Like the show but where is the producer? Volumes range all over the place. Sounds like some are close to their mikes and others are miles away. Irritating.
Love the podcast already (even as an American who only tunes in religiously during election/leadership contests) but please invite Kate on more frequently!
I disagree with the Spectator’s politics but I appreciate the analysis. So I keep listening.
I would give it 4 stars but James Forsyth’s slurping in breath makes me wretch. Don’t have the mic so close to your mouth. No one wants to hear that. The sound in general is pretty amateur.
All people on the show provide really interesting insights. But James’s slurping sound as he speaks is incredibly distracting and an awful sound in a listener’s ears. He’s great/ very knowledgeable but might not have a voice for radio. Or someone could try to edit that out.
Coffee House Shots is unquestionably one of my go-to podcasts for timely insights into the U.K. political maelstrom (along with The Edition and Freddy Gray’s Americano to complete the grand slam); this, I find, complements Seb Payne’s weekly podcast for the FT quite well as that tends to be more Westminster-focused, whereas CHS - as a daily podcast - digests broader U.K. issues in a quickly accessible fashion. I particularly enjoy the analysis on topics oft-ignored until “it’s too late” in the British psyche, such as the SNP, Ulster, and foreign relations, as it reminds me that people with their heads screwed on still do think about these issues and that these topics are important to discuss.
While this analysis is essential for anyone seriously engaged in British politics (from the ballium of the Commons looking out or the throngs peering in through its clerestories to get access), one thing is certain: James Forsyth has a tendency to trail off, Fraser Nelson is extremely soft-spoken, and Katy Balls/Cindy Yu/Isabel Hardman are right on the money with their voices. For the love of God PLEASE GET A FUNCTIONAL MICROPHONE! I am an avid listener of the show, but the sound editing/equipment could use some TLC so I’m not constantly rewinding to catch something.
During the Brexit machinations this podcast was essential listening. Sadly it is no more. What was 15 min of insight and analysis has become 15 min of uncritical reciting of briefings and talking points.
The episode about Priti Patel and the permanent secretary’s resignation was the last straw for this listener. I may continue to dip in occasionally but only to hear the Cummings’ line virtually from the horse’s mouth.
I feel quite sad that one of the first political podcasts I listened and subscribed to has descended quite so much.
I love these podcasts. They’re very insightful and are wonderfully knowledgeable.
The presenters are great. A news output who has some amazing female contributors, which is good.
However, the sound quality is sometimes distracting. Mouths are quite often too near the microphone creating a popping sound on ‘p’, ‘d’ and ‘b’ sounds.
Even the intro on this and every episode where a subscription to the magazine is offered, there is the popping sound.
Please listen on AirPods and see how loud and annoying this is!
James always speaks to closely to the mic. It drives me wild. It doesn’t need to me on your mouth. It’s a microphone. It’s designed to pick up sound from a small distance away! Seriously. It’s awful to listen to on AirPods.
Otherwise, keep up the great work!
Thanks!
My new go to source for what I need to know about UK politics. I enjoy the short length, eloquence, humour and bend. Also the possibility of a second episode during the day keeps me peaked. It makes me miss The UK as it appears not every one has gone insane. Thank You.
James Forsyth one second you’re turning the volume up because you can’t hear James, the next second he’s at full volume and it sounds like he’s yelling...our poor ears!
Someone please take control of the audio controls!
The Spectator podcasts can only be described as excellent! The commentators are insightful, interesting, entertaining, and they help me make sense of the special kind of crazy that politics has become. Of all of the podcasts I listen to - and they are numerous - the Spectator podcasts are the best. Keep up the excellent work!
Excellent objective analysis of the UK political scene. Enables this ex-pat to keep abreast of the changing political weather in the old country. I highly recommend especially to those who are short of time, most episodes are less than 15 minutes long. And can you catch the clue to the out music in the political discussion that precedes it.
Each weekday evening this provides the perfect close to each day. As expats in the US it helps keep us in the loop on daily UK political shenanigans and all communicated in a straight, yet fun way which always gets to the nub of the issue. One of the best political podcasts and an essential listen.
Where does one start? This is a wonderful, informed and at times entertaining podcast that serves the needs of those of us who are British politics junkies. A masterpiece of incisive comment on the day's poltical events by a group of people who actually know what they are talking about.
Unlike many journalists however, they are objective, non-party-political and relatively unbiased. With the exception of Frasier Nelson, whose views are well known but who still manages to remain objective, I can truthfully say that I have no idea at all about the political views of may of the other regular contributors, such as James Forsythe, Katy Balls, Lara Prendergast, Isabel Hardman or Cindy Yiu, who criticise both sides of an argument equally and do not resort to the passive-aggressive signaling that many other political commentators are guilty of designed to convey to others of like mind how "correct" their opinions are despite what they are saying.
My only major criticisms of the podcasts are that the episodes are too short, and not regular enough for my tastes. I would also appreicate it if they were available in video form after the FB livestream ends. They also need to decide if the podcast will continue to exist simultaneously as part of Coffee House Shots but also Spectator Radio as this can lead to download repetition.
This is a great podcast for anyone looking to keep up with the chaos in political Britain. Listen for the information and be delighted to discover that the facts are delivered with humour and real wit. The gold standard for analysis along with the BBC's Westminster Weekly and the Guardian's Politics Weekly. All this and Johnny Logan, how can you say "no'?
This podcast is a concise and informative summary of what is happening in British politics. I am an American living in California and listen every day.
Coffee House is by far the best political commentary available. Delivered in a clear, concise and sometimes funny manner; you get the brightest political journalists delivering their reasoned perspective in under 15 minutes. Have a listen!
I’m a Yank who listens to several podcasts about British politics — by the FT, BBC, etc. — and Coffee House Shots is the one I’d keep if I had to choose. Typical Spectator quality. A great use of 10-15 minutes out of your day!
As an American interested in the shifting sands of Brexit, this podcast is essential. They are on top of it every day. I also subscribe to the online magazine which has very broad but succinct coverage of British & european cultural/political affairs. The podcast, however, is free.
Regardless of your politics, geniunely, this is the only daily coverage of British politics worth listening to at the moment. James Forsyth might as well be typing his notes under the table in the Cabinet Office, but it is the clear explanations, projections and balanced interpretations of the twists and turns at Westminster that make this much more than insider chit-chat. Anyone who calls the referendum aftermath "boring" just isn't listening to the right show. Pretty dedicated bunch of reporters: the hoarser their voices, the more knife-edge the late night votes just became.
I love listening to this podcast every day to get the low-down on UK politics. It keeps me up to date not only with what has happened each day, but what to expect in the days ahead. I would be utterly befuddled about the Brexit negotiations without it.
This podcast is great fun to listen to, the various participants (James, Fraser, Katie, Isabel, Lara, Cindy come to mind as the main ones) have really interesting views, and give a great summary of the biggest stories of the day every morning. (I live in New York, so for me it's in the morning)
If you like your gossip delivered in exaggeratedly fake upper class accents which are almost incomprehensible because of emphasizing every third word, and believe that getting Britain out of Europe is a first step towards Tory immortality, this podcast is for you.
Great show vis a vis content, topics and length. Commentary often probes beyond the same round of generic headlines and bullet points. Will the best of the Sunday news shows be coming back? Please resume if not.
In a world of media madness, a sane space awaits anyone with a brain cell who is sick of
shouty biased reporting where every P & Q is examined in assessing who might be offended.
My spectator subscription is the best money I spend and coffee house shots is the icing on the cake. Thank you!
I'm also a U.K. expat living in the States. I love listening to this podcast daily as I go about my morning work. The presenters are insightful, always ahead of the curve with stories and witty to boot. It's a credit to them that they have a balanced group of extremely talented young women and men on the programme. I hope they can continue producing it for a good long while.
I listen to a lot of politics/public policy focused podcasts and this is my favorite even though I’m not British or Conservative/Tory.
Isabel, Katy, and Lara could recite the phone book and I would tune in! Beautiful voices with great personality.
James and the lads are good as well even if I don’t agree with the members on politics or policy.
