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

Rich has some big questions to ask about a hymn that seemingly most people in his audience don't remember, so maybe he won't do an hour long comedy show about it then. His guest is internet sensation and fab stand up Eleanor Morton. They talk about Leonardo da Vinci's hate mail, the surprise appearance of Pan in Wind in the Willows, the difficulties of getting a pirate sitcom off the ground (or on to the waves), the stinking bins of the Edinburgh Fringe, why crippling social anxiety doesn't stop comedians getting on stage and why the pandemic was the best thing that could happen (for some people, not everyone apparently) and how there are no mentally ill comedians in Richard's generation.

Rich is worried that his son is going to become a comedian or worse still a Messiah, but Rich is planning to buy a sex island so all is OK. His guest is superior (in both senses) comedian and possible giant Pierre Novellie. They talk about Charles Manson's bold decision during his trial, being massaged by Dave Benson Phillips, the disturbing consequences of a South African accent, whether Richard is really mentally normal as the internet claims or if he's just lapped everyone else, the untrustworthiness of the neatly bearded, the effectiveness of precise language and why semen doesn't taste like strawberry milk shake. Plus why you don't take the Bee Gees into battle.

Recorded in the week of a tragic loss, at least there is good news for one of the podcast's favourite personalities. Richard's guest is the brilliant actor and writer and also his ex-girlfriend, Sally Phillips. They talk about the girl who smelled of spam and Sally's impressive performance in the film How To Please A Woman, but they can't avoid the elephant in the room and discuss there somewhat different memories of the break up of their relationship and how this impacted on their Edinburgh shows. Can they reach a place of forgiveness for their behaviour? Also Sally's side of the Princess Diana love triangle, how being in a comedy gang in the 1990s gave us all too much confidence, how she got the job in Alan Partridge, what led to her working with Mr Tumble and speculation on why Hugh Grant doesn't talk to her. Also the impact of disablist language, grabbing the reins of power, Dexter Fletcher and a tension that makes this one of the greatest and funniest RHLSTPs ever.

Richard has narrowly avoided a dinosaur based disaster, but never mind because a RHLSTP favourite is returning - the incomparable Bob Mortimer. They talk about holding dominion over the animals, whether questions are necessary in an interview, what prompted Bob to write his first novel and whether satsumas are the best small orange fruit, the adoration for Bob and Paul that the team behind Gone Fishing clearly have, why a double act of two nice men works, what it's like being below average height, aspiring to watch TV, the treatment centre for phone addiction and how to take down coniferous trees. Also how many Bob Mortimers might there be out there and why his book imagines an alternate world for him? Bob has also brought along his joke book for emergencies.

Rich is itching for a change in Prime Minister, but will he get his wish by the time of broadcast? His guests are Elis, Mike and Steff from the dizzyingly successful new podcast that the cool kids are calling TSDSB. They talk about how their podcast is about more than just sport, how sports fans have changed in the last four decades, the new series of Fantasy Football and the new sitcom Mammoth, why Elis' musical career didn't work out, how Mike met his wife when he was a teacher at school and what it was like for Steff when his first live gig was to over 1000 people Plus are warm ups necessary in sport, the most inappropriate dance by 12 year old girls of all time and some neutral opinions about the new Prince and Princess of Wales.

Richard knows a little bit about what Prince George is going through at school and is very excited that his new book is out! His guest is stand up, writer, presenter and actor Sara Pascoe. They talk about the ups and downs of doing improvised sitcoms and films, how long lockdown toilet rolls kept people going, balancing work with parenting, how it's more important that something gets made than it becomes a hit, the magic of being a snowman, whether general anaesthetic proves that the soul does not exist, accepting the ageing process and the terrible things that a parent will do to protect their child.

Richard is discombobulated after returning (briefly) to Shepherd's Bush after five years away. His guest is the fantastic stand up Chris McCausland. They talk about what pushed him towards stand up and why he was reluctant initially to do too much about his blindness, nearly becoming a spy, that amazing BAFTA bit with Lee Mack, performing for Prince William, being on the Jubilee bus and and why Chris hates the name of his own tour. Plus how working hard on a panel show appearance can help your career. Who knew?

Richard returns to his old stomping ground of Balham to take part in the Cheerful Earful Festival at the Bedford pub, a place that holds a lot of memories, some of which occur to him as he's speaking. His guest is the fabulous Ria Lina. They talk about the power of being an outsider in comedy, gigging whilst pregnant, working for the serious fraud office, why the coronavirus helped propel Ria into the spotlight, some behind the scenes secrets from Have I Got News For You? and the extra demands put on female performers.

