TCB Infomercial: Russell Howard

Summary

The Commercial Break – TCB Infomercial: Russell Howard

Podcast: The Commercial Break
Date: January 21, 2025
Hosts: Bryan Green & Krissy Hoadley
Guest: Russell Howard

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Episode Overview

On this lively "TCB Infomercial" episode, Bryan and Krissy sit down with British comedian Russell Howard for a raucous, wide-ranging conversation. The episode delves into cultural quirks between the UK and the US, the oddities of show business, dark and absurd humor, the deep divide (and strange unity) in today’s politics, as well as Russell’s personal approach to comedy. The trio riff on everything from British versus American audiences to the phenomenon of Naked Attraction, with plenty of tangents and self-aware hilarity.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Welcoming Russell Howard and British Comedy Forays

• Bryan and Krissy introduce Russell as “the Robbie Williams of comedy” in the UK, noting his massive success with shows like The Russell Howard Hour (08:00).
• Russell talks about being part of a panel of UK comics and his excitement for touring smaller US venues compared to sold-out stadiums ”back home” (18:30, 30:49).

Notable Quote:

“The best things in life are rickety…that’s what gives them spirit.”
— Russell Howard, reflecting on TCB’s technical messiness and comedy in general (10:53)

2. The Robbie Williams Monkey Movie: Transatlantic Quirks

• The group riffs hilariously about the odd poster for a Robbie Williams movie where he’s depicted as a monkey, and how bewildering that is to American audiences (11:27–14:36).
• Russell compares it to Ed Sheeran suddenly deciding to be a flamingo and pokes fun at how the US sometimes misreads UK stars.

Notable Quote:

“If America does fall in love with the simian version, they're gonna be so disappointed when they actually go to see Robbie Williams and go, oh, it's just a man.”
— Russell Howard (11:27)

3. LA’s Recent Wildfire Disaster – A British Comic on Crisis in America

• Russell shares his harrowing experience being in LA at the start of the devastating wildfires. He describes fleeing with his family, the surreal panic, and American disaster culture (16:38–17:42).
• The hosts reflect on the apocalyptic news cycle and their own connections to LA (17:24).

Notable Quote:

“It was just…this disaster...There were people crying on the plane. It was really heavy and awful.”
— Russell Howard (16:52)

4. Performing for American vs. UK Audiences

• Russell compares the electric energy of US crowds to the more reserved, arms-crossed audiences of Britain. He appreciates that many Americans attending his shows already “know his stuff” through YouTube and Netflix (18:30–21:39).
• He marvels at bizarre US phenomena as fodder for jokes—like seeing a homeless person outside a hotel for dogs (“the dog was on holiday”) (20:20).

Notable Quote:

“The man had no home and the dog was on holiday.”
— Russell Howard, on the American wealth gap (20:53)

5. Satire, Tribalism, and the Meaning of Laughter

• Bryan and Russell have a thoughtful conversation about how society is splintering into “tribal” factions, and how comedy can bridge divides (24:54).
• Russell believes laughter can find “the meat of it”—the underlying truth beyond political identity, poking at both right and left (22:48–24:06).

Notable Quote:

“If you voted for Trump, that doesn't define all of your personality…that doesn't define you.”
— Russell Howard (23:45)

“Religion has been replaced by podcasts...People have put down the Bible. It's a really tight, authentic, lovely connection.”
— Russell Howard (25:20)

6. Comedy in Lockdown and the Solace of Connection

• Russell shares how COVID upended his life (wife is a doctor, he was “evacuated” to his parents’ house), leading him to film his show from the childhood bedroom (26:24–28:20).
• Both hosts and Russell agree that podcasts and comedy gave scared, lonely people a lifeline during the pandemic (28:20).

Notable Moment:

• Russell’s “green room” during lockdown wasn’t glamorous—it was just his parents, his dad’s “sweaty mantits,” and his mum offering wine (27:10).

7. The Anatomy of Russell’s Stand-Up & Stage Approach

• Russell describes always seeing life through a comedic lens—a "third eye"—and turning even the worst moments (like being mugged) into material (33:09–33:46).
• He prefers organic crowd interactions over aggressive roasting; roasts, he feels, can easily cross into cruelty, especially for British comedians (35:40–36:54).

Notable Quote:

“When people laugh, to me, it makes me feel like they're going, you're not mad. It's fine.”
— Russell Howard (33:10)

8. British Fame and UK’s Hilarious “Weird Crush” Awards

• Russell explains being crowned the UK’s “Weirdest Crush of 2013” and how British celebrity culture is a strange beast (44:47–45:24).
• Surprise: UK government (!) tracks comedian popularity on a website, which Bryan finds bizarre for a public resource (41:24).

Notable Moment:

“So, yeah, I was essentially the nation's pity. That's kind of what I was.”
— Russell Howard, on his “weird crush” title (45:24)

9. Naked Attraction: The Infamously Nude British Dating Show

• Krissy grills Russell about Naked Attraction, probing if he knows anyone who’s been on the show (he doesn’t, but finds it wild) (47:40–50:26).
• They banter about British openness (or not!), comparing American and UK prudishness, and the awkward aftermath for contestants (grocery shopping after the world has seen you naked).

Notable Quote:

“You almost want to follow them around afterwards… We need a 'Where Are They Now'.”
— Russell Howard, on Naked Attraction (50:26–50:33)

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Timestamps for Major Segments

| Time | Segment | |:----------:|:------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:57 | Show intro, Russell’s “Robbie Williams of Comedy” status | | 11:27 | Robbie Williams as a monkey; UK/US celebrity culture | | 16:38 | Russell on LA wildfires | | 18:30 | Touring the US; comparing audiences | | 20:53 | Homeless man/dog hotel bit; American oddities | | 22:48 | Comedy, tribalism, and seeking common ground | | 24:54 | The rise of podcasts as quasi-religion | | 26:24 | Lockdown, Russell's home-filmed show, “green room” with parents | | 33:09 | The “third eye” and turning awkward moments into jokes | | 35:40 | Improv, crowd work, and the difference between crowd work and meanness | | 41:24 | UK’s government tracking comic popularity | | 44:47 | UK's "Weirdest Crush" and the strange honor of being the nation’s “pity” | | 47:40 | Naked Attraction discussion and UK/American attitudes to nudity | | 50:45 | Wrapping up, Naked Attraction/Where Are They Now | | 51:07 | Russell invites to visit in Atlanta; episode closeout |

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Memorable Quotes

• "Religion has been replaced with podcasts...People have put down the Bible. You're in people's ears every day."
  — Russell Howard (25:19)

• “The best things in life are rickety. That’s what gives them spirit.”
  — Russell Howard (10:53)

• “When people laugh, to me, it feels like they're going, 'You're not mad, it's fine.'”
  — Russell Howard (33:10)

• “You almost want to follow them around afterwards… We need a 'Where Are They Now'.”
  — Russell Howard on Naked Attraction (50:26)

• “If you voted for Trump, that doesn't define all of your personality.”
  — Russell Howard (23:45)

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Episode Tone

The episode is laid-back, witty, and high-energy, flowing like a candid coffee (or wine) chat among friends who aren’t afraid to poke fun at cultural oddities, themselves, or the world’s more awkward truths. Russell matches Bryan and Krissy’s playful irreverence, breezing between comic banter, thoughtful insights, and self-deprecating British charm.

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Additional Resources & Links

• Russell Howard’s Website & Special: russellhoward.co.uk (as provided in episode)
• TCB’s YouTube Channel: youtube.com/thecommercialbreak

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For more absurdity and honest laughs, check out The Commercial Break Tuesdays through Fridays!

Transcript

[A]

In America, I saw a bumper sticker that said, jesus is my airbag. What a way of finding out he's not real. On this episode of the Commercial Break, it says a lot about kind of, like, male ego that I was kind of delighted, but, like, as in, I just can't imagine a world in which, like, people going, oh, is there a girl you fancy? But you feel awful for admitting it. Do you know what I mean? That's the thing. That would be. But that would be. That would make the press like, if people were saying that they. So, yeah, I was kind of. I was essentially the nation's pity. That's kind of what I was. The next episode of the Commercial Break starts now.

[B]

Oh, yeah. Cats and kittens, welcome back to the commercial break. I'm Brian Green. This is the winehouse of my leap of. Just enjoy Hoadly. Best to you, Chris.

[C]

Best to you, Brian.

[B]

Best to you out there in the podcast universe. Thanks for joining us today on a TCB infomercial Tuesday with Mr. Russell Howard, UK sensation. He is.

[C]

He's just Robbie Williams.

[B]

He's the Robbie Williams of comedy over there in the uk. And we're so excited to have him feeling very grateful that he's decided to stop by the commercial break because he's British and he doesn't know. He doesn't know that the commercial break is not a place you go if.

[C]

You'Re trying to get the word out.

[B]

That's right. If you're trying to get the word out. But honestly, we've been grateful to have so many wonderful guests as of late Roy Wood Jr. Felipe Esparza. So many that we can talk about. But go check out those episodes because they are. They are doing very well. Chrissy, on the interwebs. On the interwebs. There you go. And who knows, maybe we'll make a little news today with our good friend Russell Howard currently on tour, he's gonna be coming to the west coast of the United States here very shortly. We'll put all the links in the show notes as we always do. And his special is now.

[C]

It's really funny, too.

[B]

It is really funny.

[C]

Jeff laughing, too.

[B]

Oh, if we got Jeff laughing, then we know that we've hit on something special because Jeff doesn't laugh. He's a humorless son of a. Jeff is a humorless son of a. You hear me, Jeff? Loosen up, dude. Actually, Jeff's kind of like one of the loosest people I know. He's very loose. When he gets his bell rung, there's no don't tighten up, Mr. Green.

[C]

No, he's loose.

[B]

They go in there, they ring the door, they stick their hand in and they wave. They drop a package off and then Amazon comes in. Jeff store. That's all I gotta say. That's how loosey goosey he is. Anyway, Russell's gonna be here and, yeah, I'm very excited. Speaking of UK news, it seems that. That Meghan and Harry have done the right thing and they have postponed the much ballyhooed premiere of her, I don't know, Cooking with Kate thing that's going on.

[C]

Megan.

[B]

Megan. I'm sorry, Cooking with Megan. Cooking with Kate.

[C]

That's the other sister.

[B]

That's the other sister, yeah. Cooking with. She had.

[C]

Was it a cooking show or I guess like a lifestyle show?

[B]

It was a lifestyle show, but I think you did it supposedly.

[C]

Lifestyle.

[B]

Lifestyle style.

[C]

Yeah, lifestyle.

[B]

If you want to get right with your lifestyle, check out Frankie V's new video.

[C]

I wonder if she watched some of his episodes to get ready for it.

[B]

Oh, listen, I'm sure that Meghan Markle is tuned right into Frank. Bernardo. Bernardo. Bernardo. Even he says his name wrong.

[A]

Bernardo.

[B]

Bernardo. In the greater Chicagoland area, people, by the way, love Frankie B. I mean, every time we do an episode, we just get so much feedback about our Frankie B episodes. And I wish that there was more to do, but I think we've done run out.

[C]

He's got a girlfriend.

[B]

He's got a girlfriend and she's not letting him anywhere near the YouTubes. But don't fear not if you've heard any of Frankie's relationship advice, he'll soon be back to YouTube. At 72 years old, we didn't find his social media. So there's. That's good. But actually, I applaud Megan on this one because apparently she called it a love letter to Southern California and all things wonderful. Listen, I. Personally, I think some of the content that they're producing for Netflix is a little tone deaf in general, but okay, whatever. I mean, there's lots of cooking shows out there and, you know, a lot of them focus on the higher end. What's that one? The Ina garden in the garden or Ina garden. There's Ina garden. There's Martha Stewart. There's. There's a whole channel now. A whole cooking channel.

[C]

Yes, there is.

[B]

Have you seen this?

[C]

Of course. It's been around forever.

[B]

No, not the cooking channel. There is a cooking channel channel. I know about the cooking channel. I'm saying a cooking channel, like a chef channel. A food related Channel that is dedicated to just, like, food porn. It's a lot.

[C]

Oh, I've heard of that.

[B]

Have you heard of this one? I can't remember the name of it, but I saw it in a doctor's office once, and it was literally. I was. Waited for like a half an hour, and it was literally just shots of food with not a lot of talking in beautiful settings in France and, you know, I'm sure in the wine country and all this other stuff. So, you know, I understand that there's like a. There is a demand for that kind of content, that people like to see their food being cooked in beautiful settings and eaten by beautiful people and all that shit. But it's kind of a do or die for Meghan and Harry as far as that Netflix deal is concerned. So I'm super interested to see how that all plays out. Does this, in fact, become the hit that Meghan and Harry need? As if they need any more Money. They got $150 million from Netflix. But I do think the right thing is to hold off on that, given all the circumstances that are going on out in California. It is just terrible. We've talked a lot about it on the show, and I think partly because it's hard to believe that it's happened in the. In a major metropolitan city has burned like this. I think partly it's because we know people that live out there and who are. Our own agent has been. You know, him and I have been in conversations, and he lives close to one of the fires, and they have been getting all kinds of notifications. You're in, you're out, you're in, you're out, you're in, you're out. That must be a terrible way to live. And then they went out with. Without power for four or five days, which, if you've ever done, is a very uncomfortable situation.

[C]

Yeah, it's incredible. I feel so bad, too, for just, like, the children of. You know, because, like, the schools have been closed, obviously, and things. And I can't imagine being a young child and knowing that you're home burned. No, that's so traumatic.

[B]

That is like. I mean, I have never been through a fire, but that has got to be one of the things that. No pun intended, gets seared into your psyche and that you just can't forget as a child. That's one of the. That's one of the basic fears of humanity. Getting eaten by some wild animal, shark or getting bitten by a snake. Those. I think those things were just born with because it's a fight or flight response. Fire is one of those things. Super helpful, but very scary. Right. And if you don't. And it can go either way, it's like it can get out of control very quickly. So our hearts go out. And Russell was supposed to be with us last week talking about his new special that was. That came out on the 15th, but he's here today because he was in LA and had to get out very quickly to make sure that he and his family were safe. So Russell Howard is an extraordinarily popular comic out in the uk. Some might say the most popular comic that's working from the UK right now. And he has had so many television shows on the BBC. He has had.

[C]

He's been on for like 20 years.

[B]

Yeah. So many different iterations of Russell Howard. He did a. I guess the best. The thing that we can liken it to the best. The thing that I think he's most known for, at least from my research, because I don't live in the uk.

[C]

You are a British expert.

[B]

I am a British expert on television, that's for sure. I love that British television. And anytime someone British from the British television comes in, I do get a little fanboy. I'm like.

[C]

I know. A little giddy.

[B]

Yeah. I don't know why. I just. I'm so giddy about British comedy in general. But the thing that he's probably best known for is the Russell Howard Hour, which is a television show that ran for some 200 hours over there. And it's kind of like our daily show. It's like satire about pop culture and news and politics, stuff like that. There is a ton of that on his YouTube channel. I will put. Christina, not I. Christina will put those links.

[C]

Thank you, Christina.

[B]

Thank you, Christina.

[D]

You're welcome.

[B]

We'll put those links in the show. Note also to his tours to tour tickets that are mainly on the west coast, but if you're near, you should go check him out. He's going to be doing smaller venues here than he does.

[C]

Or if you're in Helsinki, that's where he's going to be starting off.

[B]

Buddhist best for our. Sorry, that was an automatic play. Oh, okay. I see what's going on over there. She's on Rust. She's even. She's bored with us.

[D]

I pulled up the YouTube to put the link in the show notes. Sue me.

[B]

So anyway, so Russell's doing that tour here in the United States. Tickets are available. We'll put a link and then you can go to this Drift website. And get access to his brand new special. Highly suggest you do, because even Jeff's laughing. Even Jeff approval. That's right. Okay, so let's do this. Why don't we take a short break? We'll bring Russell on through telepodcasting magic.

[A]

And.

[B]

And then when we get back, our conversation with Mr. Howard.

[D]

Did you know that we have a phone number? Well, we do, and you should call us. Nobody's going to answer, but you can leave a voicemail for us that we may or may not play on the show. And if that's not the vibe, then just send us a text. Okay? Our number is 212-4333, TCB. So get texting and give us something to talk about, please. We need it. While you're doing that, you can also follow us on Instagram hecommercial break and on TikTok CBpodcast. And as always, check out our website, tcbpodcast.com for all of our audio and video content. Speaking of video, we are also posting full video [e-mail] TheCommercialBreak so go watch them, please. Anyway, now let's hear from our sponsors and get back to the good stuff.

[B]

Hey, Russell, thanks so much for joining us. We appreciate it.

[A]

Thank you so much for having me. I'm. I'm worried about your. Your sign in the background. That looks precarious. It feels like it's gonna. It looks like it's gonna fall.

[B]

We are not sure who actually put that up. So there's a running gag on this show, and it's actually not really all that funny to us here in the studio. But technically we are inept. It is tape. We're five years into this. We're a thousand hours worth of cramming into this. You don't know how much goes wrong technically on tape here, wires there.

[A]

But that's the way, isn't it? The best things. The best things in life are rickety. Do you know what I mean? That's what gives them spirit. If you see a nice clean suitcase at an airport, there's no mystery. There's no excitement. You know, I want to see bumps and scrapes.

[B]

Well, next time you're in Atlanta, Georgia, you come to our house and we'll have to lift you into the studio to avoid knocking over any wires. Most importantly, since you're the only British person we're going to have on the show this week, we have to ask, who is Robbie Williams and why is he a chimpanzee? And how's this playing out in the uk.

[A]

It's so interesting because Robbie Williams is a massive pop star in the UK and Europe and Australia, but never kind of made it to the United States. And I thought that as well. I was in LA last week and saw these huge hundred foot posters of Robbie as a monkey. And I thought that's an odd selling point because presumably if America does fall in love with the simian version, they're gonna be so disappointed when they actually go to see Robbie Williams and go, oh, it's just a man.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Because it would be bewildering to see a monkey with the ability that Robbie's.

[B]

Got, but that I would pay for.

[A]

Well, this is it. But this is the problem. I think he's inadvertently stumbled into. If the film goes massive, there's gonn really giddy Americans rocking up, presumably with bananas and tires just to fling them at him to see what tricks he can do. But the British fans, I think we find it really interesting because it's a bit like, I mean, he's huge. It's, you know, he's as big as Ed Sheeran in this country. So it would be, I guess, you know, Ed Sheeran, instead of doing like a straight documentary, is like, I'm gonna be a flamingo, just want one leg. Do you know what I mean? Exactly. To kind of make it. To make it different. But I guess if people don't know who you are, it is utterly bewildering. But there's something kind of cool about it as well.

[B]

I agree with you here is that, like, as a story device, I can understand why I'm the monkey. And, you know, I play like a monkey and I sing for a monkey. You know, I can understand, like, there could be a deeper meaning behind it and it could all play out well. And apparently it's been received well by critics and the Golden Globes and maybe Oscar talk, I don't know. It made about $500,000 in its opening weekend here in the United States, which is by all stretches of the imagination, a hot flop. Right? So I don't think that the. I don't think we've bought into this yet. But, you know, we know Robbie, we know of Robbie Williams. And when we. When I see his face, I'm like, oh, that's. That's a singer from the UK who has done very well for himself. But the challenge is, is that, you know, there's an old saying in Hollywood. Never work with children or monkeys. And he went straight for monkey. And I just think, I just think may. Yeah, as a Plot device, maybe not such a hot thing. But is it. Is it playing well over there? Do people. Are people going to see it and they like.

[A]

I don't know. I honestly don't know. But the. Because I only saw the poster of it when I was in LA and I was like, is that our Robin? And he's a monkey now. Okay. You know, so it was. But because of the, you know, the backdrop of horror that was going on in la, it just. I didn't sort of linger on that, but it was kind of in amongst the sort of black smoke I saw that. I was like, fuck, that's od. But, yeah, I. I haven't. I haven't kind of sat and thought about it, but it would be like, you know, when John Oliver got his break to do the Daily show, if he. He came as an animal. You know, you've got us. The thing is, if you're trying to break America, you have to then stay as the animal.

[B]

Yes, but Americans are dumb. If you. If you swell up, we're gonna be. We're gonna be confused.

[A]

I don't know. I think. I think if anyone introduced themselves as a monkey and then went only fucking around. I'm a singer. I'm a singer from Manchester, then I think the audience is allowed to go, okay, why? Yeah, I don't know. But I was surprised how big the posters were, because they're huge. But it's a bit like, you know, Seinfeld isn't particularly big in the uk. It just never quite translated, which is mind blowing to, you know, Americans. But we. That culture of kind of sitting in cafes talking about cereal, that didn't exist in the 90s, you know, and obviously people. Loads of people are into it, but it isn't the. It just doesn't have the same resonance, you know, in the way that someone like Friends. Friends was massive, you know? Yeah. There was a show in the UK called Only Fools and Horses, which is without doubt the biggest British sitcom of all time.

[B]

Very funny.

[A]

And yet nobody. Well, that's it. But you've got to. You know what I mean? You've got to find it as an. As an American. You have to find it. You have to understand what. What does pekka mean? Like, how does it fit here? You know, so it's. I don't know that it's. It's. It's an interesting thing for Robbie Williams, but then he does like stadiums in the uk. He's so big that he probably just was like, I'll be a bit fun. A Bit of a laugh.

[C]

Oh, yeah.

[A]

Do you know what I mean?

[B]

Explained it then when he was on, I think it was Graham Norton. He explained that the director came in, said, hey, if this play, if we, you know, we have to. I want a story device. Because the regular musical biography is played out. Right. It's just the same. We're doing the same thing over and over again. Let's do something different. I want you to think of an animal. What do you want to be? He said, lion. He said, well, I don't know about a single lion. Right.

[A]

A lion would be funny because the look of fear in the audience.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Do you know what I mean?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

But then when the lion starts doing ballads, that must be really bewildering.

[B]

What. How was your experience out in la? You know, we were. We were scheduled to do an interview last week and Russell was stuck in the. In the heat, really. In the heat of the moment. Right as the fires started. It was. It was all a lot of.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Panic in the air.

[A]

It's horrific. It was just. And, you know. And it's still going on. So it was just. It was like just this. I was. I was only there for two days, but it, you know, it suddenly became this, you know, it just disaster. And then I was flying from LA to New York to do the rest of the kind of pr and, you know, there was black smoke and there were people crying on the plane. It was. It was really heavy and awful and it's still going on. It's just, you know, these things that happen every so often that are just unfair and cruel and.

[B]

Yeah, they seem to be happening more often, or at least we get that news so quickly now that it's like, you know, cycle after cycle of kind of these things. And we have friends and. And family in la, and it's brutally. It's apocalyptic. It really is. It's weird and apocalyptic and, you know, you never. That's just not something that's on your bingo card.

[A]

Right.

[B]

Earthquakes happen all the time. Hurricanes you see coming, tornadoes, you can kind of predict something that happens here in the United States. But flash fire that takes out thousands of structures is really awful, terrible. Russell, I have a question for you. I want to just step back for one minute on something you said. When you come to America, you're going. Come to be on tour here. Looks like you're hitting a lot of the west coast cities out there. When you come to the United States, what are the differences in the audience tastes? Do you have to tailor some of your comedy for And I'm really interested to hear this answer from. From a British comic. Do you feel like you have to tailor a little bit the jokes? I know you might have to take out some of the slang that you typically. You might use that's familiar to the audience over the pond. But tell me about that experience when you come here to the stage.

[A]

It's, it's. I love it because it's kind of like the gigs aren't as big as the ones, you know, not, not dissimilar to Robbie. I don't put on the. The Simeon suit, but I kind of, you know, I come with my own skin and there's a better way of putting in that. But I kind of, I. I'm used to doing certain rooms in kind of, you know, in the UK and Australia and Europe. But big rooms.

[B]

You're trying to say big. You do big rooms.

[A]

Yeah, but, but still, you know, it's still that kind of, you know, a 500 seater, a 1,000 seater is still wild and, and so exciting. So, so. And the, the electricity. We did a gig in Detroit last time I was there. It was like a 400 seater.

[B]

Great.

[A]

And. Oh, my God. But the audience, it was just. It was so electric in a way that British audiences can be kind of quite tough. They kind of, you know, sort of fold the arms and you sort of know you've got them if they're kind of the tits hang for it. Do you know what I mean? That's kind of it. And. But I, I've always had. Whether. Because some Americans have found me out and they're excited that I'm there, but I've always noticed the audiences more than meeting me halfway and kind of. They've seen loads of my stuff on YouTube or Netflix. So I'm amazed at how much they. They kind of know and they kind of get me. I guess it would be a bit like, I don't know, you know, Michael Shea or Michelle Wolf doing gigs in London, you know.

[B]

Sure.

[A]

If they're doing Leicester Square, audience are gonna go, are gonna know Michelle Wolf. You know, they're not, they're not gonna sort of stumble in. Yeah. So I love it and I kind of find it. I find it so fascinating gigging around the country. Like, it's so brilliant to get that kind of street level knowledge of America. Yeah. And there's so many different Americas and.

[B]

It'S such a big country and, and, and it's the.

[C]

It.

[A]

But it is the country that the world looks to and it's in such A interesting state of flux. Yeah. And kind of. Yeah, but, but, but, but within that is so much kind of like, social commentary and sort of like interesting comedic analysis. And there's things you see. Like, there's things you see in America you don't see. I saw a homeless man outside a hotel for dogs, and it was this, like. So the man had no home and the dog was on holiday.

[D]

Right.

[A]

It was this kind of amazing sort of image.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Of decadence, that this man would have a better life if he was Kim Kardashian's Labrador. And that is true. Sad and funny and interesting. But. But as an English person, I've never seen a hotel for dogs. So. And, and then. And that is ludicrous enough, but when you see a homeless man being moved along because that's where the dogs like to sunbathe, that struck me as funny and unfair and wild. And it's sort of. It's a brilliant, dark comedic analysis of. Of the kind of weird disparity of wealth. Do you know what I mean? So, yes, that's the point I make. It's kind of.

[B]

And I think if you had three words to describe the United States of America, it would be funny, crazy, unfair, and wild. That's just like. That is the story.

[A]

Well done. Well, you're. You're absolutely right. Yeah. But then it's that thing. Who wouldn't want to, you know, take part of the kind of, you know, get on the ride? So that's. And. And then interesting talking because essentially that's what Stand up is. I've got a show, but, you know, I might see things during the day and then being able to talk them out with the audience, you kind of get this. I don't know. It feels like every show is kind of unique because American cities are unique. Like, Atlanta is such a different place to New York, which is a very different place to Detroit, which is a different place to Pittsburgh, you know, and you kind of. Yeah, I kind of. And it just. It gives you a layer. It gives you an extra layer as an English comic because you're. You're on holiday and you feel like, weirdly, you're representing your country and you're analyzing theirs on top of all the kind of natural stand up that I have. Anyway, so I love poke at the.

[B]

Politics of the United States. Do you poke at the.

[A]

Yeah, I mean, yeah, I have to bone up on it.

[B]

I have to really.

[A]

Because. And, and by. Also, I'm really interested in trying to find the middle ground because it feels like so Much, you know, so much has been weaponized and, and, and people are, it's so tribal and people are pitted against each other. And fundamentally, most people, it, people, people aren't one thing or another, but they've been forced into it. Whether it's politically or comedically. You've got to be this and you've got to be into that. Whereas it's a bit like a buffer. You kind of pick and choose. There's, there's things that I am really right wing about. There's things I'm super liberal about and that's everybody, I think. And the, the brilliant thing about laughter is that it's always, it's so kind of connecting. Like when you're kind of lost in laughter, you realize like that for me, looking at the, the fact that, you know, you have homeless people in a hotel for dogs, like, that's interesting irrespective of your kind of political approach. And also here's the big thing. If you voted for Trump, that doesn't define all of your personality. Like, and I think that's the big thing that it's kind of. And if you vote for Biden, that doesn't define. You know what I mean?

[B]

And it, yeah.

[A]

That I'm interested in moving those things away and trying to find the kind of meat of it.

[B]

You know, I think this is happening throughout the world, this kind of tribalism. And I mean, I only live here in the United States, but to travel a lot and I see, you know, my, my father in law who lives in Venezuela is fond of saying it, extremes on both sides end up in the same place. And, and that's why you need that healthy push in, pull. And I am very much what you just said. I am not all against everything that Trump says. I am not all for everything Biden says. I have my preferences. But at the end of the day, this tribalism makes people feel like they belong. And I think that's really where the story is. The story is there's something going on in this world. And I think it might be the disconnection and loneliness.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

That makes us feel like if we are on a team, if we are a Packers fan, if we are a Trump supporter, if we, you know, if we're British comedy fans, we can get on and knock the American comedy fans on Reddit because that makes us feel like we're part of something. Where did we go wrong? That this type of identification makes us feel like we're someone.

[A]

It's funny. Yeah.

[B]

That's the story.

[A]

To me, it's because it would appear that religion has been replaced with podcasts. I think that's what's happened. I think people have put. Put down the Bible. They've, you know, but again, it's a really good example of, like, fair enough of, Of. Of kind of people. I think with podcasts particularly, you have such a connection with them because people will be going to work with you guys. You're in there, you're in their ears.

[B]

So you're part of it all the time.

[A]

You're totally. And it's a. It's really. It's a really tight, authentic, lovely connection. And I think, like, if you don't have, you know, if society has changed and my God, it changed during COVID it's kind of. It's. So these become the constants. You become the constants. You're the chat. People are kind of listening to you, and it's. I don't know.

[B]

Did you. I read this and I looked forward, but I don't know where it is. Did you do a series during 2020 and 2021 where you were in your childhood bedroom talking to everybody on a daily basis or a weekly basis?

[A]

This.

[B]

Yeah, during COVID Yes.

[A]

Yeah. So I basically. My wife's a doctor, and she was supposed to come on tour with me, and she was having, like, a career break in 2020, and she had. She was off work. And then Covid really kind of escalated and she kind of knew she had to go back. And two of her friends lived with elderly relatives. And this was the beginning of COVID when we didn't kind of know what it was.

[B]

It was big and scary.

[A]

Big scary masks. Didn't, you know, know anybody.

[B]

Yeah, exactly.

[A]

So her two friends came to live at our house, and then I was kind of like, like shipped off, like an evacuee to go and live with with my parents for kind of two months, which was a real, you know, it was so. And. And I got offered the chance to do my show, you know, just on. On a com, on a computer, on the laptop, and then kind of send it in. So we did that for two months. And yeah, it was great. It was like. It was great in terms that it gave me a focus and it gave people something to kind of watch, I guess, because nothing was getting made. So there was a while where, yeah, we were kind of like the only kind of comedy show that was still being made. But it was. I'll tell you what it was. The green room was less cool. You know, if you do a TV show normally you kind of, you know, you go into the bar afterwards, your mom's kitchen. It was exactly that. It was like my mum and my dad, who was really into spinning, you know, bike riding at the time, so. Yeah, exactly. So I'd see my dad's sweaty mantits and my mum going, do you fancy a glass of wine? So it just wasn't as. Wasn't as rock and roll, but. But, you know, listen, it kind of. You know what it's like. That's what we realized.

[B]

That's when we started the show. And I said, well, there you go. This may have saved our lives. And we do hear from a lot of people, people who. I don't know. I wouldn't classify them as lonely. They're just human beings that are looking for connection. And this is part of the way that they feel that connection. Some girls in a factory doing whatever, making widgets or whatever she does. And there's a thousand hours of the commercial break she can listen to while she's doing that, and it makes her feel. And we started this during. During COVID This was more of a saving grace for us at the time because no one was listening, but. Yeah, but I imagine you were a saving grace for a lot of people also because you were some kind of real connection on the TV that was actually going through it. Have you ever seen the morning show on Apple tv? Have you seen this?

[A]

No.

[B]

So Jennifer Aniston plays a morning show.

[A]

Yeah, I've heard of it.

[B]

So there's a whole plot line where she starts doing the show from her bedroom because she has Covid. And when I read this about you, I was like, he's the real life morning show. Jennifer Aniston, you're. The Russell Howard hour is. You're like, what, 200. You were 200 hours into this or something?

[A]

Yeah, we kind of. I think we. Yeah, that show doesn't run anymore, but we got specials. We're just doing the specials. We did like. Oh, how many Flipping heck. Like, I think we did 10 series of it. And before that we did like eight series of a show called Russell Howard's Good News. So, yeah, it was kind of. There's a long old, long old time. But I loved it. It's kind of. There's a weird. I think because satire has kind of migrated over to the Internet, that it just isn't. The resell isn't there. So that's kind of why they don't really get made in the UK anymore. So we don't. We had an election and we had no kind of topical comedy. It's a bit of a shame.

[B]

But I think the show is brilliant.

[A]

Thanks.

[B]

Out on YouTube.

[A]

Yeah, there's loads of it. Like clips. Yeah, yeah, there's a lot of it. And what's funny is the news is so cyclical, so you can, you know, it's amazing.

[B]

Yes, you're right about that.

[A]

Watching clips of it and going, oh, my God, how is this still.

[C]

Yeah, yeah.

[B]

How did this come back around? How does this come back?

[A]

Yeah, it's so. It's so fascinating. But that's kind of. Yeah, that's kind of where I. I guess I kind of cut my teeth properly.

[B]

So, Russell, you in your new special, which is brilliant, by the way. Thank you for providing a screener. I know it's out now, as this show will be released. It's out now. It's on a platform called Drift. Is that right? You've got a website?

[A]

That's right.

[B]

You can go to my website.

[A]

Yeah, you can stream it through my website. So my website is www.russellhoward.co.uk link's in.

[B]

The show notes, everybody. So just go there and we'll link to the special and we'll link to the website also. The special is hilarious. It's brilliantly funny. It's kinet. Your type of comedy is kinetic. It can be physical. You're really funny. You're really good at pointing out, pointing out hypocrisy on all sides of the spectrum and then making it funny. And I really enjoyed it. One of the things that you said that really resonated with me, you were talking about how I think this. I think the way that my brain works, this is the only job that I could ever have. And that really struck a chord with me because you walk around life just like I do, and I'm sure Chrissy does too. We walk around life seeing, observing and seeing things in such a weird way that if we said those things out loud in the moment, we'd be arrested or certainly kicked out of the party. But then you get to. I get to get on a microphone. You get to get up on stage and do this. Did you. Were you always like this? Did you always react? Was comedy always a pursuit of yours?

[A]

Yeah, I've always loved making people laugh. And my mum's very funny and my dad is very distant, so it's kind of like the perfect combo.

[B]

Sounds like my parents.

[A]

Yes, well, exactly. You're trying to kind of, you know, stop. You're trying to make him closer.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

You make make him laugh and her not cry. So it was sort of that, really. But, yeah, I don't know. I was always. I used to. I loved school, so I was kind of, you know, I was okay academically, but I really loved, you know, mucking around and. Yeah, just like everyone was funny at school. It just felt like it was kind of like a. Everyone's chipping in. And I kind of loved that and kind of just grew up through that. And then through. I found Stand up. And. You're so right. It's like. When you find it, I imagine it's how, you know, you guys said it's exactly the same for you, and you now have. And an output for it. It's probably like being a sculptor or a musician or a filmmaker or a screenwriter or whatever it is. But you sort of. When you find that valve that you can hiss your madness out of.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

And that's the great thing about Stand up, that when people laugh, to me, it makes me feel like they're going, you're not mad. It's fine, because.

[B]

Yes, that's right, you have.

[A]

But that's all I do. I just. I kind of kind of wander around and I. Occasionally my brain will whisper to me and I kind of write it down in my phone, and then I kind of go on stage and see whether it's. It's interesting. But I. I wouldn't have it any other way. It's not a particularly, you know, useful way to live your life. But I. I am. I think Bill Hicks called it the third eye.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And it's like squeegeeing the third eye. I'm pretty good at the third eye. You know what I mean? If, like, even in the midst of something, I can kind of sort of observe myself or kind of. I remember getting mugged when I was younger, and even as it was happening, I was like, it's gonna be pretty funny. Do you know what I mean?

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

And it's not. It's not kind of, you know, it's not the best way to be. But you. It's kind of like the eyes go slightly kind of, like, cloudy, and you're kind of. You know that you're, like, kind of writing it. But, you know, I bet you it's the same with loads of people where we all kind of drift off. And then I'm fortunate that I get into this, you know, place where I can just. Like, even the other day, we're on holiday in Australia, which is a brilliant country, and obviously we've got my son with me. And there was lots of pregnant women and their partners there doing the kind of baby moon thing. I don't know if you have that.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

You know when you go the sort of last holiday. Yeah. Really good fun. And I was thinking like, sort of in my head going like if. Because it was. If you were at an adult only resort and you were pregnant but you gave birth, like, would you still be allowed to stay? Like, do you know what I mean?

[B]

Depends on what kind of adults only.

[A]

Well, yeah, it wasn't, it wasn't a swinging thing. But I'm sort of like. But you know when like kids aren't welcome, I was just around in my head, I just started like laughing at.

[B]

The image of that holiday's over.

[A]

Yeah, but that's what I mean. Of like, it's a boy. Get out.

[B]

Mr. Green, we'll be giving you your bill, sir. You're no longer welcome at Chateau adults. Exactly.

[A]

And that was. But the point is I was just like alone in my own head and then just wrote down in my phone and it's like, I. I'm sure I'll go to a gig at some stage and see if I can knock that into something.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

But do you know what I mean?

[B]

Did you do a lot of improving on stage?

[A]

Yeah, I kind of like, like I, I used to do loads when I was younger, but it's kind of, I don't really like, I don't like picking on people. I've never really been into that of like, kind of, you know, rinsing the front row. Like.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Roasting doesn't really like English people. We're mean behind each other's backs.

[B]

Like we would never say very polite about.

[A]

Yeah. Just want you to know that's what I mean. But the, the roast, that culture just, I mean, it's beginning to. It's sort of slightly changing. But I kind of think sometimes there, there is a, there's a fine line between an excellent diss and just being rude to somebody.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Do you know what I mean? And it just, it always makes me feel a bit icky if you're just. If you're kind of like the high status comic who's the expert and you, you know, you're basically calling someone's mama. You know what I mean? And it just feels very kind of.

[B]

Like it's a whole brand of comedy.

[A]

Yeah. But it's that, that it's something.

[B]

You do find it funny. But. Yeah, absolutely.

[A]

But it's.

[B]

I think there are people who do it. Like you said Masterfully. And it's. They're not. It feels like at the end of the day, it's done with some level of love and not at the expense of someone else's feelings. And then sometimes it's just mean for the sake of being mean.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And, you know, there's whole podcasts filled with people who do that. Right.

[A]

But it's. But. But I think that thing of when something happens, like, organically, I've always been pretty good at. Like, I was doing a show in. Where was I? I was. I was in Denmark in a place called Alborg, and I. I said, what. You know, what's been happening in. In Alborg? What's. What's the latest? And this lady went, we shot two elephants. I said, what? Like. And I said like, what the. You lot. All that? And she was like, no, no, the government elephant. They said, why a zoo? And you're like, what. Why was that? It's like. And she went, well, one of the animals. One of the elephants was sick. Okay. And so the other one like. And she like, well, we didn't want him to be lonely, so it's so bleak. So then that became this whole thing of, like, you know, you should never work for social services. Do you know what I mean? Never, never, never work a suicide hotline. But the. The point is, it kind of. I love it when you can make something that's happened organically. Then, I mean, it has to become part of the show. So the whole kind of evening was interlinked with this kind of sort of knowledge of, you know, how. Of how they dealt with problems, But I don't. I love. I love improvising within my own head and kind of trying to kind of create a bit of magic, but I just don't. I'm not into that whole kind of. Kind of, you know, slamming people. I don't have. If somebody. If somebody heckles me, fine, that's one thing. But I don't kind of go looking for the front row and. Right. You know what I mean? Yeah. Weirdly, I went to see a comedian and my, My. My pa, Andy booked me the tickets, and she's lovely, but she kind of got me them. It was like the third row, right in the middle, and I was like, they're gonna.

[B]

And if I knew they're gonna point. Yeah, yeah.

[A]

And it was really. But what was interesting. It was really interesting to feel that fear.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Like. And I didn't want that. I was like, going, God. And I'm a comedian. I know. You know, and yet in my head, I'm going, oh, God, oh, God, oh, God, oh, God.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And I just thought, it must be so awful for people. Like, some people must love it, and. Of course.

[C]

But.

[A]

But some people must be sat there just praying. Yes. That they're not going to be eviscerated. So it just made me think small.

[B]

Comedy club, and it feels like if you're too. You're in trouble.

[C]

Yeah, exactly.

[B]

And listen, I'm a big boy. I do this for a living. You know, we've been up on stage. You know, I've seen it. But also my wife, who is petrified of any public attention from strangers. I just. She already feels the fear, and then I feel the fear for her. And we went to a comedy club one time, and this guy, his whole shtick was pointing out people's physical appearances and then knocking them without them having said a word. Now, was it funny? There were parts that were funny, but he was randomly going through the audience, and I was like, please don't pick my wife, because I'm gonna have to hear about it the entire car.

[A]

Yeah, yeah.

[B]

Please don't pick my wife. And, you know, I think some of the. Okay, that's a valid form of comedy.

[A]

But it would kill me. But the thing that interests me is how do you sleep? Because you just. At night, like, my brain does that anyway. My brain does that, you know, hurt.

[B]

What did I do wrong? Yeah.

[A]

But I'll be trying to go to sleep, and my brain will remind me of some fear thing I did when I was 16.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Do you know what I mean? Like, do you remember that? Do you remember that outside the pub? Yeah.

[B]

What an.

[A]

Yeah, yeah. Like, it just. It reminds you of these cringe moments.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

You know, so. So I can't imagine, like, if you had a career where you were just like. Remember that time? I'm pretty sure she was crying. Do you know what I mean?

[C]

Yeah. I really feel bad.

[A]

And it's. And it's just not. I don't know, it's. It's. It's easy, but it's just not as interesting as trying to kind of zone in on stuff.

[B]

Agreed. Okay. You know, speaking of picking on people, I have to tell you, I have to tell you this. This is the most interesting thing I've seen in two weeks on any website ever.

[A]

Right.

[B]

You, on your website, you clearly are a very popular comedian who's got accolades from all over the place. And you've done it. I mean, you're. Would you consider yourself one of the UK's most popular comics.

[A]

Yeah, yeah, probably. I'm certainly. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[B]

Your own government set up a website that tracks the popularity of comics. Do you know about this?

[A]

I did not know this.

[B]

YouGov UK. Is that your like official government's website?

[A]

They do.

[B]

I found a website, a webpage dedicated to tracking the popularity of the comics that come from the uk.

[A]

Wow, sis.

[B]

It's crazy. Now I'm sure there's only six people who voted on this. There's got to be, you know, I mean, it's like this random web website and the government. And the government is keeping track of it. Where are your tax dollars?

[A]

I mean, yeah, that, I mean that you, you know, people might have faults with Joe Biden, but I can't imagine he's got a questionnaire asking people what they felt of Chappelle's Last special.

[B]

You are a very popular comic by the way, by some. You're like number that. You can break it down by Men, women, Gen X. I'll send this link to you. You can check it out if you feel so inclined. But Johnny Vegas, you know Johnny Vegas? Have you heard of this guy? The guy from Benny Dorm, Right? Yeah, like the Glamping show. Yeah, he ranks so highly up there. And I was like, I didn't even know Johnny Vegas was a, like a stand up comic.

[A]

Yeah, he was, he's a great. He hasn't done stand up for many years, but again, so clearly they've asked a lot of people in the north of England, but he was, he was a phenomenal comedian. He was really like in his pomp. My God. Yeah, he was. He basically played the role of a light entertainer who every his life had unraveled and he used to do like live pottery on stage. This is kind of like. Yeah, this is like the mid-90s. And he, he would have a story about how his dad made him eat his pet rabbit. It was all like really dark and he was like making pottery as he did it. Yeah. So I downloaded. But, but maybe, you know, maybe people had seen him live. I don't know. But he's a really great comic. But.

[B]

And well listen, the only thing that I knew him from was Benadorm, right. But then I, I somehow got on down the rabbit hole and then I watched his show on Glamping. I won't go too far off on this, but I watched the show on Glamping where he's just like, he's trying to start this camping park, right? RV park or whatever by making these things. I found him to be a very lovely human being. A complete opposite of what you see on Benny.

[A]

Yeah, he's a really. He's a really gentle soul. He's wonderful. He's really, really funny. But, yeah, there's. I'm trying to think. There's a great clip of him. He did, just for laughs, the Montreal Comedy Festival.

[B]

Oh, yeah, Yeah.

[A]

I think, you know, you've got to do seven minutes. They have lawyers who check your jokes. All very kind of regimented. And I think he went on and did 15 minutes. And obviously this was before the. You know, the stories about. No, no, the stories that came out about Bill Cosby, because he kept saying, I could have been the next Bill Cosby, but you lot had to fucking play God. And it's just this utterly bewildered Canadian audience, but it's pretty legendary. It's worth a spin. If you. If you want to see a great comedian going down in flames, then I.

[B]

Would recommend that Chrissy. He might be a. We might be, you know, beloved podcasters and he might be a beloved comic, but you have never been named the UK's weirdest crush of 2013. Did you know you were named UK's weirdest crush of 2013? What is that all about?

[A]

Well, basically, there's a big magazine called Heat over here, which is like a sort of a showbiz mag, and I was voted the. Yeah, the weird crush. So the person that, I guess women and some men fancied but felt terrible about. So it's kind of. It says a lot about kind of like male ego that I was kind of delighted. But, like, like, as in, like. I just can't imagine a world in which, like, like, people going off, is there a girl you fancy? But you'd feel awful for admitting it. Do you know what I mean? That's the thing.

[C]

It was.

[A]

That would be. But that would be. That would make the press, like. If people were saying that they. So, yeah, I was kind of. I was essentially the nation's pity. That's kind of what I was.

[B]

Do you get followed by the press over there?

[A]

Yeah, yeah. So it's kind of like. It's kind of weird, really, because I would describe myself as a famous comedian rather than a celebrity, you know, and it's kind of. So I've never really been to kind of red carpets or anything like that. I've been to. You know, I went to my sister's. My sister did a premiere for a film once, and I went to the In Betweeners film. But aside from that, it's just not my thing. I don't really sort of. So I've never lurked in that kind of world of shows. But I've been on TV for like 20 odd years and you know, done a reason. Yeah, yeah, exactly. So it's kind of. So when I do. Yeah. When I kind of do press, then sometimes it kind of like my. During COVID we were supposed to be going on my brother's stag to. You call it a bachelor party. Yeah, but. But obviously we couldn't. And I was doing an interview with Lorraine, who's really lovely kind of early morning kind of TV host. And I got out a kind of pint of cider because it was supposed to be my brother stag dude. And just kind of downed it just was in the middle of this, you know, like, you know, essentially news more just like drinking like really rough cider and that went pretty wild. Like it was kind of all over. Just like Howard drinks for breakfast and I was like. And it was just a joke to my brother and all his cousins. So. Yeah, I have to be pretty things sometimes. Yeah. It's just that odd thing, isn't it? Of like, you know, like, like even in the special that. That is true, that line of, you know, it was in the paper that somebody said that I was obsessed with the idea of running a gym, but only for grannies. So it's just kind of. Yeah. Things I say on pod sometimes end up in the press. So it's pretty wild.

[B]

Well, we can only hope.

[A]

Yeah, man. I'm sure.

[B]

People can Find the special now available on your website. We'll put links in the show notes. He's doing a tour mainly of the west coast of America, but we'll put the links there.

[A]

Oh, that'd be amazing. Yeah.

[B]

Russell, go ahead. Sure.

[A]

Yep.

[C]

I have been dying to know because we have discovered the show Naked Attractions.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Oh, do you watch that?

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

Dying to know, have you ever known anybody that's been on there?

[A]

No.

[C]

Or known someone that knew someone because I mean the show is so wild.

[A]

Yes. And it must, it must go against everything that you think of. Of British people. Yes, absolutely. Exactly. Yeah.

[C]

No, no prudishness.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

It's funny, isn't it? Like America, it's. It's so lovely to come to America because you were sort of regardless as like these. This regal, noble beast and yeah, it's because we're far away from you. We're close to. We're close to Europe and they know the truth about us. The truth is that we have a Dating show for people who don't know what naked attraction is, where the people meet naked and you have like five women or five men behind five kind of capsules, and you sort of gradually, you know, you. You lift it up. You start from the pelvis so you're just, you know, you will. You'll just see the. The or vagina of the. Of your potential, you know. A fiance.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

And. And they. They literally kind of talk about their bits, like, like, very clinically, clinically, but like. But like, in the same way you might talk about, like, buying veg at a supermarket. It's so kind of like.

[C]

Like.

[A]

Yeah. And I think one of the famous lines is, are you a mothman? You know, and. And this guy go, well, you know, I don't mind. I don't mind. However she wants to do it is fine. So it's. It's. It's kind of weirdly. It's. It's like a cross between a porn film and like a Wallace and Gromit episode.

[C]

Yes.

[A]

Do you know what I mean? There's kind of a lot going on, but, yeah, it's. It's. I don't know anyone who's been on it, but it's a really good question because presumably they know people.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

So their life must forever be different. Well, do you know what I mean?

[C]

Of just kind of a financial advisor.

[B]

Yeah. There was one guy, plumber. So we have broke down a couple of these videos, so. Watched them here in the studio and then commented on them as we're watching them.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And our listeners are floored. Last time we did it, it was a woman with men, and we just talked about penises for an hour. And I think that probably half our audience tuned out, but we have always wondered about this show. It's available on one of our streaming platforms here, hbo Max. Now, I'm not sure how many people watch it, but we've always wondered who's going to the grocery store the next day? I mean, everybody in the entire world just saw your cock and now you're naked.

[C]

Everything.

[A]

Yeah, exactly. And it's just.

[B]

It's so weird.

[A]

But it boggles me.

[B]

Yeah, it boggles.

[A]

It really does. And it's. It's. That is the show, isn't it? You almost want to follow them around afterwards.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Do you know what I mean? Just kind of.

[B]

You're so right about this. We need a. Where are they now? Yeah, after the dates. And I mean, I know they show the first date that they go on, but Naked Attraction, one of My. One of my favorite oddities currently.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Anywhere in the world.

[A]

Absolutely.

[B]

Russell special is brilliant. It is available on his website again, links in the show notes and his tour. And there is so, so much of Russell out there on YouTube. We'll also link to his YouTube channel and of course his social media. Russell, you are welcome back here anytime. We are fans of yours.

[A]

Yeah, I would love to. Whereabouts are you guys based?

[B]

We're in Atlanta.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Well, I'll tell you what, if I get the chance, when I, when we're over there, I'd love to pop in, say hello.

[B]

If you have the chance, then you've got our information. We would love that. And if you should come close to Atlanta and do your act, we will be sitting not in the first row, but somewhere.

[A]

Excellent. Brilliant. Well, lovely to meet you both.

[B]

Russell, you're the best man. Get back to that kid of yours. Thanks for coming on. We appreciate it.

[D]

One of my New Year's resolutions is to hear more of other people's drama. So help a girl out and tell us your drama at 212-433-3822. You can text it or if it's extra juicy, leave us a voicemail with the full story and don't forget to follow us on Instagram at the commercial break and on TikTokCBpodcast and watch our video [e-mail] TheCommercialBreak but also you can find everything I just mentioned and more on our website, tcbpodcast.com okay, let's listen to our sponsors and send us your drama.

[B]

So fun to talk to Mr. Russell Howard. And I like how he described. He says, you Americans think that all British people are reserved and, you know, quietly funny. And then he comes on and he's reserved and quietly funny and very nice. He's so nice.

[C]

He was great.

[B]

Mo Gilligan, who is our other British comic friend that we made here on the commercial break, and Russell Howard. Both of them are proving that British people are in fact a little bit reserved and very funny and very nice. So there you go.

[C]

Very naked.

[B]

What's that?

[C]

And very naked.

[B]

Well, there, I wonder. Like, I think he. I think what he was trying to say is that it is as much of a sensation over there as it is over here. It's like, wow, that's crazy. But I am still looking for that person that knows that person that was on the show and what was their life like afterwards. How do you ever date someone again and not know that they know what your penis looks like? Do you know what I'm saying.

[C]

Or use them as a plumber or your financial advisor.

[B]

When I went to the bar, at least I knew that I had my sense of humor and that they weren't going to see my penis, likely for a long time. If I go on that show, then I know it's all over. All right. Thanks to Mr. Russell Howard for coming in today. We certainly appreciate it. All of his stuff will be in the show notes. Links to his YouTube, links to tickets to his show, links to his special, links to his website, links to his social media. We'll put it all in the show notes. Please do us a favor and go check out that special. He didn't come here for his health, Chrissy. He needs people to watch that special.

[C]

Yes, he does. I think he will. He's gonna have a lot of people watching it.

[B]

Oh, I think so too. Yes. But we want it. We want to make it a thing here in the United States because we know, know that people over there are going to watch it because they love Russell Howard. People here, do they know Russell Howard? Do they know Robbie Williams?

[C]

No.

[B]

Is Russell Howard in fact a dolphin or an octopus in a sexy wig? We're not sure. More info to follow. Stay tuned to the commercial break. All right, here's our info. Go to tcbpodcast.com all the everything you need is right there. We got all the audio, all the video right there from one location. If you're a browser kind of person, you can watch it on your browser. You can listen to it in your browser. If you're old school like that, feel free. And I have a feeling some of you are that old that you're browsing. Get your free sticker. Also hit the contact us button. Drop down menu. I want my free shit. Give us your address and we'll send you something. Promise, no muss, no fuss. We won't ask for anything in return except for a like or a follow. You could do that. Also. Also, Astrid is imploring me to implore you to go and check us out on YouTube.com thecommercial break. Check out the new studio, check out the new digs. Watch all of our episodes. Every single one of them now available on YouTube.com thecommercialbreak that includes all of our interviews. So if you want to see just how handsome Russell is compared to me, go check that out. You can imagine both of us on dating. They naked. A naked attraction. What's it called?

[C]

Naked attraction.

[B]

Naked attraction. Dating naked's a different show where they don't. They don't actually show anything. They just tell you they're gonna show something but they don't really. I just noticed the camera keeps swaying over one side. Are you noticing that our camera doing its own camera tricks. That's kind of cool.

[C]

Likes to do that.

[B]

There you go. All right. Add the commercial break on Instagram tcb podcast on TikTok. If TikTok's still around I think it will be I think, I think he just Trump just invited the CEO to the inauguration. So I think we're all good. Yeah. 212-433-TCB 212-433-3822 questions, comments, concerns, content, ideas all there. Please talk to us. We want to hear from you. All right, Chrissy. I think that's all I can do for right now.

[C]

I think so.

[B]

I'll tell you that I love you best to you best you out there in the podcast universe unto until next time we talk Chrissy and I will say we do say and we must say goodbye. I.