James Acaster Interview

Check out what happened when Mark Row, host of 'The Inane Campaign Podcast' got the chance to chat to James Acaster, as part of the documentary 'A1: The Long Road to Edinburgh'
James tells us how he first found a love of performing stand-up, the people who helped influence him on the way up and all about his first experience of performing at The Edinburgh Festival.
Watch the full documentary, with more interviews with great comedians, and see how Mark got on, learning how to do stand up and taking a show to Edinburgh in just one year, here:
(UK) www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B...
(USA) www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07...

[@lisasimpson8895]

he's almost unrecognizable when he's not acting like his stage persona. he sounds like a really nice person to talk to!

[@MarkRowComedy]

He was great to chat to... have met him a couple of times since and he has been equally as generous and supportive of a comedian much further down the pecking order!

[@tommyholistic7685]

Really enjoyed this chat. I know James personally and just want to say what a truly, truly nice man he is. I also think it's fair to say that he is legit the gold standard of comedy right now. Most comedians watch him from the back of the room with a feeling of 'that's as good as it gets' ... and he's so lovely they're not even jealous

[@MarkRowComedy]

Thanks Tommy... It was fantastic getting to chat with James. Having met him a couple of times since and watching him perform, I agree with both your points about him being a lovely man and a phenomenal comedian. Having recently watched 'Cold Lasagne, Hate Myself, 1999' I think that he has gone to an even higher level. His writing and performance are both incredible, to a level that very few can match. Absolutely at the top of his game!

[@superdrwholock]

I think he's underrated, people bang on about all these other comedians who make unoriginal jokes and try to act relatable when they're rich af but James is brilliant

[@affablecamel153]

You are insane. He's incredibly unfunny and annoying, a total twit. No comedian who is going anywhere would use this guy as inspiration. He's an irrelevant dolt without a funny bone in his body.

[@cameron395]

God damn I love these peaches

[@pinp]

C) man, I love smoking cigars!

[@BudFieldsPPTS]

A bit of an enigma this young man. When that young man showed up for this interview, he let us in a bit, and I loved it. I've always liked his comedy, but only knew the persona. Acaster is a brilliant comedian who leaves you scratching your head, and laughing your head off later. I love him, and his comedy. He deserves every good thing, and I sincerely hope many of them arrive in and into his life.

[@StrawberryFeildsforNever]

He’s 35. Not really a young man anymore 💀

[@susie9893]

For me his humor builds. I'll be having a few giggles as he goes along and then suddenly it's like a cumulative effect and I can't stop laughing

[@jeremyw3243]

Agree 100%, since discovering him on WILTY I cant stop watching his stuff. Thank you for sharing your positivity :) the world needs more people like you!

[@followtheboat]

@@StrawberryFeildsforNever well that's all relative, isn't it?

[@grahamstrouse1165]

@@jeremyw3243 Was it the episode with Mick?

[@trishgift7959]

I've always wondered what James was like offstage.

[@MarkRowComedy]

I met quite a lot of comedians filming this documentary and I would say James was probably the most different from his onstage persona (obviously with the exception of character acts)... He was also a fascinating guy and a pleasure to chat to!

[@snowangeliquexx]

@@MarkRowComedy different in what way?

[@MarkRowComedy]

He was quiet and reflective but didn't really have any of the 'geeky' persona that he has on stage! I stayed and watched his show after and remember thinking how different he came across on stage from the guy I had been speaking to half an hour before.

[@TheSFHAA]

@@MarkRowComedy Agree. Despite it being blindingly obvious, it took me a long while to realise why comedians, bands, performers are called "acts". We take things at face value. And it seems the successful acts are one of two things: 1) they really are like that or 2) they have worked hard to build that personality to perform it. Vincent Furnier grew up a Christian and plays golf, but when he's on stage he's Alice Cooper.

[@rjvw3078]

@@MarkRowComedy I think that shows his true professionalism. He is a great comedian and knows his followers and what makes people laugh. He said good advice he got was to try everything he could and see what works. Not what you think works. So he is sticking to that. That's why he is so popular. We should have so much respect for him for admitting that failure is part of it and good. Because it makes you grow. He basically grew from nowhere by working hard and pushing on.

