Joy Crookes: Making Music, Heritage & Thierry Henry

Writer of Adolescence, Skins and This Is England, Jack Thorne joins Romesh to talk about the global impact of Adolescence and working closely with Stephen Graham. Jack opens up about social anxiety, imposter syndrome and how appearing on Desert Island Discs led to his autism diagnosis. They also discuss incel culture, kindness online, shifting power in the TV industry, Jack’s love of E.T. and work life balance. A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Listen.  00:00 Intro 00:55 The reaction to Adolescence 01:30 Jack’s relationship with Stephen Graham 02:55 Working with Brad Pitt 04:10 Talking about incel culture 08:25 Finding kindness online 09:40 Critics’ response to Adolescence 12:24 How invested audiences became 14:15 The real-world impact of the show 16:50 Parents’ reactions 18:19 Romesh’s mum’s question 20:40 Romesh’s gift and Jack’s love for E.T. 25:40 Jack’s obsession with the NFL 30:33 Romesh on work ethic 32:20 Work life balance 35:22 Imposter syndrome 42:05 How the TV landscape is changing 43:20 What Jack wants to do next 49:57 Desert Island Discs and autism diagnosis 54:36 Misquoted Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How do you fix toddler tantrums or a child who’s a fussy eater? This week, “Auntie Shanthi” offers some dubious advice to listeners. She also chats to Romesh about her 2026 resolutions, learning computers with a mystery gentleman, and passes judgement on Will Arnett’s famously sexy voice. A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Listen. 00:00 Intro 03:06 Shanthi’s list 03:58 Complaining 05:29 2026 resolutions 08:13 Shanthi on Will Arnett 10:46 Shanthi’s advice 18:10 Films that made an impression 23:28 Shanthi’s cookery show Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Actor and comedian, Will Arnett joins Romesh to talk about stand-up, passing as a comic and the making of new movie Is This Thing On? They get into BoJack Horseman, social media, being a dad and befriending John Bishop. With an divisive takes on tattoos, football and meeting Jürgen Klopp. A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Listen. 00:00 Intro 01:45 A gift for Will 02:35 Will on meeting Jürgen Klopp 04:05 Arsenal vs Liverpool 06:11 Working with John Bishop 10:13 The making of Is This Thing On? 14:13 Practicing stand up 18:51 Shanthi’s question to Will 19:30 BoJack Horseman 30:10 Will’s controversial opinion on tattoos 34:50 Misquoted 42:31 Social media 47:44 Misquoted continued 49:40 Being a dad 53:30 Will passes as a comic 55:33 Exclusive Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Shanthi and Romesh answer your questions and act out several scenes from alternative James Bond improv to hypothetical genies. Plus Shanthi's opinion on why some things are worth buying no matter the price. There’s villain energy, big laughs, questionable casting and as per usual, plenty of moments where neither of them can keep it together. A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Listen. 00:00 Intro01:30 Shanthi & Romesh answer your questions02:49 Shanthi’s acting background04:50 An improvised scene09:03 Shanthi 00711:47 A question about a genie17:33 Expensive perfume Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Singer-songwriter Joy Crookes joins Romesh to talk about her second album, touring, and how her Bangladeshi and Irish heritage influences her work. Joy also discusses why she'd be perfect for a Bend It Like Beckham sequel, uncompleted ADHD tests, and brave words said to Thierry Henry. A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Listen.00:00 Intro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Shanthi brings up an embarrassing conversation about James Acaster's manhood, get's confused between boxing and wrestling – plus she joins Romesh in attempting some impressions, including Chris Eubank, Gollum, Michael Macintyre and Mrs. Doubtfire. A Ranga Bee production in partnership with Listen 00:00 Romesh Sings 01:00 Boxing Intro  03:00 Shanthi on James Acaster 5:45 Chris Eubank  7:15 Mothers Deserve Respect 12:20 Impressions  19:56 Secrets to Success Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Comedian, musician and Off Menu podcast host James Acaster joins Romesh to talk about returning to stand-up, mental health… and why you definitely shouldn’t have an affair during a West End show. He pitches a new travel TV idea for Shanthi (very much without Romesh), and discusses his forthcoming album — a project 20 years in the making. A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Listen. 00:00 Intro 00:10 Don't Have An Affair 01:50 James Roasts The Set 04:22 Unwanted Gifts 06:53 Stand Up, Ego & Expectations 16:00 Josie Long 22:50 Shanthi’s Question 26:35 Visiting Sri Lanka 27:12 Travel Show Idea 35:00 Misquoted 37:20 Mental Health 40:08 Romesh on Spiralling 44:57 Misquoted Continued 46:42 James' New Album 51:00 Turning 40 51:57 Future Plans 1:00:50 Off Menu Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Romesh STILL doesn't believe that Shanthi wrote the infamous festive planning list... and the cross-examination continues! The pair then dive into your dilemmas, including how to deal with mums who ignore boundaries – and a heated debate on wedding etiquette after one listener reveals their mother-in-law wore white on the big day. A Ranga Bee production in partnership with Listen. 00:00 Romesh is relaxed 00:56 Shanthi's New Year Resolutions 02:00 Shanthi's List Controversy 06:40 Hard Times 11:00 Be Kind To Your Mum 15:45 Texting Etiquette 20:40 White Dress At Someone Else's Wedding 24:55 Wedding Etiquette Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As co-creator of era-defining titles such as The Office and Extras, followed by hits including Derek and After Life, Ricky Gervais has left his mark as one of the most successful comedians on the planet. Speaking to Romesh, he explains why writing and workshopping stand-up comedy remains one of his greatest loves, how hosting the Golden Globes could have ended his career, and why he cares more about other people’s opinions than it might seem. Ricky also shares stories behind his love for animals – including why he's donated huge sums of money to animal charities from his recent tours. A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Listen. 00:00 Crying 01:55 Best Intro Ever 03:00 Why Do Anything? 05:15 "You're A National Treasure Romesh" 09:25 Standup Comedy & Shaping Jokes 17:50 Nerves 19:00 Self Censorship 20:25 Being Relatable 26:00 Anger & Honesty 28:50 Cat DJ 30:15 Donating To Animal Charities 34:00 Veganism & Health 39:45 Romesh's Dad's Funeral 43:20 Tracksuit Bottoms: Disrespectful? 44:20 Podcast Pioneer 50:00 Social Media: Search, Don't Scroll 53:00 Fans & Cults 1:00:00 Harry Hill & Joe Wilkinson 1:01:30 Pushing It Too Far 1:02:20 Marketing & Controversy 1:09:50 Shanthi's Question 1:10:40 Upsetting Tom Hanks & Tim Allen 1:13:00 "It Could Have Been The End Of My Career" 1:18:00 Sometimes I Don't Care 1:21:00 Misquoted 1:24:20 Alley Cats 1:27:15 Kidney Transplant 1:28:32 Ricky's Shares The Name Of His Next Tour Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Unexpected, unfiltered, and ...unhinged? Our Thursday episodes featuring Romesh alongside his mum Shanthi have provided us with some of the most hilarious moments of the year. We're revisiting her best bits, including advice on girlfriends, erotic dreams, and why meringues are more saucy than you think. A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Listen. 00:00 Shanthi's Message For 2026 00:50 Girlfriends  04:00 Nude on the Podcast? 08:06 Football 09:10 Attractive Meringue  12:30 Sonic The Hedgehog vs Mr Bean 14:50 The Doctor 15:54 "Love You Mummy" 20:42 Baby Advice 26:26 Dreams  31:30 See No Evil, Hear No Evil 33:39 Wacky Podcast People Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices