RHLSTP with Richard Herring

#557 Sex Dungeon - Richard is back in Leicester again, fresh from an interview with a journalist who has been up the Queen. His guest is Australian comedian and adventurer John Robertson. They talk about how an appearance on a TV show led to him getting married, his fantastic interactive game show The Dark Room, scary gigs in pubs in small towns in Australia, being a sex person, but avoiding drugs and how Richard has inspired him and let him down in equal measure.See John's show at the Edinburgh Festival - https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/john-robertson-s-the-dark-roomSupport our Kickstarter here https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/467836598/can-i-have-my-ball-backFor Richard’s remaining live stand up gigs http://richardherring.com/ballback/tourCome and see RHLSTP live at the Edinburgh Festival - https://www.thestand.co.uk/fringe/2441/richard-herring-rhlstpSUPPORT THE SHOW!Watch our TWITCH CHANNELSee extra content at our WEBSITE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#357 Shamgel - Richard wonders if the man who wrote the Grange Hill theme might have been hoodwinking us all along. His guest is the formidable Dragon, Deborah Meaden. Rich is hoping he can get an investment of at least £50 million and pitches some ideas, whilst they also discuss being thrown into Murder in Successville, being parodied by Harry and Paul, ethical business, whether the Dragons are friends, where Meaden can save Cheddar caves and how Richard has become an (arguably more successful) business owner than Deborah. Plus what it’s like to be a child prodigy who turns their back on their skill, what Rich missed out on at Butlins Minehead and why a Dragon should never back time travel.SUPPORT THE SHOW!Support the CAN I HAVE MY BALL BACK KICKSTARTERWatch our TWITCH CHANNELBecome a badger and see extra content at our WEBSITESee details of the RHLSTP TOUR DATESBuy DVDs and Books from GO FASTER STRIPE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Support our Kickstarter here https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/467836598/can-i-have-my-ball-backFor Richard’s remaining live stand up gigs http://richardherring.com/ballback/tourCome and see RHLSTP live http://richardherring.com/rhlstp Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#556 Not As Good As It Used To Be - Richard returns to Leicester and reveals the curt message of one of the comedians he asked on the podcast. His guests are two of the men behind the publishing sensation and hugely influential comedy juggernaut that is Viz magazine. They discuss the humble beginnings of this adult comic, how publishers tried and failed to sanitise it, working with Peter Cook on Tiger Mellie, the terrible imitators, who was the first person to say it wasn’t as good as it used to be (and when), plus Richard’s posh introduction to the work and his pride at being in the Profanisaurus. A great chat with two down to earth comedy geniuses who changed the landscape of British comedy.Support our Kickstarter here https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/467836598/can-i-have-my-ball-backFor Richard’s remaining live stand up gigs http://richardherring.com/ballback/tourCome and see RHLSTP live http://richardherring.com/rhlstpSUPPORT THE SHOW!Watch our TWITCH CHANNELSee extra content at our WEBSITE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#356 Gravity - Rich has had what he thought might be the most middle class accident, but he is wrong. His guest is a listener who has won a competition to be on the show, the Dorian Grey of morning TV, Ben Shephard. They discuss how science proves Ben a better singer than a West End star, whether there’s a man with a broom behind the Tipping Point machine, revenge as a dish served very cold, why Rich was fired from morning television, how Ben’s charity work found him at Buckingham Palace and what Richard had to do for the same invitation, feeling up Julie Walters, plus a classic emergency question and Ben turning the tables and asking some stuff about testicles that he might not do on morning telly.SUPPORT THE SHOW!Support the CAN I HAVE MY BALL BACK KICKSTARTERWatch our TWITCH CHANNELBecome a badger and see extra content at our WEBSITESee details of the RHLSTP TOUR DATESBuy DVDs and Books from GO FASTER STRIPE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

RHLSTP Book Club 134 - The Invisible Doctrine - Recorded in front of an audience at the prestigious Royal Geographical Society, Richard talks to journalist George Monbiot about his very readable investigation into Neo-Liberalism (co-authored with Peter Hutchinson) The Invisible Doctrine. George does most of the talking, which is probably for the best and reveals what he considers to the be the starting point of capitalism, why capitalism and commerce are not the same thing, the roots of Neo Liberalism in the closing stages of World War II, why it took 30 years to come to prominence, conspiracy theories versus conspiracy fictions, why the left has missed opportunities to defeat Neo-liberalism, what happened when Liz Truss tried to institute its policies all in one go, why Starmer is wrong to try and legitimise Reform and whether there is hope for the future and what we can do to stand up to a political system that threatens our planet. Rousing and fascinating stuff.Event hosted by How To Academy - check out their podcast, the How To Academy Podcast, exploring big ideas with distinguished leaders, artists, and thinkers, available wherever you listen.Buy the book here - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-invisible-doctrine-understanding-neoliberalism-peter-hutchinson/7402463Support our Kickstarter here https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/467836598/can-i-have-my-ball-backTo see Rich on tour head here http://richardherring.com/ballback/tour Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#555 Welsh Freddie Mercury - Richard has found out the true lyrics of a 1990s pop classic and is going to tell you them in detail. His guests are internet satirists Larry and Paul. They talk about which one is which, the long genesis of their online sketch content, the BBC’s reluctance to promote podcasts in 2008 or understand why radio shows needed video, why a Labour government (especially this one) does not mean the end of political satire, impressing Jeremy Vine and potentially insulting Matt Lucas and David Walliams, how Self Esteem being on a delayed train almost led to an embarrassing situation with Carol Vorderman, whether TV is a worthwhile ambition for people making their own content, is it a good idea to have children and Paul (or is it Larry) has come in with some of his own emergency questions, one of which is a little spicy.Support our Kickstarter here https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/467836598/can-i-have-my-ball-backFor Richard’s remaining live stand up gigs http://richardherring.com/ballback/tourCome and see RHLSTP live http://richardherring.com/rhlstpFor Larry and Paul’s videos https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSrVr5o27krtcuNgjR5RgdwSUPPORT THE SHOW!Watch our TWITCH CHANNELSee extra content at our WEBSITE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#355 Mind Your Language -  Richard is excited by the upcoming film Wonka and has some other ideas for origin story films. His guest is the Sidesplitting Phil Wang. They discuss how straddling two cultures can give you a humorous perspective on both, but leave you feeling rejected by both, 1970s television and how harshly we should judge it, racist nursery rhymes, Richard’s Asian hair, John Lewis’s 150 year old gametes, what box Phil needs to tick on the ethnicity questionnaire, how to get away with pooing yourself at school and why comedians are often introverts.Phil’s book - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sidesplitter-How-Two-Worlds-Once/dp/B08ZFN35WSPhil’s Netflix special - https://www.netflix.com/title/81161806Support our Kickstarter here https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/467836598/can-i-have-my-ball-backTo see Rich on tour head here http://richardherring.com/ballback/tourCome and see RHLSTP live http://richardherring.com/rhlstpSUPPORT THE SHOW!Watch our TWITCH CHANNELBecome a badger and see extra content at our WEBSITESee details of the RHLSTP TOUR DATESBuy DVDs and Books from GO FASTER STRIPE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Book Club #133 - A Room Above a Shop - A Room Above A Shop - Richard talks to debut novelist Anthony Shapland about his hit short novel/long poem A Room Above A Shop. They chat about growing up gay in a small town in the Welsh valleys in the late 80s and how that inspired this story, about how simplicity in writing can be incredibly complex, swirling around in cesspits of your own making, the tabloid reaction to homosexuality and how that is mirrored in today’s world, how a room above a shop becomes an escape and a place of freedom and how to stop the author intruding on the story. Excellent book, really interesting chat.Buy the book here - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/a-room-above-a-shop-anthony-shapland/7774516?ean=9781803511603Support our Kickstarter here https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/467836598/can-i-have-my-ball-backTo see Rich on tour head here http://richardherring.com/ballback/tour Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#554 Philip Schofield’s Diabolic Pitchfork - Philip Schofield’s Diabolic Pitchfork - It’s been snow day this week and Rich muses unsuccessfully on whether there’s a place when snow is neither exciting or banal for children and how snow promises much but always delivers tears. His guest is musician and actor (no, I am not doing it) Chesney Hawkes. They talk about growing up in a musical household, kissing Julia Sawalha, becoming a pop sensation at 19 and being bullied by adults who should have known better, the choice between leaning into his most famous hit or backing away from it, how love saved him from self-destruction, what Chesney’s autobiography might be called, whether his early success is a curse or a blessing, appearing in an advert with an orangutang, dancing nude in a stately home and Rich’s plans for Chesney’s grave.Support our Kickstarter here https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/467836598/can-i-have-my-ball-backTo see Rich on tour head here http://richardherring.com/ballback/tourCome and see RHLSTP live http://richardherring.com/rhlstpSUPPORT THE SHOW!Watch our TWITCH CHANNELSee extra content at our WEBSITE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#354 Rufus Arenque -  Richard can’t stop thinking about a man he walked past 30 years ago but is somehow walking taller. His guest can answer the question “Are you Dave Gorman?” in the affirmative, as he is Dave Gorman. They talk about moving to Bournemouth being newsworthy, how to become a crossword millionaire, how Ted Rogered the cryptic crossword, whether logs are sentient, why Covid was a positive (as long as you ignore the negatives), how an Ian Dury song provided the key to Dave’s stand up, the shortest lived street performance career, scary Coventry Jesus and the pair try to work out when the last time they will ever be mentioned or thought of might occur (hello people of 2521).Support our Kickstarter here https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/467836598/can-i-have-my-ball-backTo see Rich on tour head here http://richardherring.com/ballback/tourCome and see RHLSTP live http://richardherring.com/rhlstpSUPPORT THE SHOW!Watch our TWITCH CHANNELBecome a badger and see extra content at our WEBSITESee details of the RHLSTP TOUR DATESBuy DVDs and Books from GO FASTER STRIPE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#553 Penis Seam - Rich has come up with a scheme where all his listeners can live in central London and make money - or one of us gets £20 million. His guest is Edinburgh