Latest 7 magazine

Jerry Sadowitz has been lauded as a comedian’s comedian, performing his misanthropic comedy and magic show. Victoria Nangle asks a few questions of the famously private performer

Jerry Sadowitz was crowned 15th Greatest Comedian in Channel 4’s 2007 list of the funniest people around. He had his own television show in the ’90s, The Pall Bearer’s Revue, but apart from a few cameos, precious clips and short sets he’s stayed off the small screen since then. His taboo-busting antagonism, vitriolic and misanthropical content and stalwart outsider perspective has seen Sadowitz gather a cult following away from the popular Saturday night stand-up TV shows and Christmas DVD releases. A vehement alternative to the ‘Alternative’ comedy of the ’90s and still forging a path of his own, with several published books on magic under his belt and huge respect in both magical and comedic circles, we were very fortunate to get a chance to ask Jerry a few question of our own. Not that he was going to pull any punches with his answers…

How different is your onstage persona from the you that walks down the street afterwards?
They are both awful. The one on stage actually thinks he has something to offer. The one offstage is beyond despair, desperation and bitterness but he’s too cowardly to kill himself.

Your own delivery with comedy magic combo is incredibly unique to you and appreciated by your audiences. What’s your favourite kind of audience to receive it?
I have no idea of who it is that comes to watch me! As long as they don’t leave wanting a refund, I can breathe a sigh of relief.

How did your aggressive delivery first develop?
Intense anger of everything that I have experienced, not experienced and observed since birth. Read the rest of this article »

From Jackass to Wildboyz to Jackass The Movie, and now his very own one man show. Get ready…

If there are any bones in Steve-O’s body that he has not already broken in some stunt, you get the distinct impression it wouldn’t be wise to point them out to him. Ever since he was 15 years old and borrowed his dad’s video camera to film homemade skate stunt shorts there’s been a dangerous edge to his work.
Read the rest of this article »

Alex Horne, star of BBC4’s We Need Answer, author, stand-up and music maestro, chats with Victoria Nangle

VN: Hello Alex. You’ve got two shows on at the Brighton Comedy Festival. What’s that all about?
AH: Yes, sorry about that. My fault entirely. It’s just that I really like Brighton and there’s too much to do on one trip so I was forced to create two shows to get two slots so I could make two visits. Apologies again.

VN: You’re a bit of a Renaissance Man with your music, your comedy, and your books. What’s next?
AH: You say that, but I’ve got two young children so my life mainly revolves around poo at the moment. I’m really trying hard not to do a show about babies but it is starting to look inevitable. Either that or a reality show starring only me and set in a dump.

VN: Is there going to be another series of We Need Answers?
AH: I wish there was, Tim [Key] and Mark [Watson] both wish there was, and
in a recent survey, 30 million Britons wish there was – but no, I don’t think there will be. Not on BBC4 anyway. Sorry Britons.

VN: You went to school in Lancing. Does this mean you have fond memories of teenage years skiving off and heading into our beloved Brighton?
AH: Exactly. Yes. I spent most Saturday afternoons not liking the taste of lager in The Font And Firkin in the Lanes. We then had to sneak back in past the deputy-head at Shoreham Station. Wish it was still like that really. Slightly less poo.

VN: Do you have any grooming tips for others wishing to emulate your fabulous beard?
AH: Focus, focus, focus, location, location, location, plant, prune, plough.

VN: What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
AH: Never eat anything that’s bigger than your head.

VN: Who makes you laugh so much you become concerned about your dignity?
AH: Penguins, people talking to themselves, and Tim Key.

VN: Why should everyone come and see your shows?
AH: They are compulsory.

Alex Horne – Seven Years In The Bathroom, Pavilion Theatre, Brighton Dome, 12 October, 7.45pm, £12; The Horne Section, The Old Market, 20 October, 9.30pm, £15/13.50, www.brightoncomedyfestival.co.uk

Tommy Tiernan was the third headliner at Laughs in the Park, alongside Eddie Izzard and Ross Noble. Massive in Ireland, he’s now getting the recognition he deserves in the UK. Victoria Nangle talks to the man

VN: How are you today?
TT: Very well thanks you. Just working on this new show, err, Poot, so I’m just in the middle of that at the moment trying to put it all together.

VN: What does ‘Poot’ (the title of Tommy’s show) mean?
TT: What does Poot mean? Erm…Poot is the name of a Hindu god, with, err, five eyes on the end each of his fingers, erm, he has no eyes on his face…

VN: Oh right.
TT: ….Yeah and only eyes on his fingers. So every time someone asks me what Poot means I come up with a different answer.

VN: [laughs] It makes me think of Mr Toad from The Wind In The Willows.
TT: Oh, does he say poot?

VN: Yeah, he says “poot, poot”.
TT: Oh yes, that’s right, yes, it’s er, Poot is like a big book into which we can throw anything. Read the rest of this article »