1. You're described in your bio as an 'everyman'.
When you walk down the street do feel like you understand those around
you? When is the last time you were on the street and didn´t understand
someone with your powers of everyman-ness?
I'm not really sure. I think my "everyman" tag comes from the fact that my comedy is fairly all-inclusive, I'm not really political, offensive or touching on any subjects which might be considered too niche or specialised, so I have a fairly wide appeal.
I'm not really sure. I think my "everyman" tag comes from the fact that my comedy is fairly all-inclusive, I'm not really political, offensive or touching on any subjects which might be considered too niche or specialised, so I have a fairly wide appeal.
In all
honesty, I've always felt a bit of an outsider, I've never really felt
like I've belonged to any majority group, at secondary school in London I
supported Ipswich whilst all around me were Arsenal, West Ham or Spurs
fans. So far in my life I've lived in Suffolk, Essex, London, Manchester
and now Wiltshire, so, geographically I can empathise with a lot of
different areas and people, which I think helps when I'm gigging around
the country.
Having said that there are lots of people I don't understand, Geordies mostly.
2. Sometimes the crowds can be rowdy. Hecklers might come forth and give a crack at a comic only to be shut down. Have you ever wondered what psychological damage a comedian could have on a heckler?
Not really, if I'm honest, if someone pops their head above the parapet at a comedy night then I think, to a certain extent, they are fair game and have to take whatever the comedian throws their way. However, I do think there are correct levels of response, I've seen far too many comedians immediately go for the "nuclear option" and completely destroy a heckler who was only having a bit of friendly banter. I guess when I'm on stage I do try to remember that even if someone is heckling and being a bit of a dick, they are a person with feelings and my job is to make everyone laugh not psychologically scar someone.
3. Considering you have been doing comedy for nearly 10 years, how do you remember everyone you meet? Have you ever been stuck by people recognising you when you have no idea who they are?
All the time, in lots of ways I have a dreadful memory, I usually survive meeting lots of people by calling everyone "mate" which can cover up a multitude of sins. As a comedian being in the spotlight there are invariably people you don't really know who know who you are, because they've seen you on stage. Usually if I meet someone and can't remember who they are I'll remember their name 5 minutes after saying goodbye.
4. Who is your harshest critic?
My wife. If she laughs at one of my jokes then I know it's absolute gold.
5. Is it hard to make a joke that doesn´t offend anyone?
Very. I think some people nowadays are actively looking for things to take offense at. I'm a fairly mainstream one-liner comic, more Milton Jones than Frankie Boyle and yet I've still upset people, for instance I used to do a silly joke about a news story where a man was convicted of having sex with a bicycle and I jokingly called him a "pedal-aphile" and on one occasion I had someone tell me that they thought it was disgusting that I was making jokes about paedophilia! I try not to offend anyone but, unfortunately, I think it's inevitable, someone, somewhere will take offence about almost anything.
6. Have you ever gone too far on stage? How did you resolve it?
2. Sometimes the crowds can be rowdy. Hecklers might come forth and give a crack at a comic only to be shut down. Have you ever wondered what psychological damage a comedian could have on a heckler?
Not really, if I'm honest, if someone pops their head above the parapet at a comedy night then I think, to a certain extent, they are fair game and have to take whatever the comedian throws their way. However, I do think there are correct levels of response, I've seen far too many comedians immediately go for the "nuclear option" and completely destroy a heckler who was only having a bit of friendly banter. I guess when I'm on stage I do try to remember that even if someone is heckling and being a bit of a dick, they are a person with feelings and my job is to make everyone laugh not psychologically scar someone.
3. Considering you have been doing comedy for nearly 10 years, how do you remember everyone you meet? Have you ever been stuck by people recognising you when you have no idea who they are?
All the time, in lots of ways I have a dreadful memory, I usually survive meeting lots of people by calling everyone "mate" which can cover up a multitude of sins. As a comedian being in the spotlight there are invariably people you don't really know who know who you are, because they've seen you on stage. Usually if I meet someone and can't remember who they are I'll remember their name 5 minutes after saying goodbye.
4. Who is your harshest critic?
My wife. If she laughs at one of my jokes then I know it's absolute gold.
5. Is it hard to make a joke that doesn´t offend anyone?
Very. I think some people nowadays are actively looking for things to take offense at. I'm a fairly mainstream one-liner comic, more Milton Jones than Frankie Boyle and yet I've still upset people, for instance I used to do a silly joke about a news story where a man was convicted of having sex with a bicycle and I jokingly called him a "pedal-aphile" and on one occasion I had someone tell me that they thought it was disgusting that I was making jokes about paedophilia! I try not to offend anyone but, unfortunately, I think it's inevitable, someone, somewhere will take offence about almost anything.
6. Have you ever gone too far on stage? How did you resolve it?
I don't think so, although I was once struggling on stage and I told the audience that I couldn't go until I'd done my time as I wouldn't get paid, so I said I'd only get off if they had a whip round and paid me my fee. They, however, interpreted this as a call for them to throw coins at me, luckily none of them hit me and before the compere ushered me off stage I'd gathered up £11.50 in loose change.
7. Are your comedy lines as effective off stage as on it?
Sometimes, although if you asked my wife she'd probably say "no, never" as she tends to just roll her eyes when I make jokes at home (to be fair, they are mostly cheesy puns).
8. When did you know you wanted to be a comedy writer?
Looking
back I've always enjoyed writing and making people laugh, so I guess,
deep down it's something I always wanted to do. However it only really
became a viable option when I got into doing stand up about 10 years
ago.
