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 on Saturday Kitchen, only to wake up the next morning as a fully fledged tabloid star thanks to some extremely dramatic headline writing.

From there, things take a turn. Off the back of the brand new America’s Next Top Model documentary, the girls dive headfirst into the glossy, deeply unhinged world of the show itself. What starts as nostalgia quickly spirals into discussions about toxic producers, moralising meltdowns, ethically questionable photoshoots, reality TV villains and Tyra Banks’ almost supernatural ability to dodge accountability while delivering a life lesson.

As if that wasn’t enough, it’s Pancake Day, the start of Ramadan, Chinese New Year and we are officially entering the Year of the Fire Horse, which apparently means bold moves, big energy and absolutely no half measures. Goodbye Year of the Snake… shedding old skin, shedding dignity, shedding the booze for Lent. New beginnings all round.

All wrapped up with birthday gratitude and the firm belief that if you show up properly for your childless friend’s 40th, the universe will reward you.

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If you've been affected by anything you've heard in this episode, please take a moment to read the resources listed: Rape Crisis, Women's Aid, Victim Support

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