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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).
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).
- GenresNonfictionAudiobookHumor
Audible Audio
Published March 10, 2025
6 people are currently reading
19 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
March 26, 2025
4⭐️
This was basically an extended podcast but as it’s available on Audible am counting this as a book. Loved hearing the pair’s humour again.
This was basically an extended podcast but as it’s available on Audible am counting this as a book. Loved hearing the pair’s humour again.
March 30, 2025
Utterly delightful! I laughed so many times!
May 23, 2025
British comedians Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins did a podcast about answering the questions that confuse them and someone made an audiobook from it. Mel & Sue: Should Know By Now is FILLED with laughs...mostly their own, as they make each other laugh throughout the whole recording. The bloody thing is one half anecdote, one half wheezing!
The two women have been friends for ages, worked in comedy together, have both been delightful contestants on my favorite show Taskmaster, and most famously, hosted The Great British Bake-Off together for the first seven years. They make a delightful team and that comes through completely in this book.
The two women have been friends for ages, worked in comedy together, have both been delightful contestants on my favorite show Taskmaster, and most famously, hosted The Great British Bake-Off together for the first seven years. They make a delightful team and that comes through completely in this book.
did-not-finish
April 12, 202525 minutes in and this just confirms that I am not a podcast person. I love Mel and Sue but I need something linear and that doesn’t go off on a tangent. Sorry girls but not for me
June 12, 2025
Not technically an audiobook but more of a compilation of podcasts they did. Funny tho, I love Mel & Sue and hearing them chat just made me smile.
March 30, 2025
i don't really know why it's listed here because in no way is this a book, but i laughed so hard i cried in every single chapter/episode 😂 the only reason i'm not giving it a 5 is because at times it felt like listening to 2 of your very distant aunties talking to you excitedly about places and people you've personally never met, no context is given on who those people or places are, and soon you realise that they forgot you're even at the same table with them, and they're just chatting to each other 😂
April 3, 2025
So brilliant! Obviously not actually a book, sparkly a podcast which audible wrapped up as a book, I’m guessing to charge more for. Lovely to hear these ladies back together again, it was like light lunch all over again. I laughed so hard I cried, and I mostly listened to this whole thing driving so another warning about road safety. I’ve honestly not loved anything so much for years. It’s just perfect. Mel and Sue at their absolute best, when they’re chatting and laughing together and making you feel like part of their conversation. Even the odd in joke for old cakeshoppers. Perfect.
April 16, 2025
Okay, yes. Sometimes I had no idea what they were talking about. But it’s nearly impossible to listen to a conversation between these two women without laughing.
At one point I was certain the discussion was about a dog. Turns out it was a guinea pig.
There are a few references to GBBO, and I still miss them on that show.
It is a stitched together series of podcasts, rather than a cohesive audiobook. I don’t care.
I love these two, and would probably listen to a podcast of them reading Paul Hollywood bread recipes aloud.
April 10, 2025
Just felt this was a waste of time. Wasn't overly funny and just pointless. Really disappointed as expected better. Just feel like this was something for them to do, to pass the time. Wouldn't recommend.
August 10, 2025
I love their brand of humor and the rapport they have together! So many laugh out loud moments. I was actually crying laughing during one of the stories Sue was telling about Mel after a Bake off rap party. They’re hilarious!
March 24, 2025
Been a while since I laughed so hard I wheezed
March 28, 2025
Audiobook
April 2, 2025
My tip: do not try to listen to this whilst driving. The snorting and crying with laughter will make road safety difficult.
April 20, 2025
Quality three and a half hours spent. Ive wondered and giggled Thankyou
April 24, 2025
Besties you wish were your besties!
May 1, 2025
3.5 ⬇️
May 12, 2025
Matey, thumbs up. Melonsue had me trilling like a little bird.
May 26, 2025
Random, entertaining, funny.
June 9, 2025
I mean, it's just them chatting really. At times the conversation topic feels a little forced, but their camaraderie makes it work.
July 13, 2025
It’s a podcast but still good!
July 30, 2025
comedic gold
September 17, 2025
Audible
Bloody brilliant, I could listen to Mel and Sue all day every day!
Laughed out loud more than a few times, next series needed ASAP
Bloody brilliant, I could listen to Mel and Sue all day every day!
Laughed out loud more than a few times, next series needed ASAP
November 11, 2025
I love these two
Read
December 5, 2025Not a book, but a podcast. But simply joyous nonetheless.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews