Prepare to be entertained, surprised, and thoroughly amused as James Haskell takes to the stage with his first full-length 35-minute comedy set. Stepping away from the rugby pitch and into the spotlight, James fearlessly delves into the intricacies of his personal life, sharing hilarious anecdotes and unfiltered observations. Drawing upon his experiences as a professional athlete, he masterfully weaves tales of triumph, failure, and the absurdities of fame, while embracing vulnerability and...

It’s the last episode of Amuse Douche before James’ full length set. Luckily, he’s teamed up with the brilliant comedian Suzi Ruffell to explore the power of comedy in breaking down barriers. Together, they delve into the often unspoken challenges faced by comedians, particularly when confronting misogyny and homophobia. With her trademark wit and wisdom, Suzi Ruffell fearlessly opens up about her personal experiences, sharing anecdotes that shed light on the pervasive stereotypes and...

As the twenty minute live set draws closer, another comedian takes a look at Hask’s previous eight minutes. This time, it’s former dominatrix and American comic Desiree Burch who casts her eye over his material. A far cry from the prudish British stereotype, Desiree isn’t afraid to tackle provocative subjects and speak her mind - so what will she make of James’ work? And has he finally met his match in comedy? Follow James on Twitter @jameshaskell and Instagram @jameshaskell.

Seven weeks in and the reality of having to do a 20-minute set is hitting James hard. So he decides to share his eight minute set with today’s guest Jordan Gray, to get some constructive criticism alongside her advice. After a career change no one saw coming, moving from singing to comedy, Jordan knows a thing or two about how to transfer skills. She shares her wisdom on why the rule of three never fails, how comedy can be used to bridge divides and why ending a show naked has become a...

For Hask, today’s episode feels like meeting an old mate at the pub. But what comedian, actor and classically trained singer Lloyd Griffith teaches him, is that in comedy, this could be a recipe for disaster. What’s funny in the pub with your mates isn’t always funny on stage, and vice versa. Lloyd takes James through his non-traditional route to comedy success and the surprising lengths he went to to hone his craft - a magic recipe made up of an overnight sleeper train, a packet of...

Rachel Parris wears many hats when it comes to comedy. You name it, she’s done it: musical, stand-up, sketch, improv. So it should come as no surprise that she’s also the first woman to front a topical TV comedy show in the UK. No subject is too left-field for a piano rendition, no topic is too serious to find the funny in. So what can she teach James about stepping outside his comfort zone? They talk about breaking the gender mould of the industry, the importance of thinking on your feet...

In this episode James is joined by the husband Amuse Douche season one guest, Harriet Kemsley. Canadian comic Bobby Mair is used to being introduced alongside his wife, and therefore being paired with funny people - so James, the modest man that he is, thinks he’s in for an easy ride with today’s episode. But in discussing the value of knowing your audience and how not planning too far ahead can be a blessing in disguise, Bobby reveals that the path to comedy success isn’t always smooth...

You would think rugby podcasts and stand-up comedy would make for strange bedfellows but it turns out James isn’t the first person to dip his toe into these two worlds. Hal Cruttenden has appeared on some of the UK’s biggest comedy shows including Live At the Apollo, Would I Lie to You? and the Royal Variety Performance, alongside comedy he’s a massive rugby fan, presenting shows such as 'Rugby’s On' and 'The Huddle'. Hal went from BBC traffic reporter to stand-up comedian to rugby pundit...

In this episode James is joined by Kae Kurd, a comic taking the UK comedy scene by storm. Savvy to the changing nature of its landscape, Kae’s become a household name in the world of social media - amassing close to 2 million followers on TikTok and thousands more across other platforms. After making his big comedy debut in 2017, he’s quickly climbed up the ranks, so knows how to navigate the comedy scene of today better than most. So what can James learn from him about boosting his...

Simon Brodkin AKA Lee Nelson AKA Jason Bent AKA Britain’s Greatest Hoaxer. Simon has pranked some of the world’s most powerful and famous people…Donald Trump, Theresa May, Phillip Green, Kanye West, Sepp Blatter…the list goes on. Despite being renowned for his characters and world-famous stunts, Brodkin is taking the brave decision to start all over again. Like James, he’s going through a metamorphosis. They are both well-known for their previous lives, and more than aware that this comes...

It’s crunch time from James as he invites his mentor, Russell Kane, back into the studio to dissect James’ first ever stand-up set. Performed at the prestigious 99 Club in Central London, this is the first time James has played it to anyone. Has James got what it takes to be a stand-up comedian? Let’s find out… Follow James on Twitter @jameshaskell and Instagram @jameshaskell

This is the last chance for advice before James takes to the stage for his first 5 minute set. To help him he’s enlisted comedy writer Dom English for a last counsel before road-testing his very first stand-up routine. Dom’s worked on a staggering number of British TV staples spanning across decades, from the '90s to the '20s, including hit shows 'Big Breakfast', 'The 11 O’clock Show', '8 Out of 10 Cats' and 'The 1% Club' to name a few. He’s worked along side the likes of Jimmy Carr,...

James welcomes into the studio fellow ‘I’m a Celeb’ contestant Andrew Maxwell. The two reminisce about their time in the jungle. Andrew discusses his roots in a turbulent Ireland and how he was already establishing himself as a stand-up at the grand age of 16. With over 30 years as a stand-up comedian and comedy writer Andrew offers some invaluable tips and tricks he’s learnt over his decades in the limelight. Follow James on Twitter @jameshaskell and Instagram @jameshaskell

This week James gets physical with Larry Dean. The Glaswegian comic has become well known for his high energy and physical style on stage. James wonders if that could work for him and how he would incorporate it into his set. Larry tells some saucy tales of his time as a pizza delivery boy and explains the value of being yourself onstage. James also gets a masterclass on dealing with hecklers and the importance in always having fun. Follow James on Twitter @jameshaskell and Instagram...

A familiar face on nearly every British comedy show going, Shappi Khorsandi has a staggering list of achievements to her name. From stand-up comedian to accomplished writer, from Margaret Thatcher to nude life model, Shappi bares all in a touching interview with James. Shappi shines a light on the darker side of the entertainment industry, fleeing Iran and her struggle with mental health. The two share tales of living life with ADHD and dealing with pressure at the top. This show covers...

A familiar face on nearly every British comedy show going, Shappi Khorsandi has a staggering list of achievements to her name. From stand-up comedian to accomplished writer, from Margaret Thatcher to nude life model, Shappi bares all in a touching interview with James. Shappi shines a light on the darker side of the entertainment industry, fleeing Iran and her struggle with mental health. The two share tales of living life with ADHD and dealing with pressure at the top. This show covers...

If anyone knows about changing hats its Paul ‘The Sinnerman’ Sinha. James traverses Paul’s life from doctor to comedian to quizzer and surgically removes any tips and hints he has to offer. James quizzes Paul on his trajectory from snappy one-liner comedian to story teller and on how to find his uniqueness in the world of stand-up. The two reminisce about their respective time on Mastermind and what it’s like finding the balance between being professional in two very different...

It’s important not to run before you can walk, so maybe it’s time for James to start thinking about taking his first steps into comedy. Who better to guide him than seasoned pro Ed Byrne, with over twenty years as a comedian, he offers James some words of wisdom that he’s learnt over his many years in the limelight. From MCing student karaoke nights to making it big Down Under, Ed certainly has a range of skills for any audience, big or small. Ed gives James a lesson on formulation,...

Four weeks in and James is finding comedy isn’t all laughs as he struggles to get to grips with his homework. Running out of excuses, he seeks the advice of comedian Harriet Kemsley. She discusses her own writer's block and how to overcome it. Harriet explores the importance of honesty and how using real life experience is the foundation of any great stand-up. She recalls her steep learning curve as she went from being unknown to an award winner within months of starting her comedy...

The brilliant Lou Sanders is the latest comic to sit down with Hask to talk him through the tricks and the pitfalls of embarking on a stand up career. She recalls gigs that have gone wrong, emphasises the importance of being yourself and her secret to writing comedy. Lou also talks about her own path into stand up: why she was terrible at doing office jobs - don't get her to book your trip to Russia - and how it was harder for women at the start of her comedy career. Meanwhile, James...

Every apprentice needs a master and James has found his for his comedy journey: Russell Kane. The two meet to make a plan of action for Hask: why size matters, his opening gags and which wild animal he should mimic when he first walks on. Along the way, Russell reveals lots about himself: why did he take short stories with him on nights out with his mates? Why did he come to comedy late? And what else was he receiving when he won Australia's top comedy award?

Strap yourselves in as James Haskell takes his first baby steps towards performing a live comedy set in his new podcast. In this episode he sits down with the brilliant Sindhu Vee. Why was a set in India her worst ever? Why did her mum compare her unfavourably to Oprah Winfrey after just eight gigs? And how did she not know James appears in the dictionary under 'toxic masculinity'? James learns the answer to all of these questions and more, including Sindhu's three rules for writing and...

James Haskell is facing an existential crisis. Since retiring as an international rugby star, he has become a ubiquitous personality, shape-shifting week-to-week from elite athlete to reality TV star, DJ, podcaster, author, MMA fighter, influencer and pundit. While James adapts to rapid-onset fatherhood, he is looking for his final form. In Haskell's opinion, the common thread running through his many post-rugby ventures is his unique brand of ‘comedy’... which brings us here. Amuse Douche...

Season 2 review. James looks back at season 2 of the podcast picking out some of his favourite moments. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.