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The Times

Each week Giles Coren finds himself with no idea what to write about in his weekly column. Having read all the papers and found nothing of interest whatsoever, he takes a break and does the school run. That’s where his wife and fellow journalist Esther Walker comes in. Upon his return, Esther has half a dozen ideas she’s spotted ready to knock around with him over the kitchen table and a much needed pot of coffee.

You can read Giles in The Times here; https://www.thetimes.co.uk/profile/giles-coren

And subscribe to The Times and Sunday Times here; https://www.thetimes.co.uk/subscribe

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Giles Coren Has No Idea

Some sad news – the podcast is coming to an end.

Giles and Esther, after over two hundred episodes will be ending the podcast next week. 

The penultimate episode has echoes of the first as masks are making a comeback. With a particularly virulent strain of flu spreading across the nation is it time to bring back masks…opinion is divided.

Opposition leader Kemi Badenoch is also making something of a comeback, after her leadership was questioned she is now receiving rave reviews - her latest policy target is getting young people back to work. Would Giles or Esther do manual labour?

As social media is banned for under sixteens in Australia, could there be any unforeseen consequences….?

Lastly, why on earth has RFK Jnr has been given a billion dollars to install gyms in airports?

 

And as always please do get in touch: noidea@thetimes.com

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

Giles Coren Has No Podcast

It is advent which means calendars, Christmas preparation and church services. Esther is making up for her childhood austerity by buying big gaudy chocolate calendars; Giles is curbing his instinct to over buy and both of them are pondering the true meaning of Christmas. 

According to recent research couples that drink together stay together…as mismatched drinking habits can be the death knell of a relationship. Are Esther and Giles’ drinking patterns in sync?

For those eschewing Christianity, what are the popular alternatives, and are they worth a look? 

Finally, what’s the difference between children and cats…?

 

And as always please do get in touch: noidea@thetimes.com

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

Festive Cheer

Giles and Esther are trying to work out how best to teach their children to think better about energy - how and when to use it wisely. But who should teach valuable lessons about the economics of the home - the school or themselves, the parents? And how much do they really understand? So in this bonus edition made in partnership with Smart Energy GB Giles and Esther discuss bathtime, underfloor heating and whether something that makes a whirring noise in the kitchen at night is really going to reduce them to penury! And how the smart meter might make it easier to pass on some important wisdom.

Made in partnership with Smart Energy GB. 

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

Home Energy Education

Giles and Esther have delayed the recording of the podcast so they can respond to Rachel Reeves much anticipated budget. Turns out they didn’t need to as the whole thing was leaked! With the mansion tax potentially looming large should people consider devaluing their houses? If so, how might one go about doing that…? And if the Chancellor is taxing milk shakes and lattes Giles thinks she should go a step further.

Is fame bad for your health? With some experience of the matter both Esther and Giles think so. But wonder if there is an element of chicken and egg about fame – does it attract a more fragile sort, or does it cause the fragility? 

Finally, the case of Nigel Farage and the accusations of schoolboy racism. 

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Now Tax The Coffee Shops!

A quick but very loud update on Giles’ snoring. He has recorded himself and it’s been quite a shock. But he has found a new gadget that is aiding him in his quest to return to the marital bed. 

This week is better than Christmas for Giles as the Ashes begin, he plans on adjusting his body clock and not missing a second…and he’ll be dragging a bleary eyed twelve-year-old along for the ride.

Are you rich? Would you admit it if you were? Weary with seemingly well-off people pleading poverty Giles has developed a very simple check list to establish – rich or not rich?

Lastly, the Cambridge Dictionary word of the year is… 

And as always please do get in touch: noidea@thetimes.com

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

How to Tell If You Are Rich

Giles has been to see a Bob Vylan gig. 

Bob Vylan are a punk rap duo who hit the headlines when the BBC broadcast their set live from Glastonbury, during which they led a chant of ‘death death to the IDF.’ 

Performing round the corner at the forum in Kentish Town Giles went to see the gig, the various protest and counter protest groups and to talk to some strangers.

If PM Sir Keir Starmer really is under threat who else could fill his shoes – Davina McCall, the artist formerly known as Prince Andrew? There is upheaval at the BBC as the DG and head of news resign on the same day…will Giles be sending in his CV for either of the roles?

Finally, ‘Flesh’ by David Szalay wins the booker prize, what’s it about?

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Bob Vylan - Blood On The Tracks?

Giles is still sleeping apart from Esther because of his snoring. But he is not fully reconciled to the new arrangement. The subject hit a nerve as many listeners have been in touch with ideas to improve the situation – from wired jaws, wedge pillows or intriguingly a trip to Newcastle. After Giles composes himself, he considers a few of the options. 

In more upbeat new Parisians are being offered the chance to win a burial spot next to the likes of Oscar Wilde, Jim Morrison or Edith Piaf in the famous cemeteries of the Père-Lachaise, Montparnasse and Montmartre. So where would Giles and Esther like to be buried?

Lastly, a new charge has started to appear on some restaurant bills – an admin charge. What is it, why is it there and does it mark the end of fine dining…? 

 

And as always please do get in touch: noidea@thetimes.com

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

Time's Up For Fine Dining

Sixteen percent of UK couples sleep in separate bedrooms. (Giles knows because he asked Grok.)

Esther and Giles have now joined that group as Giles’ snoring has finally got too much for Esther. Is this a problem that listeners are familiar with…are their other causes for sleeping separately besides snoring? 

Government ministers have announced they will investigate the brightness of modern car headlights, about time to seems to be the response. But can these ministers be relied upon to do such research, given they don’t appear capable of much else? 

A quick question – is it fair to dress dogs up on Halloween? And lastly, having used Grok Giles wonders what a Grok rival to Wikipedia might look and sound like.

 

And as always please do get in touch: noidea@thetimes.com

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

We’re Getting a (sleep) Divorce

This week Giles and Esther record the pod in front of a live audience at the Cheltenham Literature Festival.

Giles regales the crowd with tales of his prostate cancer diagnosis, taps up an off-duty doctor for some opinions and wonders what would get Jane Austin cancelled.

Esther demonstrates her grasps of veganism, her unwillingness to read out loud and knows what would get her cancelled.

Special thanks to 'The Nook on Five, Cheltenham's rooftop restaurant' for hosting us. 

And as always please do get in touch: noidea@thetimes.com

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

Live from Cheltenham: ‘Fasting is bo**ocks!’

In a listeners special Esther is delighted to have not read the papers as her and Giles dip into the post bag. They get some book recommendations, test opinion on central heating and to reply to some marvellous listeners. 

In amongst all that if you’ve ever wondered how many people it takes to publish a book and what do they all do Esther can fill you in.

And as always please do get in touch: noidea@thetimes.com

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

A Listeners Special: "I hope that was illuminating…”

As the Archbishop of Canterbury resigns Giles asks the key question - does anyone care? 

Following Donald Trump’s election victory there is a rumour doing the rounds that some rich celebrities plan to leave the US for Britain. Do we want them, does anywhere want them? Might they be in for a surprise with the reality of modern London not quite matching the dream…

How does one deal with a moth infestation? Top tip: cedar wood, moth balls or sue the house seller for 30million pounds!

Finally, what do you get if you cross a Slovenian girl done good, chat GPT and a White House? A FLOTUS memoir – simples! 

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The Archwhat of Where?

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