Explore every episode of the podcast Please Don't
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Is Tom Cruise Cool? | 24 Sep 2026 | 00:45:08 | |
Why is Tom Cruise so extra? Is Big Brother here forever? Is it ever okay to ask for a selfie? Plus SNL UK, and justice for Stacey Solomon Welcome to the kennel of the algorithm bloodhounds, bred to sniff out the hottest takes for the chronically online. Columnist Raven Smith, and author Joel Golby, are here to provide you with their cheat sheet for what to think about culture right now. Theyâll tell you what they love - but, more importantly, theyâll tell you what's a Please Donât. Got a hot take? Or even a hot take on Raven and Joelâs hot takes? Email ravenandjoel@bbc.co.uk â Why is Tom Cruise so extra? Hollywoodâs biggest action hero and eternal enigma, Tom Cruise, has been out and about a lot recently, ahead of his new film Digger. With one or two exceptions, itâs his first non-action film since 2000. His press tour has included his first magazine cover in 20 years, and the reception has beenâŚinteresting. Raven thinks he lost his cool-factor when he jumped on Oprahâs sofa. Joel completely disagrees and will tell you why. And should we be calling him Thomas Cruisington? Who are the dark horses of SNL UK? Can you hear that? Itâs a phrase being bellowed from the capital to the world - âlive, from London, itâs Saturday nightâ... SNL UK is in the full swing of its second series, after a stonking debut. Thereâve been big hits (British Pork, Princess Diana, The X Factor sketch), and some swings that havenât quite landed (someone please check on Jeff Goldblum?). But who are the showâs MVPs? Joel bigs up new boy on the block Freddie Meredith, Raven tells us how he got too shy to say hello to Celeste Dring in the shops, and thereâs a collective wow and bow at the altar of George Fouracres. Is Big Brother here forever? AJ Odudu and Will Best are back on the box with Big Brother, and this yearâs Housemates are already proving spicy. Big Brother has been watching us since 2000, and has the rare badge of being one of the only shows to have aired on BBC, ITV, Channel 4, and Channel 5 - but why do we love it so much? And why would you want to go in the House now? Raven thinks it gives you the perfect level of fame; for some reason, Joel has the knives out for The Peopleâs Prince, AngryGinge; and heâs also demanding justice for Kinga from Big Brother 6. Plus, hear why some in Chelmsford are wrongly angry at Stacey Solomon of all people, and Ravenâs asking why anyone would want a pic with Kim Kardashian. Raven and Joel are back next Thursday. Please Donât is a Reduced Listening production for BBC Sounds. Producer: David Chipakupaku Digital Producer: Christian Dametto Assistant Producer: Annie Keates Thorpe Executive Producer: Lily Ames Head of Production: Dan Jackson Audio credits: 09:15 - "Digger" trailer - Legendary Pictures, TC Productions, Warner Bros. Pictures | |||
| The Olivia Wilde Renaissance | 17 Sep 2026 | 00:38:25 | |
Welcome to the kennel of the algorithm bloodhounds, bred to sniff out the hottest takes for the chronically online. Columnist Raven Smith, and author Joel Golby are here to provide you with their cheat sheet for what to think about culture right now. Theyâll tell you what they love - but, more importantly, theyâll tell you what's a Please Donât. Got a hot take? Or even a hot take on Raven and Joelâs hot takes? Email ravenandjoel@bbc.co.uk â Is this Olivia Wildeâs renaissance? The director-actor has three films out this year. Raven asks if itâs proof we can all move on from the media storm of Donât Worry Darling and agree that sheâs a cultural powerhouse. And Joel argues that not only has she won in cultural cache, but sheâs won her divorce with Jason Sudeikis. Also, whatâs Amelia Dimoldenberg going to do next? After twelve years of tormenting celebrities with overhead fluorescent lighting and crispy drumsticks, Amelia Dimoldenberg has announced sheâs closing the doors to Chicken Shop Date. Raven and Joel have some ideas. Plus, is Autumn Spring for culture? Raven and Joel have many thoughts on whoâs entering The Celebrity Traitors castle. Nathan Fielderâs new Elizabeth Holmes documentary is on the way this October - is it arguably the most terrifying A24 film in some time? And if that isnât enough, we need to talk about The B-Tap. Whatâs The B-Tap, you ask? The Bayeux Tapestry, obviously. Will it spark romance? Should we be doing more textile-based art? And, no pressure on a piece of cloth from about a thousand years ago, but can The B-Tap heal the nations? Raven and Joel are back next Thursday. Please Donât is a Reduced Listening production for BBC Sounds. Producer: David Chipakupaku Digital Producer: Christian Dametto Assistant Producer: Annie Keates Thorpe Executive Producer: Lily Ames Executive Producer: Dan Jackson Audio credits: 05:59 - "The Invite" trailer - A24, Invite Production, Annapurna Pictures, FilmNation Entertainment, Permut Presentations 24:18 - Instagram / @rosskemptv 25:25 - "You Can See Everything" trailer - A24, To Be Formed, Blow Out Productions | |||
| Trailer | 16 Sep 2026 | 00:01:36 | |
Kings of the hot take, Raven Smith and Joel Golby are the algorithm bloodhounds sniffing out the correct cultural opinions. From the red carpet moment flooding your feed; to the TV show you canât get enough of; via that book your mateâs weird ex-boyfriend suggested to you. Want to share your takes in the group chat? Email ravenandjoel@bbc.co.uk | |||