Richard Ayoade talks about being cast in The IT Crowd

Richard Ayoade talks about being awkward, and how he was cast as Moss in The IT Crowd.
This clip is from Series 4, Episode 3 of 'Alan Davies: As Yet Untitled', which is on channel Dave on Monday 13th June 2016. Find out more:
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[@PopEye2384]

The entire cast of The IT Crowd was spot on.... and thankfully, everyone delivered graciously...

[@AfridiZindabad]

The first boss was frightening, but funny, whereas his son was very unthreatening and awkward too like Moss but got by because of his dad's money. Moss was great and Roy was great and the lady Jen was spectacular! It didn't seem fictional in the way they acted. Maybe they are all really like those characters not just Moss' actor

[@Unemportant]

I think that's why the American version failed instantly the cast didn't have the same energy

[@RandyTwang]

@@Unemportant they tried ripping this off too!? 😒 doesn't surprise Me.

[@IRMacGuyver]

@@RandyTwang They couldn't find anyone else for Moss though so they just cast Richard Ayoade for the US version as well.

[@RandyTwang]

@IRMacGuyver I hope you're right. That's the only reason I'd consider watching it.

[@KakarotOwns]

I feel trapped like a moth in a bath.

[@HauntedHeroine138]

Kakarot then we shall build you a ladder!

[@ThreadBomb]

Hot ear!

[@padlowan]

You pulled the words right out of my mouth!

[@eireannhughes5254]

Moths don't get stuck in baths!

[@eireannhughes5254]

@@HauntedHeroine138 hey have wings, when a moths thinks going vertically upwards the last thing it would think of is a ladder

[@NippleSlipped]

Did you see that ludicrous display last night ?

[@merijndenhouting4149]

What was Wenger thinking sending Walcott on that early?

[@maugdw]

@@merijndenhouting4149 The problem with Arsenal is they always try to walk it in

[@rosaatomica9976]

theyre having a laugh today.

[@michaelwicksteed7556]

@@rosaatomica9976 Were winning.

[@teothelobster223]

@@michaelwicksteed7556 nah they're avin a laugh

[@LewysC]

He literally plays a more extreme version of himself in the IT Crowd and that's what makes Moss so good!!

[@aleahdodson1889]

It’s still a character it’s not just him, I feel like it’s rude when people say that he and moss are one and the same, it’s not true he is him and moss is moss.

[@charliebrogan1141]

@@aleahdodson1889 bite me dude!!

[@dizzygunner]

@@aleahdodson1889 don't be a cunt all your life

[@asamuel22]

Sat next to him on Jubilee line in central London really wanted to ask for autograph but felt awkward but then he produced a comedic moment by accident; in getting off the train he realised he’d got off to early and proceeded to jump back on the train was funny as hell at the time

[@jenisinjapan]

Aaron Samuel That actually sounds very Richard-like lol

[@ohwellwhateverr]

I think I would have died if I had witnessed that

[@daniellaumney482]

ohwellwhateverr I would love it if I met him by complete accident like that. He’s one of my favourite people on TV at the moment.

[@Chihi101]

Incredibly courageous of him to jump back on, I would wait for the next train in shame

[@always_cornelia]

nichtjal awww😂

[@danielirl9252]

The IT Crowd will continue to remain as one of the greatest British TV shows of all time

[@kevinthecleric]

Totally agreed. Our family watch the series in full every year

[@DavidLLambertmobile]

This UK 🇬🇧 series was well written, well cast, the first season was a bit off but the show found its voice....

[@peterd788]

It's impossible to imagine anyone else in the role. All three were perfectly cast

[@SoyaIvansOficial]

What about the American pilot of it crown 1 episode only no ?

[@harveyjones8119]

Meryl Streep could've done it.

[@bubbleheadft]

@@SoyaIvansOficial He actually played Moss in the American pilot.

[@SoyaIvansOficial]

@@bubbleheadft I said it for the other two actors not moss

[@subodai85]

So much so they put him in the US version pilot which was shit. Except for him

[@jonfowler3594]

Its nice to know that there is brilliant creative people who aren't afraid to admit they have social anxiety it makes me feel a little better about having it myself thank you richard

[@griffith500tvr]

I am not English (Austrian) but I lived in the U.K. for 12 years. I couldn't speak English very well at all in 1989 when I arrived there so I was fed a diet of "The young ones", "Faulty Towers" and "Monty Python", needless to say I soon could speak the language. I have since spend many years in Germany and overseas France, also stints in Portugal and the Netherlands. My humor is still basically English and I am still amazed what comedic richness commes out of the U.K., in my humble opinion there is no other country in the world with such comedic talent. The "IT crowd" and the "Peep Show" are just brilliant. One thing I did notice tough is that most successful comedians in British TV are all Cambridge or Oxford educated, I am not unhappy to have this level of understanding of English humor. Germany has no humor which is comparable and nor has Austria, France is also a difficult case. American humor can be good, if simplistic, but is often made on the bases of mockery. After all that has happened to Brexistan, they have lost everything, but I suppose it will be nourishment for even more toxic humor, I love it and would not want to be without it.

[@eleonoradeane5170]

Katherine Parkinson looks at him with such affection.

[@JustWasted3HoursHere]

He is a genuinely, naturally funny guy. Watch him in any interview or talk show and you'll see.

[@procrastinator41]

He slays on the UK game shows🏆

[@JustWasted3HoursHere]

@@procrastinator41 I've seen him on a few, yes. He's a witty guy. And of course there's this bit about "Street Countdown" that is hilarious: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pInLi3yvfLmta7M (And of course it's nice to see a slightly younger Wong {Benedict Wong} from "Doctor Strange" in that too!)

[@JustWasted3HoursHere]

@@procrastinator41 The "I.T. Crowd" skit that made me laugh the hardest was this one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nWOupI1-h9d5prc

[@elemkay5104]

I think he had it in him, but the role helped him become that person on and off camera. That's the beauty of good writing. Don't know if you ever watched Community, a great US sitcom. Chevy Chase was like a polar opposite scenario, where his character was originally written to be more sympathetic, but he would come out with cutting jokes and comments on set, some of which were racially insensitive (or flat-out racist, depending on who you ask), and they would use it in the writing - and his character got more dislikeable, Chevy got more unhappy with the way his character was being written, and fans thought it was very one dimensional as well - and so it pretty much spiraled in the opposite direction. Just came to mind as an interesting juxtaposition to Ayoade.

[@caschdiify]

​@@JustWasted3HoursHere Before clicking on the link for a moment I was afraid to get rickrolled. 😂

[@deathlibrarian]

Seriously, Richard Ayoade was *made* for Dr Who.

[@bigmofo1122]

Sure. You can have Dr Who. I don't even care. It's already ruined.

[@peterkorman77]

Big Mofo: how so? They just casted an incredibly talented actor in the role of the Doctor, and Richard would be fantastic too.

[@bigmofo1122]

It has become a shitshow of political correctness and anti-White propaganda. You can have it all. I stop watching TV years ago.

[@Zero_Ninety]

www, you poor sensitive little flower.

[@gonnahavemesomefun]

Ye I'd go back to watching Dr Who it since Tennant left if he was the doctor.

[@catherinespark]

One can put on an act that consists of making fun of their own social anxiety...as a way of dealing with their own social anxiety. It makes it into something controllable and a choice, rather than a liability. In other words, it can be both genuine, and an act.

[@frostfang1]

aka an exageration.

[@BaddaBigBoom]

Nah. It's all real :-)

[@compassionatecurmudgeon7025]

It's meta modernist comedy. Normal media has sincere values, post modern works are insincere, and meta modernist works use insincere language to express sincere meanings. It allows emotional distance while still maintaining sincerity. By making his genuine problems into a character they are no longer part of himself and can be addressed separately.

[@barnaclefelching4079]

@@compassionatecurmudgeon7025 Bumbling, Alfred surmounted the tasks that had been so ineloquently asked of him. Now crowning, he knelt at his own feet and begged for freedom. His own tyranny had pushed him further down the path of limitless scorn, scorn for any action or inaction he may deem appropriate of scorn, it used to be limited, this, now a sore, and therefore increasingly pressing concern, whenever consulting with his spiritual guide, Tony Fourspoons, the local leather worker (he could make a decent sized wallet with half-dozen foreskins as his sole raw material). He was so very keen to establish a new baseline, a more polished sense of morality, one that didn't make him feel so awful, 'later, when I'm strangling that rabbit, that's when I'll make the change' he thought, as he, with the unthinking bit of his oft traitorous mind, sniffed the fingers that had been exploring the mountainous region around his anus. He smiled politely at the pension drawing; likely philander, sat beside him, before chinning her and getting off the bus. Reneging upon the opportunity afforded him? To fart in the driver's general direction whilst alighting? Alfred? Pull the other one, he'd saved up two, he knew this would ensure his next return journey would be free. Alfred doesn't have a money tree or a job, so neglecting to regularly rip one on, or near the driver of the D46 service to Lower Nippleridge was an option he could ill afford to negate fulfilling. Can you break this down? Is it anything, it's a story my old Uncle Terry used to tell us, whenever one of us looked a little bit down. Is it possible Uncy T was the protaganist, and if he hadn't got his genitals caught in a biscuit tin whilst he was still maturing, would he have told us this in such high pitch? Don't worry if you can't help, it's baffled us for the best part of a quart of a full two centuries. You're the first person who seems to have a handle on anything, I dearly hope the last five years have been kind to you, it would be awful if you'd seen so much and not been compensated with an adequate compensatory level of kindnesses. ,,,,,, I had a few spare commas, feel free to use them in your reply, an embarrassing overestimation of how many I would need,

[@CaptainSnackbar]

simply a brilliant man! and very unique individual

[@abohsukampret]

I know I'm 8 years late, but you mean BRIE-lliant man?

[@MrDino1953]

The IT Crowd is right up there with Monty Python and Blackadder as best british comedies.

[@hannahhannon8877]

his anxiety seems on a par too mine, so its nice to see someone with such little people skills being listened to in media.

[@hannahmcgahan8920]

Hannah Hannon same as me aswell I get really tongue tied if I'm with a group of people I don't really know it's nice to know I'm not the only one that suffers with anxiety x

[@spidaminida]

@H. McGahan You are far from alone in your anxiety. Some of the most confident people you know will secretly suffer from anxiety. So take heart, there are more people on your level than you realise ;)

[@cytomatrix]

Amen. Glad to meet my people online. lol

[@haydennn1]

Hello fellow awkwards

[@meloD30]

We've come a long way, this is our time!

[@chelseayoung9797]

Am I the only one who sees Richard as a role model, someone I can look up to? I feel like he's the only celebrity I can relate to (Although I'm not world famous, funny and amazing XD) as I also have high social anxiety levels and I'm sort of a nerd, and I feel like I would learn SO much about my own potential and social abilities just by having a conversation with him. Richard Ayoade will go down as one of the funniest and most charming comedians of all time x

[@ducktapeextrodinare]

I feel the same way!! I was talking to another girl I work with about our favorite celebs and she was Emma Watson and Gal Gadot all the way, and while I'm like "fuck yes those women kick ass", I'm also like "For me tho.....Richard Ayoade and David Mitchell 100%."

[@chelseayoung9797]

He's just too god damn lovable XD

[@rocker4577]

Try avoiding calling him a celebrity too, or anyone for that matter.

[@iSuRRendeReDuK]

I thought that too and then he started advertising banks

[@michaelfox9003]

TKD Chelsea Me too, I'd say we're quite alike though I've not got much of a stutter, but I do sit in my room most of the time.

[@Danixuza]

It's well known that great minds are quite atypical!!! Richard is what he is, because of his complex, but amusing character... he seems to be nervous, but actually he isn't...It's just the way he is... a beautiful mind and person, little bit awkard and timid, but GENIUS!!! Really truly madly deeply like this guy...

[@johnmurray2595]

So true. I worked with him on a TV show, and when he wasn't on camera he would go back to his dressing room.... when I did get to talk to him, lovely AWESOME bloke! :)

[@class47peter]

Absolutely love The IT Crowd, the cast was amazing and perfection. Never stop watching it

[@MichaelFitzpatrick17]

Ha ha! "I'm a writer. We do not pay."

[@gonnahavemesomefun]

My English is perfect and I didn't get the reference either, can't be bothered re-watching it to find out.

[@seanocalaghan2225]

Writers don't pay because generally they have no money and never invite people to go for dinner instead write on there own until invited for dinner them the person knows they must pay it's why most writers in history starve to death

[@TheGiokink]

He' such a funny guy and comes across as being a genuinely nice guy. His character Moss is so like my own son .

[@handsomebrick]

Reminds me of the story of Steve Buscemi getting cast in Fargo, he read the script and asked the Coens if he needed to wear anything or put on some kind of affectation since he was playing a character with a weird appearance, after several awkward seconds of silence they said no.

[@vitadelicatus]

IT crowd is one of the best series i ever watched. Every character was played so well.

[@jennifer14256]

I have the biggest crush on Richard

[@madperson876]

So do I!

[@aleahdodson1889]

I’ve never felt the same way about a guy. But I know nothing’s gonna happen, you know what with, wife and kids and all.

[@aleahdodson1889]

Never mind I’ll fin some one like youuuu.

[@keitonjohnson5259]

I want to write a show where he is a paranormal detective

[@reach2prasanna]

Can we write something together mate?

