Who's a good little piggy? You are! But also, Percy is. Today's topic is Percy Pigs, the beloved Marks & Spencer gummy candy that has captured the nation's hearts, and now that I say that it sounds kind of stupid, huh? We brought in our friend Mattie Lubchansky, host of the podcasts No Gods No Mayors and Temporal Culture War, to talk about her rela…

Wow! Is what our guest Nick Wiger would say about this, because that's one of his things! The host of Doughboys and Get Played joins us to talk about Greggs, Britain's biggest fast food chain (we're pretty sure, anyway, and we don't care if we're wrong). We explore the sausage roll obsession, look at Greggs' very mid-looking other menu items, and t…

Blobby blobby blobby! Is what Mr. Blobby would say about this episode, because it's the only thing he can say. Yep, this episode's topic is Mr. Blobby, with Demi Lardner—comedian, streamer, and the true Third Bird of What's All This Then. Who is Mr. Blobby, why does he look like that, and does his 1993 Christmas Number 1. Hit "Mr Blobby" lowkey go?…

It's the first episode! We couldn't think of a better first guest than our friend Jesse Farrar, who co-hosts the podcast Your Kickstarter Sucks and the Go Off Kings on Twitch, and whose two primary areas of expertise are hosting successful media properties and going to the store. We explain what the podcast is and, after reciting some New Podcast A…

If you're wondering what all this is then, listen to our teaser trailer to find out! The show launches May 5, with one free and one premium episode per week. Support us at patreon.com/whatsallthisthen for a bonus episode each week! Follow us on Bluesky at @whatsallthispod.bsky.social and Instagram at @whatsallthispod. Theme song by Howell Dawdy. Ar…

Episode 106 - Derry Rocks the Boat We are a world record breaking City ! And we did it with style - courtesy of Micky Doherty, diplomacy - courtesy of the Nobel Institute and a total lack of grace - courtesy of the Talking Derry Girls. The Mayor and her chosen charities were in attendance, bravo to Foyle Hospice and The Ryan McBride Foundation for …

WARNING DOES CONTAIN SOME MILD SPOILERS FOR EP 3 BLUE LIGHTS. The Derry Girls - Blue Lights connections are well and truly there if you dig deep. The TDGs are joined by Derry Girl Louise Gallagher who had the original idea for Blue Lights. She also has a feature film under her belt: ‘A Bump along the Way’ and an award winning short film ‘Rough’. As…

The Blue Lights obsession continues. WARNING CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR EP 2 BLUE LIGHTS. Never record a podcast on an empty stomach! The Talking Derry Girls sausage roll fondness returns, what even is a capsicum and chilli jam? It's a long way from avocado on toast we were reared. Maybe the girls need to re-evaluate their breakfast menu options as they…

Declan Lawn talks Series 2 of everyone's favourite cop show. Spoiler alert, you may want to watch Episode 1 of the new series before listening as the girls do discuss it . All other eps are safe as co writer/ co creator Declan has promised to return once the whole series has aired…there are so many questions yet to ask. Series 2 launches in Austral…

The Talking Derry Girls are in a book! And not just any old book but an academic one about teaching history in America. Of course it’s not just us - Derry Girls and The Cranberries are in there too, in the same chapter. Pauline and Jeanie muse on this fact, and wonder if academic stalking is OK in the name of research. And if they could now, like L…

Are you sitting comfortably? Then we probably shouldn't invite you to Derry on Saturday 4th May where you can sit on a very steep street with, hopefully, several thousand others in a bid to win a Guinness World Record. The Talking Derry Girls will be there supporting the Mayor of Derry's official charities - The Ryan McBride Foundation and Foyle Ho…

The Talking Derry Girls are amazed to have reached their milestone episode and there's only one person to blame. Here to defend herself is Derry Girls creator and writer Lisa McGee. They talk about that multiple award winning finale episode and there are many, many questions and answers. Just how funny is Liam Neeson? Who put in the call to Chelsea…

One recording away from the big 100 and the TDGs are still in different timezones. Not sure what the lead balloons are in this week's episode…the definition of a lead balloon is -”something that you say or show to people that they do not like…something which fails miserably and is utterly unsuccessful” So it most definitely isn’t anything to do wit…

Where are we? What are we doing? In this week's episode of podcasting for the bewildered, the Talking Derry Girls are jumping timezones and continents and may just be oversharing. Marie-Louise has a close encounter with Uncle Colm; poor man was only looking for the toilet. Pauline discovers there's more to Amsterdam than the infamous Red light dist…

Not all the Talking Derry Girls listeners are aware that Pauline, Marie-Louise and Jeanie have appeared in Derry Girls. They try not to talk about it …much! They attended the funeral of Sean Devlin (Clare's Da ). Now the Dust to Dust and Ashes to Ashes have settled, the tears have dried and Clare has run off after some rich Lord in Bridgerton, the …

Back in November ‘23 the TDGs chatted with award winning photographic artist Deirdre Brennan. (Ep.88). Deirdre was working on her latest piece “Looking for Brigid” in honour of Ireland's female patron Saint Brigid. Deirdre set up her camera in Derry's Playhouse and welcomed Brigids, Bridies, Brids and all variations thereof to tell their stories an…

When 3 becomes 2: Pauline and Jeanie are left feeling a bit like Take That after “Robie” left. Marie-Louise is sick and the girls are left pondering on past glories, or should that be, stories? A three year old advent calendar provides inspiration as well as some timely festive advice. What is the perfect sausage roll recipe? How to deal with a rea…

We are “in the mouth of Christmas” as they say in Derry, and the Talking Derry Girls still aren't convinced by the festive cheer. Jeanie worries that she peaked too soon and Marie-Louise is afraid that too much time around Pauline has turned her inner Grinch outward. Does anyone ever actually drink mulled wine? In what can only be described as an a…

Are the Talking Derry Girls ready to spread some Christmas joy? Maybe a chat with Charlene can get their jingles jangling. A lot has happened since we last chatted with the UK's youngest ‘Blue Badge’ accredited tour guide. She has been spreading the Derry word around the world and tourism in the City has continued to grow from strength to strength.…

The Talking Derry Girls knew there was no way to beat Lisa McGee's latest exceptional win, but that didn't stop them heading to Dublin for the Irish Podcast Awards. Double nominees, the girls had a title to defend, Arts and Culture Gold Award winners of 2022, plus they were also nominated in the Best Interview category. Sparkles were donned, eyelin…

“A teenage dream’s so hard to beat" …” Lyrics from “Teenage Kicks”, the punk anthem from Derry’s own The Undertones. 45 years after the release of the song, the band has been immortalised on a wall overlooking THE historic City walls. Who better to create the new artwork than the man behind the Derry Girls mural, Karl Porter from UV Arts? The Talki…

It is, unfortunately, not that often that the Talking Derry Girls find themselves on home soil together. Even then getting the three of them in the same place can prove to be an epic task. This visit Pauline and Jeanie went rogue on the Streets searching out some “old friends" of the Podcast. Christopher Ferry was first in their sights this week, h…

Derry Born and based, the formidable documentary filmmaker tells the Talking Derry Girls about her latest film. Currently showing at selected cinemas across the UK and Ireland, "Stolen" captures the anguish, anger and the horrors surrounding Ireland’s Mother and Baby Institutions. A true Derry Girl Margo has a back catalogue of work which carries s…

Award winning photographic artist Deirdre Brennan is on the look out for interesting Brigids. She tells the Talking Derry Girls how and why her latest project came about and how any would be subjects can get in touch. She is in Derry this week and has a spot or two still available. The artist is no stranger to the City having created an audio visua…

From Seamus Heaney to Fat Boy Slim, via the Cranberries, and Michelle Mallon inspiration, Shauna Bray. There was something in the Derry air last week and Talking Derry Girl’s Marie-Louise was in the thick of it. Discovering the truth about Derry Time, proving that Derry really is a City of singers and, yes, we really are all Derry Girls who know al…

