Reclining Pair

Episode 36. The Quiz that wouldn't end.

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 06:00:00 +0000

The Dangerously Overweight Quiz of Some Years.

Nina's had no telly, so we're missing the usual review this week, but fear not, I've gone massive on the quiz.... if you like that sort of thing.

Rob and I love Wold Top's beers, and there's the latest from the Breadsall Bugle & Poulton Herald.

Feel free to hit the "Support the show" link if you'd like to help us continue podcasting, thanks.

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Additional music by SergeQuadrado, AlexiAction, Muzaproduction, Ashot-Danielyan, Julius H, RomanSenykMusic, AudioCoffee, SoundGalleryBy, Grand_Project, geoffharvey, Guitar_Obsession, Lexin_Music, AhmadMousavipour, melodyayresgriffiths, DayNigthMorning, litesaturation, 1978DARK, lemonmusicstudio, Onoychenkomusic, soundly, Darockart, Nesrality, ShidenBeatsMusic, PaoloArgento, Music_For_Videos, Boadrius, ScottishPerson, Good_B_Music, Music_Unlimited, lorenzobuczek, The_Mountain, SoundMakeIT, Onetent, Stavgag, leberchmus, Alban_Gogh, geoffharvey, nakaradaalexander - All can be found on Pixabay.

Main Reclining Pair theme by Robert John Music. Contact me for details.

Episode 35. Things You Should Have Done, Malt Striders, OZZY, Bernie Fingers

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 14:00:00 +0000

We watch Lucia Keskin's brilliant Things You Should Have Done (BBC), I'm quizzed on a forgotten radio station from the 1980s, and there's a Blue Peter style make-along-at-home feature, so get your crafting heads on.

Rob and I were supposed to be visiting Lancaster Brewery, but my knackered old back had other ideas, so we just talk about their amazing ales instead.

Anyone wishing to support our little show can now do so via the "SUPPORT THE SHOW" link. Thanks, guys. We loves ya.

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Episode 34. Amadeus, Swansea Clockweight Census, Moth Polish and 2026 at the Zinedine Zidane Community Centre.

Mon, 19 Jan 2026 13:00:00 +0000

We have a look at Amadeus, on Sky, there's a fire at the Winston's factory, our quiz is the dog's b####cks, and Rob and I thoroughly enjoy Weetwood Ales.

Plus the 2026 calendar for the Zinedine Zidane Community Centre.

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Episode 33. Christmas, Part 2: Plumbers, Boils, Welcome to Derry, Mr Potato Leg.

Thu, 18 Dec 2025 13:00:00 +0000

Round two - Buckers and I.

We share our thoughts on Welcome to Derry, Nina's arranged a cultural Christmas quiz, We talk back-boils, unmarked almonds, and this year's must-have Christmas toy.

Cheers to all x

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Episode 32. Christmas, Part 1: Supermarket beers and songwriting.

Tue, 16 Dec 2025 14:00:00 +0000

We check out the widely available Christmas & Winter beers on offer in the supermarkets, Rob and I talk about songwriting, and we end the episode with the song he’s recorded especially for the podcast.

Feliz Navidad, everyone!!

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Episode 31. Vikings. Arson. Pluribus. Castle Rock.

Mon, 24 Nov 2025 07:00:00 +0000

Buckers and I discuss the lost childhood pastime of recreational arson, We go international with an alternative 8 world wonders quiz, We chew over the concept behind Vince Gilligan’s Pluribus, and Rob and I enjoy Castle Rock beers, while Nina goes to visit them in Nottingham.

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Episode 30. Halloween, Black Rabbit, Jason Batman, Toilet roll.

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 11:00:00 +0000

There’s a Halloween quiz from Buckers, we share our thoughts on Black Rabbit and the career of Jason Bateman, and I discover the worst toilet paper in human history.

Rob and I enjoy some fantastic traditional beers from Great Newsome.

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Episode 29. Phipps NBC visit, clarinets, Crystals, Midsomer Murders

Mon, 29 Sep 2025 10:00:00 +0100

The first time Nina ventures out as our roaming reporter. She has a ball with Phipps NBC, brewers of first rate ales, Northampton, I quiz her on her great passion - the clarinet, and we explore the healing properties of crystals.

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Episode 28. SICK: Part deux, Asda, 1987, Alien Earth, Hot Pants.

Mon, 01 Sep 2025 13:00:00 +0100

Here we go again.

We talk about the very brilliant Alien Earth, I'm quizzed on the popular culture of 1987, I buy enough oats to support a rodeo, Andrew Longleat drifts into our orbit again, and Breadsall says NO to hotpants.

Rob and I are properly blown away by Emperor brewery and their magnificent imperial stouts.

Accept no imitation games.

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Episode 27. SICK, Covid, Hinge, Such Brave Girls, Prison.

