Russell Howard’s Wonderbox

Having dinner sitting next to a grizzly bear. Provoking a hundred muscle-bound men in Coventry. Visiting a laboratory in Spain to cook food using lightning. It could only be YouTube's most innovative creator… Max Fosh!  Russell and Max sit down to discuss Max's Five Brilliant Things, which include many tales of his extraordinary life and the mad challenges he sets himself. Also mayonnaise. He bloody loves mayonnaise.  A delightful show, delightful company, a delightful man. He also gives a sneak preview of a massive upcoming video… You can watch all of Max's work (and you should - it's clever AND silly - the best combination) at his YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/maxfosh Also please give our Patreon show a look - it's a whole second show every week with our guests. This week Max gave his solution to the North/South divide, told us his dream projects for the future and he also gave a very in-depth answer (the definitive answer?) to the hundred men vs one gorilla question… It's really fun. Have a look by clicking here  Now be gone. Get out. You are no longer welcome. Come on, haven't you got homes to go to? I'm trying to cash up here. No you can't use the toilet. Get out.  Producer: Dan Atkinson Line Producer: Daisy Knight Exec Producer: James Taylor Composer: Fat Lady Music Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

JORDAN BANJO Jordan Banjo, from the Diversity street dance group, from I'm a Celeb, from Kiss FM is in the studio and his Five Brilliant Things are a huge amount of fun; from watching videos of Mums cutting fringes badly through to smelly pens and a surprising revelation about how old Jordan was before he'd tasted water… Get thee into this podcast and enjoy Russell and Jordan talking all over these good things. Jordan also tells what it's like to suddenly become well-known after winning BGT, how surreal that whole experience was. And as we chatted about on the show, you can hear Jordan alongside Perri hosting the breakfast show on Kiss FM every weekday from 7am on your radio or digital thing.  And in our extra show, Five Brilliant Questions, Jordan gives some incredible advice for anyone who wants to take dancing seriously as a career, and gives Russell a hilarious run-down of his many tattoos. So many stories!  Click this link to listen to that show: patreon.com/RussellHoward   And that's all the news and weather. Until next time, stay safe and look after each other. Now here's Julie with the news where you are.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

From Last One Laughing it's comedian Harriet Kemsley, who is great company and with some surprising stories; her youth flying in World War Two Fighter Planes to her snowboarding exploits PLUS find out why she could end up imprisoned in Guantanamo Bay… it's all in this fantastic episode of Five Brilliant Things. 

Welcome to May's moments of the month; a show where we round up the highlights of all the episodes of the past month so you can have a nibble at all of them and see if they take your fancy. May 2025 in the studio we had Kae Kurd, Jeff Innocent, Jordan Stephens and Adam Buxton. Please enjoy this new monthly taster show. This won't change our normal shows released as usual every Wednesday (or once every seventeen days for our listeners on Jupiter). If you've already listened to all these episodes by the way there's nothing new really apart from some little bits and bobs in-between the excerpts from the existing episodes. You know how compilations work. Producer: Dan Atkinson Line Producer: Daisy Knight Exec Producer: James Taylor Composer: Fat Lady Music Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How did the F1 anchor cope when David Coulthard was so hungover he's got a bucket between his legs just out of shot? When he was hosting the football, how badly was Jake reprimanded for jeering at the Ipswich fans from the commentary box? Jake Humphrey from the High Performance podcast (and formerly of CBBC) is in the studio with Russell to wax lyrical about his Brilliant Things including the mud in Norfolk, Greylag Geese, his terrible A-level results and more and more and more.  Jake's podcast is the one you've most likely heard about - the super-successful High Performance podcast where he talks to people about their extraordinary achievements and lives and how they get to those places. Have a listen at https://www.thehighperformancepodcast.com ✨ Aaaand if you like all this that we do, then you can get it unemcumbered by advertisements, and get an extra show every week for a small monthly cost. Find out what an insane bargain it is by clicking here. ✨  End of message. Please don't drop litter, and yes that means putting it in a hedge. Hedges have feelings too. Also if you've got a dog and you can't pick up its poo, get it a nappy. It's a small price to pay for clean streets and a funny stupid looking dog.  Producer: Dan Atkinson Line Producer: Daisy Knight Exec Producer: James Taylor Composer: Fat Lady Music Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Adam Buxton, the OG, the Podfather, king of all things Pod is here and he's not just brought Five Brilliant Things - he's also brought a load of nearly-ran Brilliant Things!  Fascinating and funny as always, Adam takes us through why dinner is so important, how he's unable to invent bedtime stories and which bird has a song like EDM.  It's just great! An hour with Adam just flies by and you will come out amused, invigorated and fresh, like a shower if it was funny.

From Rizzle Kicks it's the fabulous Jordan Stephens, and his brilliant things are brilliantly wide-ranging.  What's the greatest ever TV show intro theme? The answer is in here, as well as some mind-expanding discussions about the profundity of vegetables.

Jeff, AKA Racist Grandad by the internet, is in the studio and his Five Brilliant Things are a wonderful trip across a rich and colourful life. In case you're not aware, Jeff is one of the UK comedy circuit's top acts but for decades was unknown outside the clubs. Now, after all that time, he has become Insta-famous. This wonderful episode of the show takes in 60s reggae record hunting, working on a dog track and the dos and don'ts of wearing a dead man's silk pyjamas.  Jeff has recorded his latest special and it's on Youtube for all to enjoy. He is best tasted live, of course; to watch his Special and find links to get to Jeff's live shows including future tours, you need to keep your eyes on https://www.jeffinnocent.com And in our extra show just for our Patreon crew, Jeff tells the most astonishing story about the wildest behaviour of his youth. It's a bit more strong flavoured than the main show this week but a fascinating, utterly absorbing story that has to be heard to be believed… Click this link to join or find out more: patreon.com/RussellHoward   And now the moment we've all been waiting for, the obligatory over-long indulgent sign-off. The business is completed, and now almost as a point of spite you have to wade through this unnecessary punishment of words. Here you still are, reading on, maybe in the hope that at the end there will be a reward for your continued presence, your efforts. You've got an inkling that it will fade to nothing but you're still here. That stupid part of your brain that contains hope is urging you to continue without stopping to consider what even could the reward be? What would be worth all this waste of time? Is there anything? Reader: there was nothing. Until next time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What is the rudest thing a therapist can do during a session? Kae Kurd found out and tells a belter of a story in this episode all about it. This quite brilliant Brilliant Things takes in perverts watching Panda sex, it covers the beauty of Rottweilers and there's even a bit of perineum sunning in there for good measure.  Kae Kurd is a fantastic British-Kurdish comedian and gives incredible insight into what it's like gigging around the UK had how he weaves his fascinating cultural heritage into his comedy.

Russell gets his tarot reading live on the podcast! The guest this week is Emma Gannon, the the Sunday Times bestselling author judge for the prestigious 2025 Women's Prize. Between 2016-2023 she hosted Ctrl Alt Delete, one of Britain's most successful industry podcasts. She is seen as many as the quintessential voice of the millennial generation. Emma and Russell talk about fascinating areas of unlocking creativity, making time for all the things you want to do (can you have it all?) and singing nuns. A breezy brilliant hour of chat for you to enjoy while you're walking in this glorious sunshine. If you're reading this when it's raining then just pretend. 

Did Tom Kerridge save a chef's life by putting him in a gigantic fridge? It's quite possible. But why? It's all in today's culinary chinwag.  Tom Kerridge brings his Five Brilliant Things, and as you might expect from a chef it takes in some of life's extremes. There's an incredible retelling of what it's like to be on a racing car grid, and Tom's tales of his old drinking days are the stuff of legend. Please do enjoy.  Do you want to be just as good as Tom is at cooking perfect barbecue food? Well as luck would have it you can do just that. His new BBQ book is out now, ready for you to practise a little before impressing all your friends at the garden party/beach rave/prison yard. 

It's the Taskmaster's Assistant, Alex Horne! And he's here to tell his Brilliant things and as you would probably expect it's a complete delight.  Did you think birdwatching was boring? Guess again! Failing to see the majesty of the French Horn? Let Alex enlighten your ass! Alex brings an array of delights in an episode that will fly by and leave you with that cosy feeling in your guts. I probably should have used a more poetic word than guts. That description really tailed off at the end there. Guts can ruin anything. Just listen to the damn episode and enjoy yourself. 

What's it like to be hunted by the son of a murderous Libyan dictator? Spoiler: it's not a Brilliant Thing, but it is an incredible story from this week's guest Spencer Matthews.  There are tales of desert marathons, growing up on an island paradise and what it's like when reality TV thrusts you into fame before you're necessarily ready for it… A fascinating chat that goes in many interesting directions.

Nina Conti, ventriloquist supreme, her with the monkey, is in the studio (no monkey) and chooses some incredible brilliant things (the density of an atom's nucleus! The orange of the inside of an eyelid!). It's a privileged ramble through the brain of an artist. Please enjoy.

How do you go from being a young sex columnist to a nationally acclaimed restaurant reviewer? Food writer, broadcaster, jazz pianist and egg fanatic Jay Rayner is here. If you have even a passing interest in anything foodie, there's so much in here for you. New ways of loving tinned fish, the dark arts of restaurant reviewing, and a noble attempt by Russell to convert Jay into a football fan. Did he leave wearing a scarf and hat munching on a balti pie? You'll have to listen to find out. Jay is now reviewing restaurants for the Financial Times, so you can find those in print or online every week.  As Jay mentions on the podcast, his latest book Nights Out At Home is out now at all good independent bookshops, and there's a few live tour dates to go with it.

What family game is Rose Ayling-Ellis banned from playing in her own home? Find out in the first ever podcast appearance by the actor and Strictly Come Dancing champion! Rose takes Russell through the majesty of playing Catan, eating Posh Crisps and how the pandemic had a weird side-benefit for the deaf community.  It's a great fun hour and well worth your time. In this episode there's a lot of chat about British Sign Language… if it's piqued your curiosity and you want to find out more then get your ass (and hands) down to https://www.british-sign.co.uk

Is Russell a Paladin, a Warlock or a Rogue? Scottish comedy powerhouse Daniel Sloss introduces Russell to his world of D & D with his customary passion and flair. He also sings the praises of sneezes, and makes a convincing case for self-medicating in airports.  Daniel Sloss fans who are waiting for a new show, well you are in luck. He's working up material now for his next tour, so if you live in Scotland you'll be able to see him popping into your local comedy club and throwing ideas around. If that's geographically inconvenient, then you'll probably have to wait for the real thing.  Keep those beautiful eyes of yours on danielsloss.com where you'll find news of the tour when it drops, and in the meantime you can stream all of Daniel's existing shows. So go do that. Now.  Would you prefer to get this podcast without adverts? And get a free extra show every week? And get it all a day before everyone else?  And join a bunch of like-minded happy people? Well you're in luck. You can do this and much more by clicking this here:  patreon.com/RussellHoward   If you want to give it a whirl for a month, then cancel, you can do that. 

