RHLSTP Book Club 54 - Colditz. Richard talks to acclaimed historian Ben Macintyre about his fabulous book about the true story of Colditz - beyond the Boy’s Own stuff we grew up and incorporating boredom, propaganda spreading wasps and homosexuality. It’s Richard’s favourite book of 2022 (now out in paperback) telling the story of some of the more famous inhabitants of the castle like Pat Reid and Douglas Bader (who was both a hero and a monster), as well as some of the lesser known and unknown figures like Alex Ross and Birendranath Mazumdar. The pair also chat about the incredible ..read more

#442 Hungover Mastermind - Richard is basking in the possibly short-lived approval of one of his kids and is trying to make money off the ideas of the other one. His guest is Mock the Week favourite, Rhys James. They discuss the tallest building in Swindon, the worst place in Hertfordshire, writing right wing and left wing material on the same subject, what Richard said about Rhys when he saw him in a new act competition, the enduring problem of the last packet of crisps falling into a volcano, whether it’s better to have one ball or one kidney, wearing a tuxedo on Pointles ..read more

RHLSTP Book Club 53 - The Debutante. It’s a transatlantic podcast this week as Richard chats to fantastic author and journalist Jon Ronson, in a typically unlikely location in New York. They are chatting about his new Audible audiobook/podcast Debutante, a deep dive into the extraordinary life of Carol Howe, the former debutante who became a Neo-Nazi and then an informant and then… well who can be sure? It’s a fascinating and often harrowing investigation into whether the Oklahoma bombing might have been prevented, who might have been involved and the often compelling conspiracy theories ..read more

#441 Back of the Head With a Plastic Cup - Richard has been having weird dreams, but don’t try and interpret anything from them. His guest is singer, actor, presenter and legend Graham “Suggs” McPherson. They chat about how Madness might just be the defining band of the 80s, how their songs can make you travel in time, the brilliant social document of their book/documentary “Before We Was We”, the first appearance on Top of the Pops, pranking the clash, the Two Tone tour, plus the Madness sitcom that never was, appearing on the Young Ones, Suggs’ first attempt at stand up, the new album a ..read more

Have You Ever Seen A Ghost? - It’s another compilation of some of our favourite answers to emergency questions and this time it’s possibly the most enduring and definitely spookiest question of all. Including genuine and pretend horrors from the League of Gentlemen, Richard’s theory on which guests will have seen ghosts and loads of ghosts that he, the supposed sceptic claims to have encountered. A cavalcade of stars answer the question and hilarity and chills and thrills transpire. SUPPORT THE SHOW! Come and see us live GIGS Watch our TWITCH CHANNEL See extra content at our WEBSIT ..read more

RHLSTP Book Club 52 - The God Desire. Richard talks to David Baddiel about his thought-provoking and shamefully sometimes funny book, The God Desire and why the author believes that the fact he so much wants there to be a god means that there can’t be one. Also why he moved away from writing novels, an illuminating car ride with Frank Skinner, why David has chosen the medium of the essay book, if Jesus knew he was the son of God, what prompted Richard to lose his religion and whether death is going to be like going under anaesthetic. Buy the book here https ..read more

#440 Embracing Your Delicious Fate - Richard comes bearing great news for those who seek seduction via pizza. His guest is the hottest new act in comedy right now, the incredible Jordan Gray. They talk about the smell of elephant dung, why she wasn’t allowed to set herself on fire on TV, a visit from Magneto, a double-teaming Bros, the erudition of Paloma Faith, Twitter storms, political footballs and why she is first and foremost a comedian and the lengths that people will go to to get into a toilet. Plus another amazing story of ridiculousness emerging from love and a billion Richa ..read more

RHLSTP Book Club 51 - Ricky’s Hand. Richard talks to music critic, sitcom and movie writer and novelist David Quantick about his fun sci-fi novel about a man who wakes up with someone else’s hand, Ricky’s Hand. They chat about David’s career and his tentative steps towards becoming a novelist and how people expect you to stay in your lane. Plus the inspiration for this extraordinary story and whether you need to worry too much about logistics when writing about a high concept. Also having an unlikeable protagonist and whether the anonymity of a writer is a good or bad thing. Plus som ..read more

#439 Cucumber Coward - Richard is hoping to replace himself with an AI host and has left the emergency questions and some of the stand up to the robots. His guest, returning after a hiatus of just 400 episodes is the wonderful Mark Gatiss. They discuss the unfair tale of Jacob Marley, the influence of Robin Askwith, playing to camera 3 as Larry Grayson, Mark’s many theatre projects, working with Anthony Hopkins after portraying him in TMWRNJ and directing Reece Shearsmith. But will we find out his favourite episode of Sherlock and will Rich be here next week? Come and see us li ..read more

#3 Dancing Megasperm - This huge investigation into a load of bollocks - incorporating Richard Herring’s journey to streamline his own - continues. This time. Richard pretends he’s in Total Recall as he gets a full body scan and visits the garden of national hero and jockey, Bob Champion, who gives a hair-raising account of what testicular cancer treatment was like in the 20th Century. Plus we hear from some of our listeners who share their own stories of cancer, both serious and amusing.  If you have a story that you think might be interesting for the podcast then email cihmbb ..read more