Richard Herring's Edinburgh Fringe Podcast

RHEFP 2017 #4: John Robins and Ahir Shah - Suck Each Other Off A Bit. Richard reveals the hypocrisy of his parenting techniques and reminisces about the death of Lady Di. His first guest is Edinburgh Comedy Prize nominee Ahir Shah - they chat about Brexit, how looking into the sun proves your strength and wisdom and the older generations disregard for metaphorical ladders. His second guest is Edinburgh Comedy Prize nominee, Jon Robbins (sorry) John Robins. They talk about break ups, being in relationships with comedians, the way that Edinburgh haunts the long-term Fringe performer, a darker version of The Cobbler and how John loves to go to bed with his mum. Colin gets to quiz both guests and hopefully will be back with his own Edinburgh Fringe podcast next year. By the time you hear this you will probably know who is the winner and who are the losers, but here's the clip that John was talking Dustin Hoffmann Oscar speech: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhDmNRQgKLM (whizz through the noms if you like). Do check out both these guys shows at the Fringe or on tour. You can buy the Emergency Questions book here - http://www.gofasterstripe.com/EQ. Thanks for joining us at the Fringe in this way. It's been a fun year. And maybe I will come back and do more of these another time. Really delighted to have resurrected it.

RHEFP 2017 #3: Iain Stirling and Jason Manford - The Main Thing Is Ricky Gervais Didn't Win. Rich is mortified about having accidentally crashed someone else's show and is thinking of becoming someone who pays to sit in a hairdressers. But the good news is that Colin is back to remind his guests of times that things have gone wrong for them. Rich's first guest personally knows many of the people that Rich not-so-secretly lusts over at CBeebies - it's Iain Stirling. They chat about working alongside puppets (in their own different ways), how Love Island has turned Iain into a huge Edinburgh smash, the tragedy behind the Amazing Bubble Man and whether somehow Richard might be Iain's dad. Then Richard is joined by the Radio Times Comedy champion and also champion poor time keeper, Jason Manford to chat about the old bamboo, setting up comedy clubs, bizarre coincidences and I think a misunderstanding about what a human centipede involves. Come and see one of Richard's last few Fringe shows by booking here: https://www.pleasance.co.uk/event/richard-herring-oh-frig-im-50 Or be in the audience for a bonus Edinburgh Fringe podcast (guests TBA) by booking here: https://www.outstandingtickets.com/show/262/richard_herrings_edinburgh_fringe_podcast

RHEFP 2017 #2: James Acaster - Three Nights in Peterborough. Richard is so close to becoming the Radio Times Comedy Champion that he can almost taste it, which will just make his ultimate failure all the more painful and thus amusing, but luckily he almost shat his pants on a children's roundabout. HIs guest went one step further than that, it's the wonderful comedy genius James Acaster. They discuss how hot chocolate is not a flavour, sky diving in slip-ons, the dangers of eating chicken nuggets for a bet, the behind-the-scenes disaster that happened on the Conan show, how a rubbish ghost train was made more scary, shooting Private Pike in the face, crashing cars and the ace sitcom We The Jury. You really must buy James' book for more of these painfully funny stories - https://www.amazon.co.uk/James-Acasters-Classic-Scrapes-Acaster/dp/1472247183 And also you must buy the Emergency Questions book http://www.gofasterstripe.com/eq Also come and see show 3 of this year's RHEFP if you can (with Iain Stirling) https://www.outstandingtickets.com/show/262/richard_herrings_edinburgh_fringe_podcast (and we're looking into the possibility of doing another show in the last week too).

RHEFP 2017 #1: The Doug Anthony All Stars - The Boy Who Cried Batman. The King has returned and he's at the spooky New Theatre Grand Hall where the Masons get up to all sorts of mysterious time-travelling. And Richard is very excited to be welcoming comedy legends the Doug Anthony All Stars, Paul, Tim and Paul. There's lots of chat about the Edinburgh Fringe of the eighties, the point where comedy and tragedy meet, what happens when you become the carer for your comedy partner, what happens if you never wash your clothes, the Doug who became a diplomat, how Jerry Sadowitz terrorised the public, and curing rectal cancer. Sorry the first minute or so got lost, but I have attempted to recreate it (and it was nothing of any worth). Plus there's a beautiful song at the end which is going to leave you wondering why the audience is laughing, but suffice to say what was happening was very funny indeed. Come and see the next two podcasts recorded. Buy tickets here: https://www.outstandingtickets.com/show/262/richard_herrings_edinburgh_fringe_podcast See Richard's stand up show Oh Frig I'm 50 at the Pleasance at 7.30pm: https://www.pleasance.co.uk/event/richard-herring-oh-frig-im-50 See The DAAS at the Pleasance at 10pm: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/doug-anthony-all-stars-near-death-experience

RHEFP 2013 #25: Jason Manford and Wayne Mazadza - The Final Curtain? After 75 mostly audible hours of entertainment Richard is hanging up his badger sporran and relinquishing his monarchy of Edinburgh for the last time. And he's going out in style with a man who has had lunch with Gino and Mel, Jason Manford. They chat about gate-crashing Ramadan, how to crash a car, having sex with a Dalek (for old time's sake) and how the Stig saved Manford's life. Plus growing up in the Triangle of Death, what happens when a logger meets a logger and mentoring Jack Carroll from Britain's Got Talent. Is it easier to entertain the troops or the Taliban. Find out in this last ever RHEFP! With groceries, champagne and Scotch money on offer as prizes for the winner of the competition. With stand up from the Stand barman and future star Wayne Madadza. Thanks to everyone at the Stand for all the help and a wonderful month. Shall we do it again next year? Buy something from www.gofasterstripe.com or sponsor Rich at http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/RichardHerring if you've enjoyed the last 3 years and over 3 solid days of entertainment. Goodbye Edinburgh 2013. It's been a blast.

RHEFP 2013 #24: Baconface, Simon Donald and Jarlath Regan - It's All Bacon. Richard reveals that tomorrow's podcast will almost certainly be the last RHEFP (rhefp) ever, so if you have enjoyed these 75 hours of free goodness and resent giving him any money, then why not sponsor Rich on a potentially fatal attempt to run a half-marathon in 5 weeks time via http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/RichardHerring. Simon Donald is the first guest and the discussion turns to what constitutes heterosexuality in Newcastle, rivalry with Gateshead, Big Feasts and Biggins and whether F*ckwits is a gameshow or a panel show. Stand-up comes from the fabulous Jarlath Regan. Then mysterious cult Canadian comedian Baconface is on hand to discuss bacon, the best way to adhere it to your face, what to do when it falls off and whether there are any practical post-face applications. Also his view on Bigfoot, the Foster's Comedy Awards and Stewart Lee who appears to have stolen a lot of his act. There is a surprising chemistry between the pair, given they have just met.

RHEFP 2013 #23: Caroline Rhea, Barry from Watford and Alex Edelman - Going Down On Colin. Richard is waiting for the Perrier people to turn up with his Spirit of the Fringe award, but the only person winning anything today is Colin, who in his last appearance is festooned with gifts. Though some of them will be stolen by first guest Caroline Rhea (pronounced Ray, apparently) who is on hand to talk about animatronic cats, swearing Scottish children and Larry David's inability to tell a knock, knock joke. And does she walk off the podcast? Or is she just going to catch her cab? You decide. Fellow American Alex Edelman provides the stand-up, before true blue Brit, Barry from Watford, comes on to talk about his wife, pies, Steve Wright, Iain Lee and Nicholas Parsons. It's getting a little raggedy round the edges, but the end is in sight now. Will the next two be the last ever RHEFPs?

RHEFP 2013 #22: Ed Byrne, Bridget Christie and Luke Wright - Slithery Calves. Rich is worried about the bullying that Chelsea Manning might be getting in prison, but is relieved to see Colin is still alive (if he was ever alive). His first guest is Ed Byrne who knows the correct pronunciation of Sudoku and is very happy to talk about Pointless for a long time. It might not be entertaining for you, but Richard is very happy to be there. Also what is it like spending your life looking quite like Richard's best friend from school? Ed is unable to really comment on that (even though he does). And there's more discussion of Doctors and breaking America. Luke Wright is here with a poem. And then Bridget Christie turns up to chat about her blitz on lads' mags, her calamitous time as a farm hand, the Daily Mail and being the Great Fire of London. And amazingly Richard turns out to be the only interviewer who doesn't really mention the elephant in the room (which is a rare thing, even when the elephant's wife is not around).

RHEFP 2013 #21: Paul Putner, Scroobius Pip and Sarah Campbell - Just A Band. Rich starts by praising the many toilet-seat wee-ers that Edinburgh seems to attract for their amazingly committed work and spots some celebrity lookalikes in the audience. Then he chats to Paul Putner about the Curious Orange, Little Britain and Glam Metal Detectives being the new Monty Python. And how an appearance in a Tango ad started the ball rolling. Stand-up comes from Sarah Campbell. And then Scroobius Pip discusses how he set fire to a hobby horse in a container without any thought for personal safety, all the secret work he does for charity and whether Purple Ronnie is a massive influence on his work. Plus whether it's effective to warn people about swearing in shows by more or less pointing out which swear words you can expect.

RHEFP 2013 #20: Mark Thomas, Rob Delaney and Chris Stokes - Pointless. Rich is a little weary and struck down by awards day depression and annoyed by journalists spotting themes from too small a selection of shows and top 10 joke competitions. He also has a theory about what might have happened to Colin. His guests are a busy (and slightly late) Mark Thomas, who is dashing around Edinburgh like a (living) blue-arsed fly protesting and demoing and being active. He chats about the shows he has seen, whilst Rich has just been watching telly, and disses Rich's Pick N Mix protests and lack of ambition. But is interested to hear who will be looking after today's racists when they are old. Stand-up comes from Chris Stokes, who was not sexually harassed during the show whatever he tells you or the police. Then bearded American Rob Delaney comes on to chat about board games, pubic trimming, how to react to award nominations and how Wikipedia can get things wrong. A rare (for this Fringe) clumsy and awkward day from Rich, but the guests are terrific so you'll still enjoy it.

RHEFP 2013 #19: Peacock and Gamble and Dana Alexander - Double Bumhole. Richard is concerned about all the people calling him 'The Spirit of the Fringe' this year. Come on people, that's for the corporate awards committees to decide, not you. He's tired out and dreaming of dangerous balloon rides with derivative double acts. And then his dreams come partly true as Proctor and Gamble arrive. The talk starts with bumholes and descends from there. Find out about Peacock's Muppet collection, his love of Les Dawson and a synopsis of his appearance on Doctors. Gamble chats about having a non-functioning pancreas, his love of the work of Richard Herring and how Peacock groomed him. Both of them admit that Richard is much better at comedy and podcasting than them and agree to retire. With stand-up from Dana Alexander. It's the last Tuesday! Hooray!

RHEFP 2013 #18: Alexei Sayle and David Kay - In a Cupboard with Lembit Opik. Richard has finally committed murder at the Fringe and is wondering if something similar happened to Lady Di (though hopefully no Cif was used then). He's very excited to be chatting to legendary stand-up Alexei Sayle about Carry On Columbus, how he nearly ended up as a Golden Girl, how the attempt to heal the rift with Ben Elton led to another rift and how Benny Hill ended up with Alexei's Emmy! We get some really good insights into the mind of a genius comedian (and Alexei says some stuff as well... Ha ha I am funny). With scone-based humour from David Kay. Think you'll enjoy this one!

RHEFP 2013 #17: Al Murray, Paul Provenza, Sally Anne Hayward - Pissing on Thackeray's Grave. Richard is surprised by a treasure found in his charity bucket and annoyed by middle lane drivers. But he is soon cheered up by a menage a trois with a couple of Muppets, Paul Provenza and Al Murray. What is it acceptable to say on Twitter? Can a joke make you drown? Who was best, Dickens or Thackeray? Will Sky Atlantic broadcast Richard discussing eating Jesus' foreskin? Why are all the Edinburgh posters so lame and do they influence the public? Why are there so many people in Pub Landlord costumes in Edinburgh? Did the bean-faced postman ever score with Janet the barmaid? And are comedians allowed an opinion? With stand-up from Sally Anne Hayward. To buy a T-shirt or Hoodie or mug with a RHEFP or ham hand design (more variety to be added soon) visit http://richardherring.cottoncart.com

RHEFP 2013 #16: Colt Cabana, Fred MacAulay and Nadia Kamil - Flying Asshole. Richard is annoyed that terrorists have been nicking his ideas for atrocities by considering putting bombs in boobs, but is glad to see that Colin is back so hasn't died (but then is it possible for a ghost to die?). It's a podcast of contrasts with wrestler Colt Cabana discussing nearly coming face to face with a maniac with a gun, what happens if you wrestle a 9 year-old girl and the power of podcasting. Birthday girl Nadia Kamil has a feminist rap for your delight. And then Fred MacAulay is on hand to discuss jurisprudence, accountancy, Scottish independence and being a rector. He also says some words that you won't ever hear him utter on his radio show. And Richard discusses why he was sacked by Lorraine Kelly. I don't think there will be a more eclectic mixture of guests and stories on this podcast. If you want it to survive to its fourth series then please show your support by purchasing something from www.gofasterstripe.com

RHEFP 2013 #15: Ardal O'Hanlon, Terry Alderton and Zoe Lyons - Patrick the Cement Mixer. Richard has lifted out of his fatigue and feels energised and ready to face another podcast and it's a fantastic line-up. First is Terry Alderton who vividly remembers how much Richard enjoyed his 1999 Perrier nominated show (not very much). He discusses his comedic reinvention, an appearance on Doctors that he had forgotten about and his love of Andy Kaufman. Stand-up from the fabulous Zoe Lyons. Then Ardal O'Hanlon chats about being in Blessed, how he got the part of Father Dougal and his family history. And of course Robbie the Reindeer and Scottish independence.

RHEFP 2013 #14: Paul Foot, Sean Hughes and Benny Boot - Abattoir. Richard is mildly hungover and grumpy and though he threatens to do 'A Baconface' the show must go on. First up is Paul Foot who talks about Russell Brand, pantomime cows, part of his life flashing before his eyes and the things that he wakes up thinking about that disturb him. Stand-up comes from Benny Boot. And then Sean Hughes chats about his nursing career, his transvestism and his brushes with death and tsunamis. Then the two of them form an amusing double act to take us to a shambolic competition. Most of the shows were like this last year, it's amazing that we've got this far without one this time! Warning! There is an audiophile in the audience.

RHEFP 2013 #13: Sarah Millican and Geoff Norcott - Round Three. Richard uses the podcast as an opportunity to send a sincere get well message to an ailing performer and tries to quash the ludicrous Spirit of the Fringe rumours that are being bandied around about him before introducing a woman who is more adversary than guest. They chat about Geordie Shore, Cameron Diaz, Michael McIntyre's tennis court and the fact that this is date 3 for them, with all the horrific implications. Will the feuding comedians finally admit their love or will one of them get a court order against the other? And who will be declared the winner of this bout? Geoff Norcott provides comedy from an unusual perspective.

RHEFP 2013 #12: Bo Burnham, Milton Jones and Paul Gannon - Deus Ex Machina. Apologies to completists, but the first couple of minutes of today's podcast got lost in a recording malfunction, but only cos Jerry spotted it was recording wrong, so in fact the majority has been saved, rather than a little bit lost. Hopefully from thereon in it's OK as Rich chatted to Milton Jones about whether comedians need writers, Planet Mirth, Celebrity Mastermind and Christianity. Paul Gannon comes on to do a set about ghosts, before a now non-jet-lagged Bo Burnham finally makes an appearance to discuss how it's possible for the internet to turn you into a global megastar (nonsense), who chose the paint in his bedroom, cockroaches in his sink and offensiveness in comedy (real, imagined and made-up). If anyone has illegally taped the show the lost bit may be reattached, but otherwise only the people who were actually there will get to witness an underwhelming piece of non-magic and hear about the Me1 Vs Me2 Snooker Podcast (also available on British Comedy Guide and iTunes).

RHEFP 2013 #11: Hannibal Buress, Greg Proops and Lost Voice Guy - Imaginary Ocelot. Day 12 of the Fringe and Richard seems to have lost the ability to speak. Which would be a problem if he didn't have such eloquent guests. First up is a jet-lagged (take note Bo Burnham) Hannibal Buress who talks about being a bum, why the actors on Saturday Night Live don't learn their lines and his attitude towards napkins. There's five minutes of stand-up from Lost Voice Guy, a stand-up who can't speak. Beat that! And then Greg Proops is on hand to discuss taking a drug, what happens to us when we die and why he feels the need to document his whole life via podcast, the loser. Also a special appearance from Me2, advising people not to come to the live Me1 Vs Me2 Snooker frame on 12th August at Assembly 3 at 9.30pm. (http://www.assemblyfestival.com/event.php?id=730). And there's a day off tomorrow for you to catch up!

RHEFP 2013 #10: Michael Legge, David O'Doherty and Felicity Ward - Orangeman's Day. Richard is a bit frazzled and confused as the daily grind of two shows a day starts to take its toll, but a podcast full of comedy talent will revive him. Plus he's just seen Clare Grogan in the street. Michael Legge is back as a last minute replacement for a jet-lagged Bo Burnham (he'll be on the show on Tuesday), chosen as the comedian who is most similar to the YouTube sensation and not because he was the only comic on Twitter at 9 this morning. He has more stories of being mistaken for the other Michael Legge (from Angela's Ashes), confused women in train stations and his love for Mrs Brown's Boys. Then there's five minutes stand-up from the brilliant Mary Poppins hating Felicity Ward, before David O'Doherty arrives to tell us about his stolen bike wheel, what happens when you try to cash a giant novelty cheque and how he's managed to create 12 Fringe shows in as many years, which should shut Rich up for a bit. With added feedback to annoy the audiophiles and help pinpoint them to the police when they complain. Plus a profound and beautiful song about life. A right cracker in fact.

RHEFP 2013 #9: Omid Djalili, Ben Moor and Michael J Dolan - Positivity. Richard is excited by the news of pregnant pandas in Edinburgh zoo and has a suspicion who the father may be, but there's not time to hang around, with two guests who both appeared in the Heath Ledger film, Casanova. First up is the upside-down banana eater and Rich's 2013 flat mate Ben Moor. They chat about Keith Allen sabotaging the Oxford Revue 1988, Planet Mirth and stamped on Twixes, before Ben dashes off to appear in his fabulous one man show, Each of Us. Then after some fine stand-up from Michael J Dolan, second guest Omid Djalili talks about being the new Nadim Sawalha, a fat Picasso and what it's like stepping into the shoes of God (or Morgan Freeman anyway) and how Oliver Reed grabbing his balls indirectly led to him one day getting a free takeaway. Also find out how to steal a bottle of wine, Herring style.

RHEFP 2013 #8: Janey Godley, Ashley Storrie and Doug Segal - Hologram Colin. After over a week of the Fringe, Rich is perhaps a little weary, but glad to see some regulars in the front row and to have actual copies of his new DVD, Talking Cock (www.gofasterstripe.com). His guests are mother and daughter stand-ups and podcasters, Janey Godley and Ashley Storrie whose family are responsible for both almost destroying the UK economy and multiplying UFO sightings, amongst many other things. Hear about Jerry Sadowitz's first gig, living with Aspergers and a discussion on why men feel the need to get their cocks out. Two funny, opinionated and loquacious women, which suits Rich who enjoys the rest. Mind magic from Doug Segal.

RHEFP 2013 #7: Ian Lavender, Tony Law and Carey Marx - Molly Sugden's Space Pussy. A week into the Fringe and madness may be descending. An exuberant Tony Law has been celebrating having someone to help him look after his children by making a night of it. And the night might still be going on. It's hard to tell, as he's always like this. But will mixing a pumped up Law with a quietly spoken (possibly too quietly spoken to be heard) Ian Lavender cause them to reach the same level or explode? Nothing makes sense any more, but there's a lot of stuff about Mary Beard and owls and the Who and then some slightly less insane (but only by comparison) information about Goodnight Sweetheart, Molly Sugden, Elke Somer in a shower and whether a forty year old catchphrase has ever made Lavender snap. Or will being sandwiched between a bickering Law and Herring be enough. Fantastic stand-up interspersed between the mayhem from Carey Marx.

RHEFT 2013 #6: Rory McGrath, Josh Widdicombe and Carly Smallman - Is It Still My Mind? Rich has been to see Adam Buxton and you will find out if he makes good on the promise of a hand job for the flowers. And he has two guests today. First up Josh Widdicombe who has just slightly trapped his hand in a door, but isn't going to make a bid deal about it. He chats about Million Pound Drop, Tim Lovejoy pretending to be his friend and goes into proper depth on the badger/cow conundrum. And secondly Rory McGrath back on stage at the Fringe for the first time in 23 years, who has indiscreet things to say about Griff Rhys Jones and Frankie Howerd plus memories of Peter Cook. Musical stand-up from Carly Smallman.

RHEFP 2013 #5: Susan Calman and Lee Camp - Like Syphoning Petrol. Rich is worried about the loss of his lucky street shoe and that his huge fame will mean he can't walk the streets any more, but Susan Calman is on hand to bring him down to earth with a bump (almost literally). In a highly-charged and flirtatious third date a few lines are crossed, mostly involving lactation. Find out where to see Calman nude, why the pair spent a cold December day in a flower shop together, how to play solo Kick The Can and how plans are progressing for the (surely) prize-winning Herring and Calman Live Sex Show are going. With way too many mentions of Stewart Lee and all the latest Doctor Who news. Plus stand-up from Lee Camp.

