The Pick 3 Show

Gareth wasn't at all happy when the PickMaster General selected the topic of the top 3 Fictional Worlds that the panel would like to live in. Martin & Andy both saw the topic as a fun challenge and enjoyed Gareth's discomfort as he struggled to get his Accountant's brain to consider fantasy realms. Fair to say that this week's choices see a very wide divergence of opinions.Interact with the podcast via our social portals on X & BlueSky or via our dedicated listener e mail address [email protected]

A tradition as old as the hills is for parents to reinforce their viewpoint by telling "white lies" to kids. Generally this is to get children to fall in line but sometimes these lies become generational. The PickMaster General challenged Martin, Gareth and perennial bad boy Andy to recount what they were told as children that, with the benefit of hindsight, proved patently false.Let us know what "mistruths" you were told as children by the very people you trusted  the most! Contact us via X, Bluesky or via e mail: [email protected]

Not everything is as good as it's cracked up to be, so this week the PickMaster general challenged the panel to pick the top 3 things people pretend to enjoy. Despite the usual age related differences there was some surprising continuity between Martin, Gareth and Andy but do the listeners agree?Let us have your thoughts via X or BlueSky, or via our listener e mail portal [email protected]

Live music is one of life's great joys but not all gigs are created equal. Sometimes it is the setting, sometimes it's the staging but frequently it is the sheer joy of a shared experience. The PMG challenged the Pick 3 panel to select their top 3 gigs of all time and explain why they made their choices. It is safe to say that there is a wide variance in the choices plus a few fun stories along the way.Let us have your choices via our social media portals, remembering there are no wrong choices just some poorly argued opinions.

This week the PMG challenged the panel to select their top 3 small luxuries they couldn't live without. A tricky topic so Martin, Gareth and Andy drafted in some additional expertise and asked 'friend of the show', Ashley Parks, back to add some additional input. A fun episode with a few predictable choices and a couple of swerves to left field. Let us have your choices via X/Bluesky or via our dedicated e mail [email protected]

The PickMaster General does throw some intriguing questions at the Pick 3 panel and this week's topic of top 3 "underrated skills" certainly made the panel think. What skills are underrated, do people realise that some life skills can set them apart from the competition? Martin, Gareth & Andy debate some key skills that are of more benefit than people generally realise.Let us have your thoughts via our X & Bluesky social portals.

You watch many episodes of your favourite tv shows but eventually the storylines run their course and the writers look to resolve key issues in a finale that leaves loyal viewers satisfied. There are many tv shows undone by a poor finale or early cancellation but for others it is the glorious conclusion of years of storytelling. The PMG tasked the Pick 3 panel with selecting their top 3 shows that "spotted the landing" (although Gareth had never heard of this phrase) for a memorable final episode.Let us have your choices via our social portals on X or Bluesky.

We all buy a lot of stuff but what three items you have purchased could be described as "life improving"? The PMG task the Pick 3 panel with choosing three purchases that have made a significant life improving impact on the panellists. Suffice to say the variance on this episode is significant!Let us have your choices via our social portals on X & Bluesky.

If disaster struck and your house was on fire, what three items would you try to save? The PickMaster General posed this question to the panel but gave the additional clarification that family, pets and photographic memories were already saved. Martin, Gareth and Andy ponder what items are deemed irreplaceable and what is important enough to race back for as the flames take hold.Let us have your thoughts via our social portals on X & BlueSky.

Maybe it is your grandmothers perfume, the smell of cooking on an open fire, pipe tobacco smoke hanging in the air, an oily rag as you worked on your first car or candy floss at the fairground, smells have the ability to take us to distant memories. The Pick 3 panel debate the smells that transport them to another time and place.Interact with the podcast by messaging comments/suggestions to our social media portals on X & BlueSky.

So many movies have sequels or are part of interrelated franchises, but what about some great movies that have never been revisited, what movies deserve a sequel moving the story forward? The Pick 3 regular panellists are joined by special guest, Ashley Parks, who is a keen listener and regular contributor to the show, to try and identify the top movies that could expand their original stories in a sequel.As ever, let us have your comments or further suggestions on our social media portals on X & Bluesky.

