#555 Welsh Freddie Mercury - Richard has found out the true lyrics of a 1990s pop classic and is going to tell you them in detail. His guests are internet satirists Larry and Paul. They talk about which one is which, the long genesis of their online sketch content, the BBC’s reluctance to promote podcasts in 2008 or understand why radio shows needed video, why a Labour government (especially this one) does not mean the end of political satire, impressing Jeremy Vine and potentially insulting Matt Lucas and David Walliams, how Self Esteem being on a delayed train almost led to an embarrassing situation with Carol Vorderman, whether TV is a worthwhile ambition for people making their own content, is it a good idea to have children and Paul (or is it Larry) has come in with some of his own emergency questions, one of which is a little spicy.

#556 Not As Good As It Used To Be - Richard returns to Leicester and reveals the curt message of one of the comedians he asked on the podcast. His guests are two of the men behind the publishing sensation and hugely influential comedy juggernaut that is Viz magazine. They discuss the humble beginnings of this adult comic, how publishers tried and failed to sanitise it, working with Peter Cook on Tiger Mellie, the terrible imitators, who was the first person to say it wasn’t as good as it used to be (and when), plus Richard’s posh introduction to the work and his pride at being in the Profanisaurus. A great chat with two down to earth comedy geniuses who changed the landscape of British comedy.

#557 Sex Dungeon - Richard is back in Leicester again, fresh from an interview with a journalist who has been up the Queen. His guest is Australian comedian and adventurer John Robertson. They talk about how an appearance on a TV show led to him getting married, his fantastic interactive game show The Dark Room, scary gigs in pubs in small towns in Australia, being a sex person, but avoiding drugs and how Richard has inspired him and let him down in equal measure.

#558 Trouser Press - It’s the first podcast fuelled by Soleros for a while and Rich is vaguely concerned about asteroids and if he’s worth more dead or alive. His guest is the multi-talented Alexandra Haddow. They discuss the wonderful town of Corby - has Richard forgotten playing there? Almost certainly - festivals that are only held every 20 years, how we can be judged by the best of worst that we’ve done, whether birds are scarier than ghosts.

#559 In Tandem - Rich has just returned from Center Parcs where he was treated like a celebrity, albeit one from the 20th Century. His guest is fabulous US comedian Chloe Radcliffe. They discuss their similarly nerdy childhoods, how TV has led us to expect physical perfection, Richard’s complicated week when he lost his virginity, how Instagram judges you, how compartmentalisation is important for a comedian, why tackling the subjects that scare you most can lead to great stand up, why people cheat and why we usually only talk about the times we were cheated on, not when we cheated, dating someone on a different continent and Chloe’s fantastic idea for an interview podcast https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLP3nQxiZUKySkPYs6tjJzrgyN_p1FfdHl

One Ball and Boe - Richard is sad to note the death of a man who has fuelled and spoiled his erotic fantasies. His guest John Kearns, has finally been allowed into the Leicester Square Theatre on the fifth or sixth time on the pod - it’s the thoughtful and measured John Kearns. In a return to endless old-school RHLSTPs it’s a sprawling pod, covering very old tortoises, Raymond Briggs, Rich’s dad giving a talk at the BFI, the effects of the Taskmaster bounce (or plunge in Rich’s case), rumours about Top Coppers and much more. Too much more. Gloriously too much more.

Nut Lifter - Richard has had some trouble getting his show props through customs (but not back again). His guest is comedy legend Paul Whitehouse. They chat about plastering for Fry and Laurie, acting with Michael Caine, how Loadsamoney stormed the comedy world and disappeared again, the moment that defined Gone Fishing, the sweaty men from Dragons’ Den, how Smashie and Nicey worked on the third attempt, how Vinnie Jones nearly punched Uncle Albert and the whole amazing career of "the greatest actor of all time”.

Egg Cupboard - Richard has had a life-changing accident on the way to the theatre, but hopefully a chat with Amy Hoggart will distract him from his woes. They talk about whether Lembit Opik is qualified to live in space, why the second Trump term is not as fecund for satirists as the first, Ed Gamble’s weird fish obsession, Richard’s strange peccadillo regarding Amy’s grandfather, men pretending to be feminists on her podcast (https://tinkmedia.co/interviews/femanism), the difficulty of placing yourself on the political spectrum, why Richard’s reading glasses are getting increasing dirty, how Amy’s parents got together, working as a doula and some delightful rambles into the tumbleweed and back again, like a proper old school RHLSTP.

Barry Norman’s Pickled Onions - Richard is very proud of his toilet based pedantry. His guest is returning hero Timkey. They chat about his fantastic new film. The Ballad of Wallis Island and how he managed to get Carey Mulligan on board, plus Richard’s impressive roster of unreleased film appearances, plus Tim’s latest book of poetry, an hilarious but poignant and moving story of his time in Hollywood and the influence of Charles Bukowski. There is a 10 minute discussion about Tim’s love for Last of the Summer Wine, which suggest he doesn’t love it as much as he claims and of course another episode of timkey the monkey and his magic flute. Plus Tim suggests a guest that will have Off Menu quaking in their boots and eating dinosaurs.

Joel Dommett’s Lactating Nipple - Recorded at the Podcast Room in Central London, Richard meets comedian, actor and rock God Nick Helm. They chat about the unexpected death of Dennis Waterman, working with/embarrassing yourself in front of Mark Williams, appearing on Eastenders, appearing in two films together in lockdown, though mainly waiting to go on, how Nick became avuncular to his co-star in Uncle, how TV careers come without trained therapists and Nick’s journey from depression to contentment and whether Rich is the only comedian with ADHD or if he’s clearly living in denial. Plus was Someone Like’s Yoghurt the worst comedy experience of 2005 and what’s the recipe for a great and enjoyable tour show

Foundation - Richard is back in the Podcast Room where he is joined by comedian, author and now sitcom star, Rosie Jones. They discuss rising from researcher to star and the celebs who gave her the time of day before she was famous, how her sitcom Pushers has disabled actors but isn’t about disability and whether it was like the White Lotus behind the scenes, her upcoming tour “I Can’t Tell What She’s Saying” and why you should ignore the negative comments online, finding your tribe and how unlucky Richard is with his tribe, setting up the Rosie Jones Foundation and the joy of appearing on Taskmaster and why people aren’t really invited on for their athleticism and why it’s lucky that the Minister for Disability didn’t turn up for the Scope Awards.

Get Back! - Richard is back at the Podcast Room for an interview with a real comedy legend, Maurice Gran, co-creator of Birds of a Feather, Shine On Harvey Moon, Love Hurts and of course Goodnight Sweetheart. They chat about how Maurice and co-writer Laurence Marks seemed thrown together by fate, working with three of the Young Ones, but especially Rik Mayall in the New Statesman, how they got caught up in Michael Winner’s Bullseye, the unwitting strangers who inspired Birds of a Feather and the paucity of ambition of Gary Sparrow and how you can help the Goodnight Sweetheart adventures to continue by backing the kickstarter (unless Rich gets in there first with Goodnight Goodnight Sweetheart Sweetheart) and how Rich might finally find himself associated with Gary Sparrow after all.

Sassigassity - Richard is back in the studio to talk to charming idiot for whom he has no respect, Joe Norris. They chat about the words that Dickens did and didn’t make up, whether Rich can join the anti-woke and is it all just about being allowed to say one word, the pirates in Asterix, Richard’s new shower based podcast idea, what to do if you shit yourself in an interview, Rich’s latest crime and how he is taunting his victim

The Most Influential Comedian, That You’re Probably Never Seen - Richard travels to St Neots to visit a man who might claim to have invented alternative comedy (though he doesn’t) John Dowie. With comedian Dave Cohen in Dictionary Corner providing some historical detail Rich and John chat about John’s comedy influences, how he managed to do theatrical comedy on his own when no one else was really doing that, his part (or not) in the explosion of comedy in the 80s, the podcast with Tony Allen that never was (largely due to the lack of the internet), recording with Factory records, working with Neil Innes, John’s frustration with modern life, doing a show with Victoria Wood, the secret reason he gave up stand up (which may remain a secret) the original Dogman and whether he feels he gets the credit he deserves or whether he thinks he deserves any credit.

Round the Corner… - Rich is back at the Podcast Room to talk to stand up and non-puppeteer Glenn Moore. They talk about being the originator of one of the finest poems in the English language, strained relationships to famous people, how to run the Fringe Gauntlet, is it better to have accommodation in the heart of the Fringe or down by the seaside or top and tailing with two other men, the many wonderful titles of Glenn’s shows and whether he’d dare do a two word version, more about Hurstpierpoint than any other podcast will ever give you, needlessly making an enemy of Dave Berry, Richard pretending to be called Sally to get across America after nearly being burned to death, looking like all the Beatles and is Richard picturing (or failing to) the right line-up for Scouting For Girls. Also what is it like to be one of the only colour blind comedians in the world. Possibly. If your poo looks like fudge, please see a doctor.

Spectated Spaghetti Bolognaise - As the Edinburgh Fringe approaches, Richard is at the Bill Murray comedy club in Islington to talk to one of the founders of the club and the artist formerly known as Lionel Richie, Barry Ferns. They discuss the formation of this hub of comedy creativity and Richard’s part in it (not that he remembers), which Bill Murray it’s named after and what they will do if the other Bill Murray ever turns up. Barry chats about his Edinburgh Fringe show “My Seven Years as Lionel Richie” https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/barry-ferns-my-seven-years-as-lionel-richie and the many other self-destructive comedic decisions he has made, how Edinburgh left him bankrupt and homeless, how he convinced tourists they could go inside Arthur’s Seat and how his commitment to the bit led to him losing paid employment. In many ways he is a fucking idiot, but a glorious one.

Cheddar Gorge Jimmy Saviles - Richard is back at the Bill Murray in Islington with another act heading up to the Edinburgh Fringe, the brilliant Chloe Petts. They talk about disgusting farts, hypnotic breasts and the power of football to unite strangers, so pretty much the same topics as every other podcast in the world, but with a bit more/less class (delete as applicable). Also discussed: Is a Hitler salute ever appropriate in a comedy context? why does every culture insist on imagining vaginas with teeth? Is it offensive to be misgendered? What would happen in a body swap film involving a tall person and a short person? Does everyone secretly want to eat dog biscuits? Why has chemotherapy ruined root vegetables for Richard and is Ed Gamble the monster that Richard hopes him to be on tour?

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 beca