Mike Rice is probably THE guest this podcast has had so far who proved to be the best at impersonations and accent mimicry. During the course of this interview alone, he improvised a South London, a posh West London, a stereotypical Essex woman and a generic American accent. In his comedy routines and comedy special on Youtube, Mike has done a German accent in the context of WWIII jokes and he has also done an Indian accent. Did the last one cross the line? Between Mike’s inclination for dark jokes, there’s a lengthy discussion why it may not have and Mike’s intention with his jokes.
Mike explains the catholic hangover in the Irish parlance and how he went from semi-consciously ditching his Irish accent to pick up an American twang in the USA to embrace his Irishness and appreciate the beauty of how his father talks and what growing on a farm means.
Slightly further from the usual focus on accents, identity of this podcast, Mike accounts for his rebellious teenage years and the depression in his twenties, how he changed his outlook in life and how he balances a creative soul that isn’t afraid of showing vulnerability with an upbringing where he was expected to toughen up.
Mike’s podcast: Mike and Vittorio’s Guide to Parenting
Mike’s special on Youtube: An Irish Disgrace & Nasty Character
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Follow Mike on Instagram
Mike’s 2025 Edinburgh Fringe show
Mike is going on tour starting from November 2025. See his Instagram for tickets
Follow your host Kuan-wen on Instagram
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Intro
People making remarks about the Irish accent
An accent from rural Ireland and the catholic hangover
Mike’s family dynamics
Mike trouble-making teenage years and the school trip to Andorra (Part 1)
A discussion on using “That’s gay” as a punchline to a joke
When does a joke go too far? The intention and the context of a joke
Personality developed to deal with the environment
On doing accents
The school trip to Andorra (Part 2)
Rebellious teenager but also a sensitive soul
Pain and unhappiness in his 20s
Mike’s podcast output
Mike not seen as an outsider despite his accent
From disliking his Irishness to embracing it; an inferiority complex from not being able to wash away the farm smells
An advantage to be an Irish act in metropolitan England
Gigging in continental European cities
Irish descendants
Mike’s use of the English language and the books he read
Mike’s online following and his consistent stage/podcast/real-life persona
Mike’s social media
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