Season 2 Episode 9 - Desiree Burch

Prepare to be entertained, surprised, and thoroughly amused as James Haskell takes to the stage with his first full-length 35-minute comedy set. Stepping away from the rugby pitch and into the spotlight, James fearlessly delves into the intricacies of his personal life, sharing hilarious anecdotes and unfiltered observations. Drawing upon his experiences as a professional athlete, he masterfully weaves tales of triumph, failure, and the absurdities of fame, while embracing vulnerability and a refreshingly self-deprecating humour. Get ready to witness the hilarious transformation of a rugby legend into a comedy force to be reckoned with. Follow James on Twitter @jameshaskell and Instagram @jameshaskell.

It’s the last episode of Amuse Douche before James’ full length set. Luckily, he’s teamed up with the brilliant comedian Suzi Ruffell to explore the power of comedy in breaking down barriers. Together, they delve into the often unspoken challenges faced by comedians, particularly when confronting misogyny and homophobia.With her trademark wit and wisdom, Suzi Ruffell fearlessly opens up about her personal experiences, sharing anecdotes that shed light on the pervasive stereotypes and prejudice she has encountered throughout her comedy career.Follow James on Twitter @jameshaskell and Instagram @jameshaskell.

As the twenty minute live set draws closer, another comedian takes a look at Hask’s previous eight minutes. This time, it’s former dominatrix and American comic Desiree Burch who casts her eye over his material. A far cry from the prudish British stereotype, Desiree isn’t afraid to tackle provocative subjects and speak her mind - so what will she make of James’ work? And has he finally met his match in comedy?Follow James on Twitter @jameshaskell and Instagram @jameshaskell.

Seven weeks in and the reality of having to do a 20-minute set is hitting James hard. So he decides to share his eight minute set with today’s guest Jordan Gray, to get some constructive criticism alongside her advice.After a career change no one saw coming, moving from singing to comedy, Jordan knows a thing or two about how to transfer skills. She shares her wisdom on why the rule of three never fails, how comedy can be used to bridge divides and why ending a show naked has become a regular occurrence for her.Follow James on Twitter @jameshaskell and Instagram @jameshaskell.

For Hask, today’s episode feels like meeting an old mate at the pub. But what comedian, actor and classically trained singer Lloyd Griffith teaches him, is that in comedy, this could be a recipe for disaster. What’s funny in the pub with your mates isn’t always funny on stage, and vice versa. Lloyd takes James through his non-traditional route to comedy success and the surprising lengths he went to to hone his craft - a magic recipe made up of an overnight sleeper train, a packet of sleeping pills and a few tinnies. And as they explore Hask’s own comedy journey, Lloyd reveals what compering can do for performance skills and why opening yourself up to criticism from other comics is the best thing you can do. Follow James on Twitter @jameshaskell and Instagram @jameshaskell.

Rachel Parris wears many hats when it comes to comedy. You name it, she’s done it: musical, stand-up, sketch, improv. So it should come as no surprise that she’s also the first woman to front a topical TV comedy show in the UK. No subject is too left-field for a piano rendition, no topic is too serious to find the funny in. So what can she teach James about stepping outside his comfort zone?They talk about breaking the gender mould of the industry, the importance of thinking on your feet and why taking on a 20-minute set isn’t as scary as James might think. And in discussing her remarkable comedy evolution, Rachel brings her earliest notebook to the studio for reflection. Does she have any regrets? Listen to find out…Follow James on Twitter @jameshaskell and Instagram @jameshaskell.

In this episode James is joined by the husband Amuse Douche season one guest, Harriet Kemsley. Canadian comic Bobby Mair is used to being introduced alongside his wife, and therefore being paired with funny people - so James, the modest man that he is, thinks he’s in for an easy ride with today’s episode. But in discussing the value of knowing your audience and how not planning too far ahead can be a blessing in disguise, Bobby reveals that the path to comedy success isn’t always smooth sailing.Follow James on Twitter @jameshaskell and Instagram @jameshaskell.

You would think rugby podcasts and stand-up comedy would make for strange bedfellows but it turns out James isn’t the first person to dip his toe into these two worlds.Hal Cruttenden has appeared on some of the UK’s biggest comedy shows including Live At the Apollo, Would I Lie to You? and the Royal Variety Performance, alongside comedy he’s a massive rugby fan, presenting shows such as 'Rugby’s On' and 'The Huddle'. Hal went from BBC traffic reporter to stand-up comedian to rugby pundit but this week he hopes to tackle a new challenge…James Haskell.Correction: Suzy Eddie Izzard was incorrectly named as ‘Eddie Izzard’ and the wrong pronouns were used. This was unintentional and we wish to apologise to Suzy for any offence caused. Pronouns are important for affirming gender identities and creating a safe space for our guests and listeners. Everyone deserves to have their name and pronouns respected. For more information on pronouns and why they are important please see this guide from Stonewall: http://www.stonewall.org.uk/workplace-trans-inclusion-hub/beginner%E2%80%99s-guide-pronouns-and-using-pronouns-workplace

In this episode James is joined by Kae Kurd, a comic taking the UK comedy scene by storm. Savvy to the changing nature of its landscape, Kae’s become a household name in the world of social media - amassing close to 2 million followers on TikTok and thousands more across other platforms.After making his big comedy debut in 2017, he’s quickly climbed up the ranks, so knows how to navigate the comedy scene of today better than most. So what can James learn from him about boosting his profile?Kae chats to James about why coming to the UK at six-months-old as a refugee set him up for resilience in comedy, the power of social media and why just being funny isn't enough. Follow James on Twitter @jameshaskell and Instagram @jameshaskell

Simon Brodkin AKA Lee Nelson AKA Jason Bent AKA Britain’s Greatest Hoaxer. Simon has pranked some of the world’s most powerful and famous people…Donald Trump, Theresa May, Phillip Green, Kanye West, Sepp Blatter…the list goes on.Despite being renowned for his characters and world-famous stunts, Brodkin is taking the brave decision to start all over again. Like James, he’s going through a metamorphosis. They are both well-known for their previous lives, and more than aware that this comes with advantages and challenges. The two discuss the price of fame and the need to be authentic on stage.Follow James on Twitter @jameshaskell and Instagram @jameshaskell