What Has Gone Wrong With Star Wars?

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The Acolyte, the latest big money Star Wars show from Disney, has been cancelled after one series. Richard & Marina answer the question as to why, and what has happened to the Star Wars franchise. Also in this episode the secrets behind Total Wipeout, the success of CBeebies Bedtime Stories (and what books Marina & Richard would read if asked to appear), plus when do bands get paid from touring?

Producers: Neil Fearn + Joey McCarthy
Executive Producers: Tony Pastor + Jack Davenport

Inside This Episode

Introduction and Viewer Interaction:
- Hosts Marina Hyde and Richard Osman begin by addressing a listener’s comment about a musical error in a previous episode.
- Richard jokes about the idea of a listener’s name being fit for a James Bond character.
- They briefly touch on the challenges musicians face when touring, hinting at a future discussion about how Oasis manages their tours.
Star Wars Series Criticism:
- A listener asks about the downfall of Star Wars: The Acolyte on Disney+.
- The hosts discuss the toxic Star Wars fandom, citing issues like “review bombing” and fan backlash.
- Marina points out that the showrunner of The Acolyte faced criticism for including a non-binary lead character.
- They criticize The Rise of Skywalker, calling it an “utter failure” and written by “committee.”
- Marina comments on how the Star Wars brand is in decline, with Disney over-investing in expensive shows like The Acolyte.
Total Wipeout Production:
- A listener asks about why the show Total Wipeout was filmed in Argentina.
- Richard explains the logistics behind filming in Argentina to save on costs. He dismisses the urban myth that it was due to lax health and safety laws.
- They share humorous anecdotes from their time on set, including equipment theft and large-scale barbecues organized by the crew.
CBeebies Bedtime Stories:
- A question arises about how CBeebies manages to attract big celebrities for their Bedtime Stories segment.
- Marina recounts her experiences with the show when her children were younger and notes how big names like Tom Hardy, Kate Winslet, and Reese Witherspoon have participated.
- Celebrities choose their own stories, and the allure of reading to children is a big factor in attracting stars.
Oasis Reunion Tour:
- Richard discusses how the band is paid for tours, explaining the system of signing fees and performance-based payouts.
- They speculate about whether Oasis will complete their reunion tour, given the Gallagher brothers’ notorious disputes.
Audio Descriptions in Media:
- Marina provides insight into the world of audio descriptions for visually impaired viewers, explaining how scripts are written and the challenges in balancing clarity and brevity.
Celebrity Travel Shows:
- The hosts debunk the myth that travel shows like Joe Lycett’s Travel Man are filmed over a weekend, explaining that they take several days but are edited to appear like a shorter timeframe.