News Weakly with Sami Shah

NEWS WEAKLY 196 – 17th January 2026Top Stories of the WeekRunning From IranA nationwide internet blackout, mass killings, exile fantasies, and the danger of confusing silence for stability.Albo Hates HateAfter Bondi, Australia reaches for sweeping hate laws that try to arrest a feeling instead of fixing a mechanism, while New Zealand’s Christchurch response still quietly embarrasses us.Writers Read the RoomAdelaide Writers’ Week is cancelled, apologised for, then retroactively justified, proving once again that institutions love free speech right up until they have to defend it.Kevin Oh SuccessionKevin Rudd exits Washington and Canberra realises the next US ambassador’s main qualification is surviving Donald Trump without triggering an alliance incident.PlusA deep dive into how “foreign meddling” narratives poison solidarity, why cultural institutions keep mistaking safety for optics, and how despair gets rebranded as pragmatism.And at the end of the episode, a bonus feature:Mocking the News – Sami’s documentary exploring how satire collides with journalism, objectivity, and power, and why jokes sometimes end up telling the truth faster than headlines.Quote of the Week“Silence isn’t stability. It’s just what violence sounds like once it’s done its job.”Support the Showpatreon.com/samishahSami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.For more: http://thesamishah.comTheme music ‘Historic Anticipation’ by Paul MottramThis podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Just a quick announcement that the next episode of News Weakly will contain a bonus audio documentary about News Satire. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

NEWS WEAKLY 195 – 10 January 2026This week on News Weakly, the empire stops pretending, the internet gets unplugged, a royal commission settles in for the long haul, and a writers’ festival demonstrates once again that its strongest literary skill is drafting a press release explaining why someone has been quietly uninvited.ALSO IN THIS EPISODE• Trump abandons subtlety entirely, floats Greenland acquisition, and introduces the Donroe Document, which sounds less like foreign policy and more like a hostile takeover clause.• Iran responds to nationwide protests by pulling the internet plug, proving once again that authoritarian crisis management always starts with “have you tried turning the country off and on again?”• A long, uncomfortable look at how free speech gets hollowed out not by ideology, but by boards, risk assessments, and the quiet terror of a bad headline.QUOTE OF THE WEEK“Trump didn’t end the international order. He ended the bedtime story version of it.”SUPPORT THE SHOWIf you enjoy long arguments disguised as comedy, consider supporting the show on Patreon: patreon.com/samishahSami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.For more: http://thesamishah.comTheme music “Historic Anticipation” by Paul MottramThis podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

NEWS WEAKLY 194 – Media Ethics, Paper Wars, and a Currency in Freefall03 January 2026TOP STORIES OF THE WEEK• A terror hero meets Australian media ethics• Humanitarian aid fails an ideological compliance test• Iran’s economy collapses again• Australia’s regulator regulates itselfQUOTE OF THE WEEK“You don’t pay for interviews. Not in cash. Not in gifts. Definitely not in hotel suites.”SUPPORT THE SHOWNews Weakly is listener-supported and ad-light by choice.If you’d like to support the show and keep it independent, you can join the Patreon at:http://patreon.com/samishahSami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.For more: http://thesamishah.comTheme music ‘Historic Anticipation’ by Paul Mottram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

NEWS WEAKLY 193 - 24th Dec, 2025Temporary Democracy, Permanent ConsequencesThis week on News Weakly, grief turns into legislation at speed, history offers an inconvenient warning, and Australia tests whether banning protest actually makes anyone safer.QUOTE OF THE WEEK“You don’t delete anger by banning protest. You just move it somewhere else.”SUPPORT THE SHOWIf you value sharp analysis without billionaire backing or emergency legislation energy, consider supporting the show on Patreon.👉 https://patreon.com/samishahSami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.For more: http://thesamishah.comTheme music ‘Historic Anticipation’ by Paul MottramThis podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