Tue, 29 Jul 2025 14:00:00 +0100

SICK!

The episode that was late due to me having a visit from Mr Covid.

We talk disease, Clorets, Hinge dating, arse boils & prison.

The quiz is titled "Buckers in the 22nd Century"

And Rob and I test out beers from First & Last brewery.

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Episode 26. Birmingham quiz, Commander Lawrence, Your Friends & Neighbors, Takeaway disaster.

Thu, 19 Jun 2025 13:00:00 +0100

This month's quiz is all things Birmingham, we talk about Your Friends & Neighbors (AppleTV) Nina brain-farts a takeaway order, and we present Commander Lawrence the Humidity Skink - "say goodbye to dry cake blues!"

Meanwhile Rob and I enjoy some cracking beers from Hogs Back down in lovely Surrey.

Definitely NOT a cry for help.

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DOOMSDAY DOUBLE, Bonus episode.

Mon, 02 Jun 2025 11:00:00 +0100

DOOMSDAY DOUBLE, Bonus episode.

A couple of episodes ago we presented part one of our doomsday special. Then last episode we recorded part two, but because we're insufferable gum flappers, we didn't have room to include it.

So, as a bit of a bonus, I've put the two parts together to release as a standalone.

This is JUST the kind of solid gold content usually reserved for Patreon.

Luckily, neither Nina or I can be arsed working out how Patreon works, so you get it for free.

So play the lot together, or just the new second half. We're not the boss of you.

Part 1 - bunkers, part 2 - rations.

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Episode 25. Birmingham, Rashes, Noodles, Titanic, Speed Dating, Plums.

Wed, 21 May 2025 10:00:00 +0100

This month, on telly we looked at The United States of Birmingham, with joe Lycett (Sky), and The Four Seasons (Netflix).

I finally get a taste test in front of Nina, for the quiz, and there's all the usual local news, including Titanic: The Musical from Poulton Players and speed dating at the Zinedine Zidane Community Centre.

Rob and I have a right old time of it with Blue Monkey Brewery.

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Episode 24. Two year anniversary extended edition. Doomsday feature part 1.

Tue, 15 Apr 2025 09:00:00 +0100

Second anniversary extended episode.

Two years! Where does the time go?

This month we address the forthcoming apocalypse. We talk bunkers and bunker life, before following up with a second end-of-world feature next month.

Elsewhere there’s a cover bands quiz, We review Apple Cider Vinegar, on Netflix, catch up with all the local news from the Poulton Herald & Breadsall Bugle, and ask important questions like “Do countries float?”

Rob & I talk about beer from Skinners/Goodh of Cornwall.

Thanks, everyone.

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Episode 23. Abba, Holograms, Clock Hoof, Meat fires, tigers

Mon, 17 Mar 2025 18:00:00 +0000

Do you know your soup from your tractors? Neither do we.

Plenty going on this month, Abba holograms, Clock Hoof, tiger grief, and some pretty terrific beers from Billericay.

There's been a fire down the meat packing plant, and imagine a haircut that would last 25 years?

Get involved, come find us on social, @recliningpair Instagram, or https://bsky.app/profile/recliningpair.bsky.social - hit us with your questions. The best ones might just make it onto the show.

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Episode 22. Phobias, Clock Shoe, Severance, Cakewalk, UFOs

Fri, 14 Feb 2025 13:00:00 +0000

Some minor technical difficulties can’t keep a good pod down.

Episode 22 of Reclining Pair out now.

We cover Phobias, Clock-Shoe, Severance, Nut Dust.

Nina’s “Cakewalk” quiz is a beauty.

CLOCK SHOE will be posted on Instagram. They said it couldn’t be done.

Fantastic beers from Unbarred of Brighton.

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Episode 21. Crisps, looting, Wolf Hall, Iceland, cat soup.

Mon, 20 Jan 2025 13:00:00 +0000

…. and then there were three.

We cover Supermarkets, looting, Wolf Hall, cat soup, all the latest local news, and Buckers’ first quiz appearance as my new full-time co conspirator is a crisp packet identification special.

Pics posted on Insta a few days ago, answers to follow.

Oh and some cracking beers from https://www.brasscastle.co.uk/

Get it down ye.

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Episode 20. Wind, Boy Bands, Chimps, Camping, Ladders

Thu, 12 Dec 2024 13:00:00 +0000

Bit blowy out, isn’t it? Ben’s specialist subject is boy bands, There’s a ladder safety quiz, we watch Camping, with Julia Davis, and say farewell to Mr Pickles.

Because it’s Christmas, there’s no integrated drinks bit this time, instead you’re getting two episodes this month. Please also check out our 12 Beers of Christmas special.

