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PODCAST · comedy

Russell Howard’s Five Brilliant Things

by Avalon Television

Each week Russell sits down with fantastic guests to chat about their Brilliant Things; the items, places and people that make life worth living.

Publisher-supplied feed metadata · PodParley refreshed Oct 10, 2026 · Source feed

Episodes

  1. Catherine Bohart

    One of the leading lights of Irish comedy: it’s Catherine Bohart and she brings bucketloads of her trademark charm and wit into the podcast studio. I mean it’s worth coming for the Hockey Smut alone. Catherine wrestles with her new found passion for racy Ice Hockey fantasies. We then take a…

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  2. September's Moments of the Month

    Welcome to September's Moments of the Month. In case you’re new here, this is a compilation show with a little flavour of each guest we’ve enjoyed this month, but not the whole show. Then if you like the taste of any of them you can double-back and listen to the whole episode. It’s a good way to...

  3. George Fouracres

    He’s one of the breakout stars of SNL UK and a sketch and comic actor of the highest calibre - it’s George Fouracres! George’s Brilliant Things are signs of an inquisitive and sideways brain, for example ‘roads’ are definitely brilliant but maybe the rest of us take them for granted? Likewise the...

  4. Alexei Sayle

    One of the forefathers of modern British Stand-up comedy, Alexei Sayle sits down with Russell to talk through his brilliant things and they show sides to Alexei that demonstrate the forces in him that make him such an interesting voice; nobody else has chosen both a poem and a gun among their...

  5. Natasha Bedingfield

    The pop megastar is in the studio and her brilliant things are as wholesome as you might hope; a swim through the importance of connecting with nature, the vitality of comedy and there’s a fascinating chat about the creative process. Oh! And chocolate. Natasha’s new single ‘Dot Dot Dot’ is out…

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  6. Alasdair Beckett-King

    ALASDAIR BECKETT-KING A tremendous comedian with a distinct voice (and hair) and a talent for making some of the best videos to ever grace the internet - it’s the unstoppable ABK! A man like Alasdair, with an interest in life’s niches, was always going to produce a good episode of Five Brilliant...

  7. Mark Simmons

    Mark Simmons, one of the sharpest joke writers in the country (maybe the world? Maybe the universe?) is here and his five brilliant things give an insight into the man behind the gags. From Taekwondo tournaments to Wrestling and the thrills of Mr Miyagi, you can see that his discipline in...

  8. Brian Conley

    Brian Conley has been one of the biggest names in UK comedy and theatre for the past generation. From being the biggest comedian on TV to the most in-demand stage performer, he’s done it all. Come in and listen to a fascinating chat between Russell and Brian, two comics who sit, and have sat, at...

  9. August's Moments of the Month

    Hello there! Welcome to August’s Moments of the Month. In case you’re new here, this is a compilation show with a little flavour of each guest we’ve enjoyed this month, but not the whole show. Then if you like the taste of any of them you can double-back and listen to the whole episode. It’s a…

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  10. Alfie Brown

    One of the most interesting, honest and self-eviscerating comics around at the moment, Alfie Brown brings his happy things to the studio including the city of Liverpool, Love Songs, his own wife and the levelling, life-saving properties of cannabis. Alfie has been in Edinburgh but if you haven’t...

  11. Joe Maggio

    Today, the first guest Russell nearly killed. American director Joe Maggio is here, miraculously, after nearly losing his life on Russell’s stag-do some years ago. He’s written a show about the near-fatal mistake of trying to keep up with a feral UK stag-do and it’s at the Edinburgh Festival…

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  12. Dan Tiernan

    Award-winning stand-up comic Dan Tiernan is here! If you thought you’d heard about torturous writing process before, just wait until you hear Dan’s extraordinary stories. He’s been to some tricky places and come back. He’s also a strong poker player and tells another cracker about winning BIG in…

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  13. Paddy Young

    Utterly charming, utterly chaotic and singing the praises of cold flannels. The SNL UK star Paddy Young is here, and is the first guest to arrive to the recording with a bottle of milk in hand. Why? It’s all in this delightful hour of chat that includes banned Scrabble words and why you should…

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  14. July's Moments of the Month

    It's July's Moments of the Month: no new shows, just a smattering of the best bits of all the shows from the past month. Try some, and if you like it, go back and listen to the whole episode! First up in July it was the Eastenders star turned super-podcaster, Natalie Cassidy. Then it was the…

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  15. Ian Moore

    Death and Croissants author and comedian Ian Moore is in the studio! The best-selling author of France-based cosy crime novels, Ian has never lost that razor-sharp comedian instinct and gives a belting show that takes in the unbridled pleasure of judging others on how they dress, the simple…

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  16. Christopher Hall

    He’s danced for Kylie and Shania, he’s a viral sensation, a comedian and a born showman; Christopher Hall is in the studio. Christopher explains why there’s nothing more liberating than pottering around the shops, enjoying punny names for businesses and the nostalgic taste of a home-made...

  17. Bella Hull

    Horror gig stories are always fun; Comedian and SNL UK writer Bella Hull serves up some of the best in the business. If art is suffering then Bella is Leonardo da Vinci. Bella is one of the most exciting newer voices on the UK comedy circuit and even a brief listen to this episode demonstrates…

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  18. Peter Serafinowicz

    Comedian and Actor Peter Serafinowicz takes an hour out of his hectic filming schedule to sit down and explain why we should listen to the Oh-Sees, why the Bionic Commando soundtrack was so groundbreaking and he gives us the most iconic death noise in video-game history. If you want to see Peter,...

  19. June's Moments of the Month

    Hello there! Welcome to June's Moments of the Month. In case you’re new here, this is a compilation show with a little snippet of each guest we’ve enjoyed this month, so you can get a flavour. Then if you like the taste of any of them you can double-back and listen to the whole episode. It’s a…

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  20. Natalie Cassidy

    A lovely chat with a lovely guest: Natalie talks about her time behind the scenes on Eastenders (and her prodigious ability to nap on command), her more recent time spent working with the care system and sharing memes that people have made out of her own face! There’s loads to enjoy, please dive…

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  21. Al Nash

    AL NASH From SNL UK and your favourite online viral sketches, it’s comic and actor Al Nash! Al popped in to chat to Russell about why there’s nothing quite as enjoyable as a School Fair, the simple delight of the ‘umble crumpet and and extraordinary story about the time his flat was raided by the...

  22. Aziz Ansari

    He’s only one of the biggest comics in the whole of the US! You know him from Parks and Rec, his own brilliant Netflix show Master of None and most recently from his incredible turn on SNL as Kash Patel. He’s here in the studio with his Five Brilliant Things which show a real meticulous…

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  23. Sindhu Vee

    Comedian and Actor Sindhu Vee is in the studio and she’s brought stories galore! Her Five Things serve as catalysts to some of the funniest and most excellent stories we’ve had on the show in some time. From ‘the ability to cry on demand’ to Free Bibles and Fake Hotdogs, this is a tremendous…

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  24. Serge Pizzorno

    Serge from Kasabian and Russell sit down and discuss the creative process, what it means to be an artist in the digital age, how to age gracefully and how to make the perfect egg. There’s something utterly engaging about listening to artists from the top of different fields discussing the...

  25. May's Moments of the Month

    Hey there! It's all the best bits from our May shows, all tied up with a fancy bow for your enjoyment! You will find in this pick n mix episode: Satirist and comedian Cody Dahler doing an impeccable Ed Miliband impression. Comedian Jess Fostekew taking us through the glorious triumph that is…

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  26. Rhys James

    Do you want to show Rhys James a good time? All you need to do is take him to a hotel gym with Harry Styles, under the influence of general anaesthetic. At least…that’s what we have taken away from this fantastically breezy, genial show with the Mock the Week star (well…two of them really).…

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  27. Josh Pugh

    The brilliant comedian Josh Pugh lays out his favourite things and they are quintesentially British: Greggs! Garden Centres! The…Italian…National…Anthem? Josh brings his trademark authenticity and easy charm to this fabulous hour of chat that celebrates some of the simplest pleasures in life (and...

  28. Jess Fostekew

    Comedian, power-lifter, soccer mom, bean fanatic… Jess Fostekew is all these things and more. In this funny, fun and fascinating episode there’s laughing and learning…Why you should never wear gloves in the gym, why y’all need to be eating more beans, and why hugging, within certain parameters,...

  29. Cody Dahler

    How did Cody go from working for Matt Hancock to being one of the sharpest satirists online? And what has it all got to do with a pub in Cyprus? It’s all in this delightful podcast with comedian and writer Cody Dahler who takes you on a ride through the hills of Cyprus to Spanish Music Festivals...

  30. April's Moments of the Month

    Hey there! It's all the best bits from our April shows, wrapped up in a convenient bundle for your pleasure! Gasp at Dara O Briain's secret life as a nightclub dancer. Oooo at Mike Rice's Dairy Farming History Be amazed at Janine Harouni's story of squeaking thighs Pick your jaw off the floor…

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  31. Jamie Hutchinson

    Jamie Hutchinson, the voice of Manchester, the wildly popular comedian is with us and it’s a fantastic romp through the most intense made-up games, the frenzy of horse-racing commentary and the simple pleasure of answering obscure quiz questions with your mates. There’s also a top tip for comedy...

  32. Janine Harouni

    Blisteringly talented comedian Janine Harouni is in the studio this week picking out the things that make her happy which include nerds, digital clocks… and a great story about how to get her thighs to stop squeaking in front of Robert Pattinson. It’s all in here, so please enjoy at your leisure!...

  33. Sean McLoughlin

    He’s often called the Comic’s Comic, he’s a really excellent stand-up and his Five Things are a fantastically esoteric collection ranging from Moshing to Ice Hockey to Star Trek. Sean hosts his very own late-night talk show, but for free and on YouTube starring one of the funniest comics from the...

  34. Mike Rice

    The acerbic, charming Irish stand-up is here with his Five Brilliant Things and tales from an extraordinary career, spanning from the milking sheds of Ireland to travelling the world performing to thousands, via regular visits to a shed to hang out with a tiny mystic man. Mike’s touring! We…

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  35. March's Moments of the Month

    Hello there! Welcome to March’s Moments of the Month. In case you’re new here, this is a compilation show with a little snifter of each guest we’ve enjoyed this month, so you can get a flavour. Then if you like the taste of any of them you can double-back and listen to the whole episode. It’s a...

  36. Dara O Briain

    The hugely acclaimed Irish Stand-up and host of Mock the Week gives a fascinating and funny hour of anecdotes. Travel with Dara on debating tours of Ireland, stand in a field with him doing astral photography and hear Dara’s trick for finding his own personal nightclub dance floor. Dara has some...

  37. Andrew Mensah

    Comedian Andrew Mensah joins us with tales of playing Padel with Wayne Rooney, the economics of Air Force One Trainers and why there’s nothing better than sitting down for a game of Articulate. There’s also a fascinating insight into the way British society interfaces with its cultural landscape;...

  38. Ben Shephard

    One of the most popular faces from British TV is here; from This Morning, from Tipping Point and so much more it’s Ben Shephard! What comes through in this ebullient show is Ben’s love for life and thirst for experiences (and thirst for drinks with bubbles in them). Ben takes us on a trip on the...

  39. Pierre Novellie

    Pierre is a formidable stand-up comedian and it’s a pleasure to take this wander around the corners of his fascinating brain. This fun and fascinating episode of Five Brilliant Things takes in the majesty of beef, the efficiency of Grahame Greene, the mystery of thunder and finally why you must…

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  40. February's Moments of the Month

    Welcome to our best of February's shows, with a little snippet of each of the four shows we slung into the world across the last month. This show features Charlie Higson talking about the wonders of the Voyager Space Probe... Comedian and podcaster Amy Gledhill eulogising about some of the most...

  41. Shane Todd

    You want strong opinions about bananas? You’ve come to the right place. Northern Irish powerhouse comedian Shane Todd has flown in to give Russell his Five Brilliant Things, and bananas are right out of the traps. Even the hardest of hearts will be turned by his impassioned defence of the bendy...

  42. Stevie Martin

    This is a cracking episode with a cracking comedian. The Taskmaster star Stevie Martin speaks with completely unguarded honesty about her favourite things which leads to not one but several introspective spirals! What is it about chonky penne, pyrex jugs and interior design that could lead to a...

  43. Harry Enfield

    A true icon of British TV Comedy - it’s Harry Enfield! It’s no exaggeration to say that he redefined a whole generation of comedy in this country, with his jokes and catchphrases reaching millions every week. Harry sits down with Russell to explain his brilliant things and also give a candid...

  44. Amy Gledhill

    This week we have the winner of the 2024 Edinburgh Best Show! One of Britain’s fastest rising comics is with us; it’s the fabulous Amy Gledhill and this is an absolute banger of an episode. Hull’s most exciting product since the White Phone Box explains why cheap white bread is better than all…

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  45. January's Moments of the Month

    From our January shows, here's a little taster of each episode so you can get a flavour of the things we got up to with our wonderful guests: Comedian and star of ‘The Change’ on C4, Bridget Christie Comic and social media sensation Daniel Foxx Actor and stand-up Tom Rosenthal And the endlessly...

  46. Charlie Higson

    British Sketch Comedy Royalty in the studio. One of the core cast of the iconic Fast Show is here and his name is Charlie Higson! He lays out the Five Things that make life interesting - get ready for a delightful journey through James Bond, what is and isn’t included on the Golden Record that we...

  47. Dan Snow

    Fascinating, delightful company. That’s what Historian Dan Snow is. I suppose the skill of any historian worth their salt is to use that historical knowledge and make it relevant today, and this endlessly interesting podcast does exactly that. Dan’s passions go way beyond history, drawing in...

  48. Tom Rosenthal

    Tom Rosenthal is a comedian with a deep interest in all things: His Brilliant Things include The Danish Gambit, The Golden Ratio and Trip Reports. This is a repeatedly fascinating conversation where Tom is completely unguarded and enthusiastic in his descriptions of these corners of humanity. He...

  49. Daniel Foxx

    Why is it the ruder the waiter, the more it gets Daniel Foxx excited? The laconic comedian is here to explain the beauty of surly service, the simple serenity brought by a scented candle, and you’ll experience some of the worst ASMR in podcast history. Russell also relates the time Louis Theroux...

  50. Bridget Christie

    Superb comedian Bridget Christie is here. She’s won the Edinburgh Award, she’s been nominated for oodles of comedy prizes, she’s written and performed in two series of her own show ‘The Change’ for Channel 4 and now she sits down with us to reveal her Five Brilliant Things. It’s as thoughtful and...

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

Each week Russell sits down with fantastic guests to chat about their Brilliant Things; the items, places and people that make life worth living.

HOSTED BY

Avalon Television

Produced by Avalon

CATEGORIES

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Russell Howard’s Five Brilliant Things have?

Russell Howard’s Five Brilliant Things currently has 174 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is Russell Howard’s Five Brilliant Things about?

Each week Russell sits down with fantastic guests to chat about their Brilliant Things; the items, places and people that make life worth living.

How often does Russell Howard’s Five Brilliant Things release new episodes?

Russell Howard’s Five Brilliant Things publishes regularly with 174 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.

Where can I listen to Russell Howard’s Five Brilliant Things?

You can listen to Russell Howard’s Five Brilliant Things on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts Russell Howard’s Five Brilliant Things?

Russell Howard’s Five Brilliant Things is created and hosted by Avalon Television.
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