Welcome to Have I Heard This One Before? Where comedy podcasters answer classic questions from other comedy podcasts, with a few sensible RGM thrown in to the mix. This month we ask My Time Capsule.
Hosted by the delightful actor, comedian Michael Fenton-Stevens, My time Capsule asks guests to choose five things from their life that they would like to preserve in a time capsule. each episode offers a fascinating glimpse into the personal histories and cherished memories of our guests. Previous guests include Stephen Fry, Ross Nobel and Sophie Duker.
Off Menu | Still or sparking water?
Sparkling
What other ideas (if any) had you thought of before you chose the time capsule concept?
It was my first idea. I’ve had others but as yet haven’t had the time to make any of them.
Im So Not Over It| Where were you when Princess Di died?
In bed. A friend of mine was in the queue at the tunnel under the Channel and a French man kept saying “Ladee Dee et mort” He had no idea what he was talking about until he crossed to England and heard the news. Ladee Dee was how they pronounced Lady Di.
What was your first podcast you remember listening to?
THE FIRST PODCAST I LISTENED TO WAS MY OWN. I didn’t really know what a podcast was when my son suggested we make one so I treated it like making a radio programme. Turns out that’s what it is.
My Mate Bought A Toaster| What was your first Amazon purchase ?
Cat food
Do you have any plans for live podcasts in the future and do you prefer the guest being in the room?
I really enjoy doing live recordings in front of an audience, but it’s not like we can just turn up and do it. We have to arrange for an interesting guest to be there as well. Most of the festivals we’ve done have been organised by the event organisers. It would be a lot of work to book venues and then arrange guests. I don’t think I’m a big enough drawer to get an audience in without someone reasonably well known as my guest!
Elis James & John Robins| What’s your favourite service station?
Don’t know it’s name but it’s the first one on the A303 heading west. Once I hit that road I know London is behind me.
Who has been your favourite guest so far and other than Rowan Atkinson so you have a dream guest?
I recently asked Richard Curtis to be our guest. He said no, sadly, but has promised to come on as guest 750, so that’s my dream guest sorted. I loved talking with Seann Walsh, who I’ve only ever met over the internet, but there have been too many to pick just one.
Always Be Comedy| Who would close your dream comedy night?
Tommy Cooper
What has been the biggest podcast related disaster?
I recently left a rucksack in a taxi which had a recording I’d done that day on the digital recorder in it. Luckily the taxi driver knew I’d been in Wicked and dropped the bag off there. I did do a third of a recording before realising that the recorder was on pause. I thought my phone recording back-up would cover it, but that was on silent so didn’t work. I had to ask the guest to re-record the first item, the next day, over the phone.
Desert Island Dicks| Who would you like to be marooned with on a desert island ?
My wife. Or Les Dennis. Difficult to tell them apart some days.
Where would you like the time capsule to actually be buried and do you have a year you’d like it to be opened?
There’s a field in France that once belonged to my father-in-law. We planted lots of very small trees in it so hopefully it’s now a wood. That would do. I don’t need to specify a date for the opening of the time capsules as I already know what’s in them.
Finally what are the plans for the future?
To live long enough to see that field again…. and maybe to see My Time Capsule run as long as Desert Island Discs has?
A big thank you to Michael for taking part in this Q&A.
You can follow My Time Capsule on Insta @mytimecapsulepodcast and on X @MyTCpod
Stay tuned to their socials to discover who will be their guest on their upcoming 500th episode!