Comedy Award Winner Amy Gledhill. It starts out pretty gross and doesn’t get much better, as Rich removes some clothes and part of his body (be glad it’s audio only). They chat about how winning the award wasn’t the immediate celebration/elevation that you might expect, all the amazing comedians who have never been nominated (mainly Rich, but how he came close), working with Dave Spikey on the fantastic Alma’s Not Normal and getting very drunk with Sophie Willan, the terrific podcast Single Ladies In Your Area and why women need a show about dating going wrong, but maybe men need their own version too and how Richard became a master of dating (largely because of the low bar set by other men).To see Rich on tour head here http://richardherring.com/ballback/tourCome and see RHLSTP live http://richardherring.com/rhlstpSUPPORT THE SHOW!Watch our TWITCH CHANNELSee extra content at our WEBSITE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#353 It Was The 90s! - Richard has been tossing logs and that’s literally it for this week, so he talks to his audience for the first time in ages. His guest is author and comedian Shaparak “Shappi” Khorsandi. They discuss why she has chosen to use her birth name, the responsibilities of being a dog owner, the life of Emma Hamilton, I’m a Celebrity, performing at the Edinburgh Fringe of 2021, the moon on a stick, why Shaparak’s comedy is better now that she has been diagnosed with ADHD and what happens if you don’t know you are writing a book for 12 year olds.Buy Richard’s “Would You Rather?” Book here https://www.gofasterstripe.com/cgi-bin/w.cgi?showfull=47646Buy Shappi’s book here https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kissing-Emma/dp/B098CDL6YCTo see Rich on tour head here http://richardherring.com/ballback/tourCome and see RHLSTP live http://richardherring.com/rhlstpSUPPORT THE SHOW!Watch our TWITCH CHANNELBecome a badger and see extra content at our WEBSITESee details of the RHLSTP TOUR DATESBuy DVDs and Books from GO FASTER STRIPE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Book Club #132 - Cafe Chaos -  Richard interviews award winning children’s author Catherine Wilkins who has made the long journey into his annexe (who knows what he gets up to in there) to talk about her new eighth book Cafe Chaos - My Life is Not a Piece of Cake! They chat about where she got the inspiration for the situation and the characters, Richard’s modest and realistic hopes for the success of the series, why comedians write such good kids books, the importance of getting a brilliant illustrator and audiobook reader, covering serious topics in a comedy book and how Catie avoided doing a cartwheel at the Lollies Awards.Buy the book here - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/cafe-chaos-my-family-is-not-a-piece-of-cake-catherine-wilkins/7764360?ean=9781805132660Come to a RHLSTP live! - https://richardherring.com/rhlstp Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#552 The Mouse With Cumin In Its Eyes - Richard is very impressed with the thoroughness of Hitchin bins and as used to being the rudest person in any room as he is, he may have met his match in this week’s guest Poppy Hillstead. Not for those of a sensitive disposition. They discuss her brilliant new podcast, Brainwash Me and the unusual diet of the man who inspired it, which of the pair will kill the other and how on the stone-clearing field, partying with David Icke, the terrible consequences of preventing 9/11, drawing a whimsical penis and whether we need to be more sensitive and understanding of men and their innate stupidity, what you would do to a chicken on a desert island and weird driving instructors inspiring comedy. Poppy has a unique and wonderful mind and you should check out all her podcasts!To see Rich on tour head here http://richardherring.com/ballback/tourCome and see RHLSTP live http://richardherring.com/rhlstpSUPPORT THE SHOW!Watch our TWITCH CHANNELSee extra content at our WEBSITE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#352 For Sport - Richard has been teaching his kid wrong information, for a payoff that will take years to come and he finally has his hands on a copy of Would You Rather? His guest is inspirational comedian/podcaster/actor/author/role model Katherine Ryan. They discuss why audacity is a good thing, why we should all find our childhood sweetheart and marry them, trying to recapture the funniness of yourself as a child, being a baby genius, getting knocked back by Stephen Hawking, honesty in comedy and whether you can tell if you have long Covid when you have a baby in the house.Buy Katherine’s book here https://www.amazon.co.uk/Audacity-first-superstar-comedian-Katherine/dp/1788703987To see Rich on tour head here http://richardherring.com/ballback/tourCome and see RHLSTP live http://richardherring.com/rhlstpSUPPORT THE SHOW!Watch our TWITCH CHANNELBecome a badger and see extra content at our WEBSITESee details of the RHLSTP TOUR DATESBuy DVDs and Books from GO FASTER STRIPE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Book Club #131 - The Leopard In My House - Rich talks to comedian and fellow cancer survivor Mark Steel about his absolutely brilliant book The Leopard In My House. They chat about the unlikely friendships that have come about because of his cancer, the terrific responses from other comedians, why the NHS should be treasured, the friends we have lost to the disease, why Mark now laughs at people with road rage, the dangers of oral sex and the humanity at the heart of the book and why it’s Eastenders meets Jurassic Park.Buy Mark’s book here - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/ms-recovery-mark-steel/7690534?ean=9781529941029Listen to us talking more about our cancers with Matt Forde here https://shows.acast.com/rhlstp/episodes/special-episode-in-partnership-with-cancer-research-ukCome to a RHLSTP live! - https://richardherring.com/rhlstp Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#551 Human Dodecapede - Richard has a new notebook and is making jokes that were topical in November 2024 (and probably still are) and has met one of his sporting heroes, for whom Rich is an unlikely hero. His guest this week is cricket statistician Andy Zaltzman. They talk about what it is to be a Taskmaster Champion, who might have had the most awkward introduction to their team on the show and the power of dressing like a snooker player. Also how Andy landed what must have been his two dream jobs, how to improve the game Howzat, self-playing Subbuteo, whether John Oliver is in danger in the USA, how Zaltzman has been podcasting even longer than the Podfather, whether cricket pads to Pakistan is coals to Newcastle and some unusual picks for a perennial qesugtion.See Andy’s new tour - https://www.andyzaltzman.co.uk/To support Rich in his Solero challenge please donate here https://www.justgiving.com/page/noleroTo see Rich on tour head here http://richardherring.com/ballback/tourCome and see RHLSTP live http://richardherring.com/rhlstpSUPPORT THE SHOW!Watch our TWITCH CHANNELSee extra content at our WEBSITE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#351 T n T - Richard’s daughter has written a story to rival the Men of Phise and Rich has come up with a new sitcom idea. His guests are his 1990s comedy rivals Adam and Joe. Find out how Song Wars nearly caused awkwardness for Joe, whether the documentary voice over man will be in Attack the Block 2, whether a 1990s parody of how rubbish the internet is stands up today, boarding school bullying and comedy revenge, who was the best 1990s mainly forgotten double act and is it possible to still be friends after 40 years of knowing each other. Plus where you can see Lee and Herring nude and what part did Richard fail to get in the Sex Pistols TV series?To see Rich on tour head here http://richardherring.com/ballback/tourCome and see RHLSTP live http://richardherring.com/rhlstpSUPPORT THE SHOW!Watch our TWITCH CHANNELSee extra content at our WEBSITE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Book Club #130 -  Picnic on Craggy Island - Richard talks to ex radio and TV producer and now successful novelist Lissa Evans about her fab book of reminiscences about working on Father Ted. They discuss what it is that a producer actually does (which is an awful lot as it turns out), how Lissa went from fan girl to producing the second and third series of this iconic series, the perfection of the casting and sometimes unrecognisability of the actors, the tragedy of Dermot Morgan’s death the day after the final day of filming, why you should never tell writers not to do something, the relative lack of photos and why it’s nice to look back at this series from the distance of three decades.Buy the book here - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/picnic-on-craggy-island-the-surreal-joys-of-producing-father-ted-lissa-evans/7714680?ean=9781529943795Come to a RHLSTP live! - https://richardherring.com/rhlstp Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#550 Julian Clary’s Glittery Balls - Rich pays tribute to a former guest who we have very sadly lost, but is trying to look on the bright side too and get some laughs as is only right at the death of a comedian. His guest is alive at time of recording, Nish Kumar. They talk about the new Tory leader (at time of recording) and how they compare with the sexiness of previous head honchos, how much we should tax billionaires and if we can change their mindset to make them less hoardy, spending millions to regain youth and why Nish should enjoy being 39 while he still can, the possible consequences of the US election (which you may know more about than us, but good to get some predictions in), ideal pre-gig food and what you shouldn’t eat, why Milton Jones (and now Nish Kumar) is the best comedian to support and what happens if his audience takes against you.If you want to see Nish’s Don’t Kill My Vibe tour simply travel into the past.To support Rich in his Solero challenge please donate here https://www.justgiving.com/page/noleroTo see Rich on tour head here http://richardherring.com/ballback/tourCome and see RHLSTP live http://richardherring.com/rhlstpSUPPORT THE SHOW!Watch our TWITCH CHANNELSee extra content at our WEBSITE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#350 Docking - Richard had written an actual joke and been dreaming of tiny animal attacks, plus performing music in quite an unusual way. His guest it arguably a more accomplished musician - it’s the impossibly cool and talented Louise Wener. They discuss the similarities of their experiences of school and the 90s, what it’s like to appear on Top of the Pops (and the impossibility of both of them getting on the show), writing your own reviews, the sexism of the music industry, stealing Blur’s cheese and why being a rock star is better the second time around.To see Rich on tour head here http://richardherring.com/ballback/tourCome and see RHLSTP live http://richardherring.com/rhlstpSUPPORT THE SHOW!Watch our TWITCH CHANNELSee extra content at our WEBSITE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Book Club #129 - A Voyage Around The Queen - Richard talks to journalist Craig Brown about his fantastic biography of Queen Elizabeth II, A Voyage Around the Queen. They discuss his glorious tangential approach to biography which he’s already used to great effect in books on Princess Margaret and the Beatles, how the Queen in an alternate universe might have been a more anonymous figure, how she had been there through almost all of our lives, the occasionally excretory effect she had on people how met her, whether it’s possible to grasp her real character, the profundity of people queuing to see her lying in state, the possible truth about Michael Fagan and how Rich might have figured in the book had he been a little braver. Plus how Royal protocol resulted in Cherie Blair getting pregnant, how Craig upset Donald Trump and the wrong uns that drifted through the Queen’s life.Buy the book here - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Voyage-Around-Queen-bestselling-biography/dp/0008557497Come to a RHLSTP live! - https://richardherring.com/rhlstp Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#549 Noleros - Richard has taken on a huge personal challenge for charity that might affect his ability to do his job (so what was the excuse before?). His guest is crossword compiler (though we never mention that) Dave Gorman. They talk about a jacket potato based autobiography, who the Queen is, how trying to save the planet could help terrorists, why he’s returned to Modern Life is Goodish after 7 years ad the reason there are only 3 episodes in the series, rather than the recorded 4, when snacks mutate and super-long finger nails and will Dave Gorman return to Neighbours?To support Rich in his Solero challenge please donate here https://www.justgiving.com/page/noleroTo see Rich on tour head here http://richardherring.com/ballback/tourCome and see RHLSTP live http://richardherring.com/rhlstpSUPPORT THE SHOW!Watch our TWITCH CHANNELSee extra content at our WEBSITE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Book Club #128 - Don’t Make Me Laugh - Richard talks to journalist Julia Raeside about her debut novel Don’t Make Me Laugh about the dark side of the comedy industry and the coercive vampiric narcissists who can inhabit it. It’s a lively chat about how comedy attracts emotionally stunted performers and emotionally vulnerable fans and the grey areas that can be created and exploited within that, the changes that have happened to the industry over the years and the problems that still persist, whether people who have been caught out should be allowed to return to the job, how women in comedy have combined to fight the problem and why that’s quite tedious for them and why it’s difficult for men to talk about this issue.Buy the book here - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/don-t-make-me-laugh-julia-raeside/7744516?ean=9781835011850Come to a RHLSTP live! - https://richardherring.com/rhlstp Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#547 The Higher the Hair - Rich has had a bit of trouble getting to the theatre tonight as if he didn’t have enough to put up with being roasted by his kids. But he’s here and ready to give as good as he gets with the fabulous and wise Milton Jones. They chat about bat boxes, falling off stage, turning 60, Sting’s pulling power, what it would be like to be handsome, Tricorn hats, reverse engineering puns. Piers Morgan’s surprising unpleasantness, being a weather girl for a day, 10 second sermons, whether the gospels are funnier than we realise and what’s OK and not OK to joke about as a Christian and the legal case against Ha! Milton is given some evidence that will hopefully see Milton heavily sued.See Ha!Milton. Details here -  https://www.miltonjones.co.uk/SUPPORT THE SHOW!Watch our TWITCH CHANNELSee extra content at our WEBSITE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Book Club #127 - The Centrist Dad Handbook - Rich chats to Nico Tatarowicz about the book he cowrote with Jason Hazeley, The Centrist Dad’s Handbook. What is a Centrist Dad? Is it essentially just Rich? Why is this a stereotype that seems both fair and ripe for the picking? Is it really so bad to be someone who compromises and what does it have to say about the state of masculinity in general? Would it be possible to do an entire book of headlines parodying Adrian Chiles’ columns? Also some interesting chat about the state of comedy writing for TV and why the decline of sketch shows might have serious implications for the future of the craft.Buy the book here - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-centrist-dad-handbook-jason-hazeley/7725471?ean=9781526681997Come to a RHLSTP live! - https://richardherring.com/rhlstp Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This very special episode is brought to you in paid partnership with Cancer Research UK. At the end of last year, myself, Matt Forde and Mark Steel sat down to have a frank, raw, funny and open conversation about something that has affected us all - cancer. We were later joined by Dr Sam Godfrey, the Science Engagement Lead at Cancer Research UK, who gave us invaluable insight into the incredible work Cancer Research UK are doing and why the future is looking bright. Disclaimer for this one - very strong language and discussions of cancer diagnosis and treatment are used throughout. Disclaimer: CRUK can only accept donations from countries where we are a registered charity. Cancer Research UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1089464), Scotland (SC041666), the Isle of Man (1103) and Jersey (247). #adDonate here - https://donate.cancerresearchuk.org/donate Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#547 Armadillo - Richard is lonely enough to consider taking up cycling, but is he prepared to cycle 47 miles to end up where he started? His guest is posho stand up Ivo Graham. They discuss the biscuity temptations of writers’ rooms, a dangerously unfocused attitude towards Wordle, disastrous appearances on the Weakest Link, how you can’t really dine out forever on a 15 year old competition win, coming last in Taskmaster, whether we should have sympathy for someone who boarded at Eton and why it’s admirable to embrace rather than hide your privilege as a comedian. Check out Ivo’s gigs here https://www.ivograham.com/Watch his special here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2E4eQ6_bvESUPPORT THE SHOW!Watch our TWITCH CHANNELSee extra content at our WEBSITE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Book Club #126 - Munichs - Richard dials up Japan to talk to one of his favourite writers David Peace about his book about the Munich Air Disaster, Munichs. They talk about how David’s father made him want to cover this harrowing story, after his funnier books about Brian Clough and Bill Shankly, the delicate balance of combining history