We have all had them, if you haven't you are one of the lucky ones. This week the panel relive some of their worst journeys/travel experiences after the PMG selected the topic from the cloud based database. Martin explains why he hates a small Italian border town, Andy explains why a cheap holiday to Turkey was unnerving, whilst Gareth relives a parent's nightmare in Hong Kong!Let us know your top travel disasters via our portals on X & Bluesky, are they worse than ours?

The PickMaster General suggested to the panel that they list their top 3 "one hit wonders" but as usual this led to some debate as some artists only scored one hit in the UK or US, but had success elsewhere. Are they truly "one hit wonders"? Leaving Martin, Gareth & Andy to be the arbiters the PMG washed his/her hands of the topic and left it to the panel to make some big calls.As with a previous music related episode, some listeners might enjoy playing the chosen tracks between the panel's deliberations. This elongates the episode and hopefully adds to the fun. Let us know your choices via our portals on X & Bluesky.

The brief to the panel from the PickMaster General was pretty straightforward, select your top three animal stars from tv. However, somewhere along the way a couple of panellists (and apparently listeners) became a little confused and started including options from movies! As Martin frequently states, keeping the Pick 3 panel in line is like herding cats!Join Martin, Gareth & Andy as they sort of debate the subject they were given. It is highly likely that the PMG will impose sanctions...

We all watch many US comedies but which ones make the Pick 3 panel's top 3. As Martin, Gareth and Andy meet at an old comedy club the chances of much crossover between the decades seems unlikely but, as we all know, this trio have a habit of surprising us all.Join the Pick 3 panel as they discuss, deride and outright dismiss each other's choices but as we all say, there are no wrong choices only poor constructed opinions.

The use of language has always been important but certain words/phrases have become overused and annoying. Martin, Gareth & Andy were tasked with finding their top three words/phrases that they would like to remove from everyday conversations. Unsurprisingly there were a few disagreements but also a surprising amount of consensus.Let us know via our X or BlueSky portals what your choices might be, it's not as easy as you think!

We all love our sporting heroes but where we they be without some sporting villains for us to root against. The Pick 3 panel debate the sporting villainy that has impacted them the most. For some it could be Maradonna's "hand of god" goal, for others it could be Schumacher deliberately running Damon Hill off the track but one thing is for certain, today's debate will walk on the dark side of sporting legend!Let us know your top 3 sporting villains via our social portals on X & Bluesky.

After a nice few days off after Christmas the boys are back to start their 2026 with a new topic handed down, as ever, by the mysterious PickMaster General. Martin, Gareth and Andy debate their top 3 Board Games and it's not long before one of the panel clearly breaks the rules of engagement. Regular listeners will not be overly surprised but following the recording one of the panel had an uncomfortable couple of hours in the PMG's office!Let us know via our X and BlueSky portals whether you agree with our choices or what you think we missed.

As we arrive at 2026 we all have hopes, dreams and ambitions for the new year. Most of us set our resolutions with optimism and confidence, however, many lie in tatters by the end of January. Join the Pick 3 panel as they decide on their new year resolutions whilst on a big night out in Belfast. Will they be able to follow through on their individual ambitions, have they set the bar too low or too high, and will Andy escape paying the bill again?Let us know your own new year resolutions via our social portals on X and BlueSky. We wish all our listeners a peaceful and prosperous new year. Cheers from all at Pick 3 HQ!

Our Christmas Eve episode gives the Pick 3 panel the opportunity to discuss their favourite Christmas memories. Plenty of festive fun, and a couple of heartfelt seasonal revelations. The PickMaster General and the Pick 3 panel wish all our listeners a very happy and peaceful holiday period.Please note that the content of this episode may not be suitable for younger children excited by the prospect up reindeers, sleighs and present deliveries via the chimney!

