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Paul F. Tompkins (Tasting Menu)

Off Menu with Ed Gamble and James Acaster

1h 17m
Transcript

Original podcast

Summary

Written by a model from the transcript; not yet reviewed.

Returning fan favorite guest Paul F. Tompkins joins the hosts to react to a surreal dream tasting menu curated by another fan favorite, Alex Horn. Throughout the episode, the conversation spirals into bizarre comedic tangents, covering everything from hypothetical movie franchises based on novelty posters and custom-built orgy lifeguards to Catholic theology, purgatory, and childhood fears of the devil. The guest evaluates the chaotic meal—which includes items like squeezy primula cheese, hot dogs in penne, a Biscoff pop-tart, and a horrifying beverage combining mussel marinade and bread sauce—while maintaining a sharp, skeptical wit against the hosts' relentless improvisational traps.

  • Keep water and soft drinks varied because finding standard options can be surprisingly difficult in modern venues. 22:40
  • A small amount of heavy items like pork crackling goes a long way before becoming overwhelming. 40:23
  • Classic childhood favorite snacks like peanut butter cups and Milky Way bars hold up over time. 1:18:16
  • When facing repulsive or unusual food combinations, even just the smell can trigger a strong physical aversion. 1:15:18

Chapters

  1. 0:00
    Podcast Intro & Ad Segments

    Hosts Ed and James open the episode, announce a stand‑up tour and insert several product ads before launching the tasting menu segment.

  2. 3:07
    Paul F. Tompkins Returns for Tasting Menu

    Ed and James welcome Paul back, discuss his past appearances, and set up the tasting menu challenge for him.

  3. 4:52
    Ben’s Clap and Early Banter

    The hosts joke about Ben’s clap, discuss sound sync, and tease Paul’s reaction to the menu.

  4. 8:15
    Paul’s Reflections on Riyadh & Free Fringe

    Paul talks about being offered a low‑pay gig in Riyadh, his principles, and the hosts’ plans for a Riyadh Free Fringe event.

  5. 16:04
    Menu Design: Alien & Fart Themes

    The hosts brainstorm absurd menu concepts featuring aliens, fart humor, and a mock advertisement for Liquid Death.

  6. 18:00
    Food Product Imagination – Primula & Shrimpula

    They invent quirky food items like Primula cheese spread and shrimp‑flavoured spread, joking about their absurdity.

  7. 40:40
    Cozy Furniture Sponsorship Pitch

    The hosts deliver a commercial for Cozy furniture, tying it to the podcast’s dream‑meal theme and home comfort.

  8. 42:46
    Closing Ads & Wrap‑Up

    The episode ends with a series of product ads (Midi, BetterHelp, etc.) and a final thank‑you from the hosts.

  9. 46:16
    Cheese Variety and Starter Discussion

    The hosts debate the types of cheese in the dish and the role of Primula in the starters, highlighting the complexity of the menu.

  10. 48:02
    Jamie Oliver Pork Roll and Cultural Reception

    The conversation turns to the pork roll, its origin, and how Jamie Oliver’s attempts to promote healthy eating were met with backlash in the UK.

  11. 48:42
    The Pineapple Game Tradition

    The hosts explore Alex’s quirky pineapple guessing game, its origins, and the humorous stakes involved.

  12. 52:34
    Devil Themes and Religious Reflections

    They discuss the devil’s influence on Alex’s menu, personal beliefs about the devil, and reflections on Catholic concepts like limbo and hell.

Highlights

  • 7:34

    Turning Down Riyadhstory

    The guest explains that he turned down a thousand-dollar gig to emcee a comedy showcase in Riyadh because he has principles, noting that the low offer still required paying for his own flights and travel taxes.

  • 22:54

    Liquid Death Waterinsight

    The hosts and guest discuss the clever branding of Liquid Death water, joking that drinking it in a car looks like having a beer and leaves police officers completely powerless.

  • 31:13

    Mother in a Wigdebate

    The host admits he pictures the guest's mother as the guest himself wearing a wig, leading to a playful accusation of slow racism.

  • 55:41

    The Pineapple Gamestrategy

    The hosts explain a bizarre Christmas tradition involving counting the leaves on a pineapple, prompting the guest to playfully select historical figures to play along.

  • 1:03:29

    Communion Wafersinsight

    The guest recalls the sensory experience of Catholic communion wafers growing up, noting how the unleavened bread notoriously stuck to the roof of the mouth.

  • 1:08:21

    Mussel Marinade and Baileysdata

    The hosts detail a disgusting beverage from the curated menu consisting of mussel marinade juice, bread sauce, and a glug of Baileys mixed together in a tankard.

  • 1:15:46

    Colonoscopy Preparationstory

    The guest describes the awful experience of drinking the required medical preparation liquid prior to undergoing a colonoscopy.

Quotes

  • “Seventy-five percent of women who seek menopause care don't receive it.”
    Unnamed speaker · 0:25
  • “After my session and talking to my therapist and really feeling seen and heard for the first time, I just felt like a weight just was lifted off of my shoulders.”
    Unnamed speaker · 0:56
  • “You had to pay for your own flights as well though, right? Out of the 1,000.”
    Unnamed speaker · 7:57
  • “Liquid Death, you didn't see shit.”
    Unnamed speaker · 25:25
  • “The devil made me do it.”
    Unnamed speaker · 52:34
  • “It's a tribute to us, really.”
    Unnamed speaker · 51:56
  • “I love the devil iconography.”
    Unnamed speaker · 1:20:37
  • Midi 1:07:09–1:07:37
  • Series by Marriott 1:07:31–1:08:01
  • Ed Gamble 1:24:42–1:24:49

About this episode

Fan favourite from way back in Series 3 of Off Menu, US podcasting royalty and ‘Bojack Horseman’ star Paul F. Tompkins returns to the Dream Restaurant for a Tasting Menu. Listen to Paul’s original episode https://podfollow.com/off-menu-with-ed-gamble-and-james-acaster/episode/a5ad6b7939e359fd6be1d865f67996c3731d5a81/view Listen to Paul F. Tompkins’s podcasts ‘Spontaneanation https://podfollow.com/978516099’ and ‘Threedom https://podfollow.com/1437002676’ wherever you get your podcasts. Follow Paul on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/pftompkins/ and TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@paulftompkins @pftompkins Don’t forget, video episodes of Off Menu are out every Wednesday on our YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@offmenupodcast. Off Menu is now on YouTube: @offmenupodcast https://www.youtube.com/@offmenupodcast Follow Off Menu on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/offmenuofficial and TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@offmenuofficial: @offmenuofficial. And go to our website www.offmenupodcast.co.uk https://www.offmenupodcast.co.uk/ for a list of restaurants recommended on the show. Off Menu is a comedy podcast hosted by Ed Gamble and James Acaster. Produced, recorded and edited by Ben Williams for Plosive https://www.plosive.co.uk/. Video production by Ben Williams and Megan McCarthy for Plosive https://www.plosive.co.uk/. Artwork by Paul Gilbey https://www.instagram.com/pushgilbey/ (photography and design). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy https://acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcript

0:00
1:17:54

16,576 words · 7 speakers

Topics

  • Cozy
  • Liquid Death
  • pineapple game
  • Limbo
  • Christmas
  • Baileys
  • Taskmaster
  • Camden Hills
  • Peter tankard
  • Baileys Irish Cream

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