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The Critic Show

The Critic Show

Outpost Studios 212 Episodes Aug 17, 2026

Weekly podcast from The Critic, Britain’s most civilised magazine. The show features discussions on culture, politics, and current affairs. Premium episodes are available via Outpost Studios. Hosted on Acast.

Episodes

The Critic: August Round-up
The Critic: August Round-up Aug 17, 2026 44:40 In this episode of The Critic Show, Tom Jones and Henry Hill are joined by The Critic’s editor, Graham Stewart, to explore the magazine’s bumper Summer Double Issue.Graham takes us through the issue’s highlights, including a major summer books bonanza, meanwhile over in the sport section, Boris Starling’s looks at what happened to England’s 1966 World Cup heroes.The issue also features some import
The War Against the Classics
The War Against the Classics Aug 10, 2026 40:49 This week on The Critic Show, Tom is joined by our online editor, Ben Sixsmith and classics scholar and Antigone editor, David Butterfield, to discuss why ancient Greece and Rome are enjoying a remarkable revival. They examine how classical education became wrongly associated with elitism, and why classical literature is having a renaissance within a culture which is, seemingly, addicted to phones
Inside Britain's secret PR machine
Inside Britain's secret PR machine Jul 27, 2026 20:33 This week on The Critic Show, Henry and Tom are joined by Seb Milbank to discuss the Home Office’s Research, Information and Communications Unit, otherwise known as RICU, and the growing suspicion that the British state has tried to shape public narratives after acts of violence involving immigrant communities.Seb gives listeners an insider explanation on explains how the unit operates, and the in
Is Britain Importing Northern Ireland’s Politics?
Is Britain Importing Northern Ireland’s Politics? Jul 20, 2026 20:13 This week on The Critic Show, Chris Bayliss and Henry Hill are joined by Emma Schubert of the Henry Jackson Society to ask whether Britain is becoming a sectarian country. Emma discusses her research into the rise of Muslim sectarian politics in English local elections, explaining how she has created a model to help identify some of the predictors of sectarian candidates’ success.The panel explore
The Critic Wine Club
The Critic Wine Club Jul 13, 2026 40:29 This month Critic wine columnist Henry Jeffreys talks to Daniel Grigg from Museum Wines in Salisbury about The Critic Wine Club’s latest South African selection.Henry and Daniel discuss why South African wine has changed so dramatically in recent years, from the dull pub reds and insipid whites of old to some of the most exciting bottles now being made anywhere in the world. They explore the count
Starling on Sport
Starling on Sport Jul 9, 2026 48:11 In the first episode of Starling on Sport, Boris is joined by Jack Davey to look ahead to this year’s Tour de France and ask whether anyone can realistically stop Tadej Pogačar. They discuss Pogačar’s astonishing season, and the threat posed by Jonas Vingegaard, as well as turning an eye onto the emergence of French prodigy Paul Seixas.Boris and Jack also explore the tactics, team dynamics and bru
July Roundup
July Roundup Jul 9, 2026 38:33 This week on The Critic Show, Lord David Frost joins Tom and Graham Stewart to mark ten years since Brexit and ask what really went wrong, and ask what might be on the cards next.Frost challenges the familiar claim that voters were misled in 2016, arguing instead that Brexit was always about Britain’s right to govern itself from Westminster rather than Brussels.Frost warns that unless the Right ma
The New Economic Settlement
The New Economic Settlement Jun 28, 2026 19:52 This week on The Critic Show, Henry and Chris are joined by James Crouch, Head of Public Affairs at Opinium, to discuss Britain’s strange new economic settlement: not quite capitalism, not quite socialism, but a system increasingly built around caps, freezes and government guarantees. Drawing on Opinium’s research into public attitudes, they explore why voters now instinctively reach for price con
The Best Wines for Sunny June
The Best Wines for Sunny June Jun 22, 2026 20:37 This week, Critic wine writer Henry Jeffreys talks to Olivia Manet from Corney & Barrow about the latest Critic Wine Club selection: three summer wines chosen for freshness, value and drinkability. Olivia explains how she got into the wine trade, Corney & Barrow’s long history, and why great wine does not always have to mean grand cru prices.Henry and Olivia taste a mountain-fresh Pinot Gr
The Great Trail Debate
The Great Trail Debate Jun 19, 2026 15:02 In this episode of The Critic Show, Tom Jones is joined by Sam Butler, vice chairman of the Future of Hunting campaign, to discuss Labour’s proposed ban on trail hunting and what Butler sees as a wider assault on the countryside. They look back at the 2004 Hunting Act, the creation of trail hunting, and the argument that a new ban would do little for animal welfare while threatening thousands of h
The Masculinity Crisis
The Masculinity Crisis Jun 15, 2026 29:06 This week on The Critic Show, Tom Jones and Chris Bayliss are joined by Charles Cornish-Dale to discuss modern masculinity, the rise of the “alpha male”, and the cultural influence of Andrew Tate. Are declining testosterone levels something to be concerned about? What does this mean for our politics?In our medicated society, the contraceptive pill and SSRIs are ever more common — but what are thei
Britain's Entitlement State
Britain's Entitlement State Jun 8, 2026 19:42 This week on The Critic Show, Chris Bayliss and Tom Jones are joined by William Clouston, leader of the SDP, to discuss his paper From an Entitlement State to an Investment State.Britain has moved from a state that invests in its future to one increasingly dominated by pensions, welfare and benefits. Since the 1970s, public spending has shifted dramatically: investment in infrastructure has fallen

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