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)

The Biggest Lie Women Are Told About Turning 40 | with Felicity Ward

Laura and Carmen are joined by comedian Felicity Ward for the very first Shouldn't Laugh But guest episode... and what a way to kick things off.Laura, Carmen and Felicity dive into the funniest corners of the internet, the comment sections that leave comedians jealous, childhood misconceptions that somehow followed them into adulthood, awkward first holidays with new partners, family sayings that make no sense to anyone else, and the moments that still make them cry laughing years later.Plus, Felicity opens up about dating after divorce, where she accidentally dated 50 people, becoming a single...

Published: Jul 10, 2026Duration: 30m 3s

Taylor Swift's Tacky Wedding, Katie Price: Nothing To Hide & Harry Kane's Frog Voice

Laura and Carmen relive England’s dramatic late-night win over Mexico, from Harry Kane’s completely shredded post-match voice and the challenges of playing at altitude, to Boxpark FOMO, Viagra rumours, Liam Gallagher’s "attitude" confusion, and why it really might be coming home...!They also dive into Katie Price: Nothing To Hide, the new Sky documentary that left them heartbroken and completely hooked. From Jordan-era fame, Dane Bowers and Peter Andre, to attention-seeking ex behaviour, bunny boiler confessions and the terrible men we all cried over. Plus they unpack why Katie Price might just be the ultima...

Published: Jul 7, 2026Duration: 39m 38s

Inside Bad Bunny’s La Casita! & Wimbledon Serving Hunculture

If Bad Bunny invited you into La Casita, what move are you pulling out? Laura and Carmen kick things off with all the celebrity chaos from Bad Bunny’s London shows, from Novak Djokovic, Maya Jama and Joe Jonas getting involved, to Carmen imagining herself whipping out the lawnmower move in a bid to impress.Plus, it’s over to Wimbledon, where the fashion is serving just as hard as the tennis. Maura Higgins rocks up in Chanel, Katherine Ryan dozes off in the chicest way possible, and Naomi Osaka delivers full diva energy with a look so g...

Published: Jul 3, 2026Duration: 24m 50s

TOWIE’s Lydia Bright’s Heatwave Rant & The Royal Family at Wetherspoons

Laura and Carmen get into the national meltdown caused by the heatwave, from TOWIE star Lydia Bright’s school closure rant and topless men in France being fined, to school WhatsApp group chaos, David Lloyd drama, and the kind of public crash-out that makes you feel alive.They also get into the glorious pettiness of the WNBA, after Indiana Fever player Sophie Cunningham went viral for an aggressive, extended pointing spree during an on-court bust-up. Even if you don’t know your women’s basketball, this is universal territory: someone says “don’t point at me”, so naturally th...

Published: Jun 30, 2026Duration: 35m 28s

Who Replaces Keir Starmer? Ian Wright for PM!

Keir Starmer’s stepped down as Prime Minister, but do not fear! Laura and Carmen are reporting for business to recruit England’s next great leader. From Ian Wright and Danny Dyer to Louis Theroux, Big John and Mike Skinner, the girls assemble their dream PM shortlist and ask the only question that really matters: who’d you trust most to sort the country out over a Chinese takeaway?Elsewhere, Rod Stewart sparks full “soft cough launch” suspicion after cancelling a gig, turning up at the World Cup, and then dramatically needing oxygen on stage. There’s also heatwav...

Published: Jun 26, 2026Duration: 24m 15s

Scots in Boston, Starmer’s Social Media Ban & Prince George’s Eton Era

Laura and Carmen get into the chaos of football fever, from England optimism and Emma Hayes’ kitchen chalkboard to the absolute scenes caused by Scotland fans taking over Boston, drinking bars dry and turning the Tartan Army into an international diplomatic force.They also unpack the proposed social media ban for under-16s, from screen time, Snapchat fallouts and ‘analogue bullying’ to whether kids should be weaned off TikTok via MySpace, MSN and a full return to landlines, park benches and WKD.Plus, there’s French football shirt loyalty, engagement ring chat, Prince George’s move to Et...

Published: Jun 23, 2026Duration: 44m 22s

We Need to Talk About Molly-Mae’s Baby Name

Molly-Mae and Tommy Fury have finally revealed their baby name, and Laura and Carmen have thoughts. Is it iconic or destined for the celebrity baby names hall of fame?Plus, do influencers deserve nice things? Why have we all become so lazy? And after an unhinged message from a listener, the girls get into the most feral things we all do in the name of convenience.Follow Shouldn’t Laugh But on all social platforms: @shouldntlaughpodLaura - @thatlaurasmythCarmen - @carmenshouldntlaughShouldn’t Laugh But… is a Global Produc...

