The Romesh Ranganathan Show

How many mince pies is too many? Standup comedian, actor, writer and BAFTA-winning Strictly Come Dancing champion Chris McCausland, joins Romesh on the show this week – and gets subjected to a taste test. They talk about the fear and exhilaration of Chris' experience as the first blind contestant on Strictly, why "not caring" is the best thing you can do, and his new book, Keep On Laughing. A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Listen. 00:00 The Toilet Door 04:00 Alternative Christmas Message 05:20 Mince Pie Taste Test 11:55 Finding Fame 15:15 Giving Up Alcohol 17:20 Sean Lock on Live At The Apollo 18:35 Why Caring Less Is Good 21:19 Shanthi’s Question for Chris 23:00 The Jeopardy of Strictly Come Dancing 30:40 Most Nervous Strictly Moment 37:20 The Magic Is Trust 39:28 Chris's Autobiography: Keep Laughing 42:50 Bad Gigs Are Funny 47:49 Misquoted 57:03 What's next for Chris? 59:34 Secrets to Success Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What does Shanthi really want this Christmas? Romesh is joined by Shanthi for a festive episode full of gifts, jokes, surprise guests and the kind of family conversations that only happen at Christmas.  A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Listen. 00:00 Intro 01:05 Shanthi’s favourite Christmas song 03:44 Christmas wishes 06:07 A surprise guest 07:45 Some gift giving 10:00 Shanthi reads us Yo Mama jokes 12:55 Dinesh updates us 14:10 Shanthi’s Christmas demands 18:53 Romesh shows some appreciation 19:41 Is wiping a dogs bum necessary? 22:09 Playing Christmas games 28:00 A Christmas message from Dinesh --- Send us YOUR questions and dilemmas! Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@rangabee.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Whatsapp: 07731623355 --- Subscribe for new episodes! Follow us on socials: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/theromeshshow⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is comedy music the hardest art form to perfect? Comedian, actor and Oscar-winning musician Bret McKenzie — one half of the legendary Flight of the Conchords — joins Romesh to unpack life at the funny end of songwriting. From winning awards for work “Disney didn’t even like” on The Muppets, to touring his “serious” new album Freak Out City, Bret shares stories from the road, recalls his unexpected appearance in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, and throws himself into a UK vs New Zealand Marmite-eating challenge. A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Listen. 00:00 Intro 03:11 Hype men gone wrong 06:05 Bret's new tour 11:45 Marmite: UK vs New Zealand  19:58 Flight of the Conchords 23:00 Work changing with time 27:05 Comedy songwriting 28:44 Touring the new album: Freak Out City 33:33 Writing music for film 39:07 That's not cool dad 42:00 Misquoted 50:22 Lord Of The Rings Extra 57:51 Shanthi’s question for Bret 59:41 Oscar Win: Man Or Muppet 1:05:45 Oasis Exclusive  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on the podcast, Shanthi and Romesh help listeners with advice on family dilemmas and resolve some of their own – covering everything from coming out, to following your partner abroad for love. They don’t always agree! A Ranga Bee production in partnership with Listen. 00:00 Shanthi's Nails 01:34 Shanthi's Favourite Sitcoms 05:53 Stand Up To Cancer 06:26 Listener Dilemmas 09:40 Unusual Food Combos 14:03 Advice On Coming Out To Family 17:31 The Naughty List Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Multi award–winning writer, actor and director, Stephen Merchant joins Romesh for a hilarious conversation about his career. They discuss how The Office reshaped comedy, why Tim and Dawn still land, Stephen’s shift into drama, his quest for “flow state," and why he regrets always playing the awkward guy. A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Listen. 00:00 Intro 02:10 Chat GPT vs Stephen's BAFTAS 04:20 Do Awards Mean Anything? 07:45 Mark Hamill’s Trousers 09:25 Teacher Trauma 16:20 Tiny Grand Piano & Music Regrets 18:30 The Flow State 24:50 How The Office Changed Comedy 28:33 Tim & Dawn 31:34 Letting The Office Evolve 34:49 Goodbye June With Kate Winslet 38:06 Shanthi’s Question & Being The Awkward Guy 42:00 Stallone, Woody Allen & The Danger of Being Typecast 44:00 The Walking Dead 46:20 Logan With Richard E. Grant 50:00 Ambitions & American Success 58:00 Misquoted 01:04:30 Being 6’7 Tall 01:07:20 Stephen’s Adult EXCLUSIVE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week Shanthi turns on the Christmas lights and gets in the festive spirit. She talks to Romesh about why she won't let her newfound popularity get to her head, gives some hilarious baby sleep-training advice, and revisits a sore spot in Romesh's childhood: garlic curry.  Plus Romesh and Shanthi host a watch along, revisiting the best Christmas movie classics with Sky Cinema and the Friday Film Club #ad. A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Listen. 00:00 Intro 00:17 Shanthi Turns On The Christmas Lights 03:27 Shanthi’s Cooking 5:50 Garlic and Bullying 7:34 Shanthi On Fame 9:26 Listener Questions: Parenting 18:00 Romesh's Superman Delusion  20:13 Shanthi’s Life Advice to Romesh 22:38 Sky Cinema 23:10 Shanthi in Panto 24:55 Christmas Spirit ---- 📺 Subscribe for new episodes! 📲 Follow us on socials: https://linktr.ee/theromeshshow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Comedian, actor and writer Tim Key joins Romesh for an off-kilter conversation about bombing on panel shows, the moment Susie Dent had to whisper “it’s fine”, a failed Taskmaster reunion in Cologne, and the wrist-breaking dangers of comedians’ football. He also gives the scoop on his new role in The Office “spin-off” The Paper, the LA spiral that led to his latest poetry collection, and the emotional side of fear, fame and performing. Plus, Romesh and the team blindside Tim with a phaal curry… sweat, tears, regret. A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Listen. 00:00 Intro 01:22 Anti-Podcast? 01:51 BAFTA Confusion 04:45 Career Comparisons 06:50 Romesh's Mock The Week Flop 10:40 Susie Dent Whispers "It's fine" 14:23 Taskmaster Bromance 15:46 The Abandoned Cologne Trip 21:32 Curry Fanatic 23:20 Phaal: "That's Quite Spicy Actually" 27:07 The Ballad of Wallace Island 36:45 Tim's Football Injury 41:29 The Office "Spin-off": The Paper 47:26 Shanthi's Question for Tim 50:01 Tim Key's New Book: LA Baby 52:00 "LA is Tough" 56:30 Tim Key On Stand Up Comedy 59:00 The Reluctant Landlord 1:04:10 Is It OK To Do Accents? 1:05:30 Misquoted  1:10:30 The Weakest Link 1:13:15 Poem Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Romesh and Shanthi are back discussing everything from dentist anxiety to the Ranganathan name to Taskmaster. Plus, Romesh goes in detail to explain to Shanthi how a play works... A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Listen. 00:00 Intro 01:14 Shanthi’s been ‘gifted' 02:55 Shanthi watches Saltburn 04:46 Shanthi turns down a pickle 06:00 Listener Dilemmas 07:25 Ben guesses Shanthi’s age 08:45 Explaining how a play works 10:55 Shanthi’s Advice 12:43 How to be a good son 15:40 More listeners call in 20:39 Romesh reveals his name on his birth certificate 21:53 All together different 23:48 Romesh On Taskmaster Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What does it feel like when your song goes viral? Sophie Ellis-Bextor sits down with Romesh for a sharp, funny and open chat that jumps from stealing a Grease DVD from Prince Edward’s office to becoming TikTok’s disco queen thanks to Saltburn with Murder on the Dancefloor. Sophie also talks about performing 148 gigs in a year, living on a tour bus with her husband and brother, owning the decision to name her new album Perimenopop and the way she deals with online trolls. A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Listen. 0.00 - Intro 2:18 - Sophie’s Gift 4:46 - Tour Life 9:55 - Viral Success 12:10 - Saltburn 15:25 - Shanthi’s Question 17:58 - Social Media Hate 24:18 - Embracing Age 30:28 - Feeling Bold 37:20 - TikTok Pressure 39:54 - Creativity 41:00 - Strictly Experience 43:45 - Misquoted 48:45 - Attitude to AI 49:22 - Famous Family 54:54 - Royal Theft Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Romesh and Shanthi return for the Thursday episode… and it goes off the rails fast. Gen-Z slang tests, dating philosophy, bedtime arguments, erotic dreams involving comedians, vibrators named “Romesh”, and the mystery of when horse riding becomes acceptable on a first date.  A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Listen.  00:00 Welcome back with Shanthi  01:49 Jack Whitehall recap  02:14 Gen Z / Gen Alpha slang test  08:07 Listener dilemma: bedtime clash  12:39 Erotic dream dilemma  17:53 Shanti’s first-date rules  24:37 Educating Yorkshire  28:16 Shanti’s Thursday advice  Send us YOUR questions and dilemmas!  Email: podcast@rangabee.com  Whatsapp: 07731 623355 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What are Hollywood auditions really like behind the scenes? Jack Whitehall is in the studio with Romesh for a fast, funny and surprisingly candid chat that jumps from his early stand-up days and cringe-inducing “Danny Dyer” phase to his darkest acting role yet in Malice. He talks about prepping to play a manipulative villain, juggling that mindset with new-dad life, fangirling over The Rock on Jungle Cruise, blowing auditions, and navigating the circuit as the posh kid everyone expected to hate. They also get into panel shows, parenting, their unexpectedly famous parents and why teenagers insist stand-up is “dead”. A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Listen.

 00:01 Intro 02:06 Jack on winning the Amuse moose 04:20 Jack and Romesh meeting in the early career days 06:53 Jack’s acting beginnings 07:45 Romesh has a gift for Jack 12:20 New TV Show Malice 14:42 The difference between acting and comedy 16:43 Balancing family and professional life 21:33 Jungle Cruise Movie 22:24 Fangirling over Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson 24:38 What’s the end goal? 26:15 Auditioning 32:57 A question from Shanthi 34:11 Being posh in comedy 38:05 Working in stand up 40:43 League of their own 44:05 Touring and time off 44:42 Comedy and parenting 52:25 Panto stories 56:12 Working with parents 1:01:54 Jack & Romesh play ‘Misquoted' 1:04:53 Jack’s weirdest experience of his life Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Romesh and Shanthi are back, chatting dental fears, turmeric-stained teeth, and Romesh’s table tennis win over Sir Andy Murray. Plus, listeners ask for advice on tricky girlfriends, mummy’s boys, and a mother-in-law on a hen do???A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Listen. 0:01 - Shanthi’s “Royal Albert Hall” Introduction
1:22 - Dentist Fears & Turmeric Teeth4:45 - Shanthi reacts to Romesh vs Sir Andy8:32 - Rom’s Greatest Win?10:44 - The Disliked Girlfriend12:58 - Shanthi meeting Girlfriends18:02 - 18 Year Old Romesh21:06 - “Love You, Mummy” – Red Flag or Not?23:49 - The Irrigation28:36 - The Mother-in-Law32:17 - Birthday Party for Dogs?35:53 - Married at First Sight Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What does life feel like when you’ve already lived your dream? Sir Andy Murray joins Romesh for a candid chat about life after tennis – touching on everything from competitive parenting to an exclusive on what he'd like his next career move to be. Plus, Andy shares thoughts on toilet etiquette, Romesh puts him to the test identifying famous tennis grunts, and the pair debate what ruins a fruit salad. Presented By Santander - Pay Smarter with a Santander Edge credit card. Find out more at ⁠⁠www.santander.co.uk/personal/credit-cards⁠⁠ A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Listen. 00:00 Toilet Etiquette: Sit Down Wees 03:40 Intro 07:00 Romesh's Gift for Andy 09:00 "Romesh Can't Hit a Ball" 11:50 Competitive Parenting 14:45 Drawing Dogs and Failing Art Class 18:00 Speaking Tour and Fans 22:35 Andy & Romesh's Failed Podcast Pilot 24:40 Bad Headlines, Nerves and Mistakes 27:32 Pressure and Crowd Abuse 28:30 Switching to Golf 33:36 Retirement and Pride 38:25 Looking Back on Achievements 39:35 Home and Being a Famous Dad 44:20 GAME: What A Grunt 48:30 Why Does Grunting Help in Tennis? 50:47 Misquoted (Andy's Issue with Bananas) 55:00 My Mum Thought I Was Useless 58:30 Haircuts and Moustaches 01:01:20 Bizarre Things Mums Say 01:03:00 I Loved Working With My Mum 01:05:00 Andy Is Out Of Shape 01:07:20 Exclusive: Andy's Next Career 01:11:00 Table Tennis: Murray vs Ranganathan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Romesh and Shanthi get surprisingly heartfelt about Romesh's upbringing – discussing infidelity, jealousy and Shanthi's "toughest years". Shanthi also plays Round 2 of Nottolenghi and explains why she loves The Great British Bake Off so much. Plus, Romesh puts his foot down on the upper age limit for trick or treating. A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Listen. 00:00 Garage Freestyle 02:45 Unexpected Compliments 07:15 Romesh Gets Serious on Family 10:40 Who is Loyle Carner? 13:00 Nottolenghi: Round 2 15:40 Meringue Eating Technique 16:30 People Get Jealous of Me 18:50 Ben's My Best Friend 21:22 Halloween Feedback 26:50 Romesh vs Dinesh fight 30:00 Altogether Different 32:30 Shanthi Loves Bake Off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is perfection the enemy of a great show? Rapper, actor and cook, Loyle Carner joins Romesh to talk about the parallels between comedy and music on stage. Ben puts Loyle to the test with a (terrible) food-themed gameshow – and Loyle opens up about his new album Hopefully!, and how he sees it as a time capsule for his children. Presented By Santander - Pay Smarter with a Santander Edge credit card. Find out more at ⁠⁠www.santander.co.uk/personal/credit-cards⁠⁠ A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Listen. 00:00 Pizza shops and bakeries 02:56 “Thinking woman’s crumpet” 04:20 Mumsnet's 7th sexiest man06:36 Romesh’s formal intro to Loyle Carner08:02 Surprise Game - Ottolenghi or Nottolenghi?17:42 AD — Santander Edge credit card18:25 Glastonbury: Why mistakes are good23:32 Inspired by Lianne La Havas 28:10 New album & feeling pressure 31:59 Touring with kids33:16 Getting parenting wrong36:07 Shanthi's voicemail39:02 GOAT rappers43:02 Privacy vs literal45:53 MISQUOTED: We're not heroes. We're weirdos. 47:04 Tesco-bag raps50:49 Bluey wisdom52:07 Acting in Mint (BBC)55:49 James Bond Exclusive Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What's the weirdest family tradition you've ever heard of? Join Romesh and Shanthi as they talk about some of theirs, alongside Romesh's shoe addiction – plus the listeners get in touch with story of Glastonbury guilt. Presented By Santander - Pay Smarter with a Santander Edge credit card. Find out more at ⁠⁠www.santander.co.uk/personal/credit-cards⁠⁠ A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Listen. 00:00 Shanthi's Airhorns! 01:00 Like "Mel Gibson" 02:50 Romesh's Wedding 08:00 Listener Glastonbury Confession 10:30 Holding a Grudge 11:30 Romesh's Trainer Addiction 13:00 The Bodyguard and Romesh Sings! 15:15 Shanthi attempts to sign off --- Send us YOUR questions and dilemmas! Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@rangabee.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ Whatsapp: 07731623355 --- Subscribe for new episodes! Follow us on socials: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/theromeshshow⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What do you say when a fan recognises you… while you’re buying threadworm tablets? Daisy May and Charlie Cooper join Romesh to relive their most mortifying moments, talk about ghost-hunting in a haunted prison, and explain how a viral story nearly ruined their lives. They also get honest about fame, sibling rivalry, and why Daisy might be the only person to take sleeping pills on a paranormal show. A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Listen. 00:00 Intro 01:20 “I Was a Bit of a Tw*t Before Fame” 03:00 How Important Is Being Famous? 04:45 Charlie on THREADWORMS 07:00 “Where’s the Fish in That Story?” 10:15 Daisy’s Viral Audition CONFESSION 11:50 Emotional Support Ghosts & Haunted Hotels 15:00 Daisy and Charlie Really Believe in Ghosts 18:00 Daisy Sleeps Through the Paranormal 20:00 Fake Tan in Prison 22:00 Telepathy Test 27:00 Charlie & Romesh’s Argos Jobs 33:00 Shanthi’s Question: Working with Siblings 37:00 Competing for Mum 40:00 The Hustle vs Family Life 44:00 Oscar Fixations 51:00 “You Were a Bit Boring – Now You’re Boring with More Money!” 53:00 The Pilot That Nearly Killed This Country 54:00 Daisy Pays Charlie a Compliment (Finally) 56:00 Daisy’s Creepy Tarot Reading 01:00:00 Misquoted 01:03:16 Who Wrote the Best Line in the Show? 01:04:50 Why the Runners Hate Daisy 01:07:30 Wetting Yourself 01:15:00 Romesh’s Josh Widdicombe Impression Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Join Romesh and Shanthi as they argue about spending time together, reply to awkward questions about dating, and react to Jameela Jamil's embarrassing story. Presented By Santander - Pay Smarter with a Santander Edge credit card. Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠www.santander.co.uk/personal/credit-cards⁠⁠⁠ A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Listen. 00:00 Family time 03:50 Weird Bedroom Talk 07:00 On Jameela Jamil   08:50 Reacting to Jameela’s DJ Story 13:00 Audience Questions: In-laws 21:10 Ben’s Apples    24:21 Shanthi Are You Dating? 28:56 Controlling Romesh’s Life 33:00 Shanthi Nails the Santander Line --- Send us YOUR questions and dilemmas! Email: ⁠⁠⁠podcast@rangabee.com⁠⁠⁠ Whatsapp: 07731623355 --- Subscribe for new episodes! Follow us on socials: ⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/theromeshshow⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What do you do if your school bully edits your Wikipedia? Jameela Jamil chats to Romesh about her huge success in Hollywood and how she accidentally got her role in The Good Place. Jameela also tells us her problem with journalism and her embarrassing moment live on stage in front of 6,000 farmers… A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Listen. 00:00 Intro 01:20 Jameela Impersonates Priyanka Chopra 02:26 “No Marlon Randos” 05:00 COLONIC Irrigation! 07:50 Cake Break 09:40 Journalists and Wikipedia 17:26 “I’m not a profound thinker” 18:12 Shanthi’s Question 21:15 Jameela’s SUCCESS: "How did you do it?" 22:30 BULLIES and Standing Ovations 27:00 The Good Place AUDITION 28:20 Changing Philosophies 36:00 Outrage and LOLS 37:17 Larry David’s Wedding 38:45 On Being Brown 43:50 Turning 40 46:20 Shame and Humiliation 47:15 “Misquoted” 51:45 ORG*SMING on stage! 56:00 Laurence Fox Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Join Romesh and Shanthi as they chat about the mix up at the doctors when Romesh was younger, whether grandparents should pick their name and how easy it is to make the perfect Tiktok. Presented By Santander - Pay Smarter with a Santander Edge credit card. Find out more at ⁠⁠www.santander.co.uk/personal/credit-cards⁠⁠ A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Listen. 00:00 Intro 00:30 Shanthi's Weather Forecast 01:20 Romesh's Could Improve 02:43 Shanthi is Unimpressed by Tim Minchin 04:08 Shanthi Sings for Social Media 07:01 Ben on "Dwerking" 08:59 Listener Questions: Grandparents Theme 13:58 Romesh's WORST Habit 16:44 Names for Grandma 19:00 I Thought You Were Cutting my ***** Off 20:55 A Question on the EDGE Send us YOUR questions and dilemmas!Email: ⁠podcast@rangabee.com⁠Whatsapp: 07731623355 ----  Subscribe for new episodes!Follow us on socials: ⁠https://linktr.ee/theromeshshow⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices