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All My Clothes Need Burning
Bernie Clifton: From Crackerjack to Vegas - The Life of a Comedy Legend
in this delightful episode of the podcast, Steve Otis Gunn chats to comedy legend Bernie Clifton, who shares stories from his illustrious career, including:
Early Career & RAF Adventures: Bernie discusses his initial career aspirations and how a failed attempt at becoming a plumber led him to join the RAF, where he flew to football matches in Cold War bombers.
- Comedy Mentors: He reflects on his experiences with comedy greats like Bob Monkhouse and Les Dawson, the latter encouraging him to embrace prop comedy, a decision Bernie is grateful for to this day.
- The Ostrich: Bernie reveals the creation of his iconic character, Oswald the Ostrich, and recounts the memorable moment he took Oswald up in a microlight aircraft to appease a reporter from The Daily Mirror.
- Television Highlights: He shares insights into his time on the beloved children's show Crackerjack, his involvement in the infamous It's a Royal Knockout, and his appreciation for being referenced in an episode of Inside No. 9.
- Autobiography: Bernie discusses his autobiography, Crackerjack to Vegas, offering a glimpse into his journey from the stage to the screen.
Originally released under the podcast's former name: Television Times.
Bernie Clifton is a British comedian and entertainer renowned for his work in television and his distinctive prop comedy. With a career spanning decades, Bernie has become a beloved figure in the entertainment industry, known for his warmth, wit, and memorable performances.
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Host: Steve Otis Gunn
Guest: Bernie Clifton
Duration: 48 minutes
Release Date: 27 March 2024
Season: 2, Episode 8
All music written by Steve Otis Gunn
My book 'You Shot My Dog and I Love You' is available in bookstores & online
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34. The Big Announcement
04:12||Season 4, Ep. 34Hey gang ā quick pit stop in your feed to let you know things are shifting. After four seasons of Television Times, we're swerving into a new lane. Same host, same questionable judgement ā just a wider map and fewer guardrails.From Season 5, the show becomes All My Clothes Need Burning. We'll still be talking to brilliant guests about what they do and how they got there ā but leaning harder into travel disasters, production chaos, and stories of things going gloriously wrong, whether that's somewhere far-flung or right on the doorstep.So nothing's really changing. Apart from the name, the direction, and the increased risk of mild peril.New title. Bigger adventures. Possibly worse decisions. Season 5 boarding soon.š¢ Follow the PodcastStay updated with the latest episodes and behind-the-scenes content:InstagramTikTokYouTubePodcast: All My Clothes Need BurningHost: Steve Otis GunnGuest: Steve Otis GunnDuration: 4 minutesRelease Date: February 12, 2026Season: 4, Episode 34All music written and performed by Steve Otis Gunn.Please buy my book, You Shot My Dog and I Love You, available in all good bookstores and online.
33. Paul Critoph Returns: 2025 - The Year Television Lost the Plot
58:14||Season 4, Ep. 33He's back ā and the annual TV autopsy has never been messier. Friend of the podcast Paul Critoph returns for his third end-of-year debrief, and within seconds they've spiralled from shower-screen disasters to xenomorph rage, religious reality-TV meltdowns, and the slow cinematic chopping of vegetables. On the docket: why the xenomorphs in Alien Earth are suddenly bulletproof, what went wrong with Squid Game 2 and 3, and why every character in The Summer I Turned Pretty is a vacuum of charisma. Steve makes the case for Smoke ā Taron Egerton as a fire investigator in a show that looked glossy and turned out to be genuinely gripping ā while Paul delivers a passionate defence of Andor as the best Star Wars thing since Empire, featuring fascism, prison planets, and absolutely zero space wizards. There's also a tour through one-star TV hell ā the uncanny poshness of AI, American remakes nobody asked for, and Kim Kardashian as a lawyer ā plus Paul's ongoing fascination with Asian competitive television, this year with additional Australians. And as always, Steve and Paul's yearly struggle to find even one show they both actually watched.Originally released under the podcast's former name: Television Times.