[@pumpjackmcgee4267]

A new Ghostbusters that isn't shite with him as Egon could work.

[@keitonjohnson5259]

Yes. Let's do this

[@reach2prasanna]

Keiton Johnson how can I contact you? Email?

[@keitonjohnson5259]

Prasanna J that's a good question. I don't want to stick my email out in the open here. What else could we do

[@angelasotheraccount]

Richard Ayoade is an international treasure.

[@ipKonfig]

Love this guy. Amazing actor and person. Just amazing

[@Wahinies]

Literally could not have been more perfectly cast. I feel indebted to everyone who made the show for the amount of laughter I enjoyed

[@psycho6776]

I think it's fabulous, every value I've ever had has been questioned and I'm loving it 🤓

[@cindypowell6038]

IT crowd is so well cast. The courtroom witness box scene is one of the funniest tv scenes ever.

[@invisiblekid99]

I still think “work outing” is the best episode of any comedy ever, however IT Crowd was littered with absolute gems and yeah that was one of them…..and the internet box was sublime.

[@MartinEB72]

I really loved 'As Yet Untitled'. The best talk show ever. I wish they would do more of them.

[@TheTarkus10]

IT Crowd is right up there with Faulty Towers - meaning it is one of the funniest shows ever!

[@jamesfield2442]

His wit is so good

[@BaddaBigBoom]

Yes. He's a shining wit.

[@MissGeorgiex1]

I actually love this man so much, sometimes more than myself. Just too funny and endearing

[@robh7800]

Richard should be far more famous in the states .. I don’t get why everyone hasn’t recognized him for the genius he is

[@madeleine6866]

My hero

[@pinchopaxtonsgreatestminds9591]

I like the way he always stays in character!

[@nidfest]

I think Moss is one of my most favourite characters ever. Sheer brilliance.

[@thegentleassassin]

I relate to him so much. I'm beyond excited for jodie whittaker's doctor, but ayoade was one of my top choices for the role

[@chelseayoung9797]

Same, I mean good on Jodie because it's about time there was a female doctor, but I have to admit, Richard was definitely my first choice for the doctor XD

[@LewysC]

thegentleassassin I can only see him as Moss I don't think I'd be able to see him as The Doctor lol

[@fathimacader718]

Seems like the equality premise goes right out of the window when you give someone an opportunity solely because of their gender

[@funguy8801]

Was Richard Ayoade ever even in the running? I would have defo started watching Dr Who, if he was cast ... and I haven't watched Who since I was a kid in the 80s.

[@AntiChangeling]

+fathima Cader Isn't that exactly what they were doing with the male Doctors over the years? And the James Bonds, for that matter?

[@LC-le9ew]

Does talking to dogs count as socializing? I need to know for a friend.

[@0991ekul]

Only if they bark back. Then technically it is a conversation.

[@LC-le9ew]

Thanks Jenson. What about cats?

[@samuelsmith4701]

They definitely shouldn't bark back.

[@LC-le9ew]

Samuel Smith 😹

[@TillyP]

Is that friend one of the dogs

[@kinganarkzie]

He seems like he's one of the most confident celebs out there.

[@Roasterguy123]

DEM GLASSES ARE SHIT INNIT!

[@RealityCheck6T9]

TOO REAL!

[@mrsszmanda07]

Absolutely love him 😍

[@ryandavis7593]

Being an Aspergergian I completely loved his part. In my line of work, locomotive composite mechanic, I have used the lines in this show while trying to get locomotives back on line from the telephone.

[@CyberBeep_kenshi]

One of the best series ever

[@backelie]

Brings to mind the scene in punch drunk love where Adam Sandler's character says: "I don't know if there is anything wrong because I don't know how other people are."

[@radioinactivescarlet_3348]

The fact that the IT crowd was as short as it was, is a travesty. It’s (sorry for strong opinion) basically a much better version of Big bang theory and deserves to be more known.

[@Lorry2hails]

"No,just use your own voice! Mr Lineahan's greatest ever achievement!

[@rmsavens]

Lets talk about hilariously weathy comics, I personally think the IT cast ranks amongst the best

[@Nabend1402]

You managed to "misspell" the non-existent word Mambo used there. It's *weathy. Cannot decide weather they meant witty or wealthy. Witty makes much more sense but orthographically is just so far away...

[@BaddaBigBoom]

No Michael, "weathy".

[@lisilein2]

He would be a great Doctor

[@thomasandrewclifford]

Its dumb to celebrate someone for it maybe but i do love how openly Richard speaks about being socially awkward. I'm very much the same myself but without the charming sense of humor.