and imagination to create this relentless and mesmerising novel, the brilliance of Christopher Ecclestone as an audiobook reader, the magical boots of Tommy Taylor, the surprising rapidity of opposing supporters turning against United, giving a voice to ordinary people, the lottery of survival and the inevitable what ifs and David’s plans to take the story further.Buy the book here - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Munichs-Novel-David-Peace/dp/0571381154Come to a RHLSTP live! - https://richardherring.com/rhlstp Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#546 Smash or Pass? Richard is considering becoming a sex worker, but there’s a line he will not cross. His guest is hilarious newcomer Chelsea Birkby. They chat about what it's like to do support in big theatres (and in your home town), making a gimmick of unusual physical features, the blurred area between objectification and flattery, being made to dress up as a baby by a Frenchman, whether Chelsea is bipolar or not, if the Cheeky Girls know more about philosophy than Plato and attempting to send the lottery results psychically to yourself in the past.Chelsea’s gig details can be found here https://www.chelseabirkby.com/See a live recording of RHLSTP - https://richardherring.com/rhlstpSUPPORT THE SHOW!Watch our TWITCH CHANNELSee extra content at our WEBSITE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Book Club #125 - The Peepshow - Dip My Brain In Joy - Richard chats to Yvonne Innes about her fabulous and moving book about her fabulous husband, Neil Innes, Dip My Brain In Joy. They talk about Neil’s amazing and wide-ranging career, his freewheeling personality which may not have made him the greatest businessman, but probably meant he had a lot more fun and joy in his life, the wide range of his work from the Bonzos to Raggy Dolls to the Idiot Bastard Band, the various disputes and fallings out that scuppered some of his projects, getting paid by Oasis and Rich failing to say hello when they got in and out of the same taxi in Melbourne.Buy the book here - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/dip-my-brain-in-joy-my-life-with-neil-innes-the-official-biography-yvonne-innes/7695395?ean=9781785121692Come to a RHLSTP live! - https://richardherring.com/rhlstp Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#545 Who Chooses The Sperm? Richard is back in Birmingham, after having iodine squirted through his veins (for some reason). His guest is Twitter sensation and fine stand up comedian Josh Pugh. They talk about how lockdown led to his hilarious videos on social media, his many caps for England, the Atherstone Purge, the disappointment of hosting the coverage of the Paris Paralympics, being a bicycle version of a pantomime horse, wanking in a hospital during lockdown, getting stuck in a puffer jacket for over a day, performing on Live at the Apollo and the lack of realism within Paw Patrol.See Josh’s special for free here  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgLxdII5msgSee a live recording of RHLSTP - https://richardherring.com/rhlstpSUPPORT THE SHOW!Watch our TWITCH CHANNELSee extra content at our WEBSITE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Retro 88 - Carry On Cocaining - Richard is worried that his comments about a royal might lead to his ultimate demise... buy he's more worried about extreme vaginal temperatures. He's got two great gigs to distract his lazy ass, Isma Almas and Tony Slattery. With Isma he discusses how it's possible to tick too many boxes, performing in a burkha, why comedy is the perfect job if you hate working and they hatch a foolproof plan to get back at their critics.. Tony chats about his career and the factors that led to its implosion, how much coke he might have been taking a week, Kenneth Branagh's campness, the harshness of an industry that loves you when you're winning and the lessons he has learned. It's really brilliant, so stop reading this and listen to it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Book Club #124 - The Peepshow - Richard talks to former obituary writer, Kate Summerscale about her fantastic book about murder and post-war London, Kate Summerscale. They discuss whether the crimes of Christie are as familiar to younger people as they were to us in our childhoods, how you approach writing about such a gruesome and sensitive subject and the modern day events that inspired the book, how the 1950s were rather more grim in general than people seem to remember and how misogyny and racism pervade this story, trying to understand the kind of monster who would commit these crimes and why we want to read about them (and why journalists and authors want to write about them), the importance of making sure the victims of the crime are respectfully remembered, the enduring mystery of why Timothy Evans confessed to two of the murders and the chilling monster of the invisible everyman at the heart of these terrible crimes.Buy the book here - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-peepshow-the-murders-at-10-rillington-place-kate-summerscale/7681034?ean=9781526660480Come to a RHLSTP live! - https://richardherring.com/rhlstp Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#544 Is This About Up the Arse? - Richard returns to Birmingham Town Hall for another couple of weeks of Brum based podcasts. His guest this week is Twitter sensation, Ruth Husko. They discuss how she has shared some great comedy on the moribund social media channel and why she got banned from it, the cockfighting of Wednesbury, why Freddie Starr is schmokin’, Richard’s plan to win the lottery, how much the public would give up to save Bob Mortimer, Scooby Doo porn, Richard’s erotic prejudice against cockneys, how Ruth failed to marry Stewart Lee and whether she should make the leap to full time comedian.Follow Ruth on Twitter @dank_ackroyd. You won’t regret it.See a live recording of RHLSTP - https://richardherring.com/rhlstpSUPPORT THE SHOW!Watch our TWITCH CHANNELSee extra content at our WEBSITE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Book Club #123 - You Don’t Have To Be Mad To Work Here - In the first of a new series of Book Club Richard talks to psychiatrist and former stand up Benji Waterhouse (if that is his real name) about his terrific memoir about working for the NHS and the importance of prioritising mental health. They discuss how to treat this subject with humour and sensitivity, as well as providing your patients with anonymity, the short-sightedness of underfunding and ignoring our mental health, the difficult decisions that NHS staff are forced to make, why Benji wanted to include his personal issues in the book, the shadow of Adam Kay and writing the screen play. Plus why Richard definitely doesn’t need a psychiatrist! Buy the book here - www.amazon.co.uk/You-Dont-Have-Work-Here/dp/1787333175See Benji on tour - www.livenation.co.uk/benji-waterhouse-tickets-adp1542142Come to a RHLSTP live! - https://richardherring.com/rhlstp Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#543 House of Losers - Richard has had a worrying dream, but what can it all mean? His guest is an alien from outer space and not a man in an impressive but ridiculous costume, the artist formerly known as Lord Buckethead, Count Binface. They discuss his reasons for travelling light years to take on sitting Prime Ministers in UK elections, some of his excellent policies involving hand dryers and Ceefax, whether snooker is already in 3 dimensions, losing a bind, whether old people should lose the vote, improving the House of Lords and how the UK’s future span out of control due to the Olympic opening ceremony and a bacon sandwich. Will Count Binface become Mayor of Croydon? Watch this (outer) space.Check out the Count’s live dates and more on his website https://www.countbinface.com/See a live recording of RHLSTP - https://richardherring.com/rhlstpSUPPORT THE SHOW!Watch our TWITCH CHANNELSee extra content at our WEBSITE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Best of 2024 - Part 6 - And there we have it, the final Best of 2024 compilation episode. This time, guests include Tommy Cannon talking about his partnership with Bobby Ball, and Peter Serafinowicz on his optimism about technology fusing with art. If you're getting tired of all this looking back, don't worry - new episodes start up again next Wednesday! If you prefer this to the normal podcasts, also don't worry - there will be a new compilation in approximately 50 weeks. In fact, just try not to worry in general.See a live recording of RHLSTP - https://richardherring.com/rhlstpSUPPORT THE SHOW!Watch our TWITCH CHANNELSee extra content at our WEBSITE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Best of 2024 - Part 5 - IIIT'S NEEEW YEEAAAR'S! Don't celebrate too hard - surely now more than ever we should be looking back on the ups and downs of 2024. But especially the ups, and especially 2024 viewed through the lens of RHLSTP releases. This time, guests include Tommy Tiernan talking about how he thrives in stressful environments like The Tommy Tiernan Show, and Charlotte Church on how her career changed as she grew up.See a live recording of RHLSTP - https://richardherring.com/rhlstpSUPPORT THE SHOW!Watch our TWITCH CHANNELSee extra content at our WEBSITE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Best of 2024 - Part 4 - It's not Christmas any more. But here's another RHLSTP compilation! This time, guests include Jon Ronson on the time he stayed up all night with real-life superhero Phoenix Jones, and Neil Hannon talking about his cricket album The Duckworth Lewis Method - plus, the Edinburgh Fringe run begins!See a live recording of RHLSTP - https://richardherring.com/rhlstpSUPPORT THE SHOW!Watch our TWITCH CHANNELSee extra content at our WEBSITE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Best of 2024 - Part 3 - IIIT was just CHRIIIISTMAAAS! Why not take some time to relax, play with your new Scalextric, and listen to your eighth favourite podcast? This time, guests include Bob Mortimer talking about The Satsuma Complex and a new off-the-cuff TV concept, and Rob Brydon on meeting Paul McCarney with Steve Coogan.See a live recording of RHLSTP - https://richardherring.com/rhlstpSUPPORT THE SHOW!Watch our TWITCH CHANNELSee extra content at our WEBSITE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Best of 2024 - Part 2 - IIIT'S CHRIIIISTMAAAS! And we are continuing our fortnight-long trawl through every episode that was released this year (2024). This time, we hear about Julia Sawalha's relationship with Rich, and Ross Noble's coincidentally Christmassy game of weed charades - and much more besides.See a live recording of RHLSTP - https://richardherring.com/rhlstpSUPPORT THE SHOW!Watch our TWITCH CHANNELSee extra content at our WEBSITE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Best of 2024 - Part 1 - IIIT'S nearly CHRIIIISTMAAAS! And we are choosing to look back on the year as any self-respecting podcast should - by putting out a series of highlights from every episode that released in 2024. That said, this time, we're still within the episodes that were recorded in 2023 - including Lee Mack talking about being in the secret Inside No. 9 episode "3 By 3", and Steve Pemberton on the Christmas he spent in a German hospital.See a live recording of RHLSTP - https://richardherring.com/rhlstpSUPPORT THE SHOW!Watch our TWITCH CHANNELSee extra content at our WEBSITE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Book Club #122 - The Anglo Saxons - It’s the last Book Club of the year and we’re heading back to pre-conquest Britain for the history of the Anglo Saxons with Marc Morris. Rich and Marc talk about how little people know about this period and how most of the things they do know never happened, why having very few sources to work from doesn’t make this light and easy work, how Marc discovered the best way to cover this sprawling and tumultuous half a millennium was to tell it through the stories of various individuals and why unfortunately all these individuals had to be male, why the Venerable Bede is good if you have an ill cow, but not always so good if you want the facts of what happened, which Anglo Saxon king allegedly shat in the font at his baptism, which king had a threesome with his wife and her mum and which king came close to becoming a cropper in Cheddar Gorge. Plus the skill required to combine academia with readability and whether comedians and historians would have survived the departure of the Romans and the arrival of the Vikings (no they wouldn’t).Buy the book here - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-anglo-saxons-a-history-of-the-beginnings-of-england-marc-morris/5048642?ean=9781529156980See you next year! - https://richardherring.com/rhlstp Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#542 Twirling Scary Spice - Richard has been to the Taskmaster experience and is furious to have broken his perfect record of victory. His guest is another Taskmaster alumni, who has turned her appearance into ticket sales (unlike Richard) Fern Brady. They discuss her triumph at the Sky Arts Awards and why she gave a shout out to Irvine Welsh, magic mushrooms, why her tour poster involves her lactating into someone’s mouth, why she doesn’t want to follow the narrative of TV shows regarding her autism, why Richard thinks she is one of the best stand ups we have (though doesn’t seem to know where she’s from), how a doctor made her think she was going to die for a night and how that helped her write her book, coping and not coping with her new found fame and why Richard is funny even when he’s just in the audience.Watch Fern’s Netflix special here https://www.netflix.com/title/81717099Check out her tour dates here https://fernbradycomedian.com/See a live recording of RHLSTP - https://richardherring.com/rhlstpSUPPORT THE SHOW!Watch our TWITCH CHANNELSee extra content at our WEBSITE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Book Club #121 - Impossible Things - Rich talks to Dan Schreiber from off of No Such Thing As A Fish etc about his kids’ book attempting to answer the world’s weirdest questions. They chat about trying to kill the Loch Ness Monster, how sceptical people can see ghosts, Dan’s origin story where he saw his sister levitate and smash a glass, imaginary characters coming to life, Richard’s flirtations with mental illness in some of his work, whether we’re living in a simulation, why time travellers shouldn’t poo in the past and the responsibility of keeping the book intriguing without being too scary and not creating a generation of conspiracy nuts. Plus a great tip for winning the lottery and more.Buy the book here - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/impossible-things-unbelievable-answers-to-the-world-s-weirdest-questions-dan-schreiber/7616253?ean=9781526366382See RHLSTP recorded live - https://richardherring.com/rhlstp Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#541 Hairy-legged Cinderella - Richard is fitting in in his new town and is surprisingly not the weirdest person there. His guest this week is On The Hour alumni, actor and campaigner Doon Mackichan. They talk about a show down with Jim Davidson, 1980s feminism, whether it’s possible to carry on swimming after you are dead, how taking no shit seems to have helped Doon’s career, fighting against stereotyping and turning violent crime into entertainment, the revolutionary sketch show Smack The Pony and how the stars doubted it would be a success and why Richard is doing his best to redress the sexist balance of the TV industry by getting his cock and arse on screen as much as possible.Buy Doon’s Book “My Lady Parts” here https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/my-lady-parts-a-life-fighting-stereotypes-doon-mackichan/7448426?ean=9781838856366See a live recording of RHLSTP - https://richardherring.com/rhlstpSUPPORT THE SHOW!Watch our TWITCH CHANNELSee extra content at our WEBSITE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Book Club #120 - The Origin of Football Manager Part 1 - Richard meets one of his childhood heroes Kevin Toms, a pioneer of videogame development and the face on the box of the legendary original Football Manager games. They talk about incompetent careers advisors, loving statistics, the genius of making a game about management rather than playing and text rather than graphics and that never ended, how the game became a phenomenon and how it has reappeared on your phones and computers today (with a new version out very soon). Plus why Kevin wanted to document this period and how the internet has allowed him to see how much his work was loved. Plus find out if he never had to work again due to the game’s success!Buy the book here https://www.amazon.co.uk/Origin-Football-Manager-Part-Beginning-ebook/dp/B0CW18V2M2/For info on Kevin and the games head here https://kevintoms.games/See RHLSTP recorded live - https://richardherring.com/rhlstp Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#540 You Must Think I’m a Terrible Flirt - Richard is trying out material for his Oh Shit I’m 60! Show and surprise surprise, it’s all about his fading genitals. His guest is a man who can inhabit the soul of Nye Bevan, but also talk about his dick, Michael Sheen. They discuss the fantastic interview from The Assembly and how it knocks all of Richard’s interviews out of the park, playing Chris Tarrant and the guilt or innocence the coughing major, the dangers of engendering sympathy for the Duke of York and who should have played the role, the Heaven and Hell of being a dad in later life and what being a not-for-profit actor actually means. Another absolute classic episode. Don’t miss it.Subscribe to Richard’s substack here https://richardherring.substack.com/subscribeSee a live recording of RHLSTP - https://richardherring.com/rhlstpSUPPORT THE SHOW!Watch our TWITCH CHANNELSee extra content at our WEBSITE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.