Off Menu with Ed Gamble and James Acaster
Episode: Sean McLoughlin
Release Date: February 11, 2026
Overview
This episode of Off Menu features acclaimed comedian Sean McLoughlin as the special guest, joining hosts Ed Gamble and James Acaster in their "dream restaurant" to craft his ideal menu. What unfolds is a witty, meandering, and sincere conversation covering Sean’s love of food, reminiscences of the comedy circuit, anecdotes from life on the road, and reflections on British culinary evolution—all delivered with the infectious energy, friendly ribbing, and playful nonsense that fans expect from the show.
Main Topics and Key Insights
1. Introducing Sean McLoughlin (02:22–04:41)
- Ed and James introduce Sean as a “comic’s comic” now reaching wider audiences, plug his tour 'White Elephant', and reveal additional projects like his web series, the "Sean McTalk Show."
- Quote (Ed, 02:49): “Sean McLoughlin, one of the finest comedians in the world.”
2. Comic Camaraderie and Reminiscing (04:54–13:05)
- The trio swap stories about their tangled paths in stand-up, past meetings (“ships in the night”), and legendary but grim open mic venues like Manchester’s Comedy Balloon.
- They riff on their mutual “bellwether” status for British comedy and food trends.
- Banter erupts over items like past TV show offers, refusing reality shows (“Dancing on Ice,” “I’m a Celeb”), and constructing fantasy lineups for TV.
3. Sean's Relationship with Food & British Culinary Change (15:18–16:57)
- Sean considers his food tastes a barometer of British cuisine’s shift—from childhood staples (fish and chips, Sunday roasts, chicken nuggets) to broader international influences.
- Quote (Sean, 15:22): “I think I am the curve…Whatever the mean is, I'm the mean.”
4. Touring, Life Updates, and the Sean McTalk Show (17:14–26:15)
- Sean discusses his long-awaited national and European tour, “White Elephant,” and openly shares excitement about playing bigger venues.
- He reveals the title of his self-produced, intentionally lo-fi web series: "The Sean McTalk Show."
- Set in his living room, with a sidekick, a suit, a city backdrop, and guests drawn from the comedy circuit.
- Relates the logistical chaos (turning the airing cupboard into a prop room and upsetting his wife by blocking access to the boiler).
- Quote (Sean, 22:16): “It’s every week and it’s called the Sha McTalk Show.”
- Memorable moment (Sean, 25:26): “She [Sean's wife] opened the cupboard... she couldn't get to [the boiler] because there was a backdrop of a city from Poland. And she said, ‘is this going to be our life now?’ And I said, ‘probably, yeah.’”
5. Fizz, Baths, and Bizarre Tangents (27:15–33:41)
- Chooses still water over sparkling, prompted by his wife’s intense SodaStream use.
- Spirals into a surreal but hilarious discussion about the logistics and sensations of bathing in sparkling water and dropping Barocca tablets into the bath (and other places).
- Fun exchange (James & Ed, 29:03):
- James: “Would you load your anus up with Baroccas up the butt?...”
- Ed: “Spread and swish, I guess.”
6. Bread v. Poppadoms, and Hummus Discourse (33:41–42:50)
- Chooses Middle Eastern/Turkish flatbread (bazlama), served with supermarket hummus, for his bread course.
- A detailed digression on hummus types, including the nostalgia of supermarket hummus vs. silky Mediterranean styles.
- Quote (Sean, 40:00): “I think supermarket hummus...there’s a tang to it that I…like. I’ve never got that in a restaurant hummus.”
7. Dream Menu Selections
Starter: Avocado Omelette from Lala Cafe (44:47–54:54)
- Sean explains his deep love for omelettes—especially those started on tour as a rare treat (he lives in a vegan household).
- Details Lala Cafe’s Moroccan avocado omelette:
- Actually features minimal avocado; mainly mushrooms, spinach, feta, and a rolled soft texture.
- Comes with brown toast and strong Moroccan coffee.
- Ponders the mystery of how many eggs an omelette should have (“three and a half?”) and how restaurant menus often “pump the numbers.”
- Notable quote (Sean, 54:17): “My wife seems to have this idea in her head that an omelet costs like 500 quid...I’m spending nine quid on an omelette...maybe once a month, once a fortnight.”
Main: Ethiopian Veggie Platter ("Adams", Brixton Hill) (55:02–61:56)
- Sean’s main: the Ethiopian veggie platter—an assortment of vibrant curries and stews (key wat, lentils, cabbage, carrot dishes) served on or with injera, the famous tangy, spongy flatbread.
- Praises the consistency and generosity of the cuisine, wherever he’s found it.
- Discusses favorite London spots: Adams (Brixton Hill) & Herre (Stockwell).
- Quote (Sean, 55:51): “I think...for me and my wife, certainly at the moment, it’s definitely number one...if I’m getting a takeaway, I go Ethiopian.”
Side: Chippy Shop Chips—To Be Eaten While Walking (65:05–69:13)
- Longing for “a lovely bag of fish and chip chips,” eaten from a paper bag while walking to football or the pub, especially in cold weather.
- Talks evocatively about the comfort of warm chips in cold months, the absence of forks, and childhood memories of being entrusted to buy fish & chips for the family.
- Quote (Sean, 68:22): “There’s something in the winter… when I’m holding that bag, it’s like a furnace.”
Drink: Tiny Bottles of Red Wine from Airplanes (72:34–79:01)
- In a darkly comic turn, Sean chooses the individually-sized red wines from airplane trolleys as his dream drink.
- Loves the sense of stolen luxury, the altered atmosphere of a night flight, and the special feeling it brings.
- Spirited discussion of whether one can (or should) request two at a time, wine quality in different classes, and personal drink routines on planes.
- Quote (James, 72:47): “This is the bleakest answer we've ever had to this.”
Dessert: Full Packet of Dark Chocolate Digestives (81:43–91:17)
- Admits sugar is his vice and his ultimate treat would be a whole pack of McVitie’s dark chocolate digestives.
- Restricts himself to one packet a year for self-control. Associates them with childhood and family nostalgia.
- Playful debate about whether “caramel digestives” or Hobnobs are superior. James compares the latter’s texture to “hamster hutch sweepings.”
- Quote (Sean, 84:16): “I just want a full packet of McVitie's Dark Chocolate Digestives.”
Notable Quotes & Moments (With Timestamps)
- “Every comic you like likes Sean McLoughlin.” (James, 03:17)
- “She [Sean’s wife] came home one day and she couldn’t get to the boiler because there was a backdrop of a city from Poland. She said, ‘Is this our life now?’” (Sean, 25:26)
- “You go into a bath, drop in a Barocca, around your intimate area—it’ll be a bit orangey, but at least you can get a sense of: Do I like where this is going?” (Sean, 29:06)
- “I’d just have four [hot dog buns] after school… just knock them back.” (Sean, 34:27)
- “Fish and chip shop, get the bag… even a small chips, they load them in. There’s something in the winter, when I’m holding that bag, it’s like a furnace.” (Sean, 68:22)
- “For this dream meal, you’re on the move a lot!” (Ed, 74:34)
- “I just want a full packet of McVitie's Dark Chocolate Digestives.” (Sean, 84:16)
- “I’m not Scrooge McBiscuit.” (Sean, 91:15)
Structure of Sean’s Dream Menu (93:40)
- Water: Still
- Bread: Turkish/Lebanese bazlama flatbread, with supermarket hummus
- Starter: Moroccan avocado omelette (Lala Cafe) with brown toast and Moroccan coffee
- Main: Ethiopian veggie platter on injera (Adams, Brixton Hill)
- Side: Chippy shop chips, in a bag, to be eaten while walking
- Drink: Tiny bottle(s) of red wine from airplane service
- Dessert: Entire packet of McVitie’s dark chocolate digestives (“Once a year, like a ritual.”)
Conclusion
Sean crafts a menu that’s equal parts sincere, comforting, and self-aware—a reflection of nostalgia, British culinary quirks, the practicalities of life on tour, and a punky affection for “common” pleasures. The episode is peppered with friendly ribbing, surreally daft tangents (Baroccas in the bath, eating on the run, “boiling cupboards”), and honest moments about habit, family, and the comedy grind.
Final words:
- "It may not be the most expansive or cultured list, but I'm very happy with that. And I think that would be a nice...most people would enjoy that." (Sean, 94:30)
Show Plugs:
- White Elephant tour (seanmclaughlincomedy.com)
- The Sean McTalk Show (YouTube)
Timestamps for Key Segments
| Segment | Timestamp | |------------------------------------------|--------------| | Sean’s Introduction and Credentials | 02:22–04:41 | | TV Offers & Comic Reminiscence | 07:19–13:05 | | Sean’s Food Philosophy | 15:18–16:57 | | “Sean McTalk Show” Explanation | 21:41–26:15 | | Sparkling water/Bath Tangent | 27:15–33:41 | | Bread Course & Hummus Talk | 33:41–42:50 | | Starter: Avocado Omelette | 44:47–54:54 | | Main: Ethiopian Veggie Platter | 55:02–61:56 | | Side: Chippy Shop Chips | 65:05–69:13 | | Drink: Plane Red Wine | 72:34–79:01 | | Dessert: McVitie’s Digestives | 81:43–91:17 | | Menu Recap & Wrap-Up | 93:40–95:18 |
For New Listeners
This summary provides a comprehensive guide to the episode’s core conversation, playful diversions, and culinary highlights, preserving the warmth and irreverent spirit of the Off Menu podcast and its talented guests.