RHLSTP with Richard Herring

#406 Rolf Harris’ Creepy Toes - Richard is back for a 25th series, but unfortunately pretty much nothing has happened in the news so there’s nothing for him to talk about. His guest last appeared on the show almost exactly a decade ago, it’s the comedy genius Reece Shearsmith. They chat about his excellent new film “See How They Run” https://www.searchlightpictures.com/see-how-they-run/ and working with the starry cast, why he’s not really open to public suggestions for Inside Number Nine locations, the League of Gentleman’s journey from the Canal Cafe to the stage at the O2, owning a piece of the Wicker Man and meeting the man from inside the Wicker Man and how Bernie Clifton responded to “Bernie Clifton’s Dressing Room”. Plus some magic tricks that probably won’t work in the audio podcast, though you can watch the video if you join Acast Plus https://plus.acast.com/s/rhlstp or pay for the video http://gfsboxoffice.com An absolutely electric show in a packed Leicester Square Theatre - the audience makes this show, so do check out the upcoming bills and come along if you can http://richardherring.com/rhlstp SUPPORT THE SHOW! Watch our TWITCH CHANNEL Become a badger and see extra content at our WEBSITE See details of the RHLSTP TOUR DATES Buy DVDs and books from GO FASTER STRIPE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

RHLSTP Book Club #152 - A Poo On A Pogo Stick - Richard is joined by a new co-host who threatens to replace him as he talks to comedian, cartoonist and jokesmith Olaf Falafel about his very enjoyable joke book, A Poo On A Pogo Stick. They discuss how the book came together, where the jokes came from, the decision to make some of them very slow burners for younger readers, how telling and making up jokes can bond a family and the cohost chooses some of his favourites as well as trying out a rude one of his own. It’s anarchic and unpredictable, just like the book, which is tremendous fun. Buy the book here https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/a-poo-on-a-pogo-stick-the-funniest-joke-book-ever-olaf-falafel/7851240 SUPPORT THE SHOW! Watch our TWITCH CHANNEL Become a badger and see extra content at our WEBSITE See details of the RHLSTP TOUR DATES Buy DVDs and books from GO FASTER STRIPE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

RHLSTP #580 - Pea on the Cob - As if there weren’t enough people here for the Festival, Edinburgh numbers are swollen by Oasis fans, though Rich adlibs a decent joke for once, so it’s worth listening to the intro. His guest is RHLSTP favourite, Tim Key. They chat about being locked out of flats, broken cat-flaps, the year of the Herring and how much O2 paid to sponsor RHLSTP (in the golden era), Tim’s appearance in the new Greg Daniels sitcom The Paper and Robert Popper’s part in getting him there, 5k times and the pathetic money-making crimes that Richard never got caught for in 1989 (if you were one of the students he took to HMS Victory please get in touch for your rebate). Plus selling Dawn French a yoyo and nearly killing Michael Palin. It’s another classic Key:Herring collaboration, awkward, weird, boring and funny enough to almost make Richard pass out. Buy Tim’s fantastic LA Baby here https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/l-a-baby-tim-key/7870201 See RHLSTP live http://richardherring.com/rhlstp SUPPORT THE SHOW! Watch our TWITCH CHANNEL Become a badger and see extra content at our WEBSITE See details of the RHLSTP TOUR DATES Buy DVDs and books from GO FASTER STRIPE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#405 The Black Hands of Doom - It’s a bonus episode to end series 24 with the world class stand up Doug Stanhope, recorded over zoom from Dublin just an hour or so after Doug arrived on a TransAtlantic flight for his UK tour where people are about to lose their minds due to the death of our beloved monarch. They chat about authenticity in comedy, the self-destructive nature of Doug’s lifestyle and how things are changing with age, performing drunk, whether cancellation is a smart career move, making your audience apply to come to gigs and Nicholas Witchell. Plus fans of urine will be glad to find out that you can hear Doug do a wee in this one. Catch Doug’s tour - https://www.dougstanhope.com/tour-dates And buy his book here - https://www.amazon.co.uk/No-Encore-for-the-Donkey/dp/B08FMT4K4W SUPPORT THE SHOW! Watch our TWITCH CHANNEL Become a badger and see extra content at our WEBSITE See details of the RHLSTP TOUR DATES Buy DVDs and books from GO FASTER STRIPE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

RHLSTP Book Club #151 - You’ll Like It When You Get There - Rich is talking to comedian Rhys James about his surprisingly deep and thought-provoking book “You’ll Like It When You Get There.” They discuss how being pantsed at school has haunted Rhys’ life, why pdfs might not be the best format for books, how comedians often become comedians to control their embarrassment, how mortification can stop you riding a bike or going to an Italian restaurant, whether marriage serves any function other than to control the general population, whether Rhys’ neighbours are going to find out he’s written about them, why this is an interesting book to read in tandem with Ivo Graham’s, how Rich almost lost his virginity wearing pants his mum had bought for him, how reticence to get involved in stuff will only lead to regrets, the girl on the train who rich might have married, why people care less about you than you might think and comedy’s power to finally force you into joining in a bit. Maybe Buy Rhys’ book here - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/you-ll-like-it-when-you-get-there-a-life-lived-reluctantly-rhys-james/7844250 SUPPORT THE SHOW! Watch our TWITCH CHANNEL Become a badger and see extra content at our WEBSITE See details of the RHLSTP TOUR DATES Buy DVDs and books from GO FASTER STRIPE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

RHLSTP #579 - Record Breaking Glockenspiel - Richard has come to Chesham in Buckinghamshire for a special live RHLSTP and is bedazzled by news about the local fire brigade. His guest is the fabulous stand-up Esther Manito. They talk about lockdown parenting, the craziness of taking up stand-up so shortly after the birth of her second baby, how Esther owes her existence to a blasphemous joke, why masturbating on a tube train in rush hour is (in one way) impressive, the risks of having Basil Brush on as a guest, a lovely rendition of the largely forgotten theme tune to Get It Together, some old ghost stories from Rich that you’ve doubtless heard already and why Esther’s new tour show is called Slagbomb! And why she didn’t take it to the Edinburgh Fringe. Become a monthly badger and help us make more podcasts http://gofasterstripe.com/badges See Esther on tour https://www.esthermanito.co.uk/2025/03/27/slagbomb/ SUPPORT THE SHOW! Watch our TWITCH CHANNEL Become a badger and see extra content at our WEBSITE See details of the RHLSTP TOUR DATES Buy DVDs and books from GO FASTER STRIPE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#386 Thirty-Eighth Choice - As the latest run at the Leicester Square Theatre comes to an end Richard is impressed with Adrian Chiles’ bathroom choices. His guest is comedian and actor Alan Davies. They chat about avocado bidets, being called a S****bubble by Liam Gallagher, setting off Neil Kinnock’s burglar alarm, spending a huge amount of money on a chair you might see in an estate agents, how he managed to get the Jonathan Creek gig in spite of intense competition and why he nearly left QI. They also discuss Alan’s heart-breaking but brilliantly written memoir about the loss of his mother and the abuse he suffered at the hands of his father as a child. Buy Alan’s book here - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Just-Ignore-Him-Alan-Davies/dp/1408713314/ SUPPORT THE SHOW! Watch our TWITCH CHANNEL Become a badger and see extra content at our WEBSITE See details of the RHLSTP TOUR DATES Buy DVDs and books from GO FASTER STRIPE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

RHLSTP Book Club #150 - Where Did She Go? - Richard talks to returning author Cariad Lloyd about her moving and beautiful book about helping children cope with death and grief - Where Did She Go? They chat about why using euphemisms about death is not helpful to kids, why we veer away from discussing this subject with youngsters, the books we love and dread reading to out kids, whether Cariad knows how much the illustrator Tom Percival is paid for his amazing work, the fantastic Weirdos Book Club and the enduring appeal of Austentatious. Buy Cariad’s book here and see if it makes you cry too - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/where-did-she-go-cariad-lloyd/7643693 SUPPORT THE SHOW! Watch our TWITCH CHANNEL Become a badger and see extra content at our WEBSITE See details of the RHLSTP LIVE DATES Buy DVDs and books from GO FASTER STRIPE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

RHLSTP #578 - Ken Dodd’s Tollbooth Baguette - We’re back at the Crossed Wire Festival in Sheffield and you’ve had some time to relax and go to the toilet, but the audience haven’t. Richard is still talking (though mainly listening) to comedy legend Bernie Clifton. Finally we’re getting to Bernie’s TV career and cultural references that might be understood by anyone under 85. Remember that Bernie is 89 years old and this podcast (along with last week’s) was recorded all in one go. And I reckon he had another two hours in him if we didn’t have to go home. He talks about his appearances on Crown Court, singing XTC songs on Crackerjack, how he survived the wave of alternative comedy that scuppered some of his contemporaries, how he ended up on The Voice and returned to his first love of singing and who his biggest comedy hero was. There’s more mayhem and poetry and not enough time to talk about any of the things Richard wanted to. But man, what a beautiful, joyful, amazing man and what a phenomenal memory (and bladder). Come and see RHLSTP live http://richardherring.com/rhlstp Do yourself a favour and buy Bernie’s Book here - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Crackerjack-Vegas-Bernie-Clifton/dp/1909813974 SUPPORT THE SHOW! Watch our TWITCH CHANNEL Become a badger and see extra content at our WEBSITE See details of the RHLSTP LIVE DATES Buy DVDs and books from GO FASTER STRIPE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#385 Do Not Listen On 2x Speed - Richard is disappointed about his daughter’s Easter egg, because it’s still Easter where we are, in the past and has an ultimatum for Ian Cadbury. His guest returns after just 9 years away. It’s the extremely fast-talking whirlwind of a man, Dara Ó Briain. Chat includes the Irish James Bond, how Stephen Hawking ruined Terminator, the likelihood of Richard speaking fluent Spanish for the rest of his life and the impact of that on the theories of Infinite Universes, sending robots into space (and what happens the night before they go), depriving a comedian of an audience for two years, why Richard will never present Going for Gold and what he’d insist upon if he was at the helm of Blockbusters and to be honest such a depth and pace of comedy that you are going to need to listen on half speed to catch it all. Catch Dara doing what he does best on his latest stand up tour - https://daraobriain.com/#tour-dates SUPPORT THE SHOW! Watch our TWITCH CHANNEL Become a badger and see extra content at our WEBSITE See details of the RHLSTP LIVE DATES Buy DVDs and books from GO FASTER STRIPE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

RHLSTP Book Club #149 - Minute Cryptic - It’s a podcast that spans the world, with a beautiful connection to Australia and the handsome king of the nerds Angus Tiernan talking about his fabulous puzzle book (and daily internet quiz) Minute Cryptic. Richard is star struck to have the man who talks to him every morning actually answer back, but still manages to discuss the genesis of the idea, the organic way it gained popularity, why cryptic crosswords and jokes share similarities, the clamour to turn the idea into a book, why it works so well in book form too and why it’s a bad idea to do cryptic crosswords in a stand up comedy set. Plus favourite anagrams and custardy battles. Buy the book here https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/minute-cryptic-over-160-wordplay-puzzles-to-decipher-unlock-and-untangle-angas-tiernan/7873833 Play Minute Cryptic here https://www.minutecryptic.com/ SUPPORT THE SHOW! Watch our TWITCH CHANNEL Become a badger and see extra content at our WEBSITE See details of the RHLSTP LIVE DATES Buy DVDs and books from GO FASTER STRIPE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

RHLSTP #577 - From Clogs to Biscuit Tins - Richard is at the Crossed Wires Festival in Sheffield where his guest is the legendary Bernie Clifton, a man with so many stories that we couldn’t get them into one podcast (and to be fair we didn’t have time to get them all into two). And it’s a couple of great weeks coming up for anyone who thinks Richard talks too much. Bernie takes us through his early days growing up in poverty, nearly getting killed by the Nazis and leaving school to deliver bread. He also talks about being the world’s worst plumber, how National Service changed his life and starting out as a singer. Plus the huge star who diverted him towards the prop-comedy that would make him famous, a decade or more of working the clubs and can Rich persuade Bernie to talk about the ostrich. I am not so sure. One hour in with 53 more years to cover. Buckle up. A podcast that really proves it’s worth coming to see these shows live! Come and see RHLSTP live http://richardherring.com/rhlstp Do yourself a favour and buy Bernie’s Book here - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Crackerjack-Vegas-Bernie-Clifton/dp/1909813974 SUPPORT THE SHOW! Watch our TWITCH CHANNEL Become a badger and see extra content at our WEBSITE See details of the RHLSTP LIVE DATES Buy DVDs and books from GO FASTER STRIPE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#384 Rolf Harris Tattoo - Alleluia Alleluia, He is Risen! It’s Easter Monday and Rich has been schooled in Christian traditions by his kids. His guest is the best Edinburgh Comedy Prize by at least one metric, Amy Gledhill. It’s an old-school, crazy fun loose chat with a comedian and it’s giddy fun all the way, encompassing what is the best crisp to send you into a coma, podcast listening speeds, why Richard will never advertise Pringles, some strong and maybe shocking opinions about Soleros, ice cream spoons, what happens when your double act partner persuades you to be the one to dress as a sausage, artistic toilets, and an extraordinary answer to the tallest building in your home town emergency question. Plus how Richard’s work is studied at Universities. For details of Amy’s Edinburgh Fringe shows and more check out her website - amygledhill.co.uk SUPPORT THE SHOW! Watch our TWITCH CHANNEL Become a badger and see extra content at our WEBSITE See details of the RHLSTP LIVE DATES Buy DVDs and books from GO FASTER STRIPE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

RHLSTP #576 - Dog Sharpener - A big storm is supposed to hit Edinburgh today, but so far it’s just been a bit blowy, though maybe the storm will manage to make an appearance in the show. Richard is talking to comedian and rock star Andrew O’ Neill. Will Rich remember to use the correct non-binary terms or will he fuck up immediately? Who knows? There’s some great chat about changing attitudes to individuality, plus the comedic process, how surreal comedy is a rare skill and staying true to yourself, plus Andrew having to do a 90s style Edinburgh show because they broke their leg and have been on morphine, playing Jongleurs without compromising your act, the joy of connecting with one (and only one) audience member and how it’s disappointing that TV just doesn’t take a punt on interesting comedians any more. See Andrew’s stand up show Escape here https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/andrew-o-neill-escape See Andrew’s History of Punk (but only if you like punk) here https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/andrew-o-neill-s-history-of-punk See RHLSTP live in Bewdley (and maybe elsewhere) http://richardherring.com/rhlstp SUPPORT THE SHOW! Watch our TWITCH CHANNEL Become a badger and see extra content at our WEBSITE See details of the RHLSTP LIVE DATES Buy DVDs and books from GO FASTER STRIPE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

RHLSTP #575 - Creepy Gandhi - It’s Richard’s second live Edinburgh podcast and he’s got some berry facts that will astound you. His guest is US comedian, actor and writer Zainab Johnson. They chat about whether her name is unique, growing up with 12 siblings, the terrible accident that changed her life, whether having one ball counts as a disability, pretending to be stupid to attract (maybe stupid) men, getting to work with Greg Daniels and annoying him at lunch, the terrific sitcom Upload and whether eternal life is all it’s cracked up to be, first impressions of Scotland and why a comedian should aim for silence and embrace failure. See Zainab’s show https://www.pleasance.co.uk/event/zainab-johnson-toxically-optimistic Check out her special on Amazon https://www.amazon.co.uk/Zainab-Johnson-Hijabs-Off/dp/B0CGZYS18Q Come and see RHLSTP live (in Bewdley) http://richardherring.com/rhlstp SUPPORT THE SHOW! Watch our TWITCH CHANNEL Become a badger and see extra content at our WEBSITE See details of the RHLSTP LIVE DATES Buy DVDs and books from GO FASTER STRIPE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

RHLSTP #574 - Forbidden Sensations - RHLSTP returns to the Edinburgh Fringe (where it really began), though Rich is already knackered before it’s started. His guest is actor, impressionist and comedian Kieran Hodgson. They chat about why appearing in a Hollywood blockbuster didn’t go as planned, how Rich gave advice to a youthful Hodgson about comedy and crisps, how lockdown made Kieran an internet sensation, playing Prince Andrew and Ian Lavender and getting the Two Doors Down gig. Plus bad flatmates and where to avoid when travelling in time. The pair deal with a microphone malfunction, but it’s all part of the fun of the Fringe. See Kieran’s show at the Fringe (or on tour later in the year) - https://www.pleasance.co.uk/event/kieran-hodgson-voice-america See RHLSTP at the Fringe - https://www.thestand.co.uk/fringe/2441/richard-herring-rhlstp SUPPORT THE SHOW! Watch our TWITCH CHANNEL Become a badger and see extra content at our WEBSITE See details of the RHLSTP LIVE DATES Buy DVDs and books from GO FASTER STRIPE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

RHLSTP #573 - Killer Butterfly - Richard is back at the Podcast Room to chat with actor comedian Ian Smith. They discuss whether Noah’s Ark actually happened, favourite Ian Smiths, Goole and what it means and its impact on quarries, competitive jigsawing, the most famous person Richard has given a foot spa to, acceptable Scrabble words and the success of the Northern News podcast and why sometimes northern news is darker than it at first appeared. Plus is a comedy award nom a blessing or a curse. See Ian’s show here https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/ian-smith-foot-spa-half-empty See RHLSTP live at the Fringe http://richardherring.com/rhlstp SUPPORT THE SHOW! Watch our TWITCH CHANNEL Become a badger and see extra content at our WEBSITE See details of the RHLSTP LIVE DATES Buy DVDs and books from GO FASTER STRIPE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

RHLSTP #572 - Fecalophilia - The Edinburgh Fringe is back upon us and somehow Richard is going back, slightly unwillingly, but his family comes first and his wife is doing a show too! Yes it’s the award winning author and comedian Catie Wilkins, who Rich likes so much he married her. In this podcast recorded in Htichin before the Fringe began, the pair discuss mathematics based sexual kinks, how Rachel Riley would have reacted to Richard doing her make-up, the state of Richard’s feet (with video evidence for badgers) why Catie’s show is called “We’ll See” and what horrible lies she tells about Richard in it, why she hasn’t done a show telling her side of Richard’s cancer experience (yet), when the right time for her to murder Richard will be and how she might do it, Richard’s plan to make sure no one has sex with Catie once he’s gone, how they divide up the funny material that their kids come up with, stuff to upset the inhabitants of Middlesbro and Ireland (but there’s nothing that they can do because we’re allowed) and Catie’s charming unawareness of one of the major news stories of 2025. Please come and see both our shows to help offset our terrible accommodation based debts Tickets for Catie’s show We’ll See are here https://www.thestand.co.uk/fringe/2430/catie-wilkins-well-see Tickets for RHLSTP are here https://www.thestand.co.uk/fringe/2441/richard-herring-rhlstp SUPPORT THE SHOW! Watch our TWITCH CHANNEL Become a badger and see extra content at our WEBSITE See details of the RHLSTP LIVE DATES Buy DVDs and books from GO FASTER STRIPE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

RHLSTP Book Club #148 - For The Love of Bears - Richard is back in the Podcast Room and finally able to settle a 50 year old score with his guest, Chris Tarrant, who has written a beautiful book about bears. They talk about how Tiswas (or the lack of it) made Richard cry and how it introduced the world to Stewart Lee, why Chris wanted to write a book about bears, the horrendous violence that the creatures of capable of (usually when provoked), an amazing fact about panda’s courtship (which probably explains why it’s so ineffective), why when Edmonds goes south, Tarrant goes north, a joke about beating off a black bear that goes unnoticed by the guest, Chris’ own close encounter, plus the Mitcheldean bear and the folk of the Forest of Dean and what drives trophy hunters to try to kill these magnificent creatures. Buy the book here - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/for-the-love-of-bears-chris-tarrant/7838050 SUPPORT THE SHOW! Watch our TWITCH CHANNEL Become a badger and see extra content at our WEBSITE See details of the RHLSTP LIVE DATES Buy DVDs and books from GO FASTER STRIPE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#383 Lebensmüde - Richard has been freaked out about eating fish whilst being watched by fish. His guests are Freya Parker and Celeste Dring aka Lazy Susan. They chat about the torpor of playing a 12 year old, the difficulty of coming up with a name for a sketch group, why sketch comedy is so poorly served on TV, confronting your male critics head on, appearing in Jurassic World, unsettling Peter Dinklage, licking James Acaster and what it’s like sharing a room with your double act partner. Check out the very funny BBC3 show on iPlayer https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p0bj333p/lazy-susan-series-1-episode-1 Live RHLSTPs coming up. Guest and ticket link info here https://richardherring.com/rhlstpt/tour SUPPORT THE SHOW! Watch our TWITCH CHANNEL Become a badger and see extra content at our WEBSITE See details of the RHLSTP TOUR DATES Buy DVDs and Books from GO FASTER STRIPE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.