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Olly Mann

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Olly Mann
Mann in 2023
Born
Hendon, North London, England
NationalityBritish
CitizenshipU.K
EducationSt Christopher School, Letchworth
Alma materSt Catherine's College, Oxford
Occupations
Years active2006 to present
Known for
Notable work
Television
AwardsBritish Podcast Awards – Best Interview – 2019
Websiteollymann.com

Olly Mann is a British podcaster, broadcaster and BBC presenter.[2] He is best known as the presenter of the weekend evening show on LBC and for his work with longtime collaborator Helen Zaltzman with whom he presented the award-winning podcast Answer Me This!.[3]

Olly Mann began podcasting before it became a popular form of entertainment and is one of the medium's veterans.[4][5]

Education

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Mann was educated at St Christopher School, an independent school in the town of Letchworth Garden City in Hertfordshire, followed by St Catherine's College at the University of Oxford, where he first met Zaltzman.[6]

Life and career

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In 2009, Zaltzman and Mann became the UK's first podcasters to be given their own radio show, "Web 2009 with Helen and Olly", an irreverent look back at the year's online trends,[7] on BBC 5 Live.[8] This was followed by other specials for the network, including "Web 2010 with Helen and Olly", in which they interviewed Trinny Woodall and Jon Ronson;[9] and, in 2012, "Helen and Olly's Required Listening", a look at the world of alternative broadcasting.[10] In 2010, 5 Live gave Zaltzman and Mann their own regular slot, as the "internet experts" on Saturday night news magazine programme Saturday Edition.[11] After the show had been running for two years, the slot was made available to download as part of the BBC's weekly Let's Talk About Tech podcast.[12]

In 2012, Mann became a regular stand-in presenter on London talk station LBC 97.3, where he has interviewed comedians Rufus Hound[13] and Charlie Higson[14] and hosted the overnight slot for ten nights over the festive period.[15] In December 2013, he was announced as the new presenter of the overnight slot for 2014.

In 2017, he became a regular presenter on BBC Radio 4, hosting nine series of the lecture programme, Four Thought.[16]

Mann began co-hosting Saturday Live (radio series) with Nikki Bedi in September 2023.[1]

Answer Me This!

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Answer Me This! was a discussion-based podcast launched in 2007 with co-host Helen Zaltzman. It was one of the long-standing podcasts in the medium. The program answered listener-submitted questions that range from intricate to practical to esoteric. Examples of listener queries include topics like the annual count of meatballs served at IKEA and the speed capacity of the Popemobile.[17] Initially, the pair recorded each episode from Zaltzman's sitting room in Crystal Palace, London.[18][19]

The show increased its audience following a number of publicity stunts in Luxembourg, which they had identified as "the world's smallest country with its own iTunes site", and where they became the fourth highest-ranked podcast in the country.[20] In 2009 was nominated for Best Internet Programme at the Sony Radio Academy Awards;[21] an award it went on to win in 2010 (Silver)[22] and 2011 (Gold).[23] It was selected as one of the Top 10 Comedy Podcasts in the World by The Guardian,[24] and as Critic's Choice in Radio Times, Metro,[25] and The Observer.[26]

In 2010, Zaltzman and Mann wrote a book of the show, published by Faber and Faber,[27] and were commissioned by VisitBritain to make an online video series, Helen and Olly's Great British Question.

After achieving significant acclaim and producing 400 episodes spanning fifteen years the duo concluded the series in 2021.[28]

The Modern Mann

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Mann hosts the monthly podcast The Modern Mann with co-hosts Alix Fox,[29] and Ollie Peart. The podcast is aimed at all audiences and covers contemporary culture in a magazine format. Its presenters sought a balance between humour and inquisitiveness for their target demographic. Mann remarked that in the mid-2000s, mainstream media lacked younger figures who could blend geekiness with humour. Alongside co-host Ollie Peart, the duo humorously discusses current trends, like the emergence of "anti-tech tech" and the popularity of inspirational quote posters to more serious topics. For example, in series three, Mann interviewed Adam Deen, a former member of the banned British extremist group Al-Muhajiroun. Deen candidly discusses his radicalisation journey and subsequent shift to campaign against such ideologies. Critics describe Mann's interviewing style as both probing and empathetic. Later, Mann stated that the show embodied the essence of public service broadcasting, presenting challenging content within an entertaining package.[30]

The show has been nominated Podcast of the Year twice at the UK Radio Academy Awards, winning Silver in 2016.[31]

In one notable episode from 2018 interviewed a rape survivor who reached out to share her story, detailing her rape experience from nearly a decade ago and its subsequent events.

Throughout the interview, Mann exhibited empathy and sensitivity, focusing on letting Adam recount her ordeal without sensationalism. Adam vividly described various moments post the incident, from a forensic expert investigating her bedroom to the rigorous cross-examination she faced in court. Despite the harrowing nature of her testimony, Adam's retelling was neither despairing nor defeatist. She was resilient, emphasising her journey to reclaim control over her life and the incident's aftermath. The episode underscored the importance of understanding and supporting survivors of such traumatic experiences.[29] The episode won Gold in the Best Interview category at the British Podcast Awards.[32]

The Week Unwrapped

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Mann also hosts The Week Unwrapped, a podcast from the British magazine The Week. Instead of focusing on major stories, the show highlights overlooked current affairs. Topics include South Africa's unsuccessful attempt to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games and the Protect and Survive pamphlet that advised the public on what to do during a nuclear attack and subsequently republished by the Imperial War Museum. The podcast is recognised for its concise format and unique insights beyond mainstream headlines.[33]

The Male Room

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The Male Room was seen as BBC Radio 4's Late Night Woman's Hour's male counterpart. The show debuted fourteen months before events like the Harvey Weinstein sexual abuse cases, the MeToo movement and the BBC gender-pay-gap controversy entered the public consciousness. It was aimed at both older and younger listeners, and its topics range from online dating to workplace dynamics and identity politics. Mann also highlighted a disparity in societal acceptance of discussing male vs. female sex toys in media. The terminology used in the show is chosen for its accessibility, avoiding jargon like "patriarchy" or the overuse of "toxic masculinity." The series aims to provide an inclusive discussion platform for male experiences and perspectives.[34]

Guest appearances

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As a newspaper reviewer, Mann has appeared on BBC Breakfast,[35] Lorraine,[36] Sky News and the BBC News Channel.

Gadgets and technology

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Mann was the gadgets correspondent for British Forces News on BFBS[3] and reported on technology for Radio 2 daytime show Steve Wright in the Afternoon, including annual coverage of the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.[37] He was also the gadget columnist for Reader's Digest[38] and has reported on gadgets and technology for outlets including This Morning,[39] Sky News,[40] CNET[41] Olly Mann SoundCloud channel[42]

Gadget collection

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As a former technology writer, Mann receives numerous complimentary gadgets due to his professional involvement. His collection includes an array of smartphones, one of which he dedicates solely to reading recipes. Additionally, he owns a games console primarily used as a DVD player and a smartpen that uses as a regular biro.

