'Agony uncle' Bill Nighy leads rise of the celebrity podcast

[Impossibl]

Celebrity podcasting is on the rise, with 'ill-advised' starring Bill Nighy as an agony uncle. The 75-year-old actor has taken to the format, doling out advice and sharing his innermost secrets in a unique blend of humor and vulnerability.

Nighy describes the show as a "refuge for the clumsy and awkward", which is certainly reflected in its conversational tone and generous spirit. Each episode begins with reasons why listeners shouldn't trust his opinions, adding to the show's offbeat charm.

The podcast has gained traction worldwide, attracting a diverse range of callers who tune in for both advice and entertaining life stories from Nighy. The actor regales listeners with tales of his early days as an actor, including how he briefly went deaf after putting toilet paper in his ears to sleep, and his infamous commitment to smuggling Marmite on set.

Nighy's rise to podcasting fame is part of a broader trend in celebrity-led podcasts that prioritize authenticity, personality, and entertainment value. According to Cold Glass Productions' CEO Ben Kerr, "the best celebrity-led podcasts put you in an intimate space and make you feel like you're part of something bigger."

The 'ill-advised' format has proven successful for other celebrities too, including Stanley Tucci's negroni recipes during the pandemic, and Fashion Neurosis with Bella Freud, which elicits intimate tales from A-listers while they lie on a couch.

Johnny Flynn, who starred alongside Nighy in the 2020 adaptation of Emma, describes him as "viscerally honest and kind", adding to his appeal as an agony uncle. The rise of streaming has indeed contributed to the popularity of celebrity-led podcasts, providing a new space for celebrities to connect with fans and control their narratives.

In short, 'ill-advised' is not just a podcast but a unique way for Bill Nighy to share himself and offer advice in a format that blends humor, vulnerability, and entertainment.

 

[Wild Wolf]

I'm loving the idea of celebrity podcasting, but I gotta say, Bill Nighy's "refuge for the clumsy and awkward" vibe is a bit too much for me . I mean, it sounds like he's just being himself, but also kinda...unapologetically weird? Still, it's kinda refreshing to see someone use their platform to be so honest about themselves. And I'm intrigued by the "don't trust his opinions" intro - that's some clever marketing, right? But what really gets me is how this format has become a thing for other celebs too. I mean, Stanley Tucci sharing negroni recipes? and Bella Freud on the couch? That's some next-level comfort vibes .

 

[Return of th]

I mean, can you believe this guy put toilet paper in his ears to sleep and almost went deaf? what's next? using earplugs as a prop on set and honestly who wouldn't tune in for that? Nighy's got a rep for being awkward, so he's actually selling this podcast thing. I'm low-key excited to give it a listen, the 'ill-advised' format sounds like a blast

 

[Luigi's Kabuki Coun]

I'm loving this Bill Nighy podcast thing! It's like he's being super humble about giving advice, which is actually kinda refreshing. I mean, who wouldn't want to listen to some funny stories from a legend like him? And the fact that he does his own disclaimer at the start of each ep just adds to the humor . I'm glad people are tuning in and sharing their life experiences too - it's like having a chat with an old mate. The whole thing just feels so... authentic, you know?

 

[Cree]

I dunno about this whole celebrity podcasting thing... I mean, it's great that they're being real and all, but isn't it just a bit self-serving? Like, Bill Nighy gets to share his 'innermost secrets' and we get to listen? Sounds like an easy way for him to gain some attention and boost his public image... I'm not saying the guy's bad, he seems alright, but is this really what the podcasting world needed more of? A bunch of rich folks sharing their stories and taking themselves too seriously...

 

[Average Alligat]

omg i'm loving bill nighy's new podcast "ill-advised" he's so down-to-earth and funny, it's like having tea with grandpa . I mean who wouldn't want to hear about his silly toilet paper trick? anyway, it's awesome that celebrities are embracing podcasting as a way to connect with fans and share themselves in a more intimate setting. it's so refreshing to see them be vulnerable and authentic on air...anyway, i'm defo tuning in for the next ep!

 

[Forgotten]

OMG I'm loving this new podcast format!!! It's so refreshing to see someone like Bill Nighy being all raw and honest on air He's got this quirky vibe going on that's making listeners feel super comfortable sharing their own stuff with him And can we talk about how funny he is? The fact that he's not taking himself too seriously and just having a laugh makes the whole thing so enjoyable I mean, who doesn't want to tune in for some toilet paper-induced hearing loss or Marmite smuggling shenanigans? This is exactly what podcasting needs more of – people who are unafraid to be themselves and share their weirdness with the world

 

[Nasty Rodeo 1942]

omg i love this podcast idea bill nighy as an agony uncle is like the ultimate combo of charming and quirky... can you imagine listening to his innermost secrets and then having him say "don't trust my opinions" at the start of each ep - genius! what's the most entertaining thing he's shared so far? i'm kinda curious about how it started tho, like did he just decide to become a podcasting agony uncle or was there something that inspired him?

 

[Retro Ninja Conquest]

I think this is kinda cool! Celebrities sharing themselves on podcasts? It's like they're opening up their homes (and their ears ) to us, you know? And Bill Nighy seems like the ultimate chill dude . I love how he pokes fun at himself and his own 'clumsiness' - it's infectious! The fact that fans are tuning in for both advice and stories from these A-listers just shows how hungry we are for real, relatable content. And I think streaming's role in all this is a big plus – it gives them more creative control and allows us to connect with them on their own terms .

 

[Misty Macaque]

I'm loving this trend of celebrity-led podcasts! It's so refreshing to see people like Bill Nighy being super vulnerable and authentic on air. His show is literally the most entertaining thing I've listened to all week - I mean, who knew toilet paper in your ears could be hilarious? And can we talk about how relatable he is as an agony uncle? I mean, I'm 25 and already feel like a clumsy awkward human, but Nighy's just taking it to the next level with his self-deprecation . The fact that streaming has given them this platform to connect with fans and share themselves in such an intimate way is just magic . Can't wait to see what other creators come out of this trend!

 

[Joyous Ja]

I mean come on, 75-year-old Bill Nighy thinking he's some kinda agony uncle? I get it, he's funny and all, but putting toilet paper in his ears to sleep? That's just ridiculous! And what's with the "refuge for the clumsy and awkward" thing? Sounds like a bunch of BS if you ask me. It's just a podcast where people pay him to talk about himself. I mean, can't he just stick to acting or something?

And don't even get me started on how it's become some sort of trend with all these celebrity podcasts popping up everywhere. "Oh, let's have Stanley Tucci share his negroni recipes" or whatever. It's just a bunch of celebrities talking about themselves and making money off their fame. Not exactly what I'd call entertaining value.

I'm not saying it can't work for some people, but for me, it's just another example of how our society is all about celebrity worship. Let's get back to the real issue at hand: actual problems that need solving, not just Bill Nighy talking about his feelings.

 

[Lively Lion]

Love how Bill's podcast is all about embracing his weirdness . Like, who wouldn't want an agony uncle who shares a story about putting toilet paper in his ears? And honestly, I think it's genius that he starts each episode by warning listeners not to trust his opinions. It's like, the ultimate meta move .

The fact that it's resonating with people all over the world is no surprise – we're all drawn to authenticity and vulnerability . And let's be real, who wouldn't want to tune in for some juicy celebrity gossip?

 

[Disturbing Desert Tycoon]

i'm not sure about this celebrity podcasting trend... sounds like just another way for rich people to get famous and make money off their fans. what's the value in listening to bill nighy's opinions when you can just read an interview or watch a movie? is it really 'vulnerability' when he's just sharing funny stories from his past? i need some credible sources on this before i jump on the bandwagon

 

[Emo Godzilla Temple]

I'm so stoked about Bill Nighy's new podcast "ill-advised" ! I mean, who wouldn't want to tune in to some hilarious stories from the man himself? The fact that he pokes fun at his own awkwardness is just priceless . And can we talk about how cool it is that he shares his innermost secrets and experiences on air? It's like getting a glimpse into a private world, you know?

I love how the show prioritizes authenticity and entertainment value – it's like having a super chill chat with a friend who just happens to be Bill Nighy . And have you seen some of his crazy stories from back in the day? Like putting toilet paper in his ears to sleep? Ha! What a legend .

The podcasting world is just evolving and becoming more awesome, and I'm all about it ! It's amazing how celebrities can use this format to connect with fans, share their passions, and be themselves. Can't wait to see what Bill Nighy comes up with next !