RHLSTP | Richard Herring

John Dowie (Part 1)

2 July 2025

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The Most Influential Comedian, That You're Probably Never Seen

Richard travels to St Neots to visit a man who might claim to have invented alternative comedy (though he doesn't) John Dowie. With comedian Dave Cohen in Dictionary Corner providing some historical detail Rich and John chat about John's comedy influences, how he managed to do theatrical comedy on his own when no one else was really doing that, his part (or not) in the explosion of comedy in the 80s, the podcast with Tony Allen that never was (largely due to the lack of the internet), recording with Factory records, working with Neil Innes, John's frustration with modern life, doing a show with Victoria Wood, the secret reason he gave up stand up (which may remain a secret) the original Dogman and whether he feels he gets the credit he deserves or whether he thinks he deserves any credit.