Date launched July, 2011
Date finished Dec, 2019
Still running? No
Number of series 7
Number of episodes p/s Roughly 12
Length of each episode Roughly an hour
Summary of content – story? Theme? Topic?
Do the Right Thing is a comedy panel show podcast featuring host Danielle Ward, and team captains Michael Legge and Margaret Cabourn-Smith.
Two teams of two comedians compete to “do the right thing in any situation”. Each show comprises four rounds:
* The Importance of Being Right
* Agony
* Ask the Expert
* Do the Wrong Thing
So far, seven series and four specials have been recorded.
The two teams work out the right thing to do in strange scenarios and scary situations which range from the everyday to the weird and extreme. D
The podcast sees team captains Michael Legge and Margaret Cabourne-Smith working out how to do the right thing in any situation set by host Danielle Ward alongside a rotating cast of guest comedians. It’s a bit like the TV show Hypothetical, except it came first. With the panel of guests navigating issues as ‘how to commit the perfect murder according to BBC’s Horizons’, the show has proved to be a hilarious hour-long piece of entertainment.
Previous guests include Aisling Bea, Sarah Millican and Nish Kumar.
Most notable/funny/moving/shocking moments
– All the hosts on the show aren’t afraid to insult the audience, one member of the audience shouted at Michael Legge “My boyfriend saw the dentist for the first time in 12 years today for his rubbish teeth. When he came back, he told me how she kept resting her breasts on his face,” says one woman. “Should I be concerned?” It transpires that he doesn’t brush his teeth at night. “You don’t deserve tits in your face!” storms Legge.
– One conversation turns to gambling on how far you can get when your car’s running on empty and the pain of a school reunion, Morgan cuts through with understated bafflement. “Oh my God, this is awful,” she says. “I thought it was going to be like Loose Women.”
– As an actor would you rather be murdered on screen or would you rather play a murder on screen was the question put to the panellists on the episode. Miles Jupps remarks “I have played a killer on screen”, “what on Balamory?” says. “yeah, you must have seen that episode it was played out through 264 episodes”.”
– When discussing anger Tawny Newsome remarks how the acting industry feels much like the beating she gave her sister when they were younger. “Honestly isn’t have an acting career as a woman like constantly banging your head against a wall over over until you turn 40 and the business kicks you too the curb.” “Yeah I think she got that”.
Host/presenters/journalist names and bio
– Danielle Ward started performing stand-up in 2004 after moving to London to become the economic researcher at the South Korean Embassy.
– Danielle has written for The News Quiz, Mongrels, The Lee Mack Show, Not Going Out, Horrible Histories, Danger Mouse and Anna & Katy among other things. In 2007 she wrote her first musical Psister Psycho with Martin White which they took to the Edinburgh Festival.
– Michael legge has appeared in a number of stages, film, television and radio roles. He is best known for playing the teenaged Frank McCourt in Alan Parker’s 1999 film, Angela’s Ashes. He also played another Limerick character in the film Cowboys & Angels.
– Margaret Alice Cabourn-Smith is an English comedy actress with appearances on Catastrophe, The IT Crowd, Psychoville, Peep Show and Fresh Meat.
– Her TV work includes playing regular characters on Miranda, Katy Brand’s Big Ass Show, Lab Rats, In and Out of The Kitchen and Father Figure. She plays Crimson in Disney Channel’s The Evermoor Chronicles
Description of sound clips sent over
– Horses is the topic of this clip guest panellists Rachel Fairburn and Neil Edmond discuss all things horses from the grand national to how Neil would subdue an angry horse.
Anything else interesting about the podcast worth noting? Has it won awards? Is it the “most listened to” in its category? Does someone famous love it? Any controversy? Any fun or quirky facts?
– A TV pilot episode, hosted by Claudia Winkleman, was recorded by Channel 4 in 2016.
– The podcast series has won the ‘Best Internet Programme’, and the ‘Sony Radio Academy Awards, 2012’.
– There series is filmed in front of a live audience and provides plenty of opportunities for hilarious moments.
Opinion
This podcast hits the spot when looking for a classic British comedy panel show. Danielle, Margaret and Michael are superb every time and they feature hilarious guests that provide excellent comedy relief and also bounce off one another generating some hilarious moments.
Do the right thing is original, rude, anarchic and totally hilarious, and I for one love it. It’s the perfect podcast for a Saturday night pick me up if you’re staying in for the night.