There's understandably a lot of praise for Matt here, and deservedly so. But I wanted to take this opportunity to praise you Richard for yet another wonderful interview. You really bring out the best in your subjects.
I downloaded this to watch on the train tomorrow. But, as often happens with RHLSTP (RHLSTP!) interviews, by the time hit my 'mental firewall' of 5 mins, it's too late. I'm hooked.
Great interview. Matt comes across as really down to earth and humble. I still love his interview with Elton John,,, just brilliant. Hope to see more of him in the future.
Matt Lucas was at the last game at Highbury before we moved to Emirates. He came up on a video on the big screen and said ‘did you know, Highbury is so small and Emirates is soooo big, you can fit 5 THOUSAND ‘Highburys’ into one of the Emirates. My brother and I pissed ourselves, nobody else seemed to understand he was exaggerating for affect. Classic Matt Lucas, classic football fans.
Not a Gooner myself, but I really liked that Matt picked Gilles Grimandi as his favourite Arsenal player, for a goal against Palace, in a midweek game in February or whenever, that ultimately proved vital to winning the first Premiership title under Wenger. Now there's a proper fan. Respect.
Saw the Bernard Chumley stand-up the only time I ever went to Edinburgh (the only time I saw Rich and Stew too), it was very funny, occasionally the big punchline drifts into my head and it still makes me very happy to this day.
Great episode mate. A few really good points brought up about how much T.V has changed and what you can get away with nowadays.
5 років тому+1
Nice to see Jerry Sadowitz getting a mention at 15.00. Matt's just given him more exposure here than whoever the hell is supposed to be his publicist seems to manage. .
Peter Kay is marvellous, I heard he went back home after a week at Liverpool university saying he was home sick , I wonder if it was because he wasn't the funniest in the room ?
I was in an elevator with Matt Lucas once at Gatwick Airport, my Mom, Dad, my wife and myself just stood there staring at him trying to figure out if it was actually him (it was). At one point Matt locked eyes with me and I could see he was thinking "oh crap they know who I am". One of the greatest regrets of my life was not saying hello to him, I just stood there staring like an idiot.
I really enjoyed this. I think Matt feels like he needs to apologise more than anyone else feels like he needs to. I remember him being really hard on himself on the James O'Brien Unfiltered interview, and think he needs to give himself more of a break.
@@seanp8220 I would argue that they're not his principles. Blacking up, for example, does not strike me as his principles. Rather, something he did and since he did it that the world has changed and this isn't something that is acceptable anymore. I think if he'd have done these things with malice and intention to cause harm it would be fair to demand an apology. As it stands I don't think he needs to spend all his time apologising.
@@tobyt3403 Who says it isn't acceptable anymore ? Im sure it would be if you ignored the ravenous Sjw mobs that destroyed Danny Baker etc. Political correctness was never manners. The pious idea that we are more enlightened now is laughable.
@@seanp8220 I don't think we are more enlightened now, I agree. But I do think we're more sensitive in not offending and discriminating against people, which on the whole is a positive thing. I'm also not a fan of the public shaming and cancel culture that has risen out of that, as I don't think it takes into account nuance and context. But I don't think blacking up and being transphobic etc is acceptable in this day and age. That's reasonable right?
I think we are insane now as a society purely because of political correctness. The most regressive and censorious we've ever been. The need to censor slurs hasn't made us a safer society because slurs weren't dangerous. We are a society on the brink of collapse.
I like to think that I go out of my way in trying to see, if only for one episode, as many and if not all British comedy that I can find. Hours wasted of course out of the many gems. I saw Pompidou and can only say I gave it a pretty good go, in fact I think I watched them all. I struggled, I'm not going to lie, and the main problem was that I could not get Mr Bean out of my head whilst seeing it. It was Mr Bean light, and I wasn't the greatest fan of Bean, but it did work well for many. That said, I find Matt Lucas very funny in general on basically everything else he has done.
always had a bit of a bone on for Richard Herring, who doesn't, you keep coming back every week. sure he's funny, and structurally adorable with a sweet wife and cute children living a cottagey country life (in a converted hospital) okay now it's getting sappy, my fingers are sticking the to keys, enough, Richard Herring A+
That was so interesting . I am a big fan and I feel like Richard , I wish I could go back in time and tell him everything will get better . Don't feel sorry for a show that was a huge success at the time just because young people decided to be so intolerant . We need humour to make this life tolerable .
Do you really think everyone reflects on everything they've made positively? People grow, people change...... If you interpret every 'apology' (which he didn't really do, I just think Matt was just trying to explain that he's in a different headspace now) as a cynical grab for 'commercial acceptance', I find that really sad...
They do grow and change, but we live in a society where not apologising for having done comedy in the past that people find offensive now could very well mean the end of your career. It's hard to know when people are being genuine and when people are just trying to show that they are conforming to the current "progressive" doctrine to save themselves a lot of hassle in life and in their career.
@@mrswinkyuk It is not a fad. Rooibos is caffeine free and has less tannin than black tea. It's probably becoming more popular because more people are suffering with sleep disturbance.
I’m glad he apologised for his racist and transphobic content, it makes me enjoy his comedy more and shows he’s grown as a comedian. The best comedy punches up, not down.
Yeah nah mate, not everyone enjoys racist comedy. It’s hardly pathetic to apologise for past mistakes and move on from them, it’s actually a sign of maturity.
@@finiwattam3525 I think different races enjoy "racist comedy" on exactly the same level as other races because we are all the same ultimately... What's your excuse ?
@@seanp8220 They hold the moral high ground not because they believe it but because they have a moral standard. Opposed to people who don't and therefore feel challenged by such comments.
I'm deeply offended that Matt only offered to sit down for a cup of tea with anyone who is deeply offended. Wheres my entitlement as a previously not deeply offended person to tea based / celebrity meet up rights? ..... And what if you identify as a coffee drinker? 🤔.....
1:22:00 I recognise that woman’s voice from the RHLSTP with Ray Peacock aka Ian Boldsworth. Will somebody please explain that she is not involved in the conversation?
Matt Lucas. great comedy does come from great tragedy. one's 'funny' is the wall against the horrors of life. have you seen Badd SANTA on this channel?
You're heterosexual so don't enjoy musicals but like Minchin's work? Great guest, and Richard as always. The Stew talk was fun but wonder how Merchant didn't get a mention. And who is this Walliams?
Hello Richard Herring, I'm writing this very formally because it's a big deal to me. I'm 30 years old. I've been absolutely enamoured with comedy since I was a bored little kid in a council house in Wheathampstead with nothing to do but watch cable TV. I was seldom supervised and mainly watched Live TV, play UK, Bravo, Paramount and MTV. Comedy, music and literature have always been my closest companions. While the neglect I suffered has brought on long-term negative consequences for me emotionally, it also imbued a sense of intellectual freedom and autonomy that most people aren't afforded at a young age. Anyway, I first came across you on This Morning With Richard Not Judy, and ever since I've felt a fairly intense yet inexplicable sense of disdain for you. (Stick with me, this gets better) Acquaintances I've had throughout the years have always expressed surprise that I'm not a fan of yours. I've been massively into Stewart Lee ever since he went solo (I promise, the pay off is coming...) and have always thought of him as some kind of genius. So, I found RLSTP a couple of years ago and started watching it and enjoying it. I put this down to the quality of the guests you have on the show rather than anything to do with you. I then got -really- into it and decided you were just okay. Around this time I got a job as the manager of The Waffle House in St Albans where I served you and wanted to say, "You're Richard Herring" but restrained myself. By this point, I wouldn't say I disliked you anymore. When I watched this interview with Matt Lucas, I realised that you are, in fact, the genius. Stewart Lee is a whinging manboy whose negative perceptions of everyone and everything don't do anything for anyone. He's actually just a bit of a bastard, wielding his intellect like some kind of phallic symbol. Hearing the way you speak to Lucas; the mutual respect and admiration between the two of you, was illuminating. The honesty and unbridled, raw emotion that you display and encourage in all of your guests, not just Lucas, is inspirational and moving. You're deeply intelligent and give an insight into the work you do with a DIY style that I am sure will encourage countless people to follow their dreams. I probably liked you all along but was blindsided by how open you are. I struggle to be open, myself, so maybe I was jealous? Who knows. I thought I disliked Sara Pascoe too but that was definitely jealousy... I've stopped working as a restaurant manager now and begun a career writing professionally, which is going unbelievably well. I never thought that someone like me could follow my dreams, but here I am. I wanted to say thank you for making me challenge myself and for showing me how to be open and the importance of hard work. I'm going to publish my first novel next year and don't think I'd be in this place if it weren't for you. It seems like a million people have developed a similar podcast to you, celebrities interviewing other celebrities etc. None of them (except maybe Adam Buxton) are as moving or sapient as yours. In the long run - in the annuls of history - I believe that you'll be the one out of you and Stewart who is remembered and revered. All the very best Imogen
Think Matt's white washing (so to speak) history a little bit regarding 'Ting-Tong' I can remember plenty of criticism over that character at the time, it was considered a pretty crude racial caricature even then. Don't recall any complaints about the black characters in Come Fly WIth Me, but they were more like characters that happened to be black rather than obvious racial caricatures.
He's white washing history by regretting playing what many might regard as a racist caricature? Jesus. Even when he's showing humility and regret people are sticking the knives in.
Fun fact... Ben Folds cheated on his wife with their barely-adult babysitter. He then left his wife and child, and ran off with the babysitter. Good ol Ben Folds!
I was not a fan of Little Britain at the time, thought it was old fashioned at the time. I didn’t see a problem with Reeves & Mortimer or The Mighty Boosh or League of Gentlemen even though looking back they were problematic. I honestly never “got” little Britain thought it relied on poking fun at stereotypes at the time.
damn right you should be prepared to address anachronism and possible offence in your own work especially when you're prepared to hold python and their contemporaries up to scrutiny, all well and good .. society evolves and in their time those guys were every bit as passionate about shaking shit up as you might imagine you were. It should humble us all that in interview Palin and Cleese remain vehemently anarchistic and progressive (yes, even with Cleese' recently reported comments about London). Just carry the torch on as so many have and let us please have a laff while we go :)
I don't think Matt should apologise or feel bad about Little Britain/Come Fly with Me etc. Its not 'offensive' to play anything if you aren't that thing, its about intent and context, why is that lost on everyone these days? The humour was never about being black, or gay, or whatever, it was largely about class and society. Geez.
@@davidsynge7030 Go ask Matt and David. I'm not going to sit here and deconstruct and analyse a sketch character in a YT comment. I will say however that on intent, there's no way they were mocking, making fun of or being in any way malicious towards disabled people, or people on benefits or whatever. If you honestly think they are, you are just balancing a ladder on a toilet to peek into someone else's garden, looking for something to be offended about. Immediate/shallow thoughts now that I'm in the swing of typing: Absurdist humour - The 'that one' flip. Lou never notices Andy's outlandish antics/physical comedy. Yeh, Andy doesn't really 'need' Lou so some of the joke is at Lou's expense - as all humour is at someone's expense somewhere. Interpersonal/observational humour etc. - They kind of need and want eachother. Lou especially cares about Andy and is a kind character, while Andy misses Lou when he's not there, while sabotaging Lou sometimes in again ABSURD ways. Observations regarding politness, etiquette and the peculiar freedom that comes with being considered disbaled or whatever - Lou gets away with saying and doing things we wouldn't, or would do, if we felt we could. I can't believe you even demand that someone explain jokes to you, way to kill comedy itself. If you don't think its funny, move on, get over it, its not for you. Its in no way hurting anyone, nor is there any real malice. If you think there is, prove it. Comedy referencing any type of "non-normal/average" person is NOT axiomatically offensive or making a joke about them or who they are. If you don't get it, you don't get it, sorry. There's nothing I can do for you.
@@f_ogs they never did black face though. a minstrel sketch like once, not ABOUT black people at all - thats kind of the point - its an expectations thing. And as for the Come Fly With Me character, her blackness was irrelevant. Its just a character. The joke was never BECAUSE she's black or at the expense of black people. Its 2 white dudes doing character sketches, you honestly expect them to do ONLY white dudes and gays to avoid playing anything they are not and triggering people? Same with Bubbles' ex-husband's new wife. She's black, but it ISN'T the joke. I appreciate white people historically putting on makeup and 'acting' black has been offensive but its not offensive because of the *make-up,* it was offensive because of the *material* - which was racist. That IS NOT what Little Britain/Come Fly with Me ever did.
@@davidsynge7030 Well, I think he's wrong to apologise. And I disagree with him if he thinks his work is/was offensive. *Death of the author* and all that.
I don't think he apologizes, at least not in a way which would make it appear as if his choices at that time were made out of ill will. Much more he analyzes the past and why they created the characters the way they did and why today he would not do that. Mentioning RuPaul in that context is an interesting point. I think it is an important discussion and his awareness makes his back catalogue just more interesting. It is weird that people think it would be wrong to change one's opinion and that personal growth is a weakness.
None of them seem to be allowed to speak freely as themselves for fear of what they might say. Blame outrage culture you helped foster by not standing up for free speech before it got taken away and the likes of Danny Baker suddenly get called a neo nazi racist white supremecist. Hmmphh...
The League of Gentlemen blacked up and it was funny, why? The character who blacked up was evil and it was so ridiculous how she did it. It's all about the target of the joke. Matt always knew this.
Anyone who thinks that Papa Lazarou is a blacked up character, to mean a black person, is a dumb fuck. It is the opposite of a clown (whited up). Got any white friends that look like a clown have you? And it was a he not a she you something something something. Hmmm, self righteousness rules!
I'm not really sure you should be apologizing for old comedic material. All comedians,big or small, judged a generation later are "problematic".You think George Carlin would be acceptable now? Comedy is always of its time,any tv show is too. You need to also realize that social media is not real life. You will ALWAYS,ALWAYS get people calling you out for something,virtue signalling offence on behalf of another group. Social media can cause you to disproportionately highlight contrarian views too- you might be followed by 100,000 happy people but all you focus on is the 5-10 who were annoyed in some fashion. Add into the mix the forced virtue signalling of this day and age and you get an inflated contrarian view,for people being offended on behalf of others. Intent-thats what matters. No one thinks you intended to be racist or racially insensitive or transphobic. I get you think you have to highlight you no longer hold whats considered "problematic views" ,but as you say,it was never intended with malice and they aren't even views you actually held. You shouldn't bend the knee for that kind of thing.Apologize if you do something actually wrong.
I'm VERY sure you shouldn't be. You should be sure too. Comedy was funnier back then. I don't think todays childish politicking calling itself satire passes as comedy tbh.,
Threw away his reputation and his credibility already. Didn't stand by his old sketches because he;s woke now you understand. Its made comedy so much funnier apparently.
@@goodlookingcorpse Try and make your point without swearing if you can. I know you're a triggered flailing lunatic and have taken that into consideration. You don't have the upper high ground.
There's understandably a lot of praise for Matt here, and deservedly so. But I wanted to take this opportunity to praise you Richard for yet another wonderful interview. You really bring out the best in your subjects.
Really
Really enjoyed this, I think you should get Matt on again, lots more to chat about.
Really interesting chat with Matt what a nice chap
I downloaded this to watch on the train tomorrow. But, as often happens with RHLSTP (RHLSTP!) interviews, by the time hit my 'mental firewall' of 5 mins, it's too late. I'm hooked.
same thing!
Grew up watching Rock Profiles on DVD on repeat, absolutely amazing show.
Great interview. Matt comes across as really down to earth and humble. I still love his interview with Elton John,,, just brilliant.
Hope to see more of him in the future.
Loved every minute of this one. Great conversation.
Matt Lucas was at the last game at Highbury before we moved to Emirates. He came up on a video on the big screen and said ‘did you know, Highbury is so small and Emirates is soooo big, you can fit 5 THOUSAND ‘Highburys’ into one of the Emirates. My brother and I pissed ourselves, nobody else seemed to understand he was exaggerating for affect. Classic Matt Lucas, classic football fans.
Not a Gooner myself, but I really liked that Matt picked Gilles Grimandi as his favourite Arsenal player, for a goal against Palace, in a midweek game in February or whenever, that ultimately proved vital to winning the first Premiership title under Wenger. Now there's a proper fan. Respect.
@@kisbie yeah he loves it. And we love him. Great comment 😂
interesting point from Lucas about RuPaul's Drag Race, it'll be interesting to see how it stands up over time
You can't make a joke about a pouff but it's A-OK to impersonate a woman and make fun of femininity!
I'm definitely going to tweet Matt pretending to be offended about a 10 year old sketch so we can go for a coffee.
Tea
@@Beans360 Some like coffee, some like tea, a handy metaphor for sexuality.
Thank you both for talking about this, great episode ;)
That was really enjoyable. Matt is a genuine, warm, interesting person. He needs to come back for a catch up.
Saw the Bernard Chumley stand-up the only time I ever went to Edinburgh (the only time I saw Rich and Stew too), it was very funny, occasionally the big punchline drifts into my head and it still makes me very happy to this day.
Brilliant but damn you need to get Matt back, felt like there was SO much more to talk about!
Matt - it was a good one and you are national treasure :)
He really isn't
Great episode mate.
A few really good points brought up about how much T.V has changed and what you can get away with nowadays.
Nice to see Jerry Sadowitz getting a mention at 15.00. Matt's just given him more exposure here than whoever the hell is supposed to be his publicist seems to manage. .
One of the best podcasts, loved it
I think the good point on this one is Matt bought the best out of Richard.
I was in the school play with Peter. It was hilarious and we carried him out on our shoulders on the last night.
1:11:58 - the joke of Rich's, of everything that he's done, that has made me laugh the most.....
😆...
"Everyone was Patrick Marber" hilarious wisdom
Peter Kay is marvellous, I heard he went back home after a week at Liverpool university saying he was home sick , I wonder if it was because he wasn't the funniest in the room ?
I find Peter Kay hilarious. It's a shame most other comics diss him, perhaps because he keeps himself to himself.
@@MatgoStyles yes I do too, hope my comment doesn't come across as critical?
@@ianclarke3627 Of course not, i was agreeing with you.
@@MatgoStyles marvellous 👍
He's not the funniest guy in the room even when he's alone in a room.
I was in an elevator with Matt Lucas once at Gatwick Airport, my Mom, Dad, my wife and myself just stood there staring at him trying to figure out if it was actually him (it was). At one point Matt locked eyes with me and I could see he was thinking "oh crap they know who I am". One of the greatest regrets of my life was not saying hello to him, I just stood there staring like an idiot.
That was probably me. Hello
Brilliant. Just purchased the audiobook.
really enjoyed this, thanks Richard.
PS. I'd love to see Phil Wang on this podcast.
I think Matt is a delight, a fragile delight.
I really enjoyed this. I think Matt feels like he needs to apologise more than anyone else feels like he needs to. I remember him being really hard on himself on the James O'Brien Unfiltered interview, and think he needs to give himself more of a break.
Why can't he stand for his principles rather than kowtowing to vicious censors who think they are being tolerant.
@@seanp8220 I would argue that they're not his principles. Blacking up, for example, does not strike me as his principles. Rather, something he did and since he did it that the world has changed and this isn't something that is acceptable anymore.
I think if he'd have done these things with malice and intention to cause harm it would be fair to demand an apology. As it stands I don't think he needs to spend all his time apologising.
@@tobyt3403 Who says it isn't acceptable anymore ? Im sure it would be if you ignored the ravenous Sjw mobs that destroyed Danny Baker etc. Political correctness was never manners. The pious idea that we are more enlightened now is laughable.
@@seanp8220 I don't think we are more enlightened now, I agree. But I do think we're more sensitive in not offending and discriminating against people, which on the whole is a positive thing. I'm also not a fan of the public shaming and cancel culture that has risen out of that, as I don't think it takes into account nuance and context.
But I don't think blacking up and being transphobic etc is acceptable in this day and age. That's reasonable right?
I think we are insane now as a society purely because of political correctness. The most regressive and censorious we've ever been. The need to censor slurs hasn't made us a safer society because slurs weren't dangerous. We are a society on the brink of collapse.
I like to think that I go out of my way in trying to see, if only for one episode, as many and if not all British comedy that I can find. Hours wasted of course out of the many gems. I saw Pompidou and can only say I gave it a pretty good go, in fact I think I watched them all. I struggled, I'm not going to lie, and the main problem was that I could not get Mr Bean out of my head whilst seeing it. It was Mr Bean light, and I wasn't the greatest fan of Bean, but it did work well for many.
That said, I find Matt Lucas very funny in general on basically everything else he has done.
Brilliant as always!!
always had a bit of a bone on for Richard Herring, who doesn't, you keep coming back every week. sure he's funny, and structurally adorable with a sweet wife and cute children living a cottagey country life (in a converted hospital) okay now it's getting sappy, my fingers are sticking the to keys, enough, Richard Herring A+
Absobloodylutely agree.
Rich! Matt would make a brilliant Boris Johnson ( get it written!)
Prophetic!
That was so interesting . I am a big fan and I feel like Richard , I wish I could go back in time and tell him everything will get better . Don't feel sorry for a show that was a huge success at the time just because young people decided to be so intolerant . We need humour to make this life tolerable .
I like the new start, very flash.
Got my tickets booked for Winchester in October, I'll probably die before then though!
Probably less pain full than traveling to Winchester.
Rich, Matt, thank you.
Do you really think everyone reflects on everything they've made positively? People grow, people change...... If you interpret every 'apology' (which he didn't really do, I just think Matt was just trying to explain that he's in a different headspace now) as a cynical grab for 'commercial acceptance', I find that really sad...
They do grow and change, but we live in a society where not apologising for having done comedy in the past that people find offensive now could very well mean the end of your career. It's hard to know when people are being genuine and when people are just trying to show that they are conforming to the current "progressive" doctrine to save themselves a lot of hassle in life and in their career.
A very good episode. I like it when its more normal.
Great chat. Now... how the hell are you going to knock the Ricky Wilson episode into anything?
Ooooo, I'm going to save this one till I'm sitting down with a nice cup of rooibos.
I'm going to find out what rooibos is, source some, and do the same.
@@RighteousBrother Don't bother, it's just another fad. Just get a nice cuppa (Yorkshire Gold).
@@mrswinkyuk It is not a fad. Rooibos is caffeine free and has less tannin than black tea. It's probably becoming more popular because more people are suffering with sleep disturbance.
I’m glad he apologised for his racist and transphobic content, it makes me enjoy his comedy more and shows he’s grown as a comedian. The best comedy punches up, not down.
Whereas it makes everyone else think he's just pathetic.
Yeah nah mate, not everyone enjoys racist comedy. It’s hardly pathetic to apologise for past mistakes and move on from them, it’s actually a sign of maturity.
@@finiwattam3525 I think different races enjoy "racist comedy" on exactly the same level as other races because we are all the same ultimately... What's your excuse ?
@@finiwattam3525 You demonstrate that piety that metropolitan elitists all have. The belief that you hold the moral high ground.
@@seanp8220 They hold the moral high ground not because they believe it but because they have a moral standard. Opposed to people who don't and therefore feel challenged by such comments.
Man with gorgeous hair talks to man with gorgeous skull.
I liked Plunkett and Maclean
To Richard's final question I wish Matt had answered: Pain in the ... neck
Rare occasion where I like before I watch, because George Doors is a natiaional treasure.
Have you seen Spike Milligan in curry and chips
check him out in 'Polar'. Maads Mikkelson. Brilliant.
17:41 - ouch, he really didn't have a sense of humour about Peter Kay
He did say he would be annoyed if he was a munchkin
Fascinating discussion.
I thouroughly enjoyed this. Didn't know much about Mr. Lucas going into this but now I'm sad that he isn't my friend ☹
I'm deeply offended that Matt only offered to sit down for a cup of tea with anyone who is deeply offended. Wheres my entitlement as a previously not deeply offended person to tea based / celebrity meet up rights?
..... And what if you identify as a coffee drinker? 🤔.....
1:22:00 I recognise that woman’s voice from the RHLSTP with Ray Peacock aka Ian Boldsworth. Will somebody please explain that she is not involved in the conversation?
Matt Lucas. great comedy does come from great tragedy.
one's 'funny' is the wall against the horrors of life.
have you seen Badd SANTA on this channel?
Great interview. I hated the section where Matt thought it necessary to defend himself in the way that he did.
You're heterosexual so don't enjoy musicals but like Minchin's work? Great guest, and Richard as always. The Stew talk was fun but wonder how Merchant didn't get a mention. And who is this Walliams?
Smerch wasn't a bad guest, Richard was just too overly immature iirc.
What a ripper!
Hello Richard Herring,
I'm writing this very formally because it's a big deal to me. I'm 30 years old. I've been absolutely enamoured with comedy since I was a bored little kid in a council house in Wheathampstead with nothing to do but watch cable TV. I was seldom supervised and mainly watched Live TV, play UK, Bravo, Paramount and MTV. Comedy, music and literature have always been my closest companions.
While the neglect I suffered has brought on long-term negative consequences for me emotionally, it also imbued a sense of intellectual freedom and autonomy that most people aren't afforded at a young age. Anyway, I first came across you on This Morning With Richard Not Judy, and ever since I've felt a fairly intense yet inexplicable sense of disdain for you. (Stick with me, this gets better)
Acquaintances I've had throughout the years have always expressed surprise that I'm not a fan of yours. I've been massively into Stewart Lee ever since he went solo (I promise, the pay off is coming...) and have always thought of him as some kind of genius.
So, I found RLSTP a couple of years ago and started watching it and enjoying it. I put this down to the quality of the guests you have on the show rather than anything to do with you. I then got -really- into it and decided you were just okay. Around this time I got a job as the manager of The Waffle House in St Albans where I served you and wanted to say, "You're Richard Herring" but restrained myself. By this point, I wouldn't say I disliked you anymore.
When I watched this interview with Matt Lucas, I realised that you are, in fact, the genius. Stewart Lee is a whinging manboy whose negative perceptions of everyone and everything don't do anything for anyone. He's actually just a bit of a bastard, wielding his intellect like some kind of phallic symbol.
Hearing the way you speak to Lucas; the mutual respect and admiration between the two of you, was illuminating. The honesty and unbridled, raw emotion that you display and encourage in all of your guests, not just Lucas, is inspirational and moving. You're deeply intelligent and give an insight into the work you do with a DIY style that I am sure will encourage countless people to follow their dreams. I probably liked you all along but was blindsided by how open you are. I struggle to be open, myself, so maybe I was jealous? Who knows. I thought I disliked Sara Pascoe too but that was definitely jealousy...
