Mel & Sue Should Know By Now

Lifelong friends Mel and Sue ask each other the questions they’re too embarrassed to ask anyone else…

We all have things in our life that we should know by now, but don’t.

Absences in our knowledge and skillset that are frankly shameful in an adult.

Things that would be too embarrassing to ask anyone to explain – except our very best friend…

Listen in as Mel and Sue tackle their ignorance head on, asking each other to explain something that they still don’t know - but absolutely, as adults, should - from how to parallel park to fully understanding bread (why has it got all those holes in it? What, honestly, is yeast?).

Along the way, we’ll hear about the notorious Great British Bake Off wrap parties, Sue’s total lack of boundaries with her dog (and with everyone and everything else), their wild psychedelic nights out, weird eating habits, disastrous early comedy gigs, backstage stories of their presenting career, and much more.

Mel and Sue are here to help us all feel a little better about our own ignorance, and ultimately give us a front row seat to their infectiously funny relationship.

Episode 1: Bread and Dogs

What is the particular alchemy that makes bread rise and does Sue’s dog really understand her?

In this first episode of the series Mel confesses that despite working on Bake Off for 7 years she still doesn’t quite ‘get’ how bread works. Turns out Sue isn’t the only Bake Off alum who’s shocked by her admission…Meanwhile Mel can’t quite believe the life of luxury Sue’s dog enjoys and the level of the baby talk it has to endure, so the question of whether or not her dog can truly ‘understand’ English, feels like it might just open the door to more problems…

Episode 2: Lentils and Pants

Where do lentils come from, and how many pairs of pants should you plan to take on holiday?

Mel’s embarrassed that a basic kitchen ingredient that she uses all the time is such a mystery to her. However, when talk inevitably turns to the microbiome, so too a contested (between our two hosts) anecdote about a celebrity wrap party that ended in gut disaster. Sue’s query this ep leads seamlessly on, in a chat that encompasses holiday packing, when it’s ok to go commando, and a mathematical equation that will simplify your life.

Episode 3: Parking and Floor Food

Is there a science to parallel parking and what can we really eat off the floor without making ourselves violently ill?

Sue is a great driver. She’s negotiated some of the world’s toughest courses over the years, but parallel parking in front of a crowd? Forget about it. Can Mel’s ‘foolproof’ directions help or might they end up complicating matters? Mel counters with a question that covers everything from the perils of deadly mushroom foraging via the science of the 5 second rule.

Episode 4: Kink and Hairdressers

What does kink really mean? And how can you train yourself to be truly honest with your hairdresser?

Mel is clenched asking this question already… She’s heard the K word bandied about by some people younger than her, but what does it actually mean? Cue Sue with her Kink quiz to really make Mel start stress eating the studio snacks. As payback Mel puts Sue through her paces in a roleplay to make her assert her boundaries asking (and getting) the haircut she really wants, rather than overtipping when she ends up with a mullet.

Episode 5: Laughter and Stuff

Why and how do we laugh and what compels us to accumulate so much stuff…

Although the pair are known for their comedy career Mel is wondering whether or not Sue can shed light on the science of why we actually laugh and the processes that lead us there. Cue anecdotes about gigs that bombed and laughter that came out at the worst moments…Mel then lays down the law in terms of how Sue can get rid of the clutter in her life and shares stories of her best car boot/yard sale moments. Sue couldn’t imagine anything worse…

Episode 6: Talent and Age

Are there any shortcuts on the road to mastering a new skill and should we stop chasing youth, instead just making the most of the age we’re in?

Sue has monkey brain, she’s trying to learn Spanish but gets bored of the grammar – can Mel give her any tips on how to stick at something to learn a new skill quickly? Or is Mel just going to end up sharing her foreign language fails too? Finally Mel wants to know what the cut off for ‘being old’ is. Her kids want her to lean into her age, whereas she thinks she’s still hip. What’s the best way therefore to age gracefully and not be the last granny dancing on the tables at the end of the party? Or do we not care as long as we’re happy (and let’s face it, our friends are there to support us).