The Commercial Break – TCB Infomercial: Russell Howard

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

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.

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)

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 |

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)

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.

Additional Resources & Links

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

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