RHLSTP with Richard Herring

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/7873833Play Minute Cryptic here https://www.minutecryptic.com/SUPPORT THE SHOW!Watch our TWITCH CHANNELBecome 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/rhlstpDo yourself a favour and buy Bernie’s Book here - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Crackerjack-Vegas-Bernie-Clifton/dp/1909813974SUPPORT THE SHOW!Watch our TWITCH CHANNELBecome 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.ukSUPPORT THE SHOW!Watch our TWITCH CHANNELBecome 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-escapeSee 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-punkSee RHLSTP live in Bewdley (and maybe elsewhere) http://richardherring.com/rhlstpSUPPORT THE SHOW!Watch our TWITCH CHANNELBecome 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-optimisticCheck out her special on Amazon https://www.amazon.co.uk/Zainab-Johnson-Hijabs-Off/dp/B0CGZYS18QCome and see RHLSTP live (in Bewdley) http://richardherring.com/rhlstpSUPPORT THE SHOW!Watch our TWITCH CHANNELBecome 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-americaSee RHLSTP at the Fringe - https://www.thestand.co.uk/fringe/2441/richard-herring-rhlstpSUPPORT THE SHOW!Watch our TWITCH CHANNELBecome 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-emptySee RHLSTP live at the Fringe http://richardherring.com/rhlstpSUPPORT THE SHOW!Watch our TWITCH CHANNELBecome 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 debtsTickets for Catie’s show We’ll See are here https://www.thestand.co.uk/fringe/2430/catie-wilkins-well-seeTickets for RHLSTP are here https://www.thestand.co.uk/fringe/2441/richard-herring-rhlstpSUPPORT THE SHOW!Watch our TWITCH CHANNELBecome 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/7838050SUPPORT THE SHOW!Watch our TWITCH CHANNELBecome 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-1Live RHLSTPs coming up. Guest and ticket link info here https://richardherring.com/rhlstpt/tourSUPPORT THE SHOW!Watch our TWITCH CHANNELBecome 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.