Russell Howard’s Five Brilliant Things

Tom Rosenthal, a stand-up comedian and actor known for his roles in 'Friday Night Dinner' and 'Plebs', shares his passion for diverse topics. He rhapsodizes about the artistry of Dennis Bergkamp's iconic goal and relates it to discipline in sports under Arsène Wenger. Tom dives into the transformative effects of physiotherapy on his scoliosis and the importance of good posture. He explores his fascination with heavy-metal chess openings and the thrilling world of psychedelic trip reports, while also discussing the connection between math, beauty, and creativity.

Join stand-up comedian Daniel Foxx, known for his sharp observational humor, as he shares his quirky takes on life. Discover why rude waiters excite him and hear his hilarious celebrity encounter with Louis Theroux. Daniel dives into bizarre wellness fads like perineum sunning and explains his love for scented candles that evoke seasonal moods. They even discuss the misunderstood world of ASMR and its calming effects. Prepare for unexpected laughter and whimsical fantasies as Daniel paints wild yet funny images!

Bridget Christie, a celebrated comedian and writer known for her acclaimed shows and Channel 4 series The Change, joins to share her brilliant insights. She hilariously delves into the disappearance of empathy in urban life, recounts her unique views on water and public pools post-lockdown, and reflects on the joys and perils of riding a motorbike through London. Bridget also champions curiosity in conversations and discusses the primal importance of fire in fostering community connections.

Adam Kay, a former doctor turned writer and comedian, delves into the ins and outs of IVF and surrogacy, sharing heartfelt insights and humorous anecdotes from his parenting journey. Stand-up comedian Ania Magliano discusses the art of gossip and how it fuels creativity, alongside her love for quirky drinks. Ross Noble, known for his surreal comedy, explores the joy of self-amusement and his fascination with absurdities in everyday life. Lastly, behavioral scientist Rory Sutherland champions consumerism's surprising benefits, emphasizing the importance of optimism and pleasant surprises.

In this engaging discussion, Rory Sutherland, a marketing expert and advocate for unconventional thinking, shares his unique insights. He explores how consumerism drives progress, defends the benefits of cars in decentralizing opportunities, and uncovers the paradoxes within modern beliefs. Rory also highlights YouTube as a vital educational tool, examines the cultural implications of travel, and whimsically rants about food trends like the dominance of sourdough. His thoughts are a stimulating blend of creativity and practical solutions for contemporary challenges.

Happy Christmas! This week Russell looks back over all of the shows from 2025 and picks his favourite moments from 52 x 5 Brilliant Things (So…quick bit of maths…that’s…260 Brilliant Things). We’ll be back in a week with a brand new show and loads of super-exciting guests in the new year.  On our Patreon show something a bit special this week - Russell and Dan sit down and talk about how they made the TV show Good News. For anyone who enjoyed that show, it’s a real treat and an insight into what went on behind the scenes… ⁠patreon.com/RussellHoward⁠   Also there are still a handful of tickets left for Russell’s brand new tour show ‘Don’t Tell The Algorithm’. There are shows across the whole UK in 2026: You can book tickets at https://www.russell-howard.co.uk Thank you for listening, you lovely lot. X Producer: Dan Atkinson Line Producer: Daisy Knight Exec Producer: James Taylor Composer: Fat Lady Music Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ross Noble, a British stand-up comedian celebrated for his improvisational and surreal humor, shares tales from his eclectic life. He delves into his cuttlefish obsession, describing their captivating mating displays and his plans to free dive with them in Australia. The conversation shifts to his comic inspirations, including amusing anecdotes about Bond novels and the flow state of performing live. Noble also reflects on the evolution of his career from street performer to one of Britain's finest stand-ups.

Ania Magliano, a stand-up comedian and TV personality known for her appearances on Taskmaster, shares her love for gossip and the comedic craft. She recounts hilarious tales of unconventional birthday parties and the thrill of juicy pub gossip. Ania dives into her writing process, revealing how she captures ideas and the quirky tools she uses. With a charming nod to her favorite drinks and a discussion on the confidence-boosting power of a good haircut, Ania's insights are as entertaining as they are enlightening.

Doctor, author, comedian, musician Adam Kay tells Russell about the things that he’s discovered that are brilliant. It’s a laugh-out-loud funny show that begins with a tale of conception, takes what it feels like to be spied on by Ben Wishaw, and by the end we are all getting acquainted with the inside of Adam’s nostrils.  As spoken about in the show, Adam has published his first novel that is a thriller with plenty of laughs and tension. It’s called A Particularly Nasty Case and it’s available right now - get it for a Christmas present!  For younger family members (or friends??!) Dexter Proctor is Adam’s story about a fantastic 10 year old doctor. And there’s also the poo-tastic puzzle book. All of the books can be found HERE and if you buy them through that link a small donation goes to the Lullaby Trust, supporting families of bereaved babies and young children. Adam is also doing a series of live dates in Ireland and Northern Ireland at the beginning of 2026. Should be a lot of fun and you can find out more about those here.   And Russell has just released a whole load of extra dates for his brand new tour show ‘Don’t Tell The Algorithm’. There are shows across the whole UK in 2026: You can book tickets at https://www.russell-howard.co.uk If you’re looking to join the Patreon crew we’d love to have you as part of the inner circle. There’s a whole extra show with Adam and Russell and it’s available now, alongside so many other benefits. Check out how you can join here: patreon.com/RussellHoward   Are we feeling festive yet or is it too early? Trick question, it’s too early. No trees before mid-December please. Byee! Producer: Dan Atkinson Line Producer: Daisy Knight Exec Producer: James Taylor Composer: Fat Lady Music Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hello, here's a round up of the best bits from the last month of shows, featuring the fantastic comic Kerry Godliman (she's so funny), wine expert Tom Gilbey with a great story about Iron Maiden, dictionary corner's Susie Dent and the American-Palestinian comic Mo Amer. If you hear something you like you can double-back and take in the whole episode if you like! Producer: Dan Atkinson Line Producer: Daisy Knight Exec Producer: James Taylor Composer: Fat Lady Music Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices