Richard Herring's Leicester Square Theatre Podcast - with David Mitchell #94

Bumming C3PO
Richard talks briefly to a semi-retired postman and considers bumping his guest to chat with him more, but instead introduces perhaps the perfect RHLSTP guest David Mitchell.
It’s David’s second time in the hot seat (though the chairs have got nicer since he was last here) and Richard is determined not to be as childish and rude to him as he was last time. But will he be able to keep a lid on the simmering mayonnaise vat of bitterness? Find out if David swears during sex, if he would allow himself to be raped by a ghost, why he’s so obsessed with war that he’s apparently wearing a poppy in January and if he enjoyed working the cloakroom for TFI Friday.
There are also some more serious chats about the mindset of someone who paps a couple going for a walk with their baby and why there is so much antipathy towards Ben Elton. But it’s possibly the funniest episode yet, with Mitchell, once again, giving possibly the definitive answers to some of the emergency questions. What a treat.
Richard is touring the UK this Spring with his show “Happy Now?” Full tour listings are here - www.richardherr...
The videos of these shows are now available for FREE on iTunes and KZbin and vimeo. If you'd like to make a donation to keep these services and this show running then give a one-off or monthly sum of your choice at gofasterstripe.com/badges.

[@BortolanAlexandre]

"It's 2016, I think this year is gonna be great". Now THAT is a wrong prediction if I've ever seen one.

[@ryanlock2u]

I guess if you really like entropy.

[@VLeachman]

Alexandre Fry +

[@trashj8778]

Well in comparison to the past 2 years

[@berniebasset9465]

@@trashj8778 I think the last two years have been better than the year that saw every decent celebrity die, Brexit and the birth of cunty Trump as POTUS.

[@pov_music]

Or in comparison to this fucking year.

[@upendasana7857]

I love David Mitchell,apart from being funny and clever,he is just a thoroughly decent human being.

[@kathish]

David embarrassed *Richard* during the Dirty Britcom Confessions section--bravo! A superb episode.

[@tomconnolly7]

Actually loll ' ed a few times there. Cheers Richard

[@shanobian]

that's because of Mitchell

[@Taquana26]

Absolutley brilliant! Keep up the good work.

[@edsanderson]

Can't wait for the Ray Peacock interview :)

[@gwasgray9309]

The problem with the later series of Peep Show is not that they were getting too old but the writers didn't seem to care anymore.

[@rory4605]

"It's 2016, nothing can possibly go wrong", good start, Richard. I wholly blame you for all the misery we all lived through that year, it's all your fault.

[@TheTalkoftheStreetPodcast]

Member when if someone hated something the only person they could tell about it was Barry Took? Member? Course, now Barry Took is dead, there's the internet. Anyway, great episode. Right up there with the Bob Mortimer one.

[@sarahc561]

Sectioning episode- a great one!

[@jimmy2minutes]

What can go wrong? Only world destruction. Which it did. And all the gigs destroyed. Sorry Richard. Hope it all picks up fella.

[@edgommon1242]

I'm going to have to give saying "I'am a robot" in a robot voice during sex a try, or requesting someone says it to me. I doubt it will end well, but it will be funny, at least for me

[@imraff]

3:10 Oh I'm watching Richard... I'm always watching.

[@BubbaYoga]

I've come away in a deep maelstrom of bourgeois self-loathing.

[@BorysPomianek]

It fills me with minor contentment that your profile picture fits your comment.

[@BubbaYoga]

And does yours, would be an appropriate response?

[@BorysPomianek]

Brad Siemens Yes but only if you follow up with a private conversation about how common it actually is while I wait in the front room.

[@BubbaYoga]

Ok, I capitulate. What does that mean?

[@shauncarr1028]

Maybe just a quiet apology. I do beg your pardon..... We are in your garden.

[@OfficialFingazMC]

Oh Bob, how we love you!

[@SusiPineapple]

Bob is such a weird and beautiful legend

[@DodderingOldMan]

Your lady garden! Ahahahaha! ... Sorry.

[@bleeknoir]

DYLAN MORAN!!!!! Please, Richard.

[@e2theoc]

"No need to guild that particular lily of filth" The most David Mitchell that was ever Mitchelled.

[@dominicc3107]

@James Harper pointless

[@JeremyForTheWin]

originally "lily of filth" is Victoria's nickname for him these days

[@LeofromFreo]

@James Harper …as in to apply gold.

[@icarusandtherabbit]

“You don’t need to gild that particular Lilly of filth.” The pinnacle of comedy!

[@sempressfi]

I used "lily liver" in a convo earlier and briefly considered trying to add "gilded" to it but, well, I'm pedantic AF and wasn't up to making sure it worked not only grammatically but just the general syntax 😂 In other words, I love David Mitchell and he's like a soothing salve to my brain and its eccentricities lol

[@icarusandtherabbit]

@@sempressfi Born in the UK, I live in Australia and chat to my co-workers on TEAMS from a department I use to work in. Often times they have to Google old UK sayings I throw at them. I occasionally get a “hence” in a reply. Which I will always call out in the positive. I’ll try using “gild that lily “ today, see what I get back. Have you listened to the audio of The Unbelievable Truth? With him hosting? It’s a great sleep aid and you do pick up some interesting facts on the way. 😀

[@ExistentialIdiot]

I would love if Richard Ayoade would be a guest on this. Then again, I would love Richard Ayoade to be a guest on anything.

[@lwaves]

Whatever the situation, David Mitchell is always entertaining to watch and hear. I also agree with so much of what he says and the way he sees things. The two of you clearly had an excellent time making this podcast. For the future, would you consider a double guest show with both David and Victoria? It's rare to see them both on screen in the same show, but I'm sure you could bribe/blackmail them. ;-)

[@johngalantini6910]

The look of glee on Richard's face as he's asking the various 'would you have sex with' questions!!! I love how David deconstructs everything, no matter how surreal.

[@agee7777]

yes anyone who doesnt do that knowing the format of the show is a fool

[@Yamah12a]

@@agee7777 chill out bud.

[@NeoDragoN7676]

Quickest hour of my life ever. Total joy to watch, very natural and super funny. You and David were on great form Rich and i think it's great when your stupid ideas can be bounced off someone who can rationalize them so well. Probably the best one for me since Greg Davis. Well worth my pound a month!

[@timothysuch3471]

"No need to gild that particular Lily of filth"? I nearly pissed myself laughing.

[@Hi-to-ri]

David Mitchell is the best!

[@GeneralSpecific]

21:21 "I do beg your pardon..." ... But I am in your garden?

[@Tularis]

This has to be the best thing I have watched in years! Where do I find the first one with David Mitchell?

[@Herring1967]

+Tularis it's on audio only, at british comedy guide or on itunes. I am sure google will get you there

[@bearhustler]

Can Mitchell be the first person to get 3 RHLSTP appearances please, you are brilliant together.

[@OfficialFingazMC]

Seconded

[@colin72]

Love Mitchell. Would love to see Paul Merton.

[@readventurekids]

+Colin Green Seconded! Merton would be great! I'd love to see that happen.

[@mrswinkyuk]

Richard Herring: Don't go out of your way on my account, I think Merton is a supercilious toss pot.

[@colin72]

+Stan Whattmore Supercilious? Hilarious. You obviously don't get Paul.

[@readventurekids]

+Stan Whattmore You think so? Interesting, as in all the hours of Paul's material I've listened to and watched I've never got that impression, in fact quite the opposite.

[@thesprawl2361]

God yes. Can't stand him.

[@tinnedtuna8242]

"She'll never escape the shadow of your mother"

[@prnfl]

David deals with the random and somewhat childish nature of the questions respectfully. I see a job for him in the house of commons

[@BigMisterApple]

I laughed when he thought it was going to be a good year. We are halfway through and the world is in flames.

[@LoneKharnivore]

BigMisterApple Haha, how do you feel about it now?

[@BigMisterApple]

About the same.. How about you?

[@LoneKharnivore]

BigMisterApple Even worse :)

[@iseeolly9959]

fuck off...it's now 2018 and i'm having a ball

[@Niaurus]

how about now ;_;

[@upendasana7857]

I thought David Mitchell was extremely gracious in his responses to Richard's enquiries into his sex life,he managed to deflect with such comedic aplomb.Richard Herring is really just a thirteen year old boy in a forty some things body,which can be amusing but sometimes quite awkward.

[@rienpost3145]

@Upenda Sana: Sometimes it's quite annoying, actually. There are times when he's just about to kill the interview and rapport with his childish Emergency Questions and you can see the guest struggle to keep things going.

[@PhiI93]

The sex talk became a drag. Started off a good conversation and became very tiresome.

[@alansuttie9682]

I agree Richard is just embarrassing. David is funny but I still couldn’t watch a lot of it.

[@cuzned1375]

Playing this for AT LEAST the third time, i can DEFINITIVELY say that i’m with Rich, in that: • Mitchell really is the best at Emergency Questions; • This is for the same reason that he’s among the best at the wacky-conversation elements of the program; • Which is that he completely goes along with the premise, considers it carefully, responds as anyone would if Rich had just said a sensible thing instead of whatever Herringism he’s just said, and all of that in the blink of an eye, because he DIDN’T have to think about it. Full marks.

[@OfficialFingazMC]

Love David so much, rewatched his and Victoria's episodes so many times

[@Padraigp]

What a couple. Of they ever break up 💔 that will just be the last straw.

[@patmcdonagh8939]

Just catching up on this five years later & what a pleasure it truly was, thank you both so much.

[@ferasabdul9316]

leave it to mitchell to create context for that silly mayonnaise story, he could've left it at mayonnaise vat room but nooo he had to make a plausible scenario 😂

[@andrewjames1624]

Been looking forward to this one for ages. The first David Mitchell RHLSTP is one of my favourites, along with Greg Davies.

[@spacesurviver4355]

If I had to be stuck in a lift for several hours with 3 people, it would be Charlie Brooker, Victoria coren and David Mitchell, I might actually devise a cunning plan to make it so.

[@DanGolag]

There should have been a camera on Victoria. As a matter of fact, the whole thing should have had the audio of the interview, but showing Victoria's reactions, and not Richard and David.

[@descendantdan]

I really like the podcasts when herring feels comfortable enough to ask the most base questions of his guests. He's clearly having a whale of a time being as childish at possible at points in the conversation.

[@thesprawl2361]

He really is the perfect guest.

[@markm6151]

The Sprawl agreed

[@officesaredull]

Get Rob Newman on - wonder what he's up to...

[@cmitchell6927]

David looks like he's having an amazing time up there. Very happy to see him come back as a guest.

[@beercheesefries]

British television triumphs over American television, in my opinion. It's unfortunate that America doesn't receive, and can't even purchase or download most British series. Thank goodness for KZbin.

[@DMEB]

Along with Greg Davies and Bob Mortimer, he is the best guest.

[@mrpsb]

I enjoyed the part where you asked if the Shakespeare thing was going to be shit.

[@Herring1967]

That was the highlight. Maybe if the entire podcast series!

[@lwaves]

+Richard Herring If only more people would ask that questions like that. Kudos to you for doing it.

[@klaxoncow]

Well, let's be clear, the primary reason why people tend not to just directly ask people "is the thing you're doing shit?" is because that person, the one you're asking, is the one doing that thing, so they're either going to say "no, it's going to be great!" because they think it's great - which is why they're doing it - or, even if they're only doing it for the money, they'll say "no, it's going to be great!" because though they know it's shit, they're not going to risk not getting paid by losing their job / encouraging less people to watch (where, in show biz, lots of people watching buying tickets / watching ads interspersed with your "art" is ultimately from whence your wage derives). So, though it is, indeed, refreshing to both hear someone be so direct in asking and, in the form of David Mitchell, getting an actual answer that he bothers to make slightly more entertaining than "no, it's going to be great!" - which, let's be clear, was pretty much something that only asking David Mitchell would get and only because of his natural sense of humility and comedic sense of the futility of the Human Condition to not bring himself to be able to fanfare his own ego - is not any fantastically revolutionary interviewing technique, but rather, you know, defying basic logic. People who're engaged in doing something tend not to think that that thing is shit, or they wouldn't bother doing it. Not unless they're solely doing it for the money, in which case they're not going to announce, in public, that the thing they're doing is shit, as they'd actually quite like to eventually get paid at some point. So, really, we should congratulate Richard on a refreshingly illogical interviewing technique that he's damn lucky, in this instance, didn't crash and burn on its arse. And it only didn't because he's interviewing comedians, who're skilled in the art of giving a funny and entertaining retort, even if the raw answer boils down to, as I said, "No, it's going to be great". Which, you'll notice, is essentially what David's answer actually was, but he just knows how to embellish that with humour to make it seem a little less boring.

[@barblessable]

UPSTART CROW , is quite funny,

[@rosseatsleepjdm]

Too bad it was :(

[@satanbemyradar666]

Another incredible podcast Richard

[@sratus]

+SatanBeMyRadar shit, you listened to that quick

[@prnfl]

+sratus satan's his radar

[@satanbemyradar666]

+zeds dead Yeah, but he should be everyone's radar

[@TapDancerDood]

What a pathetic username.

[@jenniferjones3273]

I am from the U.S. British comedy is the best! I have loved it since I was a child. I love the panel shows with comedians. I think it does show that the UK values comedy highly. When I first saw David M. it was on The Big Fat Quiz. I wasn't a fan until I started watching WILTY. Now I think he is magnificent!

[@rebeccamoore8536]

Proof that Richard is a WILTY fan: he suggests that, instead of cursing during sex, David would say "I do beg your pardon".

[@242nic]

He should have completed the quote though, for those unaware: 'that I am in your garden'.

[@DaveDexterMusic]

tbf, "I do beg your pardon" long predates bob mortimer, which is why it worked so well when he used it

[@billybillyson4351]

please get derren brown or john leslie on if you can

[@S7EVE_P]

David Mitchell is the perfect guest I reckon. Nothing phases him and every question is responded to 100%, even if it involves his mayonnaise covered arsehole. There are no long pauses or quiet moments (ooh look at me I don't tell jokes kind of bollocks) - its just funny and interesting all the way through. Top stuff from you both. Lets get him back again but this time with Robert Webb too :)

[@potatochipz511]

I agree about Kettle Chips. When I first ate them I thought they were amazing, and I think I've gotten used to them so I've gone back to Lays. They might have changed the oil they cook them in, but they taste the same to me.

[@fishcakes9187]

I just want more Histor & Pliny.

[@MrFlashpoint1978]

Egg, I said egg!

[@jonnyhaw]

I know the afternoon recordings are a pain in the arse for you - but it does mean that those of us from outside of London are able to come and see the show then get back home the same day... at the same time, as a listener, I do enjoy pushing through the boredom barrier on the longer podcasts.... swings and roundabouts, I guess.

[@martinbrunning4532]

Very, very funny conversation one of the best I’ve seen so far, now off to watch Davids other half 👍🏻

[@shanobian]

favourite celebrity of all time Is David Mitchell

[@peni14]

Is there a recording of the first time David Mitchell did RHLSTP?

[@archer8822]

Try search!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@ctynan888]

If you're looking for more places to play if you announce a Dublin gig I'll be first in line :)

[@annahelander2881]

0:05 just 4 days later, David Bowie would pass away and thus start the beginning of the end...

[@coralmar5329]

In Belgium we actually have beers that claim to go back to the 14 hundreds

[@zbleubleuokeydokey6547]

This was brilliant. Oh, how I love David Mitchell!

[@LeofromFreo]

To be honest, Upstart Crow was excellent including the writing and the entire cast of actors.

[@SoSo-li6dn]

its funny that instead of saying "is it good?" you can say "is it shit?" means the same, but does not at the same time.

[@jazzupulife]

Jeez, you really cursed 2016

[@monkeytron5061]

These two should write something together Please get off me headless horseman.

[@chrismarsh8162]

Great show as usual. Very funny. Is Victoria coming on again to balance out the numbers?

[@circleofrage]

please correct if needed but isn't 'would i lie to you?' just 'call my bluff'...?

[@leetraquair1498]

Having sex is already very rude so swearing is unnecessary. Brilliant. Thanks for this Richard Herring. Good work.

[@markh34]

“Mrs Herring” is certainly an odd name for a baby

[@Nexus7even]

This was really good.

[@Gid-J]

Panel shows should just have the funniest people on them. Shouldn't matter what is under their clothing, but who can make everyone laugh. Should be based on merit.

[@MartinHiggins1972]

Absolutely. How sad that Richard is not allowed to watch much of the best panel show around over a quota issue.

[@erk489]

The podcast should just be this as the new format, rich and David forever........

[@alexhumphries4057]

One of the best. Brilliant.

[@paulbarton5584]

The problem with C3PO is (spoiler alert) there's a human inside.

[@stevehunt914]

Nice one Rich, really enjoyed this one, you were great.

[@honkabooly]

What did you say about your king?! I'm telling!!

[@readventurekids]

A brilliant 75 mins of humour! I find the belly laughs of some of the audience members hilarious.

[@metalgunnerapoorva]

Would love to see Bill Bailey and/or Dylan Moran.

[@bonstockage3745]

That was very funny. All the words were good. Thank you Richard!

[@ViolentRage666]

Great job on the podcasts, I'm hooked. This one with David Mitchell is my personal favorite. I'd love to see you get Sean Lock, Jimmy Carr, Rich Hall, Alan Davies & Joe Brand among others on board (hopefully it'll only be a matter of time),

[@erkicaplatz7212]

I thought Would I Lie To Had Lots of women???

[@etontrifle]

Best RHLSTP ever.

[@timlandscheidt]

Very entertaining as always. And many thanks to the IMDb contributor!

[@harrybulz8832]

love all the podcast mate will deffo b buying happy now tickets

[@upendasana7857]

Thank you Richard Herring for making these,some are definitely better than others.

[@robh8814]

Watching this on 11th June 2023.. Happy New Year & welcome to 2016.. I think 2016 is going to be a Good Year & nothing could possibly go wrong.. Oh how little Richard knew.. :-) Here's Hoping his Daughter is still living & kicking (Louis Theroux Podcast) 🙂

[@normandoyle1009]

It certainly was a year. Better because of you. Thanks Richard.

[@readventurekids]

This can only be great!

[@tsvandyke]

39:08 .. .History of beer - started in Trappist Monastaries where they would "brew a nutritional drink - made of grains, hops, cerals - to ingest during a FAST "... [ fast = no eating ] ... ( the open kegs stored in the basement- would ferment from natural yeasts blowing in the window & being allowed it to ferment )

[@ianclayton3967]

Excellent - loved this one. Only just started listening to them - brilliant!

[@lvbny9438]

It's interesting to hear D.M confess to fancying Elizabeth I, as a keen numismatist (get googling) i can be 99.9% sure she was a complete dog throughout her rein. Given she herself must have vetted the production of an image such as this www.mhcoins.co.uk/coins/hammeredgold/elizabeth-i-1558-1603-half-pound/ - i think we can be pretty confident she was amongst the biggest hounds to have ever lived, and while tastes and fashions do change significantly i don't believe it has ever been 'de rigeur' for a woman to look like an unshaven testicle.

[@melissah8415]

The TV in England is so much better than American TV! It is so much better to have 6-10 episodes a season of better quality than to have 22 episodes of mediocre TV. American show runners are starting to figure out that if they make shorter seasons, they can get better writers and actors for the show because the commitment is not for almost an entire year.

[@BobbyLCollins]

Upstart Crow turned out to be really great.

[@DerekB99]

"There's no need to gild that particular lily of filth." Isn't language just incredible?

[@palm401]

I love your way of interviewing. Because of the sillyness of it, the guests often open up. You come across as honest, censere but always in a fun and weird way. Will you consider interviewing a KZbinr? My question would be if you would interview 'jacksepticeye'? He is a very successfull Irish gamer KZbinr.

[@HubbardKirk]

Hernandez Mark Thomas Lisa Hall Donna

[@michaelfournier4908]

...But we are in your garden.

[@VonBlade]

Effortlessly witty.

[@Matatabi6]

Deep malestrom of bourgeois self loathing isn’t that David’s spoken word album

[@ackerjawaka4742]

I love how Richard calls his old partner Stewart Lee an Oxford University sell out 😂

[@bigrarr]

Me and my pals would love to see you in Inverness mate! Please, even if it's primarily just a wee holiday at the end of the tour! It's worth it man! :D