You're listening to the Canterbury Morning's podcast with John McDonald from news Talks.

You're listening to the Canterbury Morning's podcast with John McDonald from news Talks.

It'd be so you've written sixteen novels, but you've finally written an autobiography which comes out not tiber Why have you done this now?

It'd be so you've written sixteen novels, but you've finally written an autobiography which comes out not tiber Why have you done this now?

Oh my goodness, that's that. You're the first person to ask me is now how do you know this? Just as a matter of interest, has it been released?

Oh my goodness, that's that. You're the first person to ask me is now how do you know this? Just as a matter of interest, has it been released?

You?

You?

Johnn and you have you got a special line to British media goss, because yes, I am bringing out my biography. But I thought we were going to announce it with great fanfare, and here I am talking to you about it.

Johnn and you have you got a special line to British media goss, because yes, I am bringing out my biography. But I thought we were going to announce it with great fanfare, and here I am talking to you about it.

On Christ's Radio. So I never thought this would be the first port of call. But I'm very honored.

On Christ's Radio. So I never thought this would be the first port of call. But I'm very honored.

Well, I read the British Comedy Guide and it was in the British Comedy Guide. There was an article about it with a photo of you looking very good and it says ben Elton, ben Elton PINNs has autobiography. What have I done?

Well, I read the British Comedy Guide and it was in the British Comedy Guide. There was an article about it with a photo of you looking very good and it says ben Elton, ben Elton PINNs has autobiography. What have I done?

My goodness, I hadn't realized. I thought they were going to do it with great fanfare.

My goodness, I hadn't realized. I thought they were going to do it with great fanfare.

They've obviously decided that you know that slow burner proay yea yeah?

They've obviously decided that you know that slow burner proay yea yeah?

Yet what what do you mean? Are you saying I'm not a great fans for.

Yet what what do you mean? Are you saying I'm not a great fans for.

Here, Well, I've just told you it was great fanfare, but you're not the first.

Here, Well, I've just told you it was great fanfare, but you're not the first.

I mean, I thought you and I were announcing it together.

I mean, I thought you and I were announcing it together.

It turns out it's on some bloody POxy British comedy site. So you know, know, both of us have been gazumpt mate. It's not just me, so it's also it's also so look, yes I am, but actually.

It turns out it's on some bloody POxy British comedy site. So you know, know, both of us have been gazumpt mate. It's not just me, so it's also it's also so look, yes I am, but actually.

That's the next project.

That's the next project.

The real project, the project that I've been working towards for a year is my christ Church gig, because it will be the very last gig of my current tour, one hundred and fifty eight tour, the longest tour I've ever done in my life, and I end in christ Church, and I am looking forward to it for lots of reasons, but mainly because I've played christ Church many times in the past. I've always had wonderful gigs, and I'm looking forward to bringing a new show.

The real project, the project that I've been working towards for a year is my christ Church gig, because it will be the very last gig of my current tour, one hundred and fifty eight tour, the longest tour I've ever done in my life, and I end in christ Church, and I am looking forward to it for lots of reasons, but mainly because I've played christ Church many times in the past. I've always had wonderful gigs, and I'm looking forward to bringing a new show.

Now you're not doing el to John A and saying this is the final run around the block, and then once you do the final run around the block, so actually I'm going to go on the road again.

Now you're not doing el to John A and saying this is the final run around the block, and then once you do the final run around the block, so actually I'm going to go on the road again.

And isn't it our Showby's moves on?

And isn't it our Showby's moves on?

That used to be the Frank Sinatra comment, isn't it They used to talk about Frank sin Archer doing that, but now because it's Elton John. No, it's the final dig of this tour. I mean, I wouldn't dream of announcing that I'm not doing anymore because I have no idea what I'm going.

That used to be the Frank Sinatra comment, isn't it They used to talk about Frank sin Archer doing that, but now because it's Elton John. No, it's the final dig of this tour. I mean, I wouldn't dream of announcing that I'm not doing anymore because I have no idea what I'm going.

To be doing next. I never do.

To be doing next. I never do.

My life has been a wonderful and privileged improvisation. I fulfilled my lifetime's ambition. At the age of twenty one. I started making a living writing comedy and that's all I'd ever wanted and it's what I've done ever since, and I imagine I'll continue doing it. Whether people will still want to see me is another matter. But I actually think I'm enjoying stand up comedy. Well, I know I'm enjoying stand up comedy more than I have ever done, and I think that I'm better at it than I used to be.

My life has been a wonderful and privileged improvisation. I fulfilled my lifetime's ambition. At the age of twenty one. I started making a living writing comedy and that's all I'd ever wanted and it's what I've done ever since, and I imagine I'll continue doing it. Whether people will still want to see me is another matter. But I actually think I'm enjoying stand up comedy. Well, I know I'm enjoying stand up comedy more than I have ever done, and I think that I'm better at it than I used to be.

And so no, I would be very surprised if this is the last time By tour.

And so no, I would be very surprised if this is the last time By tour.

But it's a lot of material I mean I'm doing. I played New zeal What in twenty twenty two, I think at the end of my COVID canceled tour, and it's a completely new show, so that's a lot of material to get together. I talk quick and I do two and a half hours, so that's plenty of ideas is to run through. So who knows, Maybe I'll run out, but I think the world is not in danger of running out of absurdity and inspiration of lunacy, so hopefully there'll still be something to be.

But it's a lot of material I mean I'm doing. I played New zeal What in twenty twenty two, I think at the end of my COVID canceled tour, and it's a completely new show, so that's a lot of material to get together. I talk quick and I do two and a half hours, so that's plenty of ideas is to run through. So who knows, Maybe I'll run out, but I think the world is not in danger of running out of absurdity and inspiration of lunacy, so hopefully there'll still be something to be.

To need us to be funny about.

To need us to be funny about.

So when you started that, you were twenty one, and I gather that you were the BBC's youngest of a sitcom writer. What was it that you didn't know about comedy then that you know now?

So when you started that, you were twenty one, and I gather that you were the BBC's youngest of a sitcom writer. What was it that you didn't know about comedy then that you know now?

Well, I don't know if I've ever known anything about comedy. I follow my instincts. Every word I write is an improvisation. Every word I say I'm with there's an oft misquoted. I don't get it right, but them Force has said something along the lines of how can I tell you what I think until I've heard what I have to say? And that tends to be the way I I mean. I tend to form my thoughts in motion, whether it's onto my computer screen or in conversation or occasionally improvising around an act that I've already written. I mean, it doesn't change much each night, but there's always that possibility.

Well, I don't know if I've ever known anything about comedy. I follow my instincts. Every word I write is an improvisation. Every word I say I'm with there's an oft misquoted. I don't get it right, but them Force has said something along the lines of how can I tell you what I think until I've heard what I have to say? And that tends to be the way I I mean. I tend to form my thoughts in motion, whether it's onto my computer screen or in conversation or occasionally improvising around an act that I've already written. I mean, it doesn't change much each night, but there's always that possibility.

And my life is like that.

And my life is like that.

It's an improvisation.

It's an improvisation.

So I'm not trying to be clever.

So I'm not trying to be clever.

But I don't know if I know anything about comedy beyond the one thing which I've always known, which is above all.

But I don't know if I know anything about comedy beyond the one thing which I've always known, which is above all.

To own self be true.

To own self be true.

I think in art as in life, Polonius gave his advice to Hamlet. He said one of his pieces of advice was above all self be true. And I think in art that is incredibly important, because if you're trying to please the audience, your very little chance you certainly won't please yourself. And your very little chance of pleasing them the only way you can create worthwhile, and I for what it's worth. My comedy is my art. It's what I'd say makes it sound a bit pompous, but I think it'd be more pompous.

I think in art as in life, Polonius gave his advice to Hamlet. He said one of his pieces of advice was above all self be true. And I think in art that is incredibly important, because if you're trying to please the audience, your very little chance you certainly won't please yourself. And your very little chance of pleasing them the only way you can create worthwhile, and I for what it's worth. My comedy is my art. It's what I'd say makes it sound a bit pompous, but I think it'd be more pompous.

If I called it a craft.

If I called it a craft.

I don't know anyway, whatever it is I do, the only way I can do my best is to please myself. And I knew that instinctively when I started writing, when I was eleven or twelve, write what I think is funny and hope other people like it. Don't try and write towards what you think they might think is funny.

I don't know anyway, whatever it is I do, the only way I can do my best is to please myself. And I knew that instinctively when I started writing, when I was eleven or twelve, write what I think is funny and hope other people like it. Don't try and write towards what you think they might think is funny.

I think it'd be more pompous if you called yourself a practitioner.

I think it'd be more pompous if you called yourself a practitioner.

Practitioner of the comic comic practice. Yeah, but I think above all so it's funnily enough, Polonious was something of a sort of bumbling fool of a character. But he, you know, out of the mouths of fall. Shakespeare did that a lot, and above all lines I own selfie true. I mean, I wish politicians would follow that. You know, you see politicians desperately trying to follow a line that they only half believe in the part, you know, sort of saying what they think. You know, they know it's stupid, but they think it might.

Practitioner of the comic comic practice. Yeah, but I think above all so it's funnily enough, Polonious was something of a sort of bumbling fool of a character. But he, you know, out of the mouths of fall. Shakespeare did that a lot, and above all lines I own selfie true. I mean, I wish politicians would follow that. You know, you see politicians desperately trying to follow a line that they only half believe in the part, you know, sort of saying what they think. You know, they know it's stupid, but they think it might.

Appeal to a certain base or whatever. You know.

Appeal to a certain base or whatever. You know.

I think if everybody was more honest about what they honestly feel and said it, I think we'd be better off. And certainly on stage as a stand up you are getting the most subjective version of my my comic craft, art, vocation, whatever. Because I am entirely subjective. I'm doing what young people do I'm standing in my truth and sharing what I know. That's what that's what they say, when what they mean is, in my opinion.

I think if everybody was more honest about what they honestly feel and said it, I think we'd be better off. And certainly on stage as a stand up you are getting the most subjective version of my my comic craft, art, vocation, whatever. Because I am entirely subjective. I'm doing what young people do I'm standing in my truth and sharing what I know. That's what that's what they say, when what they mean is, in my opinion.

What does your show say about your outlook on life? What is your outlook on life?

What does your show say about your outlook on life? What is your outlook on life?

I mean, you know, that's a very massive, massive question.

I mean, you know, that's a very massive, massive question.

But I think you could take away from my.

But I think you could take away from my.

Career that I'm essentially an enthusiastic about being human. I love being part of the human community. I think there is much to make us despair, but we've created it, so we've got to try and fix it. I think there's an essential in the long run of confidence.

Career that I'm essentially an enthusiastic about being human. I love being part of the human community. I think there is much to make us despair, but we've created it, so we've got to try and fix it. I think there's an essential in the long run of confidence.

And in our humanity.

And in our humanity.

Yeah, I think my show is essentially a celebration, even though it is finding the funny and all the weaknesses and foolishnesses and pretensions that we all share. There's something very beautiful about being a comedian because when you're doing good comedy, comedy, which is about finding the funny that we all recognize together, you recognize that the human race really.

Yeah, I think my show is essentially a celebration, even though it is finding the funny and all the weaknesses and foolishnesses and pretensions that we all share. There's something very beautiful about being a comedian because when you're doing good comedy, comedy, which is about finding the funny that we all recognize together, you recognize that the human race really.

Is one race.

Is one race.

I mean, I'm always being asked whenever I go to a newtaph, oh, what is it about Auckland audiences? Well, Liver Puddleian's funnier than Glaswegians. And to be honest, it's nonsense. People are all people, and we all share so much. Obviously isn't much looks different. But what the comedian finds, and I think what every artist finds when they write a tune or paying a picture that people are find interesting or intriguing is a shared humanity, a moment when your humanity resonates with somebody else's or in my case, a large crowd of people. And so yeah, I think in the end my show is what do you take away a celebration of being human? Because we are all, as Shakespeare said, bare forked animals, we are all small scared. If only people like Donald Trump could recognize that he's a small, terrified, vain, little individual, desperate to be liked, desperate to be at mid then then probably wouldn't do so much damage, you know. And I think he can say the same about most people, not just him. And I think recognizing our smallness is what comedy is.

