Adam Buxton on Why Podcasting Has Got WORSE & Comedy Jingles
5/10/20261 hr 10 min
What is the future of comedy and podcasts? Comedian, actor and podcaster Adam Buxton joins Romesh for a thoughtful and funny conversation about creativity, aging and the strange evolution of podcasting. Adam reflects on his career from The Adam and Joe Show, to music, to building one of the UK’s most respected podcasts. From working with Louis Theroux to becoming podcast competitors, he discusses why he prefers audio over video, even as the industry shifts toward clips, algorithms and “maximising reach”. They also chat about the reality of getting older in the public eye and why chasing audience approval can quietly ruin creative work. Plus, Adam talks about making his debut solo album, Buckle Up, collaborating with Metronomy’s Joe Mount, and finding new ways to stay creative. Expect as usual, a question from Shanthi, and a game of Misquoted with a brutal breakdown of how viral exclusives are ruining us. The Adam Buxton Band are on tour and you can get your tickets here! https://linktr.ee/theadambuxtonband A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Platform. 00:00 Intro 05:00 A gift for Adam 06:30 Hair loss, aging and awkward family moments 13:20 Rom & Adam’s attempt at friendship 16:33 Adam on podcasting trending 17:10 The competition with Theroux 18:04 What Adam doesn’t like about podcasting 25:42 Getting into music 29:55 Adam’s new comedy album 30:51 Shorts faux pas and fashion envy 36:40 More on Buckle Up the album 39:30 Adam does a jingle 42:06 Adam’s divided career 49:39 A question from Shanthi 51:57 The future of comedy TV 54:55 Misquoted 01:02:29 A viral exclusive broken down 01:06:36 Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Clips
Transcript preview
First 90 secondsAdam Buxton· Guest0:00
Um, now you guys have to promise to stay wide on me. Please don't, like- Show me what kind of shots you're imagining. Because anything closer than that is personally offensive. [laughs] And should be banned. I feel like that's, that's a mid. Happy with a mid? Yeah, just don't go closer than that. None of this. No. Even, like, profile? No. Sexy sort of side profile? There's no sexy side profile. No, no, no. Look, I grew up filming myself, making my own TV show in order that I would come across the way I wanted to.
Romesh Ranganathan· Host0:32
Yeah.
Adam Buxton· Guest0:33
And every time I go on TV, it's bad. That's why... I mean, it's part... It's not entirely the reason I don't go on TV. It's mainly 'cause I'm not invited, but part of the reason is because [laughs] I'm not in control. [laughs] And I don't like the way they randomly zoom in.
Romesh Ranganathan· Host0:48
Yeah. And they go, "We're thinking about booking you for this." And you go, "Well, I need to be in control of-" Yeah ... "the shots."
Adam Buxton· Guest0:52
Show me what kind of shots you're imagining.
Romesh Ranganathan· Host0:54
Yeah.
Adam Buxton· Guest0:54
No, no, no.
Romesh Ranganathan· Host0:55
Yeah.
Adam Buxton· Guest0:56
Are you editing? You're editing, right? Yes. Yeah, okay.
Romesh Ranganathan· Host0:59
I'm not editing, but it is being edited.
Adam Buxton· Guest1:00
No, no, but it is edited.
Romesh Ranganathan· Host1:01
Yeah.
Adam Buxton· Guest1:01
And swearing?
Romesh Ranganathan· Host1:02
Swearing's fine. What?
Adam Buxton· Guest1:04
What?
Romesh Ranganathan· Host1:05
Did you say no?
Adam Buxton· Guest1:06
I said fine.
Romesh Ranganathan· Host1:07
Oh, sorry.
Adam Buxton· Guest1:07
Fine, yeah.
Romesh Ranganathan· Host1:07
[laughs] But you shook your head.
Adam Buxton· Guest1:08
[laughs] Oh, I was just like, "But-" You went fine. Oh, fine. That's confusing, yeah.
Romesh Ranganathan· Host1:12
Yeah, it was confusing.
Adam Buxton· Guest1:12
I'm cool. Not a problem.
Romesh Ranganathan· Host1:14
Um- That was a not a problem shirt. Yeah.
Adam Buxton· Guest1:16
Yeah, exact- thanks, Adam. Hello, this is Adam Buxton of the Adam Buxton podcast and other things. I'm gonna be on the Romesh Ranganathan podcast, and I'm very excited about it. Oh, there's gonna be bants