I don’t see myself as part of an acting fraternity or a comedy fraternity.
I feel that a lot of British comedy is often too bombastic, too obvious, dressing up and shouting and pulling funny faces.
The most important thing in comedy – apart from empathy, which I think is important even if disguised – is surprise. I like surprising people with the fact that something’s even a joke at all.
Never fear the truth. No bad can come of discussing a true subject. No bad at all.
I think comedy has to be an intellectual pursuit. It comes down to logic and analysis. As soon as it becomes emotional, it’s not comedy anymore.
Americans are brought up to believe they can grow up to be the president of the United States. Brits are told, It won’t happen to you.
Everything you do is autobiographical. Yeah, I grew up in a town called Redding and I had older brothers and sisters so it’s all my memories of growing up.
I had great memories of growing up in a working class estate. I remember it being sunny all the time. So we’re putting that on screen. It’s not people wallowing in degradation.
There was a nobility in poverty when I was growing up. My mom was poor but she was planting roses and she was cleaning the steps, you know what I mean. You didn’t feel sorry for yourself.
There’s nothing as perfect as the initial idea. And the only reason I write and direct is to protect the writing, because that’s what’s most precious.
You see reality TV and it’s not reality TV. It’s contrived and everything is plotted and scripted nearly. Documentaries are the same and just as bad.
People think that it’s fun to meet celebrities – but what do you mean by “celebrity”? Someone you recognise? What are they famous for? It’s people who’ve done something that are exciting.
To complain about critics in a business is like a sailor complaining about the waves. Go back to the beach if you don’t like it.
I have to be excited, I have to have an adrenaline rush about doing something, or it bores me, I feel trapped.
I’ve never regretted saying no to anything, or finishing something. When I’m in the middle of doing something I love, I can have a better idea, and I’ll go, “Oh God, I can’t finish this.” Maybe I’ve got some sort of disorder.
Even if it’s such a lowly art as TV, you’ve got to get stuff off your chest, because that’s what makes something different and original, your particular take on stuff.
I went to university with no money. I can’t understand a society that wouldn’t give a poor person the same opportunity as a rich person.
Most people sitting at home aren’t cool, successful, witty Hollywood stars, but they all worry about what people think of them when they faux pas.
Growing up, the most important thing, after taking care of your family and getting a decent job of work, was having a laugh. That was the point to life.
I feel sorry for people in power. I feel sorry for the Queen, in a way, that she hasn’t had a normal life. It’d difficult for me to hate anyone. Immediately someone’s unpopular, I feel sorry for them.