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Hal & Ronni In Pieces
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Hal & Ronni In Pieces

Author: Hal & Ronni In Pieces

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Neurotics Hal Cruttenden and Ronni Ancona have launched a

podcast, ten years too late, where they seek advice from celebrity friends on how to deal with stress.

They do this while therapeutically completing a jigsaw – clearly a brilliant idea for an audio format – but not helped by their Gen Z producer (who clearly loathes them) and potential sponsors suing them for brand misuse.

 

Hosts Ronni Ancona & Hal Cruttenden

 

Guests Jo Brand

             Omid Djalili

             Sadie Frost

             Kerry Godliman

             Charlie Higson

             Shappi Khorsandi

             Alistair McGowan

             Geoff Norcott

             Sally Phillips

             Lucy Porter

             Kiell Smith-Bynoe

 

Producer Amanda Redman

 

Producer Natalie King

 

Producer Annabel Martin

 

Producer (Sally Phillips Episode) Faye Lawrence

 

Composer Ben Collier

 

Recorded by Caitlin McDaid

                       James Hyde

                       Hugo Lagnado

 

Audio Editor Natalie King

                      James Hyde

 

Publicity Cat Harris

 

Artwork by Adam Sutherland

                   Jordan Pletts

 

Post Production Assistant Lydia de Matos

 

Production Assistant Khaya Burke

                                   Benedict Mulcare

                                   Georgie Wadstein

 

A Captain Dolly Production 

 

Recorded at The V Studio at Film Soho

 krADR

 

V Studio Team Raiyana Haque

 Yash Mistry
8 Episodes
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This week, we're leaning into the zen, thanks to guest Sadie Frost whose aura of calm even managed to have an effect on Ronni and Hal.   Our hosts are about as relaxed as they ever could be while chatting with Sadie about her life, career, and what they should have been doing in the 90s.   But don't worry, there are more than a few glimpses of their usual neediness, as Ronni campaigns relentlessly to become Sadie's friend, whilst Hal attempts to bond through yoga - although even he'll admit that the leggings are taking things too far.  Plus, the revolving door of producers continues, and there's absolutely zero attempt to do any of the jigsaw, so very much business as usual!
In today's episode, no attempt whatsoever is made at doing the jigsaw, it doesn't help that our guest, Geoff Norcott isn't a fan of the pursuit, but there's no excuse for Ronni and Hal's blatant neglect of their own activity.  At least the conversation flowed, as Geoff and Ronni were able to compare notes on their past lives as teachers! We know! We can't get our heads around that one either, Ronni Ancona shaping young minds ... is it just a coincidence that the crime rate in that area had a surge a few years later?   Geoff also told us how he manages preshow nerves and how he deals with any preconceived ideas people may have about him because of his politics, as well as managing to navigate our hosts' quickfire questions.   Oh, and as per usual, last week's producer is nowhere in sight, we thought it was weird that she never took her coat off. 
Five episodes in and everything is still as jumbled at the jigsaw Hal and Ronni are pretending they have the attention span to do: from another change in producer, to an examination of the ever moving beast that is Hal's love life (We're just as surprised as you are), nothing stays the same, - apart from the high calibre of guests that is, and this week the bar stays well and truly raised as the fantastic actor, comedian and professional wife, Kerry Godliman pops into the studio! Kerry tells us why hitting the big five-oh made her more able to manage stress, as well as talking about her latest role in Spinal Tap, and why being asked to do Taskmaster will always be a career highlight (a feeling our hosts can only imagine). Something else that remains a constant in every episode is Ronni and Hal's ability to make a hash of the quickfire questions, so at least there's that! 
It's episode four, and any real progress with completing the jigsaw is yet to materialise. Today, we get some insight as to why that may be. Not only did today's wonderful guest, Charlie Higson, have to endure our hosts whining about not being asked to do Taskmaster, he also witnessed Ronni trying to jam pieces together that clearly don't fit, and was powerless to stop Hal's blatant puzzle-based sabotage. On the bright side, we found out how Charlie manages to keep his stress levels down when he's up against deadlines – though by his own admission, this recording did little to alleviate his stress, and may well have had the opposite effect. Oh, and of course, last week's producer is nowhere to be seen. Where do they all keep running off to? We have high hopes for her replacement Lydia, though. After all, it's not a prerequisite for a podcast producer to have heard of the presenters, is it?
They say good things come in threes, and this is very much the case for the third episode of HARIP (that's what the kids are calling us), as our hosts make up a happy threesome with guest,  Omid Djalili! Not only is Omid one of the most recognised comics on the circuit, he's also a huge star of stage and screen, and has some very showbiz stories to share as a result; including the time he found himself in a less than friendly situation with Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston, AND when a ludicrous encounter with a rapper got way out of hand.  As always, Hal and Ronni manage to forget they should actually be doing a jigsaw rather than vying for the attention of the guest - who will inevitably leave far more stressed than when he arrived- but will they at least be third time lucky in managing to keep this week's producer?** **Spoiler alert – the answer is ‘no’. 
Look who's back! Yes, Hal and Ronni have once again tipped out the jigsaw, and invited a showbiz chum to help them sift through the pieces of the puzzle. What a metaphor! This week's guest is someone even the Gen Z producer recognised: Kiell Smith Bynoe. By the way, speaking of the producer, our thanks to Annabel for stepping into the breach after the one we had last week didn't come back. Let's hope we can persuade this one to stay - though as Hal and Ronni's dubious attempts to attract show sponsors continue, that may be easier said than done. Kiell is of course charming company, providing some sage advice on avoiding stress and making Ronni and Hal green with envy with his stories of appearing on Taskmaster. At least neither of our hosts embarrassed themselves by flirting outrageously with him. Oh wait. That absolutely did happen.
Welcome to episode one of Hal and Ronni In Pieces. The jigsaw is out of the box (perfect for an audio format!)and the first guest to pop over and help with the edging is none other than the legendary Jo Brand! Over 45 mins, Jo puts up with Hal and Ronni fumbling questions about her early comedy gigs, the stress of appearing on live TV, and why neither of them have been asked to do Taskmaster. Meanwhile, the adverts somehow end up poking fun at the hosts instead of promoting anything useful, their Gen Z producer is edging closer to the exit, and our hosts seem to be showing very little shame in seeking a sponsor for the show.  You couldn't make it up! 
Coming Soon ...

Coming Soon ...

2025-09-1807:07

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