Russell Howard’s Wonderbox

50. Linford Christie

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

49. Michelle Wolf

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

48. Matt Forde

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
🎟️  https://www.mattforde.com/live-shows  🎟️
 
See you next week for more delicious Wonderbox.
 
 
 
 
Producer: Dan Atkinson
Line Producer: Daisy Knight
Exec Producer: James Taylor
Composer: Fat Lady Music

47. Jason Byrne LIVE from the Edinburgh Festival

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

46. Larry Dean LIVE from the Fringe

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

45. Tom Grennan

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

44. Zach Zucker

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
 

43. Rosie Jones

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

42. Abi Clarke

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

41. Jamali Maddix

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. 
 
Producer: Dan Atkinson
Line Producer: Daisy Knight
Exec Producer: James Taylor
Composer: Fat Lady Music