The Art Special : Sexy Art, Questionable Portraits and Romesh's Secret Talent

26 Aug 2026 · 33 min · 12 chapters

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In short

An “art special” where Romesh Ranganathan and his mother, Shanti, play a painting-guessing game from verbal descriptions (e.g., The Scream, Birth of Venus, Mona Lisa, The Persistence of Memory). They also do a listener-driven segment to draw each other’s portraits using pens, then listeners vote. The episode includes discussion of Romesh’s “art” purchases (including Kama Sutra wall prints) and a story about explicit porn wallpaper in a West Hollywood toilet.

Key claims

Shanti says she won a school public reading prize four years in a row; Romesh claims he was “the goat” reader.

Notable examples

The verbal clues lead to Edvard Munch’s The Scream, Botticelli’s Birth of Venus, Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, and Salvador Dalí’s The Persistence of Memory.

Guests

No guest celebrities; main “guests” are Romesh’s mother Shanti and the show’s team. Listener guest: Rachel (NYC) suggests the portrait-painting idea; Steph emails about a Tesco birthday card using Romesh’s likeness.

Written by AI. May contain mistakes. Listen to the episode to check what was said.

Chapters

Tap a time to open that second in VO

Discussing the Art Special

0:46 to 2:40

Romesh and Shanthi talk about the theme for today's episode, focusing on art.

“and they're actually very attractive people.”

Art Game Introduction

2:41 to 4:08

Romesh introduces an art guessing game but humorously notes legal restrictions on showing images.

“For our art special now, we are going to do an art game.”

Art Game Introduction

4:09 to 5:05

Romesh introduces an art guessing game but humorously notes legal restrictions on showing images.

“For adults with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis symptoms, every choice matters.”

Playing the Art Game

5:40 to 10:32

Romesh and Shanthi participate in an art guessing game, showcasing their humor and interactions.

“Man on a bridge with his mouth wide open.”

Art Collection Discussion

10:33 to 14:03

Romesh and Shanthi discuss their opinions on owning and valuing art, leading to personal anecdotes.

“Mum, how much would you pay for the Mona Lisa to have it in your house?”

Listener Questions Introduction

14:03 to 17:10

The hosts discuss listener questions and encourage audience interaction.

“And then I said, excuse me, can I go to the toilet?”

Drawing Each Other's Portraits

17:11 to 22:20

Romesh and Shanti engage in a humorous segment drawing each other’s portraits.

“This episode is brought to you by Nordstrom.”

Listener Artwork and Reactions

22:21 to 24:25

The hosts react to a listener's drawing and discuss the quality humorously.

“Hi, Romesh Shanti and the team of monsters.”

Romesh's Poetry and Reading Skills

24:26 to 28:00

Romesh shares stories about his past successes in poetry and reading aloud.

“He used to win first English, they do an exam or whatever.”

Reading Aloud Competition Debate

28:00 to 29:48

A lively discussion about Romesh's skills in reading aloud and competition experiences.

“Yeah, it's like I'm as good at reading out loud as you are at being a doubting little prick.”
Show all 12 chapters

Recognition and Cynicism

29:48 to 31:22

Romesh shares his pride in his reading achievements while addressing skepticism.

“I've learned something new about you, and I'm very proud of you.”

Recognition and Cynicism

33:09 to 33:28

Romesh shares his pride in his reading achievements while addressing skepticism.

“Back to School season is officially here, and DeeDee's has everything on your list.”
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Transcript

Automatic transcript. May contain errors.

0:00Romesh Ranganathan:What's up, fuckface? It's the Romesh Ranganathan show. It's Thursday and you know what that means. I'm here with my mother, Madame Shanthi Ranganathan. Hello. Okay. And the team. I give them a hard time, but I do love them and they're very attractive people. Oh, thanks Rom. That's actually really kind. I guess that's because I thought we'd put French sort of music under this whole intro. Oh, okay. Should I do it with a French accent? Yeah, maybe like amorous sort of vibe.

