Richard Herring's Leicester Square Theatre Podcast

RHLSTP #111: Kiefer Sutherland's Pregnancy: Graham Linehan. Richard attempts improvisational comedy, but discovers that for this to work your observations must match other people's experience. He is joined by a man who just won't shut up about his obsession with German board games, Graham Linehan. They discuss Graham's first sitcom, why it is flawed and what he learned from it, the impact of the Brexit vote (which was really quite recent when we recorded this), the only funny joke in Zoolander 2, the farce of another American attempt to make The IT Crowd and whether it was a good thing that Richard once wrote nine sitcom episodes in ten weeks. How rewarding is it to work on the least respected on all art forms anyway? See a great comic mind in action as Graham is asked what he'd like to jump into a pool of, and find out what was the better film to work on Paddington or Agent Cody Banks 2. More episodes: https://www.comedy.co.uk/podcasts/richard_herring_lst_podcast/

RHLSTP #110: Windsor Davies or Your Wife? Matthew Crosby. Mean podcast Richard Herring delights in continuing to torment the people who pay his wages, but I think they largely enjoy it (possibly). Believe me the real Richard Herring is more embarrassed by his performance than you can ever imagine. His guest was another star of St Olave's Grammar School's production of Waiting For Godot and remembers the shock denouement that turned the theatrical establishment on its head, it's Matthew Crosby. Find out how "Improvisation My Dear Mark Watson" actually got its name, how Matthew made a bloody re-entry to a gig he'd died at, the dangers of high-fiving children you don't know, why his wife is a celebrity in India and witness what a monster Richard becomes on the rare occasions he meets someone shorter than him. Richard is reduced to tears of laughter during a very inappropriate bit of chat (but is it really that funny, or is he just tired?) and after that catharsis there is some serious late night chat about success and working with other people, before the pair wonder about buying a stunt kite. More episodes: https://www.comedy.co.uk/podcasts/richard_herring_lst_podcast/

RHLSTP #109: Hello, I'm Godot - Nish Kumar. Richard is worried that it is he who jinxed 2016, though hopefully by the time this comes out he himself will have succumbed to this cursed year. The guest is Richard's backdoor neighbour (no, literally) Nish Kumar. They discuss working with Blue in Ibiza, the kinds of things that go on on Alan Carr's New Year Specstaculars, Bush based egging and shitting, what Nish and his girlfriend were in deep discussion about when Rich passed them at the Westfield the previous day, worrying post-Brexit developments and the difficulty of maintaining anger when you're successful. Also we find out about the St Olave's Grammar School Comedy Mafia and appearing in a groundbreaking production of Waiting For Godot (coincidentally alongside next week's guest). Help us fund this series by buying a badge at www.gofasterstripe.com/badges More episodes: https://www.comedy.co.uk/podcasts/richard_herring_lst_podcast/

RHLSTP #108 Cheg On! Susie Dent. Rich is surprised by the sartorial elegance of some of his audience. Being out of Europe is clearly paying dividends. His guest this week is a woman who has been on TV more consistently than possibly anyone else over the last 25 years, Susie Dent. It's more intellectual than usual, but there's plenty of stuff about cocks in it, so don't worry. Find out about the rudest words in the dictionary, the cruder rival to Doctor Johnson, plus Rich attempts to get some words added to the dictionary, partly so he can cheat at Scrabble. Lots of chat about quizzing and TV gameshows as always, plus the advantages of going to bed with a lexicographer, and Richard reveals a bit too much about his latest obsession with Rebecca from CBeebies. Plus news of how England did in the last 16 of the Euros! You will be the first to hear. More episodes: https://www.comedy.co.uk/podcasts/richard_herring_lst_podcast/

RHLSTP #107: Hitchhiking with Rose and Fred - Vic Reeves. Last week's jokes about the consequences of Brexit seem to have fallen on stony ground with the revelation that the pro-Remain audience has been executed by Farage's goons, but the show must go on, even if some of the audience were foolish enough to give up their tickets to watch the football (ha!), so they missed the force of nature that is Vic Reeves. There's a danger the whole podcast might just be a chat about Britain's best and worst tourist attractions, but luckily things move on to Luis Bunuel, where comedy meets art, what a baboon sounds like when it ejaculates, whether Sue Lawley liked Vic and a potential return of the Big Night Out! Also Terry Scott lookalikes, ghostly orbs, eating humous and the Moir family history. Plus what it's like to be a magnet for serial killers. And you can find out what the score of the England/Iceland game was at half time too. It was 1-2. More episodes: https://www.comedy.co.uk/podcasts/richard_herring_lst_podcast/

RHLSTP #106: Away or Towards? - David Cross. A weary Richard films the audience as evidence of dissent for the future fascist government of the UK, before introducing a man who comes with his own magical minor ticker tape parade, David Cross. Starstruck and clearly in disbelieving awe, Rich flounders around and mainly embarrasses himself, but luckily Mr Cross is able to come up with some amazing riffed comedy about frozen vegetables, Abraham and taking cocaine near President Obama, whilst getting a bit more serious about Donald Trump, the responsibilities of fatherhood, why Richard should probably not take hard drugs, the benefits of the middle-aged sketch show and David's part in the creation of Kickstarter. Richard hoped that he would so impress David that they would become good friends and could appear in Doctor Dolittle 3 together as method-acted monkeys, but I think it's safe to say that that will not happen. Cross put away an impressive amount of bitter during this podcast and still remains focused and coherent, but clearly needed the toilet near the end, which turns into a battle of the obstinately pedantic 1990s underrated sketch show stars. More episodes: https://www.comedy.co.uk/podcasts/richard_herring_lst_podcast/

RHLSTP #105: Sushi Aquarium - Marcus Brigstocke. In the face of horrible world events and future uncertainty for the UK, Richard recounts how his wife distracted him from the horror in an unexpected way, before introducing former pole-dancer and oil rig worker, Marcus Brigstocke. They discuss an impressions battle with Kevin Spacey, the full script of Love Actually, the second worst thing that Clement Freud ever did and Marcus provides a scintillating new emergency question. Find out the many reasons Marcus got expelled from schools, why he is glad he is not part of the governing class and which puppet Richard would like to violate now. More discussion about the West London phone book of 1989 and the science of a swimming pool full of custard. Plus the chance to find out what the Wales score was at half-time in the final group match of the Euros. More episodes: https://www.comedy.co.uk/podcasts/richard_herring_lst_podcast/

RHLSTP #104: Things To Do In Willesden When You're Alive - Doc Brown aka Ben Bailey Smith. Rich interviews a member of his audience and it's going so well he almost decides to bump his guest, but in the end relents and brings on the battle rapper turned stand-up turned actor and author, Ben Bailey Smith. It's a frank, fascinating and unusually sensitive chat taking in growing up in North London as a geeky mixed race kid, why it's not fair to use talent to get ahead of the other talentless stand-ups, working with Ricky Gervais, how producer Ben helped keep Doc's career on track (and why hasn't he done the same for Richard) and trying to work out why Doc Brown's family are such a hotbed of artistic skill. Find out what you have to do to get on to CBeebies and what Doc would jump into a pool of and if he's capable of spotting the colour purple. Once again the emergency questions copied off the internet prove more effective than Richard's rubbish ones. Help us to pay for the filming of this series by going to http://www.gofasterstripe.com/badges and buying a one-off or monthly badge. Or buy the DVD of Richard interviewing himself here: http://bit.ly/HerringInterviewSelf More episodes: https://www.comedy.co.uk/podcasts/richard_herring_lst_podcast/

RHLSTP #103: How Many Hours Do Women Need? - Lauren Laverne. Rich has been on an after hours visit to Westminster Abbey and is now obsessed with being interred in the Cathedral, but how will he make it in? And will Tony Blair be with him? His guest is from Sunderland and thus the mortal enemy of the Middlesbrough-spawned Herring family, it's charming and multi-talented Lauren Laverne! They chat about what it's like to become a pop star whilst you're still at college, roadies, how to skip PE lessons and how to spend long drives in the country's biggest limo. Also Lauren reveals her special place in the history of Shaun of the Dead, 10 O'Clock Live and why it didn't take off and whether she'd have sex with Robert the Robot from Justin's House (and whether he'd have sex with her). Help us to pay for the filming of this series by going to http://www.gofasterstripe.com/badges and buying a one-off or monthly badge. Or buy the DVD of Richard interviewing himself here: http://bit.ly/HerringInterviewSelf More episodes: https://www.comedy.co.uk/podcasts/richard_herring_lst_podcast/

RHLSTP #102: tonylawexhausts.co.uk - Tony Law. Richard finds a bona fide cool kid in the audience and inexpertly attempts to mock him (you'd think he'd be better at comedy after all these years, but no), before introducing a force of nature and veritable river of consciousness, Tony Law, in his new mutton-chopped, ice-cream eating, alcohol-shunning, heavenly body impersonating incarnation. It's like his brain is a radio and someone is constantly swivelling the dial so that one moment you're on history, then fantasy, then insanity and then pinpoint sane philosophy. It's a discombobulating journey to go on, especially if, like Richard, you're getting a bit tired, but Herring gamely attempts (and largely fails) to get some questions in. In the end he more or less gives in, but Law is an unstoppable force of nature and cannot be silenced. Though the fear is that, at any point, something might happen to upset the fragile mental balance that somehow remains teetering on equilibrium... and that thing might very well be Desert Island Dicks. Finally, when the conversation turns to the supernatural things start to make sense. But Richard is knocked out and defeated and was right to say he wasn't looking forward to writing this blurb. Help us pay for these by buying a badge or a DVD at http://www.gofasterstripe.com. Ta. Or buy tickets to see the show live - https://leicestersquaretheatre.ticketsolve.com/shows/873492663. Thanks for the support. More episodes: https://www.comedy.co.uk/podcasts/richard_herring_lst_podcast/

RHLSTP #101: Weeing Next to a Monkee: Iain Lee. Richard is back (in his weightier incarnation) and has forgotten how to do this, but is excited about the possibilities of growing body parts in pigs, but worried about the implications of penis transplants, so it's business as usual, but with some new (but the same) emergency questions. His guest is the Wild Man of radio (and must always be referred to as such), Iain Lee. The pair discuss the pointless 17 year grudge that has hung over them, their mutual envy and the disastrous filmed meeting in 2001 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dakeVejvR3I), but they are united by their relative lack of success compared to their nineties contemporaries and after all this time attempt to heal the rift betwixt them. In an attempt to fill in Iain's early life on Wikipedia they discuss the perils of going to a school named after William Herschel, what it was like living in the town where Buddy's Song was filmed, and how to embarrass yourself in front of Roger Daltry. Richard tries to steer the Monkees-based conversation towards Metal Mickey (no doubt to discuss if it would be cheating to have sex with him), but Lee skilfully swerves and ends up talking about Monkey instead. There is also a frank discussion about whether the BBC were right or clearly wrong to sack Lee and the effects this had on his career and psyche. Good to be back. Help us pay of for these by buying a badge or a DVD at http://www.gofasterstripe.com. Or buy tickets to see the show live (David Cross, Vic Reeves and Tim Minchin and more still to come - https://leicestersquaretheatre.ticketsolve.com/shows/873492663) More episodes: https://www.comedy.co.uk/podcasts/richard_herring_lst_podcast/

RHLSTP #100: Richard Bacon - A Series of Apologies. It's the 100th Leicester Square Theatre Podcast and the last in this series, so we've flown a special guest in all the way from America at the licence fee payer's expense, it's Blue Peter's bad boy, Richard Bacon. And in typical fashion he turns up at the theatre having been out all night celebrating his imminent 40th birthday. Where does he get his energy from?... oh right. Find out about how he once cried salty tears on to Mansfield McDonald's salty gherkins, how he became Top Of The Pop's most notorious ever presenter by accidentally calling some people fat, why he has been banned from the state opening of parliament, how he took a forgetful plate-spinner to Las Vegas, what he knows about the Tales of Robin Hood, what part of his anatomy (other than his mouth and nose) he can breathe out of, and why this gives him another kinship with Herring on top of his Dicky first name and food-based surname. Plus what he REALLY thinks of Una Stubbs (he thinks she's nice). And he gives himself something else to apologise for in a lifetime of apology. He's a very entertaining and lovely idiot, but as you'll see, it's all down to genetics. Hard to believe his one attempt at stand up-ended so badly. If you think these 100 podcasts have been worth 1p each, why not donate a pound here: www.gofasterstripe.com/badges. Feel free to give more if you like or to donate monthly. We'll use all your money to make even more stuff like this. More episodes: https://www.comedy.co.uk/podcasts/richard_herring_lst_podcast/

RHLSTP #99: Cariad Lloyd - I Fucked Jane Austen's Corpse. Richard is exhausted again because of his stupid, idiot daughter, but at least she's given him the excuse to finally get to have a go at soft play. He's got 99 problems, but his 99th guest isn't one, it's the multi-talented actor and improviser, Cariad Lloyd. There's another dissection of the short film Hallo Panda which Richard once again promises to watch, even though he clearly won't, plus find out what it's like to be a fan working on Peep Show, the abrasive character of genius improviser Ken Campbell, how George Osborne comes to Fringe shows in the hope of getting pencils, how Cariad very nearly destroyed the marriage of David Bowie, and what connects Taylor Swift and the tax on tampons. Plus there's some more serious chat about whether the BBC can survive (don't worry, they're not watching) and some less serious chat about how much it would cost to employ a successful comedy actor as a Christmas elf (as well as the danger of working with Santas who've been in James Bond films). Check out Austentatious if you get the chance: austentatiousimpro.com - It is totally brilliant. More episodes: https://www.comedy.co.uk/podcasts/richard_herring_lst_podcast/

RHLSTP #98: Ray Peacock - You Won't Tell Us If You're Married or Not! Richard proposes his new sinister and upsetting edit of the 1970s film 'Adventures of a Taxi Driver' before introducing another guest who has been sacked as warm-up man from Deal Or No Deal, it's Ray Peacock. Find out why the new Muppets are offensive and wrong, if a house in Pontefract is really haunted and why being childish is a good thing. A baffling interjection from a couple of people in the audience leads to a discussion about rudeness in comedy clubs, the nature of offence, how different people can interpret the same events in wildly different ways and how being a comedian can lead you to some dark and deadly places, that are only very occasionally amusing as well. It's an extraordinary podcast in many ways, hilarious, slightly terrifying and then unexpectedly moving and revealing. More episodes: https://www.comedy.co.uk/podcasts/richard_herring_lst_podcast/

RHLSTP #97: Aisling Bea - Minstrels. Richard is worried about the psychological impact of Winnie the Pooh's skull being on display in a museum, but overcomes his fears long enough to introduce ex-philosophy student Aisling Bea. Find out what it's like making love to Enya, whether a degree still counts if you cheated all the way through your studies, how trying to impress someone by riding a horse can leave you in the shit, and some baffling Irish references that must have been doubly confusing for the man who had come from India to see the show. More episodes: https://www.comedy.co.uk/podcasts/richard_herring_lst_podcast/

RHLSTP #96: Scroobius Pip - Nuking The Moon. Richard chats with the audience in his usual unpleasant manner, before introducing stuttering rapper and apron salesman, Scroobius Pip. They discuss the mysterious town of Stanford-le-Hope, how close Pip came to going into middle-management at HMV, how to trick people into thinking you're a successful musician in just one year, and how drive and determination can help you do the job you love. Find out how Pip accidentally gave out his phone number on Twitter and what animal he would readily have sex with. Check out him doing some funny acting here: https://vimeo.com/75576061 More episodes: https://www.comedy.co.uk/podcasts/richard_herring_lst_podcast/ This podcast is sponsored by Fallen London. Play for free at failbettergames.com/rhlstp - Thanks to them and all the people who donated to the Kickstarter campaign.

RHLSTP #95: Hal Cruttenden - Sexomnia. Richard has noticed a new development in police technology and is annoyed that there is no shop for British sweets on Leicester Square. His guest went to school with 'Pencils' Osborne, it's Hal Cruttenden. The pair discuss whether equality encompasses the middle-classes; gigs turning into armed sieges; being too star-struck to act with Anthony Hopkins; killing their wives for the insurance; having sex with ghosts (of course); and forming a Human Centipede with Eddie Izzard. Hal reveals for the first time a rare condition that he suffers from, though possibly just to give himself an alibi; and Rich reminisces about working in Ealing. See if Richard is coming on tour near you at: www.richardherring.com/happy_now/tour. See if Hal is coming on tour near you at www.halcruttenden.com/gigs More episodes: https://www.comedy.co.uk/podcasts/richard_herring_lst_podcast/

RHLSTP #94: David Mitchell - Bumming C3PO. Richard talks briefly to a semi-retired postman and considers bumping his guest to chat with him more, but instead introduces perhaps the perfect RHLSTP guest, David Mitchell. It's David's second time in the hot seat (though the chairs have got nicer since he was last here) and Richard is determined not to be as childish and rude to him as he was last time. But will he be able to keep a lid on the simmering mayonnaise vat of bitterness? Find out if David swears during sex, if he would allow himself to be raped by a ghost, why he's so obsessed with war that he's apparently wearing a poppy in January and if he enjoyed working the cloakroom for TFI Friday. There are also some more serious chats about the mindset of someone who paps a couple going for a walk with their baby and why there is so much antipathy towards Ben Elton. But it's possibly the funniest episode yet, with Mitchell, once again, giving possibly the definitive answers to some of the emergency questions. What a treat. More episodes: https://www.comedy.co.uk/podcasts/richard_herring_lst_podcast/

RHLSTP #93: John Robins - Noel Edmonds' Toilet and Johnny Vaughan's Shower. Richard is reeling over the news that pregnant women are giving public blow-jobs in the Westfield (surely this can only drive Shepherd's Bush property prices upwards) but still has time to introduce his guest, the twice sacked Deal or No Deal warm up man, John Robins. They discuss what it was like sharing a flat with Jon Richardson and Russell Howard, why Richard thinks of Mark Lamarr every time he boils a kettle, daring to challenge the comedy Sauron that is Stewart Lee, the dangers of drinking at gigs, and what it's like being in a relationship with a comedian. If you want to hear John in action you can pay what you like for his last two Edinburgh shows here - https://johnrobins.bandcamp.com/. But pay him a fiver for them, don't be a dick. More episodes: http://www.comedy.co.uk/podcasts/richard_herring_lst_podcast/

RHLSTP #92: Jack Whitehall - Moving the Trees. Richard successfully guesses the job of a bearded man in the audience before introducing the luckiest man on planet earth, who knows what it is like to have sex with a robot, Jack Whitehall. Seething with unconcealed jealousy at Whitehall's career and more pertinently his partner, Richard contrives several different ways to kill his guest and his own wife and child. Don't worry it's just a joke. It's almost certainly a joke. Find out the real reason Kate Middleton married Prince William, how Whitehall screwed up a gold-plated publicity opportunity, what it's like working with Shearsmith and Pemberton and rugby's homoerotic origins. A man exhausted from childcare interviews a man exhausted from jet lag about robot sex and the result is predictably indiscreet and hilarious. Richard also forgets Jack's name right at the end, but no one will notice that. More episodes: http://www.comedy.co.uk/podcasts/richard_herring_lst_podcast/

RHLSTP #91: Phill Jupitus - (Never Mind) (The) (Buzzcocks). Richard has written his first joke of 2015 and can't wait to share it with the underwhelmed audience, but luckily he is riding high from his incredible level of public recognition on Pointless Celebrities. His guest is the immaculately dressed and multi-talented Phill Jupitus, who isn't so good with names. They chat about giving U2's new song a minute of air play, whether stand-up is harder than acting, how the most difficult person to please is always your mum and why the BBC is doomed. Get the behind the scenes info on Buzzcocks' guests Jedward and Jamelia and witness an old emergency question morph into something new and even more disturbing. Lots of funny stories and a great Mark Steel impression. It's worth subscribing to the monthly badge (www.gofasterstripe.com/badges) for the backstage chat too. More episodes: http://www.comedy.co.uk/podcasts/richard_herring_lst_podcast/

RHLSTP #90: Eddie Izzard - Magic Ian's Nephew. Richard is unnecessarily unpleasant to someone in the audience (what's new?) before quickly bringing on a man with a drive that burgeons on insanity, but it's the good kind of insanity, Eddie Izzard. It's an unsurprisingly sprawling but incredible conversation that takes us through why God doesn't reveal himself, through the clumsy religious allegories of CS Lewis, through what kind of madness would make a man run 43 Marathons in 51 days, how to pronounce Calippo, how Eddie would have fared in the army, his political ambitions and philosophy, performing in languages that you were recently unable to speak, the short-sighted nature of the Ocean's Eleven franchise, the years of struggling to make it (with some great stories about his street theatre days) and why the world needs to come together and give everyone hope. It's electrifying and inspirational and Richard hardly says anything (because he's not an idiot who is going to waste this opportunity). It's just a proper treat so stop reading this and ingest it NOW! More episodes: http://www.comedy.co.uk/podcasts/richard_herring_lst_podcast/

RHLSTP #89: Sarah Kendall - You Can Not Be Serious! Richard is amazed how a joke on Twitter now pretty much always gets taken at face value by someone, even if it's in an open letter to an 8 month-old baby. His guest is Nicole Kidman impersonator and fantastically thoughtful yet and puerile stand-up Sarah Kendall, fresh from her nomination for the big comedy award at the Fringe. They discuss the horrors of child birth, the redundancy of the hand job, growing up in New Newcastle, how audiences can sometimes laugh in the wrong way, the plot holes in Back To The Future, loads of stuff about cocks and vaginas (obviously), the inevitability of nuclear destruction, plus some surprisingly serious bits about the nature of being a stand-up. To be honest, most of the time we forgot that we weren't sitting in the lounge in our Edinburgh flat having the kind of conversations with one another that are totally unacceptable in the actual world. She's the best. Go and see her perform live. You're welcome. More episodes: http://www.comedy.co.uk/podcasts/richard_herring_lst_podcast/

RHLSTP #88: John Finnemore - Peeps at Syria. Richard is stupidly hungover after a rare night out at a top showbiz party and wonders what you buy the man who has had everyone. His guest is the affable and probably sexually vanilla John Finnemore. They discuss the stupidity of working hard for the radio, the three-legged dog that gives John all of his ideas, when Richard was embarrassed by thinking a zombie apocalypse had begun, working with Benedict Cumberbatch and things that make you feel sick. Is Finnemore cursed to live the life of the other John Finnemore? And the small print of the holiday with the Spitting Image puppet is thoroughly explored. More episodes: http://www.comedy.co.uk/podcasts/richard_herring_lst_podcast/

RHLSTP #87: Luisa Omielan - The Former Queen of Angola. Richard chats to a man in the audience who is unexpectedly in IT before introducing 'overnight' success and internet sensation Luisa Omielan. Find out how pulling her trousers down in front of some Americans was the key to her success; more than you will want to know about frenulum breve; how to have a break out Edinburgh Fringe hit show; why Big Bird is a prick; and why Richard is too self-conscious to ever enjoy sex. Plus past lives, body image, casual racism, puppet/robot sex and remembering a snack that Rich thought he'd forgotten but hadn't forgotten. It's literally got everything. More episodes: http://www.comedy.co.uk/podcasts/richard_herring_lst_podcast/

RHLSTP #86: Robert Popper - Beef Scarecrows. Richard is somewhat affronted to have been compared to Marmite by the box office at the Leicester Square Theatre, but never mind as his guest (who doesn't carry money and needs his wife to send sandwiches to him in a taxi) is Robert Popper from Friday Night Dinner, Look Around You and the conduit for the brilliant Robin Cooper. Find out what it was like being the assistant to the director on the Glam Metal Detectives, how Leigh Francis attempted to infiltrate ITV, how Popper convinced the Japanese that Gordon Brown had thrown a tangerine into a laminating machine, why elephants get less cancer than humans, and whether the guest or host would use nuclear weapons if they were Prime Minister. Also a new puppet based emergency question and a special introductory call by Robin Cooper. More episodes: http://www.comedy.co.uk/podcasts/richard_herring_lst_podcast/

RHLSTP #85: Janey Godley - I've Never Stabbed Anyone... Oh No, I Have. A tired and possibly ill Richard Herring tries to get through another podcast without vomiting on his guest, the disaster-magnet that is Janey Godley. She talks candidly about marrying the son of a Glasgow gangster; her many family tragedies; and how she survived them. Plus how Jerry Sadowitz was almost killed at one of his first gigs; what she'd like to do with Roland Gift; witnessing horrific accidents and heart-warming scenes from daily life. Plus the Bay City Rollers; Vesta curries; working with your daughter; performing in a prison; and that wonderful moment when you forget that you've stabbed someone. Some truly incredible stories from this brilliantly funny, mildly terrifying, but ultimately rather lovely woman. Check out her book 'Handstands in the Dark', her blog and her podcasts. More episodes: http://www.comedy.co.uk/podcasts/richard_herring_lst_podcast/

RHLSTP #84: Lee Mack - The Centurion. Richard makes more predictions of atrocities that will have occurred in the news on the week of release for this podcast and is impressed by the skills of another astrologer he has encountered. His guest is a man who knows how to clean a horse's anus, it's Lee Mack. Find out the truth behind his claims about cutting mustard, how to pick apricots, whose lawnmowers are in the Southport Lawnmower Museum and hear more musing over what is more morally acceptable, necrophilia or bestiality. Also can you run a marathon if one leg is shorter than the other, why aren't there more women on Would I Lie To You? and what it's like to work with the baby from The Railway Children. More episodes: http://www.comedy.co.uk/podcasts/richard_herring_lst_podcast/

RHLSTP #83: Diane Morgan - A Bad Dream. Richard discusses some zombie based movie ideas he has had, before introducing the dry-witted and incredulous Diane Morgan who isn't quite sure what she's let herself in for. And it's a surreal, dream-like and occasionally mildly awkward chat about working with Ken Campbell; Richard's failure to see one of Diane's first performances; Bruce Willis on The One Show; Richard's ever spiralling shoplifting problem; the slight let down of earliest memories (and what is the latest earliest memory that anyone has ever had?); and the importance of making it clear that you're not dating Joe Wilkinson. Find out who Diane would kill if she had one bullet and no repercussions, and what she thinks might be in a medieval pie. It you want to know if Diane has ever seen a ghost then become a monthly donator at www.gofasterstripe.com/badges for prizes, access to a secret channel of extras and more. Come and see Richard on tour: www.richardherring.com/happy_now/tour More episodes: http://www.comedy.co.uk/podcasts/richard_herring_lst_podcast/

RHLSTP #82: Stuart Goldsmith - Rear Window. RHLSTP is back (it feels like it never went away) and another kickstarted series begins ALL FOR FREE. Richard is worried that David Cameron has just made all his emergency questions irrelevant and amazed by the way the world has changed in the brief hiatus between series. And it's a PODCLASH as his first guest is the host of the brilliant Comedian's Comedian Podcast as well as Richard's backdoor neighbour, Stuart Goldsmith. With (pretty much) all new emergency questions to try out there's a lot to talk about including how to breathe fire, what Rumpel the Kangaroo King is really like, the BBC's plans to transport all children to the future. Also there's speculation on egg-gate and shit-by-the-gate-gate, as well as the opportunity to purchase a property with a direct view of Stuart Goldsmith's penis. To contribute to future series of this show visit www.gofasterstripe.com/badges More episodes: http://www.comedy.co.uk/podcasts/richard_herring_lst_podcast/

