Richard is wondering if he can break into natural history broadcasting, but his puppets have other ideas as usual. Cocky Carrot has some competition, Ally is missing President Trump and Peter Dibdin has to address a slander. Birthdays, racist foxes, improvised poetry and a new King of the World jingle. What do you want? Blood?

Is it Capital or Capitol? Richard is delighted that the news has taken a dark turn as this is his chance to show the powers that be what a serious broadcaster he can be. I hope no puppets turn up to spoil it for him. They discuss the big acting role that Rich was born to play, Phil from Time Team's grotty hat, whether huge penises have any place in children's broadcasting and how the EU is being punished for kicking us out. Plus way more birthdays than feel comfortable and the return of a character who makes Trump look like he lacks self-confidence. And a Hootenanny to see us out. What's not to love?

Rich and Ally are here to wish you a Merry Christmas. But which members of the gang will accompany them? Some Christmas surprises. As well as some Christmas predictables. And some Christmas repeats. Happy Christmas.

Richard is just minutes away from finding out if he won Taskmaster, but he's got TV people to impress and what better way than to do a 75 minute improvised puppet show that raises questions about his sanity? He's laying into Hertford, as is only right, but along with an insecure Ally, threatened by his demotion in the credits chats about the terrible event that is about to hit the UK (6 more years of Mrs Brown's Boys), how to get billions off the husband of MacKenzie Scott's ex-husband, whether you can use a mask of your partner to cheat on your partner and Robbie Williams being poisoned by fish. Also the Duke of York has some more accusations to face and Sally and Rich are the new Meghan and Harry and Cocky Carrot has his (unseeing?) eye on a lovely girlfriend. Plus Peter Dibdin has some home truths for female Stevie. Not all your favourites make it in this week, but surely that one has to? Doesn't he?

If you're with Amazon Prime please use your monthly free sub to give us (or someone else on Twitch) free money. It's slightly fiddly. This might help: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uts1dSzQxdo But don't forget to resub. We will spend all your money on puppets and making more sketches.

Richard is taking a trip back to 2010, but is it a good idea? The puppets seem to have differing opinions. Otherwise it's all 2020, apart from the trip back to 1995 with Peter Dibdin and all the other stuff. How is Ally coping with the King of the World's popularity, what are the writers' room up to? Will Richard be cancelled? Diamond hard Brexit, Harry and Meghan shortbread, reindeer farts and whether films with humans and puppets can work are all covered. Plus Law Fox talks about hugging all his friends and Brian Wasp clears up some Taskmaster confusion. Conspiracy Theo is in it too. It's all happening.

The stability of the show has been rocked by a breakaway new star. How will this impact on the others and which characters are heading for the bin? The Writers' Room tries to kickstart Richard's career and Prince Andrew reveals why he is always standing to attention. Marmite Lid is back with the topical comedy that has made him famous and Brian Wasp is plotting the destruction of the human race. And an old, old character (who is now the correct age) returns. But it's all about the King. Who like Ozymandius before him may lay waste to everything.

Rich is excited to have reached this landmark twentieth episode and to have been moved to a prime time 7.30pm on Friday slot on Twitch TV. It's the time the other Twitchers would kill for. He has an anniversary question for the Queen and Prince Philip (and any of their children who might turn up) and he's trying out a couple more characters (but will be they be as solid as Conspiracy Theo?). Ally and Rich discuss dummies in the real world, the alternative definitions of faggots and the Pope's Instagram. And some of the regular characters return, whilst there isn't time for others and it's already the longest show yet... oh God.

Sponsor Rich for Movember by either subbing on Twitch or becoming a monthly badger http://gofasterstripe.com/badges (all November subs go to Movember) or by donating here http://rhlstp.co.uk/movember Buy Richard's book (maybe for 99p) here https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/bestsellers/digital-text/ Or from gofasterstripe.com where you can get a signed book plate and a badge

We get an exciting glimpse behind the scenes tonight as the team go into depth about Ian Pfizer, Trump's coup, the sacking of Superman and people who marry serial killers. There's a new character who is definitely not recycled and a new old character too. Cocky Carrot can't do his job, but has to carry on considering what or who he is and Donkey has the shock of his life. If he had ears, they would fall off. All this in the tightest scripted hour and a quarter of topical news available in the world today.

To sponsor Rich for Movember head to http://rhlstp.co.uk/movember

Episode 18 - Technical Difficulties. It's November 5th 2020 and it's publication day for Richard's book and in celebration he is donating all his November earnings to charity (including all Twitch subs and badge money) - if you enjoy his free streams then bung some money to Movember here http://rhlstp.co.uk/movember The US is in turmoil and second lockdown has begun, but the real problem is Rich's equipment fucking up and general lack of preparation ending in calamity. But along the way Rich manages to offend Brian Wasp again, whilst literally laughing in his face, Cocky Carrot has to consider the nature of his soul (as well as react to ever innuendo) and the greatest love story of all time Sally and Prince Andrew hits a rocky patch. For a moment Rich forgets that the characters can't talk on their own. Also off the top of your head can you think of funny people to get married if they are going to hyphenate their surnames (cos Rich can't), who is the funny man and who is the straight man. There's a surprise genii behind the magic button and whatever you think of the rest of it, it's worth hanging around for the closing credits. What does a programme associate do again?

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Episode 17 - Together We'll Be OK. Richard is doing an awful lot of work for charity, but he hates to talk about it, but his attempts to be serious are sabotaged as usual. There's racism, there's a discussion about Christmas numbers, Ally tries to alienate Herring's family and fans and a couple of characters have had a makeover. Law Fox makes a punt to be PM and Prince Andrew doesn't realised he's being filmed, which is a bit dangerous. And it all ends on a song which may bring a tear to your eye. Oh and Cocky Carrot is in it.

Movember - http://rhsltp.co.uk/movember

Refuge - http://rhlstp.co.uk/300

Scope - http://rhlstp.co.uk/scope

Buy Richard's book please: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0751581453