Off The Grid With Russell Hicks

LISTEN TO THIS IF YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE SUCCESSFUL ON TWO CONTINENTS Scott Capurro - legend of the biz, comes on over to my sanctuary to discuss a slew of topics, and also to criticize my curtains. We talk a lot about stand up, offensive jokes, going back and forth between the US and the UK and briefly touch on his various brushes with the silver screen a la his time on Star Wars, and Mrs. Doubtfire. He also won the Perrier. Anyway, it's all in here - so get in it.

LISTEN TO THIS IF YOU LIKE MEN IN THEIR THIRTIES TALKING ABOUT STAR WARS FOR AN HOUR Don't say I didn't warn ya! yes, after having bitched endlessly to anyone who was within ear shot about my feelings on the Last Jedi - including paying audiences - one of my friends insisted that Should lay down my feelings once and (he hopes) for all on this very podcast. So here it is, my ruthless critique of the latest Star Wars offer, THE LAST JEDI. Super SPOILER ALERT here, obviously. Although if you haven't seen it already, doubt your heart will be that broken or that you even listen to this podcast. Also, this podcast includes a snippet of the very same live recording that I reference at some point in the episode, so if noting else, the first few minutes of this cast should satiate your appetite for something. Alright, take a breadth, and dig in.

LISTEN TO THIS IF YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE ON THE JOHNNY CARSON SHOW Al Lubel. Man. Myth. Legend. Join us on this audio journey through Al Lubel's career, back through my mind again, before the whole thing swirls pleasantly between your very own ears.

LISTEN TO THIS IF YOU ANT TO KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE ELEANOR TIERNAN How many podcasts did I record at the Edinburgh festival this year, anyway?? Dig into this one, kiddies. Eleanor Tiernan brings her inimitable nature to the podcast. We talk about all the trips she has taken to the Edinburgh festival, and their various forms, all the way up to the present day! It's a Christmas treat. Enjoy.

LISTEN TO THIS IF YOU WANT TO START A COMEDY REVOLUTION Leo Kearse is here to bellow with his mellifluous vocal bag pipes! He let's rip with his particular views on society, culture, and the comedy contemporary British comedy circuit. He's one of my favorite comics as well as general dudes to be around. His tones are sweet, bros. Dig in!

LISTEN TO THIS IF YOU WANT TO HEAR TWO GUYS GIVE EACH OTHER ADVICE THAT NEITHER OF THEM FOLLOW THEMSELVES Kane Brown AKA 'THE HURRI-KANE' (Kane does not refer to himself as this nor have I ever called him this prior to this sentence) is an absolute live comedy force of nature. One of my favorite comedians, we sat down in Edinburgh for one of our patented late night philosophical chin wags. You lucky flies on the wall!

LISTEN TO THIS IF YOU WANT TO ABSORB THE WISDOM OF A SOCIAL MEDIA GURU Simon Caine is a comedian-slash-author-slash-social media marketing guru. Two opposite work ethics collide in this not to miss podcast extravaganza!!

LISTEN TO THIS IF YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE A ROMANIAN COMEDIAN...PERFORMING IN THE UK! The Romanian Invasion continues with our second phenomenal export: the inimitable Radu Isak

LISTEN TO THIS IF YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE A COMEDIAN IN ROMANIA Romanian invasion! Teo is a Romanian comedian who clearly has superb eclectic tastes as is evident by the fact that he came to see my show at the Edinburgh festival this year. At first I knew him as the Romanian guy who came to my show. Then I saw him again in the street where I learned that he himself is a stand up comedian, not to mention we had a mutual friend who incidentally happens to be the only other Romanian guy I know. I got down on one knee, as is my custom when it comes to making the following request, and said, 'Teo, would you like to step into the void of audio self discovery with myself as your sherpa?' To which he looked confused so I said in plain English, 'You wanna podcast?' And this is the result. How many other famous comedy podcasts have had on comedians from Romania?! Try ZERO, pal! (fact unverified by the author) Editors note: Not long after my request I realized Teo is pretty well established in the

LISTEN TO THIS FOR A THOROUGH DISCOURSE ON ELVIS, BECKETT, BOB DYLAN, AND THE POETRY OF BODY BUILDING Holy moly. This episode is aural LSD. Finally, after months incubating on my lap top, I have given birth to this MAMMOTH episode. I did not know Andy Storey before he came to my house to record this podcast. After one brief encounter with him at a comedy club, I sensed there was a connection there worthy of a detailed exploration. What occurred was the best conversation I have had to date on Off the Grid. We spoke for two and a half hours straight - no coffee refills. It is everything I want this podcast to be always. We talk of hero worship of transcendent figures such as Elvis, Bob Dylan, or Tyler Durden. It’s a post modern smörgåsbord of intellectual discourse. I recommend a strong pot of coffee, a comfortable chair or meditation pillow, and listening to the episode in it’s entirety straight through. Then play it backwards to see if there are any hidden messages. Enjoy. **** NEW SOLO SHOW AT

LISTEN TO THIS IF YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT IT’S LIKE TO SIT IN RUSSELL SIMMONS' POOL Brian Moses crosses the Atlantic to film his TV show ‘Roast Battle’ which will now be coming out on Comedy Central UK. Before he could do that though, he needed to throw out the international bat signal in an effort to draw out one former Southern California resident turned renegade ex-patriot. Needless to say I heeded the call. Since I am so far off the grid as this podcasts title would suggest, I had no idea he was ver here filming a tv show. He treated me like a prince with red carpet full access pass to the festivities. It was incredible to witness such a production, especially since I realized I had known Brian since I was but a guppy in the great pond of live entertainment (I now have fully formed hind legs in addition to a semi retracted tail) We sat down for an extremely candid interview about the process of having an idea taken from it’s raw form as a live show, to a full fledged, global, cable production. New solo

LISTEN TO THIS IF YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE ACCUSED OF FAKING CANCER Quincy Jones finds me on his spiritual quest through Europe. All those who seek salvation will eventually come across the path of the great ex-patriot! We talk about the old days in Hollywood, his cancer diagnosis, and how that resulted in an HBO special. Then we speak in more detail about the events less reported on, that have occurred since the huge explosion of the HBO special. This was an excellent interview recorded for the first time from my bedroom as the living room was in use. I am performing at the Bill Murray in London on Nov 12! All details can be found by going to Russellhicks.co.uk

LISTEN TO THIS IF YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE TO HAVE A GENUINE PUN COMPULSION Behold! For I am the Pun Whisperer. Darren Walsh may be the former pun champion of the world, but he is no one trick pony. He's someone who has always dazzled me onstage with his vast tapestry of visual mayhem. Off stage, we both share a deep discomfort with our general surroundings that seems to subside in each others company. When Darren gets uneasy he can tend to resort to a calming technique of spitting rapid fire puns in succession as is his specialty. With me, however, he speaks for near sixty minutes in total linear dialogue. Darren also subscribes to my mailing list. A man can't get much more classy than that.

LISTEN TO THIS IF YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE A PROFESSIONAL WRESTLER Colt Cabana stops in for a chat during the witching hours amidst the Edinburgh Festival. We enjoy a late night chin wag of adolescent reminiscence. I reveal for the first time on the podcast that I used to do backyard wrestling as a teenager. While Colt tells me what it was like to be a professional wrestler in the WWE, and how that led him to find out what he really wants in life.

LISTEN TO THIS IF YOU WANT TO UNDERSTAND THE ACTUAL NEUROSCIENCE OF A COMEDIANS BRAIN Two for the price of one! In this episode we explore the pragmatic language of neuroscience as it relates to the more mystical beliefs portrayed in the study of consciousness. Neuroscientist Heather Berlin is first up to elucidate for me the roll of the prefrontal cortex in regard to improvisation. How can I shut it up? Can I rid myself of it as a functioning organism altogether? Is it weird that I would even ask that? Dig this if you want to know the actual physical parts of the brain active during improvisation. As well as ways to utilize this knowledge in an effort to physically bring ourselves closer to the free flow mecca so many performers strive to experience each night. Baba Brinkman is a free style rap guru spreading a message of understanding consciousness. He is also the other half to Heather. Baba, like me, generally deals in the language of the mystical. We believe a portal opens up in our minds that lets

LISTEN TO THIS IF YOU LIKE POTENTIAL TRAIN WRECKS TURNED MUTUAL ADMIRATION James Adomian graces the podcast. Before spending this hour together, James and I had known each other for about ten minutes. After wrestling with each other verbally for 45 minutes we finally swap clothes and realize the problem was we both looked like dicks. Leaders of the world should use this episode as a model for future negotiations. In retrospect, I think that’s what James and I intended all along… NOTE: photos of James and I switching clothes are available at russellhicks.co.uk in the Blogs section. If you can handle it.

LISTEN TO THIS IF YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE TO HAVE BEEN IN A COMA Yeah, I know the title kind of sounds like I'm saying this episode will put you in a coma. More wrong an assumption, there has never been! Marlon Davis is a stand up comedian. He was in a car crash last year on his way back from a gig, that put him in a coma for two weeks. We talk about what it was like to wake up weeks later in a hospital bed after the last thing he remembered was driving on the motorway. Also, the strange hallucinations he experienced during his comatose state, where he believed he was once a 1980's superstar by the name of 'Black Star'. Also, what it was like to still believe he was 'Black Star' for a short while, even after he had awoke from the coma. This conversation totally floored me. Enjoy.

LISTEN TO THIS IF YOU WANT TO LEARN HOW TO WIN A COMEDY AWARD (NOT REALLY)! Christian Riley and I have driven up and down these British isles on many occasions. Our conversations range from deep political discourse to in depth comedy dissection. We do the exact same here. Primarily known for his musical comedy, I am pleased to share another side to the one man band that is Christian Riley. This man can go the intellectual distance my friends. Capitalists are challenged! Ideas are promulgated! And he even forgets to mention that he won the most prestigious award in British comedy (modest gent). Until I bring it up. This is Christian Riley. Dig in.

LISTEN TO THIS IF YOU WANT TO HEAR ABOUT THE TIME I GOT ATTACKED ON STAGE (ONE OF THE TIMES ANYWAY)! Candy Gigi, for my money, is one of the most essential forces in comedy. Probably you have never heard of her. Go have a look. I'll wait. I know, right? What was that?! That was a one women wrecking crew who makes me hike up my britches every time I have ever had to follow her at a club. We talk about how she started, what her early act was like, and where she feels she stands in the comedy industry. And we mention the time I followed her and a guy she had been interacting with during her set, attacked me on stage. This is Candy Gigi. Dig in, babies. (ALERT: this episode has a few sound cock-ups; nothing major, just a few jumps around in time at certain points. Something went wrong in the recording - hey, you know what? I'm doing my best! This was an early episode! Get off my back! It's still good and listenable, I promise. Sorry I yelled at you.)

LISTEN TO THIS IF YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE TO AUDITION FOR A TV SHOW! Zahra Barri comes on for the second installment of the friendship podcasts. Zahra and I couldn't be any closer (winky wink) and I needed another episode of just talking to someone I love. In the process I remembered that she is also a great stand up comic with a gift for the gab and a mellifluous radio voice. We talk about comedy and what it's like to audition for a British TV panel show.