Comfort Blanket
Film, TV & Pop Culture
About
Talking about the films, TV shows, books or music which people go to again and again to feel safe, happy and welcome.To join our Patreon, with access to exclusive companion podcast 'Home Comforts' visit www.patreon.com/comfortblanketpod"Brilliant... A lovely listen" - Sunday Times"Highly recommended" - The WeekSelected as one of the Sunday Times' TOP 25 PODCASTS TO MAKE YOU HAPPYPresented and produced by Joel Morris.Part of the Cheese And Pickle family of podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
- Count Duckula - with Jay Foreman
Jay Foreman joins Comfort Blanket to discuss the Cosgrove Hall cartoon Count Duckula, an offshoot of Dangermouse. They explore the unique world of the show and the subversive nature of children's television on commercial networks.
- Country Living Magazine - with Madeleine Brettingham
Madeleine Brettingham joins the Comfort Blanket podcast to discuss the magazine "Country Living," noting its cyclical comforts. She also brought an item related to blankets, making her the first guest to do so.
- Keeping Up Appearances - with Athena Kugblenu
Athena Kugblenu discusses the 90s sitcom "Keeping Up Appearances", exploring themes of class, belonging, and the comedic value of recognition.
- Wallace and Gromit - with Hattie Williams
Author Hattie Williams joins the Comfort Blanket podcast to discuss Nick Park's Wallace and Gromit, touching on the joys of vegetable puns, silent villains, doomed romances, and the comforts found in slow, careful, human craft.
- Howl's Moving Castle - with Gabby Hutchinson-Crouch
Gabby Hutchinson-Crouch discusses Hayao Miyazaki's animated film Howl's Moving Castle, exploring how it subverts fairytale conventions and gender roles, featuring elements like talking fireplaces and wizards.
- The Third Man - with Geoffrey McGivern
Actor Geoffrey McGivern discusses the film 'The Third Man', focusing on its Viennese setting and its creators Graham Greene and Carol Reed.
- The Ladykillers - with John Finnemore
Writer John Finnemore joins Comfort Blanket to discuss Alexander Mackendrick's 1955 film 'The Ladykillers.' He explores how the Ealing comedy subverts audience expectations while simultaneously fulfilling them.
- They Might Be Giants' 'Flood' - with John-Luke Roberts
Comedian John-Luke Roberts joins the show to discuss They Might Be Giants' 1990 album 'Flood.' The conversation explores the album's themes of overwhelm and creative deluge, connecting the worlds of music and comedy.
- The Fallen Idol - with Robin Ince
Writer and comedian Robin Ince joins the podcast to discuss Carol Reed's film The Fallen Idol. They explore the film's place in Reed's work and its relationship to memory and loved ones.
- Heart Of The Angel - with Neil Forsyth
Writer Neil Forsyth joins the Comfort Blanket podcast to discuss the 1989 documentary 'Heart Of The Angel,' which focuses on the lives of people working in a London Underground station. The film is available on BBC iPlayer.
- The Thing - with Will Maclean
Writer Will Maclean joins the Comfort Blanket podcast to discuss John Carpenter's 1982 film "The Thing". Maclean explores the film's themes of handling impossible situations and its appeal as a comforting escape.
- The Secret Diary Of Adrian Mole - with Beth Morrey
Author Beth Morrey joins the Comfort Blanket podcast to discuss Sue Townsend's The Secret Diary Of Adrian Mole Aged 13 3/4. Morrey, author of Saving Missy and Lucky Day, shares insights on the celebrated comic novel.
- 30 Rock - with Sara Barron
Sara Barron joins the podcast Comfort Blanket to discuss the TV show 30 Rock. She shares her appreciation for the sitcom, its creator Tina Fey, and the relatable character Liz Lemon.
- Ben Stokes' 2019 Ashes Innings - with Ed Morrish
Ed Morrish explains why Ben Stokes' 2019 Ashes innings at Headingley is his comfort blanket, using it to illustrate how sport functions as an improvised long-form narrative.
- Allo Allo - with Tom Price
Tom Price, actor and broadcaster, shares his lifelong comfort derived from the show Allo Allo. He describes the Perry & Lloyd sitcom about the French resistance as brilliant.
- Kind Hearts And Coronets - with Naomi Alderman
Writer Naomi Alderman selected the 1949 film 'Kind Hearts And Coronets' for her comfort blanket. She highlighted the film's blend of revenge and sharp social satire.
- Friends - with Larry Rickard (PART TWO)
In the second part of a two-part episode, Larry Rickard discusses how comedy reflects its times and audience expectations regarding character changes in the sitcom Friends. He also touches on when it is appropriate to end a show.
- Friends - with Larry Rickard (PART ONE)
Writer and actor Larry Rickard discusses his love for the sitcom Friends and the craft of making ensemble television comedy. This is part one of a two-part episode.
- Don't Look Now - with Danny Robins
Danny Robins joins Comfort Blanket to discuss Nic Roeg's 1973 film Don't Look Now, examining its surprising comforts and its exploration of life, death, and the unknown.
- Withnail & I - with Jim Howick
Jim Howick discusses the 1987 film 'Withnail & I,' focusing on its portrayal of artistic life, regret for the 60s, and the romantic aspects of desperation and substance use.
- Rush - with Rufus Wright
Actor Rufus Wright discusses the comfort he finds in the self-titled 1974 debut album by Rush. The conversation also covers the appeal of heavy metal, the experience of school bands, and the nature of adolescent lyrics.
- The Good Place - with Bec Hill
Comedian and writer Bec Hill joins the Comfort Blanket podcast to discuss the Michael Schur sitcom The Good Place. Hill explores how the show uses comedy to address profound philosophical concepts related to the afterlife.
- Laurel & Hardy - with Andrew Male (PART TWO)
This episode, part two of a two-part series, features journalist Andrew Male discussing Laurel & Hardy's sound shorts. Topics include the films Towed In A Hole, Their First Mistake, Them Thar Hills, and its sequel, Tit For Tat.
- Laurel & Hardy - with Andrew Male (PART ONE)
Journalist Andrew Male joins the podcast to discuss the early sound shorts of Laurel & Hardy. This first part focuses on Stan and Ollie's comedic craft and their Oscar-winning 1932 short, 'The Music Box'.
- Spider-Man - with Carrie Quinlan (PART TWO)
This is the second part of a two-part episode featuring actor and writer Carrie Quinlan discussing Spider-Man. This segment delves deeper into the film 'Across the Spider-Verse'.
- Spider-Man - with Carrie Quinlan (PART ONE)
Actor and writer Carrie Quinlan discusses her lifelong love for the comic character Spider-Man. She explores how the story of the teenage nerd turned crime fighter is endlessly reinvented and offers comfort to alienated audiences.
- Pride - with Margaret Cabourn-Smith
Margaret Cabourn-Smith joins the podcast to discuss the 2014 British comedy film Pride, highlighting its narrative of unexpected partnerships and the strength found in unity.
- Asterix - with Jay Foreman
Jay Foreman discusses the comforts of Goscinny and Uderzo’s Asterix comics. He explores jokes and storytelling specific to the comic format and the value of reading from a neighbor's perspective.
- Bridget Jones's Diary - with Daisy Buchanan
Daisy Buchanan joins Comfort Blanket to discuss Bridget Jones's Diary. They explore the book's themes of self-acceptance and its potential as a guide for anxious young readers navigating adulthood.
- Monty Python (Series 4) - with Michael Spicer
Comedian Michael Spicer joins Comfort Blanket to discuss the final, lesser-known series of Monty Python. He explores why sketch shows can be comforting and how embracing unusual content enhances the fan experience.
- Ronald Searle - with Jo Neary
Jo Neary, comedian and artist, joins the podcast to discuss the illustrator Ronald Searle. The conversation highlights Searle's notable works, including his school satires: St Trinian's and the Molesworth books.
- Pride and Prejudice - with Abigail Burdess
Abigail Burdess joins the Comfort Blanket podcast to discuss the BBC's 1995 Pride and Prejudice adaptation. They also explore the origins of the romantic comedy genre and consider Jane Austen's legacy as a comedy writer.
- Home Comforts: Absolutely Fabulous (Sample episode)
This is a sample episode of the Comfort Blanket companion podcast, "Home Comforts." Julia discusses the classic sitcom "Absolutely Fabulous" by Jennifer Saunders.