All of us look forward to the Christmas break and the chance to enjoy the extensive festive tv and movies while feeling somewhat stuffed with food. The PickMaster General asked the panel to consider their top 3 Christmas tv & movie memories and interestingly there was some crossover between the guys. Join us as we debate the greatest tv/movie moments from our Christmas's past.Happy Christmas to all our Pick 3 listeners, may it be a time of fun and laughter with your families/friends.

Who trains for four years, frequently alone and sometimes in the dark, to be ready to unleash your maximum effort and potential on a single designated day in the Olympics? Many have trodden this committed path and some have ridden their dedication to glory and an Olympic Gold medal. For others the challenge has proved heartbreaking, but still they carry on. Sometimes just making it to the starting line of an Olympic event is a triumph, a celebration of the true spirit of the Games.The PickMaster General challenged the panel to seek out their top 3 Olympians and justify their choices.

We have all heard many "conspiracy theories" some of which hold our fascination whilst others are obviously complete bunkum, but it is a strange human trait that people create myths and legends to explain situations in which they have no personal involvement. The Pick 3 panel were challenged to pick the three conspiracy theories that have intrigued them personally and and how they rationalise the related mysteries. Join us as we delve into the unprovable world of the conspiracy theory.

All of us undertake a series of daily tasks that are tedious and given the chance we would outsource them. The panel meet to debate their top three choices of tasks they would willingly hand over the respnsibility to others. Some call this streamlining, others call it being lazy but if you are honest with yourself you would take the opportunity if it was available.Let us know what you would outsource if given the chance via our social portals on X and BlueSky

The rules were simple, pick the 3 famous people you would like to be for a day and then justify your choices. Trusting Martin, Gareth and Andy to follow these rules seemed risky, so the PickMaster general brought in a fourth panellist, a voice of reason, common sense and, more particularly, someone who knows not to let the "boys" get out of control. Despite the PickMaster General's best laid plans the episode veered off course in it's usual chaotic style.Interact with the podcast via our social portals on X and BlueSky, but more importantly, have fun creating your own lists with friends and family. 

The panel meet to discuss the most overrated foods, especially those that are forced down our throats by influencers and marketing teams. We all have our preferred options but which foodstuffs attracted the ire of the Pick 3 Panel? Gareth sees himself as a knowledgeable foodie, Martin openly refers to food as "fuel", whilst Andy just likes a good nosh up. Strangely there is some correlation between the panel regarding their dislike of certain overhyped foods.Interact with the podcast via our social portals on X & BlueSky.

Everyone has musical choices that they secretly love but won't really own up to when challenged. When the PickMaster General dropped this subject on the panel Gareth squealed with delight, Andy smiled enigmatically and Martin frowned. No easy or predictable choices this week but some revealing insights into the secret world of the Pick 3 panel's musical preferences (albeit the ones they keep hidden from general view).Interact with the podcast via our social portals at X & BlueSky, let us know what your choices would be.

To celebrate Halloween the Pick 3 panel relocate to a haunted castle to discuss their choices for "scariest movies". Andy loves this scary stuff, while Gareth is reliving a childhood nightmare and will probably not sleep soundly for weeks. Martin tries to control the creaks, groans and howls to achieve a decent recording in a very inhospitable recording environment. Did all the panel make it out alive after taking such risks to bring an authentically spooky episode to our listeners?Interact with the Pick 3 Show via our social portals on X & BlueSky.

Unquestionably the episode with the largest amount of listener input as the panel try to remember their top 3 school memories. With so much material available what would the panellists choose from the halcyon days of their youth, albeit not all the stories were humorous. Our listeners chipped in with many memories and so this is a somewhat bumper edition of the podcast.Interact with the podcast via our social portals on X & BlueSky, remember there are no wrong choices but plenty of dodgy opinions.

Regular listeners know that Gareth "moonlights' on a music podcast "The Vinyl Vault", so his little face grinned from ear to ear when the PickMaster General dropped this subject into the panel's inbox. The 80's & 90's were the golden age of the music video albeit Andy sort of missed the 80's (although not in a rock n roll kind of way) so would his selections be as good as those who were there? As usual plenty of debate, derision and dust ups as the panel defend their individual lists.Let us know if you agree/disagree with our choices, remember their are no bad choices but there are some dodgy opinions.

The panel love a good debate so when the PickMaster General's random topic selector threw out "movie sequels (better than the original) the boys went to work researching and forming opinions. As regular listeners know, we never share picks prior to recording, so any crossover is purely coincidental. A wide topic with plenty of viable options, yet surprisingly some consensus emerged. Do you agree with the Pick 3 panel? Let us know via our socials, if not let's see your choices.

What three additional/essential items would you choose to take on a trip to the international space station? That was the question posed to the panel this week by the PickMaster General. Giving Martin, Gareth & Andy free reign to unleash mayhem in space was maybe not the smartest move but some of their logic was defendable, and some was just silly. As ever the panel had fun debating this interesting conundrum.Let us know, via our socials, what your choices might be if you were given the opportunity.

Lots of things annoy all of us but if you had the opportunity what three things/habits would you ban from society? That is the task set by the PickMaster General this week but was he/she wise to risk throwing this out to the Pick 3 panel. Remember, there are three decades of separation between the members and therefore, the likliehood of agreement is at an all time low. Will Andy be more tolerant than Gareth, will Martin have any tolerance at all?Let us know what you would ban if you had the power to affect society.

It was only a matter of time before the panel discussed the medium that the Pick 3 Show inhabits. However, the PickMaster General was pretty clear in his/her instructions, none of the Panel's picks could relate to other podcasts in which they had any involvement, so these choices are what the panel think are their best listening experiences within the wider podcast landscape.As usual there is a significant divergence in what each panel member chooses but as we always say, there are no wrong choices although there are plenty of dodgy opinions. Let us know whether you agree or disagree with our choices.

Time for the Pic 3 panel to re-live their fashion mistakes/disasters as the PickMaster general throws a curveball topic, "fashion crimes (that we forgave too easily), in front of three suitably unqualified individuals. However, as you will see, there are few candid admissions and obvious fashion faux pas's to unearth and we apologise in advance for the mental images our listeners will be left with after the episode.Before you judge us too harshly, think back on your own triumphs and disasters from the world of fashion.

With autumn fast approaching we are all looking to the tv schedules to see what shows are returning and what new shows we fancy test driving. However, the Pick 3 panel were set the difficult challenge of picking their top 3 TV box sets with the condition that these would be the only programming available to them forever. Listen to find out how Martin, Gareth & Andy selected their choices for TV eternity.What would you choose? Remember there are no wrong choices but, as we frequently say, there are some poor opinions!

As the panel sit down to discuss favourite gadgets it becomes quite clear that the age separation also reflects a practical skills separation. Andy likes tech gadgetry, Gareth tends to agree but Martin prefers old school, practical gadgets (albeit with a couple of modern flourishes). Interstingly, post recording this episode, Andy confessed that his wife had recently obtained the exact same practical gadget (from her dad) that Martin was extolling the virtues of as a top choice!As we say, there are no bad choices but as we frequently prove there are some bad opinions. Let us know what gadgets you can't live without.

Summer is over and the boys are back recording new episodes of the Pick 3 Show. Nothing has changed in that they still discuss, dissect and deride each others choices on any subject sent down from the PickMaster general's office.Today the discussion covers "Foods (that we could eat forever)" and at least one panellist has a somewhat unique selection as their favourite food! As usual our listeners have their own views and this gives us a unique insight into our audience. Please keep sending us your suggestions as they all make their way to the PM's office.

We have all had many experiences with cars but what were your favourites over the years? The panel meet to discuss the top 3 cars they have owned and the stories that go with them. The rules were simple, all cars must have been owned by panellists and so no chat about Bugattis or Maserattis was tolerated by the PickMaster General.Let us know your own top 3 car choices and memories via our X and BlueSky portals. 

With Gareth claiming (erroneously) that he understands the world of covert operations and espionage, the panel turn their thoughts to the adventures of the world's most well known secret agent, James Bond (aka 007). With over 20 movies to choose from will the three decades of separation between the panel become somewhat era specific?Join Martin, Gareth and Andy as they pick their top 3 James Bond movies and then argue with each other over many aspects of these adventures. Surprisingly some correlation starts to appear...Send us your choices via our X and BlueSky portals, there are no wrong answers but there may well be poor opinions.

