Richard Herring's Leicester Square Theatre Podcast - with Eddie Izzard #90

Magic Ian’s Nephew.
Richard is unnecessarily unpleasant to someone in the audience (what’s new?) before quickly bringing on a man with a drive that burgeons on insanity, but it’s the good kind of insanity, Eddie Izzard.
It’s an unsurprisingly sprawling but incredible conversation that takes us through why God doesn’t reveal himself, through the clumsy religious allegories of CS Lewis, through what kind of madness would make a man run 43 Marathons in 51 days, how to pronounce Calippo, how Eddie would have fared in the army, his political ambitions and philosophy, performing in languages that you were recently unable to speak, the short-sighted nature of the Ocean’s Eleven franchise, the years of struggling to make it (with some great stories about his street theatre days) and why the world needs to come together and give everyone hope.
It’s electrifying and inspirational and Richard hardly says anything (because he’s not an idiot who is going to waste this opportunity). It’s just a proper treat so stop reading this and ingest it NOW!
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. Or come and see Richard on tour richardherring.com/gigs
And if you want to buy Richard's new DVD Lord of the Dance Settee, then by all means, go here - gofasterstripe.com/lotds

[@Taquana26]

So enjoyable! Eddie Izzard is a very positive person. I really love his messages!

[@keliss05]

I was having such a crappy day today. Then I saw this podcast with Eddie and just like that, everything is good with the Universe again. Thank you, I absolutely loved it! :)

[@nonindividual]

This was great. Thanks Richard and Eddie.

[@billallen2126]

that interview was nearly perfect, i am in awe. loads of generosity from both guest & host. chapeau!

[@billallen2126]

ASloaneRanger he was still generous. you just listed a bunch of adjectives. i stand by my assertion that the interview (as such) was very, satisfying. sloan ranger? very sneaky, theresa may.

[@scottanthony6269]

I have watched this talk three times Eddie izzard is a fascinating person with a great thinking mind very enjoyable listening to him

[@leesawford]

What an amazing individual. So knowledgeable and fascinating in character. I could listen to his stories for ever. He Pushes himself so far and doesn't accept defeat or let fear or doubt keep him from achieving his goals. He is someone to aspire too. I can't express the respect I have for Eddie. Years ago when he was in Cambridge performing at the Corn Exchange my school mate ( not a friend, an acquaintance) saw Eddie after a show in his make-up and 'garb' I was about 16 ( the bully was a little older) and I had no idea then who this guy in a dress thing was. Anyway, I witnessed what he must have had to put up with,.This guy started shouting out at him, calling him 'sweet heart' and 'Barbra' or 'susan'' or some other stupid name. Eddie stopped and confronted the guy - not in an aggressive way, more in an attempt to express to the guy the arrogance he was displaying. Anyway, Eddie got 'rewarded' with a smack. I was a kid, afraid of this thug too and I am ashamed to say that I just stood by and didn't intervene. As an adult and finding out ( when I was about 22) who this guy was I always have felt bad just being there whilst he had to suffer that ignorance. An incredible individual.

[@bernardsimsic9334]

people as of who you describe I remove from my life as quickly as they arrive.

[@marieharrington3573]

Loved this!

[@Chrisbernstein]

Interesting but it's a common misconception that people thought the world was flat. Pythagoras, Aristotle and Euclid all theorised a spherical earth and actually calculated it's circumference relatively accurately. Anyway!! Just some silly info. Great podcast as always

[@RFC3514]

+Christopher Bernstein - You're probably thinking of Eratosthenes (276 BC), who basically invented geography, and was the first to calculate the Earth's diameter (long after both Pythagoras and Aristotle were dead). Euclid studied spherical geometry, but never wrote specifically about the shape or size of the Earth. Anyway, it's not a misconception that "people thought the world was flat". There were people around before Erastothenes (or even before Parmenides), and some of them (ex., Anaximander or Homer, just to stick to Greece) did think the Earth was flat. And some people continued to think the world was flat even long after Eratosthenes. Less than 1% of people had any sort of formal education in maths, geometry, or geography. The Bible makes reference to the Earth being a disc, and to the possibility of seeing all the Earth from the top of a mountain or a tall tree (which wouldn't be possible if the people writing it knew it was a sphere).

[@Chrisbernstein]

+RFC3514 agreed there wasn't much writing done on a spherical earth yeah. Probably should have worded it better. What I've heard though is most historians agree now that quite a number of people thought the earth was round and more than we previously thought. But yeah agreed. There are still people who believe it's flat today. Flat earthers, it's interesting to read the arguments against all the evidence we have at this day.