I've stopped working as a restaurant manager now and begun a career writing professionally, which is going unbelievably well. I never thought that someone like me could follow my dreams, but here I am. I wanted to say thank you for making me challenge myself and for showing me how to be open and the importance of hard work. I'm going to publish my first novel next year and don't think I'd be in this place if it weren't for you.
It seems like a million people have developed a similar podcast to you, celebrities interviewing other celebrities etc. None of them (except maybe Adam Buxton) are as moving or sapient as yours. In the long run - in the annuls of history - I believe that you'll be the one out of you and Stewart who is remembered and revered.
All the very best
Imogen
have a people born in 1963 day i think i'll start it
Wrong Richard, I hate finding out a double act don't actually like each other .
Matt 😍 such a lovely guy.
Think Matt's white washing (so to speak) history a little bit regarding 'Ting-Tong' I can remember plenty of criticism over that character at the time, it was considered a pretty crude racial caricature even then. Don't recall any complaints about the black characters in Come Fly WIth Me, but they were more like characters that happened to be black rather than obvious racial caricatures.
He is. Hes a hypocrite and a self loathing individual like all the other celebs
He's white washing history by regretting playing what many might regard as a racist caricature? Jesus. Even when he's showing humility and regret people are sticking the knives in.
@@patchworkpants It's no time to tolerate censorship that calls itself manners. This time in history needs to get free speech back
Little Red Riding Hood
Matt ❤️
Fun fact... Ben Folds cheated on his wife with their barely-adult babysitter. He then left his wife and child, and ran off with the babysitter. Good ol Ben Folds!
But he does support Port Adelaide Football Club, so he's all right.
Omg Lucas who it is....... It's Matt erm you know that guy who was the giant baby...... No not David walliams the other one...... 😁
I'm a little sensitive to racism and sexism, but I've never ever thought little Britain was trying to be anything other than funny
I was not a fan of Little Britain at the time, thought it was old fashioned at the time. I didn’t see a problem with Reeves & Mortimer or The Mighty Boosh or League of Gentlemen even though looking back they were problematic. I honestly never “got” little Britain thought it relied on poking fun at stereotypes at the time.
What do you find problematic about The Mighty Boosh if you don't mind me asking?
Ben Scott-Pye rewatched with the teenagers and they pointed out the blacking up. I just didn’t pick up on it as discriminatory at the time.
Your mum is problematic
TACTLESS - UK product vids for deaf & dyslexic ppl you’ve met her then 😏
Lucas is a lot more serious than you'd expect. 6/10
Just being funny doesn't make it a good interview mate u need substance
It's not all shits n giggles 10/10
damn right you should be prepared to address anachronism and possible offence in your own work especially when you're prepared to hold python and their contemporaries up to scrutiny, all well and good .. society evolves and in their time those guys were every bit as passionate about shaking shit up as you might imagine you were. It should humble us all that in interview Palin and Cleese remain vehemently anarchistic and progressive (yes, even with Cleese' recently reported comments about London). Just carry the torch on as so many have and let us please have a laff while we go :)
Didn't know Richard Harding was still about.... Shame!
Oh no, I hate that prick . Thought we'd seen the last of Harding in the 90s. Thanks for the tip off.
@@Herring1967 me too! No problem!
@@Herring1967 He’s harding of hearing
I don't think Matt should apologise or feel bad about Little Britain/Come Fly with Me etc.
Its not 'offensive' to play anything if you aren't that thing, its about intent and context, why is that lost on everyone these days? The humour was never about being black, or gay, or whatever, it was largely about class and society. Geez.
@@davidsynge7030 Go ask Matt and David. I'm not going to sit here and deconstruct and analyse a sketch character in a YT comment. I will say however that on intent, there's no way they were mocking, making fun of or being in any way malicious towards disabled people, or people on benefits or whatever. If you honestly think they are, you are just balancing a ladder on a toilet to peek into someone else's garden, looking for something to be offended about.
Immediate/shallow thoughts now that I'm in the swing of typing:
Absurdist humour - The 'that one' flip. Lou never notices Andy's outlandish antics/physical comedy. Yeh, Andy doesn't really 'need' Lou so some of the joke is at Lou's expense - as all humour is at someone's expense somewhere.
Interpersonal/observational humour etc. - They kind of need and want eachother. Lou especially cares about Andy and is a kind character, while Andy misses Lou when he's not there, while sabotaging Lou sometimes in again ABSURD ways.
Observations regarding politness, etiquette and the peculiar freedom that comes with being considered disbaled or whatever - Lou gets away with saying and doing things we wouldn't, or would do, if we felt we could.
I can't believe you even demand that someone explain jokes to you, way to kill comedy itself. If you don't think its funny, move on, get over it, its not for you. Its in no way hurting anyone, nor is there any real malice. If you think there is, prove it. Comedy referencing any type of "non-normal/average" person is NOT axiomatically offensive or making a joke about them or who they are. If you don't get it, you don't get it, sorry. There's nothing I can do for you.
@@f_ogs they never did black face though. a minstrel sketch like once, not ABOUT black people at all - thats kind of the point - its an expectations thing.
And as for the Come Fly With Me character, her blackness was irrelevant. Its just a character. The joke was never BECAUSE she's black or at the expense of black people. Its 2 white dudes doing character sketches, you honestly expect them to do ONLY white dudes and gays to avoid playing anything they are not and triggering people? Same with Bubbles' ex-husband's new wife. She's black, but it ISN'T the joke.
I appreciate white people historically putting on makeup and 'acting' black has been offensive but its not offensive because of the *make-up,* it was offensive because of the *material* - which was racist. That IS NOT what Little Britain/Come Fly with Me ever did.
@@davidsynge7030 Well, I think he's wrong to apologise. And I disagree with him if he thinks his work is/was offensive.
*Death of the author* and all that.
Thats precisely what weak willed unprincipled people who feel that everything is offensive do.
I don't think he apologizes, at least not in a way which would make it appear as if his choices at that time were made out of ill will. Much more he analyzes the past and why they created the characters the way they did and why today he would not do that. Mentioning RuPaul in that context is an interesting point.
I think it is an important discussion and his awareness makes his back catalogue just more interesting.
It is weird that people think it would be wrong to change one's opinion and that personal growth is a weakness.
The lack of incriminating bookmarks is disappointing.
Pretty sure Lemmy is dead.
Had the pleasure of meeting Lemmy at a charity do once.
He was surprisingly down to earth, and VERY funny.
Ffs Peter kay
LET THE GUEST TALK. Jesus.
Get some radio mic's
Matt is so defensive, he must have heard a lot of criticism in recent years.
None of them seem to be allowed to speak freely as themselves for fear of what they might say. Blame outrage culture you helped foster by not standing up for free speech before it got taken away and the likes of Danny Baker suddenly get called a neo nazi racist white supremecist. Hmmphh...
The League of Gentlemen blacked up and it was funny, why?
The character who blacked up was evil and it was so ridiculous how she did it.
It's all about the target of the joke.
Matt always knew this.
I didn't take Papa Lazarou as blacked up, just as clown-like face paint, no?
Anyone who thinks that Papa Lazarou is a blacked up character, to mean a black person, is a dumb fuck. It is the opposite of a clown (whited up). Got any white friends that look like a clown have you? And it was a he not a she you something something something. Hmmm, self righteousness rules!
I'm not really sure you should be apologizing for old comedic material.
All comedians,big or small, judged a generation later are "problematic".You think George Carlin would be acceptable now?
Comedy is always of its time,any tv show is too.
You need to also realize that social media is not real life. You will ALWAYS,ALWAYS get people calling you out for something,virtue signalling offence on behalf of another group.
Social media can cause you to disproportionately highlight contrarian views too- you might be followed by 100,000 happy people but all you focus on is the 5-10 who were annoyed in some fashion.
Add into the mix the forced virtue signalling of this day and age and you get an inflated contrarian view,for people being offended on behalf of others.
Intent-thats what matters.
No one thinks you intended to be racist or racially insensitive or transphobic.
I get you think you have to highlight you no longer hold whats considered "problematic views" ,but as you say,it was never intended with malice and they aren't even views you actually held.
You shouldn't bend the knee for that kind of thing.Apologize if you do something actually wrong.
I'm VERY sure you shouldn't be. You should be sure too. Comedy was funnier back then. I don't think todays childish politicking calling itself satire passes as comedy tbh.,
Watching Matt Lucas grovel to the new puritans for forgiveness doesn't make for an interesting interview.
Liked this interview until he started apologising 😏
Threw away his reputation and his credibility already. Didn't stand by his old sketches because he;s woke now you understand. Its made comedy so much funnier apparently.
I know, right? What sort of arsehole grows as a person and changes their views?
@@goodlookingcorpse How is learning to never find ANYTHING funny growing as a person ? It's regressing.
@@goodlookingcorpse Try and make your point without swearing if you can. I know you're a triggered flailing lunatic and have taken that into consideration. You don't have the upper high ground.
@@seanp8220 "the upper high ground".
Do you mean "the moral high ground"?
@@goodlookingcorpse Oh yea. You are correct here Sir. Credit where credit's due.
Centrist melt. (Matt)
I like the new start, very flash.