Off Menu with Ed Gamble and James Acaster

Welcome to part two of the Best Of episodes, we’ve been expecting you for some time… This half contains the 'toilet humour' section. Off Menu is now on YouTube: @offmenupodcast Follow Off Menu on Instagram and TikTok: @offmenuofficial. And go to our website www.offmenupodcast.co.uk for a list of restaurants recommended on the show. Off Menu is a comedy podcast hosted by Ed Gamble and James Acaster. Produced, recorded and edited by Ben Williams for Plosive. Video production by Megan McCarthy for Plosive. Artwork by Paul Gilbey (photography and design). Clips Celeb stories Elle Fanning Harris Dickinson Dermot O'Leary Carey Mulligan Marian Keyes Kate Winslet Chris McCausland Greg James Chaos Stevie Martin Lucia Keskin Joy Crookes Mawaan Rizwan Ben Schwartz Jeff Goldblum Sharon Wanjohi Sharon Wanjohi Anecdotes Ellie Taylor David Tennant Neil Hannon Rhys James Meera Sodha Will Sharpe Blazing Bangladeshis Jonny Pelham Filth Will Sharpe Self Esteem Julian Clary Toilet humour George Egg Bridget Christie Mo Gilligan Stacey Dooley Marian Keyes David Tennant Ian Smith Elle Fanning John Kearns James vs Stephen Graham Stephen Graham: James vs Stephen 1 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re at the tail end of 2025, and it’s time for the first half of our most delicious clips of the year. Remember when we had Robert De Niro on the podcast? Off Menu is now on YouTube: @offmenupodcast Follow Off Menu on Instagram and TikTok: @offmenuofficial. And go to our website www.offmenupodcast.co.uk for a list of restaurants recommended on the show. Off Menu is a comedy podcast hosted by Ed Gamble and James Acaster. Produced, recorded and edited by Ben Williams for Plosive. Video production by Megan McCarthy for Plosive. Artwork by Paul Gilbey (photography and design). Clips Still or Sparkling? Daisy Ridley Emily Campbell Sally Phillips James Norton Rhys James Kunal Nayyar Rhod Gilbert Drinks Joanna McNally Stevie Martin Daisy Ridley Sally Phillips Food descriptions and recipes Santiago Lastra Antoni Porowski Carey Mulligan George Egg John Early James Norton Teachings Joy Crookes Emily Campbell John Early Kunal Nayyar 300th AJ Odudu Tasting Menus John Kearns Bridget Christie Jen Brister Live shows Rhod Gilbert Julian Clary Self Esteem Katherine Parkinson Weird choices Ian Smith Mawaan Rizwan Nina Conti Chris McCausland Global icons Jeff Goldblum Gillian Anderson Kate Winslet Robert De Niro Robert De Niro Robert De Niro Robert De Niro Joanne McNally Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oscar-winning acting royalty Kate Winslet joins us for a Christmas Special in the Dream Restaurant. But can James keep his Eternal Sunshine questions to himself? Kate Winslet’s directorial debut ‘Goodbye, June’ is in cinemas now and on Netflix from 24 December. Watch it here. Watch the video version of this episode on the Off Menu YouTube on Thu 18 Dec. Off Menu is now on YouTube: @offmenupodcast Follow Off Menu on Instagram and TikTok: @offmenuofficial. And go to our website www.offmenupodcast.co.uk for a list of restaurants recommended on the show. Off Menu is a comedy podcast hosted by Ed Gamble and James Acaster. Produced, recorded and edited by Ben Williams for Plosive. Video production by Megan McCarthy for Plosive, and Pippa Brown. Artwork by Paul Gilbey (photography and design). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Yuletide is here, and joining us for our first festive special is stand-up superstar and ‘Strictly’ champ Chris McCausland. ChrisMcCausland. ChristmasCausland… Chris McCausland’s autobiography ‘Keep Laughing!’ is out now in hardback and audiobook, published by Michael Joseph. Buy it here. Chris is on tour in 2026 with his show ‘Yonks!’. For dates and tickets go to chrismccausland.com Follow Chris on Instagram @chrismccauslandcomedy and TikTok @chrismccausland Watch the video version of this episode on the Off Menu YouTube on Thu 11 Dec. Off Menu is now on YouTube: @offmenupodcast Follow Off Menu on Instagram and TikTok: @offmenuofficial. And go to our website www.offmenupodcast.co.uk for a list of restaurants recommended on the show. Off Menu is a comedy podcast hosted by Ed Gamble and James Acaster. Produced, recorded and edited by Ben Williams for Plosive. Video production by Megan McCarthy for Plosive, and Felipe Franco. Artwork by Paul Gilbey (photography and design). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s the last episode of series 15, and who better to round off the series than US comedy superstar and actor – star of ‘Search Party’, ‘30 Rock’ and new film ‘Eternity’ – John Early. See you soon for some Christmas specials… John Early stars in ‘Eternity’ which is in UK cinemas on 5 December. Follow John on Instagram @bejohnce Watch the video version of this episode on the Off Menu YouTube on Thu 27 Nov Off Menu is now on YouTube: @offmenupodcast Follow Off Menu on Instagram and TikTok: @offmenuofficial. And go to our website www.offmenupodcast.co.uk for a list of restaurants recommended on the show. Off Menu is a comedy podcast hosted by Ed Gamble and James Acaster. Produced, recorded and edited by Ben Williams for Plosive. Video production by Megan McCarthy for Plosive, and Felipe Franco. Artwork by Paul Gilbey (photography and design). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kunal Nayyar – star of ‘The Big Bang Theory’ and new movie ‘Christmas Karma’ – has a table booked this week. But is he drinking water or vodka? Kunal Nayyar stars in ‘Christmas Karma’ which is in cinemas now. Follow Kunal on Instagram @kunalkarmanayyar Watch the video version of this episode on the Off Menu YouTube on Thu 20 Nov Off Menu is now on YouTube: @offmenupodcast Follow Off Menu on Instagram and TikTok: @offmenuofficial. And go to our website www.offmenupodcast.co.uk for a list of restaurants recommended on the show. Off Menu is a comedy podcast hosted by Ed Gamble and James Acaster. Produced, recorded and edited by Ben Williams for Plosive. Video production by Megan McCarthy for Plosive, and Felipe Franco. Artwork by Paul Gilbey (photography and design). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mercury Prize and Brit Award-nominated singer-songwriter Joy Crookes is in the Dream Restaurant this week. But can she make Ed and James understand the concept of a performative male? Joy Crookes’s new album ‘Juniper’ is out now. Buy it and listen to it here. Joy Crookes is on tour now. For dates and tickets go to joycrookes.com Follow Joy Crookes on Instagram @joycrookes and TikTok @joycrookesmusic Watch the video version of this episode on the Off Menu YouTube on Thu 13 Nov Off Menu is now on YouTube: @offmenupodcast Follow Off Menu on Instagram and TikTok: @offmenuofficial. And go to our website www.offmenupodcast.co.uk for a list of restaurants recommended on the show. Off Menu is a comedy podcast hosted by Ed Gamble and James Acaster. Produced, recorded and edited by Ben Williams for Plosive. Video production by Megan McCarthy for Plosive, and Pippa Young. Artwork by Paul Gilbey (photography and design). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Emmy and Golden Globe-nominated actor Elle Fanning – star of ‘The Great’, ‘Super 8’ and the new ‘Predator: Badlands’ movie – is this week’s dining guest. But is her new film better than ‘The Nutcracker in 3D’? ‘Predator: Badlands’ is in cinemas from Fri 7 Nov. Follow Elle Fanning on Instagram @ellefanning Watch the video version of this episode on the Off Menu YouTube on Thu 6 Nov Off Menu is now on YouTube: @offmenupodcast Follow Off Menu on Instagram and TikTok: @offmenuofficial. And go to our website www.offmenupodcast.co.uk for a list of restaurants recommended on the show. Off Menu is a comedy podcast hosted by Ed Gamble and James Acaster. Produced, recorded and edited by Ben Williams for Plosive. Video production by Megan McCarthy for Plosive, and Felipe Franco. Artwork by Paul Gilbey (photography and design). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bafta-winning comedian, actor and internet sensation Lucia Keskin – aka Chi with a C – is this week’s dream diner. And is this the quietest guest we’ve ever had? Series 2 of Lucia’s sitcom ‘Things You Should Have Done’ is coming soon to BBC Three and iPlayer. Watch Series 1 here. Follow Lucia on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok @chiwithac Watch the video version of this episode on the Off Menu YouTube on Thu 30 Oct Off Menu is now on YouTube: @offmenupodcast Follow Off Menu on Instagram and TikTok: @offmenuofficial. And go to our website www.offmenupodcast.co.uk for a list of restaurants recommended on the show. Off Menu is a comedy podcast hosted by Ed Gamble and James Acaster. Produced, recorded and edited by Ben Williams for Plosive. Video production by Megan McCarthy for Plosive. Artwork by Paul Gilbey (photography and design). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Edinburgh Comedy Award-nominated stand-up, Northern News podcaster and lead in 2010 sitcom ‘Popatron’, Ian Smith has a table booked this week. But has he thought through his starter? Ian Smith is on tour now with his new show ‘Foot Spa Half Empty’. For dates and tickets go to iansmithcomedian.co.uk Listen to Ian’s podcast ‘Northern News’ wherever you listen to podcasts Follow Ian on Instagram and TikTok @iansmithcomedy Watch the video version of this episode on the Off Menu YouTube on Thu 23 Oct. Off Menu is now on YouTube: @offmenupodcast Follow Off Menu on Instagram and TikTok: @offmenuofficial. And go to our website www.offmenupodcast.co.uk for a list of restaurants recommended on the show. Off Menu is a comedy podcast hosted by Ed Gamble and James Acaster. Produced, recorded and edited by Ben Williams for Plosive. Video production by Megan McCarthy for Plosive. Artwork by Paul Gilbey (photography and design). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s another Tasting Menu episode, and this time stand-up, activist and original cheeseboard-picker Jen Brister returns for a hellish menu. Jen Brister is on tour now with ‘Reactive’. For dates and tickets go to jenbrister.co.uk Donate to All Our Relations at allourrelations.co.uk Follow Jen on Instagram and TikTok @jenbristercomedy Watch the video version of this episode on the Off Menu YouTube on Thu 16 Oct. Off Menu is now on YouTube: @offmenupodcast Follow Off Menu on Instagram and TikTok: @offmenuofficial. And go to our website www.offmenupodcast.co.uk for a list of restaurants recommended on the show. Off Menu is a comedy podcast hosted by Ed Gamble and James Acaster. Produced, recorded and edited by Ben Williams for Plosive. Video production by Megan McCarthy for Plosive. Artwork by Paul Gilbey (photography and design). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re back in National Tredge territory with multi-award winning actor, ‘Sex Education’ and ‘The X Files’ star and soft drinks entrepreneur Gillian Anderson. But what is Green Glass Jello? ‘TRON: ARES’ is out in cinemas on 10th October. ‘Trespasses’ will air in November on Channel 4 Buy G Spot drinks at stores nationwide – including Sainsbury’s – or online at thisisgspot.com Follow Gillian on Instagram and TikTok @gilliana Watch the video version of this episode on the Off Menu YouTube on Thu 9 Oct. Off Menu is now on YouTube: @offmenupodcast Follow Off Menu on Instagram and TikTok: @offmenuofficial. And go to our website www.offmenupodcast.co.uk for a list of restaurants recommended on the show. Off Menu is a comedy podcast hosted by Ed Gamble and James Acaster. Produced, recorded and edited by Ben Williams for Plosive. Video production by Megan McCarthy for Plosive. Artwork by Paul Gilbey (photography and design). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Radio 1 DJ Greg James is this week’s dream guest in the Dream Restaurant. And James calls in to the radio… Greg James’s book ‘All the Best for the Future: Growing Up Without Growing Old’ is out now. Buy it here. See Greg James on his book tour. For dates and tickets go here. Follow Greg on on Instagram @greg_james and TikTok @gregjames Watch the video version of this episode on the Off Menu YouTube on Thu 2 Oct. Off Menu is now on YouTube: @offmenupodcast Follow Off Menu on Instagram and TikTok: @offmenuofficial. And go to our website www.offmenupodcast.co.uk for a list of restaurants recommended on the show. Off Menu is a comedy podcast hosted by Ed Gamble and James Acaster. Produced, recorded and edited by Ben Williams for Plosive. Video production by Megan McCarthy for Plosive. Artwork by Paul Gilbey (photography and design). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Top stand-up, ‘Mock the Week’ regular and Ed’s unofficial little brother, Rhys James is this week’s guest diner. And he’s invented a dessert. Rhys James’s book ‘You’ll Like It When You Get There: A Life Lived Reluctantly’ is out now. Buy it here. Watch Rhys’s special, ‘Spilt Milk’ on YouTube here. Follow Rhys on on Instagram @rhysjamesy Watch the video version of this episode on the Off Menu YouTube on Fri 26 Sep. Off Menu is now on YouTube: @offmenupodcast Follow Off Menu on Instagram and TikTok: @offmenuofficial. And go to our website www.offmenupodcast.co.uk for a list of restaurants recommended on the show. Off Menu is a comedy podcast hosted by Ed Gamble and James Acaster. Produced, recorded and edited by Ben Williams for Plosive. Video production by Megan McCarthy for Plosive. Artwork by Paul Gilbey (photography and design). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Award-winning comedian and ventriloquist Nina Conti is in the Dream Restaurant this week. And Ed and James do their usual monkeying around. Nina Conti is on tour now with ‘Whose Face Is It Anyway?’. For dates are tickets go to ninaontour.com Nina’s directorial debut film ‘Sunlight’ will have a UK theatrical release from 18th October 2025 (screening details here), or you can pre-order it on Apple TV here (UK) and here (Ireland) - available digitally from 28th November 2025. Follow Nina on Instagram and TikTok @theninaconti Watch the video version of this episode on the Off Menu YouTube on Fri 19 Sep. Off Menu is now on YouTube: @offmenupodcast Follow Off Menu on Instagram and TikTok: @offmenuofficial. And go to our website www.offmenupodcast.co.uk for a list of restaurants recommended on the show. Off Menu is a comedy podcast hosted by Ed Gamble and James Acaster. Produced, recorded and edited by Ben Williams for Plosive. Video production by Megan McCarthy for Plosive. Artwork by Paul Gilbey (photography and design). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mawaan Rizwan – ‘Taskmaster’ runner-runner-up and Bafta-winning star and creator of BBC Three’s ‘Juice’ – is this week’s diner, and he has an easy-to-follow recipe for English food. Trigger warning: this episode contains talk about calories. Series 2 of ‘Juice’ is on BBC Three and iPlayer from 18 September. Watch it (and catch up with series 1) here. Follow Mawaan on Instagram @mawaanr and TikTok @mawaan Watch the video version of this episode on the Off Menu YouTube on Fri 5 Sep. Off Menu is now on YouTube: @offmenupodcast Follow Off Menu on Instagram and TikTok: @offmenuofficial. And go to our website www.offmenupodcast.co.uk for a list of restaurants recommended on the show. Off Menu is a comedy podcast hosted by Ed Gamble and James Acaster. Produced, recorded and edited by Ben Williams for Plosive. Video production by Megan McCarthy for Plosive. Artwork by Paul Gilbey (photography and design). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Divine Comedy frontman Neil Hannon has a table booked at the Dream Restaurant this week. Something for the weekend. The Divine Comedy’s new album ‘Rainy Sunday Afternoon’ is released on Fri 19 Sep. Pre-order is here. Follow The Divine Comedy on Instagram @divinecomedyhq Donated to My Lovely Horse Rescue at www.mylovelyhorserescue.com Watch the video version of this episode on the Off Menu YouTube on Fri 5 Sep. Off Menu is now on YouTube: @offmenupodcast Follow Off Menu on Instagram and TikTok: @offmenuofficial. And go to our website www.offmenupodcast.co.uk for a list of restaurants recommended on the show. Off Menu is a comedy podcast hosted by Ed Gamble and James Acaster. Produced, recorded and edited by Ben Williams for Plosive. Video production by Megan McCarthy for Plosive. Artwork by Paul Gilbey (photography and design). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Internationally bestselling Irish author Marian Keyes – co-host of Radio 4’s ‘Now You’re Asking’ – is this week’s dream diner. And she’s got some supportive words for Ed and James. Trigger warning: this episode contains talk about alcohol addiction, and mentions of grooming. Marian Keyes’s latest novel ‘My Favourite Mistake’ is out now, published by Penguin. But it here. Marina co-hosts ‘Now You’re Asking’ on BBC Radio 4. Listen to it on BBC Sounds. And look out for the BBC adaptation of Marian’s ‘The Walsh Sisters’ which is in the works. Follow Marian on Instagram @marian_keyes Watch the video version of this episode on the Off Menu YouTube on Fri 29 Aug. Off Menu is now on YouTube: @offmenupodcast Follow Off Menu on Instagram and TikTok: @offmenuofficial. And go to our website www.offmenupodcast.co.uk for a list of restaurants recommended on the show. Off Menu is a comedy podcast hosted by Ed Gamble and James Acaster. Produced, recorded and edited by Ben Williams for Plosive. Video production by Megan McCarthy for Plosive. Artwork by Paul Gilbey (photography and design). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bafta-award winning actor and writer Will Sharpe – star of ‘The White Lotus’, ‘A Real Pain’ and Lena Dunham’s new show ‘Too Much’ – is our guest diner this week. But Ed’s annoyed Will didn’t give him a warning… Will Sharpe stars in ‘Too Much’ which is streaming on Netflix now. Watch it here. Off Menu is now on YouTube: @offmenupodcast Follow Off Menu on Instagram and TikTok: @offmenuofficial. And go to our website www.offmenupodcast.co.uk for a list of restaurants recommended on the show. Off Menu is a comedy podcast hosted by Ed Gamble and James Acaster. Produced, recorded and edited by Ben Williams for Plosive. Video production by Megan McCarthy for Plosive. Artwork by Paul Gilbey (photography and design). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Superb stand-up and ‘Live at the Apollo’ star Jonny Pelham is this week’s guest diner. And, of course, we ask him about his gang-member past… Jonny Pelham is currently performing at the Edinburgh Fringe with his new show ‘Is It Me?’ at Monkey Barrel Comedy (The Hive), 21.00, until 25 August. For tickets go to edfringe.com Follow Jonny on Instagram @jonny_pelham Off Menu is now on YouTube: @offmenupodcast Follow Off Menu on Instagram and TikTok: @offmenuofficial. And go to our website www.offmenupodcast.co.uk for a list of restaurants recommended on the show. Off Menu is a comedy podcast hosted by Ed Gamble and James Acaster. Produced, recorded and edited by Ben Williams for Plosive. Video production by Megan McCarthy for Plosive. Artwork by Paul Gilbey (photography and design). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.