Eddie Izzard on French grammar, Brexit and trying to get his mother back

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The comedian, actor, political activist and transgender hero Eddie Izzard speaks to Eve Jackson about his new Paris show in French, what he’s got in common with Bill Gates and how everything he does in life is about trying to get his mother back.
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[@GodIsJamesMason]

"communication is more important than grammar" I love that, Eddie! ✌️

[@mariealainawalukas3048]

Yes! Exactly!

[@crookedpaths6612]

The irony of Eddy having trouble with masculine and feminine words

[@Arcadiabeckons]

'The key is not to worry about it so much' a message for every transphobe out there

[@tgreening]

I seriously considered suing him after the first time I saw one of his shows...because he damn near killed me!

[@MariaNI-yf1bz]

I love Eddie

[@banoffeepieva4861]

My mom once met him!

[@GoodJuju.8D]

An extremely intelligent person who seems to genuinely care about people. A rare find.

[@Drottninggatan2017]

Peut être intelligent, mais aussi un travesti. Figure-moi ça!

[@alysononoahu8702]

And a marathon runner I think to raise money he Ran 30 marathons in 30 days...in Africa?

[@saveusmilkboy]

Eddie tends to put it like this: he is radically moderate, in that he wants radical change while staying ideologically moderate. The problem is that most such people stay away from politics because politics is ideological and brutal. To the contrary, politics attracts radical, immoderate people, and people who like power. As a result, all the intelligent people who genuinely care about people don't shout as loud as the narcissists and the extremists.

[@shedevil50337]

@@Drottninggatan2017 Pas un travesti sinon une femme transsexuelle. Et alors? Le plus important est d'être une bonne personne et de se comporter d'une manière honnête et avec gentilesse. Je m'en fous si quelqu-un est un homme, une femme ou non binaire, hétéro, gay, bi ou asexué. Elle joint le geste à la parole en mettant la main au portefeuille. En 2009, elle a couru 43 marathons en 51 jours. En 2016, 27 en 27 jours. L'année dernière, 28 en 28 jours. Finalement cet année, elle a couru 32 marathons (un double le dernier jour) et a effectué 31 concerts de stand-up virtuels en 31 jours pendant le verrouillage de l'épidémie de pandémie de Covid-19. Elle a tout fait pour la charité, même si elle n'aime pas courir. En termes simples, elle est mon héros et ma comédienne préférée.

[@Drottninggatan2017]

@@shedevil50337 Mais non. Eddie est pas une femme, il est un homme. La charité n'est pas ansi bonne comme on a volu croir. Bill et Melinda Gates fait la charite, oficiellement, mais reellment c'est le genocide. Un travest en scene, oui. Mais pas un modèle pour les femmes. Ni femme ni hommes.

[@zarahp2098]

This man has such a gorgeous mind. Never ceases to amaze and humble me - thankfully. ♥

[@a.lee713]

My nail polish is the same colour as his and I've never been more proud.

[@kajakkille]

Wow, an English comedian looking like a German female chancellor doing comedy in French!

[@Einomar]

Simon Kefas Time to grow up lad.

[@plerpplerp5599]

Simon Kefas ... And why not? 😂

[@primus7776]

So avant garde ! (Claudia: "Interview with the Vampire")

[@PDeRop]

He looks like a strong woman is all Simon was saying. Angela Merkel is just amazing.. and Simon compared Eddie to her.. that's a compliment.. a big one.

[@bernardo_olafson]

You got your little world expanded right there.

[@catsupchutney]

I felt Eddie's pain as he paused before the word "...again". One never forgets that sense of loss.

[@conanliquid]

I lost my mum in 2013. She fought breast cancer for 25 years!! A warrior. I miss her every day.

[@thefilth7368]

@@conanliquid For 25 years?! Holy molly. That's a long fight. I hope it was an easy battle for most of the time. My condolences.

[@conanliquid]

@@thefilth7368 Thank you

[@CJ-hz1uj]

Yes, such a perfect, meaningful, pause, with profound grace.

[@forgive7449]

@@CJ-hz1uj too much make up

[@YellSpeakUp]

"The key thing is this century: this will be the last century on Earth for humanity. Or, it'll be our first century on Earth. We're just gonna wipe ourselves off the face of the planet *this century*- we've got the ability to do that with this separation, this hatred, this stoking that up, individuals saying, "let's go, let's run, let's hide, let's build walls"- or we make it work for 7 billion people. Everyone having the right to have enough money to live, to have family, to have democracy- having that as a right- We make that work this century, or goodbye humanity." ↑THIS.↑

[@4xoverland]

I am a huge Eddie Izzard fan. Brilliant, funny and humane in the very best sense. His book is a fantastic read.

[@jemmacortina6918]

Can’t stand the self-pontificating wrong’un. Wish he’d F off into yonder

[@lawrencedoliveiro9104]

Note to all translators of international content: yes to subtitles, no to dubbing. Let me hear their voices!

[@RedHair651]

That's a French channel. France doesn't really do subs on TV, ever.

[@AntoineRx]

that's not the translator's decision, the channel choses that

[@Skerdy]

Hell yes! I am a translator professionally, but really, dubbing never made sense to me even before landing a job as translator, when I just was watching foreign movies dubbed in Italian: it just feels so fake, it totally kills the mood, and that even when it is well done, which is NOT always the case.

[@sasukesarutobi3862]

I feel like it's one of the reasons that English speakers struggle with other languages: we never hear them. All we get is the impression that English is more important than whatever other language is being spoken.

[@erixxon74]

100% agree

[@randomjasmicisrandom]

That pause when he was talking about his mum. It happened the year I was born and it is still enough to make him pause.

[@JonJacksony]

8:27

[@lucille4824]

Eddie est genial. Je l'adore en francais comme en anglais. 😄😘

[@PhoenixInLove]

The amount of respect I have for him is immense.

[@kellypreston1549]

Absolutely agree. He gained a new fan. 😊

[@Orphen42O]

@@kellypreston1549 Eddie Izzard is brillant-- a wonderful talent.

[@jemmacortina6918]

I have less than zero respect for him

[@Lynnefromlyn]

@@jemmacortina6918 And that is your supreme tragedy.

[@nikolatovar9884]

@@Lynnefromlyn Agreed. Their loss and no one's gain.

[@Liz-cmc313]

Anybody else remember him in the TV show The Riches?(2007). Loved it! I wish it stayed on air longer. He's just a huge talent!

[@elizabethmatz4356]

Liz * yes yes yes I love that show with Minnie Driver. They were also brilliant and it was so beautifully written and engaging. I also wish it had gone on for many more seasons.

[@Qjemuse]

yes that was a great show. me and my younger sis both loved it. damn its been more than 10 years

[@JohnThomasii]

I wholeheartedly agree. Brilliant show with great writing and characters.

[@TJKillip]

Certainly not what you'd expect from him at that point at all. Have to respect the 180 turn and we tried to watch that 1st year but just too macabre

[@EsotericTherapy]

OMG we need form an appreciation society: I felt like I was the only one.

[@OlympiaGiuliettaAntonia]

Europe would be lightyears ahead with more people like Eddie!

[@JaneDoe-ci3gj]

Agreed!

[@TheWildheartmuse]

He is the Genuine Article. Dressing and saying what he feels is his truth. I respect him and admire him. Keep being yourself Eddie.

[@Deadmentellnotales-vf3gg]

Lesli D "what he feels is his truth"....That statement has more contradictions than the Clinton foundation accounts books!

[@rain_down_]

No it doesn't - he's being true to himself. What's so contradictory about that?

[@Deadmentellnotales-vf3gg]

Ricky Larchston Truth is objective, feelings are subjective! What is subjective cannot be objective and visa versa! If truth is down to individual feelings then truth is a lie as a concept. It's really not that complicated.

[@rain_down_]

I think you're making it far more complicated than it needs to be. He's being true to himself, it's a well known saying.

[@cahillgreg]

Dead ... Truth isn't objective - it's the product of a subjective apparatus - it's just that when we have a degree of consensus, we get bold enough to label it truth. Lesli made her point to communicate an idea re a colloquial type of truth - it wasn't really something that warranted the attention of a trainee epistemologist who hasn't worked out that words have fluid and floating meanings.

[@sint0xicateme]

"Communication is more important than grammar" Amen. Prescriptivism is fascist.

[@brandbird]

Eddie, she would no doubt be proud of you, as you are one of the most wonderful people that's ever lived on this planet.

[@barbarasfdavis]

The interviewer is just not the right individual to interact with Eddie on camera. The editing is choppy, too. I guess I'm a secret art critic. Eddie's trip to Africa to get in touch with his/our roots, and his multi-day marathons, in addition to his brilliant stage and screen work, make him an international treasure.

[@Teeb2023]

Yeah, and a very odd (unprofessional?) sideways glance at 2:54 .

[@mainie_videoediting]

I agree, very strange how she didn't look at Eddie when she asked questions etc. Such a nice expression btw, international treasure! Maybe Eddie is the first one?!

[@jaclynnl7304]

I just love Eddie Lizard. He is intelligent as well as very funny. Great combination.

[@tom123607]

Your mother would have been so proud of your acheivments you are a great man mr izzard

[@lydiaj7492]

I've adored him for years. Based on this interview, I NEED to know the brand and name of his lipstick!

[@dr.leftfield9566]

I knew Eddie's mother passed when he was young and as I've watched him over the years it becomes obvious how traumatic an effect this lost love has had and how it reflects on the way he performs and how it is delivered. Someone should have told him by now that he has achieved things that no other human being in history has done and i'm sure this record will remain unique as will his legacy.

[@vanhavirta]

You're a gorgeous man, Eddie -- all the best of luck!

[@tinalilith]

Love, respect and admiration to you Eddie... please keep up the wonderful work!

[@claudiajanzen2564]

I love him, and everything he stands for!

[@Nixx0912]

Just got back from the show, thank you Eddie for a bit of positive energy after disastrous day at work.

[@berniemccann8935]

Eddie, don't worry too much about the negativity. Some people have an education but remain unintelligent without realization.

[@wangdangdoodie]

Should read 'realisation'

[@ThePhaeriephox]

American spelling has a "z" instead of an "s." ;-)

[@LetalisLatrodectus]

Actually the word "realize" has always originally been spelled with a 'z'. Both in British English and American English. Spelling it as 'realise' gained popularity later on by British morons who wanted to seperate themselves from America.

[@steelssstu6515]

Lol sounds like a sound bite,I'm very intelligent and realise that his lipstick looks pretty naff,try a quality one from boots and tone the colour down

[@steelssstu6515]

Brexit is the best thing to happen to the UK since we beat Hitler,low intelligence and inwardly thinking people seem to want to stay in the EU,it's quite sad to see so many so called intelligent people wanting to stay in a failing ideology with the EU

[@dcxdawn7541]

Geez..You don't ask about someone's tv show right after you ask about their dead mom..

[@slyfoxie55]

DCX Dawn and he was stunned.

[@JoRiver11]

It's an odd interview. She's going through her list of questions and not really listening.

[@starlinguk]

Yes, she either doesn't like him or she's never heard of him.

[@AlexUrielLag]

i swear man ... how insensitive and cold seriously ... \

[@themaggattack]

As they say: "Keep calm and carry on". She's so steriotypically severe. She could play the queen. (To be fair, there was probably splicing done in the post production of this interview making it come off as more curt.)

[@ahzekahriman5840]

Eddie is a transvestite, not transgender.

[@noenken]

See, that is what he meant talking about grammar being less important than just communicating with people.

[@TheBaconWizard]

Actually, no. He identifies as a woman.

[@TheBaconWizard]

@Im wearing tights that I borrowed from your mum. Fact: he does. Source: Eddy Izzard.

[@beetleything1864]

Has he got bobbs now ? That lipstick is to bright. 🧐

[@thefilth7368]

I didn't realise he was transgender until he said so. Thought he was "just" gay and liked dressing up to provoke reactions. Btw that comes off more negatively toned than I intend it to.

[@Qwufi]

I heard Hassan too. :D

[@Artemisss1]

"Communication is more important than grammar." MERCI!!! MERCI MON AMI. Spread the word. Je vous en prie.

[@raggy.6356]

Does not matter what his views are or the way he looks,like that fcking matters.He just proved he feels just like the rest of us and i give him kudos for that.I hope you get peace Eddie.

[@vijayafernando1]

RAGGY!!. Brilliant Eddie!

[@phizap]

RAGGY!! it matters to YOU, or why mention it?? >>.He just proved he feels just like the rest of us

[@raggy.6356]

lol dont get your knickers in a twist you might choke hehe.

[@denisestahura313]

RAGGY!!. I

[@raggy.6356]

soz :(

[@scowell]

Many may not know that he is a superb athlete, runs many miles a day.

[@skoot2u]

You would have to run many miles a day looking like that.

[@bealtainecottage]

Thank you Eddie for articulating our journey, beginning or end, with Mother Earth.

[@mikewa2]

Eddie ran 27 marathons in 27 days, raised £1,000,000 for charity. I'm sure it's on KZbin somewhere. This man is no ordinary man!

[@KINGSOWN100]

Man?

[@aidenwrenn5342]

I've always thought Eddie was a brilliant entertainer, so witty and clever. As he has grown more into the person he actually is he's got even better. I know what he means about his mum.

[@sarahshelton6452]

you are wonderful. I'm not the same because of you.

[@animalcrackersong]

Used to like this man until he appeared on question time spouting utter lefty stupidity .. Keep out of politics Eddie ,,,, Stick to making us laugh ..

[@petergerkens6045]

Smart comedian! Its hard to NOT love him and his stand-up cuz its funny and intelligent! Love u Eddie!!!

[@stratfordbaby]

Eddie is a great laugh but he needs to stay OUT OF POLITICS.

[@mcmanustony]

Why?

[@cathycra182]

I love him. I love the confidence. I wish more humans could find a way to feel so at ease. He’s so smart. I have to admit that I had to learn more about world politics and history before I really understood him.

[@drshreddi7040]

I like him very much. But who, for the love of Jesus , was that robot lady?

[@johnmurray2595]

This guy is a genius! He is so funny. I love her comment "have you got the hang of the masculine and the feminine now?" LOL :D

[@mplwy]

Wow that was sad when he talked about his Mom. 😢💔❤

[@neutronpixie6106]

I knew he was a polyglot, but his repertoire is larger than I expected.

[@Eddie6032]

Eddie, you are a great comedian , marathon runner, polyglot and polymath. Congratulations on your appointment on the NEC now please detoxify our party by booting out Thatcher's demon seeds Blair and Campbell and their annoying little instrument Luke Akehurst. JC4PM

[@killagilla88]

Nooo I've been in France the past three weeks. I can't believe I missed this :(

[@jm-ux5dk]

I felt his pain when he spoke about what it is like to be a kid whose parent is ill and then one day they are gone. I lost my father In rather similar circumstances, I still pause for thought of him even 20 years later, the feeling never leaves you. You will just learn to accept it into your life.

[@soliton1]

He's just amazing

[@DanielVerberne]

Love Izzard, a truly warm human and capable of incredibly funny stuff too.

[@ivanmaksimov5452]

Eddie is awesome! Long live!

[@muserwood]

Love Eddie, and if he enters politics, I sincerely hope he learns MMT (Modern Monetary Theory). Even if he continues doing comedy, only HE could do a bit on the evils of neoliberal economics. That could guarantee, like nothing else can, that we survive more than one more century.

[@The34gl3]

the music analogy isn't the best one. Love this guy still.

[@carolesarre7162]

This just shows how little THIS GUY understands the French language... Can’t imagine what he’s going to do with Arab and Russian...

[@kidmohair8151]

Yay, Eddie Izzard!! a real human

[@richardmerrifield7581]

I love Eddie but between his performance on Question Time and Bob Geldof's stunt on the River Thames they pretty much guaranteed victory for the Leave campaign.

[@tomasinacovell4293]

When did the Staunch Atheist Left die in America? When did "No religion" became "No Christians"? When did defending "No Religion, period" start getting "You are an Islamophobia" as a response?

[@plumafina]

From Wikipedia "Izzard started to freely talk about his transvestism in venues like the Edinburgh Festival as early as 1992.[5][6] His stance is that cross-dressing is neither part of his performance nor a sexual fetish.[74] He remarks in his show Unrepeatable that "women wear what they want and so do I". According to Izzard, "Most transvestites fancy women."[75] He calls himself "a straight transvestite, or male lesbian".[76] He has also said he is "a lesbian trapped in a man's body",[77] transgender,[5][78] and "a complete boy plus half girl".[76] He has expressed a belief that being transgender is caused by genetics and that someday this will be scientifically proven, having gone so far as to have his own genome sequenced.[79] " And this AMAZING HUMAN BEING is absolutely BRILLIANT & CARING.

[@cecilusby1]

Eddie is now the spitting image of Simone Signoret circa 1965-1980

[@DOCTOR_SONG]

Eddie Izzard for President !!!!! PLEASE !!!

[@suzannemartin8986]

It was the 40 men of l'Académie Française who made all the crazy rules. They didn't elect a woman to the Académie until 1980.

[@DOCTOR_SONG]

Or EDDIE IZZARD FOR DOCTOR WHO !!! then he can be President of planet Earth !!!!

[@ltcordite-eggstenchera5606]

A truly inspirational human being! Total respect Eddie!

[@mariealainawalukas3048]

I love him. I love her. I love them. I would love Eddie even as a Jazz Chicken! The most human of humans on the planet. Live your truth and your best life! ❤

[@6lu5ky86]

Eddie Izzard, would you be my spirit animal? I love you so very much.

[@progleader]

Only compassion and love will save humanity. Eddie Izzard embodies it!

[@smirkingdevil]

This interviewer was horrible with her questions. How does Eddy “stay positive” after the Brexit result and Trump’s election win? Both were scheduled votes and the outcomes decided. Implying these are “negative” is ridiculous. A negative result would have been if the votes were cast, Brexit won, but the UK decided to not go through with it and the US installed Hillary as President anyway. This interviewer is sickening to watch.

[@karenstauffer1524]

I love Eddie! Talented, brilliant, and a good person who works for change for the better.

[@r.a.monigold9789]

Thank you Eddie Izzard and all who assist in bringing you to us. I believe "we" deserve you. We all need to laugh - especially at the things that upset us most. So again - Thanks for sharing...

[@tonitinte]

Eddie Izzard looks a bit like Angela Merkel if she ever found out how to dress fashionable here.

[@holahase]

...and still she dresses better than you

[@komalahayes1535]

Anton Trauth I kinda get it. Izzard is starting to look like a stylish public school principal or a wedding planner

[@DeusExHackina]

Mr/Mrs (sorry I'm American) Izzard you're the best person I know of.

[@iwanttosurvive3992]

*THANK YOU FOR **_NOT_** DISABLING THE COMMENT SECTION!!!!*

[@NellieKAdaba]

Legend

[@snuffeldjuret]

Eddie Izzard is just so nice. Sensible, rational person.

[@blackmore4]

I like him too but the lipstick definitely makes your second observation debatable.

[@skoot2u]

Whats your definition of rational,he's an embarrassment.

[@snuffeldjuret]

"Based on or in accordance with reason or logic". You are free to show where he is not.

[@blackmore4]

Oh I think he's very logical and reasonable. On pretty much everything. But not his choice to wear girl's clothes and lipstick. I'd defend his right to do so to the bitter end. However, that doesn't make him look any less of a dick ;)

[@barnbersonol]

If you're doing stand-up in foreign then obviously your lack of competence can enhance the comedy so it's quite easy.

[@LeroyKinkade]

Eddie is fabulous, but come on, the English Euro people in so called power don't give a sausage for the public. Fill ya boots boys.

[@OrganDanai]

Oh no! Around 02:40 you say "communication is more important than grammar". But, but... what about the vocative?

[@tiffanytransforma5409]

He’s beyond talent and shows us the possibilities of human existence... No limits ! Go Eddie, you’re inspiring 🙌🏽♥️

[@AuntieWelly]

Rodage the verb roder is ROAMING, nothing to do with motorcars or roads as such

[@jamesbutler6253]

She did say Hassan....as she clearly did not research and just read the mistake that was on the paper in front of her.

[@KiguStudios]

I'd vote for Eddie any day! (terrible editing on this or is it just me?)

[@UNDERSIA]

Such a beautiful intelligent talented soul ❤️ love you Eddie since I was a child ❤️

[@christy8738]

I love this recent look of his. The hair, clean shaven. Love it

[@blackmore4]

The lipstick?

[@beetleything1864]

blackmore4 yepnto bright methinks

[@markymark7200]

He used to be really funny but since a few Hollywood appearances he thinks hes more than he is..shame.

[@lucywork9260]

Eddie Izzard is wonderful, smart and funny.

[@KINGSOWN100]

Trans gender? Thought he just liked ladies clothes?

[@einstu]

Why does he dress up as a woman? What statement is he making, outside of to be funny, as he runs for a political role?

[@VickiTakacs.]

It would be most admirable if just one comedian would be truthful about Fukushima.

[@michaelblotkamp3679]

I've always loved eddie izzard! ❤ You are a beautiful soul!

[@troyspartan992]

A very smart man, with his heart in the right place. Hope he excells in politics. Australia could use some one like him. It definitely is humans last century at the moment.

[@skullcrusher481]

Transgender is that one of those dolphins mixed with a triceratops ? Man dressed as a woman !!!

[@jessiejames7492]

brilliant guy. imagine doing comedy in english and french.. not too many comedians hve gone down this road....! i see he is transiting into a woman?

[@Kethersdad]

That pause before "again" made me cry.

[@StephenChumley]

If only I could bring Kermit the frog up in the middle of this boring fodder.

[@duketranslucent3rd]

What an incredible human. You are an inspiration, Eddie.

[@barnbersonol]

Some men look funny in make up. Most simply look weird.