NEWS WEAKLY – 20 Dec, 2025TOP STORIES OF THE WEEKA national tragedy becomes a political talking pointAlso, why the antisemitism plan didn’t come with a time machineAll that, and more, on News Weakly.Quote of the Week“You can’t spend a decade attacking the fire brigade and then act shocked when the hose pressure isn’t what you wanted.”Support the ShowIf you value independent satire that takes the news seriously without treating it gently, you can support News Weakly on Patreon.Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.For more: http://thesamishah.comTheme music Historic Anticipation by Paul MottramThis podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

NEWS WEAKLY – Episode 191Conditional Condolences17th December, 2025This week on News Weakly, Sami Shah delivers a long-form editorial on the Bondi attack and the reaction that followed, focusing not on the crime itself but on the way grief gets filtered, qualified, and politically managed online.Support the showIf you value independent, listener-supported satire, you can support News Weakly on Patreon.Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.For more: http://thesamishah.comTheme music “Historic Anticipation” by Paul MottramThis podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

News Weakly 190 - 13th Dec, 2025Top stories of the weekTEENS UNPLUGGED, NATION UNBOTHEREDRECEIPT OF THE WEEKBEHIND BARS AND BEYOND SCRUTINYBETTING ON THE APOCALYPSEQuote of the week“Advertising people will arrive like seagulls at a chip shop.”CreditsSami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.For more: http://thesamishah.comTheme music “Historic Anticipation” by Paul MottramThis podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

NEWS WEAKLY 189 – 06 December, 2025TOP STORIES OF THE WEEKSOUTHEAST ASIA SINKS WHILE THE WORLD SCROLLS!ALSO, DUMBASS IN THE DONBAS!AND, THE AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE FORCE DEFENDS ITSELF FROM THE INDEFENSIBLE!All that and more on News Weakly!Hello and welcome to News Weakly, where we punch the news in the headlines weakly. I’m Sami Shah, a journalist and comedian who still hasn’t got his Christmas shopping sorted and is now starting to fully panic.QUOTE OF THE WEEK"Climate change is the villain, but Australian mining is the guy standing nearby holding its bag."SUPPORT THE SHOWIf you want to help keep the show going, consider joining the community on Patreon.com/samishah.CLOSING CREDITSSami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.For more: http://thesamishah.comTheme music “Historic Anticipation” by Paul MottramThis podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Top Stories of the WeekJoyce Makes A ChoiceNiqab-solutely Not HelpingFraudshore ProcessingInferno of NeglectQuote of the Week“We’re essentially running the world’s most expensive Patreon, but instead of supporting artists we’re funding a government that appears to convert public money directly into cash withdrawals.”Support the showIf you want News Weakly to keep punching the news in the headlines weakly, keep it independent by joining the Patreon at patreon.com/samishah. You get bonus content, discounts for live shows, and the warm glow of knowing your money is not being laundered through a dodgy island nation. As far as you know.Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.For more: http://thesamishah.comTheme music "Historic Anticipation" by Paul MottramThis podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

NEWS WEAKLY 187 – 22 November, 2025Epstein’t Going to Change a Damn Thing!Peace Plan, War Everywhere!COP-ping Out!QUOTE OF THE WEEK“That is not peace, that is a diet war.”SUPPORT THE SHOWNews Weakly is kept independent and listener funded, thanks to the generosity of paid supporters on Patreon. Join at patreon.com/samishah to keep the show going and to access bonus content, early episodes, and other perks.CLOSING CREDITSSami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.For more: http://thesamishah.comTheme music ‘Historic Anticipation’ by Paul MottramThis podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

186 - You'd Think After 20 Years I'd Be Better At ThisA special commemoration of my 20 years in standup comedy. Bit of a weird episode this one! Hope you enjoy it!Support the ShowKeep News Weakly independent, and fuelled by sarcasm!Join the Patreon at patreon.com/samishah.Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.For more: http://thesamishah.comTheme music ‘Historic Anticipation’ by Paul MottramThis podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

