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Private Notes
RHLSTP is going on the road this year - check richardherring.com/gigs for dates (loads more to come) starting with a journey to Bilston Town Hall in Wolverhampton. Richard is incredibly and justifiably rude about the fifth worst city on the planet, but does he secretly love the place? His guest is local boy made good; author, journalist and defender of Wolverhampton (apart from the racist bits) Sathnam Sanghera. The pair discuss what it was like to work on Live TV (with an amazing revelation about Topless Darts); what it was like being an ordinary person going to Oxbridge; sharing a flat with John Oliver; the universality of the story of Bros and whether one of them has had work done; the figurative and literal madness of family life; and losing religion (and sometimes hair). Sathnam reveals that he has in fact met Richard before and it's a another embarrassing story of past foolishness. The next episode sees a new chapter in the RHLSTP story. Thanks so much to Orange Mark and everyone at British Comedy Guide for their fantastic support for this project.
Richard reveals all the changes that are happening with the podcast, plus what RHLSTP now stands for (and he’s not happy) before introducing the first guest of the new London based series JON RONSON. They discuss giving up internal organs for Jesus, Jon’s part in the election of Donald Trump, how understanding data is the key to ruling the modern world, what it’s like to visit a porn shoot, why people want to have sex with their step-siblings, the insanity of pile-on social media and hypocrisy of humanity and whether the world can survive the internet revolution. Includes NO Emergency Questions.
Richard reveals his plan to have Thin Rich host the last podcast of this series. But will he succeed or obviously fail? Plus some stuff for the Hertfordshire massive. His guest is I’m A Celebrity Runner-Up, Emily Atack. They discuss the pros and cons of going into the jungle, growing up in a showbiz family, just missing out on meeting Michael Jackson, forgotten Eurovision entries, Emily’s mysterious absence from the Inbetweeners’ reunion, skiving off school, turning 30 and how stand up is really easy, and whether it was good or bad that Richard Bacon survived.
Rich has suddenly received a lot of fan mail from suspiciously fluent English students in Mexico who have all given him answers to one specific Emergency Question, but why? Never mind, because it’s time to welcome charming and witty, whisky-giving Rob Brydon - they discuss overacting in crowd scenes, the cheeky persistence that led to Rob’s success, an unfortunate incident with a ladder, which member of the Would I Lie To You team is the most superfluous, impersonating Ken Bruce, stealing from Catherine Zeta Jones, why old people really love cruises and whether Rich really goes to the gym. Plus working on a shopping channel, how Steve Coogan confused America and thinks he is better than a puppet.
Rich manages to do some successful crowd work for once in his long life, before introducing the man the Adam Sandler film was surely based upon, David Morrissey. They chat about being mobbed by zombie fans, why David’s kids thought he was going to be Doctor Who, the meticulous research that goes into being a great actor, whether you can judge a man by his hands, being chewed up and spat out by the Hollywood machine, being freaked out out acting with Michael Caine and why working class actors aren’t getting the breaks that they used to. There’s some powerful stuff in here, but lots of laughs too and the Governor doesn’t kill any major characters.
RHLSTP tours to the Bath Komedia and Rich manages to find some tourists who are disgruntled about the Roman Baths that gave the city its name. Let’s face it, they’re just not as good as modern baths. But Rich is delighted to welcome one of the greatest men in the West Country if not the world, it’s Peter Lord. And he’s not only brought Morph with him, but has a crack at making another as he talks. He’s magic, It’s a fascinating chat about how Aardman went from two kids messing around at their kitchen table to running a huge studio making films, TV shows and adverts. Find out about the chicken secrets behind the Sledgehammer video, what it’s like living next door to polar bears, how Plasticine is a magnet for fire, moonwalking at the Oscars and what Aardman was nearly called. It’s an inspiring story about what is possible if you have the imagination and the luck and a little bit of nepotism. And Rich repays a thirty year old debt (without interest).
Richard is back at the Bath Komedia and chats about the planet that was discovered here and the various names it had, but it doesn’t go on too long, cos he has a great guest and has to drive home, it’s Bath resident and daughter of an assassin, Kerry Howard. The conversation revolves around meeting Ken Campbell without knowing who he was, the varying successes of the BBC’s season of revived sitcoms, an unusual pregnancy, how comedy might be cooked in the womb, how Russell Howard convinced Kerry that she was a good goal-keeper, inappropriate teachers and what happened to sketch shows. And an interjection from the audience makes Richard wonder if it was a mistake to bring the show to the provinces, It wasn’t. There will be loads more shows on the road - come along if you can.
Richard reveals the terrible secret that he was harbouring throughout the David Morrissey podcast before introducing the man who arrogantly claims to have invented the hypothetical question, James Acaster. They discuss teenage bands, how you find out if you are on Taskmaster, favourite meals, the hidden darkness at the heart of Lembit Opik, the missed opportunities in the film Passengers, skiving off to eat custard creams, the unnecessary cruelty of teachers and the influence of Torville and Dean and the influence of the Netflix special,
Richard has a new prop that he hopes will make him a superstar and has a guest who probably has a better chance of making the big time, it’s the force of nature that is London Hughes. Find out why she was sacked from Babestation, the truth behind the scenes at CBeebies, why she got punched when she was a bridesmaid, if she’s about to make it in LA, the racism implicit in the entertainment industry and the inexplicable decision to turn down a travelogue with London and Whoopi Goldberg. It’s an inspiring and passionate podcast, full of laughs and dicks too!
Richard has been spending a lot of time with his kids and consequently his stand up is going to be all Kids Do The Funniest Things from here on in. But it’s been a good ride. His guest is the non-award nominated yet brilliant stand up, Suzi Ruffell.
The pair talk about where all the working class comedians have gone, Herring’s life of crime and how the police will never catch him, the Portsmouth witch, more horrible teachers, nocturnal worrying and the weirdness of anyone objecting to love. Plus the million to one chance of a man persuading lesbians to have a threesome.
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 never to gig together in 11 years.
Richard explains why he is constantly upsetting businesses who ask him to fill in surveys, before meeting this week’s guest, impressionist and satirist, who is still unable to write jokes about the future, Matt Forde.
Find out about the extraordinary day where Matt was mentioned in parliament, diagnosed with a surprising disease and chased down the street by a spitting Finn, the rollercoaster of verbal abuse of being a child mascot for Nottingham Forest in 1993, whether Nottingham has anything that isn’t imaginary to be proud of, interviewing Blair and Farage, March based predictions for what will be happening in May, how topical it is possible to be and how broken the political system might be and how 650 idiots might save it. Plus a doctor’s blasé remedy for a fatal allergy and the hubris of claiming you know everything about Mark Lawrenson.
Happily-married Rich meets a man who works in a castle and the woman he has found love with, before introducing the legend that is Les Dennis.
They talk about a mysterious spate of Norfolk-based graffiti, both types of dying on stage, the strange dynamics of a double act, living your private life out in public, getting tax advice from Ken Dodd and how go survive in showbusiness for half a century and counting. There are stories of the great comedians of the past and a heartwarming story of overcoming tragedy and heartbreak to come out stronger and a career that includes The Comedians, game shows, soaps and the RSC. It’s a truly remarkable and inspiring podcast from one of the loveliest men in the world who isn’t afraid to laugh at himself and make the jokes harsher than even Ricky Gervais can manage.
Richard believes he will soon be a multi-millionaire but agrees to give 1/365th of this profits to charity. His guest is comedy legend Matt Lucas. They talk about the power of honesty in comedy, even if the comedian comes out of it badly, how Matt became possibly the only person who’s rung up to complain about a TV show to end up working with the stars, the combination of talent, hard work and luck that is required for success, being in a Blur video by accident, dealing with tragedy and a considered look back at Little Britain and how it should or shouldn’t be judged in hindsight. And the importance of talking about issues rather than shouting over the social media divide. Also Rich reveals his gay experimentation and considers changing teams.
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 stuff about having sex with dead animals, disabled representation in the media and how inappropriate humour can help us through tricky situations and ultra-serious acting scenes.
Plus the other Rosie Jones and a new take on Sliding Doors and how comedy can help people to understand disability. You’ll love her. She’s awesome.
Richard E Grant has foolishly left a bottle of his scent behind and Rich uses it as a pomander to erase the stink from his unwashed crowd, before introducing a woman who has sat on Annie Lennox’s knee, Tiff Stevenson.
Find out one of the behind the scenes secrets of The Office, how Tiff ended up working with Dizzee Rascal, how she hopes to level the playing field to gain better representation, what it’s like to go bird-spotting with Ed Byrne, how to dispatch a starling and the ups and downs of appearing on a TV talent search. Plus more on the struggle to become an established comedian in today’s competitive market.
RHLSTP comes to Birmingham Town Hall and the biggest audience Richard has ever performed to (outside of charity gigs) with over 1000 people in attendance. Blimey. His guest this week is Adrian Chiles.
The pair discuss failing an interview for MI5, the rollercoaster ride of hosting (and watching) the One Show, what people say to you when you were once on TV but aren’t so much now, an horrific childhood accident, an unrequested story about having a wet dream and why God lets bad things happen to good people. Plus if you watch the video version you can see the show being signed and see a lot of rude things being acted out by some nice ladies. Do come and see the show on tour if you can - amazing reception from the unfortunate people of Brum.
Richard has been dreaming about the Wiggles and one of them has been tweeting him. But is it Emma? Richard’s guest is the showbiz legend, 75 years in the business and no sign of stopping yet, Nicholas Parsons.
Although Nicholas is a bit annoyed about some cab based confusion on the way here, he is as masterful and witty on stage as ever, recounting tales of Just A Minute and Sale of the Century, but also talking about working on Clydebank in the 1940s, his film work with Jerry Lewis and an alligator, why he only appeared in on one Carry On film, his work and break up with Arthur Haynes (and who Ed Sullivan thought was best) and dressing up for the Rocky Horror Show.
Also working with Rik and Ade on the Comic Strip and how the show must go on even after a blow to the head. But in the new Herring and Parsons double act, who is the straight man and is he getting too many laughs? WARNING Nicholas Parsons SWEARS!
Richard chats with a therapist and a photographer in the front row before bringing on his triumvirate of guests, Danielle Ward, Michael Legge and Margaret Cabourn-Smith, otherwise known as the Do The Right Thing podcast.
They discuss celebrity snogs and failed celebrity snogs, the attempt to move their podcast to TV, what happens when you meet your dad in a dark room (not photography based), giving birth to the children of Tiny Andrew Collings, why Richard will probably never be a successful actor and a lot about death. Plus some tributes to shared producer Ben and is it better to podcast for free than be a highly paid TV star.
Richard has been gigging back home in Cheddar and meets a face from his past. His guest this week is broadcaster, author, President of Humanists UK and part-time Victoria Coren lookalike, Professor Alice Roberts.
The pair discuss meeting the Blue Peter team, the behind the scenes debauchery of Time Team and what happened if they didn’t find anything, the great human journey and how much monkey business ended up affecting our DNA, an island of dead hobbits, Australian hypocrisy, how we might improve our useless human bodies, what God was thinking and the Sliding Doors world where dogs never existed.
It’s the end of the run at the Leicester Square Theatre and time to find out if Richard can fit into his suit from 5 years ago, as he promised. His guests are the Uber-nerds Anna, Dan, Andrew and James from the insanely popular No Such Thing As A Fish podcast.
Find out what obscure facts they have about each other, whether sneaky brains or beauty is more important, their similarity to the X Men, whether holding in wee can kill you, why you don’t see cavemen ghosts and how podcasting has conquered the world (for some of us). Plus sexual superpowers, dreaming octopuses and horses in whale farts. It’s a rip roaring finale for this 18 very separate weeks at the theatre, but podcasts are now coming to you, so please support all of us on tour if you can.
