Interview: Victoria Nangle catches up with comedian and writer Jason Cook
Cook with gas
Victoria Nangle catches up with comedian and writer Jason Cook ahead of the Brighton Comedy Festival, about his hit series Hebburn, breaking things, and the West Pier
Hiya Jason – How’ya doing?
Good, I think. Good today. So far. I think. That’s not an answer is it?
You have hit the public consciousness big time with writing and starring in Hebburn in the last couple of years. It came across like a pair of favourite lucky pants (don’t take this the wrong way) – loved, and adored especially for the frayed edges and mysterious stains. Or is this me taking it too far?
No, that’s nice; it’s kind of what I hoped for for the show, something people would find comfortably affectionate.
Is it difficult to act for the small screen for such a long period of time, and then hit the stand-up road again, playing to the back of the room rather than the close up camera?
Well, I kept a full stand-up diary when we were making Hebburn, so, even though I was just playing little clubs I still kept my hand in; stand-up is my first love. And my addiction too, in many ways.
Currently you’re on the small screen in a little truck selling baked goods. Sometimes comics get jip for working in ads, but surely the profession is known majorly as heavy purveyors of baked goods (especially at service stations). Have you had much of a reaction from your peers or your audience?
Oh, everyone loves it. It’s a great product, you know? Not bad for you, low fat, the company is ethically clean, so I’m golden. And my audience seem to love it too, I’ve had loads of positive feedback.
Your new show is called Broken – are you a ‘breaker’ or a ‘broken’ person?
Oh, I’m broken. In bits. Absolutely, and the show is about that, and also the stupid things
I have done to try and fix that.
What’s the worst thing you ever broke by accident when you were a kid – and is there a story that goes with it?
Probably my mother’s mind with all the worry I put her through. But that’s an ongoing project, I think.
With so much energy on stage, do you have any rituals before or after the show to wind up or wind down?
I usually have a big lunch, then a nap. Then a couple of pints of iced water before I go on; somehow I think this cools me down a bit. Then at least a pint or two of water on the stage somewhere, should I need it.
They reckon it’s a ‘cuddle chair’, but it is entirely for my own use
What do you miss from home most when you’re touring?
Well, apart from my wife and child (have to say that innit), I’d have to say my big chair. It’s a treat I bought myself, they reckon it’s a ‘cuddle chair’, but it is entirely for my own use. It’s massive. I have slept in it.
Will there be another series of Hebburn on the horizon? Or will there be a one-off Christmas special where Joe and Pauline win the pools and everyone films on location in Hawaii?
Not as far as we know, although I have sold the rights to America so we might get a US version, you never know!
What are your plans for the next 12 months?
Write more scripts while touring this show, and I’ve got some other projects on radio coming up.
Right, so some fluke has meant that you’ve inherited the old burned out pier in Brighton. With money no object, what would you do with it?
Easy. Do it up but replace the end with a huge elastic band so people can be fired out to sea. Great fun.
Thank you very much and have an awesome rest of your day.
Cheers m’dear!
Jason Cook – Broken, Brighton Comedy Festival, Studio Theatre, Brighton Dome, Thursday
18 October 2014, 9.15pm, £12/10, 01273 709709, www.brightoncomedyfestival.com