0:31Romesh Ranganathan:Hello, and welcome to the Ramesh Ranganathan Show. It's Thursday, and you know what that means. I'm here with my mother, Madame Shanti Ranganathan, and the team. I give them a hard time, but I do love them, and they're actually very attractive people. Every Thursday, we discuss Monday's episode, and we answer your questions and dilemmas. Love, work, pet dramas, we're here for it. What, sorry? We're here for it. Pet dramas. We're here for it. What do you mean? Pajamas. Pet dramas. Pet dramas. Pet dramas. Pet dramas. Pet dramas. Oh, pet dramas. We're here for it. You see what happens when the animals get above themselves.

1:20Romesh Ranganathan:They start to think they are people. Maman, this episode is an art special. So the team would like you to pretend you're an artist and the camera is a canvas. So without touching it, can you use the paintbrush as a prop and introduce the show today like an artist? Go for it. Okay. Hello. A little bit of French would be great. I can't do French accent. But I do my best. Okay. Welcome to Ramesh Ranganathan show. I'm Shanti enjoy the show good luck see you soon really good yeah

2:12with me Shanti on Monday

2:17Romesh Ranganathan:we had the very funny and talented American actor Michael Urie on his Emmy nominated for Shrinking an Apple TV show He's in with Harrison Ford. He's in the show with Harrison Ford. Harrison Ford. I know. Yeah. I know him. Han Solo. You know? So, Mum, you're basically you, me, Michael Urie, Harrison Ford. That's our connection. You're very close to Harrison Ford. Am I? Yeah. Michael Urie is great. Uh-huh. Okay. Great. Good. For our art special now, we are going to do an art game. Now, we'd love to show you some famous paintings, but legally we're not allowed. Well, within a certain... it depends what sort of...

2:58Romesh Ranganathan:I think the laws are 100 years... within 100 years you're not allowed to show, but we could show classical works if we wanted, like the Mona Lisa or... Fuck me. Okay. So instead, the team are going to describe the paintings to us, and me and mum have to guess the artwork and the art... Are you joking? I don't know anything about art. So it's like Pictionary. If Pictionary had no pictures, and the people describing them were hideous. Mum, how much do you like art? I do like art. I'm not good at it. Who's your favourite artist? What's his name? Willy Wonka? Willy Wonka's good. Yeah.

3:40The artist became after his death.

3:45Romesh Ranganathan:The artist became after he died. Bangor. Bangor. That's what I'm trying to say. Okay. So. What's your favorite picture of this? What's the point in becoming famous after you died? Well, it's not about being famous, is it? It's about, you know, contributing some art to the world. The paintings became famous. Pardon? The paintings. Yeah, but still, you've made a contribution to the world's culture. World's culture. You know, that's what I hope will happen after I die with Weakest Link. Let's start. For adults with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis symptoms, every choice matters. Tremphaya offers self-injection or intravenous infusion from the start.

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5:39Romesh Ranganathan:What's the first one? Man on a bridge with his mouth wide open. Okay. I know this one. You do? Yeah. First to buzz in. Can you do it in a French? Thank you. Romesh. It's the scream, right? Bye. Munch? Yeah. Edvard. Edvard Munch. One point to Romesh. One point to Romesh. Didn't know that one? Yeah. That one. Nah. Homelon. Okay, go on. What's the next one? Naked lady emerging from a large shell.

6:19Romesh Ranganathan:When Lisa and I went to Sarny last year. Why did you put her in a shell? We had this thing. I was playing Sebastian. She said the accent was a bit offensive, so I had to stop doing it. We went to this other crab. He was called Bakesh. and we felt it was sort of slightly worked a bit more and then I was like oh my god you're coming out of the shell or niggard so she thought she had to do an Asian accent I said I think it doesn't really work when it's coming from you she's going oh bloody hell I'm so horny after coming out of this shell I said I don't think you should do that we had a bit of an argument anyway it doesn't matter it was a fun holiday I don't know the answer to this what was it?

7:02I don't know the answer Birth of Venus

7:04Romesh Ranganathan:by Botticelli oh yeah good one I don't think I have to get Aki, you bet. It's a good one. It's a good picture. I'm probably Botticelli's best. What's the best... What's the gentleman's name you said? Botticelli. Botticelli. Who's the singer? Pavarotti? No. Andrea Botticelli. Botticelli, yeah. Botticelli, yeah. You're confusing me with the painter. Oh, sorry. Okay. Woman smiling slightly. I know this one, but let's see. No, I haven't got a clue about artists. Rom, if you maybe do an impression, I think you know. You do an impression and see if you can guess it from the impression. That's the impression?

7:51That's actually not bad. This is like... I think your arm's like clasped.

8:02No idea. Anybody else?

8:06Romesh Ranganathan:They all know. Okay. How about, let me try a different way. Because I'm difficult to find it. Most famous painting in the world. She isn't half miserable. Sometimes you call my wife this. Mo, Mona Lisa? Mona Lisa? Yes!

8:29Romesh Ranganathan:She's not getting a point for that. One each. One each. That is insane. Yeah. Okay, this is a decider. What do you think of my impression now that you know the picture? You are superb. I love it, man. When you do the impression. No, the Mona Lisa. Mona Lisa, I thought... She put it side by side. Side by side. Yeah. Okay. What's the next one? This is the decider now. So whoever gets this wins. So listen up. Loads of melted clocks.

9:04Romesh Ranganathan:I can't remember what it's called.

9:09Romesh Ranganathan:Yes, Shanti.

9:13No.

9:14Romesh Ranganathan:No. It's a weird decision to buzz, I'd say. You're thinking, if you get to know the artist, I'll give you a point. Here's a clue. You make one of your dishes that you make regularly. Sounds a bit like his name. Lasagna? Yeah. Peter lasagna.

9:44Obedee curry. Obedee curry.

9:50Romesh Ranganathan:Mutton curry. Yes, mutton curry. James mutton curry.

9:59Romesh Ranganathan:Vegetable dish. Vegetable dish. Vegetable dish? Yeah, vegetable dish. You trained mum to not do anything in Brazil. She just repeats what you're saying. No, the aubergine curry. Yeah, aubergine curry. Yeah. That's his name? Yeah. I can't remember what the picture is. Is it a picture called Time? No. Salvador Dali, is it? Dali. Dali. Dali. Dali. Oh. The persistence of memory. Oh, okay. That's quite difficult. Great picture, though. That's our game. That's the our game. Yay!

10:39Romesh Ranganathan:Stop that for me. Mum, how much would you pay for the Mona Lisa to have it in your house? I don't know anything about painting. There's a big space in my kitchen. And I'm looking around to get a painting from that place. I've got about six bits of art in my house that I haven't figured out where to put yet. You might only give me one. You can have one if you want. Please. Yeah. Yeah? Yeah. When you go home, you'll forget, man. Probably. I'm just letting you know that sounds quite... The fact that you've got works of art. Well, it's not Munch's scream. It's like just stuff like I saw a nice picture and I bought it, but I can't figure out where to put it.

11:20Romesh Ranganathan:I've never bought art, I don't think. Have you? No. I mean like prints and stuff. It's not really... I'm making it out like... I'm not like an art collector. So would you go to like fairs and stuff? No. No, like a gallery. Yeah. Would you go to private exhibitions where you purchase art? No. Where do you go by art? You say... Online, mostly. Oh. Are you talking about posters? No, paintings. Paintings? I've got one in my office. Man, when I said to you, I'm looking for a nice painting. Yeah. Why didn't you offer me one? Why? You're my son. Can I be honest with you? I think you've dialed up the drama a little bit disproportionately to the situation.

12:00Romesh Ranganathan:Why are you so angry about that? I'm not... Do I look angry? Yeah. The reason I thought you were angry is because you look and are behaving angry. Son, why never you didn't offer me the painting? Good. It's a good second attempt. I would say split the difference. Romy. I still think you're too far in one direction. Okay. Try it more naturally. Romy, why didn't you offer me one of your paintings? You know I have got a big space in my kitchen. You can have one of my paintings. It was negligent of me to not offer you one. Thank you. Yeah, you can do that. So when can I collect it? You can collect it whenever you want.

12:46Romesh Ranganathan:Maybe come around and have a look at what I've got and then you can take one. You have got so many of them? I've got like four, I think. Who did you buy for? For myself. Where are you going to put it? I don't know. I know you've got lots of pictures of Kama Sutra. Oh my gosh, you know, that is actually true. Yeah, all the position. If you don't know, you can look at Romesh's pictures. Where? On the bedroom, going to the bedroom. On the wall? On the wall. In his bedroom, around the wall? No, no. So you can just choose one and do that one tonight. Yeah. No, as you're going up the stairs, there's like on the wall, there's all the different positions of the corner.

13:30Hamasutra.

13:30Romesh Ranganathan:But it doesn't look that sexual. I know that sounds weird. It is sexual. If you're horny, it will look nice. Yeah, you're right. The number of times I've just sat in front of those pictures masturbating. Have you ever been in the toilets? This is quite a wanky story, but the toilets in Sower House, West Hollywood. I know exactly what you're talking about. It looks like this really nice sort of designed wallpaper. Yeah. And then you get close to it and it's all explicit porn. No, not even positions. Explicit. Really. And it's like a place where kids go in for that toilet. I had a meeting there about a new show.

14:05Romesh Ranganathan:And then I said, excuse me, can I go to the toilet? And then they had to end the meeting because I was gone for two and a half hours. Were you banking? Great question.

14:18Romesh Ranganathan:Anyway. Nothing like an art specialist. Yeah, yeah, yeah. So, Mum's going to come and get, you can come and get a picture, Mum. Thank you so much. No problem. Very kind of you. Yeah, great. Okay. It's time for listener questions, where people sending questions, moving on to our listener questions we've got some listener questions we love your suggestions we've got some listener questions okay keep sending us please your whatsapp messages and voice notes to 07731 623355 or email podcast at rangaby.com and please for god's sake if you haven't already can you please like and subscribe wherever you get your bloody podcasts I can't believe you're listening and watching this when you haven't bloody liked and subscribed.

15:02But they are. Wow.

15:04Romesh Ranganathan:But if you are, good. Thank you. But if you haven't, bloody, bloody get it sorted out. Bugger. You should see the percentage of people that watch it who aren't subscribed. It's high. It's higher than you think. You bloody fucking hell. Oh, please do that. You silly buggers. What are you doing that for? Bloody. Tell her, mum. What? Like and subscribe. Come on, like and subscribe. It will be helpful. We can do more shows for you and you can ask any amount of questions personal questions anything about sex I'm here to answer thank you so much there you are yeah bloody okay our first question is from New York City Rachel okay let's hear it hi Ramesh and Shanti Rachel from New York here I'd love an episode where you paint each other's portraits Shanti I'd really like for you to focus on getting the facial features as accurate as possible.

16:02Thanks. Love the show. Love you, Shanti. Bye. Fuck.

16:07Romesh Ranganathan:And that's why you've got the... Oh, really? Thanks for explaining. Yeah. So we've now got to draw each other. Each other? Yeah. For God's sake, no. What do you mean? Take your bloody hat off, then. Okay. Take your bloody hat off, then.

16:28All right.

16:28Romesh Ranganathan:You got your bloody hat off? Look at your hair! So can you use all these pencils now? No, I think you just do it with your natural secretions.

16:41You are such a horrible boy to my mother.

Read the full transcript

16:44Romesh Ranganathan:Right, what colour would you like? I like the blue. Blue? Which blue? The pink. Give me the pink. You want this one? Yeah, please. Yeah, I'm using that. No, I'm joking. Here you go. Why are you using pink? Okay, blue then. No, okay, that's no more logic to use in blue. We're drawing each other, so what are you doing? So give me a black. You are black. Give me the black one. Okay, here you go. Okay, so... This episode is brought to you by Nordstrom. For 125 years, Nordstrom has been part of your story. The stylist who found the perfect outfit for your big interview. The first pair of walking shoes for your one-year-old.

17:23The tomato soup you shared with your sister at the cafe. These are the moments that make Nordstrom, Nordstrom. Big or small, we're here for all of it. Celebrating 125 years with new moments still add. Discover it all in Nordstrom stores and at Nordstrom.com. Should she say that about the kisses? Is that weird?

17:44Romesh Ranganathan:She doesn't care. She presses send. This is the love story of real hinge couple Daniel and Roisin. Written and read by me, Rufy Thorpe. Listen to the free audiobook now. We're going to draw a portrait of each other. Yeah. And then the listeners and viewers are going to decide a winner. Okay, right. Who's done the best one. Okay. So how do you normally start when you're drawing somebody? Put the eye first. Yeah. Don't take the piss with the eye, please.

18:17Romesh Ranganathan:And you're paying me to talk us through what you're feeling, the emotions going as you paint. Try and paint a picture with words whilst you paint a picture with pens. Okay, so all right, I'm doing the nose. I'm doing it in French. Okay, so I have to try and capture the beauty of my mare.

18:39Romesh Ranganathan:What are the emotions? I have these felty pens, which are my tool of choice. What core emotions does your mother make you feel? As I drew her, I think about all of the times that I developed a little bit of self-esteem and then she turned up to shit on it. Trying to capture that. And Shanti, what's going through your head? What are you trying to focus on there? He got a beautiful face. It's finally difficult to put it on paper. But I'm trying my best. I don't know what to do with those eyes. That's what the doctor said. Mine looks quite...

19:30Romesh Ranganathan:No mum's got a beautiful face So have you Gorgeous woman I'm not sure I've captured Her femininity In my drawing

19:48Romesh Ranganathan:Don't make me look like a man This is such a fuck up Shanti don't show Ron but can you just show us your drawing quickly? There he is. That's really good. Beautiful. Then Ron... I can't show you mine. Don't show Shanti, but just show us quickly.

20:12Romesh Ranganathan:It's an interpretation as hell. Variation on a theme. I feel like we get the idea for both of them. We could do a...

20:28Romesh Ranganathan:So I think on the count of three, turn and show each other. One, two, three. Bloody hell. Jimmy Sala.

20:49It is actually quite Savile-like.

20:51Romesh Ranganathan:what the hell is that by the way that does look like Jimmy Savile fucking hell what happened with the eyebrows they go off her face I know so I I didn't why is she got a ferret on her head I was trying to do that bit where she's got her hair swept across look at this what is that yours looks like the missing link what's the link everything is there your mouth here That looks like a monkey. No, it's not. Or it looks like a yeti or something. Very worried, isn't it? It's quite atmospheric. It's got the weight of the world on his shoulders. When I talk to you, that's the way you look. There is a sort of energy to that.

21:38Romesh Ranganathan:It's quite impressive. This is ridiculous. Yours looks like somebody sort of shouldn't be allowed in their school. That feels like one of their police drawings, doesn't it? Yeah, that's right. It feels like a court drawing. Yeah, don't approach this man. Miley was drawing. Can I just say, you've got the solution. You don't need to go to Roms to get the painting. No, I'll take this. There you go. Fuck you, Romy.

22:05Romesh Ranganathan:Okay. I don't want it. It just got away from me. It started quite well, and then once you've lost it, it's gone. Anyway, please vote for your favourite in the comments. So congratulations, Mum, we should just say. Next up, we've got an email from Steph. Hi, Romesh Shanti and the team of monsters.

22:28Romesh Ranganathan:We love the podcast and listen every Monday and Thursday. The Thursday episode has been a family favourite, which raises questions about our competence as parents. I try and skip over the X-rated filth either end. My daughter, 13, knows I'm a huge fan of yours and drew Romesh in my birthday card. I thought you might like to see. Shout out to Juno, the artist. Let's have a look. Oh, it's actually very good. It's good. Really good. That looks like it's taken from my irrational tour poster, just based on the colours and the facial expression. I am actually on a birthday card in Tesco's. Yeah? They've done this thing, and I don't know what the legalities of this is.

23:10Romesh Ranganathan:I don't care, by the way. but they've taken like likenesses of people and put them into, onto cards. So you don't, it doesn't say that it's you, but it, you know, it's pretty obvious. It's definitely meant to be you. Yeah. What's it saying? Uh, goodbye. It's like something sarcastic, like goodbye to another year or something like that. What's my legal position on that? I think you're, I think it depends how like, how much they've ripped off your likeness. If it's illustrative, I'm not sure you could, we could still try and sue them. and we could get a legal team together. Yeah, can we do that, please?

23:43Romesh Ranganathan:Yeah. Yeah. I think it's quite a small company, so I'd love to shut them down. Yeah. Keep up the good work. I wish I had disgusting photos of toenail fluff to send you, but sadly my feet are exemplary. With love, Steph. And once again, we are still getting toenail photos. I do want to take this opportunity to say, please stop sending them. The team are getting incredibly upset. Genuinely, the other day, it sounded like someone had let a firework off at a zoo, the noises they were making. And it's because of the toenail photos. Please stop sending them. They're either screaming or they're wanking.

24:18Romesh Ranganathan:It has to stop.

