Russell Howard’s Five Brilliant Things

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 month of September. It’s not for everyone but George makes a bloody good case as to why it’s A Brilliant Thing. Please have a delve around, audio-wise and enjoy what is definitely in our top three Midlands-focussed episodes of the show.

George is starring in the latest season of SNL UK on Sky right now, so if you’ve got Sky then get involved, and if you haven’t…well…you could get it? Or you can enjoy the clips across social media of all kinds.

For all of George’s other work, you can keep up with him by following him on the old Instagrams, where he’s @fowerairkers

And that, as the old saying goes, is that. Hope you have a lovely week and make sure to take advantage of all of those lovely opportunities that come your way. Xxx

Producer: Dan Atkinson

Line Producer: Daisy Knight

Exec Producer: James Taylor

Composer: Fat Lady Music
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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 brilliant things!

It’s a fascinating interview, not taken in a rush, that goes from demonstrations to Alexei’s formative years and his ill-fated experiments in Hollywood.

Alexei’s latest book is called ‘How I’ve Tried to Change the World (by walking down the middle of the street shouting’)’ - and as you will have heard in the show, it’s a record of his life through the various demos he’s attended. It’s written with his trademark beautiful prose style and humour and it’s definitely a cracking read.

You can order it in hardback by clicking here. Or use your local independent bookshop.

That’s it for today. Toodle-pip!

Producer: Dan Atkinson

Line Producer: Daisy Knight

Exec Producer: James Taylor

Composer: Fat Lady Music

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 now and it’s an absolute banger; the kind of upbeat, optimistic pop that has earned Natasha a place among the greats. You can hear it, buy it and find so much more music at natashabedingfield.com

You can also follow Natasha on Insta where she’s @natashabedingfield.

Enjoy these final late summer days, listen to some music, walk your dog unless you don’t have a dog in which case steal a dog and walk that dog.

Bye!

Producer: Dan Atkinson

Line Producer: Daisy Knight

Exec Producer: James Taylor

Composer: Fat Lady Music
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 Things, but who knew it would be this good? We career from things you definitely can touch (rocks) to things you definitely can’t (strippers - only joking - ghosts actually) and it’s just the kind of focussed, funny bimbling that was the reason podcasts were invented.

And until late November, ABK is touring his latest full-length show ‘King of Crumbs’. It’s great, you should most certainly go if he’s in your area, and to find out if he will be in your area at a time that works for you, go to abeckettking.com where all the tour dates and booking links may be found. Also you can check out his utterly incredible online videos too.

There we go. Another week’s listening pleasure parcelled up and delivered into your ear. X

Producer: Dan Atkinson

Line Producer: Daisy Knight

Exec Producer: James Taylor

Composer: Fat Lady Music
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 joke-writing comes from a deep love of Eastern sports and arts. And…um…wrestling?

Mark is about to start the Autumn leg of his ‘Jest to Impress’ tour, and basically you won’t get more jokes per pound spent at any other show. He’s a terrific comedian and you should go.

You can get tickets and find all the dates at https://marksimmons.co.uk

Do you want to watch his last special ‘Quip off the Mark’? It’s on the website. Free.

You want to listen to his podcast ‘Jokes’? It’s on the website. ALSO FREE!

Lucky ducks. So much Mark Simmons so little time.

I’m off to watch a load of Mark Simmons. There’s so much there I’ll barely have finished by next week. Taraaaaa!

Producer: Dan Atkinson

Line Producer: Daisy Knight

Exec Producer: James Taylor

Composer: Fat Lady Music
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices