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FIND OUT MOREA funny thing
called friendship
After making a splash at this year's Edinburgh Festival, Manchester comic Justin Moorhouse is now touring with his critically acclaimed new show. On the eve of his Manchester Comedy Festival date, the 38-year-old father of two talks to All About Manchester about friendship, fear and why rude people aren't funny.
In addition to your stand-up shows, you also host a radio programme on Key 103. Plus you've been acting in films and writing. How do you fit everything in?
I never say no to anything and I probably do a bit too much sometimes. But I never wake up thinking 'I've got to go to work today'. It makes it easier to do something when you enjoy it.
You're a very lucky man...
Well that's it! I say that to everybody. Sometimes people ask me what would happen if I made it big. But I have made it; I get to do a job that I really enjoy.
Do you describe yourself as a radio presenter, actor, writer, or stand-up comedian?
I would definitely say comedian. Stand-up is the main thing. That's what I am and everything else comes off the back of that.
What makes stand-up so special to you?
It's me on my own on stage, which is a massive challenge. Something comes into my head that I think is funny, and when those words come out of my mouth and the audience laughs, it's vindication I suppose. Plus all comedians are very needy. We all get off on the audience laughing at us.
You've been doing stand-up for nearly ten years now. Do you still get stage fright?
Every single night. Scared to death. If I didn't get nervous I would start thinking there's something wrong. If you lose that fear then, for me personally, you lose that edge. Fear puts you in a certain frame of mind.
Are you more, or less comfortable performing in Manchester?
I enjoy performing in Manchester more; this is home. But I also feel I have a lot to prove here. If you fail in your home town, if you have a bad show, then it's your neighbours and friends who see it.
Where do you draw material for your shows?
Everywhere. Today I'm thinking about the experiment they are doing on the Swiss border because it's been on the news. I like listening to people's conversations. Sometimes you may hear something that tickles you and you can work that into a little routine.
When was the last time you had a good laugh?
I laughed at my three-year-old daughter the other day. We joined a gym and they were showing us around the swimming pool area. And my daughter said 'let's go for a swim dad,' and I said 'we can't darling, we haven't got our costumes'. And then she looked at me with eyes wide open and said 'it's OK, I'll just go in my body'.
What's not funny?
Being a dad, I never find jokes about child abuse and paedophiles funny. I don't find the kind of comedy that's rude about other people funny. I don't mind anybody being self-deprecating but I hate people who put other people down, whether they know them or not. I find that bullying. And the television programme Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps; I don't find that funny either.
Tell us a bit about your new show, 'Justin Moorhouse's Ever Decreasing Social Circle'. How did the idea come about?
Like a lot of people, I have a Facebook page. I got into it and before I knew it I had so many 'friends', I didn't know what to do. So I decided to find out who, out of all the 'friends' that I have, are the real ones; the ones that my nana would say you can count on the fingers of one hand. So I emailed all my 'friends' and asked them to do a survey about friendship and about our relationship, and used that to whittle them down to my five true friends. But along the way we have a laugh about the questions that I ask them.
So what makes a true friend?
Throughout the show I use certain criteria, like which newspaper people read and their views on politics. But I think real friends are the ones who never let you down. They are also the people who, when they are mad with you, they tell you.
On stage you look like the kind of guy everyone would want for a friend. Are you as popular in real life?
I don't know if I'm popular, but I have got a lot of friends and I'm quite sociable, so I'd imagine so.
Does it bother you when the national press persistently describes you as a 'Northern comic'?
In Edinburgh there were a few reviews that described me as a Northern working class comedian. Well, I am Northern, my background is working class, I am a comedian. But they wouldn't describe someone from London as 'cheeky London comic Dave Smith'. I think 'funny Northerner' is just an easy label to pin on somebody, but I'm not going to start claiming human rights about it; I don't mind that much.
What's your personal highlight of this year's Manchester Comedy Festival, other than your show of course?
Manchester Comedy Festival is a very good showcase for stand-up comedy in Manchester. It's a really busy scene now, so it's a chance for everyone to go and see what's going on. There will be stuff going on in pubs and theatres, as well as other venues across the city, so I'm really looking forward to it all. I'm especially looking forward to seeing two of my friends, Jimmy Carr and Jason Manford.
What's in the pipeline for you after this autumn tour?
I've just done a Ken Loach film, which is out next year, and I'm writing a one-off Radio 4 show, which will be recorded in Manchester in November. Then, fingers crossed, if the show goes well, I'll get a series commissioned. And then I'll start thinking about next year's Edinburgh show again.
Any plans to write a sitcom...something like Phoenix Nights, perhaps?
I think every comedian's got a sitcom in them. I've got some ideas that I'm working on, but until I finish touring I don't have a lot of time.
Are you tired of being asked how important Phoenix Nights was for your career?
Not at all. I'm proud of having been in Phoenix Nights. If I hadn't done it, I wouldn't have been able to do the things that I do now.
Justin Moorhouse performs at the Opera House on Oct 24. Tickets cost £15/£13 and you can book by calling 0844 847 2295. For more information on this year's Manchester Comedy Festival visit www.manchestercomedyfestival.co.uk.