RHLSTP #81: Joe Lycett - A Fan Who's Won a Competition. It's the last show in Series 7 and there's an end of term atmosphere and a lot of good natured heckling from a slightly inebriated crowd. Richard's final guest is Peter Dickson impersonator and product of 1988, Joe Lycett. The podcast largely turns into the vehicle for a RHLSTP clips show as Joe quizzes Richard about his favourite and least favourite guests and what the future might hold for the valuable RHLSTP franchise. But there's also time to talk about identifying fish as they are slapped into your face, how much money Richard turned down to appear on TV with Katie Hopkins and the varying depravity of ex Blue Peter presenters. It's a fittingly low key and relaxed end to the series. Series 8 starts next week. More episodes: http://www.comedy.co.uk/podcasts/richard_herring_lst_podcast/

RHLSTP #80: Limmy. Richard is a bit worried about the psychological similarities he shares with murder spree killers, but maybe that's just all comedians. If you read his book you might worry the same thing about this week's guest, cult comedy genius and normal-faced man Limmy. The pair try and fail to remember an ancient Twitter spat, and Richard threatens to reignite it by trying to welcome his guest by talking to him in his own language. There's a lively discussion of Scottish politics, the sexual allure of fake tan and whether it's funny to envisage the death of your own father. Plus an exclusive reading from Limmy's highly entertaining book, Daft Wee Stories. More episodes: http://www.comedy.co.uk/podcasts/richard_herring_lst_podcast/

RHLSTP #79: Al Murray. Richard delves into the seedy personal life of Dean and Matilda on the front row, before introducing failed politician and thwarted parachutist Al Murray. They chat about whether it's possible to gauge how an audience is laughing at comedy; running around in some wasteland in your pants at night; the downfall of Farage; and the bizarre social media exchanges that Al's attempt to become an MP led to. Also some glider-based history anecdotes; fears for the Westfield shopping centre; and peach stones in the dishwasher. Will the audience choose to leave or encourage the two to waffle on into the night, and what is the magic that holds them there? Is it due to their racism? More episodes: http://www.comedy.co.uk/podcasts/richard_herring_lst_podcast/

RHLSTP #78: Paul Sinha - A Stopped Clock is Right About Ted Heath. Richard has witnessed a man carrying out his ultimate fantasy, but realises that sometimes maybe fantasies belong in our heads, not in reality. He is joined by the delightfully gossipy, quizzer, doctor, comedian and Sinnerman Paul Sinha. Obviously they mainly talk about quizzes and their own disastrous TV appearances; but also discuss the least funny sitcom flatshare of all time; John Oliver's tyre knowledge; the subplot running through these 78 podcasts; the difficulty of knowing if words begin and end with the same letter; notorious joke thieves; David Icke - madman or genius; and Rich's plans for an appearance on Tipping Point. What happened when Sinha told Herring that he used to fancy him? And can you work out which famous comic asked him to diagnose a sexually transmitted disease? Who will be done for libel? There's also a revealing discussion about the nature of happiness. More episodes: http://www.comedy.co.uk/podcasts/richard_herring_lst_podcast/

RHLSTP #77: Brett Goldstein - Routines About Buttons. Richard is still hungover from his birthday - what a day that was! He is joined by Brett Goldstein, a man who once ran a strip club with his dad. They talk about looking dead eyed into a camera on Weekend Kitchen at Waitrose, working with the Hoff, what it's like on Halloween when you're the only single man on your street, whether sex with a faceless robot counts as cheating and how important it is to get the full consent of the big man and the tiny man. There's another inexplicable ghost story, a disastrous meeting with a comedy hero, a discussion about whether we can ever be truly happy and what effect happiness has on a comedian. More episodes: http://www.comedy.co.uk/podcasts/richard_herring_lst_podcast/

RHLSTP #76: Bridget Christie - No Man Is Faster Than a Cheese. Richard has just had his third sixteenth birthday and has returned from Amsterdam with a hangover that might just last two weeks. His guest is former milk-maid, fellow West Country cheese enthusiast and Russell Brand lookalike, Bridget Christie. They discuss webbed toes, being the responsible one in a gang of Hell's Angels, John Inverdale's slip of the tongue, the deferred creative revenge on the tedious admin of life and who of the two of them is a more realistic representation for the hopes and dreams of new comedians. Plus a proper serious chat about feminism. Also ghosts that eat crisps and a disembodied hand that Richard somehow failed to equate to the time travelling finger or the ham hand, so seriously was he taking this as a proper interview. More episodes: http://www.comedy.co.uk/podcasts/richard_herring_lst_podcast/

RHLSTP #75: A Child's Drawing of the Enola Gay. Richard rewards an audience member for his Top Cat like trick of never having to buy a poppy again and then introduces his guest, a woman who has tried out more different names than eskimos have for snow, it's Jessica Hynes. What's it like working with Pudsey? Who was in Six Pairs of Pants? Why did Jessica sleep in an abandoned children's home? Is there a God or just a hand chucking things up? Is the talc dispensing tit the safer option? Who would rule on an island of King Richards? Find out about the horrendous ant massacres perpetuated by a young Richard Herring and why refusing to cut your hair or put on a bikini can be bad for your career. More episodes: http://www.comedy.co.uk/podcasts/richard_herring_lst_podcast/

Richard has broken his mirror, but wondering if that gives him 7 years bad luck or frees him from the ghosts of the past. His guests are the non British writers and stars of Britain's most exciting sitcom this decade, Rob Delaney and Sharon Horgan. Does their onscreen sexual chemistry spill over into real life, even when Rob's genitals are in a bag? Does a filling make you a robot? How exactly do you kill a turkey? Is there a wrong way to try and get Mark Lamarr's attention in a bong shop? Is it better having a baby in America or the UK? And what things would our guests never tell their mother? More episodes: http://www.comedy.co.uk/podcasts/richard_herring_lst_podcast/

RHLSTP #73: Robin Ince - Punching a Watermelon with the Face of Vernon Kay. Richard concludes the story of his disastrous romantic break with his wife and gives away an exclusive RHLSTP mug to one of the RHLSTP mugs. His guest is Britain's premiere John Peel/Oliver Hardy/Stewart Lee impressionist, Robin Ince. They discuss the autobiographies of Don Estelle and Syd Little, how Robin created The Office, a swearing Su Pollard, Iain Lee on a pink tricycle, the funniest serial killer and being the Giant Sand of comedy. Richard also quizzes about his decision to (at least temporarily) give up stand-up. It would be a shame. He's very funny. Having said that, he does seem to be in a very happy mood so why ruin that? Buy tickets for Richard's ridiculous attempt to perform all 12 of his solo shows here: http://leicestersquaretheatre.ticketsolve.com/shows/873527351 More episodes: http://www.comedy.co.uk/podcasts/richard_herring_lst_podcast/

RHLSTP #72: Mark Watson - Improvisation My Dear (Mark) Watson. Richard is reeling from forgetting about his daughter and another attack on his home (how will he ever sell it?), but excited to be welcoming the eponymous star of Improvisation My Dear Mark Watson to the stage and hoping to talk about nothing but that title for a full hour. Alas he gets distracted into discussing aversion to non-binding cheese; how thunder storms are the UK's biggest killer; advertising pear cider, and the criticisms that engendered; and Watson's love of dry stone-walling. Richard continues to try and pinpoint where having sex with a machine counts as infidelity and tries to encourage Mark to enact some of his fans' sexual fantasies. Also find out why Watson was the Rachel Dolezal of Wales. Buy tickets for Richard's ridiculous attempt to perform all 12 of his solo shows here: http://leicestersquaretheatre.ticketsolve.com/shows/873527351 More episodes: http://www.comedy.co.uk/podcasts/richard_herring_lst_podcast/

RHLSTP #71: Johnny Vegas - Maniac in a Suitcase. Giving away a prize to a lucky audience member, Rich reminisces about schoolday bags and realises how much work he has got to do to re-learn his 11 old stand-up shows for his insane attempt to do them all at the Leicester Square Theatre in August and September. His guest is a man who has done Chekov, Dickens and Celebrity Juice, Johnny Vegas. It's a truly fascinating discussion about the duality of the stand-up and where a Johnny ends and Michael Pennington begins. Michael discusses the lengths that Johnny would push him to and his total commitment to being a dog on stage, whether contentment and success mean the death of the character, how to make your own audience out of balloons, why he got the worst degree in his year at University and how he got his revenge. Plus how Monkey has clung to his back like a monkey, and the funniest sex show in history. It's really good. More episodes: http://www.comedy.co.uk/podcasts/richard_herring_lst_podcast/

RHLSTP #70: Roisin Conaty - Amstrad Emailer Sex Doll. Richard has come close to death, choking on an apricot stone and in his possible final moments only felt embarrassment, but hopefully he has overcome the shame to interview the woman with the smallest oesophagus in showbusiness, Roisin Conaty. They discuss the problems encountered in having 80 first cousins, the varying careers of East 17, whether it is considered cheating to have sex with a robot, and anal itchiness. It's literally got everything. More episodes: http://www.comedy.co.uk/podcasts/richard_herring_lst_podcast/

RHLSTP #69: Louis Theroux - Pathetic. Richard is very excited to meet the man who made him give up viewing porn (temporarily), Groove Is In The Heart dancer and park ranger Louis Theroux. With a bad choice of words Richard almost Merchants the podcast early on and the interviewer becomes the interviewee as Herring gets Therouxed and opens up about his pre-marital life. Will he be the subject of one of Louis' future documentaries? Can there be a more insulting thing to happen to a person, given the broken people Louis generally focuses on? Louis' interview with Jimmy Savile is analysed in depth. Should he have spotted the monster lurking beneath the surface? Plus revelations about fagging for Nick Clegg, the bullying of Max Clifford and having your bits ripped off by a chimp. It's a fascinating 90 minute chat, more serious than usual, but still very funny. Thanks to www.secondlab.co.uk and all the other kickstarters. More episodes: http://www.comedy.co.uk/podcasts/richard_herring_lst_podcast/

RHLSTP #68: Robert Webb - I think I've Explained Peep Show To My Satisfaction. Richard has been making t-shirts for Kickstarter donators but has made quite a basic error on one of them, and also considers a song-based justice system. His guest is the scourge of continuity departments everywhere, Lincolnshire's small-toothed Robert Webb. What was it really like working with Tim from The Office? Is Robert responsible for World War II? Worse, is he responsible for the queues at Shepherd's Bush Post Office? What went on in the Kinema in the Woods? Webb discusses how he felt about appearing nude in the film Confetti and plans an atrocity at a football stadium and reveals how he found out he wasn't going to be doing the Apple ads any more. Sponsored by the awesome www.crowmotion.com More episodes: http://www.comedy.co.uk/podcasts/richard_herring_lst_podcast/

RHLSTP #67: Romesh Ranganathan - Yoghurt Smearing Ethics for the Vegan. Richard has a controversial theory about the recent FIFA controversy and gets paid by a man to call him a fucking idiot to his face before introducing former maths teacher and toilet crier Romesh Ranganathan to the stage of Richard Herring's Leicester Square Theatre. In possibly the longest RHLSTP they discuss the problems of trying to procure adequate vegan cheese, cost analysis of airline food, whether a lazy eye is really a trademark and what it would take to get Romesh to have a tattoo of Richard on his arm. Find out how you can break your penis and what to do if you then get some jalfrezi on it. Ramesh also has to answer the cash for questions that Richard forgot to ask Emma Kennedy. It goes on for a very long time and a lot of it is about babies, but remember you can stop listening any time you like, unlike the poor captives in the theatre. More episodes: http://www.comedy.co.uk/podcasts/richard_herring_lst_podcast/

RHLSTP #66: Which came first, Yazoo or Yazoo? Emma Kennedy. Richard is reeling from a missed opportunity to assassinate a government minister and a mystery cloaca based attack, but is delighted to be chatting to a woman he's been messing about with (not like that) since 1987, it's Britain's premier Subo impressionist and poo anecdotist, TV's Emma Kennedy. The pair revisit finding a Tardis in the lost basement of a Masonic Lodge, wonder when the people of Wales will finally all have shoes and discuss what fluids and solids there must be in every jacuzzi in the land (especially if Richard Herring has been in them). Find out how Emma almost killed Richard before he could go on to commit his atrocities, what kind of hands a 6 foot penis man would have and whether the pair will ever be married as they have always secretly dreamed. http://www.comedy.co.uk/podcasts/richard_herring_lst_podcast/

RHLSTP #65: Lou Sanders - The Pink Bike Helmet of Doom. Richard chats to his audience, with faces old and new, including a mum and daughter that lead him to some dark thoughts and a laughing financial advisor. His guest is eccentric, comedic barmpot, Lou Sanders who reveals her sexy French inner clown, how she foresaw her own death and how she used comedy to cope with breaking up with her fiance. Richard reminisces about their short-lived show on Fubar radio, tries to discover what reiki actually is and is forced to contemplate whether aliens exist. Surely this is the guest most likely to have ever seen a Bigfoot? But even Lou isn't as strange as the inhabitants of LA. You will see this fantastic comedian in all her confident fragility and uncompromising honesty as she achieves a rare accolade: confusing some Reeves and Mortimer fans. More episodes: http://www.comedy.co.uk/podcasts/richard_herring_lst_podcast/

RHLSTP #64: Bob Mortimer - Do you believe in Calgon? Richard is back and exhausted from fatherhood and trying to remember how these work and he's smarting from Alan Sugar rejecting his proposed titles for the saggy-faced Lord's autobiography. And there are a few changes and additions thanks to the successful video Kickstarter campaign. The guest has worked with Richard before, but has no memory of it at all, it's Middlesbrough's finest Bob Mortimer. There is some quite specific conversation about the roads in Linthorpe, speculation that Richard may have unknowingly played with a future rock star in his childhood, and the revelation of why Chris Rea was quiet when he was on Shooting Stars. Plus some fantastically and worryingly detailed conversations about terrorist atrocities and how to dispose of a body. Where would we be in a world with no lime? Many thanks to Duncan Thorley for gamely being the first person to sponsor an entire episode. Check out his minecraft sitcom, Maximum Whimsy here: http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCW26Bp5qwn4rRetqpScL9Q - To sponsor a future episode, please contact Richard via [email protected] http://www.comedy.co.uk/podcasts/richard_herring_lst_podcast/

RHLSTPBATSSII with Sofie Hagen - An Abundance of Shells. A surprise bonus RHLSTP ahead of the return of the series in June, recorded at the Spike Sligo Festival in West Ireland to a tiny, but enthusiastic crowd. And the guest is the up-and-coming Danish comedian Sofie Hagen. The pair discuss Richard's new baby and the fear that she might be killed by a stalactite of urine, foolish one night stands, more audacious terrorist plots and fandom of Sligo's most famous export Westlife. The small audience encourage both comedians to be as inappropriate as possible. Sorry if the balance is a bit off, but since I've had a baby I really hate audiophiles more than ever. See Rich on tour http://www.richardherring.com/lotds/tour or buy a badge and help us make more internet content www.gofasterstripe.com/badges. Buy tickets to the next series of RHLSTP here - http://leicestersquaretheatre.ticketsolve.com/shows/873492663

RHLSTP # 63: Stewart Lee - This Morning With Richard and Nick. Richard is joined by his erstwhile partner Stewart Lee to chat about This Morning With Richard Not Judy. Stew discovers that there was nearly a very different host, they chat about the Edinburgh Fringe genesis of the idea and how they managed to give away a car, the terrible fate of Histor and Pliny, how ice and gas played a part on the stand-up circuit and the Rod Hull sketches that never were. They are then joined by Paul 'Curious Orange' Putner and Trevor 'Small-Face' Lock to chat about the gravity behind the gravity sketch and how Mark E Smith responded to the Curious Orange. The stink of the past hangs over the occasion like a fetid cloak made of carrion. http://www.comedy.co.uk/podcasts/richard_herring_lst_podcast/