Marie-Louise finds her true self and Jeanie discovers that the only member of her family to embrace their family identity is Charlie the dog. Meanwhile Pauline confesses to telling people that Marie-Louise is a girl to marry. 3 years since their first chat with "Derry Girls" creator Lisa McGee the girls are nostalgic about that memorable encounter.…

This week the Talking Derry Girls are discussing when life imitates art. Who knew when Lisa McGee dreamt of Fat Boy Slim coming to Derry for a gig that a mere 25 or so "timeline years" later the gig would not only happen - but sell out in seconds? No incidents of queue jumping or violence recorded. A “Derry Girls” theme also takes over the City of …

Ten years after Lisa McGee's "London Irish" premiered on Channel 4 the Talking Derry Girls decided to take a closer look. Their binge watch raised some interesting questions - like when did you first video call and should Louis Walsh have been decommissioned as part of the Good Friday Agreement? We recommend watching the series yourself - mainly be…

Ever modest the Talking Derry Girls don't often talk about their Irish Podcast Award…pause for Sister Michael - "What you actually want me to read this" - Anyhoo, the girls won the inaugural award in 2022 claiming Gold for best Arts and Culture Podcast. This week they were in Derry attending a conference in the Guildhall marking 10 years since the …

"In the early morning the shirt factory horn Called the women from Creggan, The Moor and The Bog" It is not only in Phil Coulter songs that the women of Derry played such an important role. This week the TDGs hear more about life in and out of the factories. Lessons learnt, skills taught and confidences shared. Is there a difference between a rinse…

The missing tales. 3 years in the making Pauline finally comes clean to Jeanie and Marie-Louise as to exactly why this episode has taken so long to finish. For the tape and yes there was a tape, Pauline and Jeanie met with Factory Girls Mary White and Clare Moore back in the Summer of 2020. Since then the TDGs have talked about Derry's shirtmaking …

The news is out there. A brand new comedy thriller from Lisa McGee has been commissioned by Channel 4. Lisa is so relieved to finally be able to talk about her new project that she invited Pauline from the TDGs into her Edinburgh Hotel room. It's the day after the news was broken and Lisa is buzzing to tell us more. But just how much is she willing…

The all new comedy thriller from Derry Girls creator and all round sound woman Lisa McGee. The TDGs discuss the breaking news of Channel 4's newly commissioned show and how all Derry people already know that the best way to reach Heaven from Belfast is to drive north over the Glenshane mountain pass. So many questions for this new mystery drama but…

Jeanie and Pauline take a road trip to see the ‘actual’ Derry Girls Train - series3 Ep3 Stranger on a Train. Also covered in Ep38 of TDGs Podcast! It’s a long way from Derry to Downpatrick, Marie-Louise wasn’t there she would have talked on the drive! Morgan Young is one of 40 volunteers from all over Ireland, at the Downpatrick and County Down Rai…

With too much excitement to cram into just one episode the TDGs become a BOGOF or is it a miniseries? Jeanie wonders if her QR code could lead to unfortunate misunderstandings and Pauline gets chatty with the press pack as they await Jamie Lee O’Donnell. Meanwhile Marie-Louise goes missing in action just when she is needed most. Maybe it has someth…

Derry Girls Experience : Opening Night. The red carpet was out, the pre ordered sunshine was ready and our Golden Ticket winners were standing by. All we needed was the Derry Girl herself - Jamie Lee O'Donnell - poised to assist the Mayor in the cutting of the ribbon. The Derry Girls Experience is now open in the City's Tower Museum and the TDGs we…

The TDGs get a preview of the Derry Girls Experience - for THE TAPE. The countdown is now fully on for the official opening on 3rd July. And we’ll be there.. All 3 may be in town but still Jeanie, Pauline and Marie-Louise find it difficult to be in the right place at the same time. The Tower Museum sprites are in full on ‘prep’ mode making sure tha…

