Unusual Histories

Paul Ricketts and Steve Gribbin – Is Comedy Really the Hardest Job?

For this episode, you get 2 stars for the price of 1. Danny is joined by comedians Paul Ricketts and Steve Gribbin, the co-hosts of “You Should´ve Been Here Last Week”, an irreverent show that pulls back the curtain on the world of professional comedy. This episode is packed with often funny, sometimes hair-raising, stories about gigs that took an unexpected turn, including coked up audiences, the police being called, flashers and a very saucy ping pong (wiff-waff) related story. Danny, Paul and Steve´s conversation provides a great insight into what it is really like to work on the modern comedy circuit. If you can´t get enough of these podcasts, head to https://www.patreon.com/DannyHurst to access my exclusive, member-only, fun-filled and fact-packed history-related videos. KEY TAKEAWAYS Inspiration for the best comedy comes from some odd places e.g. Paul and Steve´s play about the origins of Monopoly. The comedy game has changed radically in the past couple of decades. The fact that comedians have a huge vocabulary for gigs not going well is a strong indicator of how hard stand-up can be. Going out and taking a look at your audience before a performance is an easy way to make yourself more nervous. The weirdness has gone out of the comedy circuit. These days, there are very few weird acts. Covid forced comics to learn new skills and do things differently. BEST MOMENTS “There were a lot of comic´s podcast that were just talking to each other, trying to wedge material into what sounded like a conversation, but wasn't.” “You don't leave comedy. Comedy leaves you, as in the older you get. There is a kind of prejudice against older comics.” “I go the other way; I lie about my age.” “They were coked out of their heads.” “The longer you stay in comedy, the less friends you are going to have.” “I was a Gorilla Gram.” “That's a good way to end with a lovely image of someone playing ping pong with their c**k.” EPISODE RESOURCES Comedians Theatre Company presents - Name Of The Game (Rehearsed Reading via Zoom, March 2021) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/you-shouldve-been-here-last-week/id1679451158 Danny´s Monopoly History Series episode 1 - https://podcasts.apple.com/es/podcast/the-monopoly-series-the-board-games-surprising/id1723833083?i=1000642032881 HOST BIO Historian, performer, and mentor Danny Hurst has been engaging audiences for many years, whether as a lecturer, stand-up comic or intervention teacher with young offenders and excluded secondary students. Having worked with some of the most difficult people in the UK, he is a natural storyteller and entertainer, whilst purveying the most fascinating information that you didn't know you didn't know. A writer and host of pub quizzes across London, he has travelled extensively and speaks several languages. He has been a consultant for exhibitions at the Imperial War Museum and Natural History Museum in London as well as presenting accelerated learning seminars across the UK. With a wide range of knowledge ranging from motor mechanics to opera to breeding carnivorous plants, he believes learning is the most effective when it's fun. Uniquely delivered, this is history without the boring bits, told the way only Danny Hurst can. CONTACT AND SOCIALS https://instagram.com/dannyjhurst facebook.com/danny.hurst.9638 https://twitter.com/dannyhurst https://www.linkedin.com/in/danny-hurst-19574720 This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

It´s Micro Stardom – But It´s Still Stardom - John Otway´s Fascinating Rock and Roll Odyssey

For this episode, Danny is joined by the legendary cult singer-songwriter John Otway. John gained recognition in the 70s with his collaborations with Wild Willie Barrett, with whom he made his legendary appearance on The Old Grey Whistle Test, famously hurting himself rather dramatically in the process. He is known for his unpredictability on and off stage, his incredible relationship with his fan base and his famous double guitar. Over the course of 5,000+ gigs and TV appearances, he has worked with performers as diverse as Wild Willie Barrett, Attila the Stockbroker and Richard Holgarth. His autobiography - Cor Baby That's Really Me - Rock and Roll's Greatest Failure is available on Amazon and Otway - The Movie is also available to watch online. If you can´t get enough of these podcasts, head to https://www.patreon.com/DannyHurst to access my exclusive, member-only, fun-filled and fact-packed history-related videos. KEY TAKEAWAYS John has played most of London´s rock venues, including The Roundhouse and The Rock Garden. As well as the London Palladium and The Albert Hall. Throughout his career he has continued to play pub gigs. Elton John introduced John on Top Of The Pops. Unlike many London performers, John “crossed the river”. Being left-handed is part of the reason John is able to play his unique double-necked guitar. John´s excruciatingly painful accident on The Old Grey Whistle Test led to overnight stardom. John appeared in Heartbeat. John had to wait 25 years for his 2nd hit single. John uses crowdfunding to do things no record label would pay for and to gig in some weird places. During Coid, his Facebook Live gig got 10,000 attendees. That gig´s T-shirt sales kept food on the table. BEST MOMENTS “My life or career has been gigging. In about 2022, I did my 5,000th gig.” “I celebrated my second hit at the London Palladium and headlined the Albert Hall.” “Being shocking and sounding awful became in vogue.” “By leaping on the amp and crushing my testicles on it, I also unplugged it, which basically ruined his (Willie´s) guitar.” “It's micro-stardom, but it is stardom.” EPISODE RESOURCES Movie - https://vimeopro.com/otwaythemovie/movie/video/403710383 Book - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cor-Baby-Thats-Really-Me/dp/0956434304 HOST BIO Historian, performer, and mentor Danny Hurst has been engaging audiences for many years, whether as a lecturer, stand-up comic or intervention teacher with young offenders and excluded secondary students. Having worked with some of the most difficult people in the UK, he is a natural storyteller and entertainer, whilst purveying the most fascinating information that you didn't know you didn't know. A writer and host of pub quizzes across London, he has travelled extensively and speaks several languages. He has been a consultant for exhibitions at the Imperial War Museum and Natural History Museum in London as well as presenting accelerated learning seminars across the UK. With a wide range of knowledge ranging from motor mechanics to opera to breeding carnivorous plants, he believes learning is the most effective when it's fun. Uniquely delivered, this is history without the boring bits, told the way only Danny Hurst can. CONTACT AND SOCIALS https://instagram.com/dannyjhurst facebook.com/danny.hurst.9638 https://twitter.com/dannyhurst https://www.linkedin.com/in/danny-hurst-19574720 This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

A Journey Through the Back Streets of Creativity with Mark Baxter

For this episode, Danny is joined by Mark Baxter, a South London storyteller who's part author, producer, screenwriter, and full-on creative maverick. From writing 12 books, including 'Walworth Through Time', to producing documentaries about music legends like Paul Weller, Bax has turned his working-class curiosity into a remarkable career. He explains how a redundant print worker transformed himself into a chronicler of underground culture. His stories will make you laugh, think, and see London through new eyes. If you can´t get enough of these podcasts, head to https://www.patreon.com/DannyHurst to access my exclusive, member-only, fun-filled, and fact-packed history-related videos. KEY TAKEAWAYS Sometimes your side hustle can become your main career. When traditional career paths collapse, your adaptability and willingness to learn new skills will open up unexpected opportunities. Don't be intimidated by the writing process. Start rough and keep rewriting. Write about the minutia of life. Every life has something unique and therefore interesting in it. Persistence pays off. Self-publishing and believing in your work can lead to unexpected success. Even during challenging times e.g. illness, maintaining a creative spirit and adapting your work pace helps to maintain purpose and momentum. Hometown changes aren't something to mourn – appreciate the evolution and find new meaning in familiar spaces. The most compelling narratives are often about overlooked people and hidden stories. BEST MOMENTS "I was always known as a bit of a mumper." "My first draft was like something out of Blue Peter, I was just literally cutting and pasting ideas on a bit of paper, then writing a bit. I had no idea what I was doing." "They were talking to me, the characters. I was going slightly mad." "I´ve got long COVID… I’m not ill but I haven´t got the energy…so, I’m picking my battles." “I always steep myself in culture.” “It's real tribal Southeast London.” "London isn't quite what it was to me. It used to be a playground for me." EPISODE RESOURCES https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Mark-Baxter/author/B0034Q2SRK https://monomediafilms.london https://www.instagram.com/mumperbax "The House by the Thames" by Julia Tyndall - https://www.amazon.co.uk/House-by-Thames-Julia-Tyndall/dp/0141015950 HOST BIO Historian, performer, and mentor Danny Hurst has been engaging audiences for many years, whether as a lecturer, stand-up comic or intervention teacher with young offenders and excluded secondary students. Having worked with some of the most difficult people in the UK, he is a natural storyteller and entertainer, whilst purveying the most fascinating information that you didn't know you didn't know. A writer and host of pub quizzes across London, he has travelled extensively and speaks several languages. He has been a consultant for exhibitions at the Imperial War Museum and Natural History Museum in London as well as presenting accelerated learning seminars across the UK. With a wide range of knowledge ranging from motor mechanics to opera to breeding carnivorous plants, he believes learning is the most effective when it's fun. Uniquely delivered, this is history without the boring bits, told the way only Danny Hurst can. CONTACT AND SOCIALS https://instagram.com/dannyjhurst facebook.com/danny.hurst.9638 https://twitter.com/dannyhurst https://www.linkedin.com/in/danny-hurst-19574720 This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

Teletubbies say "Hello..." : Beyond Standup with Dave Thompson

In this episode, Danny is joined by comedian, actor, author and comedy writer Dave Thompson. Dave has appeared in a number of TV shows, often with Harry Hill in various guises. He's also written for several shows, including Kelsey Grammer Presents The Sketch Show, and for a number of other comics, including Stuart Lee and Omid Djalili. He's appeared in Ben Elton's film Maybe Baby, and is a regular on the stand-up circuit, making headlines after being sacked from his role as the original Tinky Winky in the Teletubbies for being told that his interpretation of the role was "not acceptable." After spending several years working as a Drama Movement Therapist, Dave became a stand-up comic. He shares his interesting journey, including how raising his autistic daughter changed his outlook on life, as well as some funny stories about his celebrity life. If you can´t get enough of these podcasts, head to https://www.patreon.com/DannyHurst to access my exclusive, member-only, fun-filled and fact-packed history-related videos. KEY TAKEAWAYS Stand-up comedy used to be a good way of opening the door to acting. Now, it's far harder to make money as a stand-up. Some people have spent 5 years only doing unpaid gigs. Some even more. Increasingly, performing abroad is more lucrative. Wearing a furry costume on a children's TV set makes no difference to how funny Dave is as a stand-up comedian, yet it has opened lots of doors. Teletubbies fans everywhere want to be photographed with Dave, especially in Asia and India Heckling comics is a very Anglo-Saxon thing. Most comics are quite different in their day-to-day life. BEST MOMENTS “We´ll get to Tinky Winky in a minute.” “I'm an aristocrat stuck in a peasant's body.” "I was sh**t, for at least the first 10 years of my stand-up comedy career, but I only did 4 unpaid guest spots before I got my first paid set." “Lots of truth in it (Dave’s book), but nothing that would get me sued.” “I entertain drunk people who don't care about me as a substitute for love.” EPISODE RESOURCES http://www.davethompson.org.uk The Sex Life of a Comedian - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sex-Life-Comedian-Dave-Thompson/dp/1447695151/ Harry Hill´s Fruit Fancies - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLD5MJt6hf8OcseMKXER2Jg6uhxOytRKdA HOST BIO Historian, performer, and mentor Danny Hurst has been engaging audiences for many years, whether as a lecturer, stand-up comic or intervention teacher with young offenders and excluded secondary students. Having worked with some of the most difficult people in the UK, he is a natural storyteller and entertainer, whilst purveying the most fascinating information that you didn't know you didn't know. A writer and host of pub quizzes across London, he has travelled extensively and speaks several languages. He has been a consultant for exhibitions at the Imperial War Museum and Natural History Museum in London as well as presenting accelerated learning seminars across the UK. With a wide range of knowledge ranging from motor mechanics to opera to breeding carnivorous plants, he believes learning is the most effective when it's fun. Uniquely delivered, this is history without the boring bits, told the way only Danny Hurst can. CONTACT AND SOCIALS https://instagram.com/dannyjhurst facebook.com/danny.hurst.9638 https://twitter.com/dannyhurst https://www.linkedin.com/in/danny-hurst-19574720 This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

Saving Lives Through Men's Mental Health Awareness and Comedy with John Ryan

For this episode Danny Hurst is joined by John Ryan who describes himself as a men´s health comedian, healthcare professional and podcaster who has won multiple awards, including the Scottish Mental Health and Arts Film Festival Best Short Documentary Award and the NHS Regional Health and Social Care Award for Mental Health and Well-being. He has performed extensively across the UK and abroad, hosts a radio show, and has had a research paper published in a psychiatric journal. He runs the website "Happy to Health" with his partner Natasha Donovan, and does extensive work in healthcare, including TED talks and presentations. If you can´t get enough of these podcasts, head to https://www.patreon.com/DannyHurst to access my exclusive, member-only, fun-filled and fact-packed history-related videos. KEY TAKEAWAYS * A lot of people on the comedy circuit are quite vulnerable. * Being a comic is challenging. Often, the pay is poor, so it is hard for comedians to make a steady living and be financially secure in older age. * John grew up in a very ethnically mixed part of Hackney, which gave him a lifelong love of different cultures. * As a kid, John noticed that a lot of the men in his Irish family died a lot younger than other men, which fuelled his interest in men´s mental health. * Most men´s sexual health issues are connected to poor mental health. * Society still encourages men to take risks and push themselves beyond healthy limits. Making it hard to live a balanced life. * Creating a safe physical space helps men to open up and talk more. * Banter can do more damage than you realise. * Humour breaks down barriers and helps people to open up and talk. * Talking protects your mental health. * Aim for contentment in life. BEST MOMENTS “I always wanted to find a way to bridge the gap between comedy, communications and men's health.” “Rowdy. But, you know, rowdy, you can out shout them, out shock them, or just go quiet.” “I managed to talk my way out of it by putting on a silly accent and pretending I was an Orient fan.” “Health is the real leveller, whether you are black, white, Asian, Chinese.” “Life is about learning to let go of unnecessary items.” “We are trying to take haha to aha.” EPISODE RESOURCES https://www.instagram.com/comedyjohnryan [https://www.instagram.com/comedyjohnryan] https://happytohealthyou.com HOST BIO Historian, performer, and mentor Danny Hurst has been engaging audiences for many years, whether as a lecturer, stand-up comic or intervention teacher with young offenders and excluded secondary students. Having worked with some of the most difficult people in the UK, he is a natural storyteller and entertainer, whilst purveying the most fascinating information that you didn't know you didn't know. A writer and host of pub quizzes across London, he has travelled extensively and speaks several languages. He has been a consultant for exhibitions at the Imperial War Museum and Natural History Museum in London as well as presenting accelerated learning seminars across the UK. With a wide range of knowledge ranging from motor mechanics to opera to breeding carnivorous plants, he believes learning is the most effective when it's fun. Uniquely delivered, this is history without the boring bits, told the way only Danny Hurst can. CONTACT AND SOCIALS https://instagram.com/dannyjhurst [https://instagram.com/dannyjhurst]facebook.com/danny.hurst.9638 [http://facebook.com/danny.hurst.9638] https://twitter.com/dannyhurst [https://twitter.com/dannyhurst]  https://www.linkedin.com/in/danny-hurst-19574720 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/danny-hurst-19574720] This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/ [https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/]