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Once the kids got off to school I had to go back to bed. It's not a summer holiday for the parents. But I had to get up again as I was interviewing top actor and now author, Richard Armitage for my book club. I liked him. He's quite a serious guy and a very thoughtful actor, but there's a cheekiness behind it all and his book is a real page turner (or whatever the audiobook equivalent of that might be). His PR had told me that I shouldn't talk about his bottom, which surprised me. I have never seen his bottom, not having watched whatever show it is that his bottom features in, and the Book Club is a serious format to discuss the products of brains not of buttocks. So if they hadn't said anything I would never have mentioned it. But when Richard asked why we were doing this remotely rather than in person like other podcasts I'd seen, I told him that they were quite different projects and that this one is more high brow, but he'd be welcome to come on RHLSTP any time, but I'd ask him about his bum. He was mildly irked by the mention, though I did reiterate that I'd never mention it on this classy podcast and he was actually funny about it, so I got away with it. But PR people take note. Never tell a comedian not to do something or give them information that you don't want them to relate. I didn't know anything about Richard's bum. I still haven't seen it. And only about 75% of me wants to take a look. (he's a very handsome man).
And this evening I drove down to London to take part in Pappy's Flatshare Slamdown. As with most things I do I was regretting saying yes as I was properly knackered, but it turned out to be enormous fun and a real tonic. I cried laughing quite a few times in a way that I've only really ever experienced on Taskmaster. I still see the Pappys as boys, even though they are ostensibly middle-aged men, but they are absolutely excellent at what they do and sharp as a very sharp three-headed pin, that knows when to let one of the other heads speak. This analogy may not be the best. Anyway it's a huge heap of fun. And I was pleased that I managed to largely keep up with the funniness. TV panel shows tend to use the same group of people, but there are so many comedians out there who could do as good or better a job and in a way it's a shame that they don't get the exposure, but it's also good because I doubt TV would ever make this show and it's as good as /better than anything on the telly, except maybe Taskmaster. And what a loving and brilliant crowd, having the time of their life. It's easy sometimes to forget that comedy is about making people laugh, until you see people laughing their little nerdy socks off for two solid hours. And however tired and grumpy you might be beforehand (and when I say you, I mean me) that two hours of laughter really does an incredible service to your soul.
And then Colin Murray was reviewing Goodnight Sweetheart as I drove home and next week he's doing Press Gang. It's like he lives inside my brain.
