Shouldn't Laugh But...Laura Smyth & Carmen Butcher

byGlobal

ComedySocietyCulture

Every week best mates Laura Smyth and Carmen Butcher dive headfirst into the daft, the ridiculous, and the gloriously dumb - from their own personal disasters to the wildest, most unhinged things the internet (and the world) throws at us. So if you love side-eyeing the news, wild viral moments, finding comfort in other people’s weird choices, and laughing when maybe you shouldn’t… this is the podcast for you! | Email us your ‘Shouldn’t Laugh But...’ Moments! lauraandcarmen@global.com Follow Shouldn’t Laugh But on all social platforms: @shouldntlaughpod Laura Smyth - @thatlaurasmyth Carmen Butcher - @carmenshouldntlaugh Shouldn't Laug...

Episodes(40 episodes)

Sydney Sweeney Likes Sports & Meghan Markle Has Left the Chat

This week, Laura and Carmen are left baffled by the Sydney Sweeney “Sports” ad backlash, wonder whether the internet has completely lost the plot and get stuck into the frankly unhinged world of Hyrox, after one athlete shits herself mid-race and simply carries on.And, the girls discuss Martha Stewart releasing her nudes in her 80s, the secret to ageing well and the alleged Bake Off beef between Nigella Lawson and Paul Hollywood, including one very suspicious helicopter.Plus, Meghan Markle’s mum WhatsApp group, and whether there is anything she can do right.Foll...

Published: Sep 22, 2026Duration: 42m 5s

Why Brits Hate Talking to Americans | with Seann Walsh

Laura and Carmen are joined by comedian Sean Walsh for a chaotic deep dive into cruise life, British vs American etiquette, and why you should NEVER get in a lift with an American.And they discuss Instagram as a relationship performance review and the very specific and bizarre things comedians send each other online.Plus, Sean shares the schoolboy love story that ended with a secret crush and a spectacular face-first disaster.Follow Shouldn’t Laugh But on all social platforms: @shouldntlaughpodLaura - @thatlaurasmythCarmen - @carmenshouldntlaugh...

Published: Sep 18, 2026Duration: 33m 0s

Spice Girls Fans Are Furious & Elon Musk’s $40m Secret

This week, Laura and Carmen are left heartbroken by the Spice Girls’ “big announcement” after they mistook the heavily teased reveal for a full reunion. They also talk Jennifer Lawrence’s warning to Instagram trolls, influencers at the US Open, Rita Ora’s social media fail and classic “my account was hacked” posts.Elsewhere, the girls imagine what Elon Musk’s ex-girlfriend could reveal after reportedly refusing a £40 million NDA, debate the most unforgivable billionaire habits and react to Donald Trump’s reported $5,000 voting proposal. Plus, there’s outrage over £25 drinks at the O2, a deep dive into the return of Cel...

Published: Sep 15, 2026Duration: 44m 34s

We’ll Be Back Soon!

Laura and Carmen are taking a short break! Whilst they’re away, why not take a trip down memory lane? With nearly 100 episodes in the archive, it’s officially time to do the deep cuts. They’ll be back very soon with brand-new episodes… and maybe even a postcard!Follow Shouldn’t Laugh But on all social platforms: @shouldntlaughpodLaura - @thatlaurasmythCarmen - @carmenshouldntlaughShouldn’t Laugh But… is a Global ProductionListen every Tuesday & Friday or watch us on Global Player, YouTube or wherever you get your podca

Published: Sep 8, 2026Duration: 1m 9s

Why You Should Never Overshare | with Kyla Cobbler

Irish comedy star and viral social-media favourite Kyla Cobbler joins Laura and Carmen for an episode packed with chaos, honesty and big laughs.Kyla shares a painfully awkward radio-interview story, her obsession with prank clips and bloopers, bombing on stage, dodgy make-up, and why Melissa McCarthy is her dream grandma.Plus, Kyla talks about her new book, Happy, Thank You, More Please - a funny, heartfelt celebration of navigating life’s messier moments, finding your people, and choosing gratitude along the way.Find out more about Happy, Thank You, More Please by Kyla Co...

Published: Sep 4, 2026Duration: 37m 38s

Shouldn’t Laugh But… The Best Bits

The ultimate Shouldn’t Laugh But compilation has landed!Laura and Carmen revisit some of their funniest, wildest and most unhinged moments - from Beckham family drama and Raye’s iconic “Where the Hell Is My Husband?” era, to Louis Theroux taking on the manosphere, vaping squirrels and an unforgettable workplace chocolate misunderstanding.A proper treat for OG Buttheads and new listeners alike.Follow Shouldn’t Laugh But on all social platforms: @shouldntlaughpodLaura - @thatlaurasmythCarmen - @carmenshouldntlaughShouldn’t Laugh But… is a Global Product...

Published: Sep 1, 2026Duration: 47m 24s

From TOWIE to ‘Geezer’ Status | with Josh James & Chris White

Josh James and Chris White - hosts of The Josh James Show and Clocking Off! on Fix FM - join Laura and Carmen for an episode full of Essex banter, parenting chaos and the very serious difference between a bloke and a geezer…Josh shares the mortifying story of accidentally appearing in the very first episode of The Only Way Is Essex, while Chris reveals the teenage lie that came back to haunt him on the back of a bus.Elsewhere, they discuss dream-induced relationship arguments, the exhausting reality of parenting toddlers, and the internet cl...

Published: Aug 28, 2026Duration: 36m 49s

Harry & Meghan Are Back… & Laura and Carmen’s Biggest Surprise Yet

Laura and Carmen get stuck into the news that Harry and Meghan are returning to the UK. Naturally, they’ve got a full PR plan to make Meghan one of the people. Think Iceland ads, Greggs sausage rolls, Sports Direct mugs and learning the difference between Big Tesco and Little Tesco.Elsewhere, the girls discuss the horrifying story of a man who claims someone wanked into his towel at the gym - but was the brown towel simply asking for it? Plus, filming in public, naked changing-room behaviour, dodgy massages and the core memories we may be ac...

Published: Aug 25, 2026Duration: 39m 51s

DJ Bou’s ‘Stay Seated’ Flight Chaos! & The Most Awkward Car Journey Ever

Laura and Carmen get stuck into the unexpected viral moment that turned a Vegas flight into a drum and bass anthem - with a brilliant flight attendant, a chaotic passenger and DJ Bou at the centre of it all.Elsewhere, the girls discuss the woman who rummaged through two days of rubbish to recover her lottery ticket, lost engagement rings, and their dreams of becoming podcast millionaires.Plus, a Butthead shares the most painfully awkward car journey imaginable involving his future father-in-law, an accidentally amplified phone audio moment, and a very long five minutes of...

Published: Aug 21, 2026Duration: 21m 43s

We Need to Talk About Usher! & Are Disney Adults an Ick?

Laura and Carmen get stuck into Usher and Chris Brown’s R&B Tour - from cherry-feeding and very erotic dancing, to the fans being pulled on stage when they absolutely did not ask to become part of the show. Is it harmless fun, or has their on-stage seduction gone too far?Elsewhere, the debate over Disney Adults takes centre stage as the girls discuss the Peter Pan superfan, the strange world of parasocial relationships, and exactly where the line is between innocent escapism and making an actor in tights dread coming into work.Plus, El...

Published: Aug 18, 2026Duration: 42m 7s

Akon Did What for $1M?! & Berghain’s Most Unexpected Queue Member

Laura and Carmen unpack Akon’s wild story about being paid millions to perform Lonely on repeat for three people - and debate exactly what they would (and wouldn’t) do for a life-changing pay cheque.Elsewhere, Carmen shares her dream of a surprise Vengaboys-style wedding performance, Laura reminisces about Omar singing live at a friend’s first dance, and the pair discuss Berlin’s ultra-exclusive Berghain - including the little old lady who accidentally joined the queue with her hiking poles.Plus, Laura’s Devon holiday, Carmen’s sweaty London heatwave survival, an apology to James Nes...

Published: Aug 14, 2026Duration: 22m 2s

A$AP Rocky’s DM, The 1975 Birth Playlist Drama & Brooklyn Beckham’s Anniversary

Laura and Carmen unpack the viral video of a woman demanding The 1975 be skipped from her birth playlist - plus Matty Healy and Gabriette’s perfect reaction. Laura shares the unexpected soundtrack to her own labour, while the girls decide which songs they’d want to be born to.Elsewhere, Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz’s anniversary plans reignite the Beckham family-feud chat, Carmen gives a wedding-planning update, and the pair discuss why sharing a private DM from A$AP Rocky is never the one.Plus, Laura’s family getaway in the Austrian Alps, a very han...

Published: Aug 11, 2026Duration: 38m 47s

Inside The Flight From Hell - 200 Terrified Passengers | with Jake Bhardwaj

Comedy creator, writer, actor, producer, and self-appointed professional comedy quizmaster Jake Bhardwaj joins Laura and Carmen for an episode packed with internet chaos, traumatic flights and some truly outrageous stories...Jake reveals what happened when he joined a fear-of-flying course and the moment he had to board a plane with 200 other terrified passengers. Think screaming, aisle-length toilet queues, a man repeatedly hitting his own head and one very ambitious holiday plan to Barbados.Elsewhere, they discuss the danger of heckling from a car, why no adult should have Blu-Tacked posters after university, and why mum’s...

Published: Aug 7, 2026Duration: 30m 11s

Secret Lives of Gypsy Wives, the Furys’ Tiny CEO & Big Mo’s Reebok Era

Laura and Carmen are completely obsessed with Secret Lives of Gypsy Wives! From Trewley Precious, Pearly Girl and Honey Peaches, to car boots, hustling, sisterhood and giving back to the estate - the girls unpack why Channel 4’s new series has far more heart than its title suggests.Elsewhere, they discuss eight-year-old Valencia Fury launching a make-up line, the increasingly strange world of children’s skincare, and why an AI photo of your partner snogging someone else could quite reasonably lead to an AI divorce.Plus, Laila Morse (AKA Big Mo) becomes Madame Creps in an i...

Published: Aug 4, 2026Duration: 34m 22s

Getting Pooed On At Thorpe Park & The Most Chaotic Funeral Ever | with Nina Conti

Laura and Carmen are joined by comedian, ventriloquist and all-round comedy genius Nina Conti.The three of them dive into the funniest corners of the internet, from legendary local news bloopers and Katharine Hepburn's savage interviews, to women climbing through windows, council estate gender reveals and so many more online clips that never stop making them laugh.Plus, Nina shares the unbelievable story of being spectacularly pooed on at Thorpe Park in front of her teenage son and the utterly chaotic memorial where someone flipped open a coffin lid mid-funeral service.They also...

Published: Jul 31, 2026Duration: 35m 9s

Christopher Nolan Banned UGGs?! & Matt Damon’s Aged Like Fine Wine

This week, Laura and Carmen are chatting all things The Odyssey. From 10:00 AM popcorn and strategically timing a wee during a three-hour epic, to Greek monsters, Travis Scott opening the film, falling for Matt Damon all over again and finding Anne Hathaway mesmerising. The girls also get into Christopher Nolan banning UGGs, his refusal to use a smartphone or email, and take bets on what food was on offer on set.Elsewhere, Laura and Carmen unpack the perils of group holidays as Laura prepares to head to the Austrian Alps with 12 families. Expect hard-won advice on letting...

Published: Jul 28, 2026Duration: 46m 56s

Keir Starmer’s Fast & Furious Exit, Taco Bell Disaster & The Diet Coke Cure

Laura and Carmen are buzzing after Laura’s Off Menu appearance and naturally manifesting the world’s most expensive bottle of wine… cough cough… hello Fortnum and Mason!They chat Keir Starmer’s bizarre Fast & Furious-style TikTok exit. Is it an iconic rebrand, or has someone let the social media team run wild? They also get into Mel C’s gorgeous wedding, Victoria Beckham making the dress from afar, and the alarming realisation that Spice Girl children are somehow now 17.Plus, Laura and Carmen dissect Taco Bell’s explosive lettuce drama and the utterly wild story of docto...

Published: Jul 24, 2026Duration: 24m 39s

Anne Hathaway Called Her Baby a WHAT?! & The Weirdest World Cup Final

Laura and Carmen are back for one final World Cup debrief, and honestly... what in the holy American hell was that? From England's chaotic six-goal thriller against France (the real final, obviously), Bukayo Saka cementing his status as the nation's baby boy, Lamine Yamal snubbing Donald Trump, and why Argentina seemed more interested in WWE than football, there's plenty to unpack. They also dissect the weirdest halftime show, from AI Madonna, The Muppets, Louis Vuitton, Jennifer Hudson, Justin Bieber and Wayne Rooney saying exactly what everyone else was thinking.Plus, Anne Hathaway has everyone asking the same...

Published: Jul 21, 2026Duration: 38m 39s

Retirement Home Chaos, Wild Grandparents & Grandma Droniak

Imagine getting older, partying in your retirement home with all your mates, causing chaos and not caring one bit - honestly, the dream? Laura and Carmen get stuck into the world of wild grandparents, inspired by 96-year-old TikTok icon Grandma Droniak, who’s been hit with warnings at her retirement home for late-night parties, noise complaints and serving drinks to the other residents.Plus, Laura and Carmen chat about what kind of older women they want to be, from old lady cruises and comedy-on-sea dreams to the simple right to let rip in M&S and not ap...

Published: Jul 17, 2026Duration: 16m 51s

Haaland Fever, Bellingham Mania & It Might Actually Be Coming Home

Laura and Carmen are fully in their Erling Haaland era! From England’s latest World Cup win against Norway and Thomas Tuchel’s terrifyingly intense energy, to Jude Bellingham being an actual angel, Victoria Beckham in full WAG mode, and why Haaland and Bellingham’s chemistry is starting to feel less like tournament coverage and more like a romcom.They also get stuck into the final episodes of Katie Price: Nothing To Hide, from the heartbreak, the chaos and the terrible men, to the moments that left them hooked, conflicted and wondering how Katie still keeps landing on her...

Published: Jul 14, 2026Duration: 45m 16s