NEWS WEAKLY 185 — 8th November 2025Top Stories of the WeekOne Dick Less in the World!Don’t Mess with the Zohran!Platforms of Our Discontent!Streaming the Nation!Quote of the Week“Dick Cheney was, without question, the most powerful vice president in American history—which is like being the world’s most dangerous koala. You’re not meant to do anything, but somehow you’ve become a drop bear.”Support the ShowKeep News Weakly independent, and fuelled by sarcasm!Join the Patreon at patreon.com/samishah.Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.For more: http://thesamishah.comTheme music ‘Historic Anticipation’ by Paul MottramThis podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I’m doing a one-night-only 20th anniversary stand-up show:You'd Think After 20 Years I'd Be Better At This13 Nov, 6:30pm — Comedy Republic (Melbourne)Tickets via comedyrepublic.com.au.Top Stories of the WeekThe Artist Formerly Known as Prince AndrewCeasefire Withdrawal Symptoms EruptSudan’ed If You Do, Sudan’ed If You Don’tYou Can’t Spell Sussan Without SSBabies, Barnaby & BullshitQuote of the Week“Barnaby Joyce is 80% liver damage and 20% child support."Support the ShowIf you want to support News Weakly, join the Patreon at patreon.com/samishah. You’ll get bonus content, early releases, and the smug satisfaction of knowing your money isn’t going to Barnaby Joyce’s bar tab.Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.For more: http://thesamishah.comTheme music ‘Historic Anticipation’ by Paul MottramThis podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re on baby watch at News Weakly HQ! Two weeks off incoming—don’t unsubscribe! I’ll be back once I’ve defeated a boss-level nappy.Also: I’m doing a one-night-only 20th anniversary stand-up show:You'd Think After 20 Years I'd Be Better At This13 Nov, 6:30pm — Comedy Republic (Melbourne)Patreon members get a discount code (see the pinned post at patreon.com/samishah). Otherwise, tickets via comedyrepublic.com.au.Top stories of the weekCeasedfire, News Now…Israel and Hamas sign onto Phase One of “The Comprehensive End to the Gaza War”: hostages (living and deceased) returned, prisoner releases, and an IDF pullback to the “yellow line.” Trump promises a pyramid-side signing ceremony, because of course he does. Netanyahhu’s far-right partners rage; Gaza readies aid corridors; everyone reads the fine print with a magnifying glass and a migraine.“A Piece Prize”Nobel Peace Prize goes to Venezuelan democrat María Corina Machado. The Trump White House responds with “politics over peace” energy; Trump congratulates Machado while implying the medal would look better on his mantelpiece.The Ballad of David PocockKicked out (then re-invited) to the Australian Parliament Sports Club after asking why a gambling lobby is a sponsor. PM—who’s listed as club president—says everyone should be welcome. Pocock’s holding out for transparency; Canberra discovers “conflict of interest” isn’t just a footy penalty.Brides, Bombs & Bureaucracy“ISIS brides” and children returned to Australia without formal repatriation—Home Affairs knew for months; two children granted citizenship by descent. Government says “we didn’t help,” which is interesting given how many forms got stamped. Opposition reaches for the Temporary Exclusion Orders talking point; AFP preps for more “self-managed returns.”Artificial (and Financial) IntelligenceDeloitte refunds part of a $440k report after AI-generated howlers (fake cases, phantom sources). Senate calls it a “human intelligence problem”; consultants reassure us they’d never, ever do that (again).French Kisses GoodbyeFrance clocks five prime ministers in two years. Latest: Sébastien Lecornu quits 14 hours after launching his cabinet. Macron’s minority arithmetic meets Parisian patience: both collapse spectacularly.No Wi-Fi, No WorriesTaliban filters throttle social media in Afghanistan; videos stop loading, women lose a key lifeline. It’s the world’s harshest digital detox: great for screen-time stats, catastrophic for rights.Quote of the Week“Peace isn’t a miracle, it’s a temporary pause between tragedies.”Support the showKeep News Weakly healthy: patreon.com/samishahOne-night-only stand-up special (13 Nov): comedyrepublic.com.auShare the episode, leave a review, and tell a friend who argues in comment sections for sport.CreditsSami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.For more: http://thesamishah.comTheme music “Historic Anticipation” by Paul MottramThis podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Two years after October 7th, the world still argues in absolutes.Pro-Israel voices call it a war for survival.Pro-Palestine voices call it resistance against colonialism.And somewhere between the slogans and the hashtags, the dead keep multiplying.In this News Weakly special, Sami Shah steps back from the noise and looks at the long view — drawing lessons from the Thirty Years’ War, Northern Ireland, and moments of fragile hope in Israeli and Palestinian history.From Westphalia to Belfast, from Gaza to Melbourne, this episode explores what centuries of conflict teach us about exhaustion, reconciliation, and how peace survives when certainty doesn’t.TOPICS COVEREDThe Thirty Years’ War — how Europe learned that faith without restraint leads to ruinThe Troubles — how Ireland turned fatigue into peaceThe Children of October 7 — what two years of war are teaching a new generationAustralia’s role — how to keep our empathy from collapsing into imported hateGlimpses of the impossible — moments when Israelis and Palestinians found shared humanity against the oddsQUOTE OF THE WEEK“You don’t make peace with your friends—you make it with your enemies.” Jonathan PowellSUPPORT THE SHOWHelp keep News Weakly independent and ad-free by joining at👉 patreon.com/samishahSami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.For more: thesamishah.comTheme music ‘Historic Anticipation’ by Paul MottramThis podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hi everyone, This year marks my twenty years in comedy, and to celebrate I’m doing a one-off, one-time-only anniversary comedy show called:You'd Think After 20 Years I'd Be Better At This13th November, 6:30pmComedy Republic Theatre, MelbourneIt’s twenty years of stand-up crammed into one night—a greatest hits, a worst-of, and some brand new material, all about surviving two decades of comedy, hecklers, pandemics, marriages, divorces, and jokes that should have stayed in the notebook.Tickets are just $25. But if you’re a member at patreon.com/samishah, you’ll get a special discount code, plus that smug glow of knowing you’re keeping this podcast alive and healthy!NEWS WEAKLY – 03rd October, 2025This week on News Weakly:In Manchester, a synagogue attack on Yom Kippur leaves two dead and reignites debates about solidarity, antisemitism, and the perils of bad baby naming.Donald Trump’s Gaza ceasefire plan turns out to be less peace deal, more investor pitch, complete with a “Board of Peace” chaired by Tony Blair.At Quantico, Trump and Pete Hegseth summon America’s generals for a loyalty test that felt alarmingly like Saddam-lite stagecraft.Greta Thunberg is detained after joining a flotilla trying to break the Gaza blockade, proving she’s still willing to put her boat where her mouth is.Saudi Arabia launches the Riyadh Comedy Festival, featuring world-class comedians and world-class hypocrisy.In Australia, Optus blames “human error” for a 000 outage while its parent company Singtel keeps racking up billions without paying tax.Quote of the Week:“When a government points a broad sword inward, it can’t help but cut too deep."Support the ShowWant to enjoy News Weakly ad-free? Head over to patreon.com/samishah. Your support keeps the podcast alive, independent, and fuelled by sarcasm.CreditsSami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.For more: http://thesamishah.comTheme music Historic Anticipation by Paul Mottram.This podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

NEWS WEAKLY 180 – 27th September, 2025Hi everyone, This year marks my twenty years in comedy, and to celebrate I’m doing a one-off, one-time-only anniversary comedy show called:You'd Think After 20 Years I'd Be Better At This13th November, 6:30pmComedy Republic Theatre, MelbourneIt’s twenty years of stand-up crammed into one night—a greatest hits, a worst-of, and some brand new material, all about surviving two decades of comedy, hecklers, pandemics, marriages, divorces, and jokes that should have stayed in the notebook.Tickets are just $25. But if you’re a member at patreon.com/samishah, you’ll get a special discount code, plus that smug glow of knowing you’re keeping this podcast alive and healthy!So, if you want cheaper tickets and better karma, sign up to Patreon. Otherwise, grab your tickets now, because once this show’s done, it’s done.TOP STORIES OF THE WEEKUN Turns 80, Still Doesn’t Look a Day Over Irrelevant!Pakistan Offers Saudi Arabia a Bomb Shelter, with Actual Bombs!Andrew Hastie Says Cut Immigration or the Liberals Die, Which Honestly Sounds Like a Win-Win!All that, and just a little bit more, on NEWS WEAKLY!QUOTE OF THE WEEK“Optus is the only telco where ‘Can you hear me now?’ is a philosophical question.”SUPPORT THE SHOWKeep News Weakly independent and ad-free by joining Patreon: patreon.com/samishahSami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.For more: http://thesamishah.comTheme music 'Historic Anticipation' by Paul MottramThis podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

NEWS WEAKLY 179 – 20th September, 2025Sami Shah’s 20th anniversary stand-up show You’d Think After 20 Years I’d Be Better At This is happening on Thursday 13 November, 6:30pm at Comedy Republic, Melbourne. Tickets are $25—but Patreon members get a special discount code. Join at patreon.com/samishah for cheaper tickets and better karma. TOP STORIES OF THE WEEKU-TURN ON TURNING POINT!Charlie Kirk gets shot, mourned, memed, and immediately turned into a martyr—because in America, tragedy is always a prelude to propaganda.DISCORD ON DISCORD!Gen Z in Nepal just toppled their Prime Minister using Discord. Forget bad anime avatars—this server brought down a government.NET ZERO TIMES NET ZERO EQUALS NOT ZERO!Australia’s shiny new 2035 climate targets are “ambitious yet achievable”—which is also what I say about finishing a pack of TimTams and a bottle of wine in one sitting.Plus: Gaza burns, Sudan starves, and the world still manages to look the other way.QUOTE OF THE WEEK“Because people on the Left weren’t sad enough about Charlie Kirk’s death, she’s going to vote for One Nation. That’s like cancelling your Disney Plus account because the cashier at Woolies didn’t tear up when Matthew Perry died.”SUPPORT THE SHOWKeep News Weakly ad-free and alive by joining the Patreon: patreon.com/samishah. Members get bonus content, book reviews, and discount codes for live shows.Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, journalist, and broadcaster.For more: http://thesamishah.comTheme music Historic Anticipation by Paul MottramThis podcast is written, hosted, and produced by Sami Shah. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Link to the 20th Anniversary live show tickets:https://www.comedyrepublic.com.au/event/38:520/38:1821/Sami Shah: You'd Think After 20 Years I'd Be Better At ThisThursday 13 November, 6:30pmTwenty years. That’s how long it’s been since Sami Shah first stepped on stage, told a joke, and thought, “This’ll be easy.”Two decades later, he's got the stories, and the heckler scars to prove otherwise. In that time, comedy’s changed, the world’s changed, and he's changed. None for the better.This 20th anniversary show is a greatest hits, a worst-of, and a brand-new set all rolled into one. It’s about survival: surviving bad gigs, hostile audiences, global pandemics, marriage(s), divorce(s), and jokes that should never have made it out of the notebook.Expect sharp new material, ancient callbacks, and the kind of honesty that only comes from being too tired to lie anymore.Two decades of stand-up. Zero chance Sami's stopping now.$25.0013 November 202560 minutes18:30Comedy Republic Theatre Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.