Tea & Sympathy Podcast

Episode 9: Mary Berry's Country House Secrets | Everything Nice

Join us for a tweed-swathed jaunt through history and Scone Palace, won't you? In our most Delicious Dish-iest episode yet, we talk about the charms of Mary Berry, the Stone of Destiny, traditional British Christmas foods, and the general dimness of Lord Grantham. Also, are you on Team Cadbury Roses or Team Nestle Quality Street? DO TELL.

Episode 8: Bodyguard | Mum's the Word

We're back from hiatus with our first episode to break the 40-minute mark, discussing Bodyguard, gender politics lite, and biscuits (that's cookies to us 'Mericans). We also touch briefly on Hinterland because Sarah can't get enough of bleak police procedurals that feature indecipherable accents, and we're celebrating the fact that Melissa is no longer 'casting from her bathtub.

Episode 7: Nigella Bites, Poldark | Lovely Squelching

Do you remember food television circa 1999? In the early years of her reign, Queen Nigella encouraged eating with your hands, paring dinner parties down to two courses, and getting...familiar with ingredients. In this episode, Melissa and Sarah fondly reminisce about the glory days of cooking shows and discuss the merits of Ross Poldark (spoiler alert: there aren't many).

Episode 6: Shetland, The Miniaturist | Sister Sister

In this episode, a little more Vicious chat, the geographical and linguistic challenges of Shetland, and a deeper dive into the not-so-surprise hit of the week, The Miniaturist. We get a bit sociological in this one, touching on the puzzling and often contradictory mores of 1680s Amsterdam and the France of Louis XIV. Plus, what the *!#@ happened to Sarah's Biscuit Brew??

Episode 5: Vicious | The Show We Need Right Now

We're back after a week's hiatus to discuss the delightful Vicious. We also tee up Scottish cop drama Shetland for next week and discuss dressing gowns, teapots, and calling cards. Also this week: WE HAVE LISTENER MAIL.

Episode 4: GBBO | Back in the Tent

Melissa and Sarah discuss their final thoughts on Miranda, but mostly they're excited to bask in the warm, buttery light of Great British Bake Off. (No spoilers here – we're talking series eight, which wrapped in 2017.) Also nestled inside this flaky pastry of an episode: some iced tea chat, a 20-second synopsis of An Officer and a Gentleman, and what we're watching for the next installment.

Episode 3: Miranda | Gym Knickers

What's more awkward than your high school French teacher taking up with your BFF? Well, to quote Cady Heron, the limit does not exist (when you're Miranda). Listen in as Melissa and Sarah discuss this delightful late-aughts sitcom, along with some extended tea talk, biscuit business, listener suggestions, and Melissa's hardline stance on Peep Show.

Episode 2: Fawlty Towers | You Can't Say That On Television

...but you could in 1975. Melissa and Sarah revisit the first two episodes of beloved John Cleese sitcom Fawlty Towers and discover some...dissonance. We also discuss other #ProblematicFaves, contenders for the title of Perfect Sitcom, and what we'll be watching next week. Plus, Melissa announces which show can never, ever become dated.

Episode 1: The Supersizers Go Restoration | In A Word, Ew

Join Melissa and Sarah for a deep dive into "layers of sad, dead things" as they share their impressions of The Supersizers Go Restoration. (This show aired in 2008, so if you feel like you need a spoiler alert...you should probably unpack that.) And in tea chat this week, we discuss teapot styles (electric vs. stovetop) and whether you're a milk-first or tea-first person.

Tea & Sympathy Podcast Trailer

Hey listeners!

We recorded a trailer to introduce you to the Tea and Sympathy Podcast (and, frankly, to practice our podcasting skills).

If you find yourself in the sweet spot of a tea drinker/British television watcher Venn diagram, your time has come. Your podcast has arrived! Listen to find out a little more about us, why we love British TV, and what you can expect to hear in the first official episode.