E16: The Rise and Fall of British Seaside Resorts

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. It's like something out of sci-fi. This week, Sooz sits Michael down and tells him about the glorious rise and regrettable fall of the British Seaside town. In the 18th and 19th centuries, coastal towns like Brighton, Southend-on-Sea and Blackpool became fashionable vacation spots for the wealthy. As the railroad expanded and workers were granted time off, these towns became accessible to all. Business was booming! But after WWII, the emergence of cheap commercial air travel combined with fascist Spain's eagerness for tourism signalled the beginning of the end of the seaside town. It's like the most depressing Beach Boys song ever written. BUT FIRST: Sooz finds out about the jaw surgery that's popular with looksmaxxers and Michael talks about melodramatic songs written by teens. PLUS: another exciting edition of the hit segment "Actual Customer Letters to Wetherspoon News," in which we read genuine letters written to a damn pub. *** If you like what you hear, you can support Long Distance, Bit Weird on Patreon. Subscribers will get early access to episodes, bonus content and special surprises. In fact, you can watch classic British animated film Watership Down AND the bonkers Canadian documentary Project Grizzly in FULL right now with witty/sweary commentary from Sooz and Michael.  *** LONDON! Sooz is performing at the Two Brewers in foggy Londontown on March 29. Get your tickets HERE! BATH! Sooz is doing a work in progress performance of her standup show Imposter at the Bath Comedy Festival on April 18. Get your tickets HERE! TORONTO! Michael's podcast Evil Men is recording a live show on April 10 at Comedy Bar on Bloor Street. Get your tickets HERE!