24:22Romesh Ranganathan:Mum, when we did art at school, did you ever like it? Was I good at drawing then? Or me and Dinesh? Were there any pictures that you liked? Yeah, you were. Some of them, yeah. Some of them, yeah. I've never been good at drawing. I was quite a good poet. I got published as a poet. That's here? I can't remember. He used to win first English, they do an exam or whatever. You always, four years in a row. No, this is actually, this is a bit nerdy. It's actually not a bit nerdy, very nerdy. It was the public reading prize. Reading prize, yeah. I won four back to back. Really? Yeah. They had to stop entry.

25:09Romesh Ranganathan:It's like Cuba in the DMC. He's a fucking loser. He said, hello, we don't think Ramesh is ever going to have sex. It's like you have to read a bit from your favorite book out loud. So tragic, isn't it? Which book did you read from? I can't remember. One of them was Terry Pratchett. I remember that. I can't remember the others. But yeah. Did you do it in your normal voice? Did you put on a reading voice? I tried to give something to the delivery. You know? We sort of... I imagine you sort of like engaging like a slightly thespian version of yourself. I would say it's thespian, but, you know, I gave a little bit.

25:57Romesh Ranganathan:It's a shame I don't have a book here otherwise I could have demonstrated. Do you want to... I could define a poem. You could do a bit of... No, let's not do that. The principal rang me and said, if you don't mind we want to give it to a different boy because he has been winning every year couldn't they have just given it to someone else though that's what they did I think it's because it was clear who the champ was you were that good at reading out a story reading out a story compared to everyone else yeah in right grade grammar why are you sounding so well it's like it's reading out a story yeah and I was better than the other everybody was doing that it's like a subjective thing I get it if I was like if I was reading out a story and the other person was doing gymnastics, I get why you'd...

26:39Romesh Ranganathan:I get that. You know, in that competition, I don't... But everybody's reading out... Everyone's like, well, stumbling over their words. They're not stumbling over their words, but they weren't giving it the fucking level of showbiz that I was. I'm great at reading. You were the best. So you were giving loads of emotion, were you? Why do you find that so hard to believe? No, no. Okay. Are you a sort of like participation medal kind of guy? What does that mean? Well, it means like some people believe in like if you are the best, you should get the award for being the best. Other people are like, well, everyone really tried, so they should get a medal too.

27:15Romesh Ranganathan:I just don't know how these other people were so bad that they weren't any sort of... They weren't so bad. I was just better than them. I was the Max Verstappen of reading out loud. But your range is sort of... I was the Michael Jordan of reading out loud. It's just reading, isn't it? I was a Lionel Messi of reading out loud. How many people entered this competition? Well, I think each class nominated their best reader. So more than 10 people reading? Yeah. And you're telling me nine of those people didn't come anywhere close to you that they could have said, yeah, give it to them this year. They were that much worse than you.

27:49Romesh Ranganathan:Correct. They weren't worse. They were just coming up against the goat. What am I supposed to say? It's like going, you know. There's no way we can give the award to anyone else. Yeah. Yeah, we'll have to phone his mum. Because of his range of oratory skills. Yeah. So out of this world, different. Yeah, it's like I'm as good at reading out loud as you are at being a doubting little prick. Does that example help? Rami, read a book for us. Does that analogy help you? I just can't imagine it. Well, it still happened. Things happen that you can't imagine. Is it Ron being good at reading? It's a combination of that.

28:29Romesh Ranganathan:I can so imagine you are good at reading. You read aloud a lot and you're great at it. That's actually one of the things you do day to day. So I can see why that's a skill that you've got. The idea that you are head and shoulders above anyone else in your school at reading aloud. You're reading aloud. So is everyone else though. That's what I don't understand. Everybody else is also reading aloud. You're reading aloud. You're reading aloud. How are you beating the other? They're also reading aloud. We're all doing the same thing. Well, that's exactly what I was going to say. If it was like sports day.

29:03Romesh Ranganathan:I get it. Oh, okay. I'd understand it then. If you were jumping an extra four feet in the air on the high jump, well, obviously he's going to win every year. You're reading aloud. It's like, just teach one of the kids to not stumble once. It wasn't about stumbling, baby. It was about adding a little bit of zzzzzz. Je ne sais quoi, you know? So you were giving it loads of emotion. I fucking smashed it. Okay. Well, congratulations. Back to back. They had to retire me from the competition. I was the fucking champ. Reading an ad, yeah. Yeah. What is it about that you can't accept? No, I now accept it.

29:38Romesh Ranganathan:Are you sure?

29:42Romesh Ranganathan:At that time, I was... Is that 14, 15? Well, 11, 12, 13, 14. Back to back, baby. I've learned something new about you, and I'm very proud of you. Well done. It doesn't feel like you are. You spent the whole time trying to disprove it. I can't... Reading loud? How could you... I was the fucking champ. You need to recognise. I was the fucking best. I retired all those other little pricks and then eventually they said, can you stop entering because you're so fucking good. Were you bringing... Have you got the medals or anything? Yeah. There was a prize, yeah. Can you bring them in next? So that you can throw them to the ground?

30:18No. I'd just like to see them.

30:19Romesh Ranganathan:You got a prize for this? No, it's... What do you call it? It's like a... Certificate. No. Oh, what? It's a plaque? What is that? A plaque, yeah. A plaque, yeah. Yeah. You've got a plaque? Yeah, yeah, for that. But we had to give it back. We had to give it back. You had to give it back? Give it back. So we kept it for four years. Have you got photos of it? I have one. I have to dig into it. Okay. Here's a quick... Okay, listen. First of all, let's assume that your cynicism is correct, okay? Here's my counter question to you. Who the fuck would make that up as a flex? What do you think we have got to stand to gain by making up a story of me going back to back to back to back in the reading out loud competition at school?

31:11Romesh Ranganathan:Do you not think between us we'd have concocted something a little bit more impressive than that? It's a valid point. Great. that's all we got time for you little bitches we'll be back on Monday with another brand new crackalacking episode mom do you want to say bye bye bye everybody please keep on sending comments and email and text tongue of gooch you silly fucks peace out peace out I am the reading goat motherfucker nobody reads like me back to back to back to back baby everybody else had to put their books away huh? I sleep on it she sleeps on it thank you so much for watching and listening to this episode before you go if you've enjoyed this episode and you've not subscribed that's a bold decision crazy behaviour follow and subscribe to the Romish Ranganathan show wherever you listen it helps me really like really helps me it helps the team and it costs you absolutely nothing we drop episodes every Monday and Thursday Mondays I'm joined by great guests.

32:21Romesh Ranganathan:Thursdays my mum Shadi joins me to answer your questions and family dilemmas. We'll see you Monday with another great guest. I'm back here with mum on Thursday. If you've got a problem you want to solve or a story you want to share, send it to podcast at rangabi.com, voice not or text us on 07731 623 355. We can't promise good advice, but you might end up on the show. See you soon. Oh, shut up, Romesh. Should she say that about the kisses? Is that weird? She doesn't care. She presses send. This is the love story of real hinge couple Daniel and Roisin, written and read by me, Rufy Thorpe. Listen to the free audiobook now.

33:06This episode is brought to you by DeeDee's Discounts. Back to School season is officially here, and DeeDee's has everything on your list. I'm talking bold styles, cool kicks, backpacks, and even dorm room essentials. All the prices that won't hurt your wallet. So don't sleep on Dee Dee's. Whether you've got a second grader or a sophomore, Dee Dee's has your whole family covered. Find a Dee Dee's discount store near you and go check it out today.

From the publisher

Are Romesh and Shanthi gifted artists?

In this Thursday episode of The Romesh Ranganathan Show, Romesh and Shanthi get in touch with their artistic side - welcome to The Art Special!

From discussing buying art (aka poster prints), to the seductive wallpaper that Romesh couldn't ignore, Romesh and Shanthi discuss their favourite artists and try their hand at drawing each other, with surprising results.

Elsewhere, Romesh considers whether he needs to take legal action on a birthday card situation and reflects on the talent that led him to be a four-time champion (a podcast exclusive).

A Ranga Bee Production in partnership with Platform Media.

Chapters

00:00 Intro

02:48 Does Shanthi like art?

04:08 A game of art

9:11 Art in the home

12:12 Sexy wallpaper

12:57 Listener questions

14:14 A drawing request

18:13 The reveal

20:01 A sketch and a birthday card

22:04 Romesh’s public reading success

29:04 Outro
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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