The TDGs are always happiest when examining their favourite show. This particular episode has been kept under wraps since November last year when the girls were given exclusive behind the scenes access to the forthcoming Derry Girls Experience. In a huge warehouse deep in the Northern Ireland countryside they found all of the sets and costumes for …

The award winning TDGs and the multi multi award winning Derry Girls want you to be winners too. The long awaited Derry Girls Experience opens its doors to the public on Tuesday 4th July in Derry. On Monday 3rd July a special launch event will be held in the Tower Museum giving a sneak preview of the joys that await. Entrance is by ticket and invit…

It's 3 years since the TDG's first decided to share their combined musings with the world. Some of you have been with us from the beginning - Jeanie still reckons that this is due, in no small part, to her declaration that "mad bastards" are welcome. Which may or may not say more about the state of her own mind. Birthday or Anniversary? It's been 3…

The sun is shining on the good people of Derry and the TDG's are remembering sunbed sessions and suntans past and present. Did nude sunbathing ever take off in Donegal and what exactly did Pauline witness on a Northern Irish beach this week? Marie Louise has been mixing with the glitteratti once again while winning yet another award at the Royal Te…

Jeanie spent the past week experiencing work. In the company of two wee English fellas, she went back to basics and introduced her son and his pal to the intricacies of producing and presenting a podcast. Safe to say that they all ended the week having learned a lot. After watching all three seasons back to back and then being forced to listen to t…

It came to our attention recently that some of you are following in our footsteps… Pauline had a tip off that someone we know well may have more information. Any excuse to visit our favourite bookshop. Pauline caught up with Jenni from Little Acorns and got the gen on some recent customers. All the way from the U.S they were following our advice on…

Full disclosure needed. The TDGs weren't planning to be here this week. Work and family commitments had taken over. However we hadn't allowed for the enormity of this year's BAFTAS. From the moment Siobhan McSweeney swept onto the stage to collect her award for Female Performance in a Comedy Programme they knew discussions had to be had - and that …

CONTAINS A SPOILER! Just in case you haven’t watched Blue Lights yet! We have a wee challenge for you this week. Can you count how many times Blue Lights writer Declan Lawn makes us gasp during this chat? Currently writing series 2 we deployed the mantra of Blue Lights favourite Gerry and reminded Declan "If you catch a break - take it" Derry pedig…

For the tape… and new listeners, Talking Derry Girls are Pauline Moore, Jeanie Messenger and Marie-Louise Muir. However whilst they are very much individuals and more often on their own, they are aware that it's not always obvious who is who! Maybe introductions are in order? Judge for yourself how well that idea goes!! In slightly saner times, the…

Pauline and Jeanie are hobnobbing in London's West End while Marie-Louise is a plus 1 at a Presidential visit, as excuses go, it's not a bad one. But her knowledge of culture and the arts was keenly missed when her two cohorts tried schmoozing in theatre land. As best day top-trumps go it's a tough one to call and may go some way to explain why Jea…

The life and Mission of John and Pat Hume 25 years on from the signing of the Good Friday Agreement a new theatrical production has been created to mark the legacy of the late John and Pat Hume. It premiered in Derry's Guildhall on 31st March and will be streamed live to a global audience this week on Good Friday (Link in the notes) The TDG's were …

As promised and just in time for the St Patrick's Day Spring Carnival, the eagerly awaited Derry Girls taster exhibition opened this week in the City. Marie-Louise was there representing the TDG's and getting the bars on what is and what will be included in the future exhibition. She tells Pauline and Jeanie what to expect and the girls gain an ins…

Abandoned (for one episode only) by Jeanie and Marie-Louise, Pauline is determined not to be an individual on her own! Meet fellow Derry girls, Yvonne Norris and Naomi Petropoulos. Both DGs have a strong interest in the rich history of the city’s shirt factories. For quite a few decades there were more than 40 factories employing thousands of women…