Alan Davies Shares a Stand-Up Disaster Story

Rob is joined by comedian, actor and resident QI panellist, Alan Davies, to chat about a variety of topics including the 1970s US cop show Starsky and Hutch, Coronation Street’s Vera Duckworth, and how he's starting to write a novel.
The ‘Jonathan Creek’ star also discusses a particularly difficult stand-up experience, and how his comedy was inspired by the alternative 80s sitcom, ‘The Young Ones’.
Listen to the full episode free and exclusively on Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/7Hqi...
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Rob Brydon is best known for his work on The Trip, Gavin & Stacey and presenting the BBC One comedy panel show Would I Lie To You?
Also check out Rob’s other Social Media pages:
👉 / robbrydon​​​
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🎥 Edited by Greg Bernstein
#RobBrydon #AlanDavies #QI

[@RobBrydon]

Listen to the full episode free and exclusively on Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/7HqiAjuiCwoIpgkNqvTN3i

[@thisirishlad219]

Can we please get the full episodes with video? Joe Rogan has it, why can't Rob? Because we all know Rob > Joe

[@vanessaisom8620]

These interviews come to an end too quick! I could listen to those two reminiscing all day! Thanks Rob.

[@johnhockenhull2819]

Although the full episodes are audio only - so not as watchable.

[@chester6514]

@@johnhockenhull2819 yeah it’s weird that they do that considering it’s all filmed anyway. Seems like a waste of time if they aren’t going to show the video.

[@user-hx1in9br5v]

@@chester6514 does Spotify premium not have the video?

[@tpe1511]

100pc

[@cuzned1375]

Look, we’re basically out of time, but let’s quote The Young Ones to each other. 😆 As others have said here, just a lovely, relaxed conversation - one of Rob’s many talents. Love it.

[@mikeyk212]

These two lads were at the top of their game. . Could watch for another hour.

[@maryjensen5310]

God, I love Alan Davies so much. Thank you for having him on your show.

[@shaunieinthewrasslin2877]

Really love Rob and these interviews they feel so real which is weird to say most interviews like this should feel that way but don’t, but Rob is so charming and funny and has good questions and conversation to where it actually feels he gives a shit 😂

[@kip267]

The young ones reminiscing was lovely, can't help but always shed a tear for Rik❤

[@joelennis6338]

Rob, Thank you for this series and giving us some of the personalities of these comedians we love. I am an older American who was introduced to QI and 8 out of 10 cats and WILTY on KZbin by his son, and I find I have become a big fan of British "panel shows". You and Alan are amongst my favorites. Keep making us laugh, and think. Thanks.

[@johnennis4586]

Thought that was my comment then.

[@canderousrobo3321]

Alan Davies !!!!!........you bloody legend!!!!

[@merlinsclaw]

Alan! Top man. Starsky and Hutch, John Lennon and The Young Ones. Excellent.

[@HARDYSFISHINGADVENTURES]

best guest ever

[@KingMuttley]

I could listen to these two talking about Rik Mayall and classic comedy in general for hours on end

[@michaelrawson6261]

Absolutely brilliant! Love Rob Brydon, love Alan Davies, great interview!

[@Sissystallings3198]

I could listen to these two ALL day. This spot was too quick. I’ll have to go listen to the whole episode…hopefully there is more! 😍😃

[@Simon-T.]

Great interview and I loved the Rik reminiscing. RIP to the legend!

[@TheTruthKiwi]

I couldn't believe it when he said in one of his anecdotes that he was filming Jonathan Creek in '96 or '97, I thought, hang on, I'm sure that's a relatively recent show. Turns out they made 2 or 3 shows a year for nealy 20 years. I did not know that. Good gig for him though, as is his permanent fixture on QI. Pretty much every actor/comedians dream career and well deserved. Very funny interaction between two funny gentlemen.

[@PinkSallyProductions]

Fab! 2 of my all time favourite comedians chatting together and bonding over a mutual love of The Young Ones. Great stuff 👍🏼 Thank you Mr. B. Be well 🌹

[@scottmoyle879]

I remember walking to school doing my best Rick/Neil impressions the day after. Heavy man!☺️

[@beverleypender5931]

Alan and his stand-up story about his cats. I will NEVER forget it. He is a British icon.

[@tristanwinkworth1562]

I recently discovered QI and am in the midst of a full-series binge-watch from start to finish (I-series at the moment.) Both Alan and Rob are both fantastically funny every time I see them. I'm glad Alan is still a part of QI after Stephen Fry's departure, and I feel he is the reason the transition to Sandy Toksvig has been so successful and smooth. I'm glad Alan mentioned the "trip hazards" of filming three episodes in a day, as I've been wondering how tough that must be when he's a part of all three episodes not to conflate episodes for jokes. Very talented people on the screen here!

[@xmaoi]

Worth listening to his recent appearance on the Richard Herring podcast, RHLSTP.

[@travisinthetrunk]

QI was on BBC America for a little while and I got hooked, then they took it off for some reason and I was crushed until I found it on KZbin.

[@tristanwinkworth1562]

Oh, and of course, these two were there when we learned what they say of the Acropolis where the Parthenon is.

[@Maya_Pinion]

Me too! Me too....🇺🇸

[@jessgunn6639]

loved stephen love sandi but i adore alan!

[@zomart4016]

An utterly congenial host with lots of fab mates, this was always going to work.

[@jamescaseymusic]

That was a joy, thank you.

[@marymellor4219]

Such an enjoyable, relaxed and funny interview. Thanks

[@PaulSmith-nd7dj]

Loved the young ones remeniscences, happy days indeed. Great interview between two genuinely nice guys. Thanks to you both

[@LC-le9ew]

This interview was a real treat!

[@strangerthanstring4431]

Thank you Rob & Alan!!

[@AdamS365]

LOVE the Young Ones reference 😂

[@Karlettastar]

Thanks Rob! Audio quality is wonderful. Long time, no comments. Thanks Alan and good luck going forward. (No obligation to pass on Rob).

[@jennyt966]

Fantastic interview. It was great that they were reminiscing about "The Young Ones". I was 16 then too. It was brilliant.

[@sianwarwick633]

Ah, tremendous. Isn't Alan Davies the best ? Thanks for the Rik Mayall bits. His look was wild. Now i'm going to listen to the Spotify episode with Rhys Ifans. A great podcast

[@cgrohs1]

Thank you! Can't get enough of Alan!!

[@adgreen1993]

I just adore Alan Davies #legend 💗❤️ What a sweet wonderful man. Can’t wait for the novel to come out. I wish Rob Brydon could interview Lee Evans. Lee and Alan are my top favorite comedians. Pure Genius

[@Nufcliamzzz]

I’m 21. Know almost every word of the young ones. It’s the greatest show. And anyone I meet that likes it, is instantly someone I can get on with

[@TheTruthKiwi]

Great to hear that the young ones still appreciate it. I was 4 when young ones first aired so was a bit young for the first round but loved Bottom when that came out and subsequently watched them all of course. Rik was a comical genius. RIP

[@bluetoad2668]

"the bathroom's free, unlike the country under Margaret Thatcher's junter" - I still use that line

[@Nufcliamzzz]

@@bluetoad2668 I always say neils “ because viviannn, we haven’t got any breaaad” or when neil needs a bowl for the lentils flying out the wall and he tells vivian to “get a bowl”

[@Nufcliamzzz]

@@TheTruthKiwi he was the man the myth the legend. The peoples poet. Loved his cameos in BLACKADDER also. Lord flashheart is a great character hahaha. Bad news on comic strip is great too

[@allancox3324]

I'm 61 and still quote them. Yesterday I remembered something Vivian said and I laughed and laughed and laughed.

[@angiecuteass]

Same generation as you guys, The Young Ones certainly had the same effect!

[@Johnny-Joseph]

"I did one of those teenage cancer things once" is only a line a comedian could drop in conversation

[@highdownmartin]

When eBay said it, it almost sounded like tedious cancer things.

[@yippy327]

Hello!! I'm from Pennsylvania, usa.

[@user-hx1in9br5v]

What are "EU panel shows"?

[@superman00001]

Our good comedians, such as these two, are so precious to Britain. We need and love them so much. ❤️❤️

[@natalya9821]

This video adds a touch of luxury to our life. Thank you so much. Hello from Moscow.

[@layalabi1667]

Love Alan Davies!! Thank you!!!!

[@gjmay78]

Thank you for letting us listen in on your chat. You both have made me laugh many, many times over the years. Smart, observant comedy at its best.

[@SunnyBeetle1922]

What a lovely relaxed interview. I was reminiscing along with you. Thank you for sharing your wisdom and experience 🙏🏽 💕😍👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@IrrationalWoman]

I've been waiting for it for so long, thank you SO MUCH! Love you both to the moon and back ❤

[@dancesontheceiling]

Two lovely men. Two lovely CELEBRITY men. Why, it’s like winning the lottery! Hooray. At 72, I feel like a proud Aunt.

[@prezzeruk4054]

My wife and I, are currently watching qi, from episode 1, to the last one. We have just started F!!

[@msbluejayway]

What a treat! And so good to hear they are recording a new QI series :)

[@Userjo37]

Love that you now tell the guests when you are starting Rob 😂

[@micheleturley8758]

These interviews are beautifully crafted and full of genius xx

[@LUFC123]

Vera Duckworth . Brilliant

[@bioLarzen]

I have a firm conviction that there are certain QI episodes where it's obvious that Alan would rather be home - guess those are these "two-a-day" episodes :)

[@luminair11]

Would love to see Alan Davies acting again in a new series.......I can see him as a super sleuth of some kind and really loved him in Johathan Creek......watched that over and over again here in Australia! He's still a good looking man as far as I'm concerned.

[@paulhadfield7909]

ive almost finsihed your book,its very good, cheers

[@evenstrained]

I’m really happy for you to be able to snare so many of the world’s favorite artists to talk with. Hope you’re well. You don’t seem that well. Happy for myself to experience everyone of these without fail. From Portland, Oregon.

[@renejean2523]

Hey, Scott. I'm a Brit living in Oregon City.

[@evenstrained]

@@renejean2523 Well, that’s crazy. Thanks for reaching out.

[@andypalin3287]

Great interview ...Cheers both! 🎸😎🤘

[@PeterKennedy3]

Lovely stuff, thanks. Also happy to report that we see Carry On films occasionally on Australian TV.

[@yayapj4]

Alan Davies = GOAT

[@D4n1t0o]

Fear not! I'm a millennial raised on Carry On films! They are not forgotten 😊

[@apow3rs]

All these years later I still remember Alan’s set on Jack Dee where he waxed about his bike pedals, scab and matchbox.

[@vickywitton1008]

I remember him talking about the cats he had at the time

[@RealBesty]

I saw Alan In Tunbridge Wells on his Urban Trauma tour and he was excellent 👌

[@leadoucet1432]

I discovered Alan Davies on clips of QI during the lockdown and really enjoy his humour. This was a lovely interview, wholly entertaining from start to finish. Now I'm off to find something else of his to watch.

[@georgielancaster1356]

As Yet Untitled Alan Davies. Great stories - was on yt Then straight acting work. Jonathan Creek whodunits

[@leadoucet1432]

@@georgielancaster1356 ty. Will check them out on yt. Not much available otherwise in Canada.

[@katesendegeya864]

The Brief is in a couple of places -- KZbin has a few individual episodes, but it's also on Hulu and Britbox. Do you get those in Canada? Damned and Whites are also on Britbox, along with Jonathan Creek. There is a lot of his stand up on KZbin. Sadly, my KZbin search history looks a bit stalker-ish! It's worth it, though when you find a couple of clips of Bob and Rose (wish I could get the whole series -- brilliant stuff). Or a documentary that follows him on his Urban Trauma tour. Good luck!

[@Yewbzee]

I was so disappointed when you said you had come to the end of the time and then you both did an encore with the Young Ones reminiscing, just awesome. Cheers fellas.

[@Christina_Paz]

Love Alan Davies! He's like a big kid on QI

[@tawawhite9668]

Whenever the rates bill arrives I bring it in from the letterbox shouting "We got a letter from the council." Classic stuff.

[@Original3523]

Great interview, thank you!

[@EricaGamet]

I could listen to the two of them quote The Young Ones for days! I think we first got the show here in the U.S. in about '87 (on MTV, if I recall correctly). I watched every episode at least 5 times. I recently found them all floating around on KZbin (or Vimeo)... I forgot how much I quote from my two favorite episodes, "Sick" and "Nasty." Your interviews are too short... we want more!!

[@myfriendbro]

This was very nice as usual Please do one with Victoria Coren Mitchell

[@fwabcaf]

Best opening ever.

[@julianlineham]

Fantastic, as always!

[@Davidsmith-go9oz]

Two old guys reminiscing sounds wonderful rob!

[@carolcaldwell]

Loved the reminisce!

[@tamravenhill301]

Excellent interview Rob. Entertaining. Why is there a time limit?

[@LeeAnneGuerin]

OK now I'm off to search for Young ones clips 😁

[@NelsondeQuinhones]

Finally 🙂 ! The Great Alan Davies!! What a treasure. One of the three greatests... Along with Rob Brydon and Lee Mack John Cleese, Stephen Fry and Billy Connolly and some others are Gods, sorry chaps 🙂

[@SophieBird07]

David Mitchell?

[@NelsondeQuinhones]

Yes @@SophieBird07, I'm an admirer, although I think it's a different style 🙂Absolutely, but a future Legend... A different style, but absolutely, I love David Mitchel! Thank him for all the binge watching through months of confinement 🙏 Though I stick to my three of election 🙂

[@nixpuk75]

Lovely chat guys 😘

[@krispugsley5704]

He literally promoted his new series of QI. And he's writing a novel. But good interview either way

[@avs5928]

I would watch Alan watch paint dry. Adore him.

[@katesendegeya864]

Totally with you there. Can't get enough of him.

[@csgollum]

Brilliant! I've been watching these for a while now and quite enjoy all the reminiscing and the stories. I hope you can bring on Stephen Fry one day soon.

[@suemackenzie7491]

Alan Davies is one of my favourite actors and comedians. Wish we could get more books from Britain in my library. I want to read his autobiography.

[@kamilarosinska5404]

You can get it on Kindle.

[@ancienttractorbuoy]

it''s well worth reading

[@florrie.6377]

It's worth the effort to get it, it was my favourite book of 2021 and I wasn't even that familiar with him back then.

[@ronbrand7238]

Good discussion interesting memories x

[@aledyoung2301]

Another smashing interview

[@19cornholio90]

Lovely episode

[@jasonhare8540]

More than anything else I want an Alan Davis novel to be he and Sandy solving mysteries with Phil Jupitus . The recurring villain in the series could be Steven Fry 😂

[@katesendegeya864]

Bwahahahaha! I would read dozens of those!

[@granthurlburt4062]

The intelligence and care for knowledge and speaking well of the British, as reflected on this program, are among the things I love about visiting England. When Alan says "it doesn't scan, does it"; you wouldn't hear this out of the mouth of anyone on U.S. or my Canadian TV programs since about the early 1970's, except maybe on Harry Shearer's private broadcasts, or MAYBE from Colbert. (if so, he'd follow it with an apology). Here it is just fine. This is a bit of a special show, but Ms Coren would say it too on any program.

[@gailadams8553]

Love both of these guys xxx

[@me-l-9910]

First one of your shows I've caught, very enjoyable! You have a new subscriber. 🙂 Cheers from the US, we apologize for being such a nuisance. 😄

[@katesendegeya864]

I second the apology.

[@janmulcahy1458]

When I was a teenager my nickname was Neil even though I am a girl because my hair used to hang down naturally in that same kind of centre parting.😂

[@forhealth5730]

Loved the bit at the end about the young ones . Hilarious

[@joannmay-anthony1076]

i wish your show was longer. I loved the Young Ones. Jeeze i was in my 30's.

[@Wydjonny]

Lovely morning in Los Angeles , waking up to a new one. 👏 👏

[@scoutrifle6827]

Ooh, two favorites together!

[@kamilarosinska5404]

Alan Davis! What a treat! Thank you!

[@vickywitton1008]

Love Alan!

[@Maya_Pinion]

Heyyyyyyy,hey guys. During lockdown I rewatched Jonathan creek( such a cutey) ,you guys on Qi ( new to me) ,the Big Quiz series..... 😳 OMG.....thanks for being yourselves.😘🇺🇸☮️

[@jessgunn6639]

hurrah! a new QI series!!!

[@annala2956]

"Hands up, who likes me?" Is m favorite Rik line, along with "Dear Mr. Echo..." As an American, I didn't see much of the other actors; only Rik was in other things I saw. Except Christopher Ryan was in an episode of "Saxondale"

[@krishnanneeraj]

The novel and QI can wait, give us a Tuesday Club podcast :)

[@scottmoyle879]

I remember walking to school and everyone doing young ones impressions. I did a very good Neil.

[@phily8093]

Alan Davies - never nervous or stressed about stand up - cue lots of times he was nervous and stressed about stand up.

[@suemackenzie7491]

My brother has 2 DVD boxed set from VCI entertainment Carry On Collection released 2013. Eight discs with sixteen movies on them.

[@andresilva8444]

Loved it. And by the way, Carry On is still always one. Retune your sets.

[@richmaniow]

Better than expected..