The Monocle Daily Episode: Revealed: Monocle’s new weekly quiz! Date: April 10, 2026 Host: Andrew Muller Guests: Robert Bound (Contributing Editor), Grace Charlton (Associate Editor, Design & Fashion)

Episode Overview

This lively and very British-tinged episode of The Monocle Daily introduces a new format for the Friday show, weaving in a weekly current affairs quiz and a freshly-minted segment called “The Aestheticist.” Hosts Andrew Muller and Rob Bound, along with Grace Charlton, engage in witty banter as they recap the week's news, battle over quiz questions, and humorously dissect the aesthetics (or lack thereof) of golf. The episode closes with a “what we learned” segment and a preview of upcoming coverage from the UAE.

Key Segments & Timestamps

1. Welcome & Setting the Tone (00:05–02:40)

• Andrew Muller introduces the Friday edition as a space for experiments and semiregular segments, promising “informative and entertaining” recaps.
• Rob Bound joins with theatrical humor, referencing Monocle history and the spirit of playful competition.
• Notable Quote:
  Andrew: “Will any of it work? Stick around to find out, etc.” (00:14)

2. Launch of the “Daily Weekly Quiz” (03:07–18:32)

• The quiz is unveiled as a weekly Friday fixture, with each host bringing three questions about recent news—but neither knows the other’s questions. A tongue-in-cheek discussion unfolds on logistics (“plasticky trophy from the shoe repair shop”), and music and effects add flavor.
• Format:
  • Each asks three questions, points awarded for correct answers.
  • Focuses on topical events with a humorous spin.
• Notable Quote:
  Rob: “We’ve tried to do some fresh thinking to inject the brilliant spirit of the, of the, more serious spirit of the Monocle Daily from Monday to Thursday...” (03:27)

Highlights and Sample Questions:

• [Space Mission - Artemis 2 & Jim Lovell]
  Rob quizzes Andrew on which phrase astronaut Jim Lovell did NOT say in a message to Artemis 2 crew.
  Rob: “He didn’t say: ‘Everything we need, Earth provides.’ That was said on this trip by Christina Koch...” (07:34)
• [Iranian Embassies’ Social Media]
  Andrew quizzes Rob to spot the fake embassy tweet responding to Trump. Andrew: “C, Sorry, sir, this is an IHOP.” (08:28 — correct answer, not a real embassy post)
• [Strait of Hormuz Gas Mileage]
  Rob asks how many times an F-150 could cross the Strait on one gallon. Andrew: “I’m going to say once. I think the Ford is a hefty vehicle.” (10:08 — correct answer)
• [White House Prediction Markets]
  Andrew asks what staff were told to stop doing—betting on prediction markets, following suspicious windfalls post-Maduro’s capture. Andrew: “Any implication that administration officials are engaged in such activity without evidence is baseless and irresponsible.” (13:04)
• [Grand National / Furlong Etymology]
  Rob quizzes Andrew on the origin of “furlong”—it’s from the Old English for the length of a furrow in one acre, not “Sir Jeremy Jack Furlong.” (15:38)
• [World’s Oldest Tortoise Name]
  Andrew asks the name of the 193-year-old St. Helena tortoise—it’s “Jonathan.”
  Andrew: “Its name is in fact Jonathan...so I can make an extremely labored joke...attached to some sort of crypt. Yes, it was a shell company.” (17:45)

Score at Finish: 1-1; the quiz ends in genial anticlimax.

3. Segment: The Aestheticist – Golf Under Scrutiny (19:16–28:44)

• Rob Bound introduces “The Aestheticist,” a (potentially recurring) panel presentation dissecting the style and visual codes of something in the news—in this case, the US Masters golf tournament.
• Grace Charlton savages golf fashion:
  Grace: “There is no sport that is as least aesthetic as golf.” (20:32) Grace: “I think everyone looks slightly dumpy… It’s really twee. It’s also kitsch, but in a sort of irredeemable way.” (22:54)
• The debate covers:
  • “Argyll, tweed, cardigans”—symbols of the British elite
  • Golf’s attempts to become “cool” (e.g., skinny trousers, oversized belts), but failing at it
  • Discussion on whether golf should embrace its stuffy, singular identity instead of modernizing
• Rob defends golf styles:
  Rob: “I’ve printed off some pictures here for you guys to sift through and judge… I hope I’m more in the realms of Seve Ballesteros.”
• Iconic fashion examples discussed:
  • Seve Ballesteros (classic), Payne Stewart (flamboyant), John Daly (“looks like a bouncer who’s lost a bet”), Rory McIlroy (oversized belt)
• Advice from Grace: Grace: “They need to find better fitting trousers… Maybe go for some oversized Yoji Yamamoto style… You’re not actually playing a sport; you may as well just dress for the cat.” (27:46)
• Banter about the function of a dress code and inevitability of looking silly.

4. "What We Learned" – Satirical News Recap (29:41–35:59)

• Andrew delivers Monocle’s signature, baroque round-up of oddball and serious international news:
  • Spotlight on Estonia’s first pig impersonation contest and the strict judging criteria (“authenticity, power and entertainment value”) (29:42)
  • Ongoing confusion and spin over the US-Iran ceasefire and the reopening (or not) of the Strait of Hormuz (31:32)
  • Quirky US news: a FEMA official claims to have been teleported to a Waffle House in Rome, Georgia—recounted as a “bemusingly undersold triumph” (32:29)
  • Persistent rumors and satire about the White House’s interactions with the Vatican (“the Avignon Papacy not being a forgotten goth group”) and Donald Trump’s potential post-presidency plans
  • Notable Quote:
    Andrew: “Perhaps of the possible post-presidency plans of Pope Donald I, though there seems little overlap between MAGA world and the Catholic faith. After all, one is a creed whose devoted adherents are currently pledged to the infallibility of a 70-something American with a lot of gold furniture. And the other is—fill it in yourselves. Must we do all the work?” (34:40)

5. Preview: Monocle’s UAE Coverage Next Week (35:59–38:51)

• Editorial Director Tyler Brûlé and Editor-in-Chief Andrew Tuck check in with a preview of special broadcasts from Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah.
• Discussion of what “normal” means in the UAE during/after the Iran ceasefire, and of covering news hotspots with on-the-ground nuance.
• Notable Quote:
  Andrew Tuck: “It's also fascinating… to get a perspective from where you stand that day.” (38:28)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Andrew (on the new format): “Will any of it work? Stick around to find out, etc.” (00:14)
• Rob (introducing the quiz): “We’ve tried to do some fresh thinking...with a weekly quiz. How are we spelling weekly? Hey.” (03:27)
• Grace (on golf fashion): “I think everyone looks slightly dumpy…I use [‘dumpy’] sparingly, I promise.” (22:54)
• Rob (on quiz stakes): “Some sort of plasticky trophy from the shoe repair shop down the road on Paddington street at the end of the series.” (05:41)
• Andrew (satirizing news confusion): “We are yet to learn what the last month of war had actually been in aid of, unless it was the establishment of some sort of joint venture to control the Strait of Hormuz between US President Donald Trump and whoever is presently in charge of Iran.” (31:42)

Episode Flow & Tone

• Language and Tone: Wry, light-hearted, and self-deprecating with Monocle’s signature blend of sharp reporting and playful erudition. Recurring in-jokes, literary allusions, and gently satirical takes on both news events and cultural symbolism.
• Host Chemistry: Muller and Bound share a long collaborative history, sparring with affection and old-hand wit, while Grace brings a younger, sharper edge to aesthetic discussions.
• Engagement: For listeners new to the show, the episode gives a strong sense of the personalities involved, the international news focus, and Monocle's distinct editorial voice.

In Summary

This episode introduces Monocle’s new Friday formula—an unrehearsed news quiz between editors, joined by tongue-in-cheek yet insightful fashion and design criticism, and capped by a uniquely Monocle news review. The interplay of highbrow wit and topical analysis makes the episode a must-listen for fans of sharp, stylish current affairs journalism—especially those partial to British banter and global quirks.

For further context: Next week Monocle airs live from key cities in the UAE, promising both on-the-ground reporting from the region and the same globe-trotting, multi-perspective storytelling listeners value.