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

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

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

Show Notes

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 Nesbitt and John Hannah, and a listener story involving a pigeon, an unfortunate splat and true romantic resilience.

Follow Shouldn’t Laugh But on all social platforms: @shouldntlaughpod Laura - @thatlaurasmyth Carmen - @carmenshouldntlaugh Shouldn’t Laugh But… is a Global Production Listen every Tuesday & Friday or watch us on Global Player, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts

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

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This week, Laura and Carmen are joined by Australian comedian Bron Lewis for a brutally honest episode of Shouldn’t Laugh But… packed with parenting fails, embarrassing confessions and Bron's grossest stories. Bron reveals her disastrous Edinburgh Fringe experience, the mortifying moment she shouted parenting advice at a complete stranger, and the very unfortunate story of her dog and a tampon. Plus, Bron opens up about postnatal anxiety, motherhood and how her mental health journey inspired her new book, I’m Not Mad Anymore which is available now. Follow Shouldn’t Laugh But on all social platforms: @shouldntlaughpod Laura - @thatlaurasmyth Carmen - @carmenshouldntlaugh Shouldn’t Laugh But… is a Global Production Listen every Tuesday & Friday or watch us on Global Player, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts

Sep 29, 2026

This week, Laura and Carmen investigate the bizarre claim that Channing Tatum has a secret Instagram account dedicated to defending himself, trolling his ex Zoe Kravitz and generally making things much, much worse for himself. And, the girls get stuck into all the best bits from the new series of Bake Off, including Nigella Lawson’s very hands-on approach to judging and “enthusiastic eating.” Plus, the fallout from Dolly Parton’s death gets increasingly chaotic, as her nephew finds himself embroiled in a legal battle over her estate, prompting some serious questions about what happens when you’re too generous to your family. Plus, Kim Kardashian and Lewis Hamilton swap the luxury cars for the very humble Lime bike as they cruise around London. Celebrities: they’re just like us… apparently. Follow Shouldn’t Laugh But on all social platforms: @shouldntlaughpod Laura - @thatlaurasmyth Carmen - @carmenshouldntlaugh Shouldn’t Laugh But… is a Global Production Listen every Tuesday & Friday or watch us on Global Player, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts

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This week, Laura and Carmen are joined by Max Balegde for a chaotic trip down the internet rabbit hole. Max spills the tea on interviewing Zendaya, JLo, Millie Bobby Brown, Austin Butler and Paul Mescal, including the Nando’s gift card that sent his Millie interview viral and why his northern accent might be his secret weapon. And, they dive into Max’s favourite internet moments, from “grandpa who ate paint” and cursed Halloween costumes to Tokyo Toni and unhinged TikToks. Plus, Max reveals how accidentally flashing the postman, drunken posting and a Disneyland video turned him into the “Disney guy” and gained him a million followers. Follow Shouldn’t Laugh But on all social platforms: @shouldntlaughpod Laura - @thatlaurasmyth Carmen - @carmenshouldntlaugh Shouldn’t Laugh But… is a Global Production Listen every Tuesday & Friday or watch us on Global Player, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts

Sep 22, 2026

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. Follow Shouldn’t Laugh But on all social platforms: @shouldntlaughpod Laura - @thatlaurasmyth Carmen - @carmenshouldntlaugh Shouldn’t Laugh But… is a Global Production Listen every Tuesday & Friday or watch us on Global Player, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts

Sep 18, 2026

Laura and Carmen are joined by comedian Seann 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, Seann shares the schoolboy love story that ended with a secret crush and a spectacular face-first disaster. Seann is on tour from this October! Check out tickets here Follow Shouldn’t Laugh But on all social platforms: @shouldntlaughpod Laura - @thatlaurasmyth Carmen - @carmenshouldntlaugh Shouldn’t Laugh But… is a Global Production Listen every Tuesday & Friday or watch us on Global Player, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts

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