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)

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

Chinese Takeaway Crimes & A Baby Born at 60mph

Laura and Carmen are absolutely losing it over the kind of chaotic real-life moments that sound made up but somehow aren’t- starting with a man who risked it all (and his licence) for a hot Chinese take-away!Plus they dive into a jaw-dropping birth story involving flooded roads, a speeding car and a baby who simply could not wait. Laura shares her own surreal labour moment featuring an unexpected celebrity cameo that has to be heard to be believed.If that wasn’t enough, listener Tanya transports the pair to a Japanese spa experience gone...

Published: May 1, 2026Duration: 21m 49s

One Direction Feuds and White House Chaos

Laura and Carmen dive straight into rumours of behind-the-scenes fallouts, from the alleged One Direction feud between Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik to the explosive TV drama on I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, All Stars.They also get into some unexpected celebrity pairings taking centre stage. Some make perfect sense (hello Jacob Elordi and Kendall Jenner!?), while others feel like they were generated by AI. Naturally, the Kardashian universe makes an appearance, because when don’t they?Plus, Laura and Carmen react to shocking headlines coming out of the White House dinn...

Published: Apr 28, 2026Duration: 36m 54s

Elton John Trauma & The Dumbest Court Case Ever

Laura and Carmen are deep in second-hand shame as they relive some truly toe-curling awkward moments- from workplace cringe to post-gig humiliation and the kind of social misfires that keep you awake at 03:00 wondering why you’re like this.Plus, they get stuck into THE most ridiculous court clips imaginable- including one Zoom hearing that is so wildly ill-judged it has to be heard to be believed. Naturally, this leads to a passionate discussion about getting caught red-handed, the exact moment your stomach drops out of your body, and why some mistakes simply cannot be recovered from....

Published: Apr 24, 2026Duration: 21m 8s

Euphoria’s Messy Return & David Haye’s Worst Take Yet

Laura and Carmen unpack Victoria Beckham finally breaking her silence on Brooklyn Beckham’s family separation, while slipping into full protective mum mode as she subtly backs Cruz’s “grassroots” music career.Also, Euphoria is back and messier than ever, with Zendaya, Sydney Sweeney, Jacob Elordi, sky high budgets and off screen drama all colliding in one chaotic return. The big question remains: is this art, or just shock factor?Meanwhile, I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! All Stars has served up David Haye’s wildly outdated hot take, and the internet is absolutely...

Published: Apr 21, 2026Duration: 39m 1s

The Devil Wears Prada 2 & Garlic Mayo Meltdowns

Laura and Carmen are feeling high fashion as they get stuck into the hype already surrounding The Devil Wears Prada 2- from Anna Wintour, Meryl Streep and iconic Vogue covers, to whether anyone in that film has aged a single day.Plus, they get into one of the most ridiculous news stories imaginable: a man pulling a fake gun over the wrong takeaway sauce. Naturally, this leads to a passionate discussion about the emotional importance of garlic mayo, why Boss Man must always be respected, and how they react after someone gets their food order wrong.<...

Published: Apr 17, 2026Duration: 28m 10s

Coachella Cringe, Kanye Cancelled & Crying Astronauts

This week, Laura and Carmen chat Kanye West, the Wireless backlash, festival cancellations, Chappell Roan, and why some celebrities always seem to escape criticism.They also dive into the wild world of Coachella, including $90 phone chargers, Paris Hilton floating through the desert like a billionaire woodland fairy, and Justin Trudeau eating noodles in a backwards cap with Katy Perry. Not to mention, there’s love for Justin Bieber stripping it all back on stage, thoughts on Sabrina Carpenter’s awkward crowd moment and a general appreciation for pop stars saying the wrong thing under unbearable amounts of pres...

Published: Apr 15, 2026Duration: 40m 33s

A Parrot Mugging & a Tampon Poo

Laura and Carmen dive into a full episode of glorious listener stories and they do not disappoint! From an all-inclusive Tenerife holiday that took a turn, to an anonymous dog walking story involving a tampon and a very awkward poo.Plus the girls swap their own scam stories, from dodgy booking links to beachside hustlers, and all the holiday chaos that comes with being caught off guard in the sun.Parrots, poolside scams and pet horrors- this one is pure listener gold.Follow Shouldn’t Laugh But on all social platforms: @sh...

Published: Apr 10, 2026Duration: 14m 33s

The Worst Easter Egg Hunt Ever: A Six-Foot Bunny from Hell

This week on Shouldn’t Laugh But, Laura and Carmen are getting into why Easter is actually the superior bank holiday: less pressure than Christmas, more freedom, hot cross buns, slow-roasted lamb, fish on Good Friday and (usually) just enough sunshine to make everyone feel vaguely alive again.They also chat Easter traditions, from Hungarian Easter gifts and over-the-top egg hunts to little presents, rhyming clues, Jellycat bunnies, Easter decorations and the pure joy of a caravan holiday - except for when the toilet doesn't work...Plus, the Buttheads deliver one of the all-time great li...

