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Richard Osman and Marina Hyde’s live The Rest is Entertainment podcast was a hilarious unfiltered mess – and I loved it.
From uncovering how sex on TV is filmed, to what actors are really snorting when they do cocaine on screen, The Rest is Entertainment podcast has lifted the lid on the industry secrets since it launched in 2023.
Hosted by author and TV game show host Richard, 54, and journalist and Guardian columnist Marina, 50, the podcast is known for frank, informed and funny conversations – and the pair agreed to bring their show to the stage this year.
On Wednesday night, the duo performed a live show of their podcast at The Royal Albert Hall – and the unpolished performance was a hilarious triumph.
Instead of focusing on a topical news story of the week, the ambitious duo looked at some of the major news stories of the year and didn’t hold back when it came to critiquing some of the most well-known blunders of 2024.
Unlike their more measured views expressed on their podcast, their live show allowed the pair to let their hair down and tell us what they really feel – without the constraints of a podcast format.
As reminded by Marina to any reviewers in the crowd – anything libellous they said on the show can’t be repeated – but trust that they brilliantly expressed their unguarded opinions, particularly in a segment titled ‘It was a bad year for men.’
Suprise guests included an appearance from Xander Armstrong who helped in a game show titled The P-odd Couple which was unashamedly a podcast rip-off version of the Mr and Mrs show.
Audience participation was encouraged with questions submitted by the crowd, and a few celebrities – including Claudia Winkleman, David Tennant, and Nigella Lawson – appearing via pre-recorded video to ask the hosts their festive entertainment questions.
Richard’s unfiltered responses had the audience in stitches and the pair bounced off each other in a fun – but not overly chummy way that can be nauseating to a British audience.
A gift from Richard to Marina involved Nitro from The Gladiators carrying Marina onto the stage in the second act. Later, the buff TV star delivered a highly coveted House of Games suitcase to the audience member who won an extremely disorganised game of Guess Who – played with the entire crowd of around 5,000 people.
Highlights included a chaotic Christmas song showdown with live music from a band perched just behind the podcasters.
When Stay Another Day played, the crowd used their phone torches and swayed to the live band in a moment that Marina found ‘quite moving’.
The contest saw The Pogues Fairytale of New York crowned the winner, which was blasted out as confetti fell from the ceiling and the evening ended in a crowd singalong.
Richard and Marina were well aware that the show was a palaver, with segments going wrong, timings completely skewed and nerves flubbing some of their first lines in the show. But, it all just added to the charm of the night.
It was a complete success, arguably funnier than any episode of the regular show – possibly at the cost of being as informative as usual.
The live format was a great opportunity for the podcast to come to life with human connection and fun at the forefront. I was a little dubious about the necessity of a live podcast and pondered why would anyone pay to see something live if they could listen to it for free at home.
My pitch to fellow sceptics is simply this, it’s not like the other shows – it’s edgier, undiluted, and funnier, plus I left filled with genuine festive cheer!
Although this was sold as a one-off, I imagine that I’m not alone in my hopes that they will bring this live show back in 2025.
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