Mackenzie Crook - Richard Herring's Leicester Square Theatre Podcast

Hucknall Forest
Rich forgot to do a bit of his tour show for the people of Cardiff so we start with a comity contest, which unexpectedly leads to the podcast being blocked by penguins. Rich’s guest this week is the laid back, all-round genius Mackenzie Crook.
Will Rich screw things up as badly as last time he had someone from the Office on? Not quite, but he gives it a fair go. They chat about double-teaming Muppets, the best metal detector, why UK sitcoms are so short-lived, remaking The Office, choosing a field in Suffolk over a ship in the Carribbean, how easy it is to ride a tube train and what happened with Sex Lives of the Potato Men. All this and Rich has a barely noticeable spot on his nose. No wonder he’s out of sorts. The twit.
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[@OisirM]

Honestly, it's really nice to have people like Mackenzie Crook on shows like this. There's a lot of people who feel larger than life, and it makes sense, those are the people that get interviewed and generally you'd think have a lot to say (the vast majority on this show do.) Mackenzie Crook always gives across the impression of what I would call the exceptional everyman, he just seems like a kind of shy person that's been doing his own thing for a long time because he really loves doing it, and gotten very good at it. It's nice to see and hear him, not just because he seems a lovely person who should get more recognition, but because he feels a lot more relatable than someone like, say, Eddie Izzard (this is not a knock on the ever wonderful Izzard.)

[@batintheattic7293]

My heart is sad that Detectorists is finished. It's been one of those shows that is a personal crucible in time (Alan Bleasdale's 'Jake's Progress' is another). Like an avatar for a distinct portion of a life. And that title music... I'm going to have to get that song.

[@treadhead105]

Yes! I could watch another 10 seasons of that show!!! C'mon Mackenzie :) lol

[@catbhoy]

Jakes progress … great shout out.

[@goodlookingcorpse]

It'd be awful living in a house once owned by Peter Sellers. You'd think it was haunted by about twenty ghosts, but eventually you'd realize they were all just Peter Sellers' ghost in different costumes.

[@frankbrodie5168]

As long as he appeared to me in full black face from his classic part in 'The Party' I could absolutely live with that. Like one of our 'tinted brethren' as Mackenzie himself referred to such a person in his short appearance in the sitcom 'Love Soup.'

[@foryoutube2224]

Think this went a lot better than you seemed to think! I really enjoyed this one; Mackenzie's very endearing and I didn't think your performance was weaker - it just seemed like it was slightly more difficult to build momentum with a shyer guest, but I didn't personally find that offputting.

[@foryoutube2224]

It was like an episode of Dectorists - slow and warm and you don't mind the quiet bits.

[@jontybonty9565]

Really enjoyed this one... no awkwardness, Mackenzie is great and Richard did a brilliant job.

[@MM-dq2pi]

Wow, my first RHLSTP with such fancy new chairs, look comfy. I also want to say a HUGE CONGRATS on your International 'When is International Men's Day' Day campaign, seriously amazing work. Trolling for a good cause. I was very proud of you.

[@NxDoyle]

Best one since the last time Armando Iannucci was on. And I have to say that his appearances are up there with D Mitchell and Dr Buckules.

[@mattstanbridge]

I was wishing that someone on the monitors would get a message to Richard to move the penguin toy. In my head I went, YES.

[@AllanKent]

Was at the recording. Now watching the video. Superb.

[@affalaffaa]

Epic episode Rich, read through a few comments and a couple of your replies and have some problems with them. 1. Not awkward in the slightest. 2. Mr Crook, for all I know him through TV, will be saying he could have said this or that better. True fans wont care. Everything was as expected. 3. Your performance was absolutely fine and I could see he was enjoying himself. You don't smile and laugh the way he did if you're faking it, no matter how good an actor you are. 4. Mackenzie Crook was there and he seems like an epic guy to know, of course we all knew about The Detectorists.

[@thebigsky4]

The world needs more Mackenzie Crooks and the space to let them talk. Gentle, funny soul 🥰

[@frankhumbug]

I've read through some of the comments (and replies (as I often do,)) and though I have other things to do I watched all of this in one go, it's a good one. Thanks Mr. H.

[@dc-si1mv]

Being reminded what he's done since The Office, he's probably had the most respectable career of all of them.

[@TenderHooligan]

whats not respectable about Ricky Gervais or Martin freeman's careers? Theyve done more than Mackezie

[@silentforum616]

I enjoyed this one so much. Really made my day.

[@123UpNorth321]

That was lovely, just what I needed to start my day 🥰

[@THEDRAGONBOOSTER8]

So glad you done 3 .Would of liked more .Cheers from Australia.

[@MM-dq2pi]

have you had Frank Skinner on yet Richard? that would be a great one.

[@garethm3242]

Loved this episode. More Office people please Richard!

[@bonnie43uk]

Richard mentioned that he had another cast member from The Office on this podcast and that it didn't go very well, he's obviously referring to Stephen Merchant. I thought it went pretty well, they were both on good form as far as I can recall. Or maybe there was some tension/animosity that I didn't pick up on.

[@geooooooo]

bonnie43uk I think it was because Richard said he thought the direction of the second series of Extras was wrong, and Stephen didn't really like the criticism. Also Richard called him a 'definite paedophile' which didn't go down too well, haha.

[@bonnie43uk]

I must have blinked and missed it. Cheers :-)

[@geooooooo]

To be fair it wasn't that bad...it's actually become funnier as a kind of running joke

[@jimhigham]

Really? The Stephen Merchant podcast is possibly my favourite of the entire collection. I didn't feel like he objected to the Extras comments and the laughter flowed throughout. Merchant totally ran with the 'definite paedophile' remark too. So many belly laughs in that episode. 'Some barometers...'

[@bonnie43uk]

That's how I saw it aswell Jim. I guess people see it from different perspectives and mistake Stephen's response for something else. Could even be that we misjudged his response and he was pissed off, who knows :-)

[@sratus]

I've never seen that Jennifer Lawrence/Sex Lives of the Potato Men analogy before, but it seems so obvious now!! Tee hee. Another good ep, Crook seems like such a lovely, humble guy.

[@RIXRADvidz]

5th comment, no ''time'' yet, so we're all here for the personal mad antics of our host, right? I am. I wouldn't show up if I didn't want to see Mr. Herring. you can see his guests all over the web. this is just a nice place to see them all, with the Mad Antics of Mr. Herring.

[@weavehole]

You two are like some kind of RHLSTP yin and yang. I suspect at least one of you is an imaginary character invented by the other.

[@superneko99]

weavehole I think they're both imaginary somehow

[@trippinonbud]

It's ying and yang! That's what Richard's dad says and he should know

[@MM-dq2pi]

I see RIXRADvidz on all the typical youtube UK panel show and related vids. He talks like that all the time.

[@SininenKT]

He’s such a beautiful storyteller

[@OfficialSmifi]

I think we need to create a kickstarter for Richard's hair. You need a haircut. Or an alice band.

[@thefonzkiss]

Gastric band maybe

[@maba7772]

It's my job to pick up penguins, one day, maybe. Hop, you're a well. Thank you, now deal all the cards carefully. What an absolute jester.

[@elliotnewbold9105]

Richard, did you see University Challenge last night?

[@bonnie43uk]

what happened Elliot?

[@markwhibley9787]

Elliot Newbold is that you’re own emergency question ?

[@smacksalad]

It'll confuse ppl who arent called Richard.

[@markwhibley9787]

Smacksalad Productions I like the specificity of it.

[@hatihattencoat5268]

@@markwhibley9787 its the specificity that has allowed the humour of the original statement to age so beautifully. Ten months ago it looked like a nonsequitor. Now it's the catchphrase which punctuates modern life

[@frankbrodie5168]

Well I always genuinely believed the (apparent myth I now discover) story that if tube drivers get so many 'one unders' as they refer to them, that they get retired on full pension. So, you learn something new every day as they say. OR.. is that a myth too? EH? EH?

[@mandarinz69]

I've never heard of Richard Herring, but I'm currently fan girling over Mackenzie Crook; thoroughly enjoyed this podcast and will probably check out more.

[@OfficialFingazMC]

Wicked! Love Mackenzie Crook! Brilliant actor and you've gotta love to hate or feel sorry for Gareth! Edit: *Second*

[@mjbbell]

Seen your show last year at the fringe

[@DarylNotDead]

I love this podcast. Even if some of this felt awkward, I still think any McKenzie Crook is great. The emergency questions are great.

[@MM-dq2pi]

Cringe comedy is a thing.

[@stupidusername46]

Sure, when it's intentional...

[@TNJX]

Could we get better mics Rich? a pop-shield wouldn't go amiss. It's very boomy :/

[@notthere83]

Damn, sounds like I should buy some Calvin Klein pants. The ones I get usually don't last more than maybe 2 to 3 years. Although - socks are the true problem. 1-2 years max.

[@themadplotter]

Can't wait for the Shrek in the infinity Stones movie

[@louisahusteden8903]

Just watched Charlie Cheese best of. It was really funny time to dust off his syrup Crooky!

[@philjones45]

Blimey, what a wonderful fellow. Worzel Gummidge was also almost perfect.

[@trevorrandom]

Crooks Wood sounds great...

[@frithar]

I'd visit

[@alisonwinter9022]

Rich is being way too hard on himself. This was absolutely fine honestly .

[@123UpNorth321]

This is the one Interview during which mackenzie feels fine ❤

[@terryandarfur]

I could have sworn you had already interviewed Mackenzie, are you sure you haven’t?

[@TransoceanicOutreach]

18:24 'Tim From The Office'

[@richwills1956]

Saw Richard at Cheddar Arts Centre last month, very very funny

[@sratus]

....and surprisingly down to earth

[@hoog111]

Should have asked about university challenge.

[@pen12345]

What is the thing he has an issue with merchant?

[@THEDRAGONBOOSTER8]

Very good..

[@stokeysi4922]

Not the best ep but hey, it was ok. I did catch Mackenzie trying to pre-empting the centipede question. Cumberbatch and hiddleston apparently.

[@retter2critical]

Interview starts at 1:06:35 ... ------- ------ HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHA

[@cruiserscreek]

Why aren't you playing Manchester?

[@Herring1967]

I played it last October and am in Salford this year (a short tram ride away) www.richardherring.com/ohfrig/tour

[@cruiserscreek]

Richard Herring thanks so much for your reply, for some reason the site I was looking at didn't have that full list... Or I was being blind. Cheers!!

[@domandsal]

I wish you'd asked him what he thought of the guy from This Country completely stealing Gareth, but I doubt he would have seen it.

[@lukesball1]

I watched an interview with the two from 'This Country' this morning.. They're brother and sister in real life and they're pretty much playing themselves

[@davevad9]

They just have similar faces with naff haircuts for the characters. Personality wise Kurtan and Gareth are different beasts, both funny though.

[@tammcrosin6085]

Fancy meeting for a KFC in Helsinki?

[@jimdandy9671]

Searching out & viewing Mackenzie Crooks's material one thing becomes clear, British interviewers tend to be really obnoxious.

[@stupidusername46]

Were you overly tired for this one Richard? You seem off your game a bit

[@Herring1967]

Yes. Mackenzie was great and lovely. I was disappointed with my own performance - here's my take on it www.richardherring.com/warmingup/26/2/2018/index.html

[@stupidusername46]

Ah man, that's a shame. Still though, like you said, Mackenzie was great, and it was only a few times where the energy noticeably dipped. We all have off days. I guess most of us are lucky our off days aren't captured and posted on the internet for posterity. Looking forward to the Brian Blessed and Maria Bamford ones. You've managed a great line-up of guests this series. If you have anyone helping you out booking guests, they need a raise haha

[@joewakeford]

Excellent!

[@fasbinder62]

it would be great if you got in some of the older stalwarts of alternative comedy; ade edmonson, ben elton or lise mayer and you need a rematch with stephen merchant, good show, more power to your elbow

[@emmaemma6641]

He's a bit of a dish to me. Can't explain it

[@michellepauly6517]

Emma Emma totally agree.

[@ellisgribble5729]

Well that was awkward!

[@JamieCurrant]

Ellis gribble The best ones are

[@idio-syncrasy]

Nice

[@MajorMarlon]

Can't hide a Suffolk accent.

[@Shneily-Wheely]

He is from Dartford.

[@MajorMarlon]

schneily73 I'm just taking this piss as a Norfolk person, dirty place Suffolk. ;)

[@readventurekids]

Can't tell you how much i have been looking forward to listening to this. Been stuck in Pattaya (the armpit of Thailand, but without any suncream), also Thailand is a fantastic country (just a shame white ppl fucked it up), so going to listen now. Right... Ok... Cool...

[@jimsim3]

archeologist tv historians are a detectorrists nightmare. Would be geat if Andy and Lance come across a BBC Film crew with Neil Oliver "Scotland" in an arguement with Tony Robinson. and Neil says these bones unearth, aye! must of been Scottish descent. what ? why, where in the East Anglia. England, your madder than Mad Jack McMad. Well ok.. He could of been on a walk about.,, O yeah,, looking for his long lost brother Macintosh Mc Willy, it,s just an idea. Look it more likely this person spoke some sort of welsh....Don,t they live in the far west. At this Lance points using his Minelab CTX 3030 at something sticking out with the bones and it gives a loud buzz. the,re a ring there. he saiys. Neil "Gallus" It,s the ring of Kings, Andy slowly and carfully pick the ring out No no.. It has a name on it, Does it say James. No,, Fido you found a buried Dog. cut to credits.... Is it not a highland terrier then ,,,f*#k off I felt the touch of the kings and the breath of the wind I knew the call of all the song birds They sang all the wrong words

[@Spiderland1]

why is this a bit awkward?

[@Herring1967]

We got on well, but I was very tired and a bit starstruck and he's occasionally a man of few words. But the awkward is where the magic happens, surely. Really love Mackenzie and think he's a fan of the podcast too

[@Herring1967]

This is the first one this series that I was disappointed with my performance. Partly I guess cos I really wanted to impress Mackenzie (which was probably part of the problem), but we still made a good podcast here I think.

[@Spiderland1]

Yeah, I got that, man of not many words and all that, difficult for you to rebound off I reckon, and that's no slight on yous guys, I'm always looking forward to these, and rooting for yas!

[@fullmuppet]

I thought it was excellent. He certainly didn't seem annoyed. I think it was just funny watching you try to fill in the gaps. He doesn't strike me as the sort of person who's going to waffle on for ages about anything anyway. Presumably quite a contrast with the Brian Blessed one...

[@ptesweats8940]

There have been way more awkward episodes of RHLSTP... Thought that went quite well, personally. Was good to hear from Mackenzie. Detectorists is a brilliant sitcom. Don't be so hard on yourself, Rich!

[@mikemcfry7310]

Fucking right... 7:12

[@frankbrodie5168]

AH! I've got a far better story about head shaving when young Richie babes. I also decided to have the whole lot lopped off when I was about 19 or so back in the mid 90's. Just to see what the change in hairstyle felt like. BUT.. I got my mum to shave it all off for me one day, barring a small 1 inch circle of hair. Middle front of my forehead. (An absolute mini mohawk basically.) But at the time my hair was proper heavy metal head-banger length. So I was left with an 8 inch long patch of hair out the front of my head, which I used to hair spray or gel into various shapes to go out pubbing or clubbing.

[@spnhm34]

The US version of the Office was good for four or five seasons. If anyone hasn’t yet seen it: stop when Michael leaves

[@momsazombie1]

Caroline Quentin's let herself go.

[@theunicorn8060]

OMG what happened to Mackenzie Crook? He looked so young and innocent in the Office. He's looking craggy and worn here. Love him to bits though for his acting. He was brilliant in the Office. How come he still has the Bristol/Swindon accent he had in the Office?

[@Doooooooooooood]

....Like pulling teeth!

[@ajones8699]

Mackenzie does look a bit crook..

[@DerekNewtonKeswick]

I do like Richard but I wish he wouldn’t, so obviously, peter out. He has interesting people on but just doesn’t always get the best out of them.

[@Herring1967]

This is the only time this happens this series and it's partly because Mackenzie seems reluctant to elaborate on certain questiosn, which is fair enough. Not so much in this case, but I often deliberately steer the conversation into a hole to see how we'll get out of it. It leads to some interesting places (not always), but I am partly playing a character. In this case I allowed the character to get too much of a grip and as I've said elsewhere was a little disappointed in my performance. But this is a totally improvised chat, with no researchers and no plan. If you want things to be slick and pre-rehearsed plenty of TV chat shows are available. The risk of failure is surely part of the thrill?

[@josephhunt1620]

Animal crackers but crack plagiarism 👽👽👽👽👽👽📎🌍 on your planet 🗺️🗺️🚮🗑️

[@TwinGeeks]

It was awkward at first, but Richard really warmed Mackenzie up. Then totally killed the flow with the oral sex question, why on earth did he think that would work! Even the audience laughed nervously. Read the room, Richard, and the guest.

[@Herring1967]

Disagree with that. This podcast is all about the risk that a juvenile or dumb question will lead somewhere interesting and the awkwardness when it fails is part of the joy. I knew he wouldn't answer that particular question, so for me the joke was the bothering to ask. I don't think this ep is in anyway a disaster. I am just disappointed I was more on top of it. I understand my guests and audience more than you do

[@TwinGeeks]

Oooh (raising handbag). I didn't say it was a disaster, I still think this is a good episode, and you got a lot of out of Mackenzie despite how you felt your energy level was.

[@josephhunt1620]

God is Watching us , God is Watching us , God is Watching us from a distance with watchmen comic trash plagiarism 👽👽👽👽👽👽📎🌍🚮🗑️

[@rannygazzoo6165]

A bit bitter....

[@Bartholomew_Musgrave]

First time I’ve watched Herring. Why is he constantly giggling like a child? Is he on drugs? If not, maybe he should be, it might put him out of his misery.

[@alanwakeish]

Richard Herring is a hypocrite, he criticises other comedians for "selling out" and doing commercials, where he, in his podcast has product placement everytime the camera goes to him.

[@Herring1967]

If you have been following closely you will see that I have had several conversations about this with guests and certainly been conflicted in my views and generally sympathetic to the guest's decision - see Mark Watson for example. And my views have changed and softened since the 90s. We were always happy to recommend small companies/indiviuals who gave us tiny amounts of money (for the fun of it) I have decided to experiment with recommendations for companies who are prepared to give a kickback to the viewers too, but have not been paid or contracted for these mentions, only for referrals, leaving me free to say what I think about them or unrecommend them if they don't give all they promise. Also though, and importantly, I am only accepting stuff like this from products or companies that I would personally recommend for free..... I agree these are not things I would have done ten years ago, so if that makes me a hypocrite or just someone whose opinion has changed, I don't know. But I think a combination of fan subscription and occasional unobtrusive sponsorship which is easy to zoom past, is the best way to finance this new medium of podcasting. I still find it a bit distasteful when super rich celebrities become even richer by advertising something they don't care about. The Beer52 adverts have effectively paid for 1 episode and given free beers to 500 or so viewers. Feel that's a good trade.

[@chutney]

I wouldn’t buy anything without Richard Herrings face on it therefore I own nothing, I can not and will not buy any product because Mr Herring simply tells me too I need to see he really believes in penguin race him thumbs up and smiling on the box that the product comes in

[@alanwakeish]

Okay, my apologies, what gets me angry is big hollywood actors doing commercials, Brad Pitt for one, where he spouts absolute bollocks for a commercial for colonge. That's why I really like the title sequence for A bit of Fry and Laurie's fourth series, where they take the piss out of pretentious commercials like those.

[@TheStevenWhiting]

Stephen Robinson He mentioned ages ago on one of the podcasts his views had changed. So no, not a hypocrite.

[@TheStevenWhiting]

Stephen Robinson You can't blame them. As Danny Baker said they live in the house that Daz built. In other words he was able to buy his house from the money from the Daz adverts.

[@martinnewtonholmes]

Definitely one of the duller ones

[@bulletproofblouse]

Still no Tim from The Office then. Lucy Davis too and you've got the set.

[@bulletproofblouse]

After the whole "mong" contretemps, that would be even more tense than the Stephen Merchant episode. Besides, he's do busy pretending to be atheist Jesus now and getting offended by people calling him a tiny-feet hack.

[@Bignewshound60]

Funny how Richard misses the most obvious meaning for the penguin game... 'A group of likeability...' What it means is all the penguins are identical and they all do exactly the same thing... they are a group of like (similar) ability.