How do you become a Habbo Hotel Scammer? And why did Russell ask a bunch of young men which of them was going to pleasure him in the street?  Podcast royalty and ex-Youtube magnate JacckMaate is in the studio, and it's as fun, breezy and enjoyable as you would imagine from a man of his mastery of chat. Jack's stories about his days as a Habbo gangster are sensational.  JaackMaate's Happy Hour is one of the biggest podcasts out there and it's available exclusively through Spotify. Go listen, then explore all the things that Jaack does. He's great. If you'd like to get the podcast without being interrupted by adverts, and get an extra show every week, AND get it all a day before everyone else, then you can! You can join our Patreon. It's inexpensive and we would love to have you as part of the club. Click this link to join or find out more: patreon.com/RussellHoward   And that's all folks! Have a mad good week. Mad good I tell you.  xxx Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hear Rachel Riley's plan for pay-as-you-go giant adult prams! You'll find this and all your other must-know insights into Britain's most well-known maths genius in this episode of Five Brilliant Things! Rachel has a passion for all sorts of things and it was pure pleasure to hear her talking about the excitement of travel, of food, and of course, maths. In there there's some really simple ideas as well about how you, who is intimidated by maths, can instantly get better. Have a listen, feel fuzzy, get good at maths. What a way to spend an hour.

Dave Gorman! The man, the legend, the maker of the most epic comedy shows of the past thirty years.  How could you miss this? Dave is interested in everything, and makes everything interesting. The brilliance includes cryptic crosswords, it includes playing cards, and Dave tells us about the time he hosted a darts tournament where Eric Bristow was working illicitly.

The Northern Irish Comedian is in the studio with some outstanding Brilliant Things. If you've never experienced Minstrels and Popcorn, if you've never luxuriated in the spongy floor at airport security, then this show will open your eyes and blow your mind. Or open your mind and blow your eyes. Vittorio's jokes and stories take a ride through is formal musical training, on a detour via traditional Irish delights (Guinness, anyone?) and there's even a bit of fun pub quizzing at the tail end. Who doesn't love a pub quiz?

Insider tips on how to take the perfect penalty? We got ‘em. Genuinely fascinating insights from a man with a better record than many others. Troy Deeney was Watford's talisman and striker for years, and now is on our screens as pundit with the main sports broadcasters.  He's got a fascinating life story to tell involving some pretty hard stories about his upbringing, a stint in prison and how he's kept himself together through it all.  OH, and one thing that's worth mentioning… There's a description of footballer's toenails about a third of the way through. If you're a little squeamish then give that a forward scrub. Footballers have the mankiest toenails. Yeurch.  ⚽️ Troy has setup Vision Football Factory in Tamworth – it plays an important role in the Birmingham area, providing a safe & quality space for young people to play football & build community. The website is www.visionfootballfactory.com and you can find them on Instagram at @visionfootballfactory You can also catch Troy on various broadcast platforms covering football, and finally you could follow Troy on Instagram to see everything he's up to - his handle is @t_deeney. ⚽️ Russell is out on the road also, with dates across the world. He's zipping around with such ferocity that I couldn't possibly pinpoint where on the planet he'll be when you read this. Stay up to date at russell-howard.co.uk - which is also where you can stream Russell's latest smash hit hour-long special. It's not been long out and it's bloody good.  If you'd like to get the podcast without being interrupted by adverts, and get an extra show every week, AND get it all a day before everyone else, then you can! You can join our Patreon for less than the cost of a pint of beer a month (or maybe two pints of orange juice if you're not a booze hound). Click this link to join or find out more: patreon.com/RussellHoward   There we go. That's this week's missive.  Thanks for being part of all this because really if you didn't read this then it wouldn't be worth writing.  Only joking. I know there's nobody reading this far down.  It's just me, alone with my thoughts, spurting out nonsense that nobody will ever see. I could say anything. I could say all the cancellable stuff.  Obviously I won't because I'm nothing if not a coward. I don't really want to be up on a work tribunal explaining why I wrote awful things in a podcast notes sign-off. That's no way to lose it all. I'll stick to aimless rambling in the wind.  See you later, nobody. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Etiquette expert William Hanson is with us, and he's had enough of being asked the correct way to touch yourself under the table. Do you want to find out the correct way to do the incorrect things? It's all in this podcast with one of the most charming, funny men in Britain. 

Can Russell convince Andy to go to a Water Park? And can Andy convince Russell to visit an Ancient Greek Citadel? It's a tussle for the ages.  This episode of Five Brilliant Things all comes from the brains of comedian and cricket statistics royalty, Andy Zaltzman.  It is, frankly, a fiesta of culture. From obscure Ancient Greek plays to casting sculptures in bronze the depth and breadth of Andy's magnificent brains are on full display. Oh, yes, there's also a smattering of cricket chat. Just a smattering. About an over's worth.

There is something wonderful about this episode. Jessie has been through a lot. She's taken more life thrown at her than most other people could handle, yet there is still an emphatic positivity that shines through. These Five Brilliant Things have a bittersweet quality to them which makes for a tender, funny and terrific show. Jessie talked about her novel ‘Sunset' on the podcast, and it really is a great piece of work, highly recommended. Please either buy it from an independent bookshop, or you could get it online HERE.   Jessie also has a podcast called ‘Whenever it Kicks' which is about parenthood, life generally and more - give that a look HERE.  In our Patreon show with Jessie this week, her Five Brilliant Questions did tend towards the Harry Potter, I'll be honest. But there was none of that in the main show so it was fascinating hearing what it was like on set, what cliques there were - and then we get into the real business of Jessie and Russell discussing the finer points of filming sex scenes.  Do I have your attention? It's all in our Patreon which you can find here patreon.com/RussellHoward  And now you can see the walls coming back into focus as we descend back into the real world and leave this astral plane of blurb. It's been a wild trip and it has been a humbling experience to be your spirit guide through this.  If you ever regain your sanity maybe we'll see you again next week?  Good Day to You, Enlightened One. Producer: Dan Atkinson Line Producer: Daisy Knight Exec Producer: James Taylor Composer: Fat Lady Music Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Would you expect to find the Pub Landlord chowing down in a Wagamama? Neither would we but it's exactly where he'll be. Al Murray tells Russell why he always has the same noodles, the best place to get pissed in Ireland and a sidetrack into trained cannon musicians.  Al Murray is a proper British treasure. If you only know him as the Pub Landlord then there's so much more - he gives so much History, explains some fascinating background to percussion (he's a dab hand percussionist) and is a font of knowledge that refuses to stop spewing interesting stuff all over the podcast floor.  It was a nightmare to clean up but that's NOT YOUR PROBLEM. As you heard on the podcast Al makes a regular WW2 podcast ‘We Have Ways of Making you Talk' which you can find HERE.  If you haven't seen Al live, then you really should. One of the best. Such a great comic. He's just extended his current tour ‘Guv Island'. Check out the tour dates and get tickets by visiting Al's website www.thepublandlord.com In our Patreon Show this week, Al answers your questions, telling us which country is best at wars in history ever, he recommends the greatest drum solo ever recorded and Russell tells Al about the best/worst prank that was ever played on him. It is a cruel one. Really spicy. Go to: patreon.com/RussellHoward to get involved. We want to see you there, it's a lot of fun and you can join for free to start with so nothing to lose!  I believe that's all the housekeeping. If you're still with me on this epic reading journey then well done. As a treat, I will tell you that I think the word ‘shoffice' is the worst in the English Language. And I don't mind mashing two words together at all, but everything about shoffice is ugly - it demeans two perfectly good words, and ideas, and the word, concept and everything about it is bleak. It's not a shoffice it's a shed with a computer in it.  There you go. Some ‘treat' that was. Until next time, and remember to wrap up warm. You can't catch a cold by going out dressed like that (it's a virus, that's not how colds work) but you will look like a plucked chicken. Bye bye.  Producer: Dan Atkinson Line Producer: Daisy Knight Exec Producer: James Taylor Composer: Fat Lady Music Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You want rollerskating telephone operators? We got ‘em. You want arguments about how many gears a decent bike should have? It's all here in this episode of Five Brilliant Things with Suzi Ruffell. From the rough-arse pubs of Portsmouth to the fashionable theatres of London's West End, this lovely show touches on all corners of Suzi's past.  Suzi's on tour in 2025 with her brand-new show ‘The Juggle'. It's going all over the UK to a town or city near you in the second half of the year. Tickets and dates can all be found and acquired at suziruffell.com Aaaaand Suzi's latest recorded special ‘Snappy' is out now, available to rent HERE. Today's Patreon episode of Five Brilliant Questions sees both Suzi and Russell get very serious about the question 'Is it ever acceptable to eat a baguette sideways?' If you think you know the answer then please join us and get involved and settle the debate. You can join our Patreon for free if you like, and we'd be delighted to have you on the team. Check it all out at patreon.com/RussellHoward  And who even are you, reading this far down some show notes. But thanks for sticking with me. I hope you have a wonderful 2025. Just think, you're probably the only person in the world who's read this. And that means that it's only you who's received this well-wish. It's just for you. Because you're special. Until next time! Producer: Dan Atkinson Line Producer: Daisy Knight Exec Producer: James Taylor Composer: Fat Lady Music Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

From a town planner, to dressing as a burger, to conquering the world of podcasts, Vogue Williams strides across this podcast like a Colossus, taking us to mad Irish Christmases in the pub, to sleeping with unfeasible numbers of pillows (6?!) to wild Podcast tour shows.  It's a real blast. You've probably heard Vogue on many podcasts so you know she's just great to hang out with, and this is no exception. A conversation that bounces along gleefully from one Brilliant Thing to another.  Now go and subscribe to one or all of Vogue's podcasts:

I tell you what's fun to listen to: someone who loves cake, talking passionately about cake. Griefcast's Cariad Lloyd sits with Russell and waxes lyrical about Pavlova and wider cakes. There's more! We get all down and dirty with the Moomins and then there's a weird bit where Cariad and Russell start acting out passages from Labyrinth. Which music star was originally slated to play Jareth? It wasn't Bowie… the answer lies in this terrific episode. Cariad talked in the podcast about her book, the Christmas Wish-tastrophe, and that is available now, and if you know an 11-14 year old just get them this for Christmas. Then that one is done, another one off your list. They will read and enjoy it.  You can get that book at your local independent bookshop, or google the name of the book and choose an independent book provider online. You can do this! Don't just default to the monolithic behemoths! Cariad's regular podcast is Griefcast, where she talks to all manner of people about the various ways people deal with life when things are tough. Cariad is an absolutely incredible host and it's a wonderful podcast, whether you yourself are struggling or not. Check it out HERE.  In this week's Patreon show of Five Brilliant Questions, Cariad answered some deep knowledge questions about Gondor (It's Lord of the Rings apparently. I have no idea). She also reveals what kind of hat she would be (as always, really probing questions from you guys) and Russell has a crisis about hat-wearing in general.  Go to: patreon.com/RussellHoward to get involved. Looking forward to seeing you there!  And that faint glugging noise means our Bathysphere has reached the surface of the water and our underwater journey through the Great Sea of Blurb has come to an end. Let us make our soggy way into the decompression chamber and talk about all the magnificent words we saw over a lovely biscuit and a cup of tea.  See you next week. Don't leave your Christmas shopping until the last minute. This time of year is busy enough without having to hate yourself for being disorganised too. Bye bye x Producer: Dan Atkinson Line Producer: Daisy Knight Exec Producer: James Taylor Composer: Fat Lady Music Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You want wisdom? Here's five bucketfuls of Wisdom poured into your ears. Britain's top philosopher Alain de Botton sits down with Russell and, well, it's an absolute belter.

Why did Robbie Williams leave Sara a voicemail out of the blue? Sara actually plays Russell the voicemail live on the podcast. The moment when Sara was contacted out of the blue by her teenage crush. It's an ELECTRIFYING podcast moment!  You'd expect Sara to be fantastic and you'd be right. What a guest. She's a woman with a borderline psychotic obsession with soup. She tells Russell about her great grandmother who was an extraordinary woman and potentially a killer (unproven), and of course we've got that insane Robbie Williams moment. Because it's a voicemail we can't say for sure if he was man or monkey when he recorded it.  Sara has just announced a mega-tour of the UK in 2025, which is immensely exciting. She's a really excellent, funny and thoughtful comic who will give you an amazing evening of fun, and you'll come away with some new fizzy brain ideas too.  The tour is called ‘I am a Strange Gloop' and it's going everywhere.  Find out the dates and get the tickets at sarapascoe.co.uk

Does Rugby's hardest man have a dog with the least hard name? It's all in this barnstorming show with England Rugby Union Prop Joe Marler, who announced his retirement just a week ago. Joe tells Russell about drug testing in Japan, he explains the fine art of shithousery and they both get incredibly passionate about biscuits. As we talk about on the show, Joe's post-rugby work is his weekly podcast that he does with Tom Fordyce, 'Things People Do'. It's well worth checking out, it really is one of the better podcasts around. Start by watching some clips on their YouTube channel HERE and then find that podcast in those podcast places. Russell is working up some new material at the moment, popping up at gigs across the UK and for a little while in Australia. Keep up to date with all his latest gigs at Russell-howard.co.uk. Thanks once again for tuning in, and remember when the ball pops loose from the scrum you've got to just dive on it. Byeeee! Producer: Dan Atkinson Line Producer: Daisy Knight Exec Producer: James Taylor Composer: Fat Lady Music Get an Exclusive NordVPN deal here: https://nordvpn.com/fivebrilliantthings It's risk-free with Nord's 30-day money-back guarantee! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to Five Brilliant Things, or as it used to be known, Wonderbox.  Like a latter-day Reginald Dwight we've had a wee name change - everything else is the same show that you know and love.  And this week, the irrepressible Giovanna Fletcher is in the studio to explain the beauty of silent discos (Russell disagrees), the majesty of a dibber and some top tips for dropping your guts on a mountain.  It's a brilliant chat that bobs along at a lick, taking in Giovanna's writing career, her performing and getting into the practical challenges of trekking across the Himalayas. Giovanna can be found weekly on her Happy Mum Happy Baby podcast, and she'll be appearing across the UK in the upcoming stage production of The Girl on the Train. 

Russell sits down with Liverpool stand-up legend Adam Rowe, resident at the famous Hot Water Comedy Clubs and host of the ‘Have a Word' Podcast with Dan Nightingale.  Adam and Russell talk over the finer points of Liverpool the city, the football club (if you're a Man Utd fan you can forward over that bit). Adam talks costumes, and we find out whether he finds a blow-up dinosaur costume or a banana costume more sexually attractive.  There's also a great bit of advice for a way of driving that makes you look sexy. So if you're on the hunt for tips on how to get sexy (and we could all do with a bit more of that. Look at you now, sitting there, crisps in hand, reading show notes for a podcast. I mean who does that?) then this is the episode for you. 

