Since the very inception of the podcast, I’ve been extremely lucky to have a handful of supremely talented writers and performers who have willingly returned to the show time after time and have become firm friends. The writer, ventriloquist and comedy historian Steve Hewlett has become someone of a regular contributor to the podcast over the years, the pinnacle of which came in October 2021 when we shared the stage at Gurnard Pines on the Isle of Wight for a Beyond The Title Live where we celebrated his heroes of comedy live on stage alongside the writer and comedian Phil Reid. Therefore Steve is a true friend of the show and no celebration of the podcast would be complete without an appearance from him and his old mate Arthur Lager.
2016 was also a big year for Steve when he was invited to go on tour with The Osmonds. This was Steve’s biggest project since he came fourth on Britain’s Got Talent in 2013 and it was unbelievable to think that the legendary Jimmy Osmond was now his boss. Despite not being alongside Donny or Marie, Steve’s contribution to two consecutive Christmas shows offered him unique insight into one of the most famous families in entertainment. Unfortunately since this tour, the great Jimmy Osmond has suffered from the effects of a debilitating stroke, forcing him to step back from the spotlight. However, Steve is extremely grateful for the support and encouragement that the former child star offered him and remains proud to have this achievement on his CV.
Our mutual passion for the golden years of Light Entertainment has always been the basis of our friendship. He might be one of the world’s greatest live ventriloquists but Hewlett is also a passionate and dedicated comedy historian with a soaring admiration for the golden years of Variety. Recording over two hundred episodes of his podcast series Eyes and Teeth offered him the opportunity to interview some of his heroes and revel in their work. This was something that he enjoyed immensely and went a fair way to fulfilling his duties to preserving the legacy of some of the greatest icons of traditional variety. Talking to legendary figures including Jimmy Tarbuck was a huge honour and was a sign that Hewlett is now part of the entertainment establishment.
As a podcaster, each time you interview someone, you’re stepping into the unknown, unaware of your subject’s responses or reactions. To be able to create a spark with a guest is a wonderful feeling and provides valuable reassurance that you’re not actually doing a bad job. Ever since we first met in February 2018, myself and Steve Hewlett have enjoyed a spark of mutual understanding that remains apparent whenever we are together. For this reason, he remains one of my favourite guests and any celebration of Beyond The Title wouldn’t be complete without him.
Beyond The Title