RHLSTP is back and the sky has changed colour and the first of the gang has died, so Richard is a bit unsettled and sad. But on we plough until our own inevitable deaths. The guest today previously worked for Isis, it’s Ellie Taylor, who claims to have grown up in Brentwood, but she doesn’t know much about it or trampolining. Like you’d expect. They talk about the faces you pull when you’re modelling for Matalan, being apparated in a box, the great Josh paedo postman betrayal, why cats are better than babies, having a heart made of diamonds and much too much about genitals, but then some stuff about the cute things kids say to make up for the rudeness. Richard is so tired that his brain either says everything he is thinking or can’t formulate basic words (so no real change there), but luckily Ellie is eloquent as he bumbles around the questions of body image and perceived attractiveness. Plus he gets to ask questions from the brand new EQ app!

Richard is surprisingly appalled by what a sex robot inventor is planning for his sex robot and reeling from the brutal combo of no sleep and attending a funeral, but life goes on and it’s laughter all the way (until the end when it gets a bit bleak) with left-wing Stalin apologist Armando Iannucci. Armando reveals a surprising friendship with a 1990s pop group and the dark underside of Michael Palin before trying to ascertain who is worst: Weinstein, Stalin or James Corden. Rich gets busted about his behaviour at the “Death of Stalin” premiere and there’s lots of chat about this excellent film and how being a director has changed Iannucci into a megalomaniac. Plus find out what happened when Armando started to learn the piano in his 40s and his near death experiences on holiday and how he has once again managed to copy all of Richard’s ideas and pass them off as his own.

Rich is confused and amazed by horses and apparently alone in being troubled by the lyrics to the new Stereophonics song, but he has a more skilled musician, improviser and ex-Christian rocker on hand to dig him out of his exhausted new-parent hole, it’s Rachel Parris. They chat about obscure advertising jingles, how to improvise entire Jane Austen stories, the excitement of sitting on a “celebrity’s” toilet, usurping elderly organists, emailing the Samaritans, who’s who (or anyone) in Game of Thrones, poo wrangling and funky hymns.

Richard freewheels about the poor quality of the suit he has had to wear as his nice ones no longer fit him, still giddy from a heady cocktail of tiredness and grief, but he’s in for a relaxed and thoughtful hour, with a man who is not afraid to say what he thinks, John Moloney. They chat about Red Wedge, accordions, out-Catholicing Frank Skinner, performing in German and John’s bold plans to create “Dead at the Apollo” a showcase for comedians over 50. Some lovely stuff about overcoming chips on shoulders and some cheerleading for the unlikely twosome of Jeremy Corbyn and Jim Davidson. Also who is best science or Jesus?

Richard is excited after spotting a celebrity at Crewe station, but upset that the celebrity wasn’t excited about spotting him. But his guest has snogged that celeb, it’s Jan Ravens. There’s chat about how to personify a can of drink, blazing a trail for women in comedy, sand yachting, Sunday school teaching, what makes for a creepy entertainer, working with Barry Sheen, how to choose a Mastermind topic, how tape led Richard to a rare TV victory, how Konnie Huq nearly killed both Jan and Richard and what it’s like to have a comedian come out of you. Plus plenty of bull semen, but at what cost?

Richard’s dog is at war with his eyes, but who cares. He has the Prime Minister from an alternate timeline on his podcast, plus a bloke who bought fags from Mrs Merton, it’s the unlikely twosome of Ed Miliband and Geoff Lloyd. They discuss the pair’s great new podcast “Reasons to be Cheerful”, plus the Millstone and the sandwich and David Miliband’s shoes. Is losing an election in anyway comparable to a triple loss on Pointless Celebrities? Can you be too clever for Win, Lose or Draw? And is the political system of the UK screwed. There’s some tough questions about Brexit (though to be fair Ed is asking most of them), and the difficulty of being a politician and being yourself. You might end up wishing you lived in the Miliverse. Or at least have some ideas for redecorating your kitchen? And will Richard ask the Emergency Questions you all want to hear answered? And will Ed answer?

Richard seems to think he’s the new Frost:Nixon for some reason, but his audience banter suggests he has some way to go. But never mind, he’s talking to historian and Horrible Histories expert Greg Jenner. There’s something for everyone, as long as you’re a fan of Viagra or Leonardo di Vinci. And if not then you can find out about the history of toilets and cantaloupes and penicillin and Papal orgies and William the Conqueror and church-based arson. Richard expounds his boring theory about Rasputin and Greg has some interesting theories about celebrity. And what if you time-travelled to see Jesus and found out you were Jesus. Wow. Is your mind blown? And what if the only thing to survive from our time was Ed Miliband’s Millstone?

Richard has been belittled by a scaffolder, and is plotting his revenge. Perhaps he should send this week’s guest after him, it’s serial prankster and character comedian Simon Brodkin. We get all the behind the scenes info on his recent quest to give Theresa May her P45, plus stories about Blatter, Trump and what the police do if they arrest you but like you. Plus is it OK to ask Christmas Emergency Questions to someone of Jewish heritage? What if they’re known for their artistic risks? Plus the incredible story of why Brodkin had to repeat his medical exams!

Rich’s daughter has made quite a radical life choice, but hopefully is a reincarnation of someone who will make the family a lot of money (if only we can prove it). This week it’s a welcome return for one of the worst guests we’ve ever had on RHLSTP (and I am saying that because that’s what he says about me on Pointless), it’s the charmingly offensive giant, Richard Osman. Will Osman realise where he’s gone wrong with his TV shows and finally commission Richard to write and sing the theme tune? Will Pointless ever take the money and head to Channel 4? What will Osman say about Rich’s mum this time? Why can’t chocolate manufacturer’s put aside their differences? How big is a glass? Is it OK to propose to someone over Twitter? How many times can you lose on Pointless and still hold your head high? What do the Chinese think of Osman? Is it better to be single in your twenties or your forties? As you’d expect it’s a wide-ranging chat and a delight from start to finish.

Richard is overly proud of himself for having created a new book of Emergency Questions, but luckily there is someone on hand who will give them short shrift, it’s the comedian with the soul of a poet, Reginald D Hunter. He discusses the one thing that is better than a shrek when it comes to improving existing franchises, how Reg did and didn’t break his leg, how comedic genius can be passed on via the bladder, the ultimate victory of sibling rivalry, the slow realisation of the truth about OJ Simpson, how vanity is the greatest destroyer of men, being the fourth funniest person in your family and many more surprising revelations regarding relativity. Richard worries about ageing and death, but Reginald does not. It’s a revelatory chat with a comedian who possibly unwittingly inspired this whole podcast series. You will dream of loving someone as much as Rich loves Reg.

The question of ham hands versus suncream armpits has gone international and been introduced to a new generation in the most charming of ways. But hat confusion, decade old Big Brother news and chicken restaurants aside it’s a pretty serious podcast in which journalist Johann Hari discusses his fascinating new book, “Lost Connections”. Are our views on depression and antidepressants correct or do we need to look at these subjects in a new way? Johann discusses how an encounter with an apple made him consider the importance of listening to our symptoms, plus the power that people have to overcome the systems that can make them sad or even give up hope entirely. Is Rich’s dad crazy for wanting to engage with strangers or is Rich insane for being disconnected from his neighbours. Do possessions bring us happiness, do lesbian monkey orgies have anything to teach us and what can bring Muslims, punks and gay men together? No emergency questions. Unless you consider the future of the human race an emergency.

ichard hits comedy gold and finds the person with the perfect job to riff about for as long as an hour if he wishes, but he doesn’t wish to, as he has the multi-talented comedian, writer and actor Katy Wix to chat with. They discuss clammy handshakes, horror car crashes, dragon-based misunderstandings, working with Dick and Dom, Princess Fergiana, Hattie Jacques, meeting Dire Straits, an 11-year-old girl’s pebble, the professionalism of the young and cruelty to tadpoles. And the audience decides on who should be invited on to the next series.

Richard is mourning the non-existent victims of the Oxford Circus incident and the personal connection he had to them, but life goes on for all of us not killed in that delusional event and so it’s time to welcome a man with the second best moustache in comedy, it’s Paul Chowdhry. They chat about making movies with Tim from the Office, John Malkovich and Jim Davidson, sadness versus depression, how Paul filled Wembley arena despite a relatively low-key TV appearances, how racism in the seventies compares to 21st century racism Celebrity Squares, Noel’s House Party, New Year’s Eve with the Landises, the tasering of hecklers in Lowestoft and why the critics don’t always see what the public see.

Richard celebrates 10 years of podcasting by blowing your comfortable views of the film Toy Story apart like Spike with a firework. His guest has come prepared in an attempt to Louis Theroux Herring, but he isn’t Louis Theroux, he is Dave Gorman. They discuss why Dave stepped down as team captain on the panel show “What the Dickens?”, how to get the Happy Feet knock off Tappy Toes at a knockdown price, how Dave and the short-sightedness of Channel 4 were instrumental in the success of John Oliver, the story behind the righteous take-down of Neil Sean, the next generation of double acts, why you still get incensed when you’re a quiz show winner and how to make your kids’ toys talk German. Thanks so much for supporting us during this twelfth series. Series 13 will be along with almost indecent haste.