Today, we are exploring the "celebrification" of criminals in the age of social media, particularly that of Gypsy Rose Blanchard and Anna Delvey. Gypsy Rose Blanchard, recently released from prison for the murder of her mother, and Anna Delvey, a con-artist currently under house arrest in New York, have become prime examples of how criminals can now capitalise on their notoriety in the digital era. Whereas historically, a criminal might be jailed, do their time, and disappear from the public radar, now they can brazenly evade the law and even flaunt their lifestyle on social media, like the Tindler Swindler. So why are we so captivated by certain crimes? And is it ok for people to profit from their conviction? Let’s go straight to the comments to find out.   Questions for us or comments you want us to review? We love answering your questions and analysing stories you have found. Send them to us over on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/s2tcpodcast/ If you enjoyed the show, please give us a 5* review on Spotify and review on Apple. This series is produced by Emily Crosby Media.

Straight to the Comments

Criminals as Celebrities: Gypsy Rose Blanchard and Anna Delvey

Happy New Year! It’s almost the end of 2023, and we are talking today about our predictions for 2024. Will we see a rise in deepfake content? Will Barbie dominate Oppenheimer at the Oscars? Will it be the end of superhero films? What happened to Brie Larson? We also discuss what we cannot wait to see in 2024. Plus, possibly the worst idea for a music festival ever. Questions for us or comments you want us to review? We love answering your questions and analysing stories you have found. Send them to us over on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/s2tcpodcast/ If you enjoyed the show, please give us a 5* review on Spotify and review on Apple. This series is produced by Emily Crosby Media.  

Our 2024 Predictions

We have a jam-packed, tinsel-draped Christmas bonanza episode for you today. We're talking about the cult of Taylor Swift, why Swedish fans were left cold by Beyoncé, and Madonna's big tour comeback. We also have an update on Alice Evans, who recently stated she might have to work at Starbucks to make ends meet after her divorce from Ioan Gruffudd. Plus, we discuss the reactions to Zac Efron getting his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, which were all about his new face. We ask why are good looking men getting cosmetic surgery? Grab a drink or mince pie as it's tiiiiiiime to go Straight to the Comments!   Questions for us or comments you want us to review? We love answering your questions and analysing stories you have found. Send them to us over on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/s2tcpodcast/ If you enjoyed the show, please give us a 5* review on Spotify and review on Apple. This series is produced by Emily Crosby Media.  

Christmas Special: Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Madonna, Alice Evans and Zac Efron

'Tis the season for Instagram-perfect Christmas posts, and today we're focusing on Kate Hudson and Kim Kardashian, who love to showcase their picture-perfect holiday celebrations. But why do their extravagant displays often spark comments calling them out of touch and vain?  Join us in this episode as we unravel the allure of conspicuous consumption during Christmas, exploring the deeper meaning behind the festive season and questioning whether the pursuit of perfection on social media reflects the true spirit of Christmas. Show links: Spending coach Paige Pritchard: https://instagram.com/overcoming_overspending?igshid=YTQwZjQ0NmI0OA==   Questions for us or comments you want us to review? We love answering your questions and analysing stories you have found. Send them to us over on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/s2tcpodcast/ If you enjoyed the show, please give us a 5* review on Spotify and review on Apple. This series is produced by Emily Crosby Media.    

Conspicuous Consumption at Christmas: From Kate Hudson to Kim Kardashian

Before we return in December with our Christmas specials, enjoy a re-run of our most popular episode of 2023, 'When the Mask Skips: The Case of James Corden & Ellen.' We introduce the episode with the latest news about James Corden's new SiriusXM radio job and break down some of the online reactions. Also, we ask why have we seen the downfall of so many TV presenters this year. Can even TV's new relatable faces like Drew Barrymore and Kelly Clarkson live up to their everywoman magic? Join us as we go Straight to the Comments.   Questions for us or comments you want us to review? We love answering your questions and analysing stories you have found. Send them to us over on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/s2tcpodcast/ If you enjoyed the show, please give us a 5* review on Spotify and review on Apple. This series is produced by Emily Crosby Media.

Update: The Case of James Corden & Ellen plus Drew Barrymore and Kelly Clarkson

In this week’s mini, we’re talking reboots and “cosy murder mysteries”. A massively popular genre, but can rebooting classics ever really capture the magic, and is this a place for AI to be put to use? We're also shimmying down the rabbit hole of Celebrity baby names, and what people are saying about Rihanna’s latest baby name: creative and cool or something that the kids will regret later on? Questions for us or comments you want us to review? We love answering your questions and analysing stories you have found. Send them to us over on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/s2tcpodcast/ If you enjoyed the show, please give us a 5* review on Spotify and review on Apple. This series is produced by Emily Crosby Media.    

Cosy Murder, Riot Rose, and a Government Run by Ocean’s 11.

Last week, Justin Timberlake apparently turned off the comments on his Instagram because of the "hateful, disgusting things people were saying". The once golden boy has become the target of one of the biggest backlashes we've seen since starting the podcast. With the release of Britney Spears' book, 'The Woman in Me,' we're investigating why he's facing this reckoning. Did the superstar have it too good for too long? Did he really claw his way to mega-stardom at the expense of others, including his *NSYNC bandmates and Janet Jackson? Or is there more to this controversy? Join us as we go Straight to the Comments. Questions for us or comments you want us to review? We love answering your questions and analysing stories you have found. Send them to us over on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/s2tcpodcast/ If you enjoyed the show, please give us a 5* review on Spotify and review on Apple. This series is produced by Emily Crosby Media.    

The Dark Side of a Former Golden Boy: Justin Timberlake

Today in our mini-episode, we are talking about the rise of AI girlfriends and the idea of creating a "dream partner" that fulfills all desires.  We explore how these virtual partners are being promoted primarily as adult entertainment and their potential long-term effects on both men and women.   That’s not all, we are also talking about Sarah turning the big 4-0 and how life can begin again at this age.   

The Rise of AI Girlfriends, Your 40s and a Christmas Fantasy

The comment sections have been bubbling for years with claims that certain celebrities are secretly witches and are embracing the dark arts. But why? In this episode, we explore the modern-day concept of witches, from the rise of WitchTok to Emma Watson celebrating her 'coven.' Why are so many powerful women, from JLo, Beyoncé, Stevie Nicks to Kylie, accused of being involved in witchcraft and Illuminati activities? Questions for us or comments you want us to review? We love answering your questions and analysing stories you have found. Send them to us over on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/s2tcpodcast/ If you enjoyed the show, please give us a 5* review on Spotify and review on Apple. This series is produced by Emily Crosby Media.  

Celebrity Witch Accusations: From Emma Watson to Beyoncé

This week's mini tackles 'the most important story ever,' which involves David Grush and allegations of government cover-ups. We also go into the recent fallout between the Sounds Like A Cult podcast hosts, Amanda Montell and Isa Medina. What caused Amanda to sue her co-host for half a million dollars?  And last but certainly not least, we explore the prospect of a Tom Cruise theme park… Questions for us or comments you want us to review? We love answering your questions and analysing stories you have found. Send them to us over on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/s2tcpodcast/ If you enjoyed the show, please give us a 5* review on Spotify and review on Apple. This series is produced by Emily Crosby Media.  

Classified information, lawsuits and Tom Cruise

Join us as we delve into the dark side of comments in our Halloween specials throughout October. Today, we explore the incredible rise of Jenna Ortega, from her role in the classic slasher franchise Scream to her viral performance in Tim Burton's Wednesday. Vogue has called Ortega the ultimate 'new-age goth girl,' but is this revival merely about fashion, or does it hint at something more sinister? On the other end of the spectrum, we explore the allure of the Horror Vixen, with Kim Kardashian's debut in American Horror Story's 'Delicate'. Will this be her breakthrough role like Lady Gaga's? What do the 'rules of horror' reveal about society's view of women? And what dark secrets lie in the appeal of horror? We also discuss our love for 90s Gothic and Horror films and tv shows, including Bram Stoker’s Dracula, The Addams Family, Beetlejuice, and why Hollywood loves Halloween. Full episode transcript here. Questions for us or comments you want us to review? We love answering your questions and analysing stories you have found. Send them to us over on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/s2tcpodcast/ If you enjoyed the show, please give us a 5* review on Spotify and review on Apple. This series is produced by Emily Crosby Media.