[@haraldharam9334]

I love this dude!

[@gohumberto]

As an actor he actually does have quite a range of character.

[@MidnightEkaki]

How can you have social anxiety and become one of the best comedians appearing often on British television? I could never I can barely stand being amongst a large group of people

[@jhtbailey1]

Oh my god he’s my spirit animal ❤️

[@richardclarke376]

He should replace Capaldi in Dr Who

[@milofarragher-hanks6917]

That would be so good!

[@Lexiy76]

He's been my dream cast for that role for ages now.

[@ThreadBomb]

But can he act?

[@chelseayoung9797]

Thread Bomb did u just ask if Richard Ayoade can act?? XD

[@chelseayoung9797]

Richard would have been the BEST doctor!

[@meerz7890]

I love him

[@nxnxydhahsvwvsbsbehejwosn7312]

I’m unreasonably attracted to him

[@rivolinho]

I've always thought that the best acting performances usually come about when the actor is playing a role which is either themselves or as close as damn it to themselves. You could totally see Chris O Dowd hating his IT job and sharing an office with a nerdy socially awkward Richard Ayoade!

[@laffo1980]

This show and father Ted are the funniest shows ever

[@corescopeplays2789]

i think alot of people will relate

[@thisnthat42]

Nothing worse than being worried that you come across as weird and socially inept to be told yes you do look weird and socially inept. Good for him for being able to turn that into a positive though. I suppose all we can take from this is that people don’t hate you for being awkward.

[@Nightfireblade]

Woah, he needs to be on taskmaster! Almost everyone else at the table has been!

[@CaptainSteen]

I wish they would bring it back.

[@pokeysdad17]

Coupling, the IT crowd and the Detectorists are the 3 best shows ever.

[@MrSpannners]

I love that man so much.

[@marauderdz]

He's not wrong: I severely overestimated my social skills because I simply didn't interact enough to realize how bad I was.

[@BNL07604]

My man!

[@vaibhav170483]

Moss giving an interview. Nice

[@jenisinjapan]

Where can I watch this full episode online? Holy shit, Richard Ayoade, Katherine Parkinson, Alan Davies and Harry Shearer altogether!!!

[@jameshairyknuckles1655]

Just binged watched on Netflix. 👍

[@stephjovi]

I didn't know it was written with him in mind. That makes so much sense 😅

[@wiseguy100]

"Sing you canary".

[@spidaminida]

Harry Shearer's reaction to him is interesting, he seems to be quite concerned bless him...

[@DanGolag]

Pretty sure Harry is perfectly familiar with every social disorder known to man by now.

[@3allz]

Most of the original Simpsons writers seemed to be very similar people to Richard.

[@emulus4000]

The genius that is Harry Shearer listening intently

[@craig1538]

Love Richard Acolade.

[@-E-M-M-]

Moss is great

[@daniellaumney482]

This video was actually uploaded on his birthday 2 years ago. I think that was when he turned 39 because I think he’s 41 now.

[@Jobe-13]

I feel like I’m gonna be like him when I’m older.

[@Sukira69]

I fancy moss,I want to show him some tricks!!

[@CaptainSnackbar]

i see my self in Richard in many ways >_

[@StreakyGonzalez]

sounds like me tbf

[@sarcasmo57]

He plays the part well.

[@ofergroman2020]

"A fire... at sea parks..."

[@westy6167]

god the crush I have on this man

[@dmontes133]

Such a funny show!

[@ImVee10]

If he isn’t cast as Dr. Dubois in the upcoming “Project Hail Mary” film, Hollywood has no soul. 🧑‍🚀

[@wesleysexton8774]

That's Dean Learner

[@iestyndavies7287]

Did Jen bring the internet with her?

[@Oasismegafan2004]

JENS GOING OUT WITH A GEEEEEEEEK!

[@TheAznative101]

It took three episodes for me to get into this show.

[@mydaan1]

Im just like him in that way

[@daveyeddie8176]

Morris Moss, fair play me old son.

[@sexobscura]

so he just went from *Goth 2 Boss*

[@Jobe-13]

I feel like he has AS. As someone with AS, I can feel my AS detector going off.

[@daniellaumney482]

Boozer I have it as well. I’m thinking the same thing.

[@juliaf.6105]

Feel you bro

[@mikefriend1514]

To think I avoided watching the IT Crowd for 5 years because I thought it was about IT.

[@andresschwank]

But outside is frowned upon.

[@jasperdevries1726]

So this is the one clip on the internet where Lou Sanders doesn't make a sex joke - found it!