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Episode 19. Twelve Beers of Christmas Special

Thu, 12 Dec 2024 11:00:00 +0000

12 Brilliant beers to order before Christmas, paired to their perfect moment on Christmas Day.

We’ve put this out as a standalone so you can share it without the recipient having to sift through the rest of the episode just to get to the beer bit.

These should all drink brilliantly over Christmas. Please feel free to share the link.

Cheers!

Mike & Rob x

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Episode 18. Mischief night, square badgers, curses, nuts, mopeds.

Wed, 13 Nov 2024 16:00:00 +0000

We ponder mischief nights of yon VS trick or treat, winning a square badger at the fair, the expense of building a modern Christmas cake, and there's a quiz called Curse/Nut/Moped.

Rob steps into his first episode as my full-time booze review partner, and we enjoy beers from the mighty Marble of Manchester.

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Episode 17. Survival, Vinegar, Weddings, Ludwig.

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 21:00:00 +0100

We talk survival, Vinegar, Weddings, Stags & Hens, David Mitchell in Ludwig, and there’s superb cider from Against The Grain.

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Episode 16: Stormtroopers, Quarry weddings, Apes! Apes!

Thu, 12 Sep 2024 15:00:00 +0100

Back once again, with Ben.

I test him on his recent travels in a themed Malta quiz, wonder what's inside a Stormtrooper, and we hate every ape we see, from chimpan-A to chimpan-Z.

Yes they really made a monkey out of us.

Couple of choice beverages from Apple County Cider and Sired Craft Brew.

Sit down if you're staying.

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Episode 15: Guests! Buckers, Rob, Recruitment, beer.

Fri, 16 Aug 2024 13:00:00 +0100

Sound is a bit up and down with this one, so bear with us, kids.

Trust me, your ears will adjust quickly.

Ben’s away working on his tan, so I asked a couple of guests to help man the oars.

The brilliant Buckers, who you might know from Twitter is here to talk about why I’m finding my return to the world of jobseeking a bizarre, alien landscape, and my pal Robert John, who composed and performed our theme tune has stepped in to discuss six very different beers.

So a different animal, but it won’t go toilet on your carpets.

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Episode 14. Summer Special, Euro 24, Ice cream, cat flaps

Wed, 17 Jul 2024 12:00:00 +0100

SUMMER SIZZLER!

The Euros 2024, Will Smith, Greatest ice creams and lollies of all time, Cat flaps, Duncan Goodhew Vs Isaac Newton, and drinks from Titanic & Kentish Pip.

Out of 100 people tested, 92 said after listening to Reclining Pair they experienced an immediate reduction in cider wasps.

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Episode 13. Cats privates, Technology, Space cider, local news

Wed, 19 Jun 2024 13:00:00 +0100

We’re both very old, very tired men this month, and Ben has a bit of Covid, but still we turn up at the coal face…

DANCE, MONKEYS, DANCE!

The big talk is all about technology, Ben is asked to take photos of his cat’s privates, I quiz him on his beloved Wolverhampton Wanderers, we go topical with a look at the local newspapers, and there are posh drinks from Windsor & Eton Brewery and Seidear.

Apologies for the bleppy sound…. SOMEONE forgot to put 20p in the internet box.

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Episode 12. Mind bending, Deadly Tennis, Baby Reindeer, Northern Lights.

Fri, 17 May 2024 13:00:00 +0100

12 Episodes in and despite all advice, no sign of slowing down.

Ben explains the dangers of biscuit contamination, there's a tree that looks like Rod Stewart, we test drive my magnificent mind-bending helmet, chat about Baby Reindeer (Netflix) and there's beers from Williams Brothers brewery, Scotland.

And we both miss the Northern Lights, as you'd expect.

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Episode 11. Easter egg larceny, Def Leppard for dogs, Harvest Festival.

Fri, 12 Apr 2024 05:00:00 +0100

This month we go to eleven. One higher.

The big talk is all about music, what did jazz ever do to Johnny? Do dogs like Def Leppard? Was the boy who verbally abused Five Star on Going Live ever brought to justice?

there's a harvest festival quiz where we make Ben eat eight unlabelled cans of mystery foodstuffs.

And some superb beers from Renegade.

Genuine high-octane thrills, or your money back.

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Episode 10. Work, Cats, Pottery Throwdown, Chair Sausage Helmet.

Thu, 14 Mar 2024 18:00:00 +0000

Second of our 2024 themed topics - WORK.

Do you have the optimum work-life balance? Are you out there smashing it every day?

…or are you limping breathlessly from Friday to Friday like the rest of us?

Also, drinks from Sandford Orchards Cider, ATOM Beers, the quiz is titled Chair, Sausage, Helmet, and we ponder the Great Pottery Throwdown.

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Episode 9. School Days, Venice, The Holdovers, Chiltern Beers

Tue, 13 Feb 2024 16:00:00 +0000

Back after Ben's January hiatus.

In the first of our 2024 themed sections - School - we talk about trundle wheels, home-made sports kits, last day golf and dog-tod.

Sadly I lost an episode at Christmas , but salvaged the quiz.

We review The Holdovers, and cover Chiltern Brewery in the brand new drinks section.

Big fat bonus episode because we like to spoil you.

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Episode 8. Christmas #1. Lonely rabbits, Quality Street, Ronnie O'Sullivan.

Tue, 19 Dec 2023 14:00:00 +0000

Our first Christmas.

We do a deep dive into the big-box chocolates, followed by a themed quiz, and talk about lonely rabbits, sherry, advocaat, port, Ronnie O'Sullivan, The Newsreader and The Fisher King.

Thanks for all your support this first year, you little smashers.

Come find us for a natter on Twitter, Facebook & Bluesky, and however you listen to us, please follow/review/subscribe/interact... all that bollocks. Get involved.... tell your friends.

Cheers.

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Episode 7. Buckfast, Turnip Lanterns, String Vests, PE Kits

Thu, 16 Nov 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Ben says "No thank you" to Walsall Scare Maze, we both say "Yes please" to the mighty Buckfast, we look at Wayne (C4), Invasion (AppleTV) and Last Voyage of The Demeter, and there's a 90s throwback string vest quiz.

Terrific sense of value. 75 minutes for the price of 60.

Come and find us on Twitter or Facebook to view the quiz photos & play along.

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Episode 6. White Cider, Snooker, Chewits & Human Remains.

Mon, 16 Oct 2023 14:00:00 +0100

We're wrestling with new recording equipment this month, so please bear with us.

We discuss Ragnarok (Netflix), The Woman In The Wall (BBC) and The Following Events are Based on a Pack of Lies (BBC).

There's our usual quiz, where this time we make Ben guess the flavours of some nice and nasty sweets, ahead of Halloween, and later, he turns the tables during the drinks section and quizzes me on classic white ciders from the 1990s.

This show is dedicated to Ben's beloved family pet cat, Kitty Green, who passed away last week. Give your little house panthers an extra squeeze today x

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Episode 5. Barbie, Babycham, Bakewell, Exploding custard.

Thu, 07 Sep 2023 23:00:00 +0100

We discuss Life and Beth, Barbie, Kleo, getting old, and the joys of kids being off school for the holidays.

In the quiz, (you can play at home) we return to fully explore the haunting properties of quartz, and we struggle to count to eight.

A new booze section replaces Ben’s Extension, and we road test a range of discount shop horrors so you don’t have to.

News just in: there’s been another fire at the custard factory.

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Episode 4. Bamboozle, Carol Decker, Ghosts, Ballrooms and haunted worktops.

Wed, 26 Jul 2023 13:00:00 +0100

This month we cover SISU (AppleTV/Amazon), The Offer (AppleTV/Amazon) and Only Murders in The Building (Disney+).

There's a Carol's Decking quiz, we talk about the paranormal qualities of quartz kitchen worktops, and life after Ben's Extension.

So come in, warm yourself by our fires and throw off the shackles and stresses of modern living.

Follow Reclining Pair on Twitter @RecliningPair and find us on Discord.

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Episode 3. Turkey, Pat Butcher, Skypods & Crab Paste.

Thu, 29 Jun 2023 17:00:00 +0100

This month we cover Winning Time, Station Eleven and White Lotus (All HBO/Sky/NowTV).

There's a Pat Butcher Pâté quiz, with the newly upgraded quiz wheel, and in Ben's Extension, he unwittingly becomes an entomologist.

So come in, warm yourself by our fires and throw off the shackles and stresses of modern living.

Follow Reclining Pair on Twitter @RecliningPair

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Episode 2. Eurovision, Bunkers, Volcanoes & Glue.

Thu, 01 Jun 2023 14:00:00 +0100

We cover Eurovision 2023, Sprung (Prime), The Great (Prime) and The Volcano: Rescue from Whakaari (Netflix).

There's a musical quiz, and Ben chronicles the woes of Acme glue and rubber roofs.

So come in, warm yourself by our fires and throw off the shackles and stresses of modern living.

Follow Reclining Pair on Twitter @RecliningPair

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Episode 1. Vikings, Saxons, Cupasoups

Wed, 10 May 2023 22:00:00 +0100

We discuss Colin From Accounts (iPlayer) , Rain Dogs (iPlayer), The Last Kingdom (Netflix), Somebody Somewhere (NowTV/Sky), and North Sea Connection (iPlayer).

A Cupasoup challenge quiz populates the middle area, before we charge into a heady crescendo with potential regular feature - Ben's Extension.

So come in, warm yourself by our fires and throw off the shackles and stresses of modern living.

Follow Reclining Pair on Twitter @RecliningPair

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