Comedians

Interview: Angela Barnes, Rose-Tinted

1 Comment

Angela Barnes is a down-to-earth, personable stand-up comedian who has been going from strength to strength in recent years. She has hosted the Radio 4 series NewsJack, as well being one of the generous comics behind the The Home Safe Collective, a charity that ensures female, trans and non-binary comics and performers have safe transport home from late gigs at the Edinburgh Fringe. MoodyComedy spoke to Angela about her new show, Rose-Tinted.

© Matt Crockett

Hey Angela, what’s changed since we last spoke?

Hello! Well one of the main things that has happened since we last spoke is that I handed over the hosting duties on NewsJack to the excellent Kiri Pritchard-McLean. I did 4 series and absolutely loved it – but it was time to move on to other things and let someone else have a go! Since then, I’ve made a second series of my Radio 4 show You Can’t Take It With You which aired in January and I still keep popping up on The News Quiz and Mock The Week etc.

What is the greatest compliment you’ve received about your comedy recently?

I wouldn’t usually like to boast, I’m not one for retweeting praise, for a start, it does no good for my self-deprecating image. But recently, when the second series of my Radio 4 show You Can’t Take It With You aired, Kathy Burke tweeted ‘I loved it too. You’re like the daughter I didn’t have because I didn’t want kids either,’ and I knew I could die happy. I am such a big fan of Kathy, that that was the highest compliment I could ever hope for.

How did you find the writing process for your new show, Rose-Tinted?

I really enjoyed writing this show. I think that because I’m doing a bit more radio and telly now, people have an idea of what I am about, and so I can now write a show without worrying about having to establish where I’m coming from at the start. That is very freeing and means I can get on with whatever it is I want to bang on about. I had a lot of fun in the process of putting this show together, and am really looking forward to getting it out on the road.

How has your mission to become more positive in the face of all the world’s negativity been going so far? Any advice?

Hahaha – I am not the person to come to for advice on looking for the positive. I wanted to try to look on the bright side in this show, but, spoiler alert, I don’t always succeed. Having said that, it has made me more aware of when I am catastrophising and to try to reign it in and look for the roses growing through all the shit. Though the world seems pretty determined to make it as hard as possible to do that…

Are there any places or venues that you are particularly excited to visit during your tour this year?

I’m always excited going to places I haven’t been before, so if anyone has any hot tips on visiting Market Drayton, Burton on Trent or Sudbury – hit me up! I always look forward to playing my hometown, the Hazlitt Theatre in Maidstone – I used to watch panto there every year as a kid, so it is so weird to be on that stage.  And wherever I go, I always look for the nearest nuclear bunker to visit – it’s kinda my thing – so need to do my research on that before I hit the road!

What have you learned about yourself or your craft over the past year?

2018 was a very busy year, which is great. I like being busy – doesn’t give my brain time to get too bogged down. I am finding my place in the comedy world I think – it’s so hard when you start out to know where you belong. 6 years ago, I wouldn’t have thought I’d be a topical comedian, or appearing on political shows – but it seems to be where I thrive, and I’m grateful that topical comedy found me. I have no grand plans – I am just enjoying the ride. I think this last year has taught me two things 1) hard work pays off and 2) I’m incredibly lucky to be able to do this, and I don’t want to ever lose sight of that. I get paid to muck about with excellent people. What a fluke.

What are your main hopes for this 2019 tour?

My main hopes are that people come along and have as much fun watching the shows as me and my brilliant support act, Phil Jerrod, have doing them.

BOOK TICKETS FOR ANGELA BARNES’ TOUR HERE

Interview: Stuart Goldsmith, End Of

Leave a Comment

Stuart Goldsmith is embarking on a UK tour of his latest stand-up hour, End Of. MoodyComedy had a chat with Stu about the crafting of his latest show, becoming a Dad again and being an interviewer of fellow comedians…

© Matt Crockett

Who is the comedian ‘Stuart Goldsmith’ these days?

Hah, nicely open question – these days he’s a touring act who’s managing to escape the circuit; he’s a father of two who is asking himself big questions about the next five years worth of work before both kids are flying a desk, e.g. working day-job hours at school; and he’s a slightly heavier man than before, but with none of the jolliness you’re supposed to get.

And who is the interviewer ‘Stuart Goldsmith’ these days?

About 6 months ago I started to hit a bit of a plateau with the pod overall, and doubted my stamina to continue it. Now though, i’m hatching a secret-ish plot to apply the interview techniques and ways of thinking I’ve honed in 7 years of podcasting in a frighteningly different field, and it’s had a really invigorating effect on my feelings towards the original pod. Plus recent eps have been some of the best; Andi Osho, Jeff Innocent, Phil Ellis, Doc Brown – there’s been some superb interviews in the last few months, so I’m going nowhere!

And what about the comedy fan ‘Stuart Goldsmith, how’s he?

Oh god he’s EXHAUSTED. There’s just so much stuff these days, and I think since he’s been obsessively watching and analysing comedy full-time for years, it’s harder for him to get excited about the more common forms of standup outside of his own work. He’s much happier watching a turbo-clown push carrots up their nose or fight their way out of an axolotl costume than hearing another hot take on Brexit or online dating. In many ways he’s happy that comedy is such a huge part of culture, but he’s also rueful that he turned his favourite thing into such an all-encompassing job…

Where did this new show, End Of, come from and how has it developed since last year’s Edinburgh Fringe?

I think it came from getting stopped in my tracks by a sense of my own mortality. A friend was diagnosed with something serious, and I also started to ruminate on my own perceived transformation from vital young man to sleep-deprived husk. Exactly as I’d fantasised about in my 2015 show Extra Life, but less metaphorically and more finally…

The show is about feeling spent. Having said that I have now had a break and I’ve been enjoying doing “greatest hits” sets in clubs, it’s made me raring to get back to the scripted tour show and really bite down on it with fresh energy…

Is End Of more the product of sitting down and writing, or brainstorming on stage?

Glad you asked! I have refined the creative process to yet another extreme, doing almost all my “writing” for this one whilst in the car on the previous tour. I suppose my dream is to one day be able to live broadcast a single hilarious stream of consciousness, and take the rest of the year off! The best bits are always the extra toppers and tags I throw onto the end of a good bit when a show is going tremendously well, and I’m pleased to say there have been more and more of those recently. I’m forgetting more cracking little new bots than I’m carrying forward.

Have you had any negative or challenging experiences with your podcast, The Comedian’s Comedian, recently?

Just the constant gnawing anxiety, about booking, researching and preparing for interviews. It’s extraordinary, quite pointless and won’t seem to go away. 

What is the biggest revelation you’ve had in the past year?

If you need to dissolve a pill in liquid to administer via a syringe, you can do it IN THE SYRINGE rather than outside and then try and suck up the gritty bits. Mind-blowing. Oh, and probably something about a second child and love being infinite.

BOOK TICKETS FOR STUART GOLDSMITH’S TOUR HERE

Interview: Nick Revell, BrokenDreamCatcher

Leave a Comment

Nick Revell is currently touring his latest show BrokenDreamCatcher on tour across the UK. With his trademark blend of realism and absurdity, Nick spoke to MoodyComedy about the development of his comedy and the thoughts behind his newest stand-up endeavour.

© Nick Revell

Hi Nick, how is 2019 treating you so far?

Hello MoodyComedy. 2019 is treating me pretty well so far, thanks. Apart from the prospect of environmental catastrophe, Brexit chaos, increasing global economic injustice and West Ham still lacking truly reliable strikers.

How did your new show BrokenDreamCatcher develop? How does it relate to your radio series of the same name?

I like writing structured stories, which mix the surreal and the everyday, and BrokenDreamCatcher was one of five or six I was putting together as solo shows and for the radio series. It’s the (true, of course) story of how my dreamcatcher breaks, all the bad dreams escape, and threaten to engulf the whole of North London in neurosis, fear and wholesale raving insanity. Luckily however, with the help of my pub darts partner, Gwyneth Paltrow, disaster is just about averted. It seemed like a good title for the series, but in fact in the end, the story is not in series one. It will air if we get a second series.

Who would most enjoy your comedy, and who do you think should give your comedy a try?

Well, I think anyone who likes a thriller or a fairy story with a twist or a satirical thread in their comedy might find them entertaining. You get topical stuff, you get satirical treatment of 4th century Christian hermits, you get fart jokes.

How has your comedy style evolved over your years in the business?

I guess you get more confident and more aware of what style and subjects suit you best. When you start out, you’re terrified, don’t really know what you’re doing and are imitating other people to some degree. None of that is wrong or avoidable, but as you go along, you find your own voice. I’m probably less ranty now, and more playful.

Where is your favourite place to perform?

The Stand – Glasgow, Edinburgh and Newcastle. And the King’s Head, Crouch End.

What most excites you about taking BrokenDreamCatcher on tour?

Hm…well, it’s the first time in ages I’ve had the chance to run a full-length show outside the Edinburgh Festival, and in many ways doing a couple of hours on your own is much more satisfying than short sets of twenty to forty minutes. It’s a challenge, but you can take the audience to different places, and play with more tones and threads. And of course, you discover out more about the show yourself every night. There’s a real joy in finding new details and improving it bit by bit every gig.

What can we expect to see from you in the future?

More shows in the same vien, I hope. I will definitely be back at the The Edinburgh Stand in August with a new one. I’ve written three so far. The Edinburgh show will probably be two of them mixed together – not sure of the title yet – could be Eurasia’s Most Eligible Sociopaths and Their Lovely Homes, possibly The Theme Park at the End of World, or maybe The Ministry of Thunderbolts and Lightning. Or, Kill Chicken, Scare Monkey. Or maybe Walk Fire Enter Demon. I’m looking at China, visiting the Underworld, and a political revolution triggered by irregularities in a Eurovision selection process.

BOOK TICKETS FOR NICK REVELL’S TOUR HERE

January Comedian of the Month #55, Georgia Hardstark and Karen Kilgariff

Leave a Comment
Each Comedian of the Month on MoodyComedy is a comic who has never previously featured on the website. Reasons for selection can include various current projects the comedian is involved with, or perhaps recent appearances on television programmes or podcasts. There is no strict criteria however, as Comedian of the Month simply stands as a collection of recommendations, highlighting interesting and original aspects of certain comedians and their work.

January’s Comedian(s) of the Month is the American comedy podcasting duo behind the hit series, My Favorite Murder.

Television host Georgia Hardstark and comedy writer and comedian Karen Kilgariff teamed up in 2014 to create the My Favorite Murder podcast, where they talk about the crime stories that have shocked them most over the years and shaped the way they view the world. They also talk about prolific murders from their hometowns as well as the hometowns of their listeners who send their stories in.

© My Favorite Murder

From JonBenét Ramsey to the Alphabet Murders, this podcast is for anyone who has an interest in murder and crime that they worry might be a bit unhealthy. And Karen and Georgia are here to tell us that it’s not abnormal (or at least, they are as abnormal as you). But with nearly a quarter of a million Twitter followers and over 300k page likes on Facebook, it’s clear that those of us who obsess a little over true crime are certainly not alone.

And even if true crime isn’t really your thing, it’s hard not to get drawn in by Karen and Georgia’s lighthearted conversations. They’re not afraid of taboo, and as a result, My Favorite Murder is a surprisingly liberating listening experience.

Devilishly funny and endlessly fascinating, these two comic minds have created a franchise like no other, and My Favorite Murder continues to go from strength to strength.

For more information, follow My Favorite Murder on Twitter, or visit their website.

COMEDIAN OF THE MONTH

Interview: Paul McCaffrey, I Thought I’d Have Grown Out Of This By Now

Leave a Comment

Paul McCaffrey is a stand up comedian with an abundance of live circuit experience, having performed all over the UK. He has also appeared on TV as one of the Impractical Jokers on BBC3, and performed the stand up spot on Russell Howard’s Good News. MoodyComedy spoke to Paul about his upcoming UK tour, I Thought I’d Have Grown Out Of This By Now.

© Brian Ritchie

Hey Paul, how are you?

I’m very well thank you. Just back off Holiday and ready to take on 2019. Really excited for my first tour!

What is the premise of your new show, I Thought I’d Have Grown Out Of This By Now?

It’s essentially a mix of my favourite bits from my Edinburgh shows to date as it’s my first ever tour, a ‘best of’ I guess. The majority of the show will be from a show I did in 2012 called ‘Pills ‘n’ Thrills and Belly Laughs’ which was about some friends and I going to a festival 20 years on from our first ever festival when we were older (too old) and wiser (not wise enough to realise this was a bad idea).

What has been the biggest challenge you’ve faced while crafting this latest show?

I guess what material to use and what to leave out. I’m very lucky to be in a position where I have more material than I need but it’s my first tour so I want it to be as good as possible.

Do you find you have a typical audience member or is your audience very diverse?

We’ll see, but I think my act is pretty accessible and I’d like to think anyone would enjoy it.

How do you tend to find your Cardiff audiences? Are you looking forward to playing our Glee Club in March?

I’ve always loved playing at the Glee Club on the weekend shows, it’s one of the best clubs in the country. I was at the Motorpoint Arena in November supporting Kevin Bridges and it was absolutely amazing. The last time I’d been in there was to watch Liam Gallagher so to get to perform on that stage myself was pretty cool. My mum is also Welsh so I definitely have a lot of love for Wales. I used to spend my summer holidays in Crickhowell as a kid and I have very fond memories of those times.

What would you like people to take away from your show; what do you want them to particularly remember?

I’d just like them to have a great evening really, nothing more than that, lots of big laughs and hopefully start to build and audience that will want to come out and see me again and again. I’ve spent a good few years headlining the various pubs and clubs on the circuit and supporting some of the biggest acts in the UK (Sean Lock, Lee Mack, Kevin Bridges) and would now like to step up a level and become a touring act myself.

What are your hopes for the next twelve months?

Just to keep improving as a comic and to hopefully get some more opportunities on TV. I would love to do Live at the Apollo and The Royal Variety Show particularly. Hopefully if I keep working and making audiences laugh, that will come. I’m heading up to the Edinburgh Festival again this year. I’m looking forward to that and I have an exciting radio project which is about to start which should be announced very soon.

BOOK TICKETS FOR PAUL MCCAFFREY’S TOUR HERE

Interview: George Lewis, A Man, A Plan, A Girl With Fake Tan

Leave a Comment

George Lewis is about to take his latest show, A Man, A Plan, A Girl With Fake Tan, on tour around the UK, after a successful run at the Edinburgh Fringe. MoodyComedy had a chat with George about his current hopes and fears…

© Richard Wood

Hey George, how did your 2018 Edinburgh run go? What was the highest point (other than Arthur’s Seat of course)?

Someone recognised me in the street and asked for an autograph. Turned out to be a case of mistaken identity in the end, but it was too late, I’d already taken my permanent marker to her kid.

Do you have any worries about taking your show A Man, A Plan, A Girl With Fake Tan on tour?

My wife’s nana is coming. I worry she won’t know how to behave at a gig and half way through will shout out something supportive. But I won’t be able to control my comic instincts. I’ll come back with an absolute zinger, completely humiliating her.

How has the content or structure of the show developed since your first performance of it?

On the 5th show, I forgot a bit so put it in later and it made the show much better. It was at that moment that I realised everything in life is down to chance and there’s no point planning anything. So I immediately went out and spent the house deposit I’d been saving for 10 years.

What, or who, would be your ideal audience?

Probably a gang of dogs. Then I could just throw some biscuits at them and take the hour off. They would leave very happy and I could go and get a massage or something.

How do you like to describe your comedy style? How has it changed since you first began performing?

I like to say I’m a very sexual performer.  I find that brings in a good audience. Perverts generally have loud laughs.

You’ve had a lot of experience performing in stand up competitions, what has this taught you about performing comedy?

It has taught me that there are so many amazing comedians out there, many of whom are not only talented, but lovely, kind people. And I intend to step on each and every one of them on my way to the top.

Where would you like to see yourself in a year’s time?

The thing that is keeping me up at night at the moment is the size of my baby. He’s massive. I worry that, if he keeps growing at this rate, a year from now he will be twice the size of me, but without the intellectual maturity to know he can’t just squeeze my face whenever he likes. At his current size, his face-squeezing is quite cute, even though it hurts a little bit. But a baby the size of a bear squeezing your face with all its power would result in serious harm. So, a year from now, I just pray that my wife and I are safe.

BOOK TICKETS FOR GEORGE LEWIS’ TOUR HERE

2018’s Contribution to TV Comedy

Leave a Comment

2018 was a solid year for British comedy on television. We had a deluge of excellent new sitcom series, particularly those with teenage protagonists, from the Northern Irish school kids of Derry Girls to Conor and Jock of The Young Offenders and Gloucestershire cousins Kerry and Kurtan in This Country. Dark and surreal comedy has also been thriving, with the return of Inside No. 9 and Flowers, and also Vic and Bob’s Big Night Out. This article will explore 2018’s TV comedy highlights (let’s just forget about that The Inbetweeners reunion, shall we?)

The Young Offenders © BBC

The fourth series of Inside No. 9, which broadcast at the start of January, certainly lived up to past instalments. The anthology series (created by Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton) dabbled in Shakespearean comedy, dark and twisted mystery and heart-breaking trips down memory lane. On Halloween, a special ‘live’ episode aired, which was a half hour of comedy that certainly divided its viewers (that is, those who didn’t accidentally tune out before the end…).

Inside No 9 © BBC

Another stand-out programme that no doubt every fan of dark comedy has watched this year is The End of the F****** World, which originally aired on Channel 4 in 2017 but was released on Netflix in January 2018. With short twenty-minute episodes, vibrant characters and unexpected plot developments, this series is a punchy rollercoaster unlike anything else. With a new series expected later this year, this is certainly not the last we will hear from murderous teens James and Alyssa.

This Country © BBC

February saw the return of This Country; one of the greatest new comedies of recent years. This mockumentary series about the lives of teenagers in rural areas has plenty unbearable moments of awkwardness that rival Ricky Gervais’ The Office. But the message is a rather sad one; these teenagers are limited in opportunity and experience. But Kerry and Kurtan (played by siblings, and writers of the show, Daisy May and Charlie Cooper) are, unsurprisingly, the stars of the show. Their childishness, pettiness and naivety is what makes This Country a stand out. The dialogue is always unexpected, which brings the hilarity, but all the while the message behind the humour really packs a punch.

Flowers © Channel 4/ Kudos Productions

Flowers is a truly beautiful tragic comedy. it picks up on family rifts, personal anxieties and implications brought about by mental health issues, alluding to them incredibly subtly in the characters’ actions and words. Series two, which aired in June, showed each character’s gradual demise to be looming ever nearer, often making for an uncomfortable watch (especially when our concern changes focus and hones in on Shun, who is struggling to come to terms with the loneliness he faces in this strange, foreign place). Flowers features stunning comic performances from Olivia Colman, Julian Barratt and Will Sharpe (who also writes and directs).

