Cancelled

On the 15th of February 2023, before a hastily assembled press pack, Scotland’s first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, informed Edinburgh - and the world - of her decision to resign after eight years in the post. The personal cost of political theatre had become all too high for the longest-serving first minister in Scotland’s history. Amidst the furore that descended upon the party, one forerunner in particular made waves: the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Economy, and the Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, Kate Forbes. Although debates for the SNP leadership have finished - with Humza Yusaf, not Forbes as the victorious candidate - today we’re exploring a debate of a different nature that’s taken place. One that hinges on Forbes’ personal politics…. This episode was written by Paula Akpan. This is a Broccoli Production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How difficult is it to be damaged by the consequences of your own actions when you have power and profile to shield yourself from accountability? Case in point: Alec Baldwin. Over the years, the acclaimed actor has been emboriled in scandal after scandal — from tapes being released of Baldwin verbally abusing his daughter, to throwing around bigoted and racist slurs, and most recently, being at the helm of a film responsible for a woman's death. As this episode will delve into, legal and cultural parameters are much easier to evade when you're protected by weath and status... This episode was written by Anton Ferrie.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the spring of 2022, two Spanish towns were getting ready to celebrate one of their most famous sons. Hundreds – possibly thousands – of tourists would pack the usually sleepy streets of Javea and Getaria to visit temporary exhibitions displaying the finest haute couture. Intricate womenswear designs from the 40s, 50s and 60s, trimmed with the most luxurious lace, sequins and silk, creating intriguing feminine silhouettes that were considered revolutionary at the time. The occasion? The 50th anniversary of the death of a designer whose work transformed the female form forever. A man so talented that his contemporary, Christian Dior, dubbed him “the master of us all”, while American fashion magazine Women’s Wear Daily proclaimed “The King is Dead” in their announcement of his untimely death. This episode was written by Annique Simpson. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Celebrities can go from flavour of the month to persona non grata within minutes thanks to social media and a general shift towards more progressive views on accountability and responsibility. Few famous media and entertainment folk are as entrenched in this Camp of Public Hatred as Mr James Kimberley Corden. A renewed wave of anti-Cordenism hit last year after the actor-comedian-TV host was publically criticised by London-born restauranteur Keith McNally for his humourless treatment of staff at McNally’s New York brasserie Balthazar. Listen for an insight into events that may explain why some people – read ‘most’ – can’t stand the comedian... This epsiode was written by Annique Simpson.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In late 1976, the Institute of Contemporary Art or ICA gallery in London unveiled its recent exhibition ‘Prostitution’, a retrospective group show by established art collective COUM-Transmissions. The collective, no stranger to confrontation, couldn’t have predicted the reaction their work would receive, but upon opening, the show was was immediately met with vitriolic reviews in the press, mentioned in the Houses of Parliament and censorship restrictions were placed on some of the pornographic images. The Conservative MP Nicholas Fairbairn famously said “These people are the wreckers of civilisation" and rows ensued about public funding for the arts. The fallout was hard. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This is the story of Ricky Gervais, a pioneer of sharp-elbowed comedy who decided to puncture his own legacy of speaking truth to power. In one fail swoop, catalysed by the release of his Netflix stand-up speical, SuperNature, Gervais made a series of jokes which could have been at home on a Republican conspiracy theorist's Twitter and annointed them comedy. In doing so, he exchanged a career's worth of political capital as someone who has ostensibly been a rock soild progressive, just for a chance to say he could be 'cancelled'... This episode was written by Anton Ferrie.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jeremy Clarkson — the TV motor man and newspaper columnist — was clearly feeling extra miserable last Christmas when he decided to pen one of the most offensive opinion pieces to ever grace a UK publication. An article so heinous that it not only helped unite the British public – a massive achievement in these divided times – it may well have cost him one of his biggest gigs. And all because he just had to let the world know he despises Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex... This episode was written by Annique Simpson. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The American Music Awards, which have been running annually since 1974, occupy an illustrious spot within the American music industry. The AMAs sit within the Big Three music awards shows in the US, alongside the Grammys and the Billboard Music Awards. And so, it is little wonder that the cancellation of singer Chris Brown’s performance just a few days before the 2022 awards quickly became a big talking point. Infamy has cloaked the 33-year-old songwriter for over a decade as accounts of his violence towards women have regularly made headlines, alongside a variety of legal troubles. And yet, as someone who is understood as having been ‘cancelled’, Chris Brown remains visible and supported, if his online following is anything to go by. In this episode, while we unravel the singer’s past, we’ll be asking crucial questions: was Chris Brown ever truly ‘cancelled’? This episode contains discussion about assault and sexual abuse, please be mindful of your own well-being. Pause and take breaks as often as you need to. This episode was written by Paula Akpan.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the first half of the 20th century the literary scene was dominated by now revered authors, whose books have since become classics. It reads like a roll call of greats - Ernest Hemingway, Marcel Proust, George Orwell, James Joyce, Gertrude Stein, J.R.R Tolkein and, of course, Virginia Woolf, to name a few. Their books need no explanation. With a juggernaut of status behind them, these authors have outgrown their living credibility and become much bigger personalities since death. Time allows for such reverence, but with it fresh criticism of the words and the writers. In today's woke world, where cancel culture leaves no stone unturned, many of our famed musicians, scholars, aritsts, and writers face fresh evaluation for the things they said or did when they were alive. Virginia Woolf is the latest in this canon to come under fire... This episode was written by Rhyannon Styles.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

From radio show host to Eurovision commentator and best-selling author, Graham Norton is a household name in the UK - his position cemented by his irreverent, innuendo-laden style. He is, of course, most notable for his hugely popular comedy chat show which has seen all manner of celebrity names grace his plump red sofa. However, October 2022 saw a new term float into the lexicon used around the well-known TV presenter after he was posed questions on trans rights and author JK Rowling’s unrelenting anti-trans campaign. And it was Norton’s noncommittal response that sparked weeks of debate; a mere glimpse of the hostility towards trans people in the UK. The term in question? As always, it’s ‘cancel-culture’ and, as we’ll explore, Norton’s experiences are merely a symptom of a much wider problem… This episode was written by Paula Akpan.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Some of the world’s best loved comedians have tiptoed on the edge of decency and political correctness from time to time. Take, for example, the acerbic wit of Joan Rivers, whose skits about the Holocaust regularly whipped her audiences into a tizzy and firmly established her as one of America’s sharpest mouthpieces. Before Perez Hilton blogged and mocked A-listers falling out of rehab, Joan was doing it on stage IRL. It may come as no surprise then, that the star of today’s episode, Kathy Griffin, was a close friend of Joan’s, and her partner in crime - no pun intended.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The year is 2004. George W. Bush is president, Britney is married to K-Fed, and the iPod Classic is the ultimate Christmas gift. But anyone about to upload Baby, It’s Cold Outside to their MP3 device might think twice after reading an article published by Canada’s National Post on December 20th, which argued for the song’s immediate ban from Canadian airwaves. Written by Rob McKenzie and Joe Bodolai for their humour column, the piece is widely regarded to be the first to publicly question some of the song’s lyrics by stating, “the song in question has a lovely melody but it’s an ode to statutory rape. In sum, the man gets the girl drunk amid her protests so he can take advantage of her.” Since this takedown of the song was written with a sarcastic tone, the piece was widely viewed as tongue-in-cheek. But this marked the beginning of countless thinkpieces cross-examining the song’s controversial lyrics. So is this 1940s festive favourite really just a thinly disguised celebration of sexual violence? Let’s take a closer look… This episode was written by Rory Boyle  This is a Broccoli Production  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

1987 is a pretty bleak Christmas. The year is marked by disasters. The British economy is wrecked. It is a time when everyone could use some yuletide joy. Challenged by their producer, Elvis Costello, to write a Christmas hit, the Irish-Anglo punk band The Pogues believe they are the ones to provide some egg-nog infused nourishment to the people. Fairytale of New York is what founding member, Jem Finer, and lead singer, Shane MacGowan come up with which will eventually be considered a holiday hallmark - but despite its title, it is no traditional winter warmer. The song descends from nostalgia and euphoria to vitriol and melancholy in the space of four and a half minutes. Fairytale of New York will eventually be certified 4x Platinum in the UK. Christmas fans will go on proudly singing those stinging lyrics. And yet, years later a dark cloud settles over the song’s legacy... This episode was written by Rory Boyle This is a Broccoli Production  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s January 2007: at least ten years before ‘cancel culture’ will become a part of our everyday life. The world is a less connected place. Twitter is yet to celebrate its first birthday. The iPhone is nothing but a rumour. Yet, we are about to witness cancellation on a global scale. In January, a new series of UK’s Celebrity Big Brother begins. On its third day, Jade Goody, a fan favourite from the civilian Big Brother House, enters. Over the next two weeks, her life changes forever, for a second time. Quite unexpectedly, she triggers an international incident that results in debates in the Houses of Parliament and effigies of her face being burned in India. In just 14 days, her reputation is left in tatters. She goes from the nation’s sweetheart to public enemy. In other words, she is well and truly cancelled. This episode was written by Michael Chakraverty  This is a Broccoli Production  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

December 20th, 2010. It’s pitch black on-stage at the Foxwoods Theatre in Broadway. Stunt performer Chris Tierney attaches himself to a safety cable, and takes a deep breath. The centre of the stage lifts, creating a ramp. He’s done this many times before. Breathing out, he runs up the ramp and leaps from its edge. Immediately, it’s clear something is wrong. The cable hasn’t gone taut. There’s half a second as he floats in the air, realising that the other end of his safety line is unattached. Then, he’s in freefall, plummeting thirty feet towards the concrete floor of the orchestra pit. He hits the ground with a sickening crunch. Someone screams. The audience is deathly silent. Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark is a cautionary tale... This episode was written by Michael Chakraverty  This is a Broccoli Production  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sometimes, those who get cancelled predict their own fall. They tempt fate, because to risk cancellation usually means to incite infamy. Some look for hatred -  and then brandish it as their weapon. Say or do something abhorrent, endure the criticism, and then cry that they’re under attack from the feral woke mob. But in the case of Jimmy Carr, it’s more complex. Comedy is always a dance with the devil. Sometimes, inevitably, you cross the line. To be a comedian is to be a shapeshifter - from entertainer to polemicist and back again. But then, he crossed a line too far. And the backlash was a stain that wouldn’t come out... This episode was written by Anton Ferrie This is a Broccoli Production  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

“You’ve got 3 minutes to change your life”. This is the sentence that Simon Cowell used as words of encouragement to contestants of television singing contest, X Factor. With its title referring to star quality that you can’t quite put your finger on, the show vows to take ordinary, everyday people to the top of the music industry.  For every rare appearance of a competitor praised as a superstar-in-the-making, there were thousands of wannabes who were mocked, ridiculed, and in some cases, had their entire lives defined by an unsuccessful audition. But it was the show itself that would end up facing the most scrutiny. While allegations of everything from manipulative editing, to fixing of votes would begin to fly like wildfire, X Factor’s demise would ultimately boil down to its power to change someone’s life in just 3 minutes - for better or for worse… This episode was written by Rory Boyle This is a Broccoli Prodction  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Originally founded in 1892 in New York City, by David T. Abercrombie, the fashion brand started as an outfitter for the elite outdoorsman. By the time we reach the 2000s, American mall culture is everything and Abercrombie & Fitch’s preppy clothes have morphed into the ultimate accessory for a US teen. After all, A&F aren’t just selling their customers apparel. The company's brand image is heavily promoted as a near-luxury lifestyle concept. For many teens desperate to fit in, donning any garment with the brand’s signature moose logo is a quintessential status symbol. But behind the fantasy sold to millions lie many dark truths. And it’s only a matter of time before accusations of racism, illegal employment practices, misogyny, sexual assault and elitism will shatter the “All American” aesthetic we’ve been told to strive for. This episode was written by Rory Boyle This is a Broccoli Production  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

2007 was a hellish year for Britney Spears. It began with the breakdown of her marriage and culminated in a patchy buzzcut, stalking and public humiliation at the hands of the paparazzi, and a bitter custody battle. By the close of the year, she was widely reported to be no longer speaking to her family, an estrangement more significant for the fact that it was Britney’s success that lifted her family out of financial difficulty. The (celestial) stars were clearly not in alignment in 2007 for the Spears family because that same year the other Spears sister, Jamie Lynn,  would face her own crisis in front of the public’s glare. And as Succession so expertly showed, the most scintillating of stories is often those built on blood. This episode was written by Rory Boyle This is a Broccoli Production  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s 2013. Miley Cyrus has dramatically shed her Disney Channel persona with her hit track, Wrecking Ball. Daft Punk are dominating dancefloors worldwide with Get Lucky, and Beyoncé has broken all records by dropping a 14-track album with no advance warning. Despite all this, one song looms large over the year - dwarfing all that came before or after it. Its name? Blurred Lines. It’s a cultural flashpoint. The court of public opinion spins into overdrive, with the song’s creators Robin Thicke, Pharrell Williams and T.I., hurled into the dock. Before long, Robin Thicke has become the poster child for provocation. His appearances generate headlines and record-breaking twitter storms, and his name becomes synonymous with sleaze. But who does his controversial cancellation serve – and did he know exactly what he was doing? This episode was written by Michael Chakraverty This is a Broccoli Production  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices