RHLSTP Book Club #145 - Before I Go - Rich is back in St Neots, talking to John Dowie about two of his recent books, The Freewheeling John Dowie and Before I Go. Why did John sell all his records and albums and get on his bike to cycle round Europe? How did he cope with weird and rude hoteliers? How did his penis cause him to cross the continent under false pretences? Plus growing up in Birmingham in another era, his dad’s autobiography, giving Spike Milligan his address on a chip wrapper, how K...
Jul 04, 2025•44 min•Ep. 145
RHLSTP #568 - The Most Influential Comedian, That You’re Probably Never Seen - Richard travels to St Neots to visit a man who might claim to have invented alternative comedy (though he doesn’t) John Dowie. With comedian Dave Cohen in Dictionary Corner providing some historical detail Rich and John chat about John’s comedy influences, how he managed to do theatrical comedy on his own when no one else was really doing that, his part (or not) in the explosion of comedy in the 80s, the podcast with ...
Jul 02, 2025•54 min•Season 31Ep. 14
#380 Hinge Cringe - Richard has visited Paddington’s house and avoided using the toothbrushes, but is more excited about one of Paddington’s neighbours. His guest is online sensation Rosie Holt. They discuss why Rosie moved from acting to comedy, how her videos went viral, whether it’s good or bad that people (both stupid and clever) fail to spot that they are a joke, why subtlety is required to mock today’s unsatirisable politicians, an unsettling experience with a dating app, what motivates me...
Jun 30, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 107
RHLSTP Book Club #144 - You Are Here - Richard meets best selling author David Nicholls in a studio in central London to discuss his latest novel (now out in paperback) You Are Here. They chat about why David moved from acting to script-writing and why he then decided to have a go at novels, whether the success of One Day is liberating or constricting (but is mainly very nice), how the premise of a novel about a geography teacher going on a hike might not seem that promising (but don’t worry, it...
Jun 27, 2025•50 min•Ep. 144
RHLSTP #567 - Sassigassity - Richard is back in the studio to talk to charming idiot for whom he has no respect, Joe Norris. They chat about the words that Dickens did and didn’t make up, whether Rich can join the anti-woke and is it all just about being allowed to say one word, the pirates in Asterix, Richard’s new shower based podcast idea, what to do if you shit yourself in an interview, Rich’s latest crime and how he is taunting his victim Trigger Warning - this podcast discusses trigger war...
Jun 25, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Season 31Ep. 13
#379 M&M Apocalypse - Richard’s son continues to come up with better material than his dad, without even trying. His guest is the unparalleled comedy genius Armando Iannucci. They chat about how Armando once again predicted the future with his hilarious new sitcom Avenue 5, the lows and deeper lows of lockdown, what inspired him to write the mock-heroic poem, Pandemonium https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pandemonium-Some-verses-Current-Predicament/dp/1408715082/, whether he’d make a good PM, why Rich...
Jun 23, 2025•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 106
RHLSTP Book Club #143 - I Love You, Byeee - Second part of a two part interview with podcaster and ex member of a double act, Adam Buxton. Ramble chat may include such topics as hot mums, directing music videos, being bullied by Keith Allen, imposter syndrome, Dennis Waterman, bad auditions and what the future may hold. Buy the book here - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/ramble-book-2-adam-buxton/7722311 The audio book is excellent of course - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Love-You-Byeee-Rambles-Rock...
Jun 20, 2025•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 143
RHLSTP #566 - Get Back! - Richard is back at the Podcast Room for an interview with a real comedy legend, Maurice Gran, co-creator of Birds of a Feather, Shine On Harvey Moon, Love Hurts and of course Goodnight Sweetheart. They chat about how Maurice and co-writer Laurence Marks seemed thrown together by fate, working with three of the Young Ones, but especially Rik Mayall in the New Statesman, how they got caught up in Michael Winner’s Bullseye, the unwitting strangers who inspired Birds of a F...
Jun 18, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Season 31Ep. 12
#378 Test Card Girl - Rich has freaked himself out by attempting to cure the aphantasia (that he suffers with in silence). His guest is John Craven sanctioned Newshound Samira Ahmed. They discuss the legacy of Mary Whitehouse and whether it’s OK to point out the positive things that someone with some unacceptable views has done, the bravery of taking your employer to court in order to secure equal pay, whether appearing on Mastermind is more scary than being in a war zone, the young Richard Herr...
Jun 16, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 105
In an act of almost unprecedented generosity, we would like to offer all of you this bonus episode of RHLSTP for free! It's a special episode where Richard answers listener submitted questions. From next month on, only Gold or Platinum badgers will be able to listen to this bonus podcast (and if you'd like to become a badger, please go here - gofasterstripe.com/badges) If you'd like to join in the fun and ask Richard anything, then please send your questions here - arichardherringa@gmail.com If ...
Jun 15, 2025•37 min•Ep. 1
RHLSTP Book Club #142 - I Love You, Byeee - First part of a two part interview in which Richard talks to Adam about the follow up to Ramble Book. They chat about low self-esteem, double acts, Paul Weller’s sense of humour, drug use, when comedians do serious music, pickled onions and keeping track of arguments with your spouse. Buy the book here - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/ramble-book-2-adam-buxton/7722311 The audio book is excellent of course - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Love-You-Byeee-Ramb...
Jun 13, 2025•50 min•Ep. 142
RHLSTP #565 - Foundation - Richard is back in the Podcast Room where he is joined by comedian, author and now sitcom star, Rosie Jones. They discuss rising from researcher to star and the celebs who gave her the time of day before she was famous, how her sitcom Pushers has disabled actors but isn’t about disability and whether it was like the White Lotus behind the scenes, her upcoming tour “I Can’t Tell What She’s Saying” and why you should ignore the negative comments online, finding your trib...
Jun 11, 2025•57 min•Season 31Ep. 11
#377 Piss Canal - Richard’s son has come up with a brilliant new emergency question (and is thus finally helping to pay for his upkeep), though is it worth it for the Hell of attending a three hour kids’ party? Richard’s guest is fabulous writer/actor/comedian Jamie Demetriou. They talk about how many holes are in a ghost’s sheet, the genesis of Stath Lets Flats and why the casting was crucial to its success, working with a sibling, the inconvenience of having a bladder, what it’s like having al...
Jun 09, 2025•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 104
RHLSTP Book Club #141 - All the Colours of the Dark - Rich talks to the inspiring author of All The Colours Of The Dark, Chris Whitaker, about his fantastically engaging and impressive novel. They chat about how someone from Hertfordshire has ended up writing such an authentic book about America in the 20th Century, his writing process and why he spent a year just writing dialogue between the main characters, how you approach writing about dark subjects such as child abduction and murder in a re...
Jun 06, 2025•49 min•Ep. 141
RHLSTP #564 - Joel Dommett’s Lactating Nipple - Recorded at the Podcast Room in Central London, Richard meets comedian, actor and rock God Nick Helm. They chat about the unexpected death of Dennis Waterman, working with/embarrassing yourself in front of Mark Williams, appearing on Eastenders, appearing in two films together in lockdown, though mainly waiting to go on, how Nick became avuncular to his co-star in Uncle, how TV careers come without trained therapists and Nick’s journey from depress...
Jun 04, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Season 31Ep. 10
#376 Barking at the Plumber - Hey everyone, it’s a surprise transatlantic RHLSTP with one of the greatest stand-ups in the world, and more importantly one of the greatest people, Maria Bamford. They chat about living without hot water, comedy merch, trying out challenging material to James Corden’s audience, why it’s OK to do (trigger warning) comedy about mental illness and suicidal thoughts (do contact the Samaritans or your local help lines if this is an issue that affects you), how to create...
Jun 02, 2025•58 min•Ep. 103
RHLSTP Book Club 140 - The Snack Hacker - Richard talks to comedian and anarchist chef George Egg about his fantastic and beautiful cook book. The Snack Hacker. They chat about how George has gone from making meals with stuff found in hotel rooms to his popular YouTube channel pimping up Gregg’s pasties and much more, how this book is a family affair in many ways, including incredible design work from this son and first gig wisdom from his daughter, how Rich wants to write an autobiography based...
May 30, 2025•42 min•Ep. 140
RHLSTP #563 - Barry Norman’s Pickled Onions - Richard is very proud of his toilet based pedantry. His guest is returning hero Timkey. They chat about his fantastic new film. The Ballad of Wallis Island and how he managed to get Carey Mulligan on board, plus Richard’s impressive roster of unreleased film appearances, plus Tim’s latest book of poetry, an hilarious but poignant and moving story of his time in Hollywood and the influence of Charles Bukowski. There is a 10 minute discussion about Tim...
May 28, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Season 31Ep. 9
#375 Coolio Versus Mini Me - Richard is furious about the new incarnation of Big Cook Little Cook and is going to be schooled in farts by his audience. His guest is Stewart Lee lookalike and broadcaster Terry Christian. They chat about the professionalism of June Whitfield, being at the centre of the emerging Madchester music scene, the incredible success of the Word, but the disconnect between the posh production team and the working class Christian, arguing with Piers Morgan, an incredible arg...
May 26, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 102
For Richard’s remaining live stand up gigs http://richardherring.com/ballback/tour Come and see RHLSTP live http://richardherring.com/rhlstp Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 23, 2025•48 min•Ep. 2
RHLSTP #562 - Egg Cupboard - Richard has had a life-changing accident on the way to the theatre, but hopefully a chat with Amy Hoggart will distract him from his woes. They talk about whether Lembit Opik is qualified to live in space, why the second Trump term is not as fecund for satirists as the first, Ed Gamble’s weird fish obsession, Richard’s strange peccadillo regarding Amy’s grandfather, men pretending to be feminists on her podcast ( https://tinkmedia.co/interviews/femanism ), the diffic...
May 21, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Season 31Ep. 8
#374 I Sure Love Motorcycling - Richard has nearly killed someone in his audience and has finally found a good reason for having kids. He’s also potentially about to destroy the universe as his guest is Herring doppelgänger (even down to the number of testicles) Charley Boorman. He talks about what he got paid for appearing in Deliverance, hanging out with movie stars (past and future) as a kid, thanks to his amazing film director dad, giving Lee Marvin a lift, how planned family trip to Europe ...
May 19, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 101
RHLSTP Book Club 139 - The Golden Age of Children’s TV - Richard chats with cult TV expert Tim Worthington about his fabulous book about the TV that people of Richard’s age (and a bit older and a bit younger) grew up with. They discuss quite how huge an influence these shows were on Richard’s developing brain, what makes some shows memorable and others not, how some of these shows exist in our minds from before we have any other memories, the amazing creative teams behind successes like Thunderb...
May 15, 2025•54 min•Ep. 139
#561 Nut Lifter - Richard has had some trouble getting his show props through customs (but not back again). His guest is comedy legend Paul Whitehouse. They chat about plastering for Fry and Laurie, acting with Michael Caine, how Loadsamoney stormed the comedy world and disappeared again, the moment that defined Gone Fishing, the sweaty men from Dragons’ Den, how Smashie and Nicey worked on the third attempt, how Vinnie Jones nearly punched Uncle Albert and the whole amazing career of "the great...
May 14, 2025•58 min•Season 31Ep. 7
#373 The End of History - Richard has more terrifying news about butterflies and his son’s attempts to follow in his footsteps. His guest is the only person who can follow Paul Chuckle, historian and broadcaster Dr Janina Ramirez. They talk about (hopefully) living through a major historical event, the incredible range of inspirational Goddesses, how we’re able to discover more about the history of regular people (and women) by shifting traditional focus, what it’s like to handle (and drop) incr...
May 12, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 100
RHLSTP Book Club 138 - My Previous Life in Comedy - Richard does a rare face to face Book Club with one of his childhood heroes Johnny Ball, talking about the first part of his autobiography, which deals with his childhood and first forays into showbiz. They chat about how close Johnny came to being in the Beatles, how Ball shares some ball-related experience with Richard, briefly being in a double act with Bud Flanagan, Johnny’s remarkable memory, compering for the Rolling Stones, why he pivote...
May 09, 2025•59 min•Ep. 138
#560 One Ball and Boe - Richard is sad to note the death of a man who has fuelled and spoiled his erotic fantasies. His guest John Kearns, has finally been allowed into the Leicester Square Theatre on the fifth or sixth time on the pod - it’s the thoughtful and measured John Kearns. In a return to endless old-school RHLSTPs it’s a sprawling pod, covering very old tortoises, Raymond Briggs, Rich’s dad giving a talk at the BFI, the effects of the Taskmaster bounce (or plunge in Rich’s case), rumou...
May 07, 2025•1 hr 26 min•Season 31Ep. 6
#372 Arthur Askey's Chair - Richard is wondering if comedians might be the solution to all the world’s problems (they won’t be), but delighted to be back at the Leicester Square Theatre for the start of Season 23 of this amazing podcast. His guest is legendary comedian and DJ Paul Chuckle. They chat about Paul’s incredible 59 year career, from working mens’ clubs and routines with Charlie Cairoli, through talent shows and learning the craft to the big break with Chuckle Vision. What injuries did...
May 05, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 99
RHLSTP Book Club 137 - I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning - Richard talks to the novelist Keiran Goddard about his affecting and fantastic second novel, I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning. They discuss the themes of the work including the changing nature of friendship, how we are encourage to escape our roots, the truth about gig economy and why people turn to drink and drugs, the decision to write the book from the perspectives of each friend, whilst retaining the idea of the hive mind that a...
May 02, 2025•45 min•Ep. 137
#559 In Tandem - Rich has just returned from Center Parcs where he was treated like a celebrity, albeit one from the 20th Century. His guest is fabulous US comedian Chloe Radcliffe. They discuss their similarly nerdy childhoods, how TV has led us to expect physical perfection, Richard’s complicated week when he lost his virginity, how Instagram judges you, how compartmentalisation is important for a comedian, why tackling the subjects that scare you most can lead to great stand up, why people ch...
Apr 30, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Season 31Ep. 5