šļø About Paul CritophPaul Critoph is a seasoned actor and cultural commentator known for his insightful analyses and engaging discussions on TV and film. With a keen eye for emerging trends and a deep understanding of the industry, Paul offers a unique perspective on the ever-changing landscape of television.š Connect with Paul CritophInstagramFacebookš¢ Follow the PodcastStay updated with the latest episodes and behind-the-scenes content:InstagramTikTokYouTubeHost: Steve Otis GunnGuest: Paul Critoph ā Actor & Cultural CommentatorDuration: 58 minutesRelease Date: January 1, 2026Season: 4, Episode 32All music written by Steve Otis GunnMy book 'You Shot My Dog and I Love You' is available in bookstores & online
32. Do Not Adjust Your Pod! - with Steve Otis Gunn
47:30||Season 4, Ep. 32In this Christmas week bonus episode, Steve Otis Gunn steps away from the guest format for a candid solo chat ā reflecting on a pivotal fourth season, sharing the behind-the-scenes realities of producing the show single-handed, and hinting at what might change in season five. There's listener feedback, favourite podcasts of the year, a pitch for a new comedy character inspired by his former life as a sound engineer, and somehow both a flu jab and a treacherous journey through Bolivia end up in the mix. Honest, funny, and unfiltered.Originally released under the podcast's former name: Television Times.š About Steve Otis GunnSteve Otis Gunn is a Podcaster, Writer/Performer, and former sound engineer known for his distinctive blend of dark humor, storytelling, and vulnerability. After years of working behind the scenes in the world of theatre, Steve stepped into the spotlight, transforming personal awkwardness into a rich source of comedy. His debut solo show, Steve Otis Gunn is Uncomfortable, premiered at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2024, earning a ā ā ā ā review for its bold, brutally funny exploration of growing up in a criminal environment and the lingering discomfort that shaped his perspective.š¢ Follow the PodcastStay updated with the latest episodes and behind-the-scenes content:InstagramTikTokYouTubeHost: Steve Otis GunnGuest: Steve Otis GunnDuration: 47 minutesRelease Date: December 21, 2025Season: 4, Episode 32All music written by Steve Otis GunnMy book 'You Shot My Dog and I Love You' is available in bookstores & online
31. Doug Naylor: How Red Dwarf Made TV Better Than Life
55:35||Season 4, Ep. 31Doug Naylor, writer and co-creator of Red Dwarf, joins Steve Otis Gunn for a sci-fi-soaked comedy ride. From Spitting Image number ones to a fake duke in Queensland with a Tipp-Exed bank statement, Doug brings funny, remarkable stories from a lifetime in entertainment ā including how Craig Charles pestered his way into the role of Lister, why the American remake quietly died, and what it feels like when fans tell you the show carried them through dark times. And then there's the big one: the ambitious new Red Dwarf project cancelled for the most baffling reason in TV history ā and what Doug plans to do with it next.Originally released under the podcast's former name: Television Times.š About Doug NaylorDoug Naylor is a British writer, producer, and director best known as the co-creator of Red Dwarf, one of the UKās best-loved comedies. After early work in radio and sketch shows, he wrote for Spitting Image, co-created a chart-topping single, and helped shape modern TV satire. His blend of character comedy and science fiction earned Red Dwarf generations of fans. Beyond TV, Doug has written novels, screenplays, and now childrenās fiction.š Connect with DougInstagramFacebookGet Sin Bin Island here:š¢ Follow the PodcastStay updated with the latest episodes and behind-the-scenes content:InstagramTikTokYouTubeHost: Steve Otis GunnGuests: Doug Naylor - Writer, Author & Co-Creator of Red DwarfDuration: 55 minutesRelease Date: December 18, 2025Season: 4, Episode 31All music written by Steve Otis GunnMy book 'You Shot My Dog and I Love You' is available in bookstores & online
30. Orbital FX: Inside the World of Practical Effects
