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Distraction Pieces Podcast with Scroobius Pip
Armando Iannucci (The Death Of Stalin / In The Loop / Veep) • Friday Rewind
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emocleW, emocleW, emocleW to the Distraction Pieces Podcast with Scroobius Pip!
This is your bonus FRIDAY REWIND episode! Today, we catch up with Armando Iannucci, originally episode 174 from 2017-10-24.
Original writeup below:
Responsible for an insane amount of some of the greatest UK comedy since the 90's, including the writing and production of 'The Day Today' which spawned Alan Partridge and the Partridge multiverse, 'The Thick Of It', 'Time Trumpet', and US based 'Veep', Armando is clearly a titan of the game. With his new production 'The Death Of Stalin' (in cinemas NOW!), he's been grinding it out on the media promo run, but is sharp as a katana as he sits down with Pip for a nice long chat covering all the necessary bases and loads more that you'd hope to hear about, including said promo run grind and the madness of it all, especially seeing your own film countless times, being mindful of not using the victims of the subject of his film for comedy and finding that material from many various other sources, social media and how the echo chamber is reinforced and debate is fading, how the film draws parallels with today's US presidency even though it was filmed months before Trump's election win, and how to successfully wrangle an all star cast in order to promote efficiency on set. Tons more obviously but yeah, super entertaining and a must for Armando fans and those who appreciate the craft of writing and production. Get into it!
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692. STAMMA FEST PODCAST • a Q&A with Jessie Roux fielding questions from awesome young folks #692
47:28||Ep. 692Welcome, welcome, welcome to the Distraction Pieces Podcast with Scroobius Pip!This week is a celebration of INTERNATIONAL STAMMER AWARENESS DAY, recorded at Stamma Fest 2026!A wonderfully different episode this week, as Pip joins hosting duties with the glorious (previous guest!) JESSIE ROUX to answer questions and just have a nice hangout with some of the younger folks involved in Stamma Fest. You'll very quickly detect that this episode is more about the community vibe, support network and representation that comes with such an event and organisation, and less about the fact that there's a huge and fabulous TV star in attendance (although come on, that does add to the greatness!). Not to mention the fact that we're hearing from younger people who stammer - voices we don't hear from nearly as much as we should. It's a really supportive, present, and inspiring atmosphere in this one, and a very welcome break from the regular podcasting schedule. Here's to more of these voices in the future... Huge thanks to everyone at Stamma, the young people involved, and Jessie for all being amazing. INTERNATIONAL STAMMER AWARENESS DAY is on the 22nd of October!PIP'S PATREON PAGE if you're of a supporting natureSTAMMA IGSTAMMASPEECH DEVELOPMENT WEBSTOREPIP TWITCH • (music stuff)PIP INSTAGRAMPIP TWITTERPIP PATREONPIP IMDB
SUZY EDDIE IZZARD (The Tragedy Of Hamlet / Watson / Dr Jekyll) • Friday Rewind
57:47|emocleW, emocleW, emocleW to the Distraction Pieces Podcast with Scroobius Pip!This is your bonus FRIDAY REWIND episode! Today, we catch up with SUZY EDDIE IZZARD, originally episode 168 from 2017-09-13.Original writeup (for context, this is from 2017, and now it is 2026 - so what follows is 9 years old, at time of this Rewind publishing):This week Pip is joined by EDDIE IZZARD! Comedian, actor, marathon man and all round champ Eddie takes time from his current press junket to sit down with Pip for a proper chat - not a three minute soundbiter, no no no... This is a wonderful one, covering - of course - his current film 'Victoria And Abdul' (alongside acting royalty Dame Judi Dench), which triggers all manner of talking points in bright and breezy fashion... Some amazing facts and gossip about the true story behind the film are revealed, and later Eddie talks candidly about his insane marathon running achievements and the mindset involved, and of course his standup career gets a good going over - all this tied in with a truly inspiring look at his transgender identification and all that has entailed over the years. Comprehensive to say the very least - get into it, enjoy and share it at your nearest opportunity.PIP'S PATREON PAGE if you're of a supporting natureONLINEINSTAGRAMPIP TWITCH • (music stuff)PIP INSTAGRAMSPEECH DEVELOPMENT WEBSTOREPIP TWITTERPIP IMDB
691. LEILA FARZAD • bring the truth and unblock the emotion (I Hate Suzie / Black Mirror / The Decameron) #691
01:31:34||Ep. 691Welcome, welcome, welcome to the Distraction Pieces Podcast with Scroobius Pip!This week Pip is joined by the absolutely glorious actor LEILA FARZAD!Leila's been on a huge journey in carving her own path in the wide and weird world of acting, a journey that some might have simply clicked and saved at any part of it and called it a day. But it's a real treat to hear how it's all turned out (and indeed continues to play out in the present), and to have that reminder that it isn't all luck and the hands we're dealt - this stuff takes a huge amount of thought, risk, skill and time. Hear about how Leila has worked on all sizes of screen as well as stage, found methods to unblock emotion, and had the unique experience of having a place to call home in Iran as well as the UK (or as Pip's unintentional phone autocorrect would have it, "ENGLAND" - don't worry, it all gets explained in the first few minutes, way to go phone). It's a really lovely conversation and a nice extended one too, so get settled and enjoy hearing from a true great.PIP'S PATREON PAGE if you're of a supporting natureIMDBBLACK MIRROR: JOAN IS AWFULI HATE SUZIEINSTAGRAMSPEECH DEVELOPMENT WEBSTOREPIP TWITCH • (music stuff)PIP INSTAGRAMPIP TWITTERPIP PATREONPIP IMDB
KAE TEMPEST (Self Titled / Having Spent Life Seeking / The Line Is A Curve) • Friday Rewind
01:32:51|emocleW, emocleW, emocleW to the Distraction Pieces Podcast with Scroobius Pip!This is your bonus FRIDAY REWIND episode! Today, we catch up with KAE TEMPEST, originally episode 17 from 2015-02-04.This is an episode from a very, very long time ago, but an incredibly fascinating one which offers an insight into a past life of someone who is very near and dear to the Distraction Pieces Podcast! As you will hear, it's an episode with references to a different name which was in use at the time - an occasional feature of the Rewind podcasts, what with this one in particular being almost 12 years old at time of publishing, so it might happen from time to time. But just know, Kae is the homie and always will be, and you are always strongly urged to peep his music at any given opportunity. Enjoy!PIP'S PATREON PAGE if you're of a supporting natureONLINEINSTAGRAMPIP TWITCH • (music stuff)PIP INSTAGRAMSPEECH DEVELOPMENT WEBSTOREPIP TWITTERPIP IMDB
690. SOPHIE DUKER • new book 'DONG' in early 2027! (Taskmaster / Fringe / House Of Games) #690
01:09:58||Ep. 690Welcome, welcome, welcome to the Distraction Pieces Podcast with Scroobius Pip!This week Pip is joined by the always excellent writer and comic SOPHIE DUKER!A mere couple of years since Sophie's previous visit to the podcast but so much has happened - but this is someone who frankly has a backstage laminate and is always welcome. A really lovely chat and catchup after what was a pretty tough Eurostar journey from Paris, in which she and Pip get into all things present, past and future (some of which were - at the time - huge news - and have since developed in ways they of course would not have known!). There's a lot of really decent Edinburgh Fringe talk too which is something Sophie's very familiar with, but generally this is one of those conversations where a huge amount of ground is covered and time passes way too quickly. So take some time and enjoy, it's a great one. Oh and do peep Sophie's forthcoming book 'DONG' won't ya!PIP'S PATREON PAGE if you're of a supporting natureSOPHIE ONLINE (for all relevant info!)DONG pre-ordersINSTAGRAMSOPHIE ON DPP '24SPEECH DEVELOPMENT WEBSTOREPIP TWITCH • (music stuff)PIP INSTAGRAMPIP TWITTERPIP PATREONPIP IMDB
PETER CAPALDI (Local Hero / The Thick Of It / Doctor Who) • Friday Rewind
54:45|emocleW, emocleW, emocleW to the Distraction Pieces Podcast with Scroobius Pip!This is your bonus FRIDAY REWIND episode! Today, we catch up with PETER CAPALDI, originally episode 555 from 2024-02-21.Original writeup below:Depending on where you caught Peter on his timeline, you may know him as Malcolm Tucker, Dr Who, or even Oldsen if you've seen Local Hero. Point is - Peter's been busy for decades, and continues to be so. He's also an awesome hang, as you will find out as Pip gets a good hour or so in his company. They get into all sorts, including of course the roles and acting experiences, but also the wide world of culture wars and nonsence arguments, problems with leadership, maintaining good vibes on set, London as a crime backdrop, the greatness of Glasgow, Lewis Capaldi and his relation to him, making diorama studios as a kid, and the hand of destiny in his acting career. NOT avoiding the hypetrain for the show brought to you by he and his wife, Criminal Record on Apple TV! So much to enjoy. Better step to it.PIP'S PATREON PAGE if you're of a supporting natureIMDBINSTAGRAMTARDIS WIKIDOCTOR WHOCRIMINAL RECORDTHE THICK OF ITPIP TWITCH • (music stuff)PIP INSTAGRAMSPEECH DEVELOPMENT WEBSTOREPIP TWITTERPIP IMDB
689. SHABANA AZEEZ • "My job is empathy" (The Pitt / The Airport Chaplain / Lesbian Space Princess) #689
42:15||Ep. 689Welcome, welcome, welcome to the Distraction Pieces Podcast with Scroobius Pip!This week Pip is joined by the truly fabulous actor SHABANA AZEEZ!A perfect behind the scenes of stage and screen chat with Shabana, fresh from Emmy celebrations and ready to get into it all. For some, this might be your first time hearing from Shabana especially if you're only just familiarising yourself with The Pitt (good for you) - but for others, you'll be well versed in her awesome acting range and path since back in the day. Of course, a huge amount has happened since the growing up days back in Adelaide, and it makes sense that we find Shabana right here as the acting and arts leanings have been there since her younger years. Here we hear about most of the roles, including of course The Pitt, but also the excellent The Airport Chaplain, and the lesser known but no less brilliantly titled Lesbian Space Princess - so much to get into, so let's cut this reading thing short and leave it to you to get listening immediately.PIP'S PATREON PAGE if you're of a supporting natureIMDBINSTAGRAMTHE PITTTHE AIRPORT CHAPLAINLESBIAN SPACE PRINCESSSPEECH DEVELOPMENT WEBSTOREPIP TWITCH • (music stuff)PIP INSTAGRAMPIP TWITTERPIP PATREONPIP IMDB
JAMES BUCKLEY (The Inbetweeners / White Gold / Mother's Pride) • Friday Rewind
01:28:14|emocleW, emocleW, emocleW to the Distraction Pieces Podcast with Scroobius Pip!This is your bonus FRIDAY REWIND episode! Today, we catch up with JAMES BUCKLEY, originally episode 144 from 2017-03-29.A fun one from way back in the day now, which Inbetweeners heads will love and newcomers (if such a thing is possible) will enjoy equally. Tons of goodness and fun in this one, which at time of publishing is almost 10 years old!PIP'S PATREON PAGE if you're of a supporting natureIMDBPIP TWITCH • (music stuff)PIP INSTAGRAMSPEECH DEVELOPMENT WEBSTOREPIP TWITTERPIP IMDB
688. RALF LITTLE • exploring where the processes of acting and being a human being combine (Hunting Alice Bell / Two Pints Of Lager... / Royle Family) #688
01:13:59||Ep. 688Welcome, welcome, welcome to the Distraction Pieces Podcast with Scroobius Pip!This week Pip is joined by the brilliant actor of stage and screen RALF LITTLE!Fresh from a huge theatre round of 'The Spy Who Came In From The Cold', Ralf joins Pip for a long overdue chat which seemingly goes off on a bunch of tangents, but on closer inspection you'll hear how connected each strand really is. Of course a huge section involves acting and the science behind the performance (or more accurately, how to portray a role while not losing touch with your own brain), but elsewhere there are great angles involving the upcoming 'Hunting Alice Bell' and where the story came from, working with David Baddiel, the all seeing eye of Simon Pegg, getting into and out of Twitter storms, the mental clarity one can achieve by simply putting the phone down, expectations of various societal groups and mansplaining the 'Me Too' movement to a non-male acquaintance. It's a lot! Enjoy.PIP'S PATREON PAGE if you're of a supporting natureIMDBTHE SPY WHO CAME IN FROM THE COLDHUNTING ALICE BELLSPEECH DEVELOPMENT WEBSTOREPIP TWITCH • (music stuff)PIP INSTAGRAMPIP TWITTERPIP PATREONPIP IMDB