Despite the vastness of his collection, Mann has observed that many of the items sent to him could be better in quality. Examples include tablets that malfunction soon after activation and in-car headsets that require extended software update periods upon battery replacement. Mann notes that while technology continually evolves, much of what he receives is merely satisfactory. He often writes about and uses these gadgets that exist more for their novelty than utility.[43]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Colin Jackson, Suk Pannu, Mavis Patterson, Mawaan Rizwan". BBC Online. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  2. ^ "Olly Mann". Muck Rack. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
  3. ^ a b "OLLY'S PROFILE". British Forces Broadcasting Service. Archived from the original on 28 August 2013.
  4. ^ Sawyer, Miranda (17 April 2016). "The week in radio: The Modern Mann, Lament, Radio 2 50s". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
  5. ^ Zaltzman, Helen (29 March 2014). "Happy birthday, dear podcast". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
  6. ^ Comedy Blogedy "Interview with Helen and Olly from Answer Me This!" 2010.
  7. ^ BBC News website "Month by month internet highlights of 2009" 31 December 2009.
  8. ^ Broadcast "BBC Radio 5 Live to Answer Me This" 27 November 2009.
  9. ^ British Comedy Guide "Web 2010 with Helen and Olly – Episode Guide"
  10. ^ Robin Blamires Radio and Audio Site "The Listening List" 1 September 2012.
  11. ^ Saturday Edition page on BBC.co.uk "Saturday Edition homepage"
  12. ^ Let's Talk About Tech page on BBC.co.uk "Let's Talk About Tech podcast"
  13. ^ LBC 97.3FM Audioboo Channel "What Are Your Tips For Writing Wedding Speeches?" July 2012.
  14. ^ Olly Mann Soundcloud Channel "Olly Mann interviews Charlie Higson" September 2012.
  15. ^ LBC 97.3FM website "LBC 97.3 Christmas Schedule" December 2012.
  16. ^ "Four Thought". BBC. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
  17. ^ "Tai Asks Why is a podcast that get to the heart of big questions". Retrieved 18 August 2023.
  18. ^ "Interview with the Answer Me This Podcasters Helen & Olly". Ross' Random Blog. 7 December 2010. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
  19. ^ "Find Your Dream Job". 28 October 2012. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
  20. ^ Zaltsman, Helen (12 January 2008). "How we cracked the iTunes Top 20". The Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
  21. ^ "Olly Mann and Helen Zaltzman chat their way to podcast glory". The Jewish Chronicle. 7 May 2009. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
  22. ^ John, Plunkett (6 April 2009). "Ross and Brand out of the picture as prison radio up for four Sonys". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
  23. ^ "Sony Radio Academy Awards 2011: full list of winners". The Guardian. 9 May 2009. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
  24. ^ The Guardian "Top 10 comedy podcasts" 27 July 2009.
  25. ^ Metro "Answer Me This!" March 2008.
  26. ^ Miranda Sawyer, The Observer "Rewind radio: Prime Minister's Questions; Prisoners' Women; The Alias Men; The 404; Nature; Answer Me This! – review" 4 December 2011.
  27. ^ Comedy Blogedy "Interview with Helen Zaltzman and Olly Mann from Answer Me This podcast" 19 July 2011.
  28. ^ Sawyer, Miranda (12 August 2021). "Listen up: why indie podcasts are in peril". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
  29. ^ a b Sawyer, Miranda (18 November 2018). "The week in radio and podcasts: The Modern Mann; Lights Out; This Is Love – review". The Guardian. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  30. ^ "Podcast review: The Modern Mann – 'Comical, and thoughtful". Financial Times. London. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
  31. ^ "Sony Radio Academy Awards 2011: full list of winners". The Guardian. 9 May 2011. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  32. ^ "The British Podcast Awards 2019 Winners". British Podcast Awards. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  33. ^ "The Week Unwrapped". Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  34. ^ ahmed, Samira (14 February 2018). "The Male Room: Samira Ahmed quizzes Olly Mann on the politics of gender". Radio Times. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  35. ^ "Olly Mann". IMDb.
  36. ^ "It's a Mann's world: Having a butchers". Reader's Digest. 26 June 2019. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  37. ^ "Steve Wright in the Afternoon". BBC. 10 January 2013. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
  38. ^ "Olly Mann". Reader's Digest. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
  39. ^ Olly Mann-This Morning-22nd July (YouTube). ITV.
  40. ^ "Sky News Unplugged". Sky News. 14 May 2008. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
  41. ^ Hide, Nick (10 January 2013). "Xperia Z, 4K and a fork, live from CES in Podcast 321". CNET. Archived from the original on 27 April 2013. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
  42. ^ Olly Mann Talks to Jeremy Vine (SoundCloud).
  43. ^ "10 gadgets a tech journalist would actually pay for". The Daily Telegraph. London. 13 December 2013. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
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