RHLSTP Book Club 156 - Sebastian Faulks

RHLSTP Book Club #156 - Fires Which Burned Brightly - None of your tat this week on the book podcast with the genius that is Sebastian Faulks, but test one is how will he react to Richard’s alternative title for this collection of essays that form a loose autobiography! Once we’ve over that hill, it’s plain sailing as they discuss how much the world has changed in the last few decades, the ethics of sending an 8 year old to boarding school, the glory days of journalism and mental illness. Is Richard still in a dream that started 25 years ago? How much research goes into a book like Birdsong? What is the motivation for writing books continuing the stories of James Bond and Jeeves and Wooster (not in the same books!)? Plus a discussion of 20th century toilet paper.Sebastian Faulks is the author of Fires Which Burned Brightly: A Life in Progress (Hutchinson Heinemann £20, out now). He is appearing at the Southbank London Literature Festival on 29 October.Buy the book here - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/fires-which-burned-brightly-sebastian-faulks/7792168Get tickets to Sebastian's South Bank show on 29th October here https://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on/sebastian-faulks-fires-which-burned-brightly/SUPPORT 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.

RHLSTP #584 - Eleven Holes? - It’s approaching the end of the Fringe (for Rich at least) and his guest is, I think we can all agree, at least his equal as a ventriloquist, Nina Conti. They talk about her fantastic new independent film, Sunlight, how it’s a dark love story about a suicidal man, a woman in a monkey suit and an attempt to dig up a grave to recover a $20,000 dollar watch, but so much more than that. How the idea and the real life love began in the middle of a 50 hour improv session, the dangers of going under water in a monkey suit, how the film might appeal to Furries, how it could never be written by AI and why you should definitely see it. Plus how Nina ended up in Spinal Tap 2 and a good indication of why Richard didn’t, how ventriloquist dummies become their own people (or monkeys), the dark past of ventriloquists and whether Nina resents her monkey.Nina's directorial debut film 'Sunlight' will have a UK theatrical release from 18th October 2025 (screening details here), or you can pre-order it on Apple TV here (UK) and here (Ireland) - available digitally from 28th November 2025.Nina Conti has a UK tour extension of her hit live show 'Whose Face Is It Anyway?' from 30th September - 30th October 2025. Tickets here.SUPPORT 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.

#409 Di and Dodi Threesome - 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 at least one of hers confuses a sketch with reality, but what is truth?) and how this impacted on their Edinburgh shows (and lives).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 (and an appearance from her son, Ol), grabbing the reins of power, being careful what you wish for, Dexter Fletcher and a tension that makes this one of the greatest and funniest RHLSTPs ever.SUPPORT 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.

Book Club #155 - Mad, Isn’t It? - Richard talks to stand up comedian Emma Doran about her fantastic and funny memoir about teenage pregnancy “Mad, Isn’t It?”. They chat about the difficulty of being on Last One Laughing, deciding to take up stand up during a maternity leave, how it’s rare to hear the story of teenage pregnancy from the perspective of someone who has actually experienced it, why it was necessary to be completely honest about her teenage years, the positive outcomes from something that seemed like a disaster at the time and the hopefully changing attitudes to this regular and fairly predictable event! Plus gaining an audience from social media and some excellent book recommends!Buy the book here - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/mad-isn-t-it-emma-doran/7741276See Emma on tour https://www.emmadorancomedy.com/SUPPORT 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.

RHLSTP #583 - Seeing God in a Cloud - Rich is three days into Edinburgh and is already shouting angrily at the Scotch people, but mainly because he’s had a claim to fame taken away from him. His guest is a man who has also done a whole Edinburgh show about missing parts of his genitals, Tom Rosenthal. They chat about how being a movie star makes you very conscious of how much your watch costs, whether the people stuff say about you is true, why we don’t accuse butchers of nepotism, a brand new idea for an Edinburgh show for babies, the scam that philosophers are perpetrating (it’s Henri Bergson that he couldn’t remember the name of, and Justin Lee Collins), playing Private Pike and whether Richard’s many failures are down to his refusal to embrace his spiritual side.See Tom on tour - https://tomrosenthal.net/SUPPORT 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.

#408 Rat Surge - 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.SUPPORT 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.

RHLSTP Book Club #154 - Entitled - Richard talks to Andrew Lownie about his meticulous and explosive book about Prince Andrew, Sarah Ferguson and more, Entitled. They chat about the process of getting this book to print and the surprises and revelations that are sometimes quite casually dropped in, how it’s easy to feel sorry for Andrew for his bizarre childhood where he had no boundaries, but harder to feel sorry for him when you read all the stupid, selfish and criminal things he has done as an adult. Also the scandalous grifting and Romanov style spending and waste, the Epstein files and the many reasons why more of the victims have not come forward, how easy it is to discover the lies that Andrew has told and the truth about the famous photo, whether Andrew lives in fear after writing a book like this, whether the monarchy can survive this scandal and how much more there is to come out. Also what it says about the way business is run in the world and the utter stupidity and depravity of so many (usually men) in important positions who didn’t seem to realise that they were being trapped and could be blackmailed. Also the truth behind the Newsnight interview and who really did the work for it and how Andrew was stupid enough to think it had gone well. Plus the many instances where he found himself able to sweat.This is an extraordinary book which you really should read.Buy it here - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/entitled-the-rise-and-fall-of-the-house-of-york-andrew-lownie/b66b23561541b2d1SUPPORT 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.

RHLSTP #582 - Talent and a Half - Rich has had some troubles in his cheap Edinburgh accommodation, but at least it’s his dad’s birthday. Why is Richard such an idiot? His guest is star (5th tier) of series 20 of Taskmaster, Ania Magliano. They talk about how she skipped school to be in a short film and her troubles with a more recent film appearance. Plus podcasting with your partner or your family, the punk early days of podcasting, Rich keeps saying things that need to be cut, personality tests and how you can be both introvert and extrovert, how to make a viral hit on social media and what constitutes a work in progress at the Fringe. And is Friends any good and what nightmares is Richard’s son having?Watch Ania on TaskmasterCome and see RHLSTP live http://richardherring.com/rhlstpSUPPORT 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.

#407 Teleporno - 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.SUPPORT 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.

RHLSTP Book Club #153 - Young Once - Richard chats with a Young One who has decided to embrace his Young Oneness, even though we may not be the young ones very long, Nigel Planer about his fantastic autobiography Young Once - A Life Less Heavy. They chat about how Neil and Nicholas Craig emerged from Nigel’s real life experiences, why the American Young Ones helped to give birth to a major part of the Simpsons, seeing Laurence Olivier’s dancing feet beneath the curtain and sitting next to Spike Milligan, how doing Evita ended up in counting the number of times Nigel put on his trousers and why We Will Rock You’s multiple performances were more happily accepted, how his book is a love story to both his wife and the people he has worked with over the years, how a surprising number of the Young Ones went to public school, the Comic Strip reunion where Nigel sweated over the bill and the incredible experience of working on Yellowbeard. Plus having a scientist dad who wants to see what all the fuss about cannabis is about!Buy Nigel’s book here https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/young-once-a-life-less-heavy-nigel-planer/01d5586cc630e3dfSUPPORT 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.