RHEFP 2013 #4: Brendon Burns, John Lloyd and Keith Farnan - Thistles Up Your Anus. Richard is bamboozled after receiving flowers from a man and the unexpected feelings that has awakened, and on top of that an unexpected double booking has occurred. So two guests for the price of one with Wrestling fan and victim of marsupial abuse, Brendon Burns and carrot-chemical obsessive, furniture snob John Lloyd. And the double-header works so well that we might do it more. If you've ever thought about your dog's vagina whilst masturbating, know all the words to the Not The Nine O'Clock News or don't know what 'cunnilingus' means, then this is the show for you. With a fantastic set from Keith Farnan.

RHEFP 2013 #3: Norman Lovett and Christian Reilly - Colin's Revenge? Richard is reeling from a not really all that near death experience, but luckily Norman Lovett is on hand to provide laconic wisdom and laughs and the kind of honesty that comes with being one of comedy's elder statesmen. There is some frank discussion about Jimmy Savile and what he might have been trying to achieve in those mortuaries, whether Keith Allen can solve the world hunger crisis, what Phillip Schofield likes to do at 3pm and where John Lloyd expects others to buy furniture. There's a bit of Red Dwarf and The Young Ones and the young Edgar Wright, as well as the now customary chat about suicide, but it's mainly an afternoon in the charming company of a funny man. With AIOTM's (aiotm's) Christian Reilly providing some songs.

RHEFP 2013 #2: David Baddiel and Katie Mulgrew - The Queen's Tiny Head. The Fringe is only just up and running and Richard has already has his perceptions turned around by a performer who has made him question the way we all eat bananas. Today's guest is David Bad-eel who is doing his first stand-up show at the Fringe for fifteen years and it's all about fame (not the musical). Find out if David has any non-famous friends, what it was like doing a TV show with wet-lipped Michael Gove, how far Scotland is prepared to go for Independence and Baddiel's most shameful sexual encounter with a fan. Plus more from Colin, fast becoming the star of the podcast. Stand-up from Katie Mulgrew.

RHEFP 2013 #1: Jenny Eclair and Alfie Brown - Urine Teeth. Rich's 22nd Edinburgh Fringe is underway with vandal, novelist, punk poet and reprobate Jenny Eclair as the first guest of the new run. She's a character witness in Cupboardgate with a controversial theory about who was responsible and she's worked with (though not as far as we know 'worked with' Keith Allen), so there's plenty to talk about. With memories of embarrassment and sexual awakening on the Twister mat, reviews for pubic Eclair and the international terrifying-sound of laughing middle-aged women. Plus Colin the ghost returns and the disappointing airing of a new emergency question. With stand-up from the controversial and uncompromising Alfie Brown.

2012 #19: OMO Sexual - Michael Legge and Jarlath Regan. Richard has a bit more of a spring in his step than he's had for a few days and he's been given a t-shirt by one his potential stalker killers - it's nice that they can give as well as take - and he's enjoying his most recent iTunes review. He's joined by Michael Legge, a man who eschews honey, but is less discriminating about what fluids can go in and on to animals. You will find out if he believes in ghosts, how Twitter lost him two ticket sales, his appeal to the Dutch and how much it is still smarting for him that he wasn't thanked at the end of last year's podcast. Richard is trying to solve the Irish Question (but making things a bit worse) and upsetting bus drivers and Scottish people and generally making a nuisance of himself, which suggests that he's on the mend. Stand-up from Jarlath Regan.

EPISODE 50: Freaks and Geeks - Rumpel, Orbax and Pepper and Keir McAllister. The Fringe is over and Richard is winding down like a non-Duracell bunny. There's a definite end of term atmosphere and some literal clock-watching, but there's still much to entertain - even if it is mostly visual. Kangaroo King Rumpel returns after last year's bizarre appearance and this year he is dressed up and spouting pearls of wisdom from amongst the madness. Crikey! Then Oryx and Crake (not their real names) the Canadian freakshow double-act come up to get their 25th consecutive daily photo with Herring. They stay for a chat about terrible injuries and bifurcated tongues and put cutlery in unusual bodily orifices. Keir McAllister provides the stand-up. Thanks to www.gofasterstripe.com and everyone at the Stand for the terrific support. Richard will be touring his cock round the UK over the next few months and is doing more Leicester Square Theatre podcasts from October!

2012 #18: Yorkshire Robin Hood – Al Murray and Celia Pacquola. Richard Herring, the sweaty-backed comedian happy to give piggy-backs to his fans as long as they ask first is on a downward spiral of tiredness and illness, but still trudged down to The Stand to interview Al Murray. He literally has the hardest job in the world. Literally. And he does it all for love. The love of losing money. Luckily Al has a lot to say, so Rich can have a much needed snooze. There's an in depth discussion of the Twitter Joke Trial, a much needed light shone on the story of the British Army in Burma in World War II and Rich recounts an odd dream about his wife and his first girlfriend, which might shed some light on his strange and damaged psyche. Al shows he won't let sleeping dogs lie and Richard wonders if it is possible to rape an ant? So it's pretty much business as usual, but with a lot more stuff about Burma in it than usual. Exactly a week of the festival remaining. Oh God. Stand-up from the very funny Celia Pacquola.

2012 #24: Fireworks - Phil Nichol and Tony Jameson. After last year's lost podcast with Phil Nichol, Richard is praying all will work today lest Phil starts to take it personally. Nichol takes us through some of his less successful Fringe shows and how he got involved with acting and pretending to be Terry Gilliam. He's got some stories about spectating on public sex, walking on the moon and Buzz Aldrin and even tries to tell Herring's audience some jokes (something they are very unfamiliar with). Stand-up from Tony Jameson. Tomorrow is the final show and RHEFP #50 and sees the return of Rumpel. Anything can happen but probably won't. Crikey!

2012 #23: Rasputin Beard - Martin Mor and Ro Campbell. Richard has egg all over his trousers, but it's not the result of experimenting with sex with birds after recent cloacal revelations - he's been competing for an Edinburgh trophy at the Malcolm Hardee Awards. Has he finally won something in Edinburgh? ... No of course not. His guest is Martin 'Bigpig' Mor, an intimidating, but gentle giant and Rasputin lookalike (will he do a show about what it's like to have the same facial hair as an historical figure?) who has worked as a juggler and a knife-thrower, which proved great practice for dealing with hecklers. There is also discussion about whether the gym both men frequent is a good pick-up joint, how all art could be improved by a monkey Jesus and Rich's own first artistic commission. Did Richard get the idea to do a TV show from Stewart Lee? Is there anything that wasn't Stewart Lee's idea? With leafletting-based comedy from Ro Campbell. Only two days from the end - and the 50th RHEFP (rhefp).

2012 #22: Tokyo Honeymoon - Simon Evans and Lloyd Langford. Richard is showing off because Nicholas Parsons came to see his Talking Cock, but the audience seem unimpressed by his celebrity connections or his attempts to foment an Anglo-Scottish war. Simon Evans is the guest for the first three quarters, but then he has to go to be Prime Minister (in a play alas) and so stand-up spot Lloyd Langford gets a mini-interview too. There's as dire warning from history about how politeness can save your city, theories about the afterlife, faux poshness and what it's like writing gags for other people. Lloyd Langford discusses his show about buying bread, whilst Richard gives him another dire warning from history about winning the Daily Telegraph Worst Comedy Experience of 2005. There's probably some other stuff in it too. Listen to it to find out. You've only got three more chances.

2012 #21: Monkey Jesus - Nick Doody and Steve Gribbin. Rich is delighted that at last some funny news stories have appeared for him to joke about, like badly restored frescos and Prince Harry's embodied anus, but the audience aren't so sure that he is as funny as he thinks he is despite him having a T-shirt which PROVES he is the 6 star King of Edinburgh. Nick Doody is sitting on the guest stool today and chats about how it's a bad idea to consult a comedian if you have blood in your urine, how he lives in the opening titles of Peep Show, why there is a massive picture of his face in Edinburgh and at Seaworld and the time he interviewed Bill Hicks as a 19 year-old (listen to it here: http://bit.ly/DoodyHicks). Richard is unpleasant and the audience seem surprised, but he at least apologises for some of his worst excesses before compounding them. But he asks the questions that other interviewers fear to ask, but only because he hasn't got a list with the proper questions on and thinks it's better to ask about ghosts. Steve Gribbin provides the music as he will on every 23rd August as long as this podcast is running. It's a guaranteed booking.

