Like many of my demographic, I’ve listened to my fair share of true crime podcasts, occasionally venturing into the “comedy true crime” space. It’s an odd space, where my ethical values mean most of them turn me off. So I turn them off.
However, Who Shat on the Floor at My Wedding? is a comedy true crime podcast that has rewritten the rules.
In the ridiculously crowded true crime comedy podcast space, Who Shat on the Floor at My Wedding? manages to stand out by investigating a bizarre happening at a gay wedding.
And this is a true crime. Somebody did shit on the floor at Karen Whitehouse and Helen McLaughlin’s wedding and, because it was held on a boat in Amsterdam, that fulfils one of the core criteria of crime drama: an enclosed space and a limited pool of suspect.
Whitehouse, McLaughlin, and their friend Lauren Kilby are on a mission to track down the perpetrator of this peculiar crime, and this podcast series that resulted is equal parts hilarious and intriguing.
The Setup
The podcast begins as a simple question – who left an unwanted gift on the floor during this otherwise picture-perfect wedding reception? But this podcast unfolds into an unexpectedly complex web of wedding party drama, feuds, and suspicious staff.
Each episode peels back another layer of this surprisingly multi-faceted mystery, while never losing sight of its fundamentally absurd premise.
The Investigation
The hosts approaches their investigation with the dedication of a jaded cop and the self-awareness of someone who knows they’re basically doing a deep dive into something ridiculous.
The show’s strength lies in the hosts’ ability to balance genuine (albeit tongue in cheek) detective work with laugh-out-loud commentary. We get insights into relationships, family dynamics, and the universal experience of having that one person who ruins everything at your party.
What makes this podcast special
The Timeline Reconstruction
The minute-by-minute breakdown of the wedding reaches an almost who on earth was Jack the Ripper? level of detail.
Through interviews with the wedding guests as well as the staff such as the DJ, the hosts of Who Shat on the Floor at My Wedding? piece together a surprisingly precise chronology of events.
The Interviews
The hosts questioning of guests evolves into a masterclass in interrogation techniques. Admittedly they’re pretty terrible, but damn, there’s determination and some attempt at rigour behind the absurdity. Listen as guests veer from “helpful witness” to “person of interest”, stories evolve over time, and tales change as memories evolve.
The hosts of the podcast don’t rely on their interrogation techniques alone, though. They also consult experts (the conversations about potential submarines had me howling).
Interpersonal Dynamics
Perhaps the most compelling aspect of the show is how it evolves into an exploration of relationships under stress. Through the lens of this bizarre investigation, we witness the unpacking of decades of family history and friendship dynamics.
Tangents
When the show indulges in tangents and additional lines of inquiry, we follow the ridiculous threads and are just as invested as the hosts are.
My Verdict
Who Shat on the Floor at My Wedding? transforms what could have been a funny story one couple tell about their wedding into a genuinely engaging mystery series. And one of my favourite things about it is that it was a truly viral hit. We heard about it because our friends told us to listen, not because a huge network purchased it and pushed it into feeds.
This podcast made it big because it’s bloody excellent, not because there was big money behind it.
Who Shat on the Floor at My Wedding? doesn’t take itself too seriously, managing to be both laugh-out-loud funny and surprisingly insightful about human nature. This show is perfect for fans of true crime who need a palate cleanser or anyone who likes slightly absurd real-life comedy.