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Richard Herring's Leicester Square Theatre Podcast (RHLSTP)
RHLSTP 568 - John Dowie (Part 1)
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 part (or not) in the explosion of comedy in the 80s, the podcast with Tony Allen that never was (largely due to the lack of the internet), recording with Factory records, working with Neil Innes, John’s frustration with modern life, doing a show with Victoria Wood, the secret reason he gave up stand up (which may remain a secret) the original Dogman and whether he feels he gets the credit he deserves or whether he thinks he deserves any credit.
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154. Janet Ellis (Retro) - "Blew Peter"
01:00:51||Ep. 154#443 Blew Peter - Richard has not drunk alcohol for 27 months, but should he go back to his drunken (and more amusing ways). As is now traditional his final guest of the series is a member of the Ellis family, it’s the brilliant Janet Ellis. They discuss day time drinking with John Thaw and Dennis Waterman, the irritatingly slow speed of K9 from Doctor Who and the embarrassing googlewhack that happened when Richard searched for his favourite episode of Jigsaw. Plus the sinister presence of Noseybonk, the health and safety nightmare of 1980s Blue Peter, being a nepo mum and what prompted her to become a novelist and the potential awkwardness of reading the steamier bits for the audiobook.Come and see RHLSTP live - all dates and confirmed guests here http://richardherring.com/rhlstpSUPPORT THE SHOW!See details of the RHLSTP LIVE DATES Watch our TWITCH CHANNELBecome a badger and see extra content at our WEBSITE Buy DVDs and books from GO FASTER STRIPE
25. Rich and Ally's Craven Newsround Compilation " Deam Me Up, Scotty"
16:31||Ep. 25Deam Me Up, Scotty - Rich and Ally are back, if only briefly, for more news that the lamestream media ignores. Today some bad news for fans of dogs and Doctor Who as Richard questions the wisdom of the royals using a Tardis. And then an exciting adventure as someone steals the time machine and makes diabolical plans. Should Ally be the new Doctor? Could be!See Rich at the Ed Fringe http://richardherring.com/rhlstpOr support this with a badge - https://gofasterstripe.com/badgesTitles by Andy BobbinMusic by Mike CosgraveDirected by Chris Evans.Any similarity to John Craven’s Newsround is entirely coincidental
189. Paul Tonkinson on Running Through Sand - Book Club
50:19||Ep. 189RHLSTP Book Club #189 - Running Through Sand - Richard chats remotely with stand up and extreme runner Paul Tonkinson about his attempt to complete the 250km Marathon des Sable through (a little bit of) the Sahara desert. They chat about what drives someone to do such an insane thing, midlife crises, how men don’t talk enough about getting older, working with Michael McIntyre, the wisdom that comes with experience and whether anyone should listen to you, writing a book that is partly about writing the book and having hallucinations in the desert.Buy the book here - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/running-through-sand-an-ageing-comedian-s-ill-thought-out-ultra-in-the-sahara-paul-tonkinson/7f395e6f5eac21c8SUPPORT THE SHOW!See details of the RHLSTP LIVE DATES Watch our TWITCH CHANNELBecome a badger and see extra content at our WEBSITE Buy DVDs and books from GO FASTER STRIPEAudio mix by Ben Evans (NTO)Thanks to Chris Evans (NTO)
27. Chris Cantrill - "Daily Branch Whack Punishment"
59:16||Season 33, Ep. 27RHLSTP #619 - Daily Branch Whack Punishment - It’s another remote RHLSTP, with another Edinburgh bound member of the SNL UK writing team, Chris Cantrill. They chat about working with the delightful Amy Gledhill, the relentless process of writing Saturday Night Live and how it might not live up to the coke-fuelled ego-fest of the original American series, Chris’ new stand up show Rewilding, which centres around the appalling act of vandalism at the Sycamore Gap, why he likes performing at lunchtime and why the Fringe has never been the booze-fuelled holiday that it was for Rich in the 1990s. Plus getting to play small parts in hit sitcoms and an overhaul of our judicial system.Tickets for Chris’ Edinburgh show here https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/chris-cantrill-rewildingTickets for RHLSTP at the Ed Fringe here http://richardherring.com/rhlstpSUPPORT THE SHOW!See details of the RHLSTP LIVE DATES Watch our TWITCH CHANNELBecome a badger and see extra content at our WEBSITE Buy DVDs and books from GO FASTER STRIPEAudio mix by Ben Evans (NTO)Thanks to Chris Evans (NTO) and Ben Walker
153. Count Binface (Retro) - "House of Losers"
55:30||Ep. 153#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 on his website, and vote for him in Clacton on 13 August if you can https://www.countbinface.com/See a live recording of RHLSTP - https://richardherring.com/rhlstpSUPPORT THE SHOW!See details of the RHLSTP LIVE DATES Watch our TWITCH CHANNELBecome a badger and see extra content at our WEBSITE Buy DVDs and books from GO FASTER STRIPE
188. Turi King on The Secrets of Our DNA - Book Club
48:27||Ep. 188RHLSTP Book Club #188 - The Secrets of Our DNA - Richard has a remote chat with Professor of Genetics and archaeologist Turi King about her fantastic book encompassing the many advances in our understanding of DNA, a surprising number of which overlap with Richard’s interests. Find out how Cheddar Man is not as related to Richard’s history teacher as Somerset likes to claim, how some of Richard III’s bones ended up in York (for a little while at least), whether Hitler actually had one ball and whether DNA can tell us how big historical figures genitals are (and if not, what’s the point). It’s such a fun chat, also including the Princes in the Tower, bringing back dinosaurs, the guilt or innocence of OJ Simpson and catching serial killers via DNA websites. Plus find out what Richard’s surname reveals about his origins.Buy the book here - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-secrets-of-our-dna-how-genetics-has-changed-the-world-professor-turi-king/c2eeb0f1c0ed98daSUPPORT THE SHOW!See details of the RHLSTP LIVE DATES Watch our TWITCH CHANNELBecome a badger and see extra content at our WEBSITE Buy DVDs and books from GO FASTER STRIPEAudio mix by Ben Evans (NTO)Thanks to Chris Evans (NTO)
26. Mitch Benn (Part 2) - "Two Large Fifty-Something Tiny Tims"
43:48||Season 33, Ep. 26RHLSTP #618 - Two Large Fifty-Something Tiny Tims - Rich is back in salty Droitwich with last week’s guest Mitch Benn. They discuss the huge number of Edinburgh shows Mitch has done, his fandom of Tom Lehrer, Mitch is the 37th Beatle, an unexpected Dickens connection, whether satire is best done from an apolitical perspective and why fascism is ultimately doomed, not being retained by the Now Show after 17 years, how all the old satirical songs some around again, Mitch’s prodigious work ethic and how he gets so much done whether we need proportional representation, Gilbert and Sullivan’s Dracula and the return of a classic emergency question.See Mitch in Edinburgh - https://underbellyedinburgh.co.uk/event/mitch-benn-asking-elvisSee RHLSTP in Edinburgh - https://www.thestand.co.uk/fringe/2925/richard-herring-rhlstpSUPPORT THE SHOW!See details of the RHLSTP LIVE DATES Watch our TWITCH CHANNELBecome a badger and see extra content at our WEBSITE Buy DVDs and books from GO FASTER STRIPEAudio mix by Ben Evans (NTO)Thanks to Chris Evans (NTO) and Ben Walker
152. Rhys James (Retro) - "Hungover Mastermind"
01:07:11||Ep. 152#442 Hungover Mastermind - Richard is basking in the possibly short-lived approval of one of his kids and is trying to make money off the ideas of the other one. His guest is Mock the Week favourite, Rhys James. They discuss the tallest building in Swindon, the worst place in Hertfordshire, writing right wing and left wing material on the same subject, what Richard said about Rhys when he saw him in a new act competition, the enduring problem of the last packet of crisps falling into a volcano, whether it’s better to have one ball or one kidney, wearing a tuxedo on Pointless, why people might think Rhys is deaf and more sad tales of romantic embarrassment.Come and see us live http://richardherring.com/rhlstpSUPPORT THE SHOW!See details of the RHLSTP LIVE DATES Watch our TWITCH CHANNELBecome a badger and see extra content at our WEBSITE Buy DVDs and books from GO FASTER STRIPE
24. Rich and Ally's Craven Newsround Compilation "Old Red Eye is Back"
01:11:43||Ep. 24Monday 6th July 2026 - Old Red Eye is Back - Rich has got out of his sick bed to bring you all the news that you won’t hear on the lamestream media. Today finally Pizza Express has done an investigation to find out whether Andrew Battenberg-Cake came there in March 2001 and the results are frankly astonishing. We hear from the man himself to see where his life may go now.Tuesday 7th July 2026 - Farage Above the Garage - Rich and Ally are back with breaking news about Farage’s resignation and Richard’s health. The badinage is strong. The news is balanced and unbiased.Wednesday 8th July 2026 - Imagine There’s a Heaven - Rich and Ally are back tacking the really big news stories that others are too scared to handle. Today they report on what happens when you die and get a report direct from Heaven to see if that idea is correct.Friday 10th July 2026 - Stamford Brook - It’s the last Newsround for a little while as the team head off for a much deserved holiday, but we’re covering a big story - the cock infested Reading Embroidery. Should the British Museum keep it or should it be censored. Expect some strong opinions and a factually dubious song.