Ruby Wax on Bill Cosby, Madