Did You Queer About?

Mikey shares his thoughts on ‘Flesh’, the winner of the 2025 Booker Prize — an epic coming-of-age story that follows one man's journey from an awkward teenager in Hungary to the heights of London's elite. What was it about the novel that Mikey admired but ultimately stopped him from loving it?Meanwhile, Ben reveals whether Netflix's adaptation of ‘People We Meet on Vacation’ felt like the perfect getaway or more of a holiday headache.Elsewhere, the boys recommend ‘The Split’, Sharon Bolton's gripping thriller, and ‘Why Are You More Successful Than Me?’, Richard Bacon's insightful new podcast.Queer is a full list of what was discussed:📚 Books:THE SPLIT (Sharon Bolton)FLESH (David Szalay)🎬 Films:PEOPLE WE MEET ON VACATION (Netflix)🎙️ Podcasts:HOW TO FAIL (Elizabeth Day)WHY ARE YOU MORE SUCCESSFUL THAN ME? (Richard Bacon) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rose Gray has gone straight from the club to your arms with her latest single: a hauntingly beautiful slice of pulsing pop that pleads for less talking and more forking. Is her sophomore album shaping up to surpass the sublime heights of her debut?Jessie Ware keeps things suitably sensual with another taste of her sixth album, ‘Superbloom’. The temperature rises on ‘Sauna’, now given the remix treatment by Horse Meat Disco. But can the remix outshine the original? Ben and Mikey weigh in.Elsewhere, it’s been a baffling week in pop culture. The boys share their thoughts on the FIFA World Cup Halftime Show, explore how Ella Langley has matched a chart record previously held by Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey, and reveal which new album left them reaching for the antihistamines.Queer is a full list of what was discussed:🎧 Music:CHOOSIN’ TEXAS (Ella Langley)SAUNA [HORSE MEAT DISCO REMIX] (Jessie Ware feat. Horse Meat Disco)JUST BE BODIES / CLUB TO YOUR ARMS (Rose Gray)DAUGHTER FROM HELL (Gracie Abrams)📺 TV:FIFA WORLD CUP HALFTIME SHOW (YouTube) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ben and Mikey are officially record-breakers and record-makers after joining 22,000 people in bald caps to set a new world record ahead of Pitbull’s BST Hyde Park headline show. But how did we get here? Are bald caps the friendship bracelets of 2026? And is Pitbull actually the nicest man in pop?Elsewhere, the boys share this week’s random recommendations: the new Katie Price documentary and David Nicholls’ fifth novel, Sweet Sorrow.Queer is a full list of what was discussed:🎧 Music:PITBULL / KESHA / TINNIE TEMPAH / LIL JON (British Summer Time)📚 Books:SWEET SORROW (David Nicholls)📺 TV:KATIE PRICE: NOTHING TO HIDE (Sky) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ben and Mikey round up some recent tracks that have caught their attention. Did you know that Snow Patrol wrote multiple songs for Kylie before they finally collaborated on ‘These Alarms’? And did you work out the meaning behind ROLE MODEL’s new single ‘Joy’ any quicker than Ben?Elsewhere, the boys lament the rise of the sub three minute pop song, give compliments to the genre of knowingly trashy rave-pop, and Mikey reveals why he was particularly moved by the new Wolf Alice track about feeling stuck. Queer is a full list of what was discussed:🎧 Music:CONFESSIONS II (Madonna)REIN ME IN (Sam Fender & Olivia Dean)SWEET JULY (Take That)THESE ALARMS (Snow Patrol & Kylie Minogue)JOY (ROLE MODEL)YOUNG LONDON (Confidence Man)GOSPEL OAK (Wolf Alice) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

More than 30 years after making her debut, Robyn has delivered the best live show of her career — and one of Ben and Mikey’s favourite tours of the year. The boys explore why it feels like the ultimate victory lap for the Swedish pop icon, and why her connection with the queer community remains so enduring.Elsewhere, Ben makes the case for why Voicemails for Isabelle is far more than your average Netflix movie of the week.Queer is a full list of what was discussed:🎧 Music:THE SEXISTENTIAL TOUR (Robyn)📺 TV:VOICEMAILS FOR ISABELLE (Netflix) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Time goes by so slowly for those who wait… for the best Madonna album in over 20 years. So what took us so long to get here? When is Madonna truly at the top of her game? And why might Confessions II be the most essential record of her career?Join Ben and Mikey as they dive deep into the Queen of Pop’s 15th studio album. School is in session as they explore the album’s creation, unpack why it’s been embraced by fans and critics alike, and delve into the lore behind some of Madonna’s most revealing and deeply personal songs yet.Queer is a full list of what was discussed:🎧 Music:CONFESSIONS II (Madonna) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ben and Mikey weigh in on the online discourse surrounding Lily Allen’s arena tour for her fifth studio album. What worked? What didn’t? And how much can an audience reasonably expect when they’ve paid triple figures for a ticket?Meanwhile, the boys were more than satisfied — and more than a little surprised — by Take That’s revival of their most ambitious tour, seventeen years after it first hit the road. What was it that made it a night to Never Forget?Queer is a full list of what was discussed:🎧 Music:THE CIRCUS LIVE — SUMMER 2026 (Take That)WEST END GIRL (Lily Allen)📚 Books:EVENINGS AND WEEKENDS (Oisín McKenna)🎬 Film:HOPPERS (Disney+) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, the latest pop releases have Ben and Mikey asking: can people really change? What has got Katy Perry so angry? Is Sombr’s new track his most personal to date? And how can Gracie make depression sound so good?Over in Confessions Corner, the boys unpack Madonna’s polarising interview with Graham Norton. Plus, Mikey delights Ben with RuPaul’s answer to the Proust questionnaire for Vanity Fair. Queer is a full list of what was discussed:🎧 Music:READ MY LIPS (Madonna featuring Feid) WINK WINK (Charli XCX)MY BODY ISN’T READY (Sombr)LOOK AT MY LIFE (Gracie Abrams)WATCH IT BURN (Katy Perry)📺 TV:MADONNA & GRAHAM (BBC iPlayer) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this bonus episode, the boys share their thoughts on the latest blockbuster from Steven Spielberg. What left Ben unexpectedly emotional? Why does Mikey question whether it’s really a sci-fi film? And what is it about extraterrestrial life that continues to captivate us?Elsewhere, they shine a spotlight on End of the Rainbow, starring Jinkx Monsoon as Judy Garland, before returning to Confessions Corner to discuss Madonna’s latest cover shoot and sit down with Interview magazine, and the rumours that she could be set to make an appearance at London Pride.Queer is a full list of what was discussed:📚 Books:ONE DAY (David Nicholls)🎬 Film:DISCLOSURE DAY (Universal Pictures)BEFORE SUNRISE (Columbia Pictures)BEFORE SUNSET (Warner Bros. Pictures)BEFORE MIDNIGHT (Sony Pictures Classics)THE HUNT (Universal Pictures)🎭 Theatre:END OF THE RAINBOW (Soho Theatre Walthamstow) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Back for another adventure, Jessie, Woody and Buzz team up to overthrow the sinister Lilypad as toys take on tech in the latest Toy Story outing. How did the film make Ben and Mikey reflect on their own relationship with tech? And what do they think their secret toys might be saying about them when no one’s around?Elsewhere, the boys review Redcliffe, the new musical telling the story of two gay lovers battling oppression in the 18th century, and reveal the records Olivia Rodrigo has shattered with the release of her latest album.Queer is a full list of what was discussed:🎧 Music:YOU SEEM PRETTY SAD FOR A GIRL SO IN LOVE (Olivia Rodrigo)🎬 Film:TOY STORY 5 (Pixar)🎭 Theatre:REDCLIFFE (Southwark Playhouse Borough) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mikey takes Ben to Confessions Corner to catch up on everything the Queen of Pop has been serving her fans over the past few weeks. Was the Times Square performance worth the money of Grindr’s subscribers? Is the new music making us want to dance? And is the accompanying short film merely the beginning of a much bigger visual era?Elsewhere, the boys share their highlights from Mighty Hoopla and Primavera Sound Barcelona, before things take a more emotional turn as Ben reflects on the powerful new TV drama from Russell T Davies.Queer is a full list of what was discussed:🎧 Music:CONFESSIONS II - THE FILM / LOVE SENSATION / BRING YOUR LOVE [STUART PRICE AFTERHOURS REMIX] / BIZARRE (Madonna)MIGHTY HOOPLAPRIMAVERA SOUND BARCELONA📺 TV:TIP TOE (Channel 4) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ben and Mikey seem pretty happy for two guys not in love. Olivia Rodrigo has released her third studio album — and it’s a banger. In this week’s deep dive, the boys unpack Olivia’s evolving sound, explore how she continues to subvert expectations, and reveal the unlikely pair of Sex and the City characters who appear to have inspired more than one track.Elsewhere, the big questions keep coming: has Taylor Swift released her worst-ever number one? Has Rose Gray just delivered the best song of her career so far? Is Ariana Grande taking aim at an ex-boyfriend — or her own fans — on her latest release? And could a full Lily Allen remix album be on the horizon?Queer is a full list of what was discussed:🎧 Music:I KNEW IT, I KNEW YOU (Taylor Swift)HATE THAT I MADE YOU LOVE ME / PETAL (Ariana Grande)CLUB TO YOUR ARMS (Rose Gray)BEG FOR ME [JADE REMIX] (Lily Allen & JADE)YOU SEEM PRETTY SAD FOR A GIRL SO IN LOVE (Olivia Rodrigo)📺 TV:REALITY CHECK: INSIDE AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL (Netflix) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this bonus episode, Ben and Mikey dive into the latest live release from pop superstar Dua Lipa. Revisiting memories from the tour, they discuss the standout musical moments, their highlights from the recording — and ask the important question: is Dua Lipa the Margot Robbie of pop?The boys also review two very different live performances: Raye’s ambitious tour blending generations, genres and astonishing vocal range, and Cynthia Erivo’s jaw-dropping one-woman turn in Dracula, where she takes on all 23 roles herself.Queer is a full list of what was discussed:🎧 Music:THIS TOUR MAY CONTAIN NEW MUSIC / THIS ALBUM MAY CONTAIN HOPE (Raye)DUA LIPA - LIVE FROM MEXICO / RADICAL OPTIMISM TOUR (Dua Lipa)APPLE MUSIC LIVE: MAYHEM REQUIEM (Lady Gaga)📺 TV:AMANDALAND / MOTHERLAND (BBC iPlayer)🎭 Theatre:DRACULA Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a surprise reversal of roles, it’s Mikey — not Ben — who’s been moved to tears by pop culture this week. The boys dive into the three-part documentary chronicling the life and career of pint-sized Australian pop princess Kylie Minogue, along with its accompanying single, Light Up. Which moments sparkled brightest, hit hardest emotionally, and ultimately left them wanting more?Elsewhere, Ben and Mikey share their thoughts on this week’s other major music releases from Olivia Rodrigo, Charli XCX and Lola Young — and realise there may be one unexpected theme connecting them all.Queer is a full list of what was discussed:🎧 Music:THE CURE / YOU SEEM PRETTY SAD FOR A GIRL SO IN LOVE (Olivia Rodrigo)THE CURE (Little Mix)THE CURE (Lady Gaga)SS26 (Charli XCX)FROM DOWN HERE (Lola Young)LIGHT UP (Kylie)📺 TV:KYLIE (Netflix) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ben & Mikey have been to see Stephen Sondheim’s beloved fairytale mash-up musical at Bridge Theatre ahead of its West End transfer. The performances were outstanding — but did Shrek do the storyline better?On the other end of the spectrum, the boys also caught Rose Gray live on her Louder, Please tour. They sing her praises, alongside this week’s usual mix of random recommendations.Queer is a full list of what was discussed:🎧 Music:LOUDER, PLEASE TOUR (Rose Gray)📚 Books:THEY BOTH DIE AT THE END / THE FIRST TO DIE AT THE END (Adam Silvera)📺 TV:THE COMEBACK (HBO Max)🎭 Theatre:INTO THE WOODS (Bridge Theatre) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ben & Mikey kick off this week’s episode with more Confessions II chat. Alongside a new remix and the album’s freshly revealed tracklist, it’s been announced that Madonna, Shakira and BTS will co-headline the historic FIFA World Cup 2026™ Final Halftime Show — leading the boys into some very unfamiliar territory… football. What can we expect from the performance?The boys also share their verdict on the latest Gracie Abrams release and dive into the online discourse surrounding Harry Styles’ brand-new tour, fresh from seeing it on opening weekend in Amsterdam.Queer is a full list of what was discussed:🎧 Music:I FEEL SO FREE [PEGGY GOU ENERGY MIX] / CONFESSIONS II (Madonna)HIT THE WALL / DAUGHTER FROM HELL (Gracie Abrams)TOGETHER, TOGETHER TOUR (Harry Styles) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sound the klaxon: Ben has finally watched the long-awaited sequel to the 2006 classic starring Anne Hathaway and Meryl Streep. With Runway magazine under threat and a new devil in town, does the film end up defending the very culture the original so brilliantly skewered?Elsewhere, the boys break down the biggest winners and talking points from this year’s BAFTA TV Awards, and share their latest film, theatre and book recommendations.Queer is a full list of what was discussed:🎬 Film:THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA 2 (20th Century Fox)ZOOTROPOLIS 2 (Disney+)📺 TV:BAFTA TV AWARDS (BBC One)🎭 Theatre:WHODUNNIT [UNREHEARSED] 4 (Park Theatre)📚 Books:ONE DAY (David Nicholls) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pop’s reigning IT girl — and mother of the pod — JADE adds a Tiny Desk Concert to her ever-growing list of debut-era milestones. But does her high-concept performance style translate to an intimate, stripped-back set?Meanwhile, Ben and Mikey dive deep into new releases from Millennial Mothers Kesha and Charli XCX (for longer than the tracks actually run) before rallying in defence of overdog Harry Styles and his divisive dance moves.Queer is a full list of what was discussed:🎧 Music:ORIGAMI (Kesha)ROCK MUSIC (Charli XCX)JADE’S TINY DESK CONCERT (National Public Radio)DANCE NO MORE (Harry Styles) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week’s bonus episode, Ben and Mikey ask: what do the Met Gala and The Celebrity Traitors have in common? They unpack the season 2 cast reveal, debate whether Kylie Minogue’s life story really needs a three-part documentary, and attempt to answer the all-important question: what exactly is an echelon?Plus, the boys share what they’ve been reading, watching, and obsessing over this week.Queer is a full list of what was discussed:📺 TV:THE CELEBRITY TRAITORS (BBC One / BBC iPlayer)KYLIE (Netflix)🎬 Films:APEX (Netflix)BURNT (The Weinstein Company)EAT PRAY LOVE (Sony Pictures)📚 Books:THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA (Harper Collins) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ben & Mikey’s ultimate Queens of Pop are back with new tracks. Madonna teams up with Sabrina Carpenter, while Gaga delivers original songs for The Devil Wears Prada 2 soundtrack — including a collab with Doechii. But the real question is: will we ever get the Madonna x Gaga moment the community deserves?Elsewhere, the boys get into it: has Kacey Musgraves perfectly captured the post-break up experience? Are we seeing Melanie C in her Sporty Spice prime? And what do we like — and dislike — about the trend of remix albums?Queer is a full list of what was discussed:🎧 Music:BRING YOUR LOVE / CONFESSIONS II (Madonna & Sabrina Carpenter)SHAPE OF A WOMAN / GLAMOROUS LIFE (Lady Gaga)MIDDLE OF NOWHERE (Kacey Musgraves)SWEAT (Melanie C)MIDNIGHT SUN: GIRLS TRIP (Zara Larsson) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ben & Mikey wax lyrical about why the latest sit down between Taylor Swift and the NYT Magazine is probably her best interview to date — a laser focused examination of her songwriting process. Which tracks got honourable mentions? What revelations were most surprising? And is Taylor’s reason for singing ‘slow’ in ‘Our Song’ justified? In other news, Consequence of Sound have ranked The 100 Best Vocalists of All Time and Ben puts Mikey to the test: can he guess who made the cut?Plus, the boys share their random recommendations: ‘Alan Carr’s Interior Design Masters’ and ‘The Devil Wears Prada’ — both the film and the book that inspired it. Queer is a full list of what was discussed:📺 TV:RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE (WOW Presents Plus)ALAN CARR’S INTERIOR DESIGN MASTERS (BBC One / iPlayer)🎬 Film:THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA (20th Century Fox)📚 Books:THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA (Harper Collins)🎧 Music:MIDDLE OF NOWHERE / DRY SPELL (Kacey Musgraves)MIDNIGHT SUN (Zara Larsson)🫦 Man of the Week:ZANE PHILIPS Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Anne Hathaway might just be the greatest pop star we never had — singing, strutting, and dancing her way through Mother Mary in performances that writer-director David Lowery says were inspired by Taylor Swift’s Reputation Tour. But the boys are left wondering: does the film truly rise to meet such a once-in-a-generation pop culture moment?Also up for debate this week: is the rollout for Madonna’s new album her gayest campaign yet? Are comparisons between high-gloss perfume adverts and the “Runway” video by Lady Gaga and Doechii complimentary or derogatory? And does the deluxe edition of Demi Lovato’s latest album go as deep as the boys hoped?Queer is a full list of what was discussed:🎧 Music:CONFESSIONS II (Madonna)DROP DEAD (Olivia Rodrigo)PETAL (Ariana Grande)RUNWAY (Lady Gaga & Doechii)IT’S NOT THAT DEEP [UNLESS YOU WANT IT TO BE] (Demi Lovato)🎬 Movies:MOTHER MARY (A24) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Meryl Streep is soon set to sashay back onto our screens as the iconic boss from fashion hell, Miranda Priestly. She’s still pulling the strings at fashion magazine Runway — now with its own theme song by Lady Gaga.But can we trust the rumours? Are we really getting an EP of new music featuring collaborations with Madonna and Chappell Roan?Meanwhile, later this year, Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman will be conjuring up a spell in another long-awaited sequel, and Mikey reveals whether he’s been bewitched by the first trailer.Plus, Ben shines a spotlight on some of the most noteworthy winners from this year’s prestigious London theatre honours.Queer is a full list of what was discussed:📺 TV:THE CAPTURE (BBC iPlayer)🎧 Music:RUNWAY (Lady Gaga & Doechii)🎭 Theatre:THE OLIVIER AWARDSDANGEROUS LIAISONS (National Theatre)🖼️ Exhibition:TRACEY EMIN: A SECOND LIFE (Tate Modern)🫦 Man of the Week:AIDAN TURNER Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.