Lou Sanders Archives - MoodyComedy

Podcast Picks: Cuddle Club

October 23, 2020 by Becca Moody Leave a Comment

Podcasting has taken on a life of its own in recent years, with vast swathes of comedians coming forward with new interview, anecdotal and improv show formats. As this medium has grown, it has become saturated with assorted comedic content. Podcast Picks is a place for MoodyComedy’s comedy podcast recommendations.

Podcast Picks is back and it’s back with good reason; to recommend Cuddle Club with Lou Sanders. Beginning in February this year, Cuddle Club is a podcast that is still in its infancy. Despite this, Lou has bagged a number of high profile comedy guests, including Katherine Ryan, Richard Herring and Aisling Bea.

With a premise that centres around the weird and wonderful world of cuddles, snuggles and hugs, Lou Sanders has understandably had to reconsider her approach during the Covid-19 pandemic. Switching to a video call interview format, Lou marches on undeterred, demanding her guests share their most intimate cuddle moments, regardless of how uncomfortable they may feel.

Rather Freudian in her approach, Sanders’ adopted pseudo-psychiatrist character serves to highlight the ridiculous nature of many of the conversation topics. The episodes vary massively depending on whether our host is close friends with the guest or not. Often the conversation borders on awkward, and this is something that Sanders relishes, seemingly enjoying making her interviewees squirm with her hyper-sexualised chat.

That is not to say, however, that this podcast is all fluff. Each conversation goes in depth into topics such as relationships, family, childhood and romance, all accessed through the lens of cuddles, past and present. Lou’s candidness encourages immediate openness from her guests. Aisling Bea and Pope Lonergan’s conversations are particularly thought-provoking, with Lou’s close friendship with both comics allowing her to ask direct questions whilst remaining empathetic, yet always cheeky.

Cuddle Club is a collection of laid back chats with comedians that presents humanity realistically, with no polish or filters. Lou Sanders celebrates the real human condition, with all our ugly parts, guilty secrets and messy histories.

SERIES TWO OF CUDDLE CLUB HAS JUST BEGUN. CATCH UP ON ALL EPISODES HERE.

Lou Sanders: The Edinburgh Interviews 2018

July 3, 2018 by Becca Moody Leave a Comment

Who? Lou Sanders

What? Shame Pig

Where? Monkey Barell Comedy Club (venue 515)

When? 12:30

Are you prepared for what this year’s Edinburgh Fringe has in store for you?

Well I have some waterproofs and a show and that’s as much as you can do in this scenario. I also have a water bottle with a crystal in, so yes, yes I think that’s everything.

What is the premise of your Edinburgh show this year?

Shame – your shame, my shame, societies’ shame. So it’s personal stories and a big old look at shame.

What was the biggest obstacle you face(d) while putting this show together?

Structure, how to say what I wanted to say without offending anyone in my family too much, and how to make rape funny.

Who would most enjoy your show?

Legends only. Nah, I think anyone will enjoy it who isn’t very uptight or repressed. They can go and see some afternoon theatre or a local jousting.

Do you have any other Edinburgh show recommendations?

Lazy Susan, Sara Barron, Luke McQueen, Julian Deane, Brett Goldstein, Lloyd Langford, Sean McLoughlin, Gráinne Maguire and Jack Barry. I know there’s so many more I always remember people I love after, and kick myself.

What is your favourite thing about Edinburgh as a city?

Lovely nature, everything’s centralised (location wise not politically), there’s loads of history and the beach isn’t far. Least favourite thing is the rent prices in August for an absolute rat’s dump. But as I said – wonderful history.

What are your plans for after the festival?

A holiday, a sweet, sweet holiday. Actually I have a festival gig the day after Edinburgh, but after that a sweet, sweet holiday.

GET YOUR TICKETS FOR LOU SANDERS: ‘SHAME PIG’ HERE

THE EDINBURGH INTERVIEWS 2018

A Guide To Edinburgh 2015

August 7, 2015 by Becca Moody Leave a Comment

That time of year is upon us once more; thousands of performers, reviewers and audience members are preparing to visit the holy grail of comedy that is the Edinburgh Festival. Here is a quick run through of everything MoodyComedy would be attending if only I could get there this year. Do get in touch if you attend any of these shows, or see something else that you think should be featured. You can also catch up with the past week’s exclusive MoodyComedy interviews.

Stuff That’s Gold

Katherine Ryan

Katherine Ryan is performing her latest show, Kathbum, currently riding high on her phenomenal rise to fame in recent years and showing no signs of stopping any time soon. With every new show, Katherine only increases in her wisdom, experience and cutting sass, similar to that of Irish charmer Aisling Bea who brings her second show, Plan Bea, to the festival. Another name to watch out for is that of Luisa Omielan, who will perform a very limited run of her second show Am I Right Ladies?!. Omielan is a performer that cares about her audience to an extent I don’t think I’ve ever witnessed before: her show is empowering, lively and not to be missed.

James Acaster presents another whacky hour of surreal yet surprisingly dramatic story-telling stand up in his show Represent and Joe Lycett returns, with possibly the best show title of the year: That’s The Way, A-Ha A-Ha, Joe Lycett. And it would frankly be a mistake to miss out on seeing Bridget Christie‘s latest show, A Book For Her, which sees the launch of her debut novel, and showcases her trademark blend of feminism and spectacular comedy.

Stuff That’s Odd

Tony Law, the king of surreal comedy, is performing his new show Frillemorphesis where he explores ideas such as shouting, moving and talking, absolutely standard. A live show from the Tone Zone is an opportunity not to be missed, or forgotten in a hurry, and his being in this category is by no means a suggestion that this show will not also be Gold.

Shouty extraordinaire Bobby Mair brings another dark and bitterly funny show off the back of his recent television successes, entitled Filthy Immigrant; Tom Allen performs Both Worlds with his signature sinister calm and endearing flamboyance and Harriet Kemsley, who spent the first part of this year supporting Katherine Ryan on tour, also performs her debut hour, Puppy Fat, which has got the critics excited. If you like a bit of audience interaction, Jonny Awsum’s show Everything Is Awsum will be another unforgettable experience, as will Patrick Monahan’s seventies-inspired show The Disco Years.

Stuff That’s Free

Now any Edinburgh Festival-goer will be able to tell you that ticket price does not necessarily dictate quality; free shows are on the rise as they are a great way of ensuring the trip is more affordable for comedians and fans alike. There are some real gems performing shows this year that rely on kind donations alone.

Lou Sanders

Rob Auton has prepared another delightfully off-kilter, poetical concept show entitled The Water Show where he considers everything surrounding the theme of water, much like his previous shows which have centred around themes such as Yellow, Sky and Face. Elf Lyons‘ Being Barbarella is a high-octane adventure, discussing science fiction, liberation and sharks. This lady is a true one-off, who’s surreal form of comedy is often likened to The Mighty Boosh. And Lou Sanders, being the wonderful shambles of a performer that she is, brings her insane show about her efforts to get accepted into Eton College For Boys, of course entitled: Excuse Me, You’re Sitting On My Penis Again.

Stuart Goldsmith will also be recording episodes of The Comedian’s Comedian Podcast where he interviews everyone that is anyone in the world of comedy, delving deep into the psyche of the performer and having many laughs in the process. The line up for this year is stellar and although the recordings are free to attend and non-ticketed, the venue will undoubtedly fill up quickly on the night so plan ahead.

You can purchase tickets for all shows mentioned on the Edinburgh Festival website.

READ EDINBURGH PREVIEWS HERE

Seven Questions With… Lou Sanders

January 10, 2015 by Becca Moody 2 Comments

Lou Sanders is a wonderfully upbeat comedian with a fantastic energy that seems to win over any audience. She has mastered the art of saying the most horrendous things but using her charming personality to carry her through to safety every single time, with her innocent delivery and sweet smile. Sanders is definitely one to watch, having appeared on Russell Howard’s Good News Extra as well as being a writer on Channel 4’s Stand Up For The Week.

I asked Lou these seven questions to learn a little more about her…

1) Have you ever heard a really strange rumour about yourself?

I don’t think so. Oh no, hang on – the other day I bumped in to another comic, John Luke Roberts and he said; ‘Oh I was just talking about you with someone.’

‘Let me guess you were saying my comedy is on fire at the moment? ‘

‘Oh no, they said you were really in to Tantra.’

‘Oh right.’

Now, I’ve got nothing against Tantra, I bet its great but I’ve never studied it. Also, I’m single so ‘Tantra for one’ seems like a bit of a waste of time. I mean, I’ve got admin to do and Tantra is not a friend of time management, it’s simply not efficient.

2) What is the best song in the charts right now, and why?

Right – I’ve just had to search engine the charts.

Hang on, seems Ben Howard’s still hanging around the charts so him. It’s hard to say why you like certain music, I don’t really care for maudlin, sad music. I love rock and folk rock and a bit of depth but not really sad songs. Puts me in a downer. I love Babyshambles’ new album (well at least half of it which is good odds with an album) and I saw The Libertines recently and they were brilliant (just before Pete went to rehab but he held it together – though Carl did lead the show). I’m stuck in the music from about 7 or 8 years ago maybe when I used to go to gigs all the time.

3) What one word describes your life, and why?

Rosy. Because I sprayed rose perfume on earlier and it accidentally went all in my face. So my life / face is pretty rosy plus I have a rose candle lit at the moment. I mean COULD LIFE GET ANY ROSIER? Probably yes.

4) How many friends is too many friends?

26.5 (I measured it).

5) Why is comedy the right job for you?

I’m not sure it is. I’d like to do something a bit more helpful to the world maybe. I kind of want to nail comedy first though.

6) Something that makes you feel old?

Both the question and my answer to Question 2.

That and crowded areas – I’m not into it and the older I get the more I get a boner for nature. But I still feel quite young. The other day I was up dancing till 10pm for example.

7) Which stand up comedians should we look out for?

Annie McGrath is so great, she’s in a brilliant double act called Twins, but has started doing stand up as herself too which is excellent. And Lolly Adefope is smashing – she does character stuff. Patrick Turpin turns out some great shows and jokes. And I saw a set by Peter Brush the other week and his writing was brilliant. I’m sure I’ve missed loads of them out but these are just great ones I’ve seen recently.

Lou Sanders will be releasing a DVD on Go Faster Stripe in early 2015. For more information about this, and any of Lou’s other projects, visit her website, or follow her Twitter at @LouSanders.

SEVEN QUESTIONS WITH…