Television Times Podcast

This week we welcome the fantastic comedian and actor Nick Helm to the podcast for a chat about his comedy beginnings, his love for Harry Hill and why he's listening to every Alice Cooper album in order whilst on tour. Nick lifts the lid on his hit BBC show Uncle and explains how he ended up dressed as an ostrich in a recent episode of Eastenders. It's a great chat that features my own son in the background, due to it being recorded during half term. Follow Nick and subscribe to the podcast using the links below:All music written and performed in this podcast by Steve Otis GunnExcept 'No Survivors' Written and Performed by Nick HelmPlease buy my book 'You Shot My Dog and I Love You' available in all good book shops, online and directly.Podcast Socials:Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tvtimespodInsta: https://www.instagram.com/tvtimespodYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@tvtimespodTwitter: https://twitter.com/tvtimespodSteve's Socials:Insta: https://www.instagram.com/steveotisgunnTwitter: https://www.twitter.com/steveotisgunnFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/steveotisgunn.antisocialNick's Socials:Insta: https://www.instagram.com/thenickhelmTwitter: https://x.com/thenickhelmFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheNickHelmTik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/tag/nickhelmWatch the Harry Hill pickled onion scene here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNuywa8zWCQListen to Nick's music on Spotify here: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2JYFvQnnocLtU3Anrt5vS2Get tickets to my Edinburgh show here: https://www.thespaceuk.com/shows/2024/steve-otis-gunn-is-uncomfortableProduced by Steve Otis Gunn for Jilted Maggotwww.jiltedmaggot.com

This week we welcome the brilliant actor and character comedian Alex Lowe to the podcast, recorded backstage at The Tyne Theatre during his tour of Clinton Baptiste's RollerGhoster. We talk about spooky stuff including ghosts and the unscrupulous tactics used by touring psychics, as well as the influences that informed the creation of Clinton Baptiste and his back story. Alex takes us on a journey through his career in television and radio, as well as how he first took to the West End stage aged just thirteen. Alex explains some of the more difficult situations he finds himself in whilst touring as Clinton, and how a changing audience can be problematic in the current era. We also discuss how the BBC can sometimes come across as patronising whilst trying to appear both inclusive and impartial, and why certain comedy references might not quite cut it with a younger crowd, especially if you name drop Judith Chalmers!Please follow us on Social Media (links below):All music written and performed in this podcast by Steve Otis GunnPlease buy my book 'You Shot My Dog and I Love You' available in all good book shops, online and directly.Podcast Socials:Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tvtimespodInsta: https://www.instagram.com/tvtimespodYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@tvtimespodTwitter: https://twitter.com/tvtimespodSteve's Socials:Insta: https://www.instagram.com/steveotisgunnTwitter: https://www.twitter.com/steveotisgunnFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/steveotisgunn.antisocialAlex's Socials:Insta: https://www.instagram.com/baptisteclintonTwitter: https://twitter.com/alexlowe51Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/realclintonbTik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@clintonbaptiste0Get Ticket's for Clinton Baptiste's RollerGhoster here: https://www.clintonbaptiste.com/tourGet tickets to 'Steve Otis Gunn is Uncomfortable' @EdFringe here: https://tickets.thespaceuk.com/event/911:2527Produced by Steve Otis Gunn for Jilted Maggotwww.jiltedmaggot.com

Today on The podcast we have 'friend of the pod' Stefania Licari popping in for a zoom-chat all about her process in preparing for the Edinburgh Fringe. Stefania lifts the lid on the moment that changed her life forever and set her on course to being a comedian, and why she is planning to diverge away from medical comedy. There isn't much telly chat this week, just a passing mention of E.R, but it's still an interesting listen nonetheless.Please follow us on Social Media (links below):All music written and performed in this podcast by Steve Otis GunnPlease buy my book 'You Shot My Dog and I Love You' available in all good book shops, online and directly.Podcast Socials:Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tvtimespodInsta: https://www.instagram.com/tvtimespodYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@tvtimespodTwitter: https://twitter.com/tvtimespodSteve's Socials:Insta: https://www.instagram.com/steveotisgunnTwitter: https://www.twitter.com/steveotisgunnFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/steveotisgunn.antisocialStefania's Socials:Insta: https://www.instagram.com/licaristefaniaTwitter: https://twitter.com/StefaniaLicariFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/licaristefania/Get Ticket's for Stefania's Show here: https://www.stefanialicari.com/trust-me-im-a-comedianGet tickets to 'Steve Otis Gunn is Uncomfortable' @EdFringe here: https://tickets.thespaceuk.com/event/911:2527Produced by Steve Otis Gunn for Jilted Maggotwww.jiltedmaggot.com

This week we welcome the beloved prankster, broadcaster and author Dom Joly to the podcast. I was lucky enough to talk to Dom backstage before one of his performances of 'The Conspiracy Tourist' whereby he opened up extensively about the trials and tribulations around his seminal Channel 4 show Trigger Happy TV, including scenes he couldn't air and having no control over the shoddy American remake. He also talks about how his follow up TV show 'This is Dom Joly' was painfully misunderstood, and how he really felt whilst participating in 'Celebrity Island with Bear Grylls'. Dom shares his love of Gogglebox and reality TV in general, and reveals how he'd still rather have made it as a musician than been successful in comedy. Dom now finds joy in travelling and writing his books, the latest of which deals with the growing problem of online Conspiracy theories including why some people think Finland might not actually exist.Please follow us on Social Media (links below):All music written and performed in this podcast by Steve Otis GunnPlease buy my book 'You Shot My Dog and I Love You' available in all good book shops, online and directly.Podcast Socials:Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tvtimespodInsta: https://www.instagram.com/tvtimespodYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@tvtimespodTwitter: https://twitter.com/tvtimespodSteve's Socials:Insta: https://www.instagram.com/steveotisgunnTwitter: https://www.twitter.com/steveotisgunnFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/steveotisgunn.antisocialDom's Socials:Insta: https://www.instagram.com/realdomjolyTwitter: https://twitter.com/domjolyFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/officialdomjolyTik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hereisdomjolyGet Ticket's for Dom's Conspiracy Tourist tour here: https://www.domjoly.tv/dom-joly-tour/Get tickets to 'Steve Otis Gunn is Uncomfortable' @EdFringe here: https://tickets.thespaceuk.com/event/911:2527Produced by Steve Otis Gunn for Jilted Maggotwww.jiltedmaggot.com

This week's guest is the multi-talented writer Giles Paley-Phillips who chats about his various projects, including his film company, writing career and his many podcasts. We find plenty of common ground along the way including the difficulty in finding time to read, writing to a soundtrack, and even being at the same Glastonbury Festival, although Giles was performing whilst I was a mere punter. We also discuss the annoyance of having to rely on social media whether we like it or not, and how influencers are gaining power over the commissioning of new TV projects. Giles shares his love for Columbo and his disdain for the resurgence of game shows, while I somehow raise the topics of MAFS and Naked Attraction yet again, but come on, how can I not?Please follow us on Social Media (links below):All music written and performed in this podcast by Steve Otis GunnPlease buy my book 'You Shot My Dog and I Love You' available in all good book shops, online and directly.Podcast Socials:Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tvtimespodInsta: https://www.instagram.com/tvtimespodYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@tvtimespodTwitter: https://twitter.com/tvtimespodSteve's Socials:Insta: https://www.instagram.com/steveotisgunnTwitter: https://www.twitter.com/steveotisgunnFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/steveotisgunn.antisocialGiles's SocialsInsta: https://www.instagram.com/eliistender10Twitter: https://twitter.com/eliistender10Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eliistender10TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@eliistender10Get tickets to 'Steve Otis Gunn is Uncomfortable' @EdFringe here: https://tickets.thespaceuk.com/event/911:2527Produced by Steve Otis Gunn for Jilted Maggotwww.jiltedmaggot.com

This week's guest is the highly entertaining Professor Richard Wiseman, who is not only a psychologist, author and magician, but also a podcaster. In this conversation we discuss our experiences with the paranormal, including lucid dreaming and theatrical superstitions, whilst exploring the psychology behind fear and belief. I explain the challenges of overcoming a criminal mindset while Richard recounts anecdotes from his early appearances on television and how he overcame nervousness thanks to Richard Madeley. We also discuss the difficulty of suspending your disbelief while watching TV, the importance of authenticity in comedy and the demise of event television. Richard also explains why he has no interest whatsoever in music and is therefore immune to jingles.Please Follow us on Social Media (links below):All music written and performed in this podcast by Steve Otis GunnPlease buy my book 'You Shot My Dog and I Love You' available in all good book shops, online and directly.Podcast Socials:Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tvtimespodInsta: https://www.instagram.com/tvtimespodYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@tvtimespodTwitter: https://twitter.com/tvtimespodSteve's Socials:Insta: https://www.instagram.com/steveotisgunnTwitter: https://www.twitter.com/steveotisgunnFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/steveotisgunn.antisocialRichard's SocialsInsta: https://www.instagram.com/instawisemanTwitter: https://twitter.com/richardwisemanFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ProfRichardWisemanYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@QuirkologyListen to Richard's podcast 'On Your Mind' here: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/richard-wisemans-on-your-mind/id1669063059Get tickets to 'Steve Otis Gunn is Uncomfortable' @EdFringe here: https://tickets.thespaceuk.com/event/911:2527Listen to my album 'We Argue in Silence' on Spotify here: https://open.spotify.com/album/73l1SWh5M9RTNiH0WD6UnPWatch the video for 'Made in England' here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AS6ZYnCd1K4Produced by Steve Otis Gunn for Jilted Maggotwww.jiltedmaggot.com

In a change to the current schedule we find ourselves with a curve ball of an episode that it is in effect something of an announcement. This might be a podcast or a therapy session, you decide. In this episode Steve interviews himself and discusses the idea behind his upcoming debut Edinburgh show and all the trials and tribulations leading up to it. They say talking to yourself could well be a sign of madness, so at least one of these Steves is in trouble.Trigger warning: There is talk of various unsavoury subjects that some may find troubling. Please keep this podcast away from children, the religious and fans of the monarchy. You've been warned.Please Follow us on Social Media (links below):All music written and performed in this podcast by Steve Otis Gunn,Please buy my book 'You Shot My Dog and I Love You' available in all good book shops, online and directly.Podcast Socials:Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tvtimespodInsta: https://www.instagram.com/tvtimespodYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@tvtimespodTwitter: https://twitter.com/tvtimespodSteve's Socials:Insta: https://www.instagram.com/steveotisgunnTwitter: https://www.twitter.com/steveotisgunnFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/steveotisgunn.antisocialGet tickets to 'Steve Otis Gunn is Uncomfortable' @EdFringe here: https://tickets.thespaceuk.com/event/911:2527/Produced by Steve Otis Gunn for Jilted Maggotwww.jiltedmaggot.com

This week my guest is the wonderful Swedish actor Per Lasson, who joined me on his day off from filming Season 3 of 'Tunna blå linjen' to chat about such varied subjects as uncomfortable age gaps, close bonds formed in the workplace, and why comedy and horror do not mix. We ponder why Scandinavian TV has soared in popularity in recent years and why the anglicisation of their titles are sometimes way off. Per also tells us about his new project 'Whiskey on the Rocks', an amazing true story about a Nuclear Russian submarine that ran aground in Sweden in 1981, and explains how he deals with his new found fame. We also have a wee chat about the sometimes problematic films that are screened on both planes and ferries and why A.I. might not be such a bad thing after all. Trigger warning: There is talk of suicide and various unsavoury subjects that some may find troubling. Please keep this podcast away from children, the religious and fans of the monarchy. You've been warned.Please Follow us on Social Media (links below):All music written and performed in this podcast by Steve Otis Gunn,except 'Missing Myself' Written by Steve Otis Gunn & Desmond J. PyePlease buy my book 'You Shot My Dog and I Love You' available in all good book shops, online and directly.Podcast Socials:Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tvtimespodInsta: https://www.instagram.com/tvtimespodYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@tvtimespodTwitter: https://twitter.com/tvtimespodSteve's Socials:Insta: https://www.instagram.com/steveotisgunnTwitter: https://www.twitter.com/steveotisgunnFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/steveotisgunn.antisocialPer's Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/perlassonProduced by Steve Otis Gunn for Jilted Maggotwww.jiltedmaggot.com

Today on the pod we have the absolute legend that is Bernie Clifton. Fresh from releasing his autobiography 'Crackerjack to Vegas' Bernie chats about his failed attempts to become a plumber which in turn led him to join the RAF and fly to football matches in Cold War bombers. Bernie talks warmly about his comedy cohorts including Bob Monkhouse and Les Dawson, the latter urging him to become a prop comic, something Bernie is grateful for to this day. Learn how Oswald the Ostrich came into being and why Bernie once took him up in a microlight aircraft to appease a reporter from The Daily Mirror. Bernie is clearly touched to be referenced in an Inside No.9 episode and speaks fondly of all involved. He also spills the beans on the televisual debacle that was 'It's a Royal Knockout', along with behind the scenes anecdotes from his life in TV including the seminal kids TV Show 'Crackerjack'.Please Follow us on Social Media (links below):All music written and performed in this podcast by Steve Otis Gunn,Please buy my book 'You Shot My Dog and I Love You' available in all good book shops, online and directly.Podcast Socials:Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tvtimespodInsta: https://www.instagram.com/tvtimespodYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@tvtimespodTwitter: https://twitter.com/tvtimespodSteve's Socials:Insta: https://www.instagram.com/steveotisgunnTwitter: https://www.twitter.com/steveotisgunnFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/steveotisgunn.antisocialBernie's SocialsInsta: https://www.instagram.com/bernie.cliftonTwitter: https://twitter.com/bernieclifton_Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bernie.clifton.7Get Bernie's Book 'Crackerjack to Vegas' here: http://www.bernieclifton.co.uk/Produced by Steve Otis Gunn for Jilted Maggotwww.jiltedmaggot.com