David Baddiel has a story to tell about his upbringing and it's… one of the most incredible stories you'll hear in a long time. You may have read about it in his book, or seen his show, but if not then get involved in this Wonderbox and you'll never look at a golf club in the same way ever again. David takes Russell through a blow-by-blow account of a family life that was let's say unusual, and he doesn't spare any details.  It's funny, it's astonishing, it's just a fascinating hour in the company of a brilliant brain, telling a hell of a story.  For more things David, his website is a great start-point for watching things, buying books, all that fun: https://www.davidbaddiel.com/ And the book that we chat about in the podcast, it's called My Family: The Memoir, and you can get that at your local independent bookshop. I read it and recommend so much. It flies by.  Russell is in various countries doing his smash hit tour show. Check out the latest information about where Russell is by going to russell-howard.co.uk Producer: Dan Atkinson Line Producer: Daisy Knight Exec Producer: James Taylor Composer: Fat Lady Music Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How awkward is it to play a surprise set for the England Football Team when they've just finished training? James Bay did just this and told us all about it on this week's podcast!  James and Russell talk about tight silver trousers, they get into how to write a song and Russell tells what he believes to be the greatest joke he's ever written. It's a thoroughly relaxed, intimate chat with plenty of tales from a life on the road as a musician. As James revealed on the podcast he has a new album out called ‘Changes All The Time' and it's absolutley chock full of beautiful songs. Get it by going to https://www.jamesbay.com - obviously you can get it on Spotify but if you buy one for real then you can support the artist, which I know you care about really. Imagine having the death of music on your hands. Who would want that? Not you. I know you don't want that.  Also please keep an eye out on Russell's website russell-howard.co.uk for all his latest dates. He's in all kinds of different places, like if you're reading this on they day this podcast comes out then he's in Galway, but if you've waited until Thursday then he's no longer in Galway. You can see how there's a limit to how much hand-holding I can provide for you. It's time to fly the nest and find your own gig details. Be brave, you can do this. Until next week, when there will be more inane spewing into the void, take it easy and don't climb trees in the rain if you've got slippy shoes. Producer: Dan Atkinson Line Producer: Daisy Knight Exec Producer: James Taylor Composer: Fat Lady Music Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How do you go from a kid hanging around the DJ booth in Eurodiscos in Prague to creating one of Britain's most iconic sitcoms of all time?  Seapa is here to take Russell through his Wonderbox, including the dreaded call centres he worked in where he met the other People Just Do Nothing stars, and the perfect Banh-Mi Sandwich.  Lots of fun. Really funny episode with proper energy, fascinating stories and some excellent digressions.  Keep up with Allan on Instagram here. Watch him as Andy Peacock on iPlayer here. Series two landed earlier this year and funny it is too.  Russell is in various countries doing his smash hit tour show. Check out the latest information about where Russell is by going to russell-howard.co.uk Producer: Dan Atkinson Line Producer: Daisy Knight Exec Producer: James Taylor Composer: Fat Lady Music Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Why did a young Stephen Merchant sneak a boat onto a Devon beach under cover of darkness? It's all in this absolutely spankingly good podcast episode where Russell and Stephen sit down in a Bristol-born meeting of titans! Stephen is as brilliant as always, taking us through some less-covered areas of his life, talking through hilarious old family holidays, his experiences trash-talking with strangers in online chess and he also gives some incredible insights into his creative process. This is an hour of your time that you'll find entertaining AND nourishing. Stephen is now a huge Hollywood star isn't he, so if you want to see more of him he'll be in a-list films. He's in the next season of The Walking Dead! His comedy 'The Outlaws' is on BBC iPlayer and the latest series is up there now. Get over and have a look and enjoy because it's an excellent piece of work. Russell is out touring all sorts of places and countries over the next year, so have a look at russell-howard.co.uk for details especially if you live somewhere weird like Berlin. Not specifically Berlin. It's only weird to me because I've never been. But it's on the list. Berlin's not weird, that's a bad example. Jupiter would be weird but there aren't any dates programmed in there (watch this space, martians...). BYE BYE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Secrets from the Pussycat Dolls tour bus! And more! Comin' atcha in Russell's absolutely delightful chat with Ashley Roberts.  Find out what life is like being a pop mega-star, what kind of mischief happened backstage and an alternative, let's call it unconventional, use for a burrito.  You can hear more of Ashley by getting out your digital radio (or analog? Did they turn off the signal yet?) for she is on Heart FM every week. Ashley is a showbiz correspondent on the Heart FM's breakfast show, and presenter on Heart 00's every Saturday, 4-7pm. You can also catch he as the host of Netflix's series ‘Dance Monsters'. Russell is out on tour, doing massive gigs at the end of the 2024 show, and doing smaller gigs working up material for whatever comes next…keep up to date with Russell's movements (professional movements not bowel movements) at Russell-Howard.co.uk That's all for this episode of show notes.  We should probably leave you on a cliffhanger but that's not really the style of the…hang on…there's somebody at the door…oh God. Oh no. Not you…But I thought you were deeeaaaaddddd! Producer: Dan Atkinson Line Producer: Daisy Knight Exec Producer: James Taylor Composer: Fat Lady Music Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Host of the Last Leg, Australian comedy royalty Adam Hills joins Russell in the studio this week for a warm and optimistic journey through Adam's Wonderbox.  There's some fascinating and funny stories from Adam's childhood, about his Dad who worked on Qantas airlines ✈️, about those hot evenings on Australian balconies

Never knew David O'Doherty used to be an underground DJ?  It's all here. Russell and David sit down in front of a live studio audience at the Edinburgh Fringe (yes, it was a few weeks ago but we recorded a few, OK!?) to discuss David's DJ hinterland. Also there is when a 13 year old David offered to cycle around Ireland as a newspaper think-piece, and he tells Russell about hanging out with Taika Waititi.  This episode bounces along with more energy than a demented space-hopper, with a huge amount of laughs and fascinating stories from David's wonderful brain.  You wanna get more David? You can gets you more David for HE IS ON TOUR! His Edinburgh show was brilliant (as always). It's called Ready Steady David O'Doherty. You could get tickets from Ticketmaster, but those guys are firmly on the naughty step at the moment.  Better off - use this link HERE to go to David's personal website and get linked directly to the theatres. It'll probably save you some dollar too, but don't quote me on that because I haven't checked and it goes way beyond the call of duty for me to check all those theatre prices, cross-check with the Goliaths and then work out the difference all to save you 50p. I mean I like you, but we've got to have some boundaries.  Russell is packing his moose-repellent spray for his is touring in Canada in mere moments. This September, if you're Canadian, heck even if you're not but you happen to be there, check out the dates HERE - in one of the last opportunities to see his latest smash hit tour show live.  We shall see you, hear you and smell you next week. So long cowboy/girl/child/baby. Producer: Dan Atkinson Line Producer: Daisy Knight Exec Producer: James Taylor Composer: Fat Lady Music Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Did Linford Christie take part in the Dad's race at his kids's school sports day?   Russell and Linford discuss what it's like to be bloody quick, what it's like to win an Olympic gold medal, and why Linford used to growl like a tiger at his competitors on the starting blocks.   It's a really interesting and intimate chat with a British legend, seeing a side to him that we rarely get to see.   It's really worth watching the documentary all about Linford's career and life. It's called simply ‘Linford', which is on BBC iPlayer, or if you're abroad it's on iPlayer with a VPN (wink wink). It really tells the story well, with fascinating insights and at times it gets pretty emotional.   You don't need me to give you a link to iPlayer. If you can't find that with a search engine then you deserve to have your internet taken away from you.   Russell is back out on the road doing all sorts of bits and bobs, with Canada coming up, also Sweden, Norway…check out his movements at Russell-howard.co.uk   That's all for this week. I'm off for a quick 13 minute nap. That's the golden number apparently for efficient napping. I'll let you know how it goes.   Goodbye for now, old friend.     Producer: Dan Atkinson Line Producer: Daisy Knight Exec Producer: James Taylor Composer: Fat Lady Music Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

US Comedy superstar Michelle Wolf is with us!  And as well as effortlessly funny, Michelle is a wonderful big bag of fascinating contradictions. She's a glamorous comedy star who runs ultramarathons and attends Paris Fashion Week. She also can't think of anything better than getting a hot Wigan-style pie in her hands and face. Seriously mate. You haven't heard love until you've heard Michelle Wolf talk about pies.  It's an absolute romp of an episode; a globe-trotting special covering Michelle's adopted home of Barcelona, her worries for the future of America (seems legit) and a good twenty-minute ode to the British Pie.    Now listen and listen good. If you get the chance to see Michelle live, you've got to take it. One of the very best comedians on the planet, and some of the most insightful and funny material out there. She's written some of your favourite jokes of other big comics.  So have a wander through her website, and find out when she's in your country then go see her live. You'll hunt me down and thank me for the  tip off.  Russell is doin' the do in Canada. He's speakin' the speak in Scandanavia. By which I mean performing his tour show. That's all coming up in the next few months. So get yourself some plane tickets and make a holiday of it. Tickets and dates are all here. It's guaranteed to be both cheaper and funnier than Oasis.   If you're here next week then we'll be here next week.   Slay.   Producer: Dan Atkinson Line Producer: Daisy Knight Exec Producer: James Taylor Composer: Fat Lady Music

Is this simultaneously the most uplifting and heart-rending episode we've done to date?    Matt Forde is Britain's foremost political comedian. Until the end of last year he seemed unstoppable, then from nowhere was diagnosed with a rare condition that saw him having to go through life-saving surgery.    His story is astonishing and it's told with such verve, such humour and humanity that it's required listening. Make a little bit of time to consume this one properly because it will touch every part of your heart. And make you laugh a lot too.    Matt is now well on the road to recovery...and on the road! He's touring his show 'End of an Era' around the UK. It summarises the last few years of British politics taking in Truss, Sunak and having a good poke at the current Labour Party as well. I saw it in Edinburgh and it's well worth your time. Proper good stuff.  Find out where, when, how and why Matt is by going to

Live from the Edinburgh Festival! Irish story-telling powerhouse and ignorer-of-the-basic-format Jason Byrne is with Russell and a packed out audience at the Fringe.   Jason is famous for his sprawling, gregarious, infectious irrepressible comedy and this podcast is no different. Who cares that he ignored the idea of the Wonderbox completely? It was a huge slice of fun.   Stories of rural Irish madness abound. I'd mention specifics here but you wouldn't believe me. Get it in your ears because it's a crazy old bunch of stories!   Jason's at the Fringe (I mean - when is he not?) doing his show, which is called ‘No Show'. It's on every day at Assembly Main Hall (a lovely room) at 8:40pm until the end of the Fringe. Check it - LINK.   It's then getting the full tour treatment, Jason will be barrelling into a town near you with this show No Show. All dem tickets, all dem dates, all dem deets, all dem be here.   Ta ta x   Producer: Dan Atkinson Line Producer: Daisy Knight Exec Producer: James Taylor Composer: Fat Lady Music

Live from the Edinburgh Festival! Recorded in front of a beautiful audience at the Fringe, Russell goes through the Wonderbox of the exquisite Scottish stand-up, Larry Dean! This podcast goes from the serenity of the hills of Bhutan, to tender intergenerational moments of true connection, to a terrifying home-made nightmare of a sex doll.  If you're a regular listener, you'll notice that the live audience really adds a bit of spice to the occasion, and despite our afternoon time-slot, the show really goes the extra mile. It's a bit filthier, a bit funnier. Get in there. Larry continues to perform his show Dodger until the end of the Fringe. It's on every day at Monkey Barrel at 8:30pm and one can acquire tickets here.   For those of you who refuse to be blackmailed by Edinburgh tenancy companies and wait for the best shows to come to you, well you're in luck. Larry will be touring the show around the UK in the months after August. Visit larrydeancomedy.com for all the information and to get yo tickets.   In other news…   Canucks and Scandos, get ready for some Russell stand-up shows flying at you like a rocket (a rocket full of mad good comedy show). Find out what the hell I'm talking about HERE. But only click if you're in Canada or Scandinavia. The link is rigged to blow your phone up in your hand if you're not geolocated in one of those spots. I might be bluffing. But do you really want to take that risk?   Enough blither. Until next time, padawan.   Producer: Dan Atkinson Line Producer: Daisy Knight Exec Producer: James Taylor Composer: Fat Lady Music

What's the link between Tom Grennan and Peter Andre? It's all in this fantastic episode of Wonderbox with British musical superstar, Tom Grennan.   Tom talks about early life, how he made it, his surprising background in physical theatre (!) and what it's like to play Glastonbury in front of thousands.   It's an amazing insight into the life of someone living his music superstar dream.   And you know what's the perfect chaser to this podcast? Go to see Tom this Saturday! Tom's playing a massive outdoor gig alongside Blossoms (and others) at Gunnersbury Park in North London on Saturday August 10th. Tickets can be acquired from Ticketmaster HERE.   Russell's out on tour again soon doing those Canadian and Scandinavian dates, so if you live in those exceptionally beautiful places then get all your information and buy your tickets from russellhoward.co.uk   Barring some kind of unimaginable freak act of God like a lightening strike, we'll be back next week with more wonderful Wonderbox.   Don't forget to brush for the full two minutes.   Producer: Dan Atkinson Line Producer: Daisy Knight Exec Producer: James Taylor Composer: Fat Lady Music

The world's most exciting clown opens his Wonderbox, sort-of. Either you know who Zach Zucker is and you love his work, or you're going to soon; he is one hell of a comedian. It's worth mentioning that his healthy distain for rules makes him an insanely good comic but also makes him not exactly follow the rules of a podcast.   So while most people turn up with an idea of the podcast, Zach brings some incredible stories about faking a broken leg at school, about trying to date someone while tripping and vomiting… I mean it's sensational stuff.   Zach is hosting his insane late-night spectacular Stamptown at the Edinburgh Fringe this year, at the Pleasance on 3rd, 15-17, 22-24. Go to EdFringe.com to get those tickets. Strong recommend.   Russell's off to Canada and Scandinavia soon with his touring show. You need to click some russellhoward.co.uk for mad deeds.   See you on the flip, you damn dirty ape.   Producer: Dan Atkinson Line Producer: Daisy Knight Exec Producer: James Taylor Composer: Fat Lady Music  

Does Rosie Jones have a wardrobe full of Nazi clothes? She wasn't aware of it until she sat down for this podcast and opened her Wonderbox.   This absolute rip-snorter of an episode has got absolutely everything you would want and expect from the ebullient Rosie - waxing lyrical about Scotch Eggs, a slightly controversial side-track into the Third Reich and the most eloquent, beautiful explanation of disability rights history that you'll hear in a long time.   Rosie has been touring her show for time, innit, so any mad fans will have already been at least twice. But for those of you who were unlucky enough to miss out on tickets, you've got a couple more opportunities and then that really will be it. Rosie will be performing her show Triple Threat at the Pleasance Grand in Edinburgh during the Fringe. 14th and 15th August only, 9:20pm. Tickets and information can all be found at www.edfringe.com.   Rosie's children's book ‘Moving on Up', about growing up with confidence is out now in paperback, so next time you're in your local independent bookshop you should pick up a copy. Very good stuff.   We're doing Wonderbox LIVE at the Edinburgh Festival! Three special shows with three special guests, on 1,2 and 4 August. Come and see us record an episode in the flesh! Tickets and details HERE.   Russell is touring Canada and Scandinavia, and should you be there, and hankering to see this stunning show, then get the dates, times and tickets HERE.    What a lot of information. And you only came here to while away a few more moments before getting on with that thing you've got to do. Well bad news - time's up. You need to do that thing now. Stop putting it off. Swallow that frog. Get it done. Then reward yourself with a historic Wonderbox episode you've not got around to yet.   Producer: Dan Atkinson Line Producer: Daisy Knight Exec Producer: James Taylor Composer: Fat Lady Music

It's Abi Clarke, comedian, Tik Tok sensation and viral bobbing-in-the-garden-with-parents superstar. Abi discusses her love of a plastercast of the female down-belows, her failed attempts to win back a man with Cherry Bakewells and Russell contemplates becoming a cheerleader.   Abi is taking her solo show (Role) Model to the Edinburgh Fringe this August and you must cancel your existing plans, get up there and get in that show. Book your tickets, get the times, find out everything you need to know and do it HERE. We're doing Wonderbox LIVE at the Edinburgh Festival! Three special shows with three special guests, on 1,2 and 4 August. Come and see us record an episode in the flesh! Tickets and details HERE. Russell is touring Canada and Scandinavia, and should you be there, and hankering to see this stunning show, then get the dates, times and tickets HERE.  See y'next week!  Producer: Dan Atkinson Line Producer: Daisy Knight Exec Producer: James Taylor Composer: Fat Lady Music

He's a regular panellist on Never Mind the Buzzcocks, he gone done Taskmaster, he's a fabulous touring comedian and he's made some insane documentaries: Jamali Maddix is in the studio with Russell!  Let's get straight to the meat and potatoes about this episode - there's a fantastic story about the time Jamali had his Megadrive confiscated by his Mum. Also find out about his history as a paintball referee. Proper funny stuff all over the timeline. It's just a great hour spent with one of those guys who effortlessly spins great tales.  Jamali will be hosting a new documentary series later this year on Dave, called Follow The Leader. It's the kind of insane shit he usually does, this time meeting leaders of fringe movements and culty sorts. It will be amazing. There isn't a specific release date yet, but if you just watch Dave from now on, and never turn it off, you'll see it sooner or later.  He's also always touring, doing new stand-up and shows - find out about all that at https://www.jamalimaddix.com/   Hey - here's something exciting. We're doing three LIVE Wonderbox shows at the Edinburgh Fringe on 1, 2 and 4th August! Live audience, special guests, maybe a foam party? No OK so maybe no foam party but still pretty exciting. They'll be mad good and you should attend or at the very least listen when we put 'em out as poddies. Find tickets at www.edfringe.com And then Russell's doing tour shows in Canada, Scandinavia and other places - get the latest at www.russellhoward.co.uk   And now our time, my old friend, has once again come to an end. It's been a wonderful ninety seconds or so we've spent together but this too shall pass. I'm off to do a big old burp. Until next time, traveller.