Answer Me This!

Answer Me This! is a comedy podcast hosted by Helen Zaltzman and Olly Man, with technical support from Martin the Soundman. As can be guessed from the title, the format of the show is user-submitted questions that are then answered, accurately or not, from the hosts.

This podcast has been going for a few years, since January 2007, and has even been featured in a couple of English newspapers. The format may not be imaginative, but it's well presented and consistently excellent. Helen and Olly are natural hosts and the banter between the two, occasionally interrupted by Martin, is always witty and off the cuff.

Since the content is predominantly user-submitted, there's huge variation on what is answered. It ranges from the best cakes to bake and current affairs, ranging through Olly's favourite films to the slightly more obscure ideal ways to avoid "going soft" after drinking and how to get your partner more sexually adventurous. In short, maybe not the best thing to play when your gran's round for tea. It's a great mix bag, allowing for a range of responses from factual (Helen's normal area of expertise) to pure hearsay and personal experience (Olly's undisputed domain). 

No answers are to be taken seriously - all of those questions probably have serious podcasts dedicated to their study. Ones probably a little less light hearted. If you're expecting practical information and useful advice for day to day life - I'd probably go for a KipKay's podcast.

The podcast normally weighs in at a decent 30 mins, making it handy for commuting or walks to lectures. It's released every Thursday (GMT) with short breaks every few months. At time of writing, there are 203 episodes, making for a substantial back catalogue. 

On the flip side, some of the jingles may outstay their welcome a tad, but otherwise I cannot find fault with the podcast. They never answered my questions, so I suppose that's reason enough to condemn them.

I've been listening since the Spring of 2009, when I was actually on the way to the open day of my current university. I suppose it therefore brings back great memories of wandering around confused whilst being laughed at by graduates and stressed officials. Answer Me This! has been a great source of entertainment since, keeping me amused whilst on train journeys, walks through the countryside, planes, boring parties, jet lag in Thailand and whenever I find myself with half an hour to spare.

Certainly one of the best podcasts out there. Entertaining hosts, ever changing content mixed with great banter and endearing anecdotes. Certainly worth a download, if not a subscription.

Answer Me This! is available on iTunes. Their site can be found here. Their book is also available on Amazon.