chislehurst-Adobe gives his inside take on the Kate Middleton photoshopp...
Mark as Played
March 9, 2024 • 49 mins
Mark is joined by comedian Justin Moorhouse, along with Elliot Steel, as he tries to make sense of Jeremy Hunt's budget; the waterfall that could bring peace to Gaza – and whether boxer Ryan Garcia was kidnapped by the illuminati and forced to watch a Satanic ritual!
Plus, our very own George Galloway MP shares an exclusive extract from his first day back in Parliament – and a woman who Mark overheard in a cafe gives her views on...
Mark as Played
March 2, 2024 • 59 mins
Mark is joined by Journalist and Author Susie Boniface, along with Elliot Steel, as he tries to make sense of the UK nuclear test veterans' campaign for justice and the disastrous "Willy Wonka Experience" in Glasgow
George Galloway is in full flow at a debate in St George’s Church, Liz Truss teaches us how to boil an egg properly and again we’re delighted to have an extract from the post-Brexit diaries of Britain’s most patriotic ...
Mark as Played
February 24, 2024 • 53 mins
Mark is joined by comedian, actor & presenter Nick Hancock , along with Elliot Steel, as he tries to make sense of pissing during the cricket, Tucker Carlson's interview with Putin & audience chatter at gigs.
There's the return of Mike concrete speaking to Astronaut Tim Hill and Mark hears a woman on a phone in complaining about immigration.
If you want to get extended interviews, ad free episodes, extra sketches and an opportun...
Mark as Played
February 21, 2024 • 64 mins
A special bonus extended conversation with last week's guest Caroline Quentin.
It seemed a shame to not the share the entirety of this fantastic interview so please enjoy this special episode.
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Mark as Played
February 17, 2024 • 50 mins
Mark is joined by author and actress Caroline Quentin , along with Elliot Steel, as he tries to make sense of Horticulture, British Gas and memory loss.
Plus there's the return of Martin Sunak with his money saving tips and Mark overhears a woman in a cafe talking about the closing of The Body Shop.
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Mark as Played
February 10, 2024 • 52 mins
Mark is joined by comedian Mick Ferry, along with Elliot Steel, as he tries to make sense of King Charles's cancer, Rishi Sunak's bet with Piers Morgan – and why Coronation Street was full of radical lefties in the 1970s!
Plus, the return of broadcasting legend Mike Concrete – and (pass the PopCon...) it's The Liz Truss Guide To Valentine's Day!
Get ad-free extended episodes, early access and exclusive content on Patreon:
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Mark as Played
February 3, 2024 • 57 mins
Mark is back! He's joined by comedian Sooz Kempner, along with Elliot Steel, as he tries to make sense of the Tories imploding, Keir Starmer equivocating – and Laurence Fox self-destructing!
Plus, our very own George Galloway stars as the guest presenter on Winterwatch – and there's a welcome return for Nadine Boris!
Get ad-free extended episodes, early access and exclusive content on Patreon:
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Mark as Played
January 27, 2024 • 72 mins
Mark gives an update on his recovery and introduces another chance to hear one of most popular WTFIGO episodes of all time.
Angela Barnes and John O'Farrell from the We Are History podcast join Mark Steel for a special extended interview, to answer the question “What The F*** Was Going On?” Mark talks to Angela and John about everything from tipping points in history, to whether 'good' and 'bad' people exist – and if so, whether...
Mark as Played
January 20, 2024 • 50 mins
Guest host Seann Walsh is joined by Rosie Holt and Elliot Steel, as he tries to make sense of the Rwanda scheme, the Post Office scandal – and how Mark's recovery is going after his cancer treatment.
Seann also learns how to pronounce Rwanda – although he has insisted that we point out to you that he does in fact know that it's hot there!
Plus, a caller on a phone-in show is sick of the Post Office scandal, Jeremy – and there'...
Mark as Played
January 13, 2024 • 72 mins
While Mark recovers from the side-effects of his recent cancer treatment, here's another chance to listen to our most downloaded episode of all time...
In this special extended interview, Mark talks to LBC presenter James O'Brien about everything from Brexit to Jeremy Corbyn – and from Katie Hopkins to our very own talk-show host Mike Concrete.
James and Mark discuss how to change people's minds, how to deal with trolls on soc...
Mark as Played
December 23, 2023 • 53 mins
Mark is joined by comedian Scott Bennett for a special extended interview, as he tries to make sense of his ongoing cancer treatment. Mark somehow manages to see the funny side of coughing fits, industrial scale mucus production – and an assortment of drugs and paraphernalia that would put Walter White to shame!
Honest, heartwarming and hilarious, we guarantee it's the funniest conversation you'll hear about cancer and chemother...
Mark as Played
December 16, 2023 • 52 mins
Mark is joined by music journalist Simon Price, along with Elliot Steel, as he tries to make sense of Shane MacGowan's genius, Rishi Sunak's amnesia – and Elliot's worst ever gig!
Plus, Mike Concrete interviews a campaigner for the Welsh language, and – Rejoice! – it's The Liz Truss Guide To Christmas.
Get ad-free extended episodes, early access and exclusive content on Patreon:
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Follow...
Mark as Played
December 9, 2023 • 47 mins
Mark is joined by columnist and political commentator Matthew Norman, along with Elliot Steel, as he tries to make sense of Boris Johnson at the Covid inquiry, Rishi Sunak's latest immigration rules – and how Matthew's hypochondria could solve the NHS's problems!
Plus, sympathetic financial advice from money-saving expert Martin Sunak – and a live session at the Covid Inquiry is interrupted by Nadine Boris.
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Mark as Played
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