Wheel of Misfortune is a new comedy podcast launching on BBC Sounds on Tuesday 4th August presented by comedians and friends, Alison Spittle and Fern Brady.
In each episode, they will spin their ‘Wheel of Misfortune’ to land on a different theme for the week such as bullying, parents, tattoos or theft. Alison and Fern, who share the same dark sense of humour, will then exchange their best worst story on that topic. From Alison talking about the time she got fired from her retail job for letting a family of five shoplift, to Fern’s dad pretending his new wife was the cleaning lady. This is a no-holds-barred podcast which will feature their most embarrassing, bleak and cringe anecdotes that make each other laugh.
They’re also inviting listeners to send in their own grim tales and will be joined by a guest comedian who will add their own story to the mix. In the first episode, they will be joined by Lou Sanders with the topic of discussion being virginity. Further guests include Blindboy, Sara Pascoe, Joe Lycett, Deborah Frances-White and many more.
Alison Spittle says: “I'm delighted that I'm doing a BBC podcast with my friend Fern, she's very funny and has horrific stories and gives great WhatsApp voice notes. We wanted to do a podcast where we could hear voice notes from the public on a different subject each week. I made a real spinning wheel with subjects such as pets, tattoos and housemates, which one will come next? It's like penny drop with shared trauma instead of coins. This is a podcast for people who love to hear glib yet funny anecdotes, basically we made a podcast for us and other people can eavesdrop and contribute their stories too.”
Fern Brady says: “I've made a name for myself doing blunt, honest comedy and I became friends with Alison cause she'll talk about the bleakest stuff with a lightness of touch. We have the best times when we sit around laughing and telling stories at each other’s' houses and we both enjoy podcasts that feature members of the public instead of just celeb guests. We wanted to make something that not only has us having a laugh together but involves our audience as well.”
Alison Spittle is an award-winning writer and comedian who created and starred in the critically acclaimed RTÉ Two series Nowhere Fast, she can be regularly heard on the likes of The Guilty Feminist and BBC Radio 4’s Grownup Land. Fern Brady wrote the BBC Three sitcom Radges and has performed Stand-up on numerous TV shows including Live from the Apollo, Frankie Boyle’s New World Order and Comedians Solve World Problems.
Listeners can subscribe to Wheel of Misfortune from Wednesday 29th July. The first episode is available to listen to on Tuesday 4th August, with new episodes every Tuesday on BBC Sounds.