Wrong Turns with Jameela Jamil: Episode Featuring Simon Pegg and Richard Herring
Release Date: July 31, 2025
In this compelling episode of Wrong Turns with Jameela Jamil, host Jameela Jamil delves deep into the realm of personal disasters and humiliating misadventures with her esteemed guests, Simon Pegg and Richard Herring. True to the show's premise of celebrating life's missteps without seeking silver linings, the trio shares candid and cringe-worthy stories that resonate with anyone who's ever felt like life is just one wrong turn after another.
Introduction to the Guests
Jameela warmly welcomes Simon Pegg, a renowned screenwriter, director, producer, comedian, and actor known for his roles in iconic films like Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, and Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning. Alongside Simon is Richard Herring, a celebrated comedian, writer, and podcaster famed for his double act with Leon Herring and his contributions to platforms like the Richard Herring's Leicester Square Theatre podcast.
Attraction to Disaster and Embarrassment in Comedy
The conversation kicks off with Jameela posing a thought-provoking question: "When it comes to disaster, humiliation, mortification, do you feel like you're attracted to it or it's attracted to you?" ([03:38]). Simon responds candidly, emphasizing that while he doesn't seek out disaster, misfortunes seem to gravitate towards him:
“I don't feel attracted to it at all. It might be attracted to me, though. It's not like a guilty thrill. It's horrific.” ([03:56])
Richard adds his perspective, highlighting how comedy serves as a mechanism to control embarrassment:
“If you're in control of the embarrassment, which is what comedy is, you can go up and say the most humiliating thing... it's a way of controlling it.” ([05:45])
Simon Pegg's Car Crashing Chronicles
One of Simon’s most revealing stories revolves around his unfortunate habit of frequently crashing rental cars. He shares a particularly vivid incident in Greece:
“I have several. My main one is that I, seemingly, without exception, crash every hire car... I hit a post.” ([08:05])
This pattern has not only frustrated his family but also led to repeated bans from renting cars:
“I've been banned from driving three times...” ([08:43])
Simon attributes these mishaps to possible ADHD, suggesting a lack of focus exacerbates his driving challenges:
“Do people with ADHD get into more car accidents than people who don't have it? And the answer was yes.” ([08:58])
Childhood Embarrassments: Simon and Richard's Early Mishaps
Both guests reminisce about their most mortifying childhood experiences. Simon recounts a traumatic memory from infancy:
“I went in there to do a number two. And I looked up and there were two girls... I saw my little child's penis.” ([15:02])
Richard shares his own ordeal of accidentally soiling himself at school:
“I had to actually go and then go... I just went in my pants.” ([16:22])
These shared experiences set the tone for the episode, emphasizing how early embarrassments can linger into adulthood.
Public Mishaps and Unexpected Consequences
Jameela interjects with her own harrowing story of losing control in public:
“I shat myself in the middle of Santa Monica Boulevard at 26 and then shit all over the road... people think that's just everyone else in Santa Monica, you know, they're all just shitting in the...” ([17:49])
Simon empathizes, sharing his discomfort with public urination despite occasional lapses:
“I find it very hard to... I just pee.” ([43:05])
Richard Herring's Relational and Health Tribulations
Richard opens up about a tumultuous relationship that coincided with a health scare:
“I was in a tumultuous relationship... I had testicular cancer four years ago...” ([36:03])
He narrates how a holiday in Barbados became a turning point, leading to the discovery of his cancer and a painful breakup:
“It was about two days later... Donald Murray was working on... testicular cancer.” ([37:00])
This deeply personal story underscores the intertwining of personal loss and physical health crises.
Unique and Unforgettable Encounters
Jameela shares an unforgettable encounter with Grace Jones that led to an unexpected loss of control:
“Grace Jones... she goes, I need to pee... I was like... I just pee.” ([44:37])
Both guests find humor in the absurdity of these situations, highlighting the episode's theme of embracing and laughing at one's own misfortunes.
Audience Engagement: Misery Loves Company
As the episode nears its conclusion, Jameela introduces a segment titled Misery Loves Company, where she shares a listener-submitted story about a Norwegian man’s unfortunate incident with an IKEA shower stool:
“His engorged bollocks are stuck in the chair and he now can't separate himself and has to go to the emergency room.” ([47:05])
This segment reinforces the podcast's commitment to celebrating and commiserating over personal disasters.
Final Thoughts and Full Circle Moments
The episode wraps up with heartfelt acknowledgments between Jameela and Simon. Jameela expresses gratitude towards Simon for past support that aided her career:
“I owe you my career... Thank you.” ([50:05])
Simon reciprocates, reflecting on their shared history and the comfort found in their candid conversations:
“I've done it and I've had a fantastic time. I love it.” ([49:31])
Conclusion
This episode of Wrong Turns with Jameela Jamil masterfully navigates the often-taboo territory of personal embarrassments and failures, turning them into relatable and humorous anecdotes. With Simon Pegg and Richard Herring's openness and Jameela's engaging hosting, listeners are treated to an honest and entertaining exploration of life's less-than-perfect moments. Whether it's car crashes, childhood mishaps, or unexpected public embarrassments, the trio proves that sometimes, embracing your wrong turns is the best way forward.
Notable Quotes:
- Simon Pegg ([03:56]): “It's not like a guilty thrill. It's horrific.”
- Richard Herring ([05:45]): “It's a way of controlling it.”
- Simon Pegg ([08:58]): “And I suit, I fit so much.”
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