Olly Mann

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Olly Mann

Hello, I'm Olly. Perhaps you know me from my radio shows, podcasts and columns. Or perhaps you just think I have an approachable face. Let's be friends.

19/11/2025

Thirty years ago today, Microsoft released Windows 1.0, making it possible to look at a Word document AND a frozen edition of Paint simultaneously

17/11/2025

On 'Today In History with the Retrospectors', we check out one of the weirdest TV variety shows ever...

14/11/2025

There are divisive sitcoms. And then there is Warren.

The BBC1 show, starring Martin Clunes as a misanthropic driving instructor, was called ‘the final nail in the coffin for British sitcom’ by the Daily Telegraph. While, in their review, the i said: ‘It’s rare that I will watch an entire comedy without once cracking a smile, but Warren truly broke me’.

It was cancelled after one series.

Six years on, the show’s co-writer, Jimmy Donny Cosgrove, has opened up to me for The Modern Mann.

He received death threats from irate viewers.
He was dumped by his agent.
Warren had been his big break - after which he went back to being an office manager.

Behind the scenes, he tells me, he felt he had lost control over his scripts, which began as a self-made YouTube sketch. As a debut writer, he saw how his voice was deprioritised on set. And he explains how the scheduling of the show - in a double-bill with ‘This Time with Alan Patridge’ - made his heart sink the second he heard about it, because he knew the two shows didn’t pair well and Warren needed more room to breathe.

There’s no shortage of creatives wanting to come on my podcasts to talk about their successes, but it’s rare and difficult for someone to talk so honestly about their biggest public failure. Thanks Jimmy.

11/11/2025

Learning CPR was a lot more physically challenging than I expected...

10/11/2025

"Bieber at Anne Frank House vibes"

08/11/2025

Just heard the sad news about Quentin Willson, whom I met on a family holiday when I was 17.

As he was the only person I knew who worked in telly, after my A-Levels I asked him some advice.

He was v supportive and told me to a) study English Literature at Uni and b) read lots of Clive James - both excellent insights.

I was always delighted to bump into him again afterwards, and always attempt to help whenever young people ask me for advice in return!

08/11/2025

🫢am going to assume nobody Googled this phrase before sticking it in the Marks & Spencer Christmas catalogue ...

31/10/2025

Every UK radio station news bulletin today: "The time has come to listen to victims."

Every UK radio station playlist today: "It's Halloween! Let's play Thriller by Michael Jackson"

30/10/2025

A brief history of beds 🛏️
- from ep411 of "Answer Me This!" out now at https://answermethispodcast.com

15/10/2025

Today sees the return of Sumo at the Royal Albert Hall 🇯🇵

For The Retrospectors, I’ve been learning about the 1st tournament staged there - on 9th October, 1991.

It was the largest ever outside Japan, featuring around 40 wrestlers, described by The Guardian (of all papers!) as “bouncing like fat Buddhas,” thundering across the ring.

The ring was made of clay sourced from a field near Heathrow.

A Shinto-style canopy was shipped over, and reinforced hotels were arranged for the athletes, complete with detachable showers, reinforced beds, and double-sized meals.

Demand for tickets was sky-high, thanks to Channel 4’s cult Friday night sumo broadcasts. I don’t remember these being on, but it was the same slot that would eventually be given over to TFI Friday, so obviously quite a big deal…

The lineup featured stars with nicknames like “The Killer Whale,” “The Plum,” and the 37-stone “Dump Truck,” Konishiki Yasokichi.

The event was part of the grand Japan Festival – a four-month cultural takeover marking 100 years of the Japan Society, including kabuki at the National Theatre and Buddhist sculptures at the British Museum. The kind of coverage arts institutions still dream of!

Discover more in our episode - link in the Comments 👇

13/10/2025

Matthew Cordle killed a man whilst drink-driving.
He then confessed to the crime on YouTube.

Twelve years later, after serving time in prison, he talks to me on ‘The Modern Mann’ about remorse, rehabilitaton - and what it means to take responsibility.

🎧 https://pod.fo/e/33b3f9

13/10/2025

Matthew Cordle killed a man whilst drink-driving.
He confessed to the crime on YouTube.

Twelve years later, after serving time in prison, he talks to me on 'The Modern Mann' about remorse, rehabilitaton - and what it means to take responsibility.

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