Home Creators Posts Import Register Favorites Logout

Downloads

Content

It's here! After weeks of overwhelming demand, we finally sat down and talked about The Interview. We also managed to dissect the economics of avocados, the ethics of ghosting and the definition of "virtue signaling." Oh, and Piers Morgan. There's a *lot* of Piers Morgan in this episode. 

As usual, let us know in the comments if there's other topics or TV sensations we should cover next month. And if you'd prefer to stay silenT we hope you're never silenCED. 

Excelsior,

Mike and Sarah

P.S. Thanks again to Carolyn Kendrick for helping us edit this episode!

Files

Comments

IjeomaThePlantMama

The amount of vitriol in these comments is insane. What is it about Meghan that you people hate so much? Who did she kill? What did she destroy in your life? Yikes.

Lise Dale

I think it is generally to be expected considering that they are uniquely pro compassion to people who have to deal with um, stuff from others. Maybe its as simple as Meghan actually loves the dude. Maybe someone who has experienced racism reads that too easily into a situation (though honestly its seems that way to me) but its certainly understandable. Ok she should have known what she was getting into. How often does anyone really know what they are getting into until they are actually in it? Our hosts make a lot of good points. They have opinions we may not agree with. Maybe that's ok.

Lily S

Super late and listening to backlogs, but know you are not alone on the Fergie thing! I was able to get my hands free to google more quickly (I listen while walking dogs at the animal shelter) so I was only marveling at how good Fergie looks for what must be her age, for about 10 minutes. Haha

Lucy

I’m so excited to wake up in the morning and listen!

Joanna M

Yay! I’ve been looking forward to this. I was reminded of that “Kony 2012” thing out of nowhere the other day and I’d love to hear an episode on that.

belinda black

Yesss! Thank you guys for this ❤️❤️

Nikki

I’m so ready for this!

Giulia Hayes

Yayyyy I’m so excited!! For a new recommendation, I would love if you guys would also cover “Framing Britney Spears”!

Áine Ryan

Excited to listen to this! Please do an ep on the incredible Courtney Stodden someday - Sarah I know you love her too! <3

Becky Aizen

I was having a rough morning, but now the true MVPs of my lockdown have made it exponentially way less shit! Sarah and Mike, thank you from an Aussie listener from London, who once BREATHED THE SAME AIR AS DIANA on the couple’s tour Down Under in 1983. (I was one of the crowd only interested in her and not him! It was me!) x

Charmari Wijemanne

So excited about this!! Would also love to hear your take on the Armie Hammer situation and recent cinnamon toast shrimp debacle! Oh and the kardashians

Becky Aizen

Also if others are making requests, I think that few need more justice than Sinead O’Connor, and you’d both do her that superbly, with appropriate level of righteous anger!

Charmari Wijemanne

Oh and the Hilaria Baldwin cultural appropriation scandal!

Jessica Ellis

I’d like to hear about presidential pardons. Seems like a terrible idea but there must have been a reason they created that power?

Ellen

I want to add to the Piers Morgan is gross convo in the episode. He was married at the time he met with Meghan for the "date".

Ellie Q

Feel like Bjork was quite big in the UK, hence the tabloid attention at the time

Chester

“No one can make you famous”... 2 words: Tori. Spelling.

Kaite Mitchell

“How do you jerk off to founding fathers porn...” Aaaaand that’s me snorting my coffee out my nose 😂😂😂

Sando Calrissian

Wasn't Piers married when he was trying to woo Megan? You know, just to make it extra gross.

Spiritagnew

Did I dream that you guys were gonna release a JK Rowling and cancel culture bonus?

Ellen Drowne

Excellent episode! Piers Morgan is vile beyond belief. I wish Harry and Meghan all the best.

Xingcat

The number of incredibly wealthy people in the world who are completely unknown to the public is staggering. The fact that the British Royal Family is so scrutinized is indeed fascinating.

Natalie J

Unfortunately Piers Morgan probably thought he could afford to throw that tantrum because he might be joining the new news channel GB News...

Jennifer

omg, during the whole interview, I was like, did you NOT listen to the Princess Diana episodes of "You're Wrong About"??!?

Devon Hein

Yessss Michael, re: "the rules start applying when it comes to non-white people!" Perfectly stated.

Heather J

I'm a UK person, I accompanied a friend to a 'lactivism' breastfeeding sit in at a sports direct store after one manager threw a breastfeeding customer out. I was worried that the general public (especially the Daily Mail elderly readership) would be offended but everyone was super supportive of these mums breastfeeding among protest signs. It's weird how uptight the UK press gets about modern mums when people here don't care about that stuff.

Angela O'Connor

It's also interesting seeing an actual, grown woman entering the Royal Family. Diana, Fergie and Kate were all partnered to their royal partners from around 20 years of age, they never really had an independent adult existence, and didn't have the life experience to know how _weird_ the Royal Family is. Meghan Markle is in her 30s, financially independent, worked on her own career for the past two decades, and has good enough emotional health/boundaries to delineate boundaries with her own toxic family members. The Royal Family was not ready for a woman with her own life to enter the establishment.

Kiana Fekette

"I think we're using the word 'adult' a little freely here." Honestly.

Ame Dunn

Scott Bakula = The Queen

Gabi M

What is it about having a glowing reception with the Australian public that just ticks off the royals?

Marisa Shepherd

They should just not send any more princesses there. It seems to be a kiss of death.

Alicia Crossman

New to the Patreon after binge listening to every main episode in 6 month and I missed my fix! Knew this would be a great YWA episode as soon as the interview aired! Thanks Mike & Sarah❤️ Since starting the podcast I’ve though that anything Kennedy related or the Kercher/Knox trial would make great episode/series!

As Of

I see this more as a “in a calculating way she would be of benefit to them but they couldn’t get past the discomfort of a biracial person being in this space enough to profit off of her” Acknowledging that she could rehabilitate the institution’s reputation very successfully isn’t endorsing it.

Ulysses

My dream 2021 podcast episode is the combined forces of Why Are Dads? and Maintenance Phase coming together to talk about the dads, dude romances, dead white girls, and whatever else comes up in Twin Peaks. I rewatched the first two seasons recently and would just love to hear the 4 of ya’lls thoughts on so many things in the show and it’s influenced on tv and “The Culture.” Thanks for making great shows, they’ve really been a bright place in my last year!

Molly Mack

Calling Meghan an “asset” has consequences no matter how you interpreted it.

Molly Mack

And the suggestion to use a Black woman as an asset to rehabilitate a racist institution’s reputation is absolutely questionable.

Anna Wagner

Omg you mentioned bon appetit, can you please please please do a patreon episode on that whole thing ?!!!

Caitie

Yeah, I agree. Unfortunately, Meghan seemed to view her own role that way, suggesting in the interview that “If you can see it, you can be it.” In reality, we don’t need people of color to become representatives of global imperialism; we just need to dismantle that shit. I hope that the larger critiques Meghan and Harry have been able to offer are a step in that direction though.

Caitie

Omg thank you for this episode. I don’t feel super comfortable making episode suggestions because, hey, you do what you want and I always love it... but in my heart of hearts I really wanted this topic! 😂

Quararnmomming2021

I COULD NOT wait to listen to this today!! thank you for doing this!!

Jessica Norman

My Hope for Pierce Morgan is that he can never again bite into a good plum.

Cate Kneale

I think there's a nice contrast here between Oprah contributing to moral panics but from a genuine concern about satanic abuse and teenage sexuality via rainbow parties and Piers Morgan getting stroppy that a sausage roll exists and a very attractive young woman doesn't want to bang him. As a Brit who cannot stand Piers Morgan I am very here for it. He is also just making himself more visible before taking up a job on the new UK right wing punditry show as well though because for some reason people keep employing Piers Morgan.

Molly Mack

I totally agree, Caitie. I have the same hopes for the interview's overall effect and at the end of the day I do believe it was a step in the right direction, despite some curveballs from Harry and Meghan. Their decision to protect the names and reputations of racist family members as well as their willingness to show face and perform royal duties had it not been for their own mistreatment makes me wonder if they are complicit.

John

It seemed pretty clear (to me at least) that Sarah was speaking from the POV of the royal family. Meghan could have been a tremendous asset to the royal family, regardless of their goals, and instead they treated her like garbage. In no way did Sarah and Mike agree with the aims of the royal family, in no way did they suggest that Meghan or any other person should aspire to be a member of the British Royal Family, and in no way did they condone the way the royal family treats potential or current family members as "assets". There is no denying the treat people as assets, so why is it odd for Sarah to comment on it? I don't know how you listened to this episode and left with this take.

Rosie Tallant

Hearing you guys pick apart Piers Morgan was the highlight of my day.

Sara

The phone hacking scandal is even worse than it sounds in this brief mention. Milly Dowler’s body hadn’t been found when News of the World journalists hacked her voicemail. Her voicemail inbox was full so they deleted messages so they could listen to any new ones which led her parents to believe that she was still alive and accessing her voicemail

Lucy

Have you seen contrapoints videos on those? So great

Spencer

Everyone should go back and watch the 1997 cinematic masterpiece Spice World. The antagonist of the story is literally the British tabloids.

Natalie

I would love too see a video on how weird family vlogging is! I think there's some similar conversations to this topic

Sarah Frey

I work in an open office, and my sheer cackle at the "Weekend at Bernie's" line scared a handful of co-workers. (I live in an isolated community with 0 cases - so we've been safely back in the office since last summer).

Emily Otto

PLEEEEEASE do the Satanic panic part 2 with the Lil Nas X stuff, although we may need more stuff to come out

Mel Gough

This was great, guys! Like Sarah I could not give less of a shit about the Royals, but I feel for Meghan and Harry. And the Piers Morgan explainer was *chef kiss*. Just thinking about that guy gives me herpes.

Mosie

I forced myself to listen to this despite not feeling any sympathy for Meghan and Harry at all lol. I wanted to expose myself to a perspective that isn’t fully antipathetic towards them....it was painful but I got through it.

Nathaniel

I love that Sarah's favorite movie is Magnolia! I love that movie and I rarely meet anyone else who appreciates it

Charmari Wijemanne

Ooh yes to the Kercher/Knox trial I was thinking the same!

Katy Halpern

Is there an RSS feed for members that includes these bonus episodes? I would love to be able to have these automatically show up in my podcast app rather than listen to them here.

Angie Lee

Loved this whole ep, but the "Sit Up Britain" reference was the absolute highlight for me!

Meg

The sheer irony of Piers Morgan complaining about being cancelled and silenced on Good Morning Britain and to his 8 million twitter followers is just unbearable!!! He’s a nasty slimy little worm

Vanessa Lucio

Thanks for this update, you two! Back in the day, I was a superfan of the late Princess of Wales (always and forever, Diana), but my interest in the English Royal Family in general has declined since her death. Throughout the years, I've only paid attention to the lives of her children because they are HER children. However, the whole "Meghan Thing" has rekindled my interest somewhat. As a whole, I'm a supporter of Meghan and Harry's relationship. I watched their wedding live (with friends) and I gushed over the gown and tiara, etc. One thing has bugged me about her, though: NO ONE in her family attended the wedding other than her Momma? I understand her father and half sister not attending, buuut ...she doesn't have any aunties or cousins? Hmmm. That's the only real red flag for me. Other than that, I think the whole British royal establishment needs to leap into the 21st century and just let Harry and Meghan live their lives. I stopped reading tabloids (almost all of them) after Princess Diana died, and they DID play a role in her death, whether or not they want to acknowledge it. Thanks again for this episode, Michael and Sarah.

Paloma June

Piers Morgan's wife is also super into Prince Harry, adding a very interesting layer onto the whole Piers Morgan situation

sarah lapré

you rightly compare her treatment in the British tabloids to Diana's, but as someone who was there for all of this, what it *really reminds me of is the way they treated Fergie. great episode! edited to add- Piers Morgan was also MARRIED when he and Meghan hung out. He is absolutely trash.

Kate Walker

I thought Sarah saying she didn’t give a shit about the royal family was going to be the highlight of this episode, but then we got the Magnolia and Bridget Jones references. Amazing.

Sofia Capello

The downfall of BA was so disappointing! I use to love those videos

Kristi Brokaw

Do we know if the PMRC will be resurrected to address Lil Nas X and his shoe sales? I would just generally love to hear Sarah respond to panic tweets about the shoes and music video.

Amina Suleyman

You guys made my day 💖 thanks for making this episode. It was soo good, I needed something to hair after I binged like all the other podcast episodes

Adrian

Thank you for this! Living around these tabloids and people who listen to piers Morgan really makes me feel like an alien from outer space tbh

Elizabeth

You do NOT want to see the comments on Australian news sites/ articles about Meghan. They HATE her and it's just awful.

SHANA EDWARDS

I think the Queen is well aware that upon her death that's the end of any respect for the service Royalty does; is over.

SHANA EDWARDS

Thank you for explaining the Piers and Meghan THING. Eeeeew. He's mental and viscous about her because he was blanked. THAT explains A LOT. Meghan knocked him back.

SHANA EDWARDS

I lived in the UK for years and it was breath-taking how revolting, nasty, racist, sexist and derogatory people are - let alone the newspapers. I had no idea Meghan experienced this. Yep, I'd leave too. I went back home to Australia.

SHANA EDWARDS

How awful was Fergie treated? The worst treatment ever.

Natália Corrêa

I loved this episode! Worth subscribing for lol

Katy Halpern

Nevermind, I found it. In case anyone else is looking, it's under the "My membership" tab at the top.

Sismrnoth

I mean, the rules are all kind of bullshit, but as someone who lives in a Commonwealth country, I feel like the idea that you can keep being a senior royal or whatever "from the colonies" is ridiculous. Like, these are independent nations that have nothing to do with your role?

Friendly Statistics

Yes, there is definitely a marked pattern of hating on the wife of the non-heir. I half suspect Harry decided to give up his position to protect his wife long before he started dating anyone.

Friendly Statistics

Oooooooo that would be amazing. As an 18 year old I sat (alone) in a professor’s office as he mused on the very important topic of ‘would it be worth it to fuck Sinead or was she too commercial?’ She was at the height of her popularity and that kind of shit from men was common. I was so happy when she was like ‘I will not be objectified.’ Love her so much!

Katie Murphy

I perpetually live for the Sarah Marshall one liners and the Michael Hobbes belly laugh reactions. Also the way Michael says "pub". Love you guys. Great episode thank you!

Maree

That is so supremely fucked up, every time someone reminds me I get full body horror chills again.

ASMR Clementine

could you guys to an episode on the troubled teen industry?? much love💖

Angellee S.

This reminds me of Marc Maron's recent interview with Hugh Grant. Grant described people who would break into his house for a story.

Zhana Nikolova

The Pierse Morgan chat at the end had me in stitches! I am so grateful I have subscribed! Keep up the good work guys 👏 I worship your banter!

Bronte Murchland

This episode made my day, thanks guys! Never heard Piers Morgan summed up so well, finally my thoughts on him have been validated. 👏🏽

renae rogers

"kate whats-her-face" ... Sarah! she is the future Queen on England ☝️😆

Bobbi Jo Allan

Yes! I read a headline that said Lil Nas X single-handedly resurrected the satanic panic and thought SARAH!

Cate Kneale

I hadn't thought either that officially to the Royal family the position of Meghan is the same as that of Fergie. The Royal family are terrible but both Piers Morgan and the tabloids are utter trash.

electrobeth

Ok I agree with your stance on child actors but like... how are they a thing??? Do they go to school? How are they legally allowed to work? Do they get paid or their parents? Pls explain

Janvier Palmer

Yup, the extremes of the phone hacking scandal are shocking AND a lot of people claim that Piers Morgan himself was complicit when he was at the Daily Mirror. Not only were politicians, crime victims and celebrity voicemails hacked into, families of celebrities, priests that ministered to celebrities... A lot of celebrities report ending friendships and relationships because they couldn't figure out who was giving their secrets to the press. Not being able to trust anyone sent many into therapy. It was truly, truly horrific and I still don't think enough people have been punished or the magnitude of it has been grasped.

Elyse Schopfer

The whole meta-downfall of the Reply-all podcast *about* BA is so 2021

Enname

To where we are equally derogatory, racist, sexist and nasty on a regular basis, but in far more denial. :)

Suzanne Weiner

I can actually give you a tiny capsule explanation of some of this. 1. Yes. Most attend their regular school between jobs, and sometimes they have tutors. 2. The answer to this is essentially "not all work by children is banned as 'child labor'," but it is regulated. There are maximum work hours, I think there are hours of the day that they're allowed to work between. There are limits to what they're allowed to do. That kind of thing. 3. They do. The money is managed by someone for them, of course, and that's usually their parents, but some amount of it (% varies by jurisdiction, I think?) is required to be put in trust for them, thanks to laws specifically regulating this. The law in California is widely known as the Coogan Act, named for Jackie Coogan, a hugely popular child star in the '30s, whose fortune was squandered by his mom & stepdad. I think the same law (at least in CA) is the one that also regulates working conditions for kids in movies. All of this obviously applies only to the US. I have no idea how other countries handle their child actors.

Bridey

I can tell you re: hours worked by child actors - they also have a maximum of hours in a row that they can work - I worked on an NFL commercial where a little boy was running through the streets catching a football from all these famous players, and they had his twin brother on set to swap back and forth throughout the day so that neither of them was overworked. I think twins are cast a lot for this same reason, like Mary Kate and Ashley.

Grace

I think because the transfer of wealth from everyone else (in the UK) to the Royal Family is so transparent and easy to understand, they function as a lightning rod for scrutiny, incredibly justified class rage, and also repressed class rage that manifests in a defensive sense of ownership, which would otherwise be directed to those who take even more wealth from everyone else but do it much more quietly.

Grace

Yes, please consider doing a YWA the phone hacking episode!

Axel H.

Excellent follow-up! Now that James Charles has been accused of being a creep again, might have to do another bonus episode on him!

Meghan Spoth

Hi! I just want to post that I adore this podcast and have absolutely devoured it during quarantine. This is my first time joining a patreon as I am a lowly grad student -but- I would go out of my way to get the good coffee for these two once a month. The meandering discussion of the podcast is very soothing and there is also a twist even if I knew a bit coming into a topic.

VintageYouth

New tinder bio "Treat me like a Ferrari not a pick up" Thank you Sarah for another iconic quote

VintageYouth

man child is more appropriate

Diane Crotty

Late to the party but I have to say, I loved the episode and I’m so glad you mentioned Pier’s Morgan’s behaviour around that murdered schoolgirl and her family. I always feel like America doesn’t know how icky he is. Love the podcast- it has gotten me through a lot of lockdown. I would love to hear an episode about the Dungeons and Dragons attempted ban, and also about Jamestown because even if it wasn’t in the 90s, it still casts a long shadow

Jo Stimfield

I would be interested in an episode on Mother Teresa!

Jo Stimfield

I’ve been wondering this too!

johnsonable

This episode made me realize that whenever I discover something absurd I now hear Sarah’s incredulous “what?!” Thanks for the bonus episodes and for narrating my life. 🙏

Hana

Couple of problems with some comments on this one 1. "They seem more powerful than they are". Hmmmm... There's pretty good evidence that shows the queen and Charles have successfully interfered in government policy for their own financial interest. Then you have Andrew who is being let off the hook regarding his possible rape/child abuse in the Epstein case because he's a royal essentially. No power? Nah. 2. "More money for poor people and then they'll be nicer to the rich". WHAT?! That's incredibly offensive! Who's whipping up this shit against Meghan? RICH PEOPLE. Harry said in this interview (a bit that was edited out I think for the main airing) that when some unnamed UK press bigwig told him the public would be hostile, he responded that he didn't believe that. He believed the press were hostile and that *they* are responsible for the reactions of their readers when they publish heinous nonsense. So even Harry doesn't think "they don't like me because I'm rich"! I've been listening to y'all for a long time now and just today joined the Patreon and I'm pretty horrified. As a UK citizen with no financial security and little chance of getting any I can tell you categorically that our country's worst behaviour is not from the poor it's from the rich and some of the worst are the fucking royals!

Kasey

I was a teen girl in Hungary, really struggling to figure out how to fit all the expectations based on my gender, looking pretty, dating boys, it was all overwhelming and alien to me. Then I saw Sinead O'Connor with her shaved head singing No Man's Woman on MTV and I was like, 'I had no idea this was an option and I want to know EVERYTHING about it.' I don't actually know that much about her other than she made a huge difference for me, helping me figure out who I was. I'd be so interested in an episode about her!

Bree

I don't know guys- I think you guys drank the tea. The first episode that I'm actually a little disappointed in. But I still love you!

pancakesmarie

Loved listening to this, thanks guys !

Justine Gabreski

There is a really good episode on Mother Theresa from the podcast 'Swindled' that you can use to fill the void until Mike and Sarah can dig into the subject! It's no YWA, but still a pretty good pod.

Sam Thoms

I live near where they were staying when they were in Canada. It was a really weird time here. Paparazzi were flying in and taking pictures of them at the airport. We're on an island so there really isn't any media here like that. People were trying to pay people with boats to take them around the point they were staying on to try and get photos. They were nice to anyone who ran into them (mostly on public trails near where they were staying) but they were definitely laying super low.

shar.

I replayed “you’re much older than her and you’re gross” too many times.

Monika T Navarro

Hi. I love to listen to you guys. I'm a woman from Norway, and I find that you mention Scandinavia quite often, and it always make me crack up. Take a penny leave a penny.

Christin Massey

When you were talking about your hopes for Meghan at the end, I immediately thought of this photo of her in Canada just after they left UK last year. She was out walking her dogs on a trail, wearing leggings and boots with rain jacket and hat, and her sleeping baby hanging heavy in the carrier on her chest, and she just looked so, so genuinely happy. I don’t think seeing a stranger’s happiness has ever brought me the joy I felt seeing this picture. It’s like when you get to see scenes of an innocent man walking out of prison after years. You can just feel it. https://images.app.goo.gl/QCKYcWpuJ8RuXCmj9 I don’t follow them *too* closely but this one will stick with me. She just seems so lovely—the British press could have taken the opposite approach and the public would’ve lapped it up and worshipped her. And she probably would’ve baked them tarts or some dumb shit the British eat. This Canada pic was even taken by paparazzo, and look how happy she still is—because they’re being *nice* to her. A lot of lessons to be learned all around here about how much better things can be when more people see each other as human beings, and like, just aren’t mean.

Michelle Zapf-Bélanger

Enjoyed listening to this. I didn't watch Suits or know much about Markle, but I have been very surprised to see how the media has managed to shape her story in such an extreme way. Reading comments about any Markle story is... quite something! There seems to be nothing she can say that won't be taken in the worst way; this must be racism. Edit: OH BUT also I will add that I am from Canada and even growing up in a Commonwealth country makes you more aware of the way the constitutional monarchy system works... and you guys are wrong about a lot of royal stuff. But it doesn't matter, you know that, you get it, I don't have to say anything, that's not the point of this.

Kathy

In relation to the money thing, I think you missed that bonus clip where Harry refers to a family member initially suggesting that Meghan keep working as an actress because there was ‘no money for her’. Money and the Royals is so touchy because the perception is that if they are funded by ‘taxpayers’ (which they are indirectly in that the money from the Crown Estate that supports them would otherwise go to the government) then they are fair game. But then the press threw an absolute fit when they said they would no longer take any money from the Crown Estate and work instead - they’re not allowed to work because that’s tacky, but they’re not allowed to have any kind of private life because ‘we pay for them!!’ Madness!

Natalie W

Families are complicated! I suspect this is something they bonded over...

Deidre Hoppe

You should do an episode about the mad cow disease panic and Oprah's "beef" with the beef industry. There was never a single case of mad cow disease in the US and you can only get it if you actually eat cow brain material.

Elizabeth

I discovered YWA a few months ago and have eagerly been devouring past catalogue and new shows. So it’s sad when I finally sign up on Patreon that I have to disagree so violently with your take on recent bonus episode! Yes, Harry and Meghan. I probably shouldn’t spout off since seems like people are firmly on one side of the fence or another. But despite the fact that Meghan appeared so wounded and angry on that interview, almost nothing of what she said added up. (Full disclosure: I have the opposite bias -- I feel members of the royal family have dedicated their lives to service, far more than just “showing up,” and have done great things for the country). So, just to hit the interview high spots – although can certainly appreciate that no one can truly know what it’s like when marrying into the royal family, however the viciousness of the British press is common knowledge and don’t forget that she was with Harry for more than a year before marriage, in part living with him in London – she had a front row, intimate view on both press and royal life. She’s shocked she can’t meet with Oprah on her own to discuss her own publicity? Of course not, she’s married into an institution that has a calibrated, unified PR machine, and not one that would raise her to “star” level, the focus remains on monarch and monarchs in waiting. Next, she goes to the palace HR department for help when she’s mentally distressed?! Huh? A department that deals with salaries and benefits for cooks, gardeners, etc.? Of course it’s not their purview. Charles has been in therapy, Harry has been in therapy, William/Harry/Kate founded a mental health organization which Meghan then joined. This is a family that supports therapy and there’s not one expert in this network, not even Harry’s own therapist, she could turn to? Tabloid stories – the palace never pushes back on tabloid stories or that’s all they would be doing – they keep quiet to starve the stories of oxygen -- why would they change their stance for Meghan? Archie is not entitled to a princely title until Charles ascends to the throne and the title does not automatically come with a security detail (e.g. Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie don’t have security.) To make the wild connection between her baby being part black and hence not receiving security is an example of how Meghan always seems to revert to being a race victim. Sure, there were some scurrilous papers which were racist in their coverage, but overwhelmingly both the British press and public were ecstatic when the two of them got married and embraced her. She muffed it by her subsequent conduct and a character unsuited for the role. It’s all very sad, but perhaps saddest is the stain left on the monarchy, which has done so much to promote diversity and opportunity and help for the disadvantaged in Britain. (I still love your podcasts anyway! Just had an automatic reaction to this one!)

Anjali Dalal-Whelan

you should talk about the finale of Shameless if you guys have watched it.

Ruby

so youre telling me people are surprised the british royal family could be racist? after what they did to africa and the indian subcontinent? laughing my whole ass off HAAAA

Danielle

I agree with you, it all smells a bit. I'm an American living in England, and even though I'm really not a royal family supporter, they aren't an evil cabal. Especially since they learned lessons with Diana. Also they have stupid title rules and a pecking order - so? Who cares? I think Meghan and Harry were extremely naive if they thought rules wouldn't apply and old habits/ideologies, etc. would change overnight...or at all.

Elizabeth

Thank you. Like I say, whenever I voice an opinion on this, I seem to get blasted! I just don't think the modern British royal family is either racist or cruel and it seems so very unfair that they are being portrayed this way especially in light of the service they do. And they are hamstrung to defend themselves, not wanting to engage in a public pissing contest.

ALR

She may not have any extended family. My husband has exactly one cousin. It blows my mind.

Monika Walker

Hi Elizabeth. I have recently read a book about the royal family by Norman Baker. He says that Beatrice and Eugenie do have protection. He cites the Sunday Times for his source on this. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in learning about the controversial aspects of the royal family. It is definitely biased but well researched.

Elizabeth

Hmm, that's not what I heard, thanks for the correction! And the book tip!

Monika Walker

It says Andrew lobbied for them to have security but Princess Anne's children don't have security. You could be right but that's just what this book says. I haven't read any other sources about it.

Grace

OK, but the British royal family was literally founded upon and continues to exist upon the premise that their actual genetic makeup makes them so superior to everyone else in the country that they deserve both reams of taxpayer money and the power to change laws to protect their financial interests and hide evidence of their historic crimes (e.g. looting from other countries). This is power that the modern day royal family has used. The institution is 100% racist and if the individuals don't agree with it, they could abdicate or at least give back what they stole.

Jacqueline Dufour

Just want to say what a fan of you guys I am! I have been listening to you guys for 2 years now and always love hearing your work! Every Monday I excitedly check to see if a new episode has dropped lol. Thank you for helping me understand these issues more deeply, realize more fully the macro level implications of these events, and become a more compassionate person. Also, I was so excited to hear you talk about Meghan and Harry!!

Desiree Dussault

You summed up my feelings on this episode well. I LOVE this podcast and feel like they do a lot of research on topics, but completely dropped the ball on this episode. To me it would be common sense that things like keys/ passports would be kept secure, especially since I doubt the royals actually deal with these this when they travel. I’m sure a bit of research could confirm this. Anyways- I hope it’s just a one off bad episode.

Heather Von Bank

I have not heard the put-down "chode" in FOREVER....loved hearing that, especially wrt Piers!

Elizabeth

I believe the monarchy today is perceived as the symbol of an ancient history and hence national pride and certainly not any sort of genetic superiority (though that may have been the premise in the past.) I understand that the amount that Britons pay towards the upkeep of the monarchy comes to something like $2 per person per year. The monarchy is considered to make a major contribution towards revenue for Britain in terms of tourism and I think also one has to consider the halo effect of the royals’ patronage of hundreds of charities as well as those they head directly, e.g. the Prince of Wales Charitable Fund (one of the largest in the UK), in part funded by millions of pounds generated by Charles’ food product line. Opinions obviously differ, but it seems to me that revenue and charitable donations generated by the institution, both direct and indirect, substantially offsets the public allowance they receive. I think Britain would be a poorer place on many different levels without the monarchy. In terms of reparations for generations of truly heinous acts of colonial exploitation, I believe using their influence and the platform they have as a positive force would be more productive than abdication as a mea culpa for the sins of the past. I say that as someone who has not been a citizen of an occupied country or one that has been “looted,” so admittedly not coming from personal history or deep insight! I don’t know the steps the royal family has taken to protect any ill-gotten gains of the past, but certainly do believe your statement about it. (By the way, not to excuse it, but in terms of consequences for perpetrators of the evils of colonialism, those tentacles spread deep and wide throughout monarchies, governments, commercial entities and individuals in Britain and around the world, so I respectfully suggest that is a much broader topic for discussion, not in relation to British royals only.)

morgan cleopatra

you guys are absolutely adorable...your wishes for Meghan, and Michael's "ooohhhhhhh" when Sarah suggests it!

Elizabeth

No offense taken! My mother was British, my brother lives in the U.K., I have lived there for short periods of time, a good number of my friends are British and I live in a former British territory (Hong Kong.) BUT -- I am not British myself and there's the rub. It's impossible for me to opine with great insight or personal history. I do have a different perspective than yours (which is fine, "inquiring minds can disagree!") I think two of your points in particular jump out for me: first, I think the monarchy's existence and position is so tenuous and dependent on public opinion that they are not able to flex any real power and are generally loathe to do so in order that they don't draw from that well too often -- they pick their battles in other words. Also, I believe their existence does in fact enliven and reinforce British historical tradition and attraction, i.e. contribution to tourism and stature on world stage. Never the less, appreciate your perspective and additional insight!

Lauren DeBoor

This episode has made me realize possibly why several Love Island UK contestants have committed suicide, including their host, and why we don’t see that among a similar reality show such as the Bachelor in America

Erin Fischer

I’m so bummed I can’t find the interview online anywhere now! I was avoiding it but now I feel I must see it, and Oprah is hiding it away somewhere!

Freya the tired

“I want Megan to open a cantaloupe and it’s perfectly ripe” is the most precious and wonderful thing I’ve heard all year. Sarah you are a national treasure.

Amanda van Wyk

I love this podcast but couldn’t listen all the way through about the interview. ‘You’re Wrong About’ is so pro Megan there are too many inaccuracies. I’ll move on though, I have loved every other ‘You’re Wrong About’.

Carolyn H

After your well-deserved and hopefully peaceful vacation, is there any chance of a follow up to this extra? Just saw a clip of Harry talking about Diana being chased to her death and—

Elli

Such a good episode!

Devon Hein

I know this is a bit old now, but I just had to come back and rant about how crazy these tabloids are! Just got suggested this article - https://www.hellomagazine.com/royalty/gallery/20210525113894/prince-charles-relationship-sons-prince-harry-prince-william/1/. Is clearly a response to the launch of Harry's show talking about his childhood trauma. How can a tabloid say "I have pictures of you smiling with your father, therefore I've decided you were happy and close before "this tension" (aka your marriage), and therefore you made it up"?! It's a whole industry of gaslighting!

Molly Davis

I hope Meghan listened to this episode... especially the part about the cantaloupe!

Nick Augustine

Wait can we please get a News of The World phone hacking episode?

Alexandria Barkman

Hi just wanted to say I have been binging the podcast while doing lab work. I am a marine bio PhD student and have been spending a lot of time pipetting, or cleaning beakers, or holding a probe on a coral to measure photosynthesis. You're Wrong About was the perfect podcast to listen to while working because I didn't have to listen to commercials or try to touch my phone while my hands were sterile or wet. I was listening to the Diana series while measuring Photosynthesis for hours. When Fergie was brought up I was like "WOW. I can't believe FERGALICOUS is ROYAL! London bridges makes more sense now! What a double standard! Diana couldn't hug people, but Fergie could join the Black Eyes Peas? How old is Fergie?? I didn't think she was the same age as Diana would be, but I guess she has been around for a while." I spent a couple more hours thinking the Fergie from the Black Eyed Peas was a royal before my hands freed up and I googled it to find out that they are two completely different humans. Anyway thanks for the pod.

Amber Kelly

I listen to this while writing my dissertation. My chapter 4 is a re-listen of the OJ episodes.

Rebecca

Since this come up so often (Megan and her baby bump, Vanessa Williams at Miss America, anytime anyone doesn't seem to be appropriately distraught) are you ever going to do anything on these body language experts?

Adrian Dallas

The VitaMix is THE item I regret not taking in my divorce.

SSRussell

My ex took the Vitamix and I’m still a little bitter about it.

Bastilledeb

Thanks for sharing, I suspect I have the opposite views on the monarchy (I'm a Brit who is very much for abolishing the institution) but I also felt there were some things in the interview that could have been checked easily, like the rules on titles. Meghan might have misunderstood but why did no one at Harpo check? My understanding is that Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie do get security but they have to pay for it (I think Prince Andrew may have paid for it in the past) and the criteria for state funded security for royals is not public. Again, surely someone could just have checked?

Pallavi

Just adding my agreement to the comments that Michael and Sarah dropped the ball on the basics of royal life, titles, and protocols. Quite surprising given it was quite easy to fact-check, a basic example was the allusions of racism underpinning Archie not being prince when the real reason is that the title will come when his grandfather (Prince Charles) ascends the throne. These basics biases undermined the whole episode for me.

Claire

There's this wider sense in the British public towards the Royal Family – which the tabloids love to feed – that 'we pay for your privileges so how dare you complain'… And this then gets filtered down to what is really just 'we own you'. It's so problematic, and I love seeing Harry decide to break away from it.

Claire

Also: Piers was following Meghan because he was a major Suits fanboy. So that's what they chatted about on their DMs. He was basically just a high-profile fan of the show to her.

Elaine Reed

Piers Morgan was married when he met Meghan. (And from what I can tell still is.) Maybe she didn't contact him again after that because she was respecting his marriage... on top of being creeped out by the older man who was too flirty.

Wendy dow

Thanks for sharing, it made me giggle.

Bianca Ferrari

OMG you have to watch the new episode of Netflix explained about royalty and talk about it on the show!

Kelly Stiver

Stunning to see so many here defensive of a family that is literally the beneficiaries and symbols of colonialism and genocide.

Kelly Stiver

What’s more shocking is all the people in denial about it!

Emily Leach

I feel like I am the only person who feels like it would be inappropriate to ask an American, with no loyalty or deference to British sovereignty, to curtsy to the queen. Wouldn't that gesture of respect and deference be reserved only for those citizens of countries still under the crown? Why would an American be expected to curtsy to the queen. If I had been dating Harry I think I would have been put off and slightly offended.

J K

The entitled twit did poverty tourism while being so arrogant she thought she could just move to Canada without applying as an immigrant. She profits from blood money, and is happy to marry a spoiled rich brat who thinks it's ok to be rich and take public money. They both suck.

Erika Mack

I think one of the reasons for why people accuse others of lying about instances of sexual assault or abuse is that it can be easier to incorporate a person being a liar into a world view than that someone you know is a predator or an abuser and you didn't see the signs. Societally we see anyone capable of abuse or sexual assault as a monster and a sociopath, so when a friend tells you your other friend has done one of these actions, it's easier to convince yourself that one of your friends is lying or exaggerating than that another of your friends is a monster. This is why I like the method Sarah takes in the show of considering someone's humanity no matter how terrible their actions. When you demonize abusers on a societal level, victims often get the brunt of the backlash on an individual level

Morgan Ruoss

JK... bro. Why do you have such negative emotion about people you have only heard about second hand (sure hope your name stands for Just Kidding)

Hannah Ward

You two are the liberal reparenting I need.

Charlottemeow

That’s a good point Emily but I also think cultural custom and playing by the rules of the country you are in plays a huge part. For example if I went to America (from New Zealand) I wouldn’t expect to be excused from social niceties and practices because I’m foreign (sorry I’m a few months late to the party)

Frankie McEwan

I love your pieces about the Royal family, as an anti-monarchist it's allowed me to readjust my feelings about them in a way that really humanises them. I strongly agree with your assessment that that level of fame is abuse. Also I somehow missed that Piers Morgan got cross about the Greggs vegan sausage roll, but of COURSE he did. I support Mike's hope that his milk goes bad and I hope he doesn't realise it until he's poured it into a perfectly brewed cup of tea!

Jana Steele

I didn't like this episode. It seemed like M&S just believed everything H&M said and some of it was REALLY wrong. I would have loved M&S to talk about how the only name Meghan mentioned was Catherine - M seemed to throw C under the bus. I don't care who made who cried, but C was either 9 mos pregnant or had just given birth to their latest baby and she was likely emotional. I love Mike's thoughts on the royal family = human rights abuse.

Eleanor Y

I think this episode falsely equates the royal family with celebrity, which they're not. They're public servants and diplomats - making statements to the press about who made who cry is not in scope for the palace. The fact that Meghan felt courtseying was a public act and not expected in private exemplifies this misunderstanding. The Queen is always the Queen, it's not an act. And while the tabloids are obviously trash who make up absolute nonsense and completely invade the privacy of anyone and everyone, they treat Fergie and others not in line for the thrown with equal gossipy disdain, and the legacy of an American divorcee marrying in to the royal family carries a lot of cultural weight in the minds of the British public. It was always going to be a very difficult public narrative to navigate and while I think it the British media handled it disgustingly, I also don't think Meghan really understood what she was walking in to. It's like when someone joins the workforce for the first time and doesn't really understand work culture and people get annoyed by that naivety. Meghan was naive, and to marry into the literal royal family without understanding what that is, especially as an American, was never going to end well.

Amber Armstrong

I listened to an EP recently where Sarah revealed that some mean lady said her voice was terrible. That is so rude. I find your voice comforting. Thanks for teaching us so much. Love your content ❤️