RHLSTP with Richard Herring

RHLSTP #570 - Spectated Spaghetti Bolognaise - As the Edinburgh Fringe approaches, Richard is at the Bill Murray comedy club in Islington to talk to one of the founders of the club and the artist formerly known as Lionel Richie, Barry Ferns. They discuss the formation of this hub of comedy creativity and Richard’s part in it (not that he remembers), which Bill Murray it’s named after and what they will do if the other Bill Murray ...

#382 Aer Lingus Babies - Richard has a bee in his bonnet about crescent toilet seats, but at least his photo has been in the Daily Express. His guest is actor, comedian and author Ardal O'Hanlon. They talk about how Father Dougal got free shoes, how much research Ardal did into the priesthood, annoying Morgan Freeman, why Ardal left the dream job of Death in Paradise, playing a cat trapped on the motorway in Doctor Who and why...

RHLSTP Book Club #146 - Close Knit - Richard talks to best selling author Jenny Colgan about what it's like to make a million pounds for your first book, the incredible staying power of the term chick-lit, why she wanted to write a book about a knitting circle, how the book doesn’t have that much knitting in it, taking a flying lesson as research, but why you don’t need to worry too much about research when you’re writing, the snob...

RHLSTP #569 - Round the Corner… - Rich is back at the Podcast Room to talk to stand up and non-puppeteer Glenn Moore. They talk about being the originator of one of the finest poems in the English language, strained relationships to famous people, how to run the Fringe Gauntlet, is it better to have accommodation in the heart of the Fringe or down by the seaside or top and tailing with two other men, the many wonderful titles of Gl...

#381 Ayahuasca - Richard has a momentous father/son experience and has been made to think about the brevity of life thanks to a charity shop window. His guest is the extraordinary Deborah Frances-White. They talk about whether Dracula was ever young, but the podcast is mainly about the major decisions Deborah had made in her personal life and the way she has chosen to deal with the traumas of her past. She talks about what hav...

RHLSTP Book Club #145 - Before I Go - Rich is back in St Neots, talking to John Dowie about two of his recent books, The Freewheeling John Dowie and Before I Go. Why did John sell all his records and albums and get on his bike to cycle round Europe? How did he cope with weird and rude hoteliers? How did his penis cause him to cross the continent under false pretences? Plus growing up in Birmingham in anothe...

RHLSTP #568 - The Most Influential Comedian, That You’re Probably Never Seen - Richard travels to St Neots to visit a man who might claim to have invented alternative comedy (though he doesn’t) John Dowie. With comedian Dave Cohen in Dictionary Corner providing some historical detail Rich and John chat about John’s comedy influences, how he managed to do theatrical comedy on his own when no one else was really doing that, his ...

#380 Hinge Cringe - Richard has visited Paddington’s house and avoided using the toothbrushes, but is more excited about one of Paddington’s neighbours. His guest is online sensation Rosie Holt. They discuss why Rosie moved from acting to comedy, how her videos went viral, whether it’s good or bad that people (both stupid and clever) fail to spot that they are a joke, why subtlety is required to mock today’s uns...

RHLSTP Book Club #144 - You Are Here - Richard meets best selling author David Nicholls in a studio in central London to discuss his latest novel (now out in paperback) You Are Here. They chat about why David moved from acting to script-writing and why he then decided to have a go at novels, whether the success of One Day is liberating or constricting (but is mainly very nice), how the premise of a novel about a geography...

RHLSTP #567 - Sassigassity - Richard is back in the studio to talk to charming idiot for whom he has no respect, Joe Norris. They chat about the words that Dickens did and didn’t make up, whether Rich can join the anti-woke and is it all just about being allowed to say one word, the pirates in Asterix, Richard’s new shower based podcast idea, what to do if you shit yourself in an interview, Rich’s latest crime and how he is ta...

#379 M&M Apocalypse - Richard’s son continues to come up with better material than his dad, without even trying. His guest is the unparalleled comedy genius Armando Iannucci. They chat about how Armando once again predicted the future with his hilarious new sitcom Avenue 5, the lows and deeper lows of lockdown, what inspired him to write the mock-heroic poem, Pandemonium https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pandemonium-Some-verses-Cur...

RHLSTP Book Club #143 - I Love You, Byeee - Second part of a two part interview with podcaster and ex member of a double act, Adam Buxton. Ramble chat may include such topics as hot mums, directing music videos, being bullied by Keith Allen, imposter syndrome, Dennis Waterman, bad auditions and what the future may hold.

Buy the book here - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/ramble-book-2-adam-buxton/7722311

The audio book is ex...

RHLSTP #566 - Get Back! - Richard is back at the Podcast Room for an interview with a real comedy legend, Maurice Gran, co-creator of Birds of a Feather, Shine On Harvey Moon, Love Hurts and of course Goodnight Sweetheart. They chat about how Maurice and co-writer Laurence Marks seemed thrown together by fate, working with three of the Young Ones, but especially Rik Mayall in the New Statesman, how they got caught up in Michae...

#378 Test Card Girl - Rich has freaked himself out by attempting to cure the aphantasia (that he suffers with in silence). His guest is John Craven sanctioned Newshound Samira Ahmed. They discuss the legacy of Mary Whitehouse and whether it’s OK to point out the positive things that someone with some unacceptable views has done, the bravery of taking your employer to court in order to secure equal pay, whether appearing on Mas...

In an act of almost unprecedented generosity, we would like to offer all of you this bonus episode of RHLSTP for free! It's a special episode where Richard answers listener submitted questions. From next month on, only Gold or Platinum badgers will be able to listen to this bonus podcast (and if you'd like to become a badger, please go here - gofasterstripe.com/badges)

If you'd like to join in the fun and ask Richard anything, t...

RHLSTP Book Club #142 - I Love You, Byeee - First part of a two part interview in which Richard talks to Adam about the follow up to Ramble Book. They chat about low self-esteem, double acts, Paul Weller’s sense of humour, drug use, when comedians do serious music, pickled onions and keeping track of arguments with your spouse.

Buy the book here - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/ramble-book-2-adam-buxton/7722311

The audio book is...

RHLSTP #565 - Foundation - Richard is back in the Podcast Room where he is joined by comedian, author and now sitcom star, Rosie Jones. They discuss rising from researcher to star and the celebs who gave her the time of day before she was famous, how her sitcom Pushers has disabled actors but isn’t about disability and whether it was like the White Lotus behind the scenes, her upcoming tour “I Can’t Tell What She’s Saying” and...

#377 Piss Canal - Richard’s son has come up with a brilliant new emergency question (and is thus finally helping to pay for his upkeep), though is it worth it for the Hell of attending a three hour kids’ party? Richard’s guest is fabulous writer/actor/comedian Jamie Demetriou. They talk about how many holes are in a ghost’s sheet, the genesis of Stath Lets Flats and why the casting was crucial to its success, working with a sibling...

RHLSTP Book Club #141 - All the Colours of the Dark - Rich talks to the inspiring author of All The Colours Of The Dark, Chris Whitaker, about his fantastically engaging and impressive novel. They chat about how someone from Hertfordshire has ended up writing such an authentic book about America in the 20th Century, his writing process and why he spent a year just writing dialogue between the main characters, how you approach writi...