RHLSTP Book Club 32 - Ten Things I Hate About Me - Richard chats with Joe Tracini about his book Ten Things I Hate About Me, a moving, funny and horrifying journey through his Borderline Personality Disorder, how online trolls have nothing on Mick, Joe’s internal voice who provides a negative director’s commentary on everything he does, Joe’s experience growing up not really understanding or liking other kids, how he sought solace in performance and magic, what led him to dance around in a child...
Nov 18, 2022•45 min•Ep. 32
#415 Mosquito in the Kitchen - Richard recalls a couple of childhood memories that can’t possibly hare happened. His guest is the king of mischief and righteous anger (who is also very funny) Joe Lycett. They talk about how Joe brought down a Prime Minister, how he was almost arrested for a joke, how his spoof Sue Gray report fooled some members of parliament, how people decided what snacks Santa would be getting, the personal heartbreak behind Joe’s anger about the government’s reaction to Covi...
Nov 16, 2022•1 hr 15 min•Season 25Ep. 10
RHLSTP Book Club 31 - The Fart That Changed The World - Richard is joined by actor turned author Stephen Mangan to discuss his second children’s book, about how actions can have terrible and incredible consequences. They discuss how to improve Sliding Doors, using your own kids as inspiration for stories, the incredible genesis of Stephen’s first book “Escape the Room”, how Stephen thinks he’s as good as Shakespeare and working with your sibling. Plus whether people still shout “Dan” at him a lo...
Nov 11, 2022•45 min•Ep. 31
#414 Thid - Richard returns to his old stomping ground of Balham to take part in the Cheerful Earful Festival at the Bedford pub, a place that holds a lot of memories, some of which occur to him as he’s speaking. His guest is the fabulous Ria Lina. They talk about the power of being an outsider in comedy, gigging whilst pregnant, working for the serious fraud office, why the coronavirus helped propel Ria into the spotlight, some behind the scenes secrets from Have I Got News For You? and the ext...
Nov 09, 2022•1 hr 25 min•Season 25Ep. 9
RHLSTP Book Club 30 - 222 QI Answers to Your Quite Ingenious Questions - James, Alex and Anna, three of the 16 QI Elves join Rich to talk about writing this book, which provides answers to questions sent in to the Zoe Ball breakfast show. They talk about infinite universes, the correct way to wash raspberries, what the Welsh call ladybirds and how you decide if something is interesting or not and whether the Romans found anything interesting. Buy the book here https://www.amazon.co.uk/Answers-Yo...
Nov 04, 2022•43 min•Ep. 30
#413 Brian Conley’s C*ck - Richard is discombobulated after returning (briefly) to Shepherd’s Bush after five years away. His guest is the fantastic stand up Chris McCausland. They talk about what pushed him towards stand up and why he was reluctant initially to do too much about his blindness, nearly becoming a spy, that amazing BAFTA bit with Lee Mack, performing for Prince William, being on the Jubilee bus and and why Chris hates the name of his own tour. Plus how working hard on a panel show...
Nov 02, 2022•1 hr 5 min•Season 25Ep. 8
RHLSTP Book Club 29 - To Be Someone - To Be Someone is a freewheeling account of the five years Ian spent in the grip of obsession. He took weekend jobs so he could go to gigs; he tried to sneak into the Hammersmith Odeon and ended up stuck on the roof; he was on the point of being thrown out of a Brighton hotel when Paul Weller himself intervened and invited him and his mates back into the bar. Buy To Be Someone here https://www.amazon.co.uk/Be-Someone-Stone-Ian/dp/1800180845 SUPPORT THE SHOW! ...
Oct 28, 2022•51 min•Ep. 29
#412 Lemony Anus - Richard knows a little bit about what Prince George is going through at school and is very excited that his new book is out! His guest is stand up, writer, presenter and actor Sara Pascoe. They talk about the ups and downs of doing improvised sitcoms and films, how long lockdown toilet rolls kept people going, balancing work with parenting, how it’s more important that something gets made than it becomes a hit, the magic of being a snowman, whether general anaesthetic proves t...
Oct 25, 2022•1 hr 16 min•Season 25Ep. 7
RHLSTP Book Club 28 - Can I Have My Ball Back? Adam Buxton kindly takes the interviewers chair to talk to Richard about his book which documents his “battle” against testicular cancer, as well as looking at our views of masculinity and why so much of what we think about bollocks is bollocks. They also have time to discuss Ro-land from Grange Hill, whether writing requires emotion and whether there will be a follow up to Adam’s wonderful Ramble Book. Buy Can I Have My Ball Back? here http://gofas...
Oct 21, 2022•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 28
#411 Diplodocus - Rich is itching for a change in Prime Minister, but will he get his wish by the time of broadcast? His guests are Elis, Mike and Steff from the dizzyingly successful new podcast that the cool kids are calling TSDSB. They talk about how their podcast is about more than just sport, how sports fans have changed in the last four decades, the new series of Fantasy Football and the new sitcom Mammoth, why Elis’ musical career didn’t work out, how Mike met his wife when he was a teach...
Oct 19, 2022•1 hr 4 min•Season 25Ep. 6
RHLSTP Book Club 27 - The Book That No One Wanted To Read Buy Richard's book here https://www.amazon.co.uk/Book-That-One-Wanted-Read/dp/1529500303 SUPPORT THE SHOW! Watch our TWITCH CHANNEL See extra content at our WEBSITE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Oct 14, 2022•45 min•Ep. 27
#410 Saggy-Faced Satsuma - Richard has narrowly avoided a dinosaur based disaster, but never mind because a RHLSTP favourite is returning - the incomparable Bob Mortimer. They talk about holding dominion over the animals, whether questions are necessary in an interview, what prompted Bob to write his first novel and whether satsumas are the best small orange fruit, the adoration for Bob and Paul that the team behind Gone Fishing clearly have, why a double act of two nice men works, what it’s lik...
Oct 12, 2022•1 hr 18 min•Season 25Ep. 5
RHLSTP Book Club 26 - What Just Happened?! - Richard is joined by Guardian columnist and screenwriter Marina Hyde to discuss her remarkable compendium of columns spanning from 2016 to early 2022. How long does it take her to put together these witty take-downs? Is it cathartic for her and her readers as we try to cope with the uncontrollable tide of idiotic history? Has she ever considered stand up comedy? And the pair discuss why the world is in such a mess and if we will ever get out of this d...
Oct 07, 2022•39 min•Ep. 26
#409 Di and Dodi Threesome - Recorded in the week of a tragic loss, at least there is good news for one of the podcast’s favourite personalities. Richard’s guest is the brilliant actor and writer and also his ex-girlfriend, Sally Phillips. They talk about the girl who smelled of spam and Sally’s impressive performance in the film “How To Please A Woman”, but they can’t avoid the elephant in the room and discuss there somewhat different memories of the break up of their relationship (and at least...
Oct 05, 2022•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 4
RHLSTP Book Club 25 - Up in Smoke - Richard is joined by firefighter Leigh Hosy-Pickett to discuss his excellent, moving and funny book Up in Smoke, detailing his quarter of a century as a firefighter, the way that humour plays an important role in bringing a team together and coping with the horrors of the job, the way the fire service has changed over the last few decades, the sensitivity that is required in the job, the mental and physical anguish and how people don’t think about fires or fir...
Sep 30, 2022•45 min•Ep. 25
#408 Rat Surge - Rich is worried that his son is going to become a comedian or worse still a Messiah, but Rich is planning to buy a sex island so all is OK. His guest is superior (in both senses) comedian and possible giant Pierre Novellie. They talk about Charles Manson’s bold decision during his trial, being massaged by Dave Benson Phillips, the disturbing consequences of a South African accent, whether Richard is really mentally normal as the internet claims or if he’s just lapped everyone el...
Sep 28, 2022•1 hr 16 min•Season 25Ep. 3
RHLSTP Book Club 24 - Stone Blind - SUPPORT THE SHOW! Watch our TWITCH CHANNEL See extra content at our WEBSITE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Sep 23, 2022•48 min•Ep. 24
#407 Teleporno - Rich has some big questions to ask about a hymn that seemingly most people in his audience don’t remember, so maybe he won’t do an hour long comedy show about it then. His guest is internet sensation and fab stand up Eleanor Morton. They talk about Leonardo da Vinci’s hate mail, the surprise appearance of Pan in Wind in the Willows, the difficulties of getting a pirate sitcom off the ground (or on to the waves), the stinking bins of the Edinburgh Fringe, why crippling social anx...
Sep 21, 2022•1 hr 4 min•Season 25Ep. 2
RETRO RHLSTP #51 Googling Colin Firth - Richard is back at the Liverpool Playhouse, making his annual proclamation to fight any University lecturer in the vicinity. His guest is screen-writer, author and Olympic ceremony writer, Frank Cottrell-Boyce, who may be the most charming and awe inspiring man who has ever lived and also seems to be obsessed with robots (pervert). They chat about art theft, how to keep writing with seven kids, how big breaks can come by chance on coffee breaks, impressing...
Sep 19, 2022•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 51
RHLSTP Book Club 23 - Murder at Crime Manor - Richard talks to comedian and actor about this hilarious and surprisingly gripping novel (badly) written by his comedy alter-ego Martin Fishback. First though there is a real life mystery to try and solve. Then Fergus explains how the character of Fishback was born and how in turn Fishback’s character of Detective Roger LeCarre came to life and find out about whether Fergus was nervous about turning an internet hit into a full blown novel. We also ge...
Sep 16, 2022•49 min•Ep. 23
#406 Rolf Harris’ Creepy Toes - Richard is back for a 25th series, but unfortunately pretty much nothing has happened in the news so there’s nothing for him to talk about. His guest last appeared on the show almost exactly a decade ago, it’s the comedy genius Reece Shearsmith. They chat about his excellent new film “See How They Run” https://www.searchlightpictures.com/see-how-they-run/ and working with the starry cast, why he’s not really open to public suggestions for Inside Number Nine locati...
Sep 14, 2022•1 hr 18 min•Season 25Ep. 1
#405 The Black Hands of Doom - It’s a bonus episode to end series 24 with the world class stand up Doug Stanhope, recorded over zoom from Dublin just an hour or so after Doug arrived on a TransAtlantic flight for his UK tour where people are about to lose their minds due to the death of our beloved monarch. They chat about authenticity in comedy, the self-destructive nature of Doug’s lifestyle and how things are changing with age, performing drunk, whether cancellation is a smart career move, ma...
Sep 12, 2022•1 hr 2 min•Season 24Ep. 13
RHLSTP Book Club 22 - Femina - It’s a return to RHLSTP for the infectiously enthusiastic historian and academic Janina Ramirez to talk about the medieval women who have been written out of history. It’s a fascinating chat that embraces DNA technology, the chance discovery of texts whilst looking for ping pong balls, the first description of the female orgasm and the surprising number of cocks on the Bayeaux Tapestry. Plus whether there can ever be any truth in history and how most of the major f...
Sep 09, 2022•51 min•Ep. 22
#404 Colin Firth Lap Dance - It’s Richard's last day at the Fringe and controversy over a cancelled show (not this one) is just taking off. Richard is chatting to comedian and movie star, Omid Djalili. They discuss the films that he got cut out of, how he got cast in The Mummy, some surprises from the set of Sex and the City 2, the late, great Sean Lock, performing for the Queen and the role comedy plays in helping us move forwards. A great end to a fab run at the Assembly Rooms and Richard’s la...
Sep 07, 2022•59 min•Season 23Ep. 33
RHLSTP Book Club 21 - The Skeleton Key - In this first episode of series 2, Richard chats with acclaimed author Erin Kelly about her gripping gothic thriller, the Skeleton Key, the influence of the 1970s treasure hunt book, Masquerade, the madness and confidence of conspiracy theorists, how you research the decomposition of a body, how to plot a thriller and whether every book should come with a hidden golden prize, even if it’s about testicles. get the book here - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Skele...
Sep 02, 2022•40 min•Ep. 21
#403 Testosterone - Richard has been to see his best friends in Edinburgh again and disappointed that any problems he has can’t be blamed on anyone but himself. His guest is actor and writer Sanjeev Kohli. They talk about how Scotland welcomed his family, why he went to University in the city he grew up, how he got distracted from the wonderful world of mathematics, stalking Prince, the worldwide success of Still Game, being Hugh Laurie’s husband (in Avenue 5) and trying to joke with John C Reil...
Aug 31, 2022•59 min•Season 23Ep. 32
#402 Magic Flute - Richard has just watched the equivalent of Shakespeare performing Hamlet, and now has plans to make a cartoon with his latest guest timkey. They perform a play, recite poetry and there’s some asexual tension and hand holding throughout, plus what it’s like to watch a quiz show where no one knows who you are, winning the big Edinburgh Comedy Prize, writing a poem a day to get through lockdown, acting alongside Daisy May Cooper, counting the cocks on the Bayeaux Tapestry and sla...
Aug 29, 2022•58 min•Season 23Ep. 31
#401 Pompeii Sixty-Nine - Richard has a problem with a couple of Edinburgh posters (though one of them is for a restaurant) and has been mainly watching Monty Python. His guest is Taskmaster loser (though I’d be surprised if that’s even mentioned) Ed Gamble. They discuss how they would have got on with life 1000 years ago, sending Greg Davies into space, whether emergency questions are good for dating apps, how easy it is to hunt James Acaster, getting the Pointless gig, love in an abattoir and ...
Aug 26, 2022•1 hr•Season 23Ep. 30
#400 The Spark That Lit the Big Bang - RHLSTP has hit an important milestone, but what number exactly and why is Scotland so hot right now? Richard’s guest is legendary stand up and actor, Janeane Garofolo. They talk about the tangential nature of Janeane’s comedy, being mistaken for a homeless person, why she doesn’t have a podcast (or any social media), working with Gary Shandling and giving it up for Saturday Night Live, getting typecast, regretting early stand up and why it’s hard to work wi...
Aug 24, 2022•1 hr 3 min•Season 23Ep. 29
#399 No Knees - Richard has a son who has gone over to the dark side, but is delighted to welcome back the wonderful John Robins for his 7th RHLSTP appearance. They talk about a headphone heist, how you have to want to act in order to act, the dangers of a Fringe that is ever more expensive and ticket prices that have hardly changed, whether a long term relationship is a success or a failure, the secret of double act longevity, a potential name for a new Robins’ tour and no emergency questions! ...
Aug 22, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Season 23Ep. 28
