#456 Bum Solero - Richard continues his genius plan to do the Fringe without going to the Fringe and talks to quizzer, comedian and songster Paul Sinha. They discuss Paul’s 12th Edinburgh stint and why he’s doing exactly what he wants to do, the places that he always goes to at the Fringe, representing the nerds on Gogglebox, why Rich shouldn’t dwell on his quiz successes and failures, why Paul is happy to talk about his Parkinson’s and even happier to be married. See Paul’s Fringe show here htt...
Aug 09, 2023•58 min•Season 27Ep. 12
#455 Gunged - It’s an Ed Fringe podcast from the wonderful Bill Murray pub in Angel and Richard’s guest is stand up, clown and actor Elf Lyons. They talk about the horror and comedy being two sides of the same coin, how she started doing stand up about London Underground rolling stock, how a show must go on, even if you have concussion, why an Edinburgh greengrocer was happy to have her custom, how Elf became Elf and the awful missteps you can make with sign language. Get tickets for Heist here ...
Aug 07, 2023•58 min•Season 27Ep. 11
#454 Thigh-Eyed - Richard’s non-Edinburgh Edinburgh Fringe continues as he reveals the latest put downs from his much-funnier-than-him children. His guest is podcast king and fine stand up Adam Rowe. They discuss how doing an advert led to threats of violence, putting your stand up specials on Youtube for free, turning romantic heartbreak into comedy, how the Have A Word podcast has taken the UK by storm, whether sharks are better than dolphins, how you can still say whatever you like in comedy ...
Aug 04, 2023•1 hr 9 min•Season 27Ep. 10
#453 Unchained Melody - Richard has got very angry with a cold caller - was he in there right? His guest is brilliant stand up and creator of new TV comedy “The Change”, Bridget Christie. In an explosive opening they discuss why Richard isn’t presenting the Masked Singer (amongst much else) and why he is evil for eating chocolate buttons, but then things calm down a bit as they discuss Bridget’s major TV debut, whether men do an equal share of household duties and the app that might help, why th...
Aug 02, 2023•1 hr 11 min•Season 27Ep. 9
#452 Human Voiced Cat - Richard has had a novel idea for appearing at the Edinburgh Fringe - interview people anywhere but the Edinburgh Fringe and then pay himself £10,000 accommodation fee. For the first Edinburgh Fringe podcast he is in Wells, Somerset. He discusses the big news in the town that thinks it’s a city and annoying motorway signs, before introducing a man making his 9th appearance on RHLSTP/RHEFP, John Robins. They chat about taking Cats Does Countdown very seriously, John’s two E...
Jul 31, 2023•1 hr 1 min•Season 27Ep. 8
#6 Crotch Rot with Scott and Jemma Bennett - Richard experiences the worst part of his monoball experience (though it may be the worst part for his wife, rather than him) and addresses his concerns about what effect the op will have on his (previously highly impressive) sexual function. HIs guests are Scott and Jemma Bennett from the brilliant Brew With The Bennetts podcast (available wherever you get your pods) who discuss Scott’s hair-raising experience of testicular torsion, what it’s like to...
Jul 28, 2023•39 min•Season 1Ep. 6
#451 Ragmags - Richard has had some disturbing text messages from one of his kids, but he’s not going to help them. His guests are super nerd magic geniuses, Jeremy Dyson and Andy Nyman. They discuss why Jeremy chose not to appear on stage with the League of Gentlemen, why Andy is non-plussed to be in Star Wars, how the pair met at a summer camp, the Vagina Monologues production at the Arts Theatre led to TWO new theatre shows that have been performed all over the world, why Andy and Jeremy want...
Jul 26, 2023•58 min•Season 27Ep. 7
RETRO RHLSTP #61 - Don’t Look Down - Richard has yet another stomach upset, adding some much needed jeopardy to the podcast. And it’s a meeting of Turner Prize winners past and future as his guest is a name that will echo through the ages (hello future humans) Grayson Perry. They discuss God-like soft toys, the similarities between comedy and art, motorcycle clothing, women’s clothing, masculinity, gender rigidity, who Grayson actually shared a squat with, making sandwiches in a hairdressers, Je...
Jul 24, 2023•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 61
#5 Billy Goat Nuts with Pope Brock - It’s bad news for Richard’s right testicle as it’s extraction day! But will Richard want to be awake for the procedure and will the surgeons get the right one (the right one)? Obviously not. And what happened to him whilst he was under (apart from the obvious)? Richard talks to Pope Brock about the incredible and horrifying testicle money making scheme of John R Brinkley and there are more missives from Richard’s bulging sack (at least he has one bulging sack...
Jul 20, 2023•43 min•Season 1Ep. 5
#450 Am “I” Bovvered? - Richard is now wax free, but contemplating a career change, His guest is actor, writer, stand up and phenomenon Catherine Tate. They discuss whether Catherine and Tom Cruise are friends now, crying in Twickenham station, how Mcfly were the launchpad for Lauren, whether Noel Edmonds is a monster, doing sketches with war criminals and Brexiteers, not being told your series has been cancelled, why the Queen of Oz is NOT based on any ginger prince. Plus find out if Catherine ...
Jul 19, 2023•1 hr•Season 27Ep. 6
RETRO RHLSTP #60 - You've Got Mail - We’ve been recommissioned again for an amazing 19th series and Richard is exhausted from his final attempt to let the world know when International Men’s Day is and what are you talking about? He always wears a suit. There’s nothing unusual going on. His guest is just some guy from some old sketch show and the first Knight (that says Ni) on the podcast, Sir Michael Palin. Obviously Rich is in awe and on his best behaviour, but that won’t stop him bringing up ...
Jul 17, 2023•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 60
#4 Falsifying your Teste-ment with Dr Anna Ploszajski - Richard’s Odd-Ball Odyssey continues as he heads to another doctor who will give him the results of his full body scan. Will he be declared fully fit and be sent home? Seems unlikely. He has a question he’d love to ask (clue in the title of the podcast) and is presented with some decisions, most notably, would he like to wear a falsie? You will find out what he decides, as well as the decisions and opinions of other guests from the series: ...
Jul 14, 2023•49 min•Season 1Ep. 4
#449 Podcast Teeth - Richard risks some Jingle/Mingle material, topical at time of recording, but hopefully nostalgic by the time the podcast comes out. Plus good news for those of you who come to live recordings - he’s clearing out his garage, so you might get presents! His guest is Welsh sex-mountain Mike Bubbins. They discuss whether croissants should be wrapped, the power of the moustache, the infamy of Barry Island, the wonder of Parkinson and the unusual combination of confidence and not b...
Jul 12, 2023•1 hr 1 min•Season 27Ep. 5
Six Foot Penis Man or Tiny Man? Rich is back with another compilation of some of the best answers to the most popular emergency questions - watch out Channel 5! This week he’s asking if comedians and celebrities would prefer to date a man who was a six foot tall penis or a man who, instead of having a penis has a tiny man down there. It produces some surprising answers from guests including Katherine Ryan, James Acaster, Sarah Millican, Ben Goldacre and Mary Lynn Rajskub. And the amazing thing i...
Jul 10, 2023•49 min•Ep. 4
RHLSTP Book Club 60 - Harold Richard goes all transatlantic to chat to legendary US stand up, Steven Wright about his extraordinary novel, Harold. The chat includes allusions to the Venerable Bede, how the novel started on Twitter and was written on a phone, deciding to write a book that takes place in a day entirely inside a seven-year-old’s head, whether anachronisms matter in a book like this, how no one but Wright can do just to his own material, whether we’re ever going to be hit with the s...
Jul 06, 2023•41 min•Ep. 60
#448 Scrambled Egg Pan - Richard is at Hanger Farm Arts Centre in Totton - where? But at least he’s not in New Milton. His guest is ex-Fringe flat mate, actor and occasional woman, Colin Hoult. They talk about being the top guy for Kwik Fit training films, how a depressed Herring broke the dreams of a young double act, how to play Piers Morgan, acting alongside your heroes, addressing your own issues via a character and how Anna Mann came to life and then fused with Colin, the joy of working wit...
Jul 05, 2023•59 min•Season 27Ep. 4
RETRO RHLSTP #59 Lembit Opik Catfish - Richard meets a nuclear physicist impersonator and has a friend who will never be any more than that. This week’s guest is disgraceful self-toucher Joel Dommett. They chat about the gamble of going into the jungle, the pitfalls of the modern dating scene, running a super marathon with the runs, being defeated at Pointless by someone who doesn’t understand the rules, the perils of proposing with a Spotify play-list and how it’s possible for two comedians nev...
Jul 03, 2023•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 59
RHLSTP Book Club 59 - Sex Bomb. Rich chats to comedian Sadia Azmat about her memoir about being a horny Muslim (though much more than that). How important is it that publishing and comedy are representative of the population? Why did Sadia identify with the ugly sisters in Cinderella? Does feminism risk excluding diverse voices and experience? Why wearing the hajib was an act of rebellion. The importance of discussing sex openly. And how writing honestly about your personal experience can resona...
Jun 29, 2023•54 min•Ep. 59
#447 A Walking Hate Crime - Richard returns to Forest Arts Centre in New Milton, the scene of personal and professional disaster in an attempt to finally win over the citizens of this Hampshire town. His guest is pharmacist turned comedian, Ola Labib. They discuss self-medication, whether Portsmouth is better than Southampton, the work Ola has done to raise funds for and awareness of the situation in Sudan, living next door to her mum, how she stalked her husband (before he was her husband), why...
Jun 28, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Season 27Ep. 3
RETRO RHLSTP #58 Fist of Fun - Richard is still bugging last week’s audience about Lego Batman - it’s amazing they keep coming back. His guest is Gillian Pieface, or as she is sometimes known Julian Clary. They chat about how the Universe lets you know it’s time for a break, psychic teeth, burning pianos, perverted monks, the inability to escape innuendo, living next door to hyenas, having a head full of skin, the Tracey family and Aquamarina, Piers Morgan, cocaines, Brian Blessed, Jimmy Greaves...
Jun 26, 2023•58 min•Ep. 58
RHLSTP Book Club 58 - Because I Don't Know What You Mean And What You Don't. Richard chats to comedian Josie Long about her book of short stories with the long title. They discuss the pros and cons (that might also be pros) about this format, how it’s fun not to have to be funny, whether it’s better for art to exist in the moment or be available for many years after creation, ADHD versus Aphantasia (and how we might both have both) and how middle age allows some perspective on the past and a tas...
Jun 22, 2023•50 min•Ep. 58
#446 Hi di Hi - Richard is doing more topical jokes that will be slightly out of date at time of broadcast but a valuable resource for the people of the future. His guest is comedian, author and potato hat wearer Jenny Eclair. They chat about the Bay City Rollers, the portrait of Les Gray, how cystitis ruined the bingo, the sexual allure of Greg Davies, childish comedians coping with the devastation of middle age, whether Richard will survive to have any life after his children have left home, t...
Jun 21, 2023•1 hr 8 min•Season 27Ep. 2
RETRO RHLSTP #57 Chicken Plucker - Rich’s diet continues to go well, but will he be in his 2015 suit by the end of the series? The anticipation is killing us all I know. His guest this week is the sweet-looking, foul-mouthed Rosie Jones. They chat about her meteoric rise to stand up success, how pacing affects comedic impact and can save you having to write too much stuff, what it’s like to be on shows she once worked behind the scenes on, how Jimmy Carr messed up her jokes, some extraordinary s...
Jun 19, 2023•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 57
RHLSTP Book Club 57 - The Magic Hour. Richard chats to screenwriter, author and Fist of Fun alumnus, David Wolstencroft about his first book for children The Magic Hour. They chat about how hidden Edinburgh inspired this book, what you would do with an extra hour a day, combining Scottish myth with Newtonian physics, creating a sense of dread but also funny footnotes, how female scientists have been written out of history, the fractured nature of time and how we realise too late how every second...
Jun 16, 2023•41 min•Ep. 57
#445 The Drug Rats of Porthcawl - Richard is delighted to be back for series 27 of RHLSTP and to be within the short-lived window where he can do topical stand up material. It’s going to be the last time in a while, though there’s talk of a RHLSTP tour! Hie guest is dancer turned comedian turned actor and writer Thanyia Moore. They chat about the lost Tango ads, why she wrote a stand up show about being a bully, the mystery of how the unusual spelling of her name came about, what she did to upse...
Jun 14, 2023•56 min•Season 27Ep. 1
RHLSTP Book Club 56 - Emotional Ignorance. Richard talks to Dr Dean Burnett about why his book about emotions turned out differently than he had initially planned, why emotions may have evolved, the ancient connection between smell and memory, the three different types of tears, what we would be without emotion, why writing about a traumatic experience can be therapeutic, the difference (if any) between male and female brains, how we are affected by the emotions of others and whether the film In...
Jun 09, 2023•45 min•Ep. 56
#444 Sploshing - Richard has some stand up material topical to the week of 20th March 2023 and is cross about the Edinburgh Fringe again. His guest is Taskmaster and Mastermind Champion, Sophie Duker. They talk about the weird and wonderful chemistry between Alex Horne and Sophie, whether kids Taskmaster will crush the souls of the participants, Richard’s jealousy at pansexuality and a revelation about what else the young people are getting up to these days, French pickles, terrible tour accommo...
Jun 07, 2023•59 min•Season 26Ep. 18
RETRO RHLSTP #56 Not My Cup Of Tea - Fired up by his first TV recording in 23 years, Richard decides to work harder on his opening monologue, but is surprised to find how little he’s actually done, but at least there’s one in the eye for Kettle Crisps and luckily his guests are radio and podcast sensations John Robins and Elis James. They discuss pant retirement etiquette, being in a double act that actually like each other (for now), the curse of the Independent comedy couples photo shoot, the ...
Jun 05, 2023•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 56
RHLSTP Book Club 55 - Breath. Richard takes a break from the usual riff-raff to talk to the actual Mayor of London and one of the world’s funniest politicians (low bar) Sadiq Kahn. They discuss the talking points from his new book Breathe about the efforts he has made to improve the air quality of our capital city: his personal reasons for getting interested and the moving and tragic story that anchored his commitment. Can we overcome apathy and cynicism to fight climate change? This positive bo...
Jun 02, 2023•46 min•Ep. 55
#443 Blew Peter - Richard has not drunk alcohol for 27 months, but should he go back to his drunken (and more amusing ways). As is now traditional his final guest of the series is a member of the Ellis family, it’s the brilliant Janet Ellis. They discuss day time drinking with John Thaw and Dennis Waterman, the irritatingly slow speed of K9 from Doctor Who and the embarrassing googlewhack that happened when Richard searched for his favourite episode of Jigsaw. Plus the sinister presence of Nosey...
May 31, 2023•59 min•Season 26Ep. 17
