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 question comedian Matt Richardson with his podcast I Am Prime Minister.
I Am Prime Minister is a comedy podcast hosted by comedian Matt Richardson, where each week a celebrity, comedian, or influencer is handed the keys to Number 10 and asked to run the country their way. Guests share three policies they believe would transform the nation, Previous guests include Vicky Pattison, Carl Donnelly and Emmanuel Sonubi
What is the single best policy and the single worst policy you’ve ever heard proposed on the podcast?
What I’ve found is how rapidly the guests become crazy dictators is really common. William Hanson, the host of Help I Sexted My Boss!, wanted anyone who talks in the Theatre to be shot. Zero Tolerance. I found that very funny but also incredibly scary, so I’ll say that was the worst policy.
The best policy is much harder to pick, I think what I’ve found the most fun about this is that so many funny people have some incredibly thoughtful and interesting things that would genuinely make the country better. Carl Donnelly suggesting that being an MP should be like Jury Duty – everyone has to do a year – is one of my favourites
‘What’s upset you now ? : What five shops/restaurants would you have in dream service station?
The dream service station is something I fantasise about often. The Norton Canes services is pretty good on the M6 – it’s got two of my top 5, McDonalds & Coco Di Mama for pasta. Below is the list
Coco Di Mama
McDonalds
M & S Food
Taco Bell
Pizza Express
That isn’t a service station, that would be a destination in its own right.
If you had to form a coalition government with one of your previous guests, who would you choose and why?
Will Best. A hilarious and wonderful presenter – he’s handsome, charming and I think the public would go absolutely wild over him. He’s also a great person to spend time with – we did Celebrity Coach Trip together and all the really mad Z listers loved him far more than me, and I think that would be the same with the country.
‘I’ve Had a Rose Lets Talk About Feelings‘: What’s your favourite alcoholic drink?
I love a Dark & Stormy. Dark Rum, Cloudy Ginger Beer, Bitters and a twist of lime. A really great cocktail and reminds me of being on holiday!
Before you landed on ‘I Am Prime Minister’, what other podcast ideas were on the whiteboard? Can you share the title of the ‘best worst’ idea that nearly made it?
There have been far too many Podcast ideas. I think the secret of a good podcast is the idea isn’t too big. It’s a nice way to have a chat about all sorts of random things with a funny or interesting guest. Before I did this Matt Willis, him from Busted, and I had a podcast called “When No One’s Watching” which was about guilty pleasures. That was a really fun idea, but Busted got back together so he decided to go and do shows with them – I can’t blame him! I did once make a podcast pilot that was about sex – aimed at men – for BBC Sounds. That was a bit too grusome. I did want to make a podcast about Plane Spotting. I love Planes and am a big AVgeek, but it felt a bit niche.
‘Brainwash Me Now with Poppy Hillstead‘: Do you have a strange/unique hobby outside of comedy?
See above, I love Planes! I am really into them. I subscribe to a magazine called Airliner World, a monthly roundup of whats going on in the Aviation industry. I go out of my way to fly on unusual aircraft when I can or with tiny airlines.
The show feels perfect for a live audience. Have you ever considered taking it on the road for a live show?
I’d love to do this as a live show, I think that is something that we are trying to build towards. I love Matt Forde’s live shows of his podcast with Politicians, so to have a show where maybe we could have a Comedian on who becomes Prime Minister and a politician to bounce it off of would be great fun!
‘Always Be Comedy‘: Who would close your dream comedy night?
I’d have to go Zoe Lyons or Jen Brister. They are two of my comedy hero’s and a big influence on me. I adore watching both of them, its so effortless.
Who would be your dream guest ?
I would LOVE to get a Prime Minister on, current or former, and have them drop the actual politics and just chat about the little things in the country or in their life they think needs fixing. Getting them to do that would be tricky, though! I don’t think they’d want to do a light-hearted silly version of the job they had!
‘RHLSTP‘: Would you prefer a hand made of ham or an armpit that dispenses sun cream ?
Sun cream armpit. Every time Richard Herring asks this I can’t believe there is any consideration. We should be wearing SPF everyday, this is natural evolution and we should get on with making it happen.
What are your future plans for the podcast?
I just want to keep making it! We’ve had a big gap between Series 1 and 2 because of some very boring behind-the-scenes stuff with changing companies who I make it with, so now we’re back into the swing I’d like to be putting out a lot more of them, and doing at least two or three series a year!
‘The Comedians Comedian’: Are you happy?
As happy as a comedian can be! My career has been really up and down, and a couple of years ago I thought it had had its highs and they wouldn’t be reached again. However, I’m on tour at the moment and have sold more tickets than ever before. People seem to be enjoying what I produce and I feel far more in control of my career than I have been previously. I’ve also just got a new kitten, so that has made me very happy!
Matt’s UK tour starts next week in Glasgow and runs November 26th, grab your tickets here
Don’t forget to subscribe to I Am Prime Minister here
Give Matt a follow on Instagram and TikTok for any news on the podcast and future gigs. @mattrichardson3
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