Out Of Character with Alex Lynch: Conversations with Sketch and Character Comedians

Alex chats to writer David Quantick (‘The Day Today’, ‘Brass Eye’ and Radio 4’s ‘Whatever Happened to Baby Jane Austen’) about jobs, junkies and Jam. David also creates a character on the spot based solely on the made-up name given to him by Alex in our regular section ‘Chain(ge) of Character’. This episode was recorded 25th February 2025. Listen to The Old Fools wherever you get your podcasts. In...

Alex chats to actor, writer and podcaster Margaret Cabourn-Smith (Radio 4’s ‘John Finnemore’s Souvenir Programme’ and ‘The Penny Dreadfuls Presents…’, BBC’s ‘Miranda’) about Victorian oddities, dress fires, and wrapping rooms. Margaret also creates a character on the spot based solely on the made-up name given to her by Alex in our regular section ‘Chain(ge) of Character’. This episode was recorde...

Alex chats to writer, performer and impressionist, Jess Robinson (Channel 4’s ‘The Last Leg’, Radio 4’s ‘Dead Ringers’) about voices little and mighty, returning to the Fringe after 4 years, and sneaking her Natalie Cassidy impression into almost every project. Jess also creates a character on the spot based solely on the made-up name given to her by Alex in our regular section ‘Chain(ge) of Chara...

Alex chats to actor and writer Fergus Craig (BBC’s ‘Martin Fishback’, Dave’s ‘Hoff The Record’) about acting tips, performing sketch comedy in Africa, and not walking from London to New Zealand. Fergus also creates a character on the spot based solely on the made-up name given to him by Alex in our regular section ‘Chain(ge) of Character’. This episode was recorded 17th January 2025. Watch Fergus’...

Let’s pop the champagne! In this 50th Episode Spectacular, Alex chats to the writer/performer/rapper Rob Broderick AKA Abandoman about hip hop shows, putting trust in audiences, making up stories every day, and ‘Apology Nuggets’. Rob also creates a character on the spot based solely on the made-up name given to him by Alex in our regular section ‘Chain(ge) of Character’. This episode was recorded...

EPISODE 49 – NIM ODEDRA Alex chats to actor and presenter Nim Odedra (SKY’s ‘The Makery’ & ‘SO Beano’, Audible’s ‘Green Wing: Resuscitated’) about crafting art, cutting hair, and creating a career from lies. Nim also creates a character on the spot based solely on the made-up name given to her by Alex in our regular section ‘Chain(ge) of Character’. This episode was recorded 27th November 2024...

Alex chats in person to the multi faceted Greg Haiste (Fawlty Towers: The Play, BBC’s ‘Ghosts’ and ‘EastEnders’) about Basil Fawlty, Liam Gallagher and Guy Fawkes. Greg also creates a character on the spot based solely on the made-up name given to him by Alex in our regular section ‘Chain(ge) of Character’. This episode was recorded 30th August 2024. You can find more of Greg’s work here… https://...

Alex chats to writer and performer Alice Etches (‘Nevermind The Buzzcocks’, BBC Radio 4's 'The News Quiz', ITV's 'Celebrity Juice') about pitching ideas, pigeon diets, and procrastination. Alice also creates a character on the spot based solely on the made-up name given to her by Alex in our regular section ‘Chain(ge) of Character’. This episode was recorded 27th August 2024. You can find more of...

Alex chats in person to writer, performer and clown, Christian Brighty (BBC Radio 4’s ‘The Many Wrongs Of Lord Christian Brighty’) about playing with period drama, living in an old people’s home, and finding love via the Chilcott Report. Christian also creates a character on the spot based solely on the made-up name given to him by Alex in our regular section ‘Chain(ge) of Character’. This episode...

Alex chats to actor and writer Kerry Howard (BBC’s ‘Him & Her’ & ‘Witless’) about playing stupid characters, being a ‘writer whore’, and keeping the hope alive. Kerry also creates a character on the spot based solely on the made-up name given to her by Alex in our regular section ‘Chain(ge) of Character’. This episode was recorded 22nd July 2024. You can find more of Kerry’s work here… Ins...

Alex chats to writer and performer Lorna Rose Treen (BBC Radio 4’s ‘Time of the Week’) about producing ‘Women’s Hour’, clowning, selling out her first Edinburgh Fringe run in 3 days, and how her video about ‘Space Raiders’ is still enraging the internet. Lorna also creates a character on the spot based solely on the made-up name given to her by Alex in our regular section ‘Chain(ge) of Character’....

Alex borrows the recording equipment of and chats to writer and presenter Gareth Gwynn (BBC’s ‘Tourist Trap’, Radio 4’s ‘Champions of Pantheon’, ‘Ankle Tag’, ‘The Now Show’) about unfinished projects, making a show about Rik Mayall, Radio Wales, and the 2nd hand bookshops of Hay-On-Wye. Gareth also creates a character on the spot based solely on the made-up name given to him by Alex in our regular...

Alex chats to actor and comedian Rosie Holt (‘The Russell Howard Hour’, host of ‘Non-Censored’) about snap elections, ukeleles, and being briefly cancelled. Rosie also creates a character on the spot based solely on the made-up name given to her by the show’s previous guest in ‘Chain(ge) of Character’. This episode was recorded 11th June 2024. You can find more of Rosie’s work at… https://www.rosi...

Alex chats to writer and performer Jon Pointing (C4’s ‘Big Boys’, ITV2’s ‘Plebs’) about first Fringe shows, filming in Bulgaria, and flammable corners. Jon also creates a character on the spot based solely on the made-up name given to him by the show’s previous guest in ‘Chain(ge) of Character’. This episode was recorded 8th May 2024. You can find more of Jon’s work at https://www.comedy.co.uk/peo...

Alex chats to comedian and writer Rachel Fairburn (BBC’s ‘Live at the Apollo’, ‘Comedy Central Live’, co-host of ‘All Killa No Filla’) about venturing into character comedy, intergenerational friendships, and trains. Rachel also creates a character on the spot based solely on the made-up name given to her by the show’s previous guest in ‘Chain(ge) of Character’. This episode was recorded 8th July...

‘Wot’s that when it’s at home?’ Alex chats to writer and performer Lucy Farrett (‘Lady Face’, ‘Sally4Ever’, ‘Beef & Dairy Network’) about iceburgs, Audrey Hepburn and finding your ‘voice fire’. Lucy also creates a character on the spot based solely on the made-up name given to her by Alex in our regular section ‘Chain(ge) of Character’. This episode was recorded 15th May 2024. Check out LadyFa...

In second of this two-parter, Alex chats to Andy about screaming at horses, writing ‘Black Books’ and being let loose in a room full of latex. Andy also creates a character on the spot based solely on the made-up name given to him by the show’s previous guest in ‘Chain(ge) of Character’. This episode was recorded 2nd May 2024. You can find more of Andy’s work here… https://misterandyriley.com/ Tw:...

In the first of this two-parter, Alex chats in person to writer, cartoonist and author Andy Riley (‘Seize Them’, ‘Black Books’, ‘The Tracey Ullman Show’, ‘The Book of Bunny Suicides’) about starting out young, taking advice from Sondheim, and the most high-powered meeting he (or perhaps any writer) has ever been in. You can find more of Andy’s work here… https://misterandyriley.com/ Tw: @andyriley...

Alex chats to writer and performer Laurence Rickard (BBC’s ‘Ghosts’, CBBC’s ‘Horrible Histories’, SKY’s ‘Yonderland’) about the origin of Them There, playing two ghosts at once, and naively writing 10 horses into a TV sketch. Laurence also creates a character on the spot based solely on the made-up name given to him by Alex in our regular section ‘Chain(ge) of Character’. This episode was recorded...

In our series finale, Alex chats to writer and actor Tom Basden (BBC’s ‘Here We Go’, Radio 4’s ‘Cowards’, ITV2’s ‘Plebs’) in his local cafe about his latest play adaptation, permutations of sketch shows, and writing a pandemic-based comedy. Tom also creates a character on the spot based solely on the made-up name given to him by Alex in our regular section ‘Chain(ge) of Character’. This episode wa...

MICHELLE FAHRENHEIM Alex chats to writer and actor Michelle Fahrenheim (BBC ‘Quickies’, The Free Association) – in person and in her podcast debut - about short films, Ships and starring in the first Instagram sitcom. Michelle also creates a character on the spot based solely on the made-up name given to her by Alex in our regular section ‘Chain(ge) of Character’. This episode was recorded 23rd&nb...

Alex chats to his first guest duo in the form of writing and performing married couple, Chris and Jen Sugden, about making Victoriocity, slogging away at the Fringe, and improvising murder mysteries. Chris and Jen also create a character together on the spot based solely on the made-up name given to them by Alex in our regular section ‘Chain(ge) of Character’. This episode was recorded 1st Au...

Alex chats to writer, performer and Royal Institution regular, Steve McNeil (‘Wi-Fi Wars’, ‘Go 8-Bit’) about getting your live show made for TV, combining videogames and live audiences, and understudying Rik Mayall. Steve also creates a character on the spot based solely on the made-up name given to him by Alex in our regular section ‘Chain(ge) of Character’. This episode was recorded 15th Ju...

Alex chats to writer and performer Sooz Kempner (BBC’s ‘Doctor Who: Doomsday’) about the Royal Music Academy, Reply Guys, Richard Thomas, and retro videogames. Sooz also creates a character on the spot based solely on the made-up name given to her by Alex in our regular section ‘Chain(ge) of Character’. This episode was recorded 13th July 2022. You can find more of Sooz’s work here…  htt...

Alex chats to writer, actor and impressionist Terry Mynott (Channel 4’s ‘The Mimic’ and ‘VIP’, BBC’s ‘Motherland’) about honesty, honing an impression, and having his radio show shut down. Terry also creates a character on the spot based solely on the made-up name given to him by Alex in our regular section ‘Chain(ge) of Character’. This episode was recorded 12th July 2022. You can find more...