A rare day off from previewing the Edinburgh show, and although I slept off my light hangover I was not able to rest all day. This evening I headed down to Broadcasting House to take part in "And The Winner Is" a new panel show hosted by Matt Lucas, which should be broadcast in September or October on Radio 2.
The other panelists were the lovely Sarah Millican and the evil David Walliams (who did swim the channel for charity, thus counteracting some of the atrocious acts he has committed in his own time). It was actually rather lovely to see the Little Britain boys again, who I haven't really seen since I script-edited the third series of that show. And by script-edited I pretty much mean did nothing. As they knew what they were doing by then and there wasn't much I could add or subtract. But thanks for the money.
Although the show is a little reminiscent of Banter - though in this case three celebrities make one nomination for best or worst thing in some category (eg Least Boring Shakespeare Play) - it is rather a neat and fun show to be a part of. The nominations are really just an excuse to have a funny chat about all sorts of things and I think it was pretty solidly funny for the two hours we recorded, which should make it hard to edit down to 28 minutes. It was fun to be on the episode with both Matt and David on it. They were very funny, bickering like the old married couple they are, but having known them for so long I was able to join in a bit too. David's stories were so packed with celebrity names that when he finally name-checked his mother I was able to say, "That's the first non-famous person you've mentioned all evening." Of course David gave as good as he got and later told Matt, referring to Sarah and me, that it was nice to meet some ordinary, non-famous people for a change.
I had done little actual prep for the show, but thankfully seem to have got to a point where I am normally amusing enough off the cuff, and luckily thanks to the over records at these shows, the more embarrassing bits will never be heard by anyone ever again. Some of the stuff I did was a bit too rude. Whilst Matt was pressing me as to whether Margaret Thatcher was in any way sexy, I resisted completely, as she really isn't, but added, "I might have a bit of a wank when she dies.... in celebration." I doubt that will get into the show though.
We had fun, which I think is the main thing, as I understand it and I did briefly get to say hello to Paul "The Putt" Putner, who had come along to see the show. You may know him better as the Curious Orange. Alas I had to dash off so didn't get to chat to him. David Walliams asked me to spend the night with him, and just hold him. But I think he was just joking and I couldn't anyway as I had to go. And also I am not gay.
Though he is a very alluring physical presence. If he gets me drunk and I get more famous, it might just happen.