2012 #20: Performers from the Moon - Felicity Ward and Hayley Ellis. Richard is almost better, though he's reeling from the demolition of the Time Gentleman Please pub and from not being on the comedy awards list despite not being eligible. But his guest Felicity Ward (who has only come from Australia - it's not like she travelled through space) is in a cheery mood, enjoying her run of her already award-winning show The Hedgehog Dilemma though her dilemma about hedgehogs is predictably different than Richard's. There's chat about ghosts, premonitions of death and using Koalas as cold remedies, so it gets quite scary if you're on a night shift. But Rich reveals his nerdiness about Scrabble based games and ebooks and recounts the story (not for the first time) of what he did when someone's phone went off in his show. Hayley Ellis is the stand-up. Only five more to go. You'll miss it when it's gone.

2012 #17: Wanker's Chariot - Simon Donald and Helen Arney. Richard is still reeling a bit from a late night assault of friendliness and his usual crappy performance at Best Of The Fest, but luckily some of the normal folk have strayed into his den of Morlock-faced comedy fans and he can bully them to make up for it. Comedy legend Simon Donald is on hand to chat to about swearing, censorship, the most niche train spotting magazine in the history of the world and the creation of Viz comic, which somehow became a bigger success than Richard's schoolboy attempts in Inkings. With stand-up and music from the brill Helen Arney.

2012 #16: Weasel Prophylactic - Nick Helm and Jay Foreman. Rich is husky and ill and worrying about the parallels between his life and the fate of Rodney Bewes and trying to live his life vicariously through the life of his audience by fixing up random people based on what they've got in their hair. Colin is back on the front row, which freaks out Nick Helm as he was recently on the front row of his audience too, but he manages to recover his wits to talk about Winchester college, eating found Chinese takeaway, as well as being forced to field all the regular questions from the various podcasts. Rich further examines his Krankies tribute act (no news on if Susan Calman is up for it) and gets cross about the Independent slightly making stuff up about him. With music from Jay Foreman.

2012 #15: Olbas Tissues - Susan Calman and Tiffany Stevenson. Rich is a bit woozy and under the weather today, not sure of where he is and if it is Edinburgh where that is. It must be nearly all over by now right? His guest Susan Calman has kindly given him some Olbas scented tissues, which he becomes unnaturally obsessed with. Both Richard and Susan have recently married (though not each other - not yet) and they chat about love, but any sweetness will soon be wiped out by the filth spewed by Herring, high on Olbas, who tries and fails to find the politically correct term for two women marrying. With an ex-lawyer in the room and with his head swimming with disease he may not have chosen the right day to discuss if it was possible to rape an animal, but he has a go anyway but there's plenty for fans of Dr Who and penis maps too. Plus a welcome return for Richard's accurate impression of a Scotch person. If illness doesn't kill him, then someone from Scotland probably will. Only 10 more to go - oh God! Stand-up from Tiffany Stevenson.

2012 #14: New is Old and North is South - Tony Law and Lou Sanders. Richard is resting on his laurels after winning gold at Mark Watson's Edinborolympics for throwing an orange into a bucket whilst wearing another bucket on his head. Tired from the exertion, he's hoping he can take a back seat and get through a day of work without anyone knowing he's slacking. But that's hard when you're on a stage in a spotlight and there's only one other person there. This time it's handsome Canadian Tony Law who has stories of watching Monty Python on a farm, fancying Roman statues, responsible child care and fomenting war between the north and south based venues in Edinburgh. Rich explains his apparent inability to understand direction or the age of buildings once he crosses the Scottish border and Tony and the audience attempt to help, but to no avail. Stand-up from p]Lou Sanders[/p] that has to be seen to be believed, but still works in audio format. Go and see her at 9.30pm at the Pleasance Attic.

2012 #13: (horn noise) Sarah Millican and Pete Johansson. It's like Ross and Rachel all over again. After last year's sexually charged podcast, Sarah Millican returns to fuel the will they/won't they speculation. And Rich, though tired and slightly hallucinating due to lack of sleep is determined to give as good as he gets (with the comedy) as last year's bout was awarded to Millican on a points basis. Can he defeat the quick-witted comedian? It shouldn't be a problem. She is just a woman one after all. Though his comedy does have a hint of back sweat to it. There's more Bewes news, chat about potatoes, raw cheese and some possibly illegal conversations with a child in the front row. Sarah talks about her emotional appearance on Deal Or No Deal and which men-dressed-as-women she most resembles. Who will win the battle of the honking Titans? Can Herring even the score to set up a 2013 decider? Will they or won't they consummate their love? You can only find out by listening to this fun-packed and disgraceful podcast. With ace stand-up from Pete Johansson.