Published: Jun 19, 2026Duration: 24m 11s

Carmen's ENGAGEMENT, Taylor Swift Conspiracies & World Cup Fever!

Carmen has massive news!!! Paris delivered much more than poulet-and-frites, sweaty sightseeing and one very emotional hench Frenchman. Him in doors finally got down on one knee and popped the big question!Laura and Carmen unpack wedding fever in all its chaotic glory: from Dua Lipa’s Palermo backlash and wildly OTT proposal setups to choreographed first dances and iconic celeb wedding moments.And of course, the girls investigate Carmen's conspiracy theory that Taylor Swift’s new Toy Story 5 song 'I Knew It, I Knew You' was a cover-up for something much bigger...Plus...

Published: Jun 16, 2026Duration: 45m 49s

Madonna reveals the best sex she's ever had!

Madonna’s revealed that JFK Jr. was her greatest lover, and naturally Laura and Carmen are obsessed. From romantic meet-cutes to the chaos of dating before you meet your person, the girls get gloriously gooey over love stories and the men who actually feel like home.Elsewhere, they discuss Dua Lipa’s impossibly cool wedding vibes, the horror of Americans rebranding school cake as “dot cake”, and how Laura’s husband won her over with one message about shelves and gardening. Plus, Carmen reveals how she slid into her imindoors’ Slacks at work.To top it all off...

Published: Jun 12, 2026Duration: 31m 32s

Celebrity Stalkers & Big John’s BOSH! World Record

Laura and Carmen get into French tennis player Arthur Géa’s emergency on-court toilet break, Emma Raducanu’s stalker scare, and whether they’d take a leaf out of Robert Pattinson’s book when it comes to his bizarrely effective stalker strategy.Elsewhere, they unpack tourist chaos, from Trevi Fountain swimmers to Ibiza supermarket behaviour, Buckingham Palace idiots and the general curse of holiday entitlement. There’s also Paris outfit panic, trench coats, trilbies and the struggle of dressing for rain without looking like Inspector Gadget.Plus, Laura’s school fine drama, and a glorious fina...

Published: Jun 9, 2026Duration: 42m 41s

Steven Bartlett Ruined His Life with 3 Glasses of Wine?!

Steven Bartlett declares that a few glasses of wine ruined his life, and Laura and Carmen have had enough of men making a personality out of optimal performance. Lighten up Stevey-B!In other news, they dive into Dawn French’s gloriously silly mirror glasses, the truly shocking Irish accents in MobLand and the kind of internet whimsy Laura thinks we need more of.Plus, as ever, the Butt Heads deliver two hilarious shouldn’t laugh but moments! Including a man who allegedly wiped his bum with an egg mayo sandwich, and a festival Shewee disaster.<p...

Published: Jun 5, 2026Duration: 25m 32s

Taylor Swift’s Wedding Guestlist Snub & Susan Boyle’s Glam Rebrand

Laura and Carmen get into Taylor Swift’s alleged wedding plans, from secret venues and no plus-ones, to whether she’s having to Kanye-proof the whole event. They share their own thoughts on weddings, how bridezillas are made, the politics of the guest list and whether no-kids weddings are actually the dream.In another corner of the internet they unpack Susan Boyle’s dramatic new look and why her new bob - or “Su-Bob” as Laura has coined it - has sent the internet feral.Plus, football fans calling in sick, once-in-a-lifetime match excuses and Carmen’s r...

Published: Jun 2, 2026Duration: 38m 2s

Colin Firth (Mr Darcy) Saw Everything...

Laura and Carmen get stuck into the fantasy of making it big on Vinted, from side hustles and smashed-up parcels to mates who somehow seem to be making a fortune online, the girls unpack why selling your stuff always sounds easier than it actually is.Plus, Laura shares the mayhem of trying to secure KATSEYE tickets for her daughter, and why ten-year-old girls and gay men basically have the same playlist.And, as ever, the Butt Heads deliver two hilarious shouldn’t laugh but moments! Including a very unfortunate cheese misunderstanding that goes down in fa...

