Paul Merton - Richard Herring's Leicester Square Theatre Podcast

Waiting For Crawford
It’s back for an eleventh series - who keeps commissioning this - and Richard’s new emergency questions are coming true as he’s fresh from irking a postman. His guest is someone who used to only be able to speak to in drunken awe at early 1990s BBC Radio Light Entertainment parties, Paul Merton.
They discuss their similarly comedy-nerdy teenage years, the early days of the alternative comedy circuit where Alexei Sayle’s stream of swearing might be followed by flying fish or slowly melting ice. Can Paul remember the very first routine that helped him on the road to stardom (and partially define his persona) - you bet a fortnight’s holiday in Benidorm he can and it’s magical!
Find out how close he came to death 30 years ago after breaking his leg and how anti-malarial drugs almost broke his brain. I heartily recommend his funny and moving autobiography www.amazon.co.....
And if you’re in book buying mood why not help us fund these podcasts by purchasing our new Emergency Questions book www.gofasterstr...

[@TheMickyt69]

YAY Rhlstp is BACK!!!!

[@alexwatson12]

...RHLSTP!

[@lwaves]

Paul's views on how to treat fans are spot on. I don't go with the whole 'celebs owe fans for making them famous' thing that some do. That's bollocks but it costs celebs nothing except a little time and small effort to appreciate and respect their fans (assuming the fans are being also bing respectful) yet it can mean so much to the fans.

[@hanumaniam]

One of the funniest skits I've ever seen was on the Paul Merton show. There was a close up of a guy in a suit on a train being jostled by the crowds and movement of the train. He lifted his briefcase awkwardly up to get something out which turned out to be a plate with a fried egg on it and he proceeded to try and eat it, all the while being knocked left and right. The camera then pans back to reveal there's only one other guy on the train and he's right up against Paul whacking into him.

[@rubymilescleo]

lol

[@thebolsta]

Pan = left to right movement... Tilt = up and down... Zoom = in and out

[@SirMykus]

@@thebolstagood lad. Now we are all students of your knowledge and craft. Oh gift us, old one, with your threads of wisdom.

[@DaveDexterMusic]

@@thebolsta ha ha, you forgot how in and out can also be a tracking shot

[@damienx0x]

​@@SirMykusIt was pretty basic you dolt.

[@larmoran4885]

I'm ignoring my 4 year old to watch this.

[@FirstLast-gi3ei]

Who else has noticed that postmen often need a bag to carry their letters because they can't fit them just in their hands? ! What's that all about right? I often take the joke further and shout out "Looks like you've got too many letters to carry without a bag there mate! ". They hold a hand up full of letters with fingers facing me and jokingly say fuck off not again, and it really brightens up our days.

[@clichethinker]

weather my dear dumb dumb

[@fingerhorn4]

Enjoyed this very much. Just one point to make about the early comment on ambition, or lack of it: Someone has to work in a laundry. Someone has to work in a shop, and service the lives of those more fortunate. It would be nice if some value was attached to them.

[@stodd9545]

I would also say i don't think he was disparaging them for not wanting to be Astronauts more for not having any imagination. Be someone that does the laundry or is a cleaner and do those jobs with pride but also know there's whole world of opportunity and don't sleepwalk through life.

[@greig2007]

You're correct, someone has to work in those types of jobs. The point Paul is possibly making is that it shouldn't be someones ambition to do that, or at the very least people should aim a little higher

[@spnhm34]

fingerhorn4 fingerhorn4 maybe they love working in a laundry. They find the work rewarding and have great fun with their co-workers and don't consider themselves less fortunate than miserable professionals who don't want to be there. Maybe not. Either way, looking down on anyone isn't a good look

[@Nabend1402]

I think the point was that the only reason he wanted to work there was because it was down his street. That's not a very good reason. Not having a long commute is great, but at least check out the opportunities in a 15-minute radius... :-D

[@ot7976]

Thanks Rich! We travelled five and a half hours to spend four hours in London and RHLSTP (rhlstp) and it was very nice.

[@riccardoverde4683]

The most amazing thing about this is an armed robber (who didn't even use the gun) was the most terrifying man in England in the 60s. Let that sink in.

[@ERG-hk4vw]

Not a massive fan of HIGNFY but he came across as a genuinely funny and likeable man.

[@hawsrulebegin7768]

Love paul Merton. Comes across as such a good guy. Interesting and loves his comedy history.

[@CommissionerSleer]

Yeah and anecdotes galore

[@charliegreen4128]

I really want to watch him do a series on it.

[@berniebasset9465]

@@charliegreen4128 Pretty sure that he did something like that a while ago.

[@frogbirds]

As I student sitting in a kitchen watching this and dreaming of being on it, I feel called out at 43:23

[@skawashers]

This was really enjoyable , Not sure if you already have Rich but have you tried to get a chat with Actress, Rebekah Staton

[@rossmcl177]

Have to say, when Richard keeps quiet for a while and just lets the guest talk, its always much more interesting than when he dominates with the silly stuff.

[@Theinsidetrader]

rossmcl177 Richard’s a great interviewer

[@VacantHaven]

He's a national treasure really,

[@janegodfrey5978]

This is the interview I've been waiting for! I love that he can recite the Policeman on Acid, what a great routine. I wish some of the old alternative comics would come together do do a one of stand up show, people like Merton, Sayle, Arnold Brown, Andy De La Tour etc. And for anyone who's not seen it, Paul Merton: The Series is comedy gold.

[@MissFotini]

I truly adore Paul Merton :) what a lovely interview!

[@brynne9481]

Paul Merton seems like a genuinely lovely sort - a real treat for all us comedy nerds. Looking forward to Joe Thomas!

[@slothrr776]

Richard you look like Kurt Cobain; although Kurt Cobain was young, thin and attractive.

[@Theinsidetrader]

Henry Hill Nasty, no need.

[@RIXRADvidz]

RHLSTP AND HIGNFY , together. my bliss is effervescent well worthy of repeated ReWatches...

[@PaulEcosse]

You don't realise how tall Paul Merton is, until he's walking by, towering over you.

[@PooperScooperTrooper]

That was brilliant, I've loved Paul Merton ever since his series on Channel 4 with his surreal comedy...wish they'd chatted about that a bit really.

[@readventurekids]

Brilliant! Talk about a stellar start to the new series. I am so looking forward to watching this!

[@daniel-1976]

Wow, great to see Paul Merton. Thanks for this one, really enjoyed it.

[@bengorrad2780]

Ah brilliant, RHLSTP's back.

[@affalaffaa]

Enjoyed this, loved all the anecdotes from the 80s', really interesting.

[@benedictnothing]

I keep thinking it's Tuesday.

[@DMEB]

currently enjoying this while holding the potato I got off mr Herring in dublin. haha.

[@colin72]

Great show Richard. Thanks for having Paul on RHLSTP!

[@euansmith3699]

I love how Richard has chosen a chair for his show that is too tall for the soles of his feet to reach the floor.

[@NickSheridanVids]

Paul Merton is probably best known for HIGNFY, which is sad because it is one of his leat passionate, least creative platforms. Comedy fans check him out doing improv at comedy store if you can.

[@hanniffydinn6019]

VidSheridan it's just his regular pay check, comedy fans know his history... I don't really see him as a HIGNFY as I loved him before.

[@NickSheridanVids]

Well yes, but I would call myself a comedy fan, and I grew up with HIGNFY so that's my main reference point for him. It was only a few years ago when the rest of his material was opened up to me. He doesn't exactly heavily promote (because he doesn't need to) so I would be unsurprised if a lot of comedy fans don't know him fully

[@hanniffydinn6019]

VidSheridan he's actually done many other shows before that regular paycheck like room 101, scruples etc..

[@NickSheridanVids]

Duncan Disorderly And?

[@NickSheridanVids]

Ahh apologies, that makes more sense :)

[@joewakeford]

Whoop whoop!! Wonderful

[@sugelanren]

When I started watching this, it had 135 views...SPOOOKEEY

[@-Blackguard-]

Awesome, awesome, awesome. Love Paul Merton. Great podcast. Thanks :)

[@robclaridge6236]

Hurrah! I've been looking every week for new RHLSP! Thank you Richard.

[@withonelook1985]

if the impossible happens, Gyles Brandreth steps in as chairmen...

[@stewmott3763]

Funnily enough, what Paul said about David Webb reminds me of Richard Attenborough, who some friends and I once pestered for an autograph. He took the time to sign everything and was very warm and friendly. Funnier still, this happened at the underground car park at Chelsea FC. Synchronicity, eh?

[@thom8406]

Thanks Richard...

[@aphasicteens]

Fantastic! Thank you.

[@MsFifi11c]

RHLSTP we love 💓 u

[@2023skidoo]

Get schwifty!

[@tommarsh7609]

One of my favourites so far

[@tedvickers1005]

I think this is the best one I've seen

[@ChorltonOutlaw]

Finally it's back!

[@liamhughes1532]

Stewart Lee is looking a bit rough these days

[@sirjambon]

This caught me by surprise. Welcome back chap

[@MartynRavensdale]

What a pro!

[@pigknickers2975]

operation JUlie was Wales and Hampton Wick. Think the LSD thing happened down Glamorgan Road, Hampton Wick and it was in the 70s......

[@mattgreek1066]

I became a monthly badger last month. I'm not asking for praise. Or any kind of gratitude. I just wanted to put this comment on here in the vague hope that you'll honour me and say thanks, Richard. Cheers.

[@matthewsaxton8981]

I went to the toilet with Benedict Cumberbatch at the Oscars. Does that beat Buckingham Palace?

[@bigandycraik]

I’ve been to the toilet at the same time as Andy Crane in Frankie & Bennys. Almost as good?

[@ben1210]

im sure a version of the "stream of tastelessness" is on the b-side of "ullo John got a new motor"

[@1emmajones]

Love you Paul Merton!!!!

[@TheStevenWhiting]

Would be nice to get Ian Hislop on now.

[@orlok1960]

yay! its back!

[@mattgreek1066]

And late at this is, I nought the Jess Thom Rhlstp was one of the funniest things I've ever seen. Cheers again.

[@mattgreek1066]

*thought

[@ptesweats8940]

Hurrah!

[@ptesweats8940]

and WOOO! TINY RICK!

[@sratus]

Is it a dolphin in a bathtub?

[@flucazade]

Tiny Rick in the HOUSE

[@ruyaleghari]

Yay it's back!

[@gwasgray9309]

I laughed like a goon at 59:00

[@ericthompson5875]

Yaaaaay RHLSTP is baaaaaack!

[@nick8292]

Great interview

[@spnhm34]

Proper balls

[@furrivision]

fantastic

[@galesito1733]

YES!

[@ukrpgfan4029]

500th liker...

[@davidsynge7030]

Was hoping you'd ask about Clement Freud... they were such a great double act, I'd be interested to know what he really thought of him and the revelations.

[@colin72]

That would have been a great question.

[@Herring1967]

Colin Green don't think he would have talked about it. I tested water with the 2nd longest serving JAM panellist and he pushed in another direction. Which I took to mean, move on. So I did.

[@davidsynge7030]

Fair enough, I just enjoyed them both for so many years that that one really messed with me more than Harris or Saville etc. P.S. My real body is slowly dying in a vat...

[@dannyclub09]

I know you asking why he hasn't been on any panel shows since... whatever it was, at the start, was a joke - but do you know why both Paul and Ian don't really appear on any other panel shows bar HIGNFY (and JAM)? Is it something in their contract?

[@Fergieemate]

RUH HUH LUH STUH PUH

[@megaskyburst]

you having a stroke?

[@clichethinker]

I feel bad for RH, upstaged and still trying to say 'me too, I did that too'... doesn't overcome early starstrike

[@CuntyMcShitballs100]

This is my new all time favourite rhlstp.

[@bulletproofblouse]

Aaaah I remember the Rubik's Snake, never entirely sure what the overall point of it was but a friend had one and I knew I wanted one too. The eventual goal was to form into a sort of dodecahedron shape wasn't it? Probably actually wanted a Major Morgan more though.

[@lwaves]

I had one and there wasn't really much of a point to it but it was kind of entertaining. The only (loosely) puzzle element was indeed making the ball shape, which may well have been a dodecahedron, I can't remember. After that it was purely about seeing what shapes and figures you could make, like a circle, triangle, rectangle and various animals.

[@bulletproofblouse]

Mainly a snake, as far as the animals went. "Naw, it's a dog!" "It's a snake in the rough shape of a dog, now get out". I swapped a Screwball Scramble for a Transformer once, despite having no interest in Transformers, but this one turned into a tape deck and had a little cassette that turned into a phoenix-style bird. Plus I'd played that Screwball Scramble to death and it had become boring.

[@lwaves]

I seem to remember a rabbit as well but that may have been the dog, that was a snake, that was a rabbit/dog/snake hybrid. Transformers was just after my time, they came out as I got too old for those types of toys. I do vaguely recall seeing one that was a cassette player though. I don't recall Screwball Scramble? Was it one of those mini arcade machines in a plastic box or something else.

[@bulletproofblouse]

Everything paled in comparison to my My Little Pony Curly Fun Hair Salon And Laser Decepticon Attack Base playset.

[@hanniffydinn6019]

bulletproofblouse I still have a play with as a desktop toy... They are just fun to fidget with...

[@snakesnaplane]

Oh, Nicholas Parson has popped off ☹