Sunday Lunch: Recent Episodes
Sunday Lunch
In this episode, we recap last Sunday's Oscars (plus Murray's burgeoning crush on 'American Fiction' director, Cord Jefferson) and discuss British titans of Photoshop (Kate Middleton) and playwriting (Shakespeare). Sunday Lunch brings you insights on culture, politics, and crushes every third Sunday of the month. Send tips about #kategate or directions for Murray's lifestyle changes to murrayandzahra@gmail.com. Find us elsewhere!
Murray: https://murrayhines.substack.com & https://instagram.com/medeatraining
Zahra: https://touchscreen.substack.com
In this episode we chat asparagus, Oscar predictions, and Zahra's latest album assignment to Murray: Joanna Newsom's 'The Milk-Eyed Mender'. Stay tuned for next month's discussion of 'OK Computer' and learn who is owed a bottle of wine for the most accurate predictions... Sunday Lunch brings you insights on culture, politics, and crushes every third Sunday of the month. Share your praise and/or complaints to management at murrayandzahra@gmail.com. Find us elsewhere!
Murray: https://murrayhines.substack.com & https://www.instagram.com/medeatraining
Zahra: https://touchscreen.substack.com
Sorry, we were taking a nap, what did we miss? Sunday Lunch is officially back, bringing you insights on culture, politics, and crushes every third Sunday of the month. In this episode we talk ‘hairism’, Tom Cruise, and an auto-theory of masculinity. Share your thoughts on the quadrant, or anything else, at murrayandzahra@gmail.com. Find us elsewhere! Murray: https://murrayhines.substack.com Zahra: https://touchscreen.substack.com
Hear ye, hear ye! Lunchables, we're back! We've moved our seventh season of the podcast from cross-country to trans-Atlantic distance. Stay for hearty servings of deviled eggs, Zahra's craving for the old country (Woolworths), and Murray's dishing on drama from the world of chess grandmasters. For seconds, soon, we'll be reviewing Martha Argerich's Chopin recordings. As always, do write us at murrayandzahra@gmail.com.
Murray's newsletter & Zahra's newsletter
We're back with an episode of our quote unquote fortnightly podcast, in which we review 'Everything, Everywhere, All At Once' - a vehicle for the gorgina Michelle Yeoh and for art that resonates with the mayfly, maximalist, melancholy of our time. Tangents include Joaquin Phoenix's Wikipedia page, the phrase "the whore of Babylon", and Jameela Jamil's bayang; albums under review are Rosalía's 'MOTAMAMI' and James Blake's 'Assume Form'. Next up: 'Utopia' by Bjork. As always, feel free to contact us at murrayandzahra@gmail.com.
Murray's newsletter & Zahra's newsletter
We're back with an episode on homophobic dogs, people vs their social media personalities, and Zahra's foray into TikTok. Plus, a review of Pulp's sexy and sentimental 'Different Class'. In a fortnight, we'll be reviewing Rosalía's 'MOTAMAMI' and James Blake's 'Assume Form', so listen along, Lunchies! Have an album you'd like us to review? A topic you'd like us to wax poetic on? Get in touch at murrayandzahra@gmail.com.
Murray's newsletter & Zahra's newsletter
Darling listeners, we're rounding out a week of takes on the Osc*rs with our own two cents! We discuss Anthony Hopkins' autism, the erotics of The Slap, plus the night's most notable crimes: the robbing of Dame Olivia Coleman and Ms Kirsten "Kiki" Dunst! For all our fans of felons, we get into Ezra Miller's crusade against karaoke renditions of 'Shallow'. Finally, we share the spotlight with two albums in review, FKA Twigs' 'Caprisongs' and Smokey Robinson's 'Being With You', which give Zoë Kravitz walking through a nightclub and island gyal vibes, respectively! Stay tuned for next fortnight's episode, during which we'll be reviewing Pulp's 'Different Class'. Do you have a least favourite Amy Schumer joke, suggestion for our next episode, or do you just wanna hear Murray and I belt the soundtrack of 'A Star is Born' (for which cameos could be arranged for a fee)? Tell us tell us tell us at murrayandzahra@gmail.com.
Murray's newsletter & Zahra's newsletter
We're back from our hiatus in our cabin in the woods (plus an extra week delayed because Z uploaded this late - sorry Lunchies!!). We catch you up on our lives, offer our perspective on trends in cottagecore, and review Alice Phoebe Lou's flop era album 'Child's Play. Next episode we'll be reviewing Smokey Robinson's 'Being With You' and FKA twigs' 'Caprisongs'. Do you want to break free from the concrete jungle? Tell us about your escape plans at murrayandzahra@gmail.com
Murray's newsletter & Zahra's newsletter
We're back with another episode! We share our thoughts on the Oscar noms, as suggested by a fan of the pod, before moving into a conversation about womanhood, Wedwo-ing oneself, ageing, and self-pity. Stream Mina's Studio Uno if you know what's good for you. We'd so love to hear from you — you can email us recommendations for our future discussions at murrayandzahra@gmail.com
Murray's newsletter & Zahra's newsletter
Your favourite bicoastal working gorls are back with an episode on that elusive concept of work/life balance, recent New York Times acquisition Wordle, and our favourite new Olivia Coleman vehicle, 'The Lost Daughter'. Do you dream of freedom? Of motherhood? Of guessing the Wordle word on the first try? We'd love to hear about these dreams and anything else you'd like to share with us at murrayandzahra@gmail.com
Murray's newsletter & Zahra's newsletter
We’re back with the first episode of our newest season and with two of our favourite lads, boyfriend of the pod Angelo and dear friend Ben, both of Crush of the Week fame! We review what we deem in and out for the year ahead. Be sure to share your trend forecast at murrayandzahra@gmail.com
From the island of Fårö we bring you this episode recapping our Booker Prize disappointment and reviewing Mia Hansen-Løve’s ‘Bergman Island’
You ask, we answer vibes! We're back with another episode featuring all the brilliant, thought-provoking, unnerving, and everything in between questions that you posed to us over Instagram. We talk about Dutch politicians who are secretly in love with each other, prayer, how to let go of boys you're hung up on, and the second life of Judy Garland's 'The Trolley Song'. As always, send us questions, music recommendations, and any additional forms of fan mail at murrayandzahra@gmail.com
Murray's newsletter & Zahra's newsletter
We're soaking up Spring with an episode recorded on location during a beautiful day at Bakoven. We discussed the latest in viral discourse — the case of one Dawn Dorland vs. Sonya Larson, reported on in The New York Times last week, that raises some of the most pressing questions of our time: What are the ethics of borrowing things from someone else's life in your art? What makes one a writer? And, does slapping yourself count as self-harm? Come for the art criticism, and stay for the review of Belle and Sebastian's album 'Tigermilk' (plus, seagulls). Email us at murrayandzahra@gmail.com with your thoughts on the Dorland vs. Larson saga and any suggestions for albums to review!
Links mentioned:
Robert Kolker, Bad Art Friend
Murray's newsletter & Zahra's newsletter
We’re back, and perturbed about the State of Things™️ (but only in an ironic, cold, distant way). This week, we get into the thick of the new Sally Rooney novel, ‘Beautiful World, Where are You?’ and use Shumon Basar’s ideas of autophobia, emotional capitalism and the compression of time to understand our place (and the place of our future novels) in the world. Email us at murrayandzahra@gmail.com to let us know who you think the writer of our time is, and when last you felt Seen in a work of art.
Murray's newsletter & Zahra's newsletter
For this episode, friend of the pod Winford Collings joins us for a discussion about recent dramedies The Chair and The White Lotus, in relation to this piece by Brandon Taylor on good art in an era of mass production of well-manufactured content. We'd love to hear your thoughts on vibes as aesthetic theory, hierarchies of taste, or what season of Survivor Zahra should start watching. Please do share them with murrayandzahra@gmail.com
Links mentioned:
Nathan Ma, The White Lotus and the culture wars
Murray's newsletter & Zahra's newsletter
In this episode we answer your many questions on Olympic athletes, Instagram’s algorithm, and the enduring love of #Bennifer. If you’d like to Join the Conversation™️, be sure to email us at murrayandzahra@gmail.com
Links mentioned:
Murray's newsletter & Zahra's newsletter
This Sunday we recorded remotely to discuss two gals and their scandals — Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and her open letter and the Tiger Mom™️ Yale law prof Amy Chua embroiled in “Dinner Party-gate” — plus a review of Lifafa’s album ‘Jaago’. We’d love to hear your thoughts on these ladies, or anything else, so please do share them with murrayandzahra@gmail.com
Links mentioned:
Murray's newsletter & Zahra's newsletter
We’re back in the New York groove with a guest, Zahra’s capital B boyfriend. Together we review Weyes Blood’s Titanic Rising and Lin-Manuel Miranda’s last offerings: his weight gain and new musical ‘In the Heights’.
Back from our hiatus, we’re talking hedgehogs and turning 23, reviewing Kate Bush’s ‘The Dreaming’ and season one of The Sopranos, and inviting you to confess your crushes to us over email at murrayandzahra@gmail.com (to be read out anonymously in our next episode!).
Missed us? We certainly missed you. We’re back with an episode on Prnc Phllp’s passing, gender fluidity, and the Oscar-buzzing film Promising Young Woman (for which, spoiler alert). As always, feel free to hit us up with your Oscar predictions at murrayandzahra@gmail.com
NOTE: Zahra, upon Googling further photos of Emerald Fennell, does not find her attractive. She would like to retract her statement in this episode.
Links mentioned:
The Cut's interview with Torrey Peters, We’re All Failing At Being Women
Ayesha A. Siddiqi, I'd Like This to Stop
A tale as old as time... a princess locked away in a tower, fearing trolls below, is whisked away to live in Tyler Perry’s house with rescue chickens. We delve into the Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s interview with Oprah, sparking a conversation about confession, performance, and truth. Be sure to tell us your secrets at murrayandzahra@gmail.com
A new season is upon us! We’re back from our hiatus to answer your burning questions, offer our thoughts on the latest offerings in pop culture, and warn you of the perils of Prt By! Send your welcome home greetings to murrayandzahra@gmail.com (or get your mother to do it for you)
We’re really pulling out all the stops this week for our last episode of the season! We’re taking a hiatus, but going out with a bang, discussing Zadie Smith’s ‘Intimations’ and then answering some questions from our fave fans! We’ll miss you over the break, so keep in touch at murrayandzahra@gmail.com - love you tonnes!
Links mentioned:
Rilke on breakups https://www.brainpickings.org/2018/09/26/rilke-breakup/
In this episode, we chat screwing in kitchen cabinets, zits, and the brilliant new TV show by Michaela Coel ‘I May Destroy You’. Content warning: discussion of sexual assault & Murray’s sexual frustration. Hit us up at murrayandzahra@gmail.com Links mentioned: Murray’s playlist of perfect songs https://music.apple.com/za/playlist/thing-is-its-a-perfect-song/pl.u-EdAVzy4TaAokb90 E Alex Jung, 'Michaela the Destroyer' https://www.vulture.com/article/michaela-coel-i-may-destroy-you.html Lina Mounzer, 'Trash Talk: On Translating Garbage' https://www.theparisreview.org/blog/2019/07/08/trash-talk-on-translating-garbage/ Michaela Coel on The Economist Radio, 'Why is it still so hard to talk about sexual consent?' https://www.economist.com/podcasts/2020/07/09/why-is-it-still-so-hard-to-talk-about-sexual-consent Momtaza Mehri, 'On Noise and Networks' https://openspace.sfmoma.org/2018/05/on-noise-networks/
Is cancel culture real? Is it a problem? Is it coming for us and you too? In this episode, we reflect on "A Letter on Justice and Open Debate," published via Harper's Magazine, as a starting point for a discussion on free speech in this moment. We'd really love to hear your thoughts on this one, so please do send them through to murrayandzahra@gmail.com
Texts mentioned:
The letter & the counter-letter https://harpers.org/a-letter-on-justice-and-open-debate/ & https://theobjective.substack.com/p/a-more-specific-letter-on-justice
John McWhorter, 'Our Oppressive Moment' https://quillette.com/2020/07/29/our-oppressive-moment/
William Davies, 'Who am I Prepared to kill?' https://www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v42/n15/william-davies/who-am-i-prepared-to-kill
Zadie Smith on JG Ballard https://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/jul/04/zadie-smith-jg-ballard-crash
In this episode we tackle the lackluster second half of ‘White Fragility’ by Robin DiAngelo, and dive on in to a discussion about apologies, bold girls, and fiction. If you want to cancel us, email us at murrayandzahra@gmail.com Links mentioned: https://samkriss.com/2020/06/10/white-skin-black-squares/
The sparkling wine and wit flow on this episode as we discuss Zahra's gynaecologist appointment, the Leon Schuster/Showmax scandal, and (as promised!) the first half of Robin DiAngelo's 'White Fragility'! Please feel free to share your thoughts with us at murrayandzahra@gmail.com
We bring an IRL recording to you today - on savage book critics, whiny J Cole, and femme police robots, to think through modes of politics and their transnational application. As always, we hope to hear your thoughts - email us as murrayandzahra@gmail.com Links mentioned: https://www.vulture.com/amp/2020/06/national-book-critics-circle-resignations.html#click=https://t.co/PqCZKYP5YM
In this episode we discuss the worldwide protests currently calling for an end to police brutality and the manner in which it disproportionately affects POC. We reflect on the grief, images, and reading lists of this moment. Please feel free to share your thoughts with us at murrayandzahra@gmail.com. Power to those protesting — we hope you and your loved ones have been taking care! Texts mentioned: https://www.vulture.com/amp/2020/06/anti-racist-reading-lists-what-are-they-for.html & bell hooks’ “feminist scholarship — ethical issues” in “Talking Back: Thinking Feminist, Thinking Black” & Susan Sontag’s “On Photography”
Some days you wake up and your nose is missing. Some days you wake up and it's another fokken day of lockdown. But how is the distance from other bodies changing our relationship to our own bodies? In this episode - our first as 22 year olds! - we chat bodies, binaries, and, most importantly, beignets from @eggandshoulders. As always, contact us at murrayandzahra@gmail.com with updates from the quar or to notify us of missing limbs. Texts mentioned: Simon Shepherd's "Lolo's breasts and a wooden Christ" (for the cyborg in performance theory) and Alison Adam's "Artificial Knowing: Gender and the Thinking Machine" (for the cyborgian mindfucking with the mind/body split)
Taurus szn continues in style for the Sunday Lunch pod! We chat about watching the TV adaptation of Normal People, and with it, share some thoughts on love, submission, and cheese fondue. If you’re tired of hearing us talk about Sally Rooney then unsubscribe tbh, but also know that today’s conversation discusses Roland Barthes, Jenny Hval, and the revelation of another important conceptual lunch guest! Any guesses who the lucky guy is? Let us who you think it might be and how your dear heart is at murrayandzahra@gmail.com Links mentioned: https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2020/may/03/the-week-in-tv-normal-people-blood-code-404-hollywood-museums-in-quarantine & some bonus writing on Normal People https://www.theparisreview.org/blog/2020/04/29/none-of-us-are-normal/
“The future is certain, it’s the past that’s unpredictable,” the Soviet joke goes. Your hosts discuss this, nostalgia, Glee’s bold political vision, and more this sensual Sunday. What’s the most reckless thing you’ve done in recent memory? And have you been re-watching anything? Let us know - or send us any other notes from quar - at murrayandzahra@gmail.com
How’s the lockdown treating you? Your favourite long distance podcasting couple are chatting online learning, the Z**m boom, and the comfort they’ve been holding onto in these days. What poems have been dear to you in this time? Share the stanzas with us - or anything else you’d like - by emailing murrayandzahra@gmail.com and for the love of God USE SKYPE! Links mentioned: Zoom as malware https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2020/apr/02/zoom-technology-security-coronavirus-video-conferencing & the precarity and perils of online learning (from the perspective of a UK-based academic) http://www.focaalblog.com/2020/03/20/mariya-ivancheva-the-casualization-digitalization-and-outsourcing-of-academic-labour-a-wake-up-call-for-trade-unions/?fbclid=IwAR25xSUD2b-rUvkFFQ1gP4CDViLIgDdmeQFaGwIbzsqZLy6qy8W1oKJNiGk
Do you believe in life after quar? Your favourite hosts brave a new frontier in podcast technology to chat about their respective experiences of lockdown and the impact of COVID-19 on the arts! Be sure to pen us letters from the frontline of the quar and contact us at murrayandzahra@gmail.com Links mentioned: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/amp/features/as-a-virus-upends-hollywood-may-never-be-a-return-normal-1286691#click=https://t.co/NrMBH3Ke6q & https://www.artdubai.ae/vipevents/global-art-forum-2020/
TW for severe nihilism / We’re in the trenches... but there’s WiFi! This episode is about what is on everyone’s lips, and surfaces and faces and noses, so be sure to wash your hands. We’re here to bring you and your grandmothers entertainment, movie suggestions, and a meditation on optimism. We wish you safety and calm in the months ahead! Links mentioned: Vee’s Insta @veetasty & https://www.theparisreview.org/blog/2020/03/16/america-infected-the-social-distance-catastrophe/
From King Shaka International Airport comes Miss Coco V! Folks, we’re living in the absurd and discussing all things ginger shots, Swedish pop stars, Nando’s silence on COVID-19, and the rental family industry. Be sure to email us at murrayandzahra@gmail.com with word from the quarantine! Article links we mentioned: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2018/04/30/japans-rent-a-family-industry/amp & https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/06/more-scary-than-coronavirus-south-koreas-health-alerts-expose-private-lives
We’re back in the studio this week post-cancelling cancel culture and this time we’re obsessed with shows that are obsessed with us. We wax lyrical about human connection through the gaze of reality television, the magnificence of Kim Kardashian’s tears and the truly iconic reads of that gay man from Say Yes to the Dress! As always, we’re desperado to hear your thoughts and validations, so please email us (truly anything at this point) at murrayandzahra@gmail.com.
TW for mention of sexual assault / Listeners, you’re in for a treat! This week we have Boni Mnisi (aka @sensitive_black_dyke on the Insta streets) as the third mic, chatting all things cancel culture with us. We have more questions than answers about this complicated topic but we hope that our collective three brain cells managed to stretch your thinking. As always, if you have any love letters to Boni, issues of contention, or cease and desist letters, send them through to murrayandzahra@gmail.com
How was your summer, listeners? We missed you loads and we’re excited to be back and unhinged on the airwaves, talking artichokes, answering some of your questions from last year, and delving into that measly, local event of the Oscars - because “it’s not all war” (Lady Bird McPherson, 2002). As always, our inbox is open at murrayandzahra@gmail.com if you‘d like to share your thoughts or maybe even make the first move!
We’ve persevered through Dezemba sleep deprivation to discuss two movies we saw in the past week: Once Upon A Time in Hollywood and Parasite! (SPOILER ALERT for both!) We recommend them both and hope you enjoy our thoughts on violence, capitalism, and Tarantino’s foot fetish. As always, pen us emails from your pool lounger in Mauritius at murrayandzahra@gmail.com
Your fave sist0rz are pre-horny, emotionally vulnerable and want to die, this time with special guest star, our dear friend Grace Matetoa (@phonypolony on Insta). This week we delve into the age-old Hot vs Cozy debate, morbid feminism and pay homage to Sylvia Plath’s gas oven. Was it a Smeg? Who knows? As always, if anything we say tugs at your heart or burning desires, email us at murrayandzahra@gmail.com or stand outside our windows and tell us how we’ve changed your life!
We’re back! (The reprise) We’ve changed, we’re in flux, and so are you. In this episode we chat ‘90s heartthrobs, the state of being post horny, and the capitalist threat of Ster Kinekor box combos. Kardashians and other billionaires, stay away! As always, if you have any questions/burning desires to tell us how much you think we are hot, email us at murrayandzahra@gmail.com