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

Laura and Carmen dive into the chaos of nudist beaches, naked bike rides and the revelation that Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Jason Statham have bought a house near one of the UK’s best-known naturist spots.

Plus, the girls unpack a story from a fellow butthead involving a beach picnic and an uncooked sausage placed in a very unfortunate position.

There’s also a full double-date debrief after a night out with their Imindoors to see John Kearns, featuring accidental groupie behaviour, comedy crushes and one delayed message that arrives with absolutely no context.

Foll...

Laura and Carmen unpack 16-year-old Venezuela Fury’s lavish Isle of Man wedding, Molly-Mae attending pregnant without Tommy and why people are annoyed with Peter Andre.

Laura also shares how she's been living like a DOGFLUENCER billionaire after heading to Goodwoof at the Goodwood Estate with her dog Betty for Sean Walsh and Jack Dee’s Oh My Dog! live show - complete with chauffeurs, champagne and celeb sightings, including Gemma Collins, Martin Clunes and Hugh Bonneville.

Plus, John Travolta’s dramatic new face, the rise of “boy bleph” surgery and the biggest issue with Netflix’s...

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...

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.

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...

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...

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...

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...

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.

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...

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.

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...

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.

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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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

This week, Laura and Carmen spiral from ski slopes to strip clubs after a listener confession about a half-dressed skiing disaster that ends with an injured stranger… and a three hour plane journey of silent guilt.

Then there’s the viral chair throwing incident that backfires spectacularly, starting beef with monkeys in Malaysia, rogue sheep standoffs in Wales and the internet’s newest side hustle: becoming a keynote speaker after getting caught on Coldplay’s kiss cam.

But the real cultural debate of the episode? Stand up bum wiping. Send help… or wet wipes.

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This week on Shouldn’t Laugh But, one of us is living her best ski life in Canada while the other is glue gunning her way through World Book Day and awaiting secondary school news like it is the Hunger Games.

There are rogue ski puns, Winter Olympics overshares and listener stories bringing peak slope humiliation: teenage wipeouts, French ski school casualties, dads shouting “get a room” and an apres ski table jump that results in full resort infamy and the nickname “Table Girl”.

Laura and Carmen also cover business class delusions, the healing power of podcast...

This week, Laura and Carmen spiral from blizzards to baked beans as Margot Robbie’s rogue nacho confession sends them into a full blown food combo frenzy. Tuna and cottage cheese. Marmite and tomatoes. Milky Ribena. We are unwell.

But the real villain of the episode? The Finger Princess. The group chat menace who asks for details that are literally three messages up. The Facebook poster who could have Googled it. The fully grown adult who still needs someone else to check the sell by date. Heads will roll. Mostly Carmen’s.

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This week on Shouldn’t Laugh But, Laura and Carmen spiral gently from wholesome half term fun into full blown cost of living chaos. There’s caravan nostalgia, Center Parcs outrage and the gradual realisation that a two bed in Battersea Power Station now costs about the same as long term peace of mind.

We get gig life glamour in Manchester, early circuit flashbacks, Frog and Bucket lore, and the pure serotonin of someone saying “see you on the circuit” for the first time. There’s North South divide discourse, pub flashbacks, eyebrow trauma, and the joy of strange...

Laura and Carmen dive straight into the chaos after, former Prince, Andrew’s birthday arrest, the unforgettable car photo, and a PR machine working overtime. From London Fashion Week to carefully timed royal appearances, nothing escapes scrutiny.

Plus David Beckham’s birthday tribute to Cruz raises eyebrows with one pointed phrase (we’re assuming towards Brooklyn Beckham), and suddenly we are knee deep in questions about loyalty, authenticity and the kind of family chaos that makes you feel slightly better about your own.

Email us your ‘Shouldn’t Laugh But...’ Moments! lauraandcarmen@global.com

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It’s Carmen’s first Friday as a forty year old and the birthday debrief is still in full swing. From candle blowing sabotage and middle child gift politics to traumatic mascot memories and the cultural dominance of Mr Blobby, Laura and Carmen unpack the chaos that seems to follow any celebration.

Plus, a listener’s thirtieth spirals from classy Turkish dinner to violent taxi sickness and a missed surprise party delivered via blank pub screen and disembodied apology. Add in hamster funerals, beer fear, and ski trip anxiety, and it is proof that sometimes the party is not...

This episode includes discussion of sensitive topics, including sexual assault, that some listeners may find distressing. Please take care while listening, and feel free to pause or step away if you need to.

This week on Shouldn’t Laugh But, it’s the aftermath of Carmen’s 40th and the debrief is as chaotic as the dancefloor. There are hotel lobby rolly-polies, luxury Four Seasons cake carnage, fish and chips that looked… anatomically confusing, and an escalating late night chant of “City Lounge” that very nearly derailed the entire evening. Laura arrives already hungover after a boozy appearance o...

From tooth fairy trauma and Friday the 13th paranoia to valentines gone wrong, Laura and Carmen are riding a romantic rollercoaster with zero brakes. There’s boiling water mishaps, forgotten fairy duties, and a heartfelt email that proves sometimes you just know when you’ve found a good egg.

But don’t worry, it’s not all hearts and flowers. We’ve got a Valentine’s bouquet of listener chaos: a florist working ex who spectacularly fumbled the bag, a bedroom bloodbath that left one flatmate deeply concerned, and a passionate spank that went catastrophically off target. Add in quiet...

This week on Shouldn’t Laugh But, Laura and Carmen lean fully into Valentine’s Week!

There’s birthday chat galore as Carmen gears up for her 40th, conspiracy theories, rage baiting and the creeping realisation that no one seems to be in charge of anything anymore…

Valentine’s chat obviously divulges into full celebrity chaos, from blood vial jewellery and aquarium dates, to Kenny G logistics, oily sexy sax men, olive trees, billionaires who simply will not stop shopping and the deeply important question of are Daniel Radcliffe and Megan Thee Stallion actually dating?!

As if...

An innocent debate about wiping technique spirals into apologies, trauma, and one unforgettable Spanish water park incident.

Laura and Carmen dive headfirst into listener embarrassment, public toilet shame, tits out disasters, and the real reason you should never trust an enclosed flume. There’s owl impressions, Valentine’s chat, co-sleeping confessions, and proof that once you’ve shit yourself in front of someone, you’re friends for life.

Listener discretion advised. This one absolutely ponged.

Get involved in the show! Email Laura and Carmen your Shouldn’t Laugh But... moments at lauraandcarmen@global.com. You c...

This week on Shouldn’t Laugh But... there’s a heartfelt goodbye to comedy royalty, a brief moment of wet eye, and then straight into celebrity dating discourse as Kim Kardashian and Lewis Hamilton go public and somehow just make sense.

Laura and Carmen do a deep dive into the Take That documentary, from boyband hysteria and Gary Barlow redemption to nineties nostalgia and MTV memories.

Elsewhere, Carmen attends a murder mystery party where she accidentally becomes the murderer, while Laura navigates a sticky gig with drunk front row aunties.

And then things get...

This episode of Shouldn’t Laugh But is a full body immersion into the chaos of leisure centres, from flumes that should absolutely be age restricted to the deeply cursed realisation that Leisure World is one of those places that hits very differently as an adult. Laura and Carmen unpack childhood water park joy, vending machine culture, plasters in the pool, and the horror of realising you are now the entertainment on a flume.

There’s also a listener debate that truly splits the nation on how you wipe your bum, including power stances, wall leaning, and why...

This week on Shouldn’t Laugh But, Laura and Carmen are riding high after accidentally making the Daily Mail, spiralling into full hun culture chaos and asking the only question that matters: is Nigella Lawson about to make Bake Off unbearably sexy?

From Spice Girls reunion delusions and Traitors obsessing to soggy bottoms, flirt offs and why Paul Hollywood will simply not survive the Nigella era, the girls unpack the biggest TV gossip of the week.

Elsewhere, there’s winter sun in Morocco, fake Chanel sunglasses, buffet blindness, one on one parenting revelations and the emot...

This episode of Shouldn’t Laugh But tackles the question no parent is ever prepared for: when your kid asks what 69 is. From kitchen chats about consent to likening the act to the Bermuda Triangle, Laura and Carmen unpack why 69ing is far more admin heavy and far less glamorous than the films ever suggested.

Meanwhile, Heated Rivalry has Carmen mentally rehearsing what she’s absolutely going to shout when she sees ice hockey IRL on her upcoming Canada trip, and the girls deliver the final word on the sexiest accents. Essex takes the crown, but the Russ...

This week on Shouldn’t Laugh But, Laura and Carmen are serving piping hot tea because there is only one thing anyone cares about: Brooklyn Beckham's angry Instagram post to his parents David and Victoria!

From blocked family members and missing birthdays to those Insta stories that sent the internet into meltdown, the girls deep dive into the Beckham family drama and ask the big questions. Is it a brand implosion? A marriage defence of Nicola Peltz? Or just what happens when family beef goes fully online?

Plus there’s big dog energy in real life...

This week on Shouldn’t Laugh But, Laura and Carms are back in the studio and feeling all the feelings. From a genuinely emotional listener gift, to Pammy Watch updates and a chaotic rant over posties.

Expect stories of stolen coats, missing fizz, extortionate socks that don’t even heat, and a ranking of sexy accents that leaves the girls deeply, deeply rattled.

Spoiler alert: Kiwi at number one does not go down well.

Get involved in the show! Email Laura and Carmen your Shouldn’t Laugh But... moments at lauraandcarmen@global.com. You ca...

On this week’s Shouldn’t Laugh But, Laura and Carmen are back! Carmen is fully embracing January with no drinking, cosy nights in and shopping for all the ski gear, while Laura is deeply mourning the loss of twiglets and Baileys.

There’s a big catch up on all the latest Traitors drama, plus a New York jewellery feud that feels like a film but absolutely is not.

Consider this your permission to stay in, judge strangers and laugh through January.

Email us your ‘Shouldn’t Laugh But...’ Moments! lauraandcarmen@global.com

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It’s a New Year and 2026 is shaping up to be an abundant year for Shouldn’t Laugh But…

This is a little placeholder episode to ease you in, because the girls are back properly on 14th January.

Congratulations on making it through the gooch of Christmas - we hope you’re re-entering real life gently. And a quick public service announcement: do not DM the girls to tell them you’re intermittent fasting. It’s bleak enough already, you’re probably on a five-week paycheque run, so be kind to yourself.

So what’s coming...