An old friend came into town and declared his allegiance to the show. We took that as an opportunity to do a somewhat niche topic of Top 3 planes/helicopters particularly since Lou flew both for the US military. Possibly not everyone's immediate cup of tea but it turned out to be an enlightening chat with more fun/laughs than you might imagine.Join Martin, Gareth, Andy and Colonel Lou for a slightly unusual episode of the Pick 3 Show. Not sure what our listener choices would be but please forward your lists via our X or BlueSky portals.

Who would you invite round for dinner if you could pick your most fascinating options? Only proviso is that they must still be alive at time of selection. Martin, Gareth & Andy thought long and hard about their perfect dinner combos and, unsurprisingly, all came up with completely different guest lists. There are no wrong answers but the panel still had to justify their picks.Let us know via X or BlueSky who would be your selections if you had free range to choose.

Every movie needs music but some movie soundtracks become truly iconic. The Pick 3 panel debate their top three movie soundtracks and take a few pot shots at each others' choices. Gareth goes disco, Andy goes spooky but Martin delivers the ultimate choice (his words) to silence the debate. As usual the three decades of separation play a significant role in the selections.Interact with the podcast via X or Bluesky and keep sending us your selections for us to comment upon.

The panel debate their top 3 choices of memorable advert, surely an easy choice for marketing guru Andy. Whether it was an earworm song that stuck in your head, a visual image of epic scale or simply a suave deliverer of chocolates, adverts affect us all differently. With three decades of separation it is no surprise that the panel have a wide range of advert choices.Interact with the podcast via X or BlueSky and keep sending us your choices.

The PickMaster General threw the panel a curve ball this week and asked them to rank their top 3 childhood fears. Will this episode explain something about Andy's obsession with ghosts, Gareth's fear of the fog and Martin's dislike of hospitals. As ever there is much debate and some derision about the choices but at the end of the day we all know what scared us as kids.Interact with the podcast via X or BlueSky and keep sending us your choices and opinions. There are no wrong choices, just poor opinions.

The Pick 3 panel tackle the wide and varied topic "documentaries" on this weeks episode. As has become apparent over the course of the show, the age differential plays a significant role in choices, but as usual everyone finds something to spark debate.Please continue to send topic suggestions and alternate lists remembering that there are no bad picks but we can find some bad opinions!

The panel take a trip into the past and visit a prehistoric location to record with a listener, Victoria, who became "Pickmaster for a day" and who set the challenge to select our top three choices of historical events that we would like to have witnessed in person. Suffice to say the choices are wide and varied, sublime and ridiculous and probably typical of the intellect of the individual panel members. An episode that cannot possibly be predicted but hopefully an interesting selection to enjoy.Please continue to forward topic suggestions via our social media platforms on BlueSky and X, who knows maybe you will get to join us on the show!

Another huge subject from which we create lists of our top 3 movie villains. Regular listeners may not be overly surprised by some of the panel's choices but there are definitely a few surprises and one particular moment of clairvoyance! Does the release date of this episode give a huge clue to the identity of one of the villains?Let us know who you rate as the biggest movie villains of all time are and interact with the Pick 3 Show via our X & BlueSky portals.

Massive subject this week and one that certainly led to a debate amongst the panel. The biggest surprise might well be that stickler for the rules, Martin, might have skated very close to breaking them on this particular episode.Please keep sending us your Pick 3 topics and your own lists, there are no wrong choices but there are bad opinions as we point out every week.

Three months on from the launch of the Pick 3 Show Martin, Gareth and Andy sit down to review progress to date and consider listener feedback to our early episodes. This bonus pod shares some of our listeners opinions and impressions regarding the first dozen shows.Please keep sending us your Pick 3 topics and any comments you wish to make about the show, we appreciate the constructive feedback. Thanks for listening and engaging with us.