The Romesh Ranganathan Show

What is the future of comedy and podcasts?

Comedian, actor and podcaster Adam Buxton joins Romesh for a thoughtful and funny conversation about creativity, aging and the strange evolution of podcasting.

Adam reflects on his career from The Adam and Joe Show, to music, to building one of the UK’s most respected podcasts. From working with Louis Theroux to becoming podcast competitors, he discusses why he prefers audio over video, even as the industry shifts toward clips, algorithms and “maximising reach”.

They also chat about the reality of getting older in the public eye and why chasing audience approval can quietly ruin creative work.

Plus, Adam talks about making his debut solo album, Buckle Up, collaborating with Metronomy’s Joe Mount, and finding new ways to stay creative.

Expect as usual, a question from Shanthi, and a game of Misquoted with a brutal breakdown of how viral exclusives are ruining us.

A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Platform.

00:00 Intro

05:00 A gift for Adam

06:30 Hair loss, aging and awkward family moments

13:20 Rom & Adam’s attempt at friendship

16:33 Adam on podcasting trending

17:10 The competition with Theroux

18:04 What Adam doesn’t like about podcasting

25:42 Getting into music

29:55 Adam’s new comedy album

30:51 Shorts faux pas and fashion envy

36:40 More on Buckle Up the album

39:30 Adam does a jingle

42:06 Adam’s divided career

49:39 A question from Shanthi

51:57 The future of comedy TV

54:55 Misquoted

01:02:29 A viral exclusive broken down

01:06:36 Outro
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Who would direct Shanthi's documentary about her life?

Romesh and Shanthi are back in the studio, discussing Miriam Margolyes, documentaries and whether Shanthi would make her own all about arriving in the UK in 1975 to navigating culture shock, kindness from strangers, and the realities of starting over.

They also tackle your listener dilemmas with some sound advice, from issues dealing with mother-in-laws, parenting and superstitions. And for once Rom and Shanthi agree!

Plus: We ask the team who is better to work with Karl Pilkington or Romesh?

A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Platform.

00:00 Intro

01:43 Shanthi on Miriam Margolyes

02:42 Would Shanthi make a documentary?

04:12 Shanthi on coming to the UK

08:43 Answering your dilemmas

10:09 Working with Romesh vs Karl Pilkington

10:42 Dilemmas continued

16:55 Ranganathan supersitions

23:06 Outro
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What happens when you put Miriam Margolyes and Romesh in a room together? Surprisingly brilliant life advice and a mild flirtation...

BAFTA-winning actor, author and national treasure Miriam Margolyes joins Romesh Ranganathan for one of the funniest, frankest and most unpredictable episodes yet.

Miriam reflects on her extraordinary career, from Blackadder and Harry Potter to her deep love of Charles Dickens, theatre and live audiences. She also discusses her new documentary, 'Miriam Margolye Made Me Me', her upcoming book 'Miriam’s Full English', life on Cameo, and why getting older has made her bolder.

Expect candid opinions on fame, politics, kindness, reality TV, social issues and public figures, alongside stories from Cambridge Footlights, her long standing beef with John Cleese, working with comedy legends, and why she still believes in seizing the day.

Plus: Shanthi’s question, audience absurdity and some truly unfiltered and unhinged moments… and yes, an on-air fart.

It's a hilarious episode and unmistakably Miriam.

A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Platform.

00:00 Intro

03:32 A gift for Miriam

06:00 Miriam thinks Rom is sexy

07:40 The new documentary

09:00 On success

10:30 More on Miriam Margolyes Made Me Me

15:45 On being a farty old lady and reality TV

17:08 Writing a new book

18:09 Unhinged audience questions and Cameo

21:00 On Nigel Farage

26:48 Most proud moments

25:37 Shanthi’s question to Miriam

28:29 On importance and popularity

32:23 Humanity, kindness and politics

37:42 Does Miriam like a full english?

38:22 On touring and Miriam’s broad career

39:37 Miriam farts on the show

40:30 Getting into acting

43:38 Footlights and her beef with John Cleese

47:13 Working on Blackadder

50:32 Harry Potter and it’s legacy

51:46 A message to David Essex

52:30 Miriam’s favourite actor to work with

56:41 Most surprising person she’s worked with

58:50 Most important work

01:00:25 What’s next

01:01:55 Misquoted

01:09:45 Advice from Miriam

01:10:44 Outro
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What do you get Shanthi Ranganathan for her birthday when she already has it all?

It’s a special birthday episode of The Romesh Ranganathan Show, as Romesh and the team celebrate Shanthi with gifts, an unexpected charity donation, and a chaotic game of Would You Rather?

From Shanthi’s thoughts on dating later in life, to questions about drug use, and heated debates over Titanic, cats and parrots, this birthday special goes exactly where you’d expect and absolutely nowhere you’d predict...

Plus, Romesh and Shanthi tackle your listener dilemmas with their usual mix of questionable advice, honesty and chaos.

A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Platform.

00:00 Intro

01:00 Shanthi’s birthday gifts

04:36 Romesh’s charity donation

07:25 Would You Rather with Shanthi

08:50 Shanthi’s first marijuana experience

10:30 Shanthi on dating

19:18 Did Thundercat like the hat?

22:00 A question about age

26:48 Most proud moments

30:40 A miscommunication about movies, cats and parrots

36:50 How do the Ranganathan’s celebrate birthdays?

39:15 Titanic movie opinions

41:40 Outro
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Can you force creativity or does it only come when it’s ready?

Double Grammy Award winning artist Thundercat joins Romesh Ranganathan for a wide-ranging conversation about music, art, style and finding your own sound.

From Thundercat’s journey in music, growing up around musicians, to becoming a solo artist and finding his niche, they discuss how his sound developed and how working with Flying Lotus changed everything. He also touches on creating during trauma and why he believes creativity cannot be rushed. And they discuss the potential of a new album...
Plus, a question from Shanthi on confidence and dealing with bullying growing up, touring and new music, a game of Misquoted and obviously, a lot of love for the bass.

A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Platform.

00:00 Intro

03:23 Romesh gasses up Thundercat

03:57 Gift giving

06:49 Upcoming European Tour

08:15 The difference between American crowds

10:20 Was he always going to be a musician?

11:59 When art starts paying off

14:00 How did he become a solo artist?

16:30 How to define Thundercats genre

22:19 A question from Shanthi on confidence

25:28 On getting bullied

29:09 Thundercats style

35:00 New music and possible albums

38:30 On trauma effecting creativity

40:13 Misquoted

43:50 On Mac Miller

45:56 Misquoted continued

48:03 Is Thundercat a Thundercat fan?

50:56 The importance of bass

52:55 Outro
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