Published: May 29, 2026Duration: 30m 27s

Where Is Katie Price's Husband? And Madonna's on Grindr

Laura and Carmen unpack the wild Katie Price husband drama, from internet sleuths and scammer theories to why the nation still can’t help but root for her.They also get into Rihanna’s new scribble tattoo, whether she’ll ever make music again and why parents should never commit to fridge art too early.Plus, Madonna’s surprise Grindr stunt, J.Lo and Brett Goldstein rumours, SATs chat, half-term chaos and Carmen’s deeply traumatic French exchange story.Follow Shouldn’t Laugh But on all social platforms: @shouldntlaughpodLaura - @tha...

Published: May 26, 2026Duration: 44m 33s

A Nudist Beach, Jason Statham and One Very Unfortunate Sausage…

Laura and Carmen dive into the chaos of nudist beaches, naked bike rides and the revelation that Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Jason Statham have bought a house near one of the UK’s best-known naturist spots.Plus, the girls unpack a story from a fellow butthead involving a beach picnic and an uncooked sausage placed in a very unfortunate position.There’s also a full double-date debrief after a night out with their Imindoors to see John Kearns, featuring accidental groupie behaviour, comedy crushes and one delayed message that arrives with absolutely no context.Foll...

Published: May 22, 2026Duration: 21m 24s

Venezuela Fury Wedding Chaos & John Travolta’s New Face

Laura and Carmen unpack 16-year-old Venezuela Fury’s lavish Isle of Man wedding, Molly-Mae attending pregnant without Tommy and why people are annoyed with Peter Andre.Laura also shares how she's been living like a DOGFLUENCER billionaire after heading to Goodwoof at the Goodwood Estate with her dog Betty for Sean Walsh and Jack Dee’s Oh My Dog! live show - complete with chauffeurs, champagne and celeb sightings, including Gemma Collins, Martin Clunes and Hugh Bonneville.Plus, John Travolta’s dramatic new face, the rise of “boy bleph” surgery and the biggest issue with Netflix’s...

Published: May 19, 2026Duration: 45m 50s

I Thought There Was a Secret Admirer at Work… Then This Happened

Laura and Carmen are in absolute stitches over a listener story involving mysterious chocolates appearing on an office desk, a growing workplace fantasy and a misunderstanding that spirals far further than it ever should.They also get stuck into a brilliantly awkward tale from Patagonia, where one listener’s very freeing walk in the wilderness takes a sudden unfortunate turn.Plus, there’s chaos over mixed signals, public humiliation and two neighbours who unknowingly end up in the strangest long-distance friendship imaginable.From office delusions to outdoor disasters, it’s another gloriously unfiltered episod...

Published: May 15, 2026Duration: 27m 32s

A Two-Drink Limit at Airports?! & The £900 Sun Lounger Battle

NO ONE WILL TAKE OUR DRINKS AWAY! Laura and Carmen are fuming about Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary's proposal to limit passengers before their holidays! It's not what this great nation is built on. We LOVE sipping the nectar of our early-morning Wetherspoon's pint and the God-given right to get slightly too pissed before boarding.Not only has that wound them up, but the pair also tackle the story of a German tourist who won £900 in compensation after repeatedly losing the 6AM sun lounger race on a family holiday - something they'd fight tooth an nail for.<p...

Published: May 12, 2026Duration: 44m 35s

The CCTV Clip That Should’ve Stayed Buried

Laura and Carmen are absolutely beside themselves as they unpack a story about jet lag, sleeping tablets and a quick trip to the office toilet that turns into a full-blown nightmare.They also get stuck into a university tale involving a heavy night, a disciplinary meeting and one truly haunting piece of CCTV footage that refuses to stay buried.Plus, an innocent attempt to help an injured pheasant leads to a car journey that goes very, very differently to plan.From sleep-deprived disasters to bird-related chaos, it’s another gloriously unfiltered episode packed wi...

Published: May 8, 2026Duration: 18m 55s

Maura Higgins Doesn’t Need a Man & Claire’s Accessories is Closing

Laura and Carmen are obsessed with Maura Higgins declaring she doesn’t need a man - sparking a conversation about single life, social pressure and why being on your own is infinitely better than being in the wrong relationship.Also, the pair dive into the strange horror of getting older but somehow feeling 11 again, from mysterious BO and sweaty school-chair shame to the emotional rollercoaster of realising Claire’s Accessories might actually be disappearing from the high street.Meanwhile, Laura opens up about her daughter Bonnie growing up too fast after a traumatising shopping trip into...

Published: May 5, 2026Duration: 45m 3s