Russell Howard’s Five Brilliant Things

The golfer and comedian John Robins has plonked his behind in the studio this week to wax lyrical about the things that light up his life.  These things include the Wikipedia page of snooker machine (and human if we're getting technical) Ronnie O'Sullivan, and John's massive bag of ketchup and mayonnaise, without which he never leaves the house.    It's a podcast for the ages. Like a well-constructed swimming pool it has both deep and shallow ends, but it is better than a swimming pool because there's zero chance of catching a verruca. John has an admirable stab at making golf sound like fun. Russell and John talk over some episodes from when they lived together as fledgling comedians in Bristol, and John talks candidly about his more recent battles with his own brain. It's a real feast, d'y'get me? You know those podcasts that are great to have on a run, or while you're exercising, that kind of thing? This is the quintessential podcast for those moments.    To increase your JRPM (John Robins per Minute) you can listen to his show on Radio 5 Live, which is also available as a podcast. He's also on the current series of Taskmaster wearing the clothes that are discussed in this very podcast! You can find all John's podcasts HERE. Try one. Go on. Hope you enjoy it. There will be more uplifting Wonderbox goodness to squirt into those fit little ears of yours next week. Just you see if there isn't. Until then, keep it real.     Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Why is Lou Sanders moving to a farm in Portugal? What noise does Lou Sanders make when she snowboards? The answers are all in her Wonderbox, as well as how to have meaningful interactions with a cat. This is one of the most entertaining Wonderboxes to have been filled in a long time. You know who Lou is, otherwise you wouldn’t be reading this far; if you’re just here as an intrepid explorer of random blocks of text then we salute you, and would urge you just to listen to the first ten minutes of the podcast – you’ll quickly get the idea and want more Lou. She’s ace.   If you’ve just enjoyed the podcast, give yourself a moment to calm down, then get yourself some more Lou Sanders. Her book ‘What’s That Lady Doing’ comes out in paperback in July and it’s already had many rave reviews… so you should strut down to an independent bookshop and snap it up.   Also as she so deftly mentioned in the podcast she’s off on tour next year with her brand new stand-up show 'No Kissing in the Bingo Hall' and those tickets are available NOW! For information and tickets you must visit https://www.lousanders.com   That is all the words for this hypodermic of Wonderbox. Get back here next week for another hit in the veins. Feels soooooo goooooood.   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

If you find influencers ridiculous, this is the episode for you. TikTok sensation Shabaz Ali spends his time finding their most ridiculous promotions and videos and rips the piss out of them from inside his burrito hoodie. Shabaz sits down with Russell to talk about the most insane things he’s seen online (a café for gourmet water? Sellotape roll as a luxury bracelet?) and also chats about his day job as a teacher (including that class where they ate the glue sticks).   It’s a fun chat that then develops into a discussion about the creeping harm of this online nonsense. Interesting stuff!   Shabaz is on TikTok and his handle there is @shabazsays. He’s also released his first book all about his adventures in the ridiculous world of the influencer which is called ‘I’m Rich You’re Poor’. It’s in them bookshops right now so get one!   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

It’s only bloody Joe Wilkinson! The Cats Does Countdown people’s favourite is in the studio to chat about his struggles with his high-tech hoover, the beauty of watching online cooking videos and how to embrace middle-age. It’s packed full of wisdom and comedy which is kind of why podcasts exist.   Joe’s acclaimed podcast (with David Earle) is called Chatabix, and it’s a thrice weekly morning dollop of excellent nonsense. Search for it on your podcast app and subscribe hard. Here’s a link to it on Apple Podcasts.   If you prefer to hold something in your hand then get out to a bookshop and get your mitts on Joe’s recently-published autobiography. It’s illustrated by another excellent comedian in Henry Paker, and it’s cover to cover nonsense of the highest calibre. You could also buy it on Amazon, if you can live with that stain on your conscience. It's published by Penguin – have a look here.   There will be more piping hot Wonderbox for you next week. Byeee!   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

Podcasting royalty Richard Herring is here! Richard commits his dearest items to the Wonderbox; his stone cairn (with an incredible story about the fine line between art and insanity), his manky old ventriloquist’s doll and his purged bollock. You want a fascinating account of the last forty years of British comedy? It’s here. You want to hear which celebrity attacked Richard Herring when he was an 18 year old in Edinburgh? You got it. Alongside an incredibly poignant account of what it’s like when your doctor tells you you’re seriously ill. What a ride!   Richard Herring is one of British comedy’s most continually interesting and prolific performers. He is out on tour after a six-year hiatus. This tour is called ‘Can I Have My Ball Back’ and it will run until July 2024 and probably beyond. You can find out the tour dates, book the tickets and catch up with all of Richard’s borderline insane challenges and projects at www.richardherring.com.   OH! Also in case you were wondering, yeah, we’re back next week getting all up in the grill of another Wonderbox.   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

Laura Smyth is a comedian who is going stratospheric, quick. She’s a brilliant performer with a wicked turn of phrase who’s going to be on all the shows and in all the theatres before you know it.   Laura comes into the studio to fill her Wonderbox, and gives it both barrels. She talks about telling drunk lies to her kids and about the thrill of being given a secret gift from Stephen Fry.   Laura is on tour-a! She’s on her first full tour of the UK, in theatres and arts centres near you. It's called ‘Living My Best Life’ and it’s happening right now. Find out when Laura is near you and grab some tickets by going to laurasmyth.com.  That’s quite enough Wonderbox for one week. But there’s surely more next week. We’ll see you then. Take is easy, my friend.   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

Stand-up comedian Russell Kane joins Russell Howard in a lively Wonderbox discussion covering topics like making home curry taste like takeaway, English people's dancing struggles, and the neurological significance of swearing. The conversation also delves into diets, dancing, pets, aging norms, parenting adventures, and British male social dynamics.

Stand-up comedian Fatiha El Ghorri is in the studio to talk Russell through her Wonderbox offerings, including ramadan, baby fat and birds in the wind. It’s a fascinating chat that covers Moroccan family life, and what it’s like being a female Muslim comedian in the UK. It's a lot of fun; Fatiha doesn't hold back.   Fatiha is currently working on her first novel ‘The Perks of my Hijab’ which is coming out in April 2025. It’s a YA book about a 13-year old growing up in the UK wearing her hijab, and it promises to be funny and uplifting. You can pre-order it from many good book websites, not just the big one named after a river.   You can check out the pre-release webpage on Simon & Schuster’s website (for they are the publishers) here.   Russell will be back with more Wonderbox next week. Until then have a lovely week, don’t rush, take it slow, enjoy yourself.   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

It's Seann Walsh! One of the most naturally talented comics of his generation, Seann tells us about choosing his flat so that he could still get to QPR while hungover. He explains why Blink 182 mean so much to him. And he reveals some of the people who were most helpful after the grisly business of Strictly.  You want more Seann? You got it. He's touring his solo show 'Back from the Bed' around the UK now - tickets and dates are all at www.seannwalsh.com. Don't fanny about if you want to get those tickets cos they sell quickly. On Seann's website you can also see some of his older specials for free (they're great) and find his podcasts - 'What's Upset You Now' with Paul McCaffrey (another excellent comedian) and 'Oh My Dog' with Jack Dee. That should keep you going for Seann-related stuff for the time being.    For Russell's next live dates, keep your eyes on russell-howard.co.uk.   Also if you're reading this far I think it's safe to say that you're either a fan of the podcast or you're having a really, really tricky poo. Whichever it is, if you're able to give us a quick good review or spread the word, share the podcast with some people you think would like it - you know, all that stuff really helps and keeps the wheels on the rails.    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

Beloved voice of radio Shaun Keaveny is this week’s Wonderbox guest and he chooses some belters to box up for posterity. Shaun tells some amazing stories; about being backstage with Dave Grohl, about his own band ‘Mosque’, and Russell and Shaun share memories about being the least cool people at BBC Radio 6 Music.   Shaun has transitioned from radio to podcast with style. He now makes a radio show as a podcast: Shaun’s Daily Grind is on Global Player which you can find here (and I’m sure you can find it in other places too, right? That’s just how podcasts work innit)   For Russell's next live dates, keep your eyes on russell-howard.co.uk.   Peace out brethren. Until next week. Be safe, be seen.   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