RHLSTP with Richard Herring RHLSTP 604 - Bilal Zafar
Mar 25, 2026
Bilal Zafar, stand-up comic and sketch writer known for sharp online shorts and his podcast Got A Problem Mate?, joins to chat viral sketches and the ‘Cheddar Beheader’ clip. They discuss puppet short Meeting Dad, improv and Twitch characters, spot-the-celeb Tube tales, breaking into TV and Edinburgh show plans. Expect relaxed banter and creative behind-the-scenes stories.
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Cheddar Beheader Sketch Went Viral
- A short sketch Bilal and Richard made about a fake serial killer went viral after a 30-second clip was posted.
- The clip hit 2.7 million views and many viewers believed it was real, including high-profile commenters.
Viral Clips Are Unpredictable
- Viral success is unpredictable and can come from a small clip finding the "right" audience at the right time.
- Bilal notes clips he thinks are funnier sometimes don't take off, while this particular 30-second excerpt exploded unexpectedly.
Meeting Dad Short Film Born From Improvisation
- Richard and Bilal made a short film Meeting Dad featuring Bilal's puppet Ali and improvised around a scripted premise.
- The shoot relied on loose improvisation and chemistry with actor Stevie Martin, making the final film feel natural and fun.