Richard recalls a couple of childhood memories that can't possibly hare happened. His guest is the king of mischief and righteous anger (who is also very funny) Joe Lycett. They talk about how Joe brought down a Prime Minister, how he was almost arrested for a joke, how his spoof Sue Gray report fooled some members of parliament, how people decided what snacks Santa would be getting, the personal heartbreak behind Joe's anger about the government's reaction to Covid, why he literally talked sh*t and the extreme steps Joe is taking to try and persuade David Beckham to withdraw from his role in Qatar. This is an exceptional show which is why we are putting it out as soon as possible.

Rich has some helpful suggestions to help the footballers support LGBTQ+ rights and is amazed by the press reaction to last week's podcast. His guest is superlative stand up comedian and podcaster James Acaster. They discuss Nasty Nick's funeral, the Richard E Grant mystery, why James never retired from stand up and why he's now inviting hecklers, the weird experience of being a last minute replacement mouse in Cinderella, confusing and angering people with his fantastically funny new book �James Acaster's Guide to Quitting Social Media�, his new audio sitcom and how his brilliant routine about edgy comics has done no good at all. Plus will James agree with Richard's conjecture that all music is terrible?

Rich and some other Londoners are only alive today thanks to his skilful driving which means he is here to interview the absolutely remarkable Anneka Rice. They discuss her new stand up career and the way she tackles serious subjects like death and Alzheimers in her radio show Anneka Has Issues, why she was recently arrested at an airport, the return of Challenge Anneka and whether there's the same community spirit that there was 30 years ago, the physical imperfection that nearly derailed her entire on screen career (despite it not existing), CB TV Channel 14 (that maybe only Richard remembers), how Anneka nearly killed a man and then considered killing her dad and what she would have to do to change her obituary photo.

Rich is back to his usual chair this week and tries to influence an impossible to win bet before being joined by Victoria Coren Mitchell. They chat about the disconnect between Victoria's teenage angst and then partying with Frankie Howerd, the worst celebrity poker players, why the coughing Major should have gone for anal beads, how Victoria charmingly manages to lose money doing her Radio 4 show, how it's possible that she didn't learn to ride a bike as a child, the possible arrogance of the producers of Mary Poppins, the statue that made Victoria cry. Plus are the cracks starting to show in the Coren-Mitchell marriage? (or can the tabloids manage to spin this conversation to make it appear that they are?). Rich is over tired and starts to lose it by the end, so worth hanging around for that!

Rich has an apology to make to the prescient geniuses who voted for Brexit. His guest is therapist and advice columnist Philippa Perry. They talk about the jobs she drifted in an out of in her 20s, how she got to be a mature student thanks to having Mill Aunties, whether therapy makes or breaks a comedian, how to stay sane and how the Perry family have become a 21st Century Vision On. Richard attempts to get some free therapy and desperately looks for reasons to blame his parents for the way he's turned out and tries to find out if stone clearing is a healthy activity for him. Plus he is mocked for his small feet and hands, which I don't think is something therapists should be doing and they chat about the horrors of growing old.

Richard has come up with a way to save the UK hundreds of millions of pounds - is it his turn to be Chancellor of the Exchequer? His guest is actor and football executive Humphrey Ker. They discuss his part in the fantastic TV show and community project �Welcome to Wrexham�, what it's like to have an entire football team laugh at you, being observed when doing a self-tape for a huge TV project, why being a giant isn't great for getting roles in the UK, what prompted the decision to make a go of it in America, being possibly the poshest person to ever appear on the podcast, why not everyone who goes to Eton is a monster, why the upper classes are obsessed with putting animals' heads on the wall and what it's like being a Humphrey.

Richard's daughter has firm evidence for the existence of ghosts, which is apt because Richard's guests are ghosts too!!! It's Mat and Jim from off of Ghosts and much more. There are some harsh words about the reboot of Bob the Builder and a story of actorly distress from the set of Hellboy, but then we're into a nice long chat about the genesis of Horrible Histories and Ghosts and what the team at the core of these projects saw in each other. Rich is prepared to go to great lengths for a part in Ghosts and there are some definitive answers to the ghost emergency questions, plus find out why the lovely film Bill has been overlooked, why it's nice to get an acting job near your house and what it's like to have played important roles in Peep Show. Plus a disection of the philosophy behind Ghosts and why it's a horrible show that should be taken off air immediately.