I mean, I'm always being asked whenever I go to a newtaph, oh, what is it about Auckland audiences? Well, Liver Puddleian's funnier than Glaswegians. And to be honest, it's nonsense. People are all people, and we all share so much. Obviously isn't much looks different. But what the comedian finds, and I think what every artist finds when they write a tune or paying a picture that people are find interesting or intriguing is a shared humanity, a moment when your humanity resonates with somebody else's or in my case, a large crowd of people. And so yeah, I think in the end my show is what do you take away a celebration of being human? Because we are all, as Shakespeare said, bare forked animals, we are all small scared. If only people like Donald Trump could recognize that he's a small, terrified, vain, little individual, desperate to be liked, desperate to be at mid then then probably wouldn't do so much damage, you know. And I think he can say the same about most people, not just him. And I think recognizing our smallness is what comedy is.

I mean, look at.

I mean, look at.

Chaplain Chaplain's celebration of the essential lonely lonely inadequacy, which then leads to actually a beautiful realization that we're all in this together. I don't know, we're getting onto quite broad stuff here, but you asked a very broad question.

Chaplain Chaplain's celebration of the essential lonely lonely inadequacy, which then leads to actually a beautiful realization that we're all in this together. I don't know, we're getting onto quite broad stuff here, but you asked a very broad question.

All right, and a very suitable answer. You know, you talk about your comedy show, and you're known for shows like The Young Ones and black Head and all of that. Have you ever thought about ditching comedy and doing something completely different in terms of something serious a writer?

All right, and a very suitable answer. You know, you talk about your comedy show, and you're known for shows like The Young Ones and black Head and all of that. Have you ever thought about ditching comedy and doing something completely different in terms of something serious a writer?

Yeah, you know, I did do one very serious thing about two three years ago. Ken Branner rang me up. I was on a wind sweat. It was a very right, it was very Shakespearean.

Yeah, you know, I did do one very serious thing about two three years ago. Ken Branner rang me up. I was on a wind sweat. It was a very right, it was very Shakespearean.

I've done this.

I've done this.

I'm quoting a lot of Shakespeare at the moment, but I've been doing a lot of Shakespeare because I have this sitcom in Britain called up Start Crow, which is a is a sort of Blackadder like take on Shakespeare's life starring David Mitchell. And anyway, Ken Branner rang me up, and I was on Rottnest Island in Western Australia and it was a big storm was blowing, and he.

I'm quoting a lot of Shakespeare at the moment, but I've been doing a lot of Shakespeare because I have this sitcom in Britain called up Start Crow, which is a is a sort of Blackadder like take on Shakespeare's life starring David Mitchell. And anyway, Ken Branner rang me up, and I was on Rottnest Island in Western Australia and it was a big storm was blowing, and he.

Said, I've got a challenge for you. I want you to write.

Said, I've got a challenge for you. I want you to write.

A feature film script about Shakespeare in retirement, exploring, you.

A feature film script about Shakespeare in retirement, exploring, you.

Know, a life compromise. He had ignored his family, the grief of his son son's death.

Know, a life compromise. He had ignored his family, the grief of his son son's death.

You know, it's so many interesting ideas of what it is to be an artist in late middle age. He was in a way missed his life because he's been working too hard. And he said, and the main thing I say, you're not allowed to be funny. He said, it will be funny because you can't help yourself, but do not try and write a single joke.

You know, it's so many interesting ideas of what it is to be an artist in late middle age. He was in a way missed his life because he's been working too hard. And he said, and the main thing I say, you're not allowed to be funny. He said, it will be funny because you can't help yourself, but do not try and write a single joke.

And if you do, I won't do it.

And if you do, I won't do it.

And I wrote play a film called All Is True, and he made it, starring himself, Dome, Judy Dench and Serien McKellan. So I did it, and Judy Dome. Judy actually sent me a little video saying the reason I've done this, this this movie for kenn is because of your script then, and that was obviously a beautiful moment.

And I wrote play a film called All Is True, and he made it, starring himself, Dome, Judy Dench and Serien McKellan. So I did it, and Judy Dome. Judy actually sent me a little video saying the reason I've done this, this this movie for kenn is because of your script then, and that was obviously a beautiful moment.

And so yeah, that was actually quite a serious movie.

And so yeah, that was actually quite a serious movie.

I mean, there's there's love, and there is there is some humor in it, but actually it's quite it's quite a quite a sad and somber script because you know, obviously the Shakespeare has lost their son.

I mean, there's there's love, and there is there is some humor in it, but actually it's quite it's quite a quite a sad and somber script because you know, obviously the Shakespeare has lost their son.

Both their daughters had quite troubled lives. Obviously the marriage was sort of weird.

Both their daughters had quite troubled lives. Obviously the marriage was sort of weird.

And as much as they shared their lives together but essentially a part. And she was they say, a literate. There's so much interesting stuff that Shakespeare, the greatest writer in English language, was married to a woman who probably couldn't read.

And as much as they shared their lives together but essentially a part. And she was they say, a literate. There's so much interesting stuff that Shakespeare, the greatest writer in English language, was married to a woman who probably couldn't read.

And I actually delve into that in the movie. Yeah.

And I actually delve into that in the movie. Yeah.

I mean, all my work is serious, but that was the one that was least funny.

I mean, all my work is serious, but that was the one that was least funny.

Right, you talk about Shakespeare, and I'm dealing with that whole end of career and you know, until I do the right thing and blah blah blah. Do you think you've ever been guilty of overworking?

Right, you talk about Shakespeare, and I'm dealing with that whole end of career and you know, until I do the right thing and blah blah blah. Do you think you've ever been guilty of overworking?

No, I really don't.

No, I really don't.

I have a very good work life balance, which is perhaps why I don't write quite as well as Shakespeare did. I'm I've always you know, my wife and I are still happily married. Our kids, I think, are well adjusted. They love us, They love to come home and see us and hang out with us. So I'm, you know, I'm I'm deeply fortunate and very grateful that, you know, my home life and my private life have remained I think, very grounded, and that's because I love it, and I you know, I stopped touring for fifteen years because I wanted to spend some time at home, carried on writing novels.

I have a very good work life balance, which is perhaps why I don't write quite as well as Shakespeare did. I'm I've always you know, my wife and I are still happily married. Our kids, I think, are well adjusted. They love us, They love to come home and see us and hang out with us. So I'm, you know, I'm I'm deeply fortunate and very grateful that, you know, my home life and my private life have remained I think, very grounded, and that's because I love it, and I you know, I stopped touring for fifteen years because I wanted to spend some time at home, carried on writing novels.

I'll always work. My wife's lives made to work, only hanging around.

I'll always work. My wife's lives made to work, only hanging around.

But I love to create. But I know how to take time off if I'm not. You know, I'll go months without writing something, you know. And I never have writer's block because I'm lucky. I can afford to not work. And so if I've got writer's block, I just call it going to the pub.

But I love to create. But I know how to take time off if I'm not. You know, I'll go months without writing something, you know. And I never have writer's block because I'm lucky. I can afford to not work. And so if I've got writer's block, I just call it going to the pub.

And you know, I love to cook. I love family meals, and I love.

And you know, I love to cook. I love family meals, and I love.

Shared friendships, and and my the things that matter to me in life are obviously, I'm my work matters to me, but but equally and morse obviously the most important thing is your family and your children. But but I have many friendships, and I don't believe I've ever lost a single friendship when I've worked with some of I've made many and never lost one.

Shared friendships, and and my the things that matter to me in life are obviously, I'm my work matters to me, but but equally and morse obviously the most important thing is your family and your children. But but I have many friendships, and I don't believe I've ever lost a single friendship when I've worked with some of I've made many and never lost one.

And and I love that.

And and I love that.

So no, I don't feel I've ever worked too hard because I can look at a life which which we were filled with with with a lot of happiness and satisfaction. So you know, whether I got it right by luck or design, I'm sounding terribly.

So no, I don't feel I've ever worked too hard because I can look at a life which which we were filled with with with a lot of happiness and satisfaction. So you know, whether I got it right by luck or design, I'm sounding terribly.

I don't well, no, no, no, no, Look, I don't want to get too heavy on it. But you sound you sound blessed.

I don't well, no, no, no, no, Look, I don't want to get too heavy on it. But you sound you sound blessed.

Yeah, I'm not.

Yeah, I'm not.

You know, we have our own happiness isn't our moment.

You know, we have our own happiness isn't our moment.

But but basically I do think I'm well adjusted to work. I do not feel I have to work. And I've got thing about holism, you know, alcoholism, whatever. People.

But but basically I do think I'm well adjusted to work. I do not feel I have to work. And I've got thing about holism, you know, alcoholism, whatever. People.

You know, if you do too much of this modern world, so the things you can make a rule about what's too much. Like the government's always saying you can drink this much or drink that much. If not, you're a dangerous drink.

You know, if you do too much of this modern world, so the things you can make a rule about what's too much. Like the government's always saying you can drink this much or drink that much. If not, you're a dangerous drink.

You're an alcoholic. I love to drink. I love booze.

You're an alcoholic. I love to drink. I love booze.

I think is one of the great blessings of nature. I know you have to keep it under.

I think is one of the great blessings of nature. I know you have to keep it under.

Control, but I drink a lot more than the government says is healthy.

Control, but I drink a lot more than the government says is healthy.

But my theory is this, if you drink a teaspoon of wine and it causes you to, you know, get in a fight and not pay your tax and be generally a layer about then, and you can't give that teaspoon.

But my theory is this, if you drink a teaspoon of wine and it causes you to, you know, get in a fight and not pay your tax and be generally a layer about then, and you can't give that teaspoon.

Up, then you're an alcoholic.

Up, then you're an alcoholic.

If like me, you'll often do a bottle and a half of wine, but you get up in the morning, love your missus, pay your tax, you know, get on with a with a with a hopefully relatively useful life, then.

If like me, you'll often do a bottle and a half of wine, but you get up in the morning, love your missus, pay your tax, you know, get on with a with a with a hopefully relatively useful life, then.

Why give it up?

Why give it up?

You know. So that's my view about work as well.

You know. So that's my view about work as well.

I work a lot more than a lot of people do.

I work a lot more than a lot of people do.

A lot less than I mean it, certainly work a lot less than a coal miner or a teacher or a career somebody who's caring for a disabled relative.

A lot less than I mean it, certainly work a lot less than a coal miner or a teacher or a career somebody who's caring for a disabled relative.

They know about work.

They know about work.

And I'm not trying to virtue signally the interview. I'm just staying the bleeding obvious, which is, yeah, I get up and do a few hours writing a day, but hey, you know, it ain't sitting in the trenches. So you know, I think if you do something which is to the detriment of your family or your social life, if you do something which impacts badly on the community or on your family, and you can't give it up, then you've got a problem. If you're doing something that you know everybody enjoys and you still.

And I'm not trying to virtue signally the interview. I'm just staying the bleeding obvious, which is, yeah, I get up and do a few hours writing a day, but hey, you know, it ain't sitting in the trenches. So you know, I think if you do something which is to the detriment of your family or your social life, if you do something which impacts badly on the community or on your family, and you can't give it up, then you've got a problem. If you're doing something that you know everybody enjoys and you still.

Have a great life, then you haven't got a problem.

Have a great life, then you haven't got a problem.

So writing sixteen novels and that's my hobby, has not been a problem for me.

So writing sixteen novels and that's my hobby, has not been a problem for me.

Brilliant to talk to and looking forward to seeing in christ Dich.

Brilliant to talk to and looking forward to seeing in christ Dich.

Yeah, I'm bringing a brand new show and I hope you'll come along and have a really good laugh.

Yeah, I'm bringing a brand new show and I hope you'll come along and have a really good laugh.

For more from Caterbory Mornings with John McDonald, listen live to news talks It'd be christ Church from nine am weekdays, or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio

For more from Caterbory Mornings with John McDonald, listen live to news talks It'd be christ Church from nine am weekdays, or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio