The Absolute State of It with John Meagher and Peter Flanagan
The Absolute State of It is a weekly podcast hosted by Irish comedians John Meagher and Peter Flanagan. Each week, the duo discusses the biggest news stories, despite having no formal journalistic background or research skills. Their comedic take on current events offers a humorous and irreverent perspective. The show is produced in Ireland and caters to an English-speaking Irish audience.
Episodes
Celebrity Traitors, undercover stings at Reform, Ireland's pride Kimberley Guilfoyle, and Peter's boxing career
The Absolute State of It is a weekly podcast from Irish comedians John Meagher and Peter Flanagan where the lads tackle the big news stories of the week despite having zero journalistic training or research skills. This week we're talking about Britain's far-right, Irish-American Kimberly Guilfoyle's career implosion, and Peter's history of boxing.
Shane Gillis, Big Irish Heads, and Trump's cunning plan with Russia
The Absolute State of It is a weekly podcast from Irish comedians John Meagher and Peter Flanagan where the lads tackle the big news stories of the week despite having zero journalistic training or research skills.
ABBA, Tucker Carlson gets Rees-Mogged, and School Trips
The Absolute State of It is a weekly podcast from Irish comedians John Meagher and Peter Flanagan where the lads tackle the big news stories of the week despite having zero journalistic training or research skills. This week Peter has had an epiphany at "ABBA Voyage", the lads have some comedy gig chat, and Tucker Carlson's showdown with "Minister for Vampiric Rites" Jacob
Peter and John Vs Ireland
The Absolute State of It is a weekly podcast from Irish comedians John Meagher and Peter Flanagan where the lads tackle the big news stories of the week despite having zero journalistic training or research skills. This week the lads take aim at the FAI after Ireland's football match against Israel showed their true colours. Mark Zuckerberg has bought a castle in Ireland with a history of mur
John and Peter vs Ed Sheeran and Jerry Seinfeld
The Absolute State of It is a weekly podcast from Irish comedians John Meagher and Peter Flanagan where the lads tackle the big news stories of the week despite having zero journalistic training or research skills. This week it's walkouts galore as the lads are chatting about Ed Sheeran making a stand for free speech by sacking Macklemore for saying "Free Palestine". Jerry Seinfeld
Trump is in the Ra, the UK is for sale, and Pete is on tour!
The Absolute State of It is a weekly podcast from Irish comedians John Meagher and Peter Flanagan where the lads tackle the big news stories of the week despite having zero journalistic training or research skills. This week the lads are talking about Donald Trump's visit to Ireland, Bitcoin billionaires buying Britain, and John's thoughts on disagreeing agreeably...spoiler...he's not a fan.Pleas
John and Peter vs the far-right, Milo gets iced, and Isreal aren't happy with the Brits
The Absolute State of It is a weekly podcast from Irish comedians John Meagher and Peter Flanagan where the lads tackle the big news stories of the week despite having zero journalistic training or research skills. This week saw hundreds of far-right protesters shut down Dover, Milo Yiannopoulos gets deported by ICE, Ed Milliband changes the British response to Israeli war-crimes, and John gets p
Catholic Maxxing
The Absolute State of It is a weekly podcast from Irish comedians John Meagher and Peter Flanagan where the lads tackle the big news stories of the week despite having zero journalistic training or research skills. This week the lads are talking about the new trend of converts to Catholicism in America - Catholicmaxxers are online and waging war against the woke...erm...Pope?
The Odyssey vs Elon
The Absolute State of It is a weekly podcast from Irish comedians John Meagher and Peter Flanagan where the lads tackle the big news stories of the week despite having zero journalistic training or research skills. This week it's sad Christopher Nolan sightings, Pete vs AI, and John vs Elon.Like, comment, subscribe!
Jason Arday and the great British press
The Absolute State of It is a weekly podcast from Irish comedians John Meagher and Peter Flanagan where the lads tackle the big news stories of the week despite having zero journalistic training or research skills.
Late night London walking pod
It's too hot and couldn't sleep, so I went for a walk from Notting Hill to Central London. I saw Colin Firth get an Uber, and definietly popped up on the radar of the Russian Embassy by accident.I talk about my first gig, first fights, and some blue plaque stuff too.Come to The Gladstone Arms at Borough on March 9th for a gig with Huge Davies and Peter Flanagan!
Into the Wild with Ryan Dalton
My jaw operation was a success, and I'm able to talk again without dribbling all over myself...what a time to be alive!This week's guest is documentarian and host of the hit podcast "Into The Wild" Ryan Dalton. Before his life in all things nature took hold Ryan was a standup comedian, and we shared many a terrible open mic stage in the greater London area when we started out.I t
"Fa-scists back alright!" (to the tune of "Backstreet's Back alright)
I'm back from a week in Bahrain and chatting nonsense yet again! Thanks for listening; don't tell Trump I was slagging him off, I might need a visa soon ❤️
Happy New Year! Traitors, lab-grown brains, and the Vietnam War Machine fuelled by Newry Pies
Hope you all had a great Christmas/Hanukkah/New Year and are ready to hit 2026 right in the dick!I'm at home and getting some absolute top-tier Dad-lore (did you know the Newry Pies Factory was involved in the US Military industrial complex? No? Me either!There's a Patreon exclusive episode this week too so have a look there for a rant to end all rants on public decency.
Fighting freakshows from Jake Paul to Muhammad Ali
Merry Christmasssss!The absolute freak show fights from this past weekend gave me the idea to chat about my favourite, most awful, fights in history as well as what happens when a regular gym bro thinks they can beat up a heavyweight champion of the world.
David Walliams, P Diddy, and a history of hangovers
"Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds"This week we had a Comedians' 12 pubs of Christmas in London and BOY OH BOY did it take a toll! It sent me into a rabbit-hole learning all about the history of hangovers and their various cures over the centuries (pickles feature heavily).Last night news came out that comedian, presenter, user of black face way after everyone knew it wa
Spotify Wrapped (rage), my row with a Tory (rage), coffee shop etiquette (more rage), and Jerry Seinfeld cereal-nonce (amazed)
Hello!Thanks for being a subscriber! This week I'm chatting about a lovely wedding last weekend that involved annoying staff, arguments with old-school tories but mainly great fun. I watched the Jerry Seinfeld movie "Unfrosted" and cannot quite believe how terrible it was, and there's a good chunk on the etiquette of being in a public place.Hope you enjoy!
Mike Rice at Shepherd's Bush Empire,Hillsborough report, and poor old "Prince" Andrew
We had a week of being real culture vultures going to see the nasty little man Mike Rice sell out his biggest ever show on Sunday, then Hans Zimmer at the O2 on Monday. Special shout out to Rob Moriarty who opened for Mike and absolutely SMASHED it! (also some guy Vittorio who's a real hidden gem I believe!)Another dozen prisoners walked out this week so i have what is now my only recurring segmen
"That's Troy Parreh!", Juryless trials, your worst ever teacher, and won't someone think of the Billionaires!
Oh what a week!!!I talk about the emotional toll Troy Parrott's hat-trick to send Ireland to the World Cup Play-offs took, the latest Budget, why I still hate an old teacher I had, and for the love of all that's holy and right won't someone please think of the billionaires!!!
Super vulnerable morose times
Trigger warning - I was on the scene of a pretty horrible accident on Saturday and it made me think about death. In the podcast this week I talk about friends who've passed away, and also how to get your head from that place to going to a gig. There are long pauses where you may think "Is my volume muted?" but it's just me composing myself.Normal craic podcast will resume later t
Getting stinky in Helsinki, the death penalty for all, and Turkish Barbers
I'm recording this from a hotel in Belfast because the glamour and glitz just does not quitz (not a word but works for the line).Thanks for listening, shout me on Insta @johnmcomedy with questions/ideas
Billionaire noncing, the latest episode of UK real life Prison Break, and chatty Guards!
Hello!Hope you've had a good week. I'm later than usual because I've been going from pillar to post for gigs this last while.I talk about the Irish Guards causing me nightmares, the weird fetish for applauding billionaires like Elon Musk, and why do people keep just letting prisoners out of jail?
Poetry with James Conor Patterson
This week I chat to Newry-mawn and leading light of the Irish poetry world James Conor Patterson! James and I first met when I made "The Divil's Own" and he was kind enough to take part and recite a poem for us. We speak about criticism, politics, Seamus Heaney, Ciaran Carson, mentors, aaaaaand I learned that poetry and comedy are much closer than I had imagined.James has won an Eric
Good old fashioned British Racism
Another solo pod this week.I've been gigging in the Reform heartland and BOY OH BOY did I get my fill of it!Aside from my nuanced take (I hate racists and can't understand anyone who would vote for them) on the current direction of travel in Britain, I also chat about the Louvre break-in, Sarkozy going to prison, and why it's actually okay to be angry sometimes despite what Rory Stewar
NFL, Instabro workouts, and "The Smashing Machine" being one of the most boring movies of all time
Hello!This week I have a short one rambling about gigs, working out in public (gross), and how a movie aimed so directly at me could have failed so badly
Devil Worshippers, Jon Ronson, and a run in with Military Intelligence
I made a BBC Radio 4 show last year called "The Divil's Own" and so many poeple asked me about it I thought I'd do a bit of a breakdown of how it happened, what it involved, and some stuff that didn't make the cut. Enjoy!
Rosie Holt on satire, the boys club, and the best/worst dick pic dm ever!
Rosie Holt is an actor and writer best known for her viral internet videos skewering the political landscape. She's amassed millions of views and a legion of fans, plus some people who don't know the difference between her and an actual MP.I also solo pod about the joys of gigging in a camera free environment, nightmare neighbour renovations, and male plastic surgery.
Traitors, Conor McGregor takes another L, and Charlie Kirk
Another solo pod this week.I'm back from a couple of lovely gigs in the North of England and talk about those. Tommy Robinson (supreme arsehole) had a march in London at the weekend - I give my insightful thoughts on that and who I think should be the real face of a modern Britain.Connor McGregor is on the biggest losing streak since Hitler fought on multiple frontiers, so I have a look at his
Christy Moore, Jackie Chan, and Fr. Ted the musical with Niall McNamee
Singer and actor Niall McNamee joins me to talk about life on the road, being smashed through a table by Jackie Chan, and how he was cast as Fr. Dougal in "Fr. Ted the musical".Follow Niall on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/artist/12ECCS26QfiL4LVEarRWGf
Glinner Arrest, Alan Partridge, Flag protests
A very quick mini episode today as my recorded interview with Niall McNamee involved a lot of chat about Graham Linehan; what we didn't know was that as we were chatting "Glinner" was being arrested so I feel like it's safest all round to do a few edits before it goes live.In the meantime here's me chatting about the Alan Partridge premier (including having to leave because of an absolute melt in
Fringe politics, actual politics, allotments, carnivals, and headbutting lads in clubs
Just back from a few days in Edinburgh for the Fringe/TV Festival and chat about that. Jenna and I got an allotment to tend, and I got an injury DAY ONE to also tend, but being a big strong boy I didn't let it hold me back and had a great afternoon at Carnival. Some chat about future show ideas, and why headbutting lads is sometimes a great idea.Share, rate and suscribe please - chat next week
Guest Robbie McShane talks about Gary Little, Caravaggio's time on the run, and the desperation and passion of fantasy football
I have my first guest on the show! Robbie McShane is one of the best comedians Ireland has right now (even if he doesn't gig enough!).We talk about Bob Dylan, Caravaggio's crime spree, and what it feels to be creative, and fantasy football league.Last week the comedy world was shook with the untimely passing of Scottish titan Gary Little. I talk about the luck I had knowing him albeit too
Young Plumbers, Tommy Robinson, and right wing grifters
Another round of venting from John; this week it's right-wing grifter culture, Tommy Robinson, and the sad truth of young plumbers voice-boxes
My wife fights a politician, Bonnie Blue, and Wrestling too
I'm just back from performing at Wilderness Festival (which is why my voice sounds so dodgy), and had a great time especially when my wife ripped apart a former politician. I watched the Bonnie Blue documentary and talk about that, as well as why Jesse Ventura should be cast in West End plays.Small trigger warning as I also talk about PIP payments and why I hate right wing pricks.
Episode 2: Edgelord comedians, Edinburgh Fringe, and a run in with a criminal motorcycle gang!
Follow me on Instagram @johnmcomedy, and come see me perform if I'm doing shows near you.
Gigging abroad, Norwegian 10's, and terrible US comedians
Welcome to episode 1 of my weekly podcast. I'm just back from the Oslo Comedy Festival and I talk about what that was like, and how gigging abroad is different. I loved the city and took in some culture (though avoided the sauna), and went swimming alongside what may be the most attractive people on the planet...I'm checking out steroids and Ozempic asap!