Gone Fishing © BBC

In July, Bob Mortimer and Paul Whitehouse brought us the hilarious and wholesome Gone Fishing; a documentary series for BBC2 about the beauty of natural wildlife and the importance of looking after our health. The two legendary comics (both now bordering on 60) have had their fair share of health scares in recent years, with both having experienced major heart problems that gave them a bit of a re-awakening. Mortimer and Whitehouse are clearly great friends and their shared humour makes this programme a thoroughly enjoyable watch.

Vic and Bob’s Big Night Out © BBC

And who could miss the return of Vic and Bob in Vic and Bob’s Big Night Out at Christmas? This revamp of Reeve’s old show format is exactly what we would expect from the absurd duo, with the addition of some up-to-date satirical references (featuring the likes of Piers Morgan and Donald Trump), as well as a visit from George Ezra. But some old favourites are back, including Graham Lister, The Man With The Stick and The Stotts.

So now that we’re comfortably into the flow of a new year, we can really start to look forward to what’s to come in terms of comedy on our TV sets (or laptops, or smartphones, or tablets, or microwaves). In 2019 we will be treated to new instalments of Inside No. 9, The End of the F****** World, This Country and Gone Fishing. Other returning programmes include a final series of Rob Delaney and Sharon Horgan’s Catastrophe as well as a TV series of vampire mockumentary film What We Do in the Shadows. But for now, perhaps a re-watch of some of the programmes above from 2018 will help fight the January blues.

THIS ARTICLE WAS ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON THE SPROUT

December Comedian of the Month #54, Liam Williams

1 Comment
Each Comedian of the Month on MoodyComedy is a comic who has never previously featured on the website. Reasons for selection can include various current projects the comedian is involved with, or perhaps recent appearances on television programmes or podcasts. There is no strict criteria however, as Comedian of the Month simply stands as a collection of recommendations, highlighting interesting and original aspects of certain comedians and their work.

Leeds comic Liam Williams has an acerbic demeanour; a comic voice that the ear can’t help but listen to. He’s a comedian who demands some kind of response from every listener, but not in a grandiose or loud way. He is a relatively quiet speaker, calculating and calm, and something about him is rather captivating.

Liam Williams

In 2014, Williams created a series of Comedy Blaps for Channel 4 which are still available on YouTube and All 4. This is a series of 3 short videos (around 4 mins each) which explore themes of ‘Things’ ‘Monotony’ and ‘Home’. Other creators of these comedy blaps include Rose Matafeo, Tez Ilyas and Sam Simmons.

These comedy shorts really showcase Williams’ writing skill. The narratives have unexpected twists, and the dialogue is sarcastic yet poetic, making an almost uncomfortable watch. And similarly, Williams’ BBC Radio 4 series Ladhood has the comic’s trademark aptitude for captivating description, teamed with his unmistakable deep, rumbling vocal delivery.

For more information, follow Liam Williams on Twitter, or visit his website.

COMEDIAN OF THE MONTH

The Adam Buxton Podcast

Leave a Comment

The story of Adam Buxton’s podcast begins with his old friend Louis Theroux. The first episode features a lengthy conversation between the pair about holiday buffet etiquette (with Louis being strongly against Adam’s habit of taking extras from the all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet to feed his family at lunchtime). This is somewhat the epitome of The Adam Buxton Podcast: Buxton sitting down with various friends (most of whom have a background in comedy, music or film) and just allowing the chat to meander wherever it does. And with someone like Buxton at the helm, having dipped his toes in some of the best quality comedy waters, from The IT Crowd, to Hot Fuzz, to Never Mind the Buzzcocks, the laughter comes frequently, and often from the silliest of things.

Beginning in September 2015, there have been over 80 episodes to date, and guests have included Simon Pegg, Romesh Ranganathan, Caitlin Moran and Michael Palin. Joe Cornish (from The Adam and Joe Show and also writer of Attack the Block) has even popped up a few times, to reminisce about their Radio 6 Music days and often just to have a general catch up. But the interviews with Theroux are amongst my favourites. The pair share a surprisingly similar sense of humour, so we get to see a different side to the typically serious and brooding journalist and presenter.

© Matt Crockett

There’s something intentionally rustic and homemade about the whole production of the podcast. This is surely partly down to the simplicity of the conversation format, but also because Adam records the opening and closing segments while out walking his dog, Rosie (the ‘Hairy Bullet’) in the East Anglian countryside.

Anyone who knows Buxton, perhaps those who have been to see one of his BUG shows, will know that he has rather musical bones. With a remarkable ability to construct and perform funny, ludicrous songs in an impressively short space of time, it’s no wonder that Buxton’s jingles feature quite heavily throughout the podcasts. ‘Ramble Chat’ and ‘Like and Subscribe’ are amongst the core jingles featured in each episode, which certainly break up the ‘ramble chat’ a little. And the songs, just like the actual conversations, never take themselves too seriously, which makes for a truly unpretentious podcast that is a delight to listen to.

The latest series of The Adam Buxton Podcast has just come to an end, featuring interviews with Desiree Burch and Roisin Conaty, and you can listen to all previous episodes here.

Interview: Jarlath Regan, Men Behaving Better Podcast

Leave a Comment

Jarlath Regan began his Men Behaving Better podcast in July this year, and in this short time he has interviewed a variety of interesting people, discussing subjects such as the #MeToo movement, consent and the responsibility men have to help combat inequality in our day to day lives.

MoodyComedy had a chat with Jarlath about his podcasting experiences

Talk us through your experience with podcasting over the years.

Like most I first downloaded The Ricky Gervais Show – that really opened my eyes to the format. After that I became mildly obsessed with long form interview pods. I then created my own, An Irishman Abroad, and fell in love with the form and the space it provides both guest and host. Men Behaving Better grew out of that show because we had the space and time to explain the complicated thoughts everyone was having in relation to male and female behaviour.

Do you ever receive any backlash regarding the angle that Men Behaving Better takes?

Yes. Mainly from old men, angry men or people who haven’t listened yet. The show takes its time to have a nuanced conversation on tricky, delicate things like calling out your Dad or brother on their language, why #MeToo fatigue is a thing or can we enjoy the art of fallen men. The knee jerk response is to shout back at those questions but that’s really the opposite of what the show is.

Jarlath Regan

What attitudes do you want to challenge with this podcast?

There’s one that really annoys people: Some men don’t need to change. I like challenging that because it seems so obvious that that thought is driven by a massive blind spot in your perception of the world, your impact upon it and the supposed guilt involved in all of this. I’ve always been into self-improvement. Some people simply hate that notion. I like to challenge that and broaden it out as the season progresses.

Is talking about the topic of sexism and discrimination easy for you to make funny, or do you and your guests ever find it tiresome?

It’s all about your purpose for me. Are you punching up or down? And why? You can make anything funny but first we need to talk about what’s not funny in all of this. What’s absurd about all of this – that’s closer to funny. There’s funny available at every turn but it’s how you get there and why you get there that counts. It’s only tiring if you’re not interested.

How do you choose which guests you have on the show?

For season one I wanted comics I respect, activists with passion, journalists who have moved me and artists I know have a new or interesting take on the issues. That can be the human rights lawyer Simone George or Sara Pascoe, the actor Mark O’Halloran or Brett Goldstien. Balance is crucial so we never get too one-note in the discussion – it’s been challenging and fun every step of the way.

Who would you like to have as a guest?

Where do I start? Jo Brand, JK Rowling, Madonna, Cher, OJ Simpson, Tiger Woods. I mean this subject would make for some interesting chats with pretty much anyone in the public eye right now and that is the plan for next season.

How do you think we can each make a change within society?

I’d say listening. It’s a rare thing. Hearing someone out. Listening to the fullness of what they have to say and why they’re saying it. People are way more likely to listen to you if you listen to them. Also, maybe have a second referendum on Brexit.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT MEN BEHAVING BETTER HERE