171: Meta's Not Better

Is social media really as fun, child-friendly and good for mental health as everyone says? Helen, Adam, Andy and Matt Muir investigate. Plus, Reform and the Greens’ mirror-image election offerings, and a new (unauthorised) drama about the Prince Harry-Daily Mail trial.

Ian, Helen, Andy and special guest Richard Brooks discuss the USA entering its 'insane absolute monarch' era, the ongoing mayhem in the world's oil and gas markets, and check in on the financial arrangements of 'Little Donald', AKA Nigel Farage, and his Reform UK colleagues. 

Why did Trump declare his latest perfect, ‘very complete', already-won war, and how long will it go on? What will it do to American and British politics? Why can’t anyone in the British press remember the lessons of last time? What will this do to energy prices and the energy transition? And is this all a deliberate distraction from the Gorton and Denton by-election? Ian, Helen, Adam and Andy discuss the latest quiet week in world politics.

Ian, Adam, Andy and Rachael Claye discuss two men named Andrew - one who used to be a prince, and one who's still a solicitor with a very dubious practice. 

Street Of Shame writer Adam Macqueen updates Ian Hislop, Helen Lewis and Andrew Hunter Murray on the curious background to some of Prince Harry's key witnesses.

The latest break in Peter Mandelson’s CV, the other secrets hiding in the Epstein files, and what comes next for the British government. With Ian Hislop, Helen Lewis, Adam MacQueen and Andrew Hunter Murray.

What is an 'Andy Burnham’ and can it be stopped? Why has Donald Trump made a photocopy of the UN and called it the Board of Peace? And was this episode description drafted by AI for an overworked journalist? (No, it wasn’t.) Ian, Helen, Adam and Andy explore these questions and more.

Why does the USA now have masked militias roaming its streets with almost no oversight? Why do some of the people who want to win London’s next Mayoral election seem to hate the city so much? And if Prince Harry texts you to recruit you for his next lawsuit, should you answer? Ian, Helen, Adam and Andy explore these questions and more.

It's the Eye Quiz of the last year! Adam, Helen and Andy get out the sleigh bells and the silly hats, and quiz each other on all the biggest, smallest and stupidest news stories of 2025. 

Ian Hislop, Jan Ravens, Lewis Macleod and Harry Enfield appeared live at London's Criterion Theatre for a special Christmas show (and to plug the Eye Annual, still available in all good bookshops).