Goth Girl vs. Scream Queens: From Jenna Ortega to Kim Kardashian

This week in our mini-episode, Sarah tries to guess the comments to a big ongoing story. Then, we answer your questions, including Florence Pugh's daring red-carpet fashion choices and reminisce about the 90s trend of see-through dresses (remember that Kate Moss dress?). We also talk about overpaid stars and what Kim Kardashian's next career move could be… Join us over on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/s2tcpodcast/ If you enjoyed the show, please give us a 5* review on Spotify and a review on Apple. This series is produced by Emily Crosby Media.  

Florence Pugh’s sheer dress backlash and is the BBC worth it?

This week, we are talking about the breakup of Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner and the PR wars that started even before the divorce papers were filed. The media started publishing an onslaught of rumours from “sources” close to Jonas, painting him as the victim in the relationship, and Turner as a runaway mother and wannabe party-girl. But not everyone is buying it. On social media some commenters have pushed back by calling out misogyny and mum-shaming in the media narratives surrounding the Game of Thrones star. Even the women on the view accused the Jonas camp of deliberate “spin” and a “smear” campaign. So today we’re going to be asking - why do we frame relationship breakups as a winner and a loser? In PR terms, why do celebrities play the victim? And why are we no longer buying it so easily? Click here for the full episode transcript. Questions for us or comments you want us to review? We love answering your questions and analysing stories you have found. Send them to us over on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/s2tcpodcast/ If you enjoyed the show, please give us a 5* review on Spotify and review on Apple. This series is produced by Emily Crosby Media.

Playing the Victim: The Case of Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner

Introducing "Straight to the Comments Minis," our new series of bite-sized episodes that will drop in between our regular deep-dive episodes. Join us this week as we go back to 80s and 90s school and talk stationery, school uniforms, and whether Sarah actually was in a school or a secret monastery. Also, Lisa tries to guess from some comments, which story Sarah is talking about in our “out of context” guessing game and she gets it all wrong. Plus, we make our crazy celebrity predictions. Want to be featured in our next episode? We don't want this to be a one-sided conversation. We want to hear from you! DM us on Instagram, and your comment or question could be featured in our next mini-episode, coming your way in two weeks' time. Join us over on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/s2tcpodcast/ If you enjoyed the show, please give us a 5* review on Spotify and review on Apple. This series is produced by Emily Crosby Media.  

Introducing our Minis! School Stationery, Elon Musk and Etiquette

Dive into the world of Trophy Wives with us this week. From the iconic Krystal Carrington in Dynasty to TikTok's latest obsession with #TrophyWifeGoals, we're unpacking the concept and asking the question: Is it ever ok to call someone a Trophy Wife? We go through lots of reactions to Kevin Costner's divorce drama with his estranged "trophy" second wife, Christine Baumgartner. We'll uncover their intense battles over child support, prenuptial agreements, and jaw-dropping plastic surgery expenses. Next, we go into Kanye West's recent trip to Italy alongside his rumoured wife, Bianca Censori. Their fashion choices and behaviour have sent shockwaves through the world, sparking speculation about the "Gold Digger" rapper’s history of dressing his partners like "fashion dolls," including Amber Rose, Kim Kardashian, and Julia Fox. We ask, who is using who? Join us as we go Straight to the Comments.   Questions for us or comments you want us to review? We love answering your questions and analysing stories you have found. Send them to us over on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/s2tcpodcast/ Click here for the full episode transcript. If you enjoyed the show, please give us a 5* review on Spotify and review on Apple. This series is produced by Emily Crosby Media.

Trophy Wives: The Case of Kevin Costner and Kanye West

Do you find yourself jumping Straight to the Comments only to wonder why online threads are so addictive? Join Lisa and Sarah, two longtime friends, as they dissect online comments, discuss pop culture and examine how it impacts their own lives. Straight to the Comments dives head first into both the comedic value and deeper meaning of gossip and why we can’t get enough. This is Gossip without the Guilt. Hosted by 2 Brits abroad, Lisa Williams, a communications consultant living in Oslo, and Sarah Illingworth, a psychology graduate and writer living in Cape Town. Produced by Emily Crosby Media. Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/s2tcpodcast/

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Straight to the Comments

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