This episode starts with a trip down memory lane. If you were at school in the 90's you might feel a shiver as the r Trawl ladies relive some Sunday night theme tunes. You could call it the calm before the storm because, in the next minute, they're talking about the new child labour laws in the US. Ron De Santis wants to get those minors working through the night, ideally with no breaks. Seems fair.....

Compared to Marjorie Taylor Greene however, De Santis almost cuts a reasonable figure. Marjorie is not liking the UK at the moment and makes no bones about showing her extreme disdain to a UK journalist. Hmm, that 'special' relationship appears to have gone rather toxic.

Should we want any kind of a relationship with the Trump adminstration? When a young woman can be taken from the streets simply because she opposes what's happening in Palestine, you've hit a new low and yet that's what's happened to Rumeysa Ozturk. Rumeysa was on her way to meet friends at an Iftar dinner where they would break their Ramadan fast. Instead, the 30-year-old was arrested and physically restrained by immigration officers. Six plainclothes officers surrounded Ozturk as she walked alone, though the officers did not show their badges until she was restrained. Horrifying.

On the subject of Palestine, Marina and Jemma barely know what to say any more given that this week, more humanitarian aid workers and medics have been killed by the Israeli army which breaches international law. Instead they have picked a few clips of brilliant people speaking powerfully. 

On a lighter note, Vance went to Greenland and the entire trip was so pitiful it was comical. It begs the question, is he the worst diplomat ever? 

Pudding is warming up for the next episode - from The Last Leg it's a brilliant poke at Labour

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Created and Produced by Jemma Forte & Marina Purkiss

Edited by Max Carrey

Jemma and Marina sit down with YouTuber, Jimmy the Giant to chat about his political transformation from being radicalised by the right-wing media, to a becoming passionate leftie activist.

Jimmy has a massive online following with over 600k subscribers on YouTube where he talks about political issues and the tactics used by the right-wing, having seen it from the other side.

They discuss the rise of extreme figures on social media, why so many young men are being drawn to Reform UK and what can the Labour government be doing to combat this worrying trend.

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Created and Produced by Jemma Forte & Marina Purkiss

Edited by Max Carrey

There's a huge chance you've seen the Netflix drama, Adolescence, but, if you haven't, don't worry, no spoilers in this episode. However, Jemma and Marina talk around the central theme and why we all need to catch up quickly when it comes to the dangerous side of social media. 

Why is misogyny on the rise? How do we as a society combat the disgusting narratives people like Andrew Tate pedal to young minds? And why did this particular show have such a huge impact on its audience? 

The drama has been watched by 24 million people, has had a mention in Parliament and ignited millions of conversations up and down the country. The Trawl ladies discuss why that might be so. Furthermore is it a good thing or a bad thing that it has taken a programme to make people sit up and what should parents take from it?

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Created and Produced by Jemma Forte & Marina Purkiss

Edited by Max Carrey

Reeves' Spring statement is looming but as Marina and Jemma await what sound like it's going to be underwhelming, unimaginative and full of austerity, they get into the far juicier news from across the pond. Should any attack be planned on a group chat? And even if so, perhaps inviting in a journalist wasn't the cleverest thing to do. Though given said chat is strewn with emojis and demonstrates no care for the loss of life they're planning to inflict, perhaps clever would be pushing it in the first place. 

Still, Trump has way more important thing to worry about than National Security. Someone's painted a portrait of him and he doesn't like it. In fact, he's furious so spends a lot of his day wailing about it on socials like the fragile cheesy wotsit he surely is. All against a backdrop of deportations on a scale that will blow your mind. Jemma and Marina had warned about Project 2025 prior to the US election, the manifesto laid out by the darkest of think tanks. Trump always said he didn't know anything about it. He also says he doesn't know anything about the incredibly serious breach of security committed by his administration....hmm. 

Still, Marina and Jemma probably won't be visiting America any time soon, partly because there's a chance they wouldn't be allowed in. Listen to find out why and then maybe consider if you'll be taking a 'vacation' there any time soon. 

URTOTW features some of the weird and wonderful and frankly desperate things people were up to during lockdown. 

Pudding is provided by Bill Bailey. 

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Created and Produced by Jemma Forte & Marina Purkiss

Edited by Max Carrey

Jemma is fresh off a flight back from her holiday for this episode, so what better way to get her back to into the swing of things than to discuss Reform's dodgy new appointment, who once said Hitler was "brilliant" and described Bashar al-Assad as "gentle by nature". He sounds just wonderful. 

Next, a moment of commiseration as Jemma and Marina describe how the UK can no longer be considered a rich country due to collapsing living standards for the poorest 40%. Do you know what would come in really handy here? A Govt that gave a toss about inequality...instead we have Labour doing their best Tory impression with the latest welfare cuts.

Jemma and Marina don't hold back with their views and Marina has some choice words for Starmer (on the off chance he's listening) before talk turns to why we keep hitting the poorest when we have millionaires literally asking to be taxed more. They even put their message on a big old bus...because that worked out so well last time. 

Finally, talk turns to the US where the arrogance of people's ignorance is quite breathtaking, especially as far as the Statue of Liberty is concerned. Then see what you make of this episode's cryptic underrated clip, followed by a billionaire-based pudding from comedian, Rhys James. 

And if you want to check out the underrated clip of the week and comments for yourself, here you go:

https://www.instagram.com/p/DGrJVu4x_eG/

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Created and Produced by Jemma Forte & Marina Purkiss

Edited by Max Carrey

While Jemma suns herself on holiday, Marina has taken charge of the running order, so you're in for a Trumptastic ride...

Starting with the latest in totally unnecessary trade wars. Not only do the Americans have Trump to deal with, they now have the prospect of even more expensive booze thanks to retaliatory tariffs on The EU. Trump has reassured them however, that they'll be able to drink US made Champagne... Who's going to break it to him?

Jemma and Marina discuss the obscene optics of having martial arts menace, Conor McGregor at the White House (perhaps Trump and Conor are swapping notes?) before chat turns to the constitutional crisis gripping America. 

Musk has proven even more obnoxious with his latest X posts, leading to a perfect opportunity for Marina to play an excerpt of her 4-year old's brand new word - if you know, you know. 

Corruption, corruption, corruption is back once again (did it ever leave?) following Trump's new role as Tesla car salesman and now babysitter for Musk - bit of an odd choice to look after your kid if you ask us...

Finally it's onto the latest assault on free speech, before talk turns briefly to Palestine and Ukraine, and how Trump's hollow promises have been exposed. 

Finally, a refreshing palette cleanser of a pudding from Irish comedian Justine Stafford and her take on when she sees people sharing parental advice they’ve received…

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Created and Produced by Jemma Forte & Marina Purkiss

Edited by Max Carrey

Sometimes, Jemma and Marina feel like they're having a fever dream. First they're agreeing with Dan Hodges from The Mail, then Trump is confusing transgenic mice with transgender mice. Furthermore, upon being told his error, rather than burying himself under a duvet so he can hide due to abject mortification, he's doubling down. Still, it's not like this person is in charge of the US or anything. Oh.......

The latest Trump week from hell has been a biggie, he's making another bid for Greenland, apropos of just...wanting it. He's really getting on Canada's nerves and more worryingly, he's causing Russia to get away with accusing the UK of being the 'main instigator' of global conflict, including the Second World War. This seems interesting to Marina and Jemma who had thought we were all agreed that that was started by the bloke who invaded Poland. 

Decision after heinous Trump decision makes it a pretty surreal Trawl. For instance, wanting to send Ukrainian refugees back when you've just made their country even more dangerous feels pretty low. Jemma can't handle it and needs to inject some levity with her new favourite clip. Marina's vaguely amused, but only vaguely. 

Still, with so much going on, it feels important to reserve some sympathy for the presenter of Pointless, Alexander Armstrong, who has been moaning to The Telegraph about VAT on private school fees while wearing a cravat.

Pudding is by the genius Randy Rainbow

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Created and Produced by Jemma Forte & Marina Purkiss

Edited by Max Carrey

The sun has had it's hat on, in the UK. Marina is not in the UK. She's still on holiday, where it's cloudy. What are the chances? Somehow, Jemma has managed to find a Cilla clip that draws a comparison to the situation. Marina takes it well and, Trawl trooper that she is, she's packed her mic so she and Jemma can trawl through what on earth is going on at Reform UK.

Despite being able to count the number of MP's they have on one hand, there's serious trouble at mill and a very public spat has ensued, seemingly triggered by Rupert Lowe thinking he should be leader post his endorsement from Musk. Watching them eat themselves, it occurs to the Trawl ladies, that maybe, just maybe the UK media gives them all far too much credence. 

After that Jemma and Marina discuss Labour's latest announcements concerning benefits, including disability benefits and PIP specifically. The fact they're going after the most vulnerable in society feels disgusting to them and the way they're going about it is pure Tory. Starmer promised no more austerity, there 'could' be a wealth tax, but no, it feels like the people who have the least are expected to suffer. Not good. As for the party line the MP's are spouting as they do the rounds, well, it's depressingly Tory too.

After that topic it feels only fair to finish with a farewell to Darren Grimes who has left GB News. A very emotional Darren cited not being able to say exactly what he wanted to as the reason for leaving. Jemma and Marina wonder what on earth he wants to say that you can't say at the 'home of free speech.'

It's bon voyage to him and hello to some under rated tweets and a brilliant pudding served by Stewart Lee. 

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Created and Produced by Jemma Forte & Marina Purkiss

Edited by Max Carrey

The Trawl ladies begin by paying tribute to Hollywood legend, Gene Hackman who has passed away. Morgan Freeman spoke powerfully about him at The Oscar's and then Jemma and Marina select their other highlight from The Academy Awards which was the emotional moment when No Other Land won Best Documentary Feature. The film which you can see on Channel 4 is about life under occupation in the West Bank and was made by an Israeli and Palestine collective. Hearing from a Palestinian man and then an Israeli who are united in their sense of injustice is a powerful moment. 

The rest of the episode focuses on the fallout from Zelensky's Oval Office experience. Trump is withdrawing aid from Ukraine and to all intents and purposes sounding more like a Russian asset by the minute. The Republicans are still right behind them, though Europe are not and Starmer is taking the lead on bringing leaders together to find a way forward. His warm greeting and display of affection for the Ukranian leader, coupled with Zelensky's visit to the King, is a masterclass in pass agg diplomacy. 

Marina tries to make sense of Trump withdrawing Russian Cyber security protections, while Jemma just tries to make sense, due to having been at a big event the night before. 

That said, the Trawl ladies are both very clear on what they think about Vance's insulting comments about our military. 

Meanwhile, the US economy is tanking and the price of eggs remains high. 

Nice one Trump, it's going terribly and people have had un oeuf (enough) 

Pudding is from the Jimmy Kimmel show

Enjoy!

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Created and Produced by Jemma Forte & Marina Purkiss

Edited by Max Carrey

What a time to be alive. The news cycle is insane. Even people who normally don't talk about politics, are talking about politics - cue Susannah Constantine. In this episode Jemma and Marina revisit the various scenes from The Oval Office starting, of course, with Starmer's audience with the giant human wotsit that is Trump. Marina and Jemma both agreed that whilst it was faintly nauseating to watch the PM handing over a letter from the King, it was also a diplomatic coup and very cleverly played. It's fair to say Starmer's stock is up. Comedian, Michael Spicer, has a view too and provides commentary. 

Sadly, things didn't go as smoothly when Zelensky paid his visit and JD Vance was particularly grotesque. Marina and Jemma unpack the bullying and share the best takes they've found. Unlike Vance, they won't force you to thank them. 

The fallout, suit-gate and Marco Rubio's unease, it's all in this Trawl as are your underrated tweets of the week. 

Pudding is sung for you by The Marsh Family

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Created and Produced by Jemma Forte & Marina Purkiss

Edited by Max Carrey

Jemma and Marina have both followed Ashley on Instagram (where she has a gigantic following) for a while now so were delighted to discover that she listens to The Trawl regularly. Ashley is the political commentator on This Morning, a vocal feminist and passionate about sharing just as much 'reality' on Insta as she does glamour. With all that in mind, Marina and Jemma were fascinated to talk about her stint at GB News, the time she interviewed porn star Bonnie Blue and to find out why she cites Ann Widdecombe as an influence. 

Body parts, politics and sex, nothing is off limits. It's a juicy episode as the three ladies speak their minds and find out more about Ashley. 

Enjoy!

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Find Ashley here: https://www.instagram.com/ashleylouisejames

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Created and Produced by Jemma Forte & Marina Purkiss