- The Last Of Us - with Melanie Gutteridge
Actor Melanie Gutteridge joins Comfort Blanket to discuss the 2013 video game The Last of Us, exploring interactive fiction and comparing video games to theatre. She shares insights into how games tell stories and emotionally affect audien…
- Home Comforts: Close Encounters Of The Third Kind (Sample episode)
This is a sample episode from the Comfort Blanket podcast's companion series, Home Comforts. The episode focuses on the film Close Encounters Of The Third Kind. The podcast creators are promoting their Patreon for support and offering excl…
- BEST OF COMFORT BLANKET series one and two
This episode features a compilation of favorite moments from the first two series of the Comfort Blanket podcast.
- Doctor Who (Classic Series) - with John Higgs
Author John Higgs joins the podcast to discuss the classic Doctor Who series. He explores how the children's science fiction show has grown into a larger cultural force, possessing a sense of magic and power.
- Sheila Ferguson's 'Soul Food' - with Samira Ahmed
Samira Ahmed shares her fondness for Sheila Ferguson
- Animal Crossing - with Ellie Gibson
Comedian Ellie Gibson joins Comfort Blanket to discuss the Nintendo game Animal Crossing: New Horizons. She shares how the gentle community-simulator helped her and many others cope with the isolation experienced during the pandemic lockdo…
- Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy - with Ben Willbond
Actor and writer Ben Willbond selected John Le Carre's Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. He explains that the book comforts him due to its critique of a specific British type of cruelty and certainty.
- Madness' pop videos - with Paul Putner
Paul Putner joins the podcast to discuss his lifelong appreciation for the band Madness and their unique promotional videos.
- The Goon Show - with Mike Wozniak
Mike Wozniak joins Comfort Blanket to discuss the enduring appeal and comforting nature of the classic radio comedy The Goon Show, highlighting its unique, self-contained world.
- Beautiful Thing - with Jonathan Dryden Taylor
Actor and writer Jonathan Dryden Taylor joins the Comfort Blanket podcast to discuss the 1996 film 'Beautiful Thing'. He shares how the movie presented a different kind of rom-com and offered a comforting message that things might ultimate…
- Ripping Yarns (PART TWO) - with Professor Sophie Scott CBE
Professor Sophie Scott joins Comfort Blanket to discuss "Ripping Yarns," focusing on Michael Palin and Terry Jones' Edwardian spoofs and the significance of shared laughter. This is the second part of a two-part episode.
- Ripping Yarns (PART ONE) - with Professor Sophie Scott CBE
Professor Sophie Scott joins the Comfort Blanket podcast to discuss the comedy series Ripping Yarns, its creators Michael Palin and Terry Jones, and the serious nature of comedy. This is part one of a two-part episode.
- The Goonies - with Ingrid Oliver
Ingrid Oliver joins Comfort Blanket to discuss the 1980s film The Goonies, focusing on its creators Richard Donner, Chris Columbus, and Steven Spielberg, and the adventurous spirit of its young protagonists.
- Ghost Stories For Christmas (pt 2) - with Will Maclean (HALLOWEEN SPECIAL)
This Halloween special, part two of a series on Lawrence Gordon Clark's Ghost Stories For Christmas, features writer Will Maclean discussing tales like The Treasure of Abbot Thomas and The Signalman.
- Ghost Stories For Christmas (pt 1) - with Will Maclean (HALLOWEEN SPECIAL)
Writer Will Maclean joins the podcast to discuss the comfort found in Lawrence Gordon Clark's 1970s BBC 'Ghost Stories For Christmas' series. This episode covers 'The Stalls Of Barchester', 'A Warning To The Curious', and 'Lost Hearts'.
- Dead of Night - with Julia Raeside (HALLOWEEN SPECIAL)
Journalist Julia Raeside joins the podcast for a Halloween special to discuss the 1945 film 'Dead of Night'. Despite hating horror films, she finds peculiar comfort in the creepy and explores why she enjoys this classic.
- Grease - with Isy Suttie
Comedian Isy Suttie joins the podcast to discuss the film Grease. Recorded live at the London Podcast Festival, the episode focuses on the musical's nostalgic and comforting aspects.