Banned Camp: Banned Books, Comedy, and Free Speech vs. Censorship

Banned Camp Season 9 Preview. Welcome to the future.

Season 9 starts Tuesday, August 5th... and we’re finally ready to tell you what book we picked.It’s big. It’s banned. iIts disturbingly relevant.Click play to hear the reveal, the why, and a little of what’s coming next...(spoiler: it’s brave new world — and it’s gonna get weird.)

1984 | Special Episode – Orwell’s Final Warning

Episode Summary: In this special season finale, Jennifer and Dan unpack the viral clip known as Orwell’s Final Warning—a dramatic video that looks real but isn’t. Robot breaks down the truth behind the fake footage, then sticks around to explain Orwell’s obsession with sex, religion, and control. Jennifer and Dan reflect on what it’s been like reading 1984 during real-world political chaos… and how this season became something more than just a book club. It became a lifeline.Things To Listen For:The truth about that eerie “Orwell” videoWhy Orwell wasn’t a sex addict… just a messJennifer’s theory on spiritual absence in authoritarian regimesDan’s comparison to Trump’s Epstein redactionsRobot’s most human moment yetBanworthy to Bingeworthy: Check out Good News for Lefties, a daily podcast from Beowulf Rochlen that spotlights actual progress happening across the country. It’s smart, funny, and hopeful—aka your post-1984 palate cleanser. Plus, don't forget Here’s the Scoop – NBC’s daily dive behind the headlinesRate, Review, & Follow: Rate, review, and follow us on Apple Podcasts to help other scary book people find us!Disclaimer: Banned Camp features readings and discussions of banned books for the purpose of criticism, commentary, education, and entertainment, in accordance with fair use guidelines. To ensure the best listening experience, some sections may be lightly abridged for clarity and pacing. However, we always stay true to the author’s intent and encourage listeners to purchase the book in full.The material used from the book 1984 by George Orwell is shared under these principles, with the intent of provoking thought and discussion about literature, censorship, and societal issues. The original work remains fully owned by its copyright holders, and we strongly encourage listeners to purchase a copy here to experience the book in its entirety.This podcast is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected to George Orwell, his estate, or the publishers of 1984. Any monetization of the podcast is separate from the copyrighted material discussed. Our goal is to foster literary appreciation, critical discussion, and educational engagement within the fair use framework—because we all know what happens when people start letting governments or corporations decide what can and can’t be read.Topics Covered: 1984, George Orwell, Orwell’s Final Warning, fake BBC clip, book bans, authoritarianism, sex and power, Trump and Epstein files, redacted history, fake news, censorship, Stephen Miller, dystopias, banned books, podcast community

1984 | Appendix - The Last Joke Orwell Ever Told

In this episode, Jennifer and Dan tackle the appendix. No, not their appendices — Orwell’s. The “Principles of Newspeak” is often skipped, rarely understood, and strangely… hopeful?After three failed recording attempts, they ditched the usual format and came back with something new: a deep dive into what the appendix really is, why Orwell wrote it, and how it flips the entire ending of 1984 on its head.Was the Party defeated? Did Big Brother fall? And what does any of this have to do with Trump-era propaganda, language control, and the death of nuance?Banworthy to Bingeworthy:This week, we recommend three sharp, irreverent shows that take on politics, power, and propaganda:Good News for Lefties – daily doses of hope and gritHere’s the Scoop – MSNBC’s daily dive behind the headlinesFalse Positive – progressive political commentary with biteRate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts:👉 Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts to help other scary book people find us!Disclaimer:Banned Camp features readings and discussions of 1984 by George Orwell for the purposes of criticism, commentary, education, and entertainment, in accordance with fair use guidelines. Some passages may be lightly abridged for pacing, but we remain true to Orwell’s intent. To experience the full work, purchase a copy here. We are not affiliated with Orwell’s estate or publisher.Topics We Discussed:Why Orwell buried hope in the most boring place possibleWhat the past tense of “Newspeak was” really meansHow language can erase (or restore) freedomTrump’s “Russia hoax” and the modern death of nuanceWhy remembering is the ultimate act of rebellionThe difference between stories that end… and systems that die quietlWhat banned books and broken regimes have in common

1984 | Ch. 23.2 - You Don’t Even Notice You’ve Lost

Winston sits quietly in the Chestnut Tree Café, haunted by what he’s lost… and what he’s learned to live without. In the final chapter of Orwell’s 1984, Jennifer and Dan reflect on what it means to give up—slowly, quietly, completely.From clumsy reunions to cold chess metaphors, they explore how authoritarianism doesn’t always need violence to win. Sometimes it just needs time.Things To Listen For:Winston’s gin-soaked spiral in the Chestnut Tree CaféThe most awkward reunion in dystopian literatureThe Party’s final checkmate: chess as a metaphor for obedienceBanworthy to Bingeworthy: This week, we recommend three sharp, irreverent shows that take on politics, power, and propaganda:Good News for Lefties – daily doses of hope and gritHere’s the Scoop – MSNBC’s daily dive behind the headlinesFalse Positive – progressive political commentary with biteRate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts:👉 Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts to help other scary book people find us!Featured Clips: This episode includes a brief excerpt of “YMCA (Punk Rock Cover by Nanock) [Original Vocals].” We played it as a celebratory endcap after the final words of 1984 — a party anthem even Big Brother might approve of.All rights and copyrights are the property of their respective owners and are used here for entertainment and educational purposes under fair use guidelines. No copyright infringement intended.Disclaimer:Banned Camp features readings and discussions of 1984 by George Orwell for the purposes of criticism, commentary, education, and entertainment, in accordance with fair use guidelines. Some passages may be lightly abridged for pacing, but we remain true to Orwell’s intent. To experience the full work, purchase a copy here. We are not affiliated with Orwell’s estate or publisher.Topics We Discussed: Room 101 and psychological torture Betrayal as a tool of control The illusion of love under authoritarianism Why 1984 still terrifies censors Survival at any cost The power of quiet endings Banned books and modern authoritarianism Gin, chess, and choosing apathy

Robot will explain

Today’s episode is a little different.There’s no chapter of 1984, but robot has something to say.We’ll be back next week with the finale.Thank you for listening.Thank you for staying.

1984 | Ch. 23.1 - Broken People, Broken World

In Chapter 23.1 of George Orwell’s 1984, Winston sits alone with his gin, Julia’s ghost, and the hollow comfort of surrender. Jennifer and Dan explore how totalitarian control doesn’t always end in violence—sometimes it ends in apathy, routine, and the quiet erasure of everything that mattered.From chess metaphors to clumsy reunions, this episode asks whether the final victory of authoritarianism is simply making people too tired to care. It’s bleak, yes, but also eerily relevant to a world where reality can be edited overnight.Things To Listen For:Winston’s gin-soaked downfall in the Chestnut Tree CaféThe heartbreaking reunion that proves the Party always winsJennifer and Dan’s sitcom pitch for “The Nice Dictator”How chess becomes a metaphor for the illusion of choiceBanworthy to Bingeworthy:This week, we recommend Good News for Lefties, the podcast that reminds you democracy still has a fighting chance, and Here’s the Scoop, MSNBC’s daily look at politics, censorship, and the stories behind the headlines.Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts:👉 Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts to help other scary book people find us!Disclaimer:Banned Camp features readings and discussions of 1984 by George Orwell for the purposes of criticism, commentary, education, and entertainment, in accordance with fair use guidelines. Some passages may be lightly abridged for pacing, but we remain true to Orwell’s intent. To experience the full work, purchase a copy here. We are not affiliated with Orwell’s estate or publisher.Topics We Discussed:Room 101 and psychological tortureBetrayal as a tool of controlThe limits of love under oppressionWhy 1984 still terrifies censorsSurvival at any costBanned books and modern authoritarianism

1984 | Ch. 22 - The Day Winston Chose Survival Over Love

In Chapter 22 of George Orwell’s 1984, Winston meets Room 101. This is the place where censorship stops being an idea and starts gnawing on your face. Jennifer and Dan break down how totalitarian regimes use fear to crush free thought, why banned books like this still matter, and what happens when survival trumps love.From Orwell’s most terrifying invention to modern censorship battles, this episode blends dark comedy, literary critique, and the uncomfortable realization that maybe the scariest part is how familiar it all feels.Things To Listen For:The rats (yes, actual rats) that make Room 101 infamousHow fear became the ultimate censorship weaponWhy 1984 is still banned and challenged around the worldJennifer and Dan’s theories about whether Winston ever had a choiceBanworthy to Bingeworthy:This week, we recommend Good News for Lefties, the podcast that reminds you democracy still has a fighting chance, and Here’s the Scoop, MSNBC’s daily look at politics, censorship, and the stories behind the headlines.Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts:👉 Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts to help other scary book people find us!Disclaimer:Banned Camp features readings and discussions of 1984 by George Orwell for the purposes of criticism, commentary, education, and entertainment, in accordance with fair use guidelines. Some passages may be lightly abridged for pacing, but we remain true to Orwell’s intent. To experience the full work, purchase a copy here. We are not affiliated with Orwell’s estate or publisher.Topics We Discussed: Room 101 and psychological torture Betrayal as a tool of control The limits of love under oppression Why 1984 still terrifies censors Survival at any cost Banned books and modern authoritarianism

1984 | Ch. 21 - To Die Hating Them Was Freedom

In this episode of Banned Camp, Jennifer and Dan tackle Chapter 21 of 1984 by George Orwell—a banned book that keeps feeling uncomfortably familiar.Winston has been broken, rebuilt, and fed just enough comfort to forget why he ever resisted. As he dreams of the golden country, the Party teaches him the final lesson: surrender isn’t enough. You have to love Big Brother.Orwell’s dystopian masterpiece shows how censorship and propaganda don’t just rewrite history—they hollow out the self until you start to believe your own betrayal. Along the way, Dan and Jennifer reflect on the dangers of soft tyranny, the illusion of safety, and why the last piece of you to survive might be the most dangerous of all.Expect gallows humor, uncomfortable recognition, and a reminder that remembering what’s real is itself an act of defiance.Things to Listen For:Why Winston starts to feel happy after losing everythingThe sinister power of “just enough comfort”Connections between surveillance, obedience, and lonelinessThe last rebellious thought: to die hating themBanworthy to Bingeworthy:This week, we recommend Good News for Lefties, the podcast that reminds you democracy still has a fighting chance, and Here’s the Scoop, MSNBC’s daily look at politics, censorship, and the stories behind the headlines.Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts:👉 Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts to help other scary book people find us!Disclaimer:Banned Camp features readings and discussions of 1984 by George Orwell for the purposes of criticism, commentary, education, and entertainment, in accordance with fair use guidelines. Some passages may be lightly abridged for pacing, but we remain true to Orwell’s intent. To experience the full work, purchase a copy here. We are not affiliated with Orwell’s estate or publisher.Topics We Discussed: The power of soft tyranny Comfort as a tool of oppression The illusion of safety under surveillance The final surrender of the self Why remembering is the last rebellion

1984 | Ch. 20.2 – Freedom Is Slavery, Ignorance Is Bliss, Humor Is Survival

In this episode of Banned Camp, Jennifer and Dan tackle Chapter 20 of 1984 by George Orwell—a banned book that never stops feeling relevant. As Winston faces the ultimate gaslighting, O’Brien insists reality itself only exists because the Party says so.Orwell’s dystopian nightmare shows how censorship and propaganda can warp truth until nothing feels solid. Along the way, Dan and Jennifer dig into solipsism, simulation theory, and why repetition is the Party’s greatest weapon.Expect dark humor, uncomfortable parallels, and a reminder that reading banned books might be the best way to stay sane.Things to Listen For:The Party’s hilarious (and terrifying) logic about the laws of natureWhy repetition is the ultimate brainwashing toolModern parallels to censorship and collective delusionAabolishing the orgasm is peak dystopiaBanworthy to Bingeworthy:This week, we recommend Good News for Lefties, the podcast that reminds you democracy still has a fighting chance, and Here’s the Scoop, MSNBC’s daily look at politics, censorship, and the stories behind the headlines.Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts:👉 Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts to help other scary book people find us!Disclaimer:Banned Camp features readings and discussions of 1984 by George Orwell for the purposes of criticism, commentary, education, and entertainment, in accordance with fair use guidelines. Some passages may be lightly abridged for pacing, but we remain true to Orwell’s intent. To experience the full work, purchase a copy here. We are not affiliated with Orwell’s estate or publisher.Topics We Discussed:The Party’s reality distortion machineSolipsism and simulation theoryRepetition as brainwashingWhy dystopias want to abolish joyThe dark power of propaganda

1984 | Ch. 20 – Freedom Is Slavery (And Other Lies)

In this episode of Banned Camp, the comedy podcast where we read banned books and try to understand why they were censored, Jennifer and Dan dig into the first part of Chapter 20 of 1984 by George Orwell. Winston enters the so-called “understanding” phase of his interrogation, where O’Brien finally reveals the Party’s true motive: power for its own sake.Through a chilling monologue, O’Brien explains that there is no revolution, no utopia, and no noble purpose behind the torture—only the endless pursuit of power. Jennifer and Dan debate whether this is more terrifying than the lies of past dictators and connect it to modern authoritarian propaganda. If you’ve ever wondered how totalitarian regimes justify their cruelty, this part of 1984 shows exactly how they sell it as virtue.Things To Listen For:O’Brien’s confession: the Party doesn’t care about justice, only controlWhy “freedom is slavery” feels disturbingly relevant nowThe difference between “understanding” and “learning” (and why it doesn’t matter)Jennifer’s theory about dictators just wanting power after they get all the “goodies”Dan’s rant about how cruelty is the pointBanworthy to Bingeworthy: This week, we recommend Good News for Lefties, the podcast that reminds you democracy still has a fighting chance, and Here’s the Scoop, MSNBC’s daily look at politics, censorship, and the stories behind the headlines.Featured Clips: Featured clips include a few seconds and commentary from Cruel to Be Kind, written by Nick Lowe and Ian Gomm, produced by Nick Lowe, and distributed by Columbia Records. We also played a segment from Billy Madison, performed by Adam Sandler, distributed by Universal Pictures, including the “everyone in this room is now dumber” speech.All rights and copyrights are the property of their respective owners and are used here for entertainment and educational purposes under fair use guidelines. No copyright infringement intended.Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts:👉 Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts to help other scary book people find us!Disclaimer:Banned Camp features readings and discussions of 1984 by George Orwell for the purposes of criticism, commentary, education, and entertainment, in accordance with fair use guidelines. Some passages may be lightly abridged for pacing, but we remain true to Orwell’s intent. To experience the full work, purchase a copy here. We are not affiliated with Orwell’s estate or publisher.Topics Covered: 1984, George Orwell, totalitarianism, banned books, censorship, power and control, freedom is slavery, authoritarianism, free speech, comedy podcast