The Russell Howard Hour
RUSSELL HOWARD takes a comic look at the week’s stories
ENTERTAINMENT Sky1 HD, 10pm/
Sky1+1, 11pm The stand-up comedian gives his unique take on the week’s news with the help of celebrity guests.
‘IT’S FAIR TO say the world is insane at the moment,’ says Russell Howard in the teaser for his new Sky1 series – and given some of the stories that have been making headlines recently, it’s hard to disagree.
As the 37-year-old comedian returns to pick apart the news, we asked him to tell us more...
IT’S BEEN A WHILE SINCE YOUR LAST TELEVISION SERIES. WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN UP TO? I’ve been on a world tour. Now I’m back... and I’ve got frogs in my garden. That’s been the big revelation.
AN INFESTATION? It feels like that. Since I’ve been away, they’ve been growing. Now they’re jumping into my kitchen every time I open the door. There are amphibians everywhere!
WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THIS NEW SHOW? It’s kind of picking up from the end of Good News and the tour, where we got into meatier subjects. We also have some brilliant guests: John Oliver, Jamie Oliver, Naomi Klein,
Greg Davies, Tim Minchin. IN THE TRAILER YOU DESCRIBE THE NEWS TODAY AS ‘TERRIFYING’. WHAT ARE YOU FINDING MOST SCARY? The injustice of it all. I found out that 28 per cent of kids in the UK are going to school malnourished, and yet we spent £3.7 million on subsidised lunches for MPS in Parliament. I find it a lot easier to write about things I care about.
ARE YOU GETTING ANGRIER WITH AGE? I’ve always been pretty angry. I may have a horrible, smiley, boy-band face, but if you listen to me
I’ve always been moaning.
WHAT WERE THE HIGHLIGHTS OF YOUR WORLD TOUR? The coolest without doubt was doing 10 gigs at the Albert Hall [beating the previous record run by Frank Sinatra]. My mate said it was ‘Old Blue Eyes beaten by Young Lazy Eyes’.
ARE YOU DOING ANY MORE TV ROAD TRIPS WITH YOUR MUM? Yes, in January [for Comedy Central]. We’re going to Asia. But it’s put a massive strain on my parents’ marriage – mum is now incredibly bored sat at home with dad!