[@johnreilly63]

people thought the world was flat because most of the gas and air is on the outside! Aaah! :)

[@billyandrew]

The vast majority of folk in the US, nowadays, still believe the earth is flat.

[@rienpost3145]

Any chance of a second podcast with Eddie?

[@Nmembly]

I'm so pleased I managed to get to see this live! It's a shame the next series is leaving the weekend slot.

[@dentoncrimescene]

Eddie is great, I love them.

[@GGMCUKAGAIN]

Does Eddie prefer a genderless pronoun or do you just use it as default? Not trolling btw, asking as a curious, semieducated linguist.

[@euresearcher733]

I think Rich should've just spent the whole show (last weeks and this weeks) talking with Eddie.

[@WOOOPdoctorFROGhere]

Richard "the fish" Herring and Eddie "the lizard" Izzard. This podcast is elephANTASTIC.

[@harryturner8701]

I like how we spent a third of the interview answering the first question

[@andreweccles8130]

He looks like my old junior headmistress in drag , very unnerving !

[@hutspah71]

Superb!

[@stevehunt914]

Awesome Rich, great job. - I already knew Eddie was fascinating and hilarious, but you did a great job of setting him up and letting him GO for it.

[@kurisensei]

I would’ve loved this as a teenager

[@brandonevans9252]

Izzard is such an interesting and textured person

[@meu02136]

There's a spelling mistake in the title, you've spelt Anne Robinson incorrectly.

[@nancydavies6446]

Such a positive guy

[@creepycraig73]

Eddie looks like he's been hosting the Weakest Link.

[@LauraTozerArt]

"No one has magical answers" I don't know Eddie, I think Magic Ian might be the one person with the magical answers.

[@juankingsly5764]

Eddie Izzard seams to be transforming into Ann Robinson

[@NxDoyle]

Many people do view the Earth as a kind of screening area before getting into the real party. The same real party believers are unaccountably sad when the people they love are accepted into the party.

[@jamiefarrell6049]

Eddie rocks!😎

[@RIXRADvidz]

what a great Christmas prank! the look on the face would be worth every penny.

[@RIXRADvidz]

+RIXRADvidz what? Mr. Izzard is a force of Nature. I have no superlatives that can express my appreciation for Mr Herring having him on the show and just having Mr. Izzard in our world.

[@effinnelle]

Amazingly good, thank you

[@lilacmaninapurpleworld538]

Anne Robinson sure is one funny game show host🤗

[@weavehole]

The rowing metaphor was ace-icals.

[@billyandrew]

And look what tf happened in seven years... Eddie wouldn't have lasted long in politics. He's too decent and too honest. He'd have been smeared and sidelined, the destiny of all sane people, nowadays. Hopefully, I'll die before him, so I can continue to enjoy his crazy humour, rather than have it snatched away, prematurely. His brand of comedy is up there with Spilligan, Lenny Bruce and the like, unique and all the funnier for that. Thanks for uploading!

[@rienpost3145]

19:39 Yes, get him back again. It's been 4 years... :)

[@kurukblackflame]

Great stuff :)

[@colinfuidge8660]

Very good episode.

[@AshleyKitto]

Almost commented on Eddie's universe theory. But my real comment is I love what I believe is Eddie being comfortable with himself. I used to love him just bring as man wearing a dress or makeup. No one should care about my opinion it is mine.

[@mandalorion]

He goes on about unity and making Europe work (which I agree with) then he says it was the "English" who fought at Waterloo

[@NxDoyle]

So...?

[@mandalorion]

Calling the UK army "English" when there were Irish, Scottish and Welsh regiments that fought at Waterloo, is rather contradictory to the point he is trying to make as well as being a typical conceited English view point.

[@jimmyjarrett939]

+mandalorion It was probably a slip, I very much doubt he meant any offence by it, if you look hard enough you can find something offence in any conversation (not saying your trying to find something to be offended by)

[@LoneKharnivore]

mandalorion He doesn't mention fighting at all. He says "200 years since the battle of Waterloo, we've got English people performing in French and French people performing in English."

[@thehighwayman78]

I'd like to se Eddie Izzard discuss theories of existence and consciousness with physicist Tom Campbell

[@dwarfofdoom]

No emergency questions BOOOOOOOOOO!

[@Steve27775]

Clare Balding's let herself go.

[@RichardRichardVC]

Would have been funnier if you'd said 'himself'

[@NeoDragoN7676]

+Steve27775 I was like oooooo bit nasty.....then i started to watch and he walked out. Yep.

[@muppeteer]

+Steve27775 I was thinking Anne Robinson is looking better than I remember

[@readventurekids]

+Steve27775 Ray Mears has let himself go!

[@forgive7449]

+tubbychubby1. if u believe in the devil then life makes sense......

[@sigurdbjohansson]

YAY!

[@danielrenouf957]

Without sound the opening looks like a bizarre confessional/appeal video.

[@DolbroDan]

43:07 Eddie gives a shout out to Scrabo Tower, Newtownards. Small world!

[@noeldc]

I'm not Jesus. Yeshua!

[@brickscratch]

+noeldc Aaah, but it might be an Aaah situation

[@billyandrew]

I see what you did there. 👏👏👏😂

[@Fractometry]

Richard seems to have a more accurate understanding of Jesus than Eddie does. At best you could say he was a good man for his time, but he was still horrible in calling for people to hate each other and to love him above everything and anything else. And sending demons into pigs was just weird. It does make it out like Jesus drowned a bunch of pigs, and then convinced the witnesses "oh, no, no, those were demons. Yeah, there were demons in those pigs. I had to do that. Because they asked nicely". "The demons asked you to drown them?" "No, they asked me to send them into the pigs". Etc.

[@Cloud-wp9wc]

Elton John and Vangelis have let themselves go.

[@js00065]

Brilliant

[@pauloliver1842]

eddie can talk ,and i will listen

[@davidroman1342]

Very clever good hearted comic .

[@SpewChoob]

Jurgen Klopp's let himself go.

[@ursie1986]

Anne Robinson's softened up a bit.

[@ChubbyChecker182]

eddis Izzard is a prophet ?

[@pillettadoinswartsh4974]

People say Robin was the fastest on his feet. I think Eddie is at least his equal. It's as if Eddie is running at five times our speed.

[@Superfantastictop10]

I had an ex girlfriend who said, when she met Izzard, someone she admired greatly, he shamelessly hit on her and treated her like crap. Unpopular opinion: Izzard is a raging narcissist

[@lokisfriend]

He greatly resembles my great aunt Nadine

[@smacko81]

Biker Anne Robinson

[@scarftv7983]

Eddie Izzard is probably the only guy who's IMHO way funnier on stage than in conversation.

[@mir1246]

I think its the other way around.

[@MrNightship]

I want to marry Eddie Izzard!

[@lesleymcshanemitchell9651]

Millions of Born againers are hating him right now Love it

[@JayCreates]

Unity is the world many have come here to teach us, will you join or keep being ignorance. Love is more powerful x

[@jenmctavish7522]

good interview clever too ps rellay like jacket eddie wearing too just off topic lol

[@aramanon]

They're not about Jesus!! They're about magic and are just written by a hugely influential advanced Christian scholar who believes in heaven and certain social ways of life.

[@RFC3514]

His "theory of the universe" isn't exactly original. A hypersphere _is_ one of the three most likely configurations for its shape. But (so far) observations point strongly towards a flat universe.

[@kernowarty]

I was watching this and my girlfriend came in the room and looked over my shoulder and said "Is that Don Johnson"? I know he's a lot older now and probably doesn't resemble his character from Miami Vice any longer but I don't think he's letting himself go that far!!

[@johnreilly63]

Deirdre Rasheed has let herself go!

[@robm.4512]

😎👍🍻

[@johnreilly63]

Ann Robinson......

[@sophiehill3297]

Is it because of the black outfit..? Eddie's head just looks massive on a tiny body...

[@lesleymcshanemitchell9651]

wikipedia write of eddie as she all the way through there description l found that strange

[@CAMZAB]

Ha, Rich halfway through trying to get him back. Or he could just talk when he's selling the tickets? Get Stu back on before you go turning into a fan on Izzard. Top show.

[@shenmeowzo]

'radical centrist'.. stupid term.. ffs come on eddie.. corbyn isnt even far left, no reason to draw a distinction between yourself and him.. also, isis aint about religion, where's your critique of the oil/banks/arms triumvirate?

[@MrBoggins1234]

Wow what a human. 👍

[@reenierossi7669]

Steve Job's last words according to his sister: www.theguardian.com/technology/2011/oct/31/steve-jobs-last-words "Oh WOW. Oh WOW!…" (I don't think this is the end.)

[@johnreilly63]

Pauline from the league of gentlemen has let herself go!

[@alkapowportstar7808]

Think of your men folk people!!! (as advised by rich's white board)...OKAY!!!

[@vincereilly8910]

Here is a review of Eddie Izzard's memories: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pXeqiIhoj9mkabs

[@emdiar6588]

Angela Merkel has let himself go

[@fingersfinesilver]

When it gets to boring - that's why where I live is so cool. I make soup - even though I'm not gay trans or whatever.

[@Schmidtelpunkt]

ρέγγα?

[@billyandrew]

Fishy surname.

[@mellowbirds4777]

Eddie should have laughed more at Richard’s jokes.

[@evelynpritchett6042]

Fruit 😂

[@returntosender6948]

Mohammed was a decent and honourable person? That's probably the most surreal and funny thing Eddie's ever said.

[@MrGeekGamer]

Being gay is pretty boring. I remember in 2002, a contractor that was on site at my office. He used to make a big song and dance about how gay he was. Nobody cared, because it wasn't relevant to us.

[@sratus]

+MrGeekGamer I remember I met a gay person in 2002 also. Not met one of those lads since. Crazy times back in '02.

[@MrGeekGamer]

+sratus Point is, it wasn't a big deal then and it's not a big deal now.

[@sratus]

+MrGeekGamer That is true my friend. Seems a tad random though, Eddie isn't even gay.

[@MrGeekGamer]

+sratus Ah, sorry. It was in reference to 30:30

[@sratus]

MrGeekGamer Ah I get you now. A very merry Christmas to you and yours.

[@meu02136]

This podcast reminds me of Limmy's karaoke analogy, it's more embarrassing if your mates are really good at karaoke. Yeah Eddie, we get it, you've done all the running and you speak French and you want everyone to just get along. But I want a funny podcast. My dreams are more attainable, providing the guest tries to be funny. Get Limmy back on, or Rab Florence. Just someone funny.

[@weavehole]

Having 'unfunny' podcasts doesn't mean there are less funny ones available you over-entitled, geo/ego-centric, ciaroscuro-phobic dumblebore. Good day, sir!

[@meu02136]

weavehole Having unfunny podcasts doesn't mean there are less funny ones available? What?

[@weavehole]

Apologies, that should be 'fewer' not 'less'. Well spotted!

[@ChubbyChecker182]

Second !

[@christinesinclair1818]

i just canny stand izzard, unforgivable c+++++++++@

[@billyandrew]

_Cunt_ only has four letters.

[@thesprawl2361]

The mawkish stuff about the Abrahamic religions makes my brain throw up.

[@stevehunt914]

complete opposite for me. I thought it was clever and altruistic.

[@PRODIGALSUN]

DAMN IT!!! someone [or many someone's] has beaten me to the obvious Anne Robinson comparison... i like Eddie Izzard but there has to be a cut off point to wearing silly outfits... he's well past that point now

[@sinisterbuthappy208]

boring really

[@earthling8923]

Well Eddie, I came here because I do keep tending to watch your comedy (you're very good) but please keep doing the comedy rather than the lefty style philosophy and a rather condescending "random" view of the universe in a "if you believe anything else than this you're an idiot" sort of voice. It might just put people off your comedy (trust me). Stick to what you know and the evolution of the universe, you don't. Ta.

[@earthling8923]

+Earthling Oh and by the way Ed. The tranny thing worked up to perhaps 10 years ago. Now…. ah….well…… yes - in a sort of James Mason type of voice. Remember that circle of "average, cool, really cool, stretching it and pathetic"? Well, the look really has overshot the "stretching it" at this point. I'm sure your showbizzy chums won't tell you that. Trust me though. ;-)

[@Jizzynuts]

+Earthling Are you addressing him rhetorically?

[@billyandrew]

Perhaps you'd be kind enough to point Eddie, along with the rest of us, towards your own body of comedic works, in order that we might evidence how it looks like, when done to your standards?

[@timhulio1]

Slightly divisive show it seems. Last week's (Sarah Kendall) was a high-point of this series. I'd not heard of her before, but she's naturally funny and the interplay with Richard Herring was spontaneous and quite joyous. I wasn't really into Eddie Izzard. He just seems a bit of an arrogant unfunny bore. He can talk. Person I'd least like to be stuck in a lift with? This week at least.