Long Distance, Bit Weird

Boo! Haha, only joking. Welcome to Long Distance, Bit Weird, a podcast from international comedy couple Sooz Kempner and Michael Balazo. One of them lives in the UK, the other in Canada. This week we have a literally terrifying episode for you. First off, Sooz and Michael have an eerie discussion about the upcoming American midterm elections, the recent Brazilian election and even Toronto's mayoral race. AaAhHhH. Then, Sooz tells Michael all about Ghostwatch, the infamous pseudo-documentary and horror mockumentary that aired on Halloween night in 1992. Presented as a live investigative BBC news broadcast looking into a poltergeist haunting a family home in London, Ghostwatch was watched by a staggering 11 million viewers. And it was so well done that quite a few of those viewers believed Ghostwatch was real. Upon airing, Ghostwatch triggered immediate national panic, thousands of complaints, and caused such an uproar that the BBC has never shown it again. But how were so many people tricked? Possibly because the program was hosted by trusted television personalities Michael Parkinson, Sarah Greene, Mike Smith, and Craig Charles. Or maybe because the child actors were so believable. Or maybe it's because deep down, everybody believes in the supernatural? Either way, listen up to hear all about the phenomenon that was Ghostwatch. PLUS: we present another edition of the hit segment "Actual Customer Letters to Wetherspoon News." Subscribe to the Long Distance, Bit Weird Patreon for bonus audio and video episodes, including our Ghostwatch watch-along.  *** ANNOUNCEMENTS ATTENTION: HUMOUR FANS. Michael Balazo's new, much-anticipated 3rd standup comedy album "Pizza Pals" is out NOW! Recorded in November of 2025, Pizza pals is full of funny jokes and silly ideas, and it's available on Bandcamp! SHOWS! November 4th - Sooz Kempner: IMPOSTER @ Pleasance, London - TICKETS

Welcome to Long Distance, Bit Weird, a podcast from international comedy couple Sooz Kempner and Michael Balazo. One of them lives in the UK, the other in Canada. This week, in honour of Halloween, Sooz freaks Michael out by relaying the story of the Enfield Poltergeist. In August of 1977, a single mother living in Enfield, north London told the police that she had witnessed furniture moving around her home, and that two of her four children had heard knocking sounds on the walls. Over the next 18 months, the story of the Enfield Poltergeist became a tabloid newspaper phenomenon, as stories of levitating children, flying Lego, spooky voices and demonic possession filled the pages of the Daily Mirror and The Observer.  So, was the Enfield Poltergeist real? Could it have possibly been a hoax? And what did this paranormal story have to do with British working-class life in the 1970s? Listen up to find out! But first, we present a sausage-focused edition of the hit segment "Actual Customer Letters to Wetherspoon News." And subscribe to the Long Distance, Bit Weird Patreon for bonus audio and video episodes.  *** ANNOUNCEMENTS ATTENTION: HUMOUR FANS. Michael Balazo's new, much-anticipated 3rd standup comedy album "Pizza Pals" is out NOW! Recorded in November of 2025, Pizza pals is full of funny jokes and silly ideas, and it's available on Bandcamp! SHOWS! October 25th - Sooz Kempner: IMPOSTER @ Komedia, Brighton TICKETS November 4th - Sooz Kempner: IMPOSTER @ Pleasance, London - TICKETS

Welcome to Long Distance, Bit Weird, a podcast from international comedy couple Sooz Kempner and Michael Balazo. One of them lives in the UK, the other in Canada. This week we welcome comedian Andrew Johnston back to the pod to talk about some of the most notable female artists who rose to fame in Canada during the 1980s and 90s. Did they conquer the global charts? Not necessarily. But they were certainly on Canadian TV a lot.  Artists discussed in this episode include Atlantic Canada's most infamous communist agitator Rita MacNeil; Metal Queen Lee Aaron; blues singer/Canadian Idol judge Sass Jordan; wedding popsters Candi & the Backbeat; dance floor legends Simone Denny and Love Inc.; and melancholy balladeer/celebrated comedian Jann Arden.  But first, we present an edition of the hit segment "Actual Customer Letters to Wetherspoon News." Be sure to follow Andrew on Instagram. And subscribe to the Long Distance, Bit Weird Patreon for bonus audio and video episodes. *** ANNOUNCEMENTS ATTENTION: HUMOUR FANS. Michael Balazo's new, much-anticipated 3rd standup comedy album "Pizza Pals" is out NOW! Recorded in November of 2025, Pizza pals is full of funny jokes and silly ideas, and it's available on Bandcamp! SHOWS! October 18th - Sooz at Sunday Cabaret @ Royal Vauxhall Tavern, London TICKETS October 25th - Sooz Kempner: IMPOSTER @ Komedia, Brighton TICKETS November 4th - Sooz Kempner: IMPOSTER @ Pleasance, London - TICKETS

On this week's Patreon exclusive bonus episode we're reading more of the least sexy columns every written: sex columns from The Metro, London's favourite free newspaper. This is just a preview, for the full episode head to our Patreon where you'll also find a bunch more exclusive episodes and other content.

On this week's Patreon exclusive bonus episode we're being sophisticated grown-ups and, inspired by the lady who diarrhoea'd herself and everyone else at Hyrox, talking about other athletes who have done the same. It's so nice! This is just a preview but for the full almost-hour-long YES THAT'S RIGHT WE TALK ABOUT THIS FOR AN HOUR episode head to our Patreon where you'll also find a bunch more exclusive episodes and other content.