Published: Apr 6, 2026Duration: 14m 55s

Are Creme Eggs Sexual? & DIY Horror Stories

Happy Good Friday, Buttheads! Laura and Carmen get into the Good Friday spirit with a surprisingly intense debate about the correct way to eat a Cadbury’s Creme Egg. From shrinkflation and sugary highs to the discovery that Creme Eggs are a weirdly sexual topic, things descend quickly.They dive into one of Laura’s favourite corners of the internet: mattress unboxing fails, where unsuspecting people get absolutely taken out by vacuum-packed beds. Also on the list of things that shouldn’t be this funny… people accidentally exposing themselves while trying to sell mirrors online.Plus, yo...

Published: Apr 3, 2026Duration: 20m 12s

Ryan Gosling’s Gen Z Slang, Pubs Banning Children… & Vaping Squirrels

This week on Shouldn’t Laugh But, Laura and Carmen kick things off with Ryan Gosling attempting to speak fluent Gen Z, which naturally leads to a full dissection of slang, ageing, and the brutal truth that the second a grown adult says “rizz” with confidence, it’s already over. They also chat about his marriage to Eva Mendes, the discovery that he apparently lives in Hampstead, his wholesome decision to make lighter films for his kids, and the timeless internet masterpiece that is Ryan Gosling Won’t Eat Cereal.Then it’s on to pubs banning children, ch...

Published: Mar 31, 2026Duration: 45m 12s

Chappell Roan’s Fan Backlash & Meghan Markle’s Netflix Drama

Laura and Carmen kick things off with the Chappell Roan fan drama, after Jude Law's 11-year-old daughter was reportedly told off by security for innocently walking past her idol at breakfast. From diva behaviour to disappointing your youngest fans, the girls get into where the line is between protecting your space and just being plain mean.The conversation then turns to Meghan Markle, as they unpack the Netflix rumours, polished celebrity personas, and why being too earnest can sometimes make people warm to you even less.Plus, messy sibling nights out, Tesla farts, spring-forward weekend...

Published: Mar 27, 2026Duration: 20m 16s

Justin Timberlake’s DUI & will The Spice Girls ever get their sh*t together?

This week on Shouldn’t Laugh But, Laura and Carmen are attempting the impossible… not laughing. Inspired by Last One Laughing, they kick things off with a moment of silence for Chuck Norris (which lasts approximately three seconds), before spiralling into iconic Norris memes, Jessica Simpson eyebrow-taping and whether the world feels slightly less safe now he’s gone.Saturday Night Live UK has officially landed! From backstage buzz to internet hot takes, Laura and Carmen unpack the mix of hype, cynicism, and why sometimes you just need to let the shiny young things crack on… while you sit...

Published: Mar 24, 2026Duration: 35m 23s

We Tried Every Easter Egg & Hot Cross Bun So You Don’t Have To

We’re just weeks away from Easter, so this is a public service episode as Laura and Carmen taste the wackiest, most wonderful hot cross buns and Easter egg creations so you don’t have to.From elite flavour combos to slightly unhinged chocolate inventions, they sort the must-buys from the absolute monstrosities (and settle a very heated debate about raisins along the way).But just as things are feeling wholesome… a listener email completely derails the eggcelent chat. Think: a 20-hour coach journey, a locked toilet, and a truly unforgettable snowy field incident that leaves...

Published: Mar 20, 2026Duration: 27m 8s

Louis Theroux in the Manosphere… Sorry, Did That Get Awkward?

This week on Shouldn’t Laugh But, Laura and Carmen are diving headfirst into the chaos of Inside the Manosphere. From TikTok “alpha males” and seven-hour livestreams, to dodgy money schemes and wildly confident nonsense about women, they try to make sense of a world that is equal parts terrifying and… deeply embarrassing.They also get into why Louis Theroux remains the undisputed king of awkward, and how his calm, softly-softly questioning manages to unravel these “high value men” in about 30 seconds flat. It’s fragile egos, accidental self-owns, and one or two moments that genuinely made them laugh out...

Published: Mar 17, 2026Duration: 40m 25s

Timothée Chalamet Says What?!

Timothée Shalama-lama-ding-dong (Chalamet) is under fire after sharing his thoughts on opera and ballet and sparking a full blown internet pile on. Laura and Carmen unpack the backlash, the memes, and why the internet loves nothing more than uniting against a rogue celebrity opinion.Plus, The Beckham family saga rumbles on! Laura and Carmen get stuck into the latest birthday post controversy and the internet reaction: should David and Victoria have wished Brooklyn a happy birthday on Instagram or not?And if that wasn’t enough… a dog sitting job turns into a full scale...

Published: Mar 13, 2026Duration: 25m 24s

Should Britney Have Been Freed? Harry Styles’ Accent & RAYE’s being petty

This week on Shouldn’t Laugh But, Laura and Carmen dive straight into the chaos that is Britney Spears. From the head shaving era to the conservatorship and the recent internet debate of “maybe we shouldn’t have freed Britney”, they try to answer the impossible question: what does actual support for a mega famous pop star even look like?They also get into Harry Styles’ mysterious ever-changing accent, why British people simply cannot take anything seriously (especially grief), and Raye’s very public “where the hell is my husband?” era which sparks a deep dive into heartbreak, pett...

Published: Mar 10, 2026Duration: 45m 11s