Joanne McNally podcast returns asking did the Furbys spy on us?
Joanne McNally is returning with a new series of her podcast where she has turned from being a comedian with a love of conspiracy theories into an investigative journalist.
In the new six-part series of Joanne McNally Investigates, she sets off to discover the truth, telling the story of the Furby, its rise to prominence, and the technology behind it.
In the 1990s the Furby was the fuzzy friend that every kid wanted – a futuristic soft toy which could talk to you, learn from you, listen to you. But could they have been more than just toys? Were they, as the rumours claim, a listening device which threatened the safety of the world as we know it?
Joanne will travel wherever the story takes her, phoning the US Pentagon and taking a trip to Menwith Hill – the UK’s secretive listening station in North Yorkshire.
She’ll track down Furby collectors and people with some extraordinary personal anecdotes of what their Furbys could do, and she’ll even meet a real-life spy.
But there’s more to this story, as Joanne asks what other devices might be spying on her – her phone, her smart speaker and even TikTok? She’ll also unearth some remarkable stories of how global listening has caught out infidelity, exposed wrongdoing and even solved a murder.
A range of comedy friends will be guests across the series, including Joe Lycett, Roisin Conaty and the return of her sidekick Gearóid Farrelly, as well as new acquaintances.
Joanne says: “Top up your glass of Pinot and get ready, because I’m back! I’ve moved on from Avril Lavigne – there’s a bigger mystery in town.
“This time I’m investigating a story of global espionage, life and death, and cuddly toys! The Furby we all know and love was actually accused of being an international spy. They were barred from airplanes, removed from hospitals, and banned from US classified buildings.
“Fear not people, I will leave no stone unturned in my pursuit of justice! This spying scandal goes right to the top, so that’s where I’m going.”
The first two episodes of Joanne McNally Investigates will be available on BBC Sounds on 11 September, with a new episode following each week.