58:32||Season 4, Ep. 30Steve Otis Gunn sits down with Luke and Paul from Orbital FX, the North-Eastābased practical-effects and prop-building team whose work spans Star Wars, Marvel, and Disney theme parks. They talk about how two guys from the region ended up building screen-accurate props that have been purchased by Disney itself for actual productions, restoring the original Boba Fett blaster for Adam Savage, and constructing a full-size Millennium Falcon event piece ā the kind of project that starts as a fan passion and ends up on a convention floor, leaving people speechless. Along the way, there's plenty on the craft itself ā CNC machines, carbon fibre Vader helmets, 3D printing, and the strange legal grey area of replica prop making ā plus the bigger picture of why practical effects are quietly staging a comeback, and what the future looks like when AI and streaming are reshaping the industry that made all this possible.Originally released under the podcast's former name: Television Times.š About Orbital FXOrbital FX is a North-East UK practical-effects and prop fabrication studio specialising in everything from 3D printing and carbon-fibre builds to full costume fabrication. Their work has appeared at global fan conventions, in Disney's Avengers: Quantum Encounter, and in film-adjacent productions worldwide. High-end craft, genuine fan passion.š Connect with OrbitalInstagramFacebookWebsiteš¢ Follow the PodcastStay updated with the latest episodes and behind-the-scenes content:InstagramTikTokYouTubeHost: Steve Otis GunnGuests: Luke & Paul from Orbital FXDuration: 58 minutesRelease Date: December 11, 2025Season: 4, Episode 30All music written by Steve Otis GunnMy book 'You Shot My Dog and I Love You' is available in bookstores & online
29. Olaf Falafel: The Seriously Silly Art of Being Stupid
52:16||Season 4, Ep. 29Olaf Falafel takes centre stage in this brilliantly bonkers conversation as Steve Otis Gunn chats with the comedian, illustrator, author, and all-round mischief-maker. From gaslighting his mum with a fart machine to reinventing kidsā comedy one parp at a time, Olaf brings stories as colourful as his graphic novels. They dive into his early days on the stand-up circuit, his sideways leap into childrenās books, the chaos of school visits, and the surprising depth of misheard lyrics. Along the way, Olaf talks about touring a kidsā show across the UK ā and the reality of trying to keep everything within a three-hour drive ā while Steve recalls a surreal moment from his first trip to Vegas, accidentally witnessing a plane stunt that turned out to be from Con Air. Thereās also plenty on how things actually get made, from illustration and graphic novels to the kind of background watching that quietly shapes ideas, plus the usual diversions into celebrity-podcast fatigue, Greggs gingerbread muffins, and the eternal mystery of whether mayo counts as dairy.Originally released under the podcast's former name: Television Times.š About OlafOlaf Falafel is an award-winning comedian, illustrator, and bestselling childrenās author known for his brilliantly silly humour and distinctive artwork. Heās the creator of Old MacDonald Heard a Parp, Trixie Pickle Art Avenger, and the graphic novel series The Far Out Five. His work blends jokes, art, and imagination ā appealing to kids, parents, teachers, and comedy fans alike.š Connect with OlafInstagramYoutubeš¢ Follow the PodcastStay updated with the latest episodes and behind-the-scenes content:InstagramTikTokYouTubeHost: Steve Otis GunnGuest: Olaf Falafel ā Comedian, Author & IllustratorDuration: 52 minutesRelease Date: December 4, 2025Season: 4, Episode 29All music written by Steve Otis GunnMy book 'You Shot My Dog and I Love You' is available in bookstores & online
28. Henry Naylor: From Bora Bora to the Frontlines of Political Theatre
43:29||Season 4, Ep. 28Award-winning writer, comedian, and playwright Henry Naylor joins Steve Otis Gunn for a conversation that spans BBC sketch comedy, blockbuster global ad campaigns, and some of the most politically charged theatre of the past decade. Henry shares how he broke into the industry on Smith & Jones, fell into the world of Spitting Image, and ended up starring alongside Rowan Atkinson in a series of million-pound Barclaycard commercials filmed around the world ā a strange, lucrative detour that funded everything that came next. There are great stories along the way: the legal battles and weekly chaos of producing live political satire, what it's actually like to stand in front of a camera on a big-budget international shoot, and how Henry eventually walked away from television entirely to make theatre about Afghanistan, North Korea, and the parts of the world that don't get much of a look-in. Funny, sharp, and surprisingly candid about what the industry looks like from the inside.Originally released under the podcast's former name: Television Times.š About HenryHenry Naylor is an award-winning writer, comedian, and playwright. After early success on Smith & Jones and Spitting Image, he co-created the animated satire Headcases and appeared with Rowan Atkinson in the iconic Barclaycard ads. In recent years, he has become one of the UKās leading political dramatists with powerful works like Games, Afghanistan Is Not Funny, and Monstering the Rocket Man, earning major awards at the Edinburgh Fringe and touring worldwide.š Connect with HenryInstagramFacebookš¢ Follow the PodcastStay updated with the latest episodes and behind-the-scenes content:InstagramTikTokYouTubeHost: Steve Otis GunnGuest: Henry Naylor ā Playwright, Actor & DirectorDuration: 43 minutesRelease Date: November 20, 2025Season: 4, Episode 28All music written by Steve Otis GunnMy book 'You Shot My Dog and I Love You' is available in bookstores & online
27. Stephen Mear: Dancing Through Dyslexia into the Spotlight
51:27||Season 4, Ep. 27Stephen Mear CBE joins Steve Otis Gunn for a wide-ranging chat about a career thatās taken him from small-town beginnings to the biggest stages in the world. Along the way, he shares how a love of classic movie musicals and an instinct for movement shaped his path ā and how life on the road, from Broadway to LA, brings its own mix of glamour, pressure, and the occasional chaos. The conversation moves backstage and beyond, with stories of working across continents, navigating the madness of COVID-era productions, and the realities of staging huge shows under intense pressure. From music videos with Oasis to rehearsals at the Royal Albert Hall, itās a candid, funny look at the unpredictable world behind the curtain ā and the moments that stick long after the spotlight fades.Originally released under the podcast's former name: Television Times.š About StephenStephen Mear CBE is an Olivier Award-winning choreographer and director celebrated for his work on Mary Poppins, Hello, Dolly!, Crazy for You, and Gypsy. With a career spanning theatre, television, and film, Stephen is known for his impeccable musicality, inclusive approach to casting, and ability to make choreography feel effortless and emotionally chargedš Connect with StephenInstagramFacebookš¢ Follow the PodcastStay updated with the latest episodes and behind-the-scenes content:InstagramTikTokYouTubeHost: Steve Otis GunnGuest: Stephen Mear ā Choreographer, Dancer & DirectorDuration: 51 minutesRelease Date: November 20, 2025Season: 4, Episode 27All music written by Steve Otis GunnMy book 'You Shot My Dog and I Love You' is available in bookstores & online
26. Helen White: Standing Tall at 4ft 10
01:26:28||Season 4, Ep. 26Steve Otis Gunn sits down with Geordie āpocket rocketā Helen White for a lively chat with a comedian who only started stand-up at 50 ā and has since become a rising force on the UK comedy circuit. From growing up between army bases in Germany and Northern Ireland to teaching in Teesside and surviving gong shows, Helen shares a story full of resilience, reinvention and finding humour in unexpected places. Itās also a nostalgia-packed episode, with talk of Angel Delight, BMX bikes, fish paste sandwiches and boomer-style parenting. Elsewhere, they discuss reality TV, the mysteries of tampons, questionable 80s food, and why getting the wrong bicycle as a kid might be worse than no bike at all.Originally released under the podcast's former name: Television Times.š About HelenHelen White is a stand-up comedian from the North East of England. Known for her quickfire gags, smart observational humour, and disarmingly honest stage presence, sheās fast becoming one of the most exciting voices on the regional and national circuit ā proving that the best comedy always comes from real life.š Connect with HelenInstagramFacebookš¢ Follow the PodcastStay updated with the latest episodes and behind-the-scenes content:InstagramTikTokYouTubeHost: Steve Otis GunnGuest: Helen White ā ComedianDuration: 1 hour, 26 minutesRelease Date: November 13, 2025Season: 4, Episode 26All music written by Steve Otis GunnMy book 'You Shot My Dog and I Love You' is available in bookstores & online