Michael Fry on Frying His Brain a...

Michael Fry on Frying His Brain and the Paradox of Social Media

Spiralling with Zara Gladman by Zara Gladman
S1 · E4
Aug 17, 2026
01:03:05

Episode notes

Irish comedian and actor Michael Fry (@bigdirtyfry) is conflicted: on the one hand, the internet has allowed him to carve out a successful comedy career (from TV roles in Derry Girls and No Worries If Not to his own series on BBC Sounds). But on the other hand, his phone addiction is turning his brain to mush. From watching TikToks on a giant unwieldy iPad to preemptively blocking trolls, Michael and Zara (@zanyzaz) discuss strategies for resisting the relentless pull of the internet. Plus, irrational childhood fears, musical comedy as a safe space and a guy who keeps eels in his basement.

Listen to 'Lunchtime with Michael Fry' on BBC Sounds; the new series drops on 5 September 2026: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/m002085j

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Keywords

comedy
standup comedian
anxiety
tvcomedy
musicalcomedy
irishcomedy
derrygirls
michaelfry

Where this episode is made