The Romesh Ranganathan Show

What does the man behind Blackadder actually think about modern comedy?

Ben Elton, multi award-winning comedian writer, novelist, director and lyricist joins Romesh to discuss his new autobiography, 'What Have I Done?’' and share with us how he went from being a 10-year old auditioning for amateur theatre, to writing some of the most-loved British sitcoms including Blackadder, The Young Ones and more.

From going to University with Rick Mayall, getting the call to work with Queen and how the We Will Rock You Musical really came about, to what happened when Blackadder got cancelled and why he loves Mr Bean so much.

Plus: a classic question from Shanthi, a rant about mobile phones and an unexpected modelling pitch to M&S. Don't miss it.



A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Platform.

00:00 - Intro

02:50 - Ben’s autobiography

04:49 - On reviews and critics

09:09 - A gift for Ben

12:54 - Ben’s route into writing

15:34 - On stand up

21:32 - Challenging sexism and politics

24:10 - On Improvising

26:13 - The real story of Blackadder

37:55 - Ben’s favourite work

39:30 - On negative headlines

40:56 - Upstart Crow with David Mitchell

43:32 - Triumph and disaster

45:03 - Shanthi’s question to Ben

48:35 - On We Will Rock You

01:01-40 - Misquoted

01:16:55 - Saying what you want to say

01:18:28 - Modelling pitch

01:19:02 - Outro
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What happens when you realise you’ve accidentally ignored 632 listener emails?

Mystery solved and an apology is in order from the team in this Thursday's episode of The Romesh Ranganathan Show, after finding out they have been checking the wrong inbox the entire time.

This week Romesh and Shanthi team up again to answer and advise on your dilemmas. Covering topics from aging, learning English and impressing family members to some unlicensed, dubious medical advice from Shanthi herself.

There’s also a chaotic “Freaky Friday” conversation about swapping lives for 24 hours, an unexpected Tamil telling-off and Romesh is forced into a terrible apology.

00:00 Intro

01:20 Meditating with Romesh

02:44 A podcast debrief

05:30 An apology to the emailers

10:12 Your listener dilemmas answered

20:30 Romesh’s last epic night out

22:30 A Ranganathan Freaky Friday

30:39 How to impress your mother in law

33:23 Shanthi tells Romesh off in Tamil

35:17 An apology from Romesh

38:45 Outro
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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.

The Adam Buxton Band are on tour and you can get your tickets here! https://linktr.ee/theadambuxtonband

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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