Listening for hours to a far-fetched conspiracy theory about a famous Canadian from the early 2000s, spread by a fake journalist, might not sound appealing. However, if the pseudo-journalist is Irish comedian Joanne McNally, equipped with the authority of the BBC and the freedom to plunge into the internet’s darkest corners while juxtaposing herself with David Attenborough, then I find it utterly captivating.
Joanne McNally Investigates: Who Replaced Avril Lavigne? is a six-episode series claiming to examine a decade-plus-old theory that the singer of “Sk8er Boi” is not who she appears to be – an adolescent pop-punk sensation known for her T-shirt and tie look. This theory echoes other famous suppositions – regarding Paul McCartney, Britney Spears, and others – and suggests that Lavigne supposedly passed away in 2003 and was subsequently replaced by an impersonator. This particular theory, propelled by the TikTok meme frenzy, ensnared one of Ireland’s most hilarious women and propelled her on a global adventure, full of discussions with specialists ranging from handwriting to vocals, and involving other popular podcasters and comedians like Joe Lycett in the overall uproar.
Certain points raised deserve deeper consideration: what appeals to people about conspiracy theories? Why does one theory take off while another fades into internet obscurity? But, McNally isn’t interested in such detailed answers, or anything that disaffirms a hypothesis she’s clearly become very attached to: that Lavigne has been switched with a look-alike named Melissa Vandella, with clues readily available for anyone willing to investigate.
Among the highlights so far (new episodes are released every Tuesday), are the adventures McNally undertakes in the field – trying to go backstage at a Lavigne concert, crying, “I genuinely just want to confirm she’s alive! I’m doing a welfare check!” or exploring Greater Napanee in Ontario, discussing Lavigne’s early years. The latter adventure results in a direct link to the podcast’s main subject, as McNally rests her posterior on the singer’s preferred seat in her favourite local pizza restaurant.
The recent critique of Jean-Georges at The Leinster suggests that it’s a trendy new dining spot, already popular amongst the Dublin 4 and south county Dublin locals. A few months back, the writer’s wife moved overseas setting up a very challenging half-year period in the author’s life.
McNally, as part of her podcast research, made an intriguing choice – to find someone who mirrors her in speech and demeanour, and this quest led her to someone who has an accent just as distinct as hers. An interview with the finalist for this peculiar role, Selena, results in a surreal experience filled with unexpected laughter that’s capable of forcing a gin snort at a petrol station. McNally queries Selena about any queries on the role after confirming their remarkable resemblance, both vocally and physically, even down to shared experiences from the “eyebrow tweezing times”. Selena agrees to the unusual role, even if it means being associated as “the face of thrush”.
This entire venture is captivatingly erratic with McNally tackling the exploration from various unusual viewpoints and handling it with effortless grace and audacity. It emerges that Avril Lavigne’s replacement isn’t as important as McNally’s irreplacability, as her bold and audacious personality attracts listeners, managing to keep them engaged despite a weak premise and the frail support of a storyline.