[@peterdelisle7083]

Never have i ever seen a comment section so uniform. Nothing mean, no jokes, just uniform compliments and thanking for the upload

[@sallybally344]

Cringe from you

[@lacklustreplough]

What a insightful interview into James' start and process. He is hilarious, self-aware, and kind person. Thank you for the upload.

[@MarkRowComedy]

You're very welcome. Glad you enjoyed it. You're right, James was fantastic to interview... We hope you'll want to check out the full documentary, which has even more interviews with great comedians!

[@keef82]

He’s genuinely my favourite comic. I love when someone makes you lose control with laughter, which is rare and he does it more often than almost anyone

[@md-kq4cp]

Man I loved this, super straight forward and open with the interviewer. I thought his comedy was amazing, but he's a decent down to earth human as well.

[@MarkRowComedy]

Thanks for this... James was brilliant to interview and we learned loads from speaking to him!

[@parkviewmo]

James Acaster is one smart guy. Kind, too!

[@MarkRowComedy]

He is a fantastic guy. It was certainly very kind of him to give us his time to do this interview! Hope you enjoyed it!

[@oxiary]

started making it. had a breakdown. *bon appetit.*

[@tylerblatt7474]

I am a software engineer, and I say this all the time to my team. This is one of my favorite quotes from James and I am sure it applies to SOOOOOOO many fields.

[@oxiary]

@@tylerblatt7474 YESSS. AHAHAHAA OMG SOFTWARE ENGINEERS MUST LOVE JAMES ACASTER !!

[@mickey4125]

Absolutely iconic. I fucking love that line!

[@JeffFreemanPresents]

To me, out of everything of his I've seen, that bakeoff episode is the most brilliant. He came so beautifully prepared, with every contestant character archetype in mind, then he played it out with not one flawed moment. I love how Paul Hollywood looks at him; I think he really admires the guy because he was hilarious, but he never, ever made fun of anyone else, or the show itself. He was the brunt of every single joke, and because it is really easy for a character like that to become a hateful asshat, that kind of attention to detail is essential.

[@mickey4125]

@@JeffFreemanPresents Excellent observation! He really is an intelligent performer.

[@buggyboogle9]

Great interview; you just let him speak. James Acaster's humour has really started growing on me the last several months and this was wonderful to watch. To see James as himself. It's interesting how most people commenting here are saying that he comes across as kind and a real nice bloke - I agree and it's not qualities associated with many famous people. Good on James. As an aside, I just want to say I also think he's very good-looking and one of those men who I think will get more handsome as he grows older - he has that kind of bone structure.

[@MarkRowComedy]

Thanks for this... I'm really glad you enjoyed it! It was really easy to 'just let him speak' because he had such great insight to offer!

[@john.premose]

I think even as his stage persona he comes across well. I'm a guy but even i think he's a sweetheart haha

[@samuelallenmusic]

Favorite comedian on the planet, extremely witty & cheekily empathetic. What a dude

[@capricornkd7177]

He's so cute when he's not in his stage act Not that he's not always gorgeous. Hilarious comedian, lovely guy and gorgeous he has it all.

[@gamefreakforlife]

This is the best advice for beginning comedians I've ever heard.

[@cristinamayumi7322]

What a nice interview. And how nice to experience James from another angle rather than the comic one. A genuine nice personality.

[@MarkRowComedy]

Thanks very much... really glad you enjoyed it!

[@elharrop]

Love him even more after seeing this.

[@chrisofnottingham]

Anyone who makes it by this kind of route in standup must be tough as old boots at some level

[@poppymorley9838]

He seems like such a lovely human to talk to

[@MarkRowComedy]

He was excellent to talk to. It was so kind of him to do it, because this was literally half an hour before he went on stage for a tour show. Lovely guy.

[@eyemoeba]

gotta love his straight-talking no-nonsense incisive straight-to-the-point aceness.

[@emilybitzel7242]

Plus, he's just such an amazing, quality person. His perspective is fresh because he maintains fantastic humility (defined as being no less and no greater than other) while being an example of incredibly super-fine person. Love him.

[@elainedale8570]

This shows him a whole new light instead of the persona he puts across as slightly confused and not really knowing where he is

[@sylviap6890]

It’s so bizarre seeing him serious

[@Onnabote]

This interview is so jarring for someone who's never experienced James, the person. He's so bizarre on stage that you almost can't imagine him as an articulate and genuine guy.

[@randomuploadsism]

A terrific actor. The best. I truly hope he lives a long, happy and healthy life.

[@scatsworldservicevideos5364]

thanks for putting this up mark... it's really good to hear, that doing this isn't easy but if you keep at it ….well

[@MarkRowComedy]

No problem... Glad you enjoyed it!

[@susancerezo401]

What a really really nice guy....and great comedian. Lovely interview ! Thank you !!!!;!....(from a woman of 83).

[@MarkRowComedy]

Thank you... really glad you enjoyed it!

[@nuisancepenguin5210]

this was a great interview! I love when the interviewers are willing to just sit and listen. it provides more insight into the person talking, and it's just so nice to hear brilliant people get to talk without being cut off. and the questions just added to the flow, great timing, and it all goes together seamlessly. it feels so relaxed and friendly. thanks for uploading this, it was a treat!

[@claraconlan6557]

I really wish that I knew James ,Josh Widdicombe and Russell Howard and could talk to them about comedy. Stand up is so fascinating and these guys seem like truly nice men.

[@gregorstamejcic2355]

Sometimes i just love youtube auto.captions. James 'said' he was doing a 'climate eel that suits his persona', amongst other gems...

[@civillian319]

what a delightfully grey interview

[@DarrsBurfday]

No. Can we just say how sincerely he is the best comedian of our time. Lucky us to have him. Not sure if his family or anything would agree but this man follows in Sean Locke's footysteps. What an incredible comic x

[@FilmsByDaveMoyle]

Cool interview, really interesting

[@TheShaneBot]

That was wonderful. Thank you.

[@declup]

Thank you both for this interview. Well done.

[@IronBubbles]

This is a very good interview. It's so nice to hear Mr. Acaster discuss his beginnings.

[@tonywords6713]

Awesome human being

[@rhys5567]

Best thing I have seen

[@hannah_marie97]

He's lovely. I hope to meet as man like James.

[@LollySoldier]

This is excellent content

[@ambertregoning3821]

This was such a great interview! Really interesting, eloquent questions, but also giving James room to speak. He seems like a lovely guy. Thanks for this!

[@MarkRowComedy]

Thanks very much...really glad you enjoyed it!

[@lauradant5191]

This is incredible advice for any performer/creator. This interview gave me butterflies, I felt so dam convicted. Thanks for sharing this.

[@conconproductions2672]

Still can't buy Ready to eat Some apricots 😕

[@anthonyarnold9176]

Actually belly laughed 😅

[@greymouser8659]

Quality. Thanks both.

[@MalvikaMohan]

What a vibrant young man !

[@MarkRowComedy]

He was a pleasure to chat to!

[@vl9517]

Looooove him 🥰💫

[@kath1626]

He's lovely. ❤

[@jennysok8320]

Just found this. Thanks!

[@MarkRowComedy]

You're welcome!

[@kunaltolani1248]

This is a brilliant interview, thank you.

[@MarkRowComedy]

Really glad you enjoyed it. Please feel free to check out the full documentary here: UK - www.amazon.co.uk/A1-Long-Edinburgh-Mark-Row/dp/B07FCSTWC1 USA - www.amazon.com/A1-Long-Edinburgh-Mark-Row/dp/B07FCRSPPR

[@hagfromhell9557]

Wow, This interview was fantastic! Thanks for uploading this

[@MarkRowComedy]

Thanks, really glad that you enjoyed it... if you feel like checking out the film it was made for you can do so here: www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=a1+the+long+road+to+edinburgh&ref=nb_sb_noss

[@Miranda-vj8yy]

This was a great interview. Really good and interesting questions

[@MarkRowComedy]

Glad you enjoyed it! Would love for you to check out the full documentary here... www.amazon.co.uk/A1-Long-Edinburgh-Mark-Row/dp/B07FCTCSJT/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=a1+edinburgh+long+road&qid=1604446094&sprefix=a1+edinburgh+lo&sr=8-1

[@BimbleSKOL]

Man I love this guy, thanks for such an awesome interview. My favourite comedian ever

[@MarkRowComedy]

Thanks Joshua... really glad you enjoyed it!

[@libby9047]

mark this was such a well done interview!! super well thought out questions that let his responses flow naturally. loved the insight he offers, such a great guy.

[@MarkRowComedy]

Thanks Libby - Really glad you enjoyed. The film this interview was made for can be found here: www.amazon.co.uk/A1-Long-Edinburgh-Mark-Row/dp/B07FCVF7C4/ref=sr_1_1?crid=SZ3FOZHLU9B6&dchild=1&keywords=a1+the+long+road+to+edinburgh&qid=1610799258&quartzVehicle=5-103&replacementKeywords=the+long+road+to+edinburgh&sprefix=a1+the+long%2Caps%2C375&sr=8-1 There's plenty more great insight from some other excellent comedians in it. Hope you'll be keen to check that out too!

[@lukicakuki]

it would be awesome if this interviewer was the pissed comedy workshop guy from James's story :D

[@marskristin]

Echoing what a lot of folks here said: Really excellent interview. Great interview skills here.

[@grahamstrouse1165]

Terrific interview!

[@MarkRowComedy]

Thanks Graham. Really glad you enjoyed it! Please do check out the documentary that it was filmed for: www.amazon.co.uk/A1-Long-Edinburgh-Mark-Row/dp/B07FCSTWC1

[@rickrice8660]

At 8:05 ... Interviewer refers to James' material as "picking up on [everyday things] and then thinking about it in a slightly different way". Slightly? Slightly. Slightly! Never ... in my entire life ... have ever heard ... such a gross understatement :-)

[@cr-ew8od]

Such an interesting guy

[@bencross3061]

Fascinating human

[@MissHayleyKendal]

Hilarious guy, even more awesome that he plays the drums.. and if he's single id love to go on a date with him ! ;)

[@Idk-dd2gn]

He is!

[@Widdekuu91]

@hayley kendal And after the date with hayley, if there's time, he's welcome to have one with me as well. I'm second! :)

[@victoriafordaysthechannel6848]

Jesus christ

[@MidairAlliance]

Stand in the queue Hayley.

[@freebeerishere]

6 months ago and i havent seen this??!

[@normplatt7549]

Looks great on you old BEAN! Chuckle BUDDY!

[@ARCoventry]

Wow did not think he was gonna say Chapelle

[@josephiliff2277]

what sound equipment do you guys use? it's a great interview but your interviewer is much quieter than James Acaster?

[@MarkRowComedy]

Hi Joseph - The short answer is 'very basic equipment'. James wore a clip on mic which just plugged into an iphone. I wasn't wearing a mic as we never intended for any of the questions to be broadcast, the intention was always to use sections of James' responses as part of the broader documentary. Having now completed the film, we thought this interview was too good to leave on a dusty hard-drive, so thought it was worth releasing the whole thing, regardless of the sound for my questions being far from perfect. Glad you enjoyed the interview anyway though, hope you will take the chance to check out the full film!

[@josephiliff2277]

@@MarkRowComedy I definitely will. Best of luck on future projects!

[@bignose4703]

Why was your intro so loud but then the mics really quiet? You gotta get someone to balance the audio

[@MarkRowComedy]

Yep... always learning. Thanks for the feedback. We'll do better next time!

[@Adiscretefirm]

Is the video a mirror image or does he actually wear his watch on his right arm?

[@WatanabeNoTsuna.]

The letters MVAM on the interviewers shirt don't help decipher that... 😂 But there are smaller letters. It's not reversed.

[@sl-je5fg]

Looks like he is doing a different type of comedy, he will probably stay influential for a long time

[@WatanabeNoTsuna.]

Does anyone know what trainstation routine he's talking about?

[@Llenrup]

Hey, I'm a bit late. Think he means the time he missed the train and so he slept in a bush. Talks about wearing a red dress and hiding from hoodlums. He does this bit on 'Would I Lie to You', so you can probably find it by watching his WILTY clips.

[@maxington26]

@@Llenrup I think it was a routine about a ticket booth guy who said to him something like "Well you need an open return then, don't you, mate?" and his resulting vendetta towards him. Not sure where I heard him run through it, but was probably on the Josh Widdicombe XFM show

[@dontpanic1812]

Why aren't the dates of videos included on title cards anymore for easy reference? Am feeling like there's a conspiracy going on where creators and newsreaders don't want viewers to know when events happen so they've a continual flow of people reacting to them as though they're happening in real time. Interesting confusion and strategically smart, but there must be another, more purposeful reason for adopting this new trend, it neither being laziness nor intentional manipulation. Wonder what it is. Anyone in the know?

[@EricBrettJones]

God the audio is terrible. Thank goodness James talks a lot.

[@Kay-cx5ix]

Does anyone have any advice my dream is doing stand up comedy but my 1st out of my many problems to get there is i am afraid to speak to people but stand up comedy is in front of a huge crowd does anyone have any advice to help with stage fright thx.

[@MarkRowComedy]

This interview was filmed as part of a documentary that was basically all about this. The film follows my journey from never having performed stand up, to taking a show to The Edinburgh Festival in less than a year, with advice from comedians including James along the way. To answer your question directly, when you start out it won't be in front of a huge crowd, you are likely to do your first few gigs to a handful of people and you can gradually build up confidence over time. There's no magic cure for stage fright, but standing up in front of a crowd (however big) and getting laughs is addictive and if you do it once, chances are you'll want to do it again. Don't fall in to the trap of thinking that having a drink will help, it won't. Practise your material to the point that you are confident you can remember it even with the nerves that come with a crowd looking at you expectantly, and do a bit of research so you know your first gig is at a place where the audience is supportive of new acts. Other than that, take a deep breath and enjoy it! If you want to check out the full documentary with more advice for new acts from some excellent comedians, and see the highs and very real lows of my trip to Edinburgh, you can find it here: www.amazon.co.uk/A1-Long-Edinburgh-Mark-Row/dp/B07FCSTWC1

[@Kay-cx5ix]

@@MarkRowComedy thanks for the advice i will definitely use it 👍👍

[@MarkRowComedy]

@@Kay-cx5ix Good luck!

[@Kay-cx5ix]

@@MarkRowComedy thank you

[@edloughrey7674]

SPRINGLEAF

[@catherinepalidwor2354]

Why is he so likeable??

[@no_peace]

I think he's cool

[@shwift8789]

This guy is almost 40

[@borgasmeantime3166]

Is someones txt tone 6 months in a leaky boat?

[@artvid-1915]

Parrot Soup

[@Simple1Jack]

Another classic scrape...

[@LarryJL]

This interview has completely shattered my imaginary idea of him. I will never laugh at any of his jokes again. Except probably like every time he opens his mouth.

[@julianTrichardson]

Robo-bongo-cuckoo-cop

[@robovac3557]

Whatever you do do not mic the interviewer. Who needs to know what the questions are anyway.

[@nagualdesign]

I also enjoy having turn turn the volume up and down. It's like a roller coaster for my ears. :-|

[@chipichipichapachapa733]

He never smiles?!

[@capricornkd7177]

He does, he just didn't in that interview.

[@scottchirco6191]

Interviewers body language is making me cringe. Love to listen to James, but the guy is slouched down in his chair like he just ripped a few bong hits and is shooting the breeze with his mate. No notes or professional appearance whatsoever...fail!

[@mojojojo8806]

shhhh, better wake up before you forget how...

[@scottchirco6191]

@@mojojojo8806 Cats in the cradle with the silver spoon...