Amuse Douche with James Haskell

Folding Pocket

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 puts Hask to the test in the most brutal arena: a live stand-up set. To prepare himself, he is speaking to some of the funniest comedians, actors and writers in the country, including Russell Kane, Sindhu Vee, Lou Sanders and Ed Byrne. While picking up tips and tricks, he’ll learn all about their journeys into comedy and find out what life is really like as a stand-up. But it's not all laughs as James and his guests also tackle serious issues such as alcohol dependency, living with ADHD and struggles with self-confidence.

At the end of the series, James will take everything he's learned and get up in front of a live audience to see if he really is – or isn't – as hilarious as he says he is. Whether car crash or surprise success, the end result is sure to be compelling either way.

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20 episodes
Updated Jun 21, 2023
Explicit

Episodes20

Newest first

Jun 21, 2023 · 36 min
Season 2 Episode 11 - Live Show (Bonus Episode)
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...
Jun 14, 2023 · 41 min
Season 2 Episode 10 - Suzi Ruffell
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...
Jun 7, 2023 · 38 min
Season 2 Episode 9 - Desiree Burch
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...
May 31, 2023 · 43 min
Season 2 Episode 8 - Jordan Gray
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...
May 24, 2023 · 43 min
Season 2 Episode 7 - Lloyd Griffith
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...
May 17, 2023 · 38 min
Season 2 Episode 6 - Rachel Parris
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...
May 10, 2023 · 40 min
Season 2 Episode 5 - Bobby Mair
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...
May 3, 2023 · 38 min
Season 2 Episode 4 - Hal Cruttenden
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...
Apr 26, 2023 · 40 min
Season 2 Episode 3 - Kae Kurd
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...
Apr 19, 2023 · 47 min
Season 2 Episode 2 - Simon Brodkin
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...
Apr 12, 2023 · 41 min
Season 2 Episode 1 - Russell Kane: The Review
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...
Nov 9, 2022 · 49 min
Episode 10 - Dom English
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...
Nov 2, 2022 · 38 min
Episode 9 - Andrew Maxwell
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...
Oct 26, 2022 · 37 min
Episode 8 - Larry Dean
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...
Oct 19, 2022 · 45 min
Episode 7 - Shappi Khorsandi
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...
Oct 12, 2022 · 48 min
Episode 6 - Paul Sinha
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...
Oct 5, 2022 · 52 min
Episode 5 - Ed Byrne
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...
Sep 28, 2022 · 38 min
Episode 4: Harriet Kemsley
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....
Sep 21, 2022 · 44 min
Episode 3: Lou Sanders
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...
Sep 14, 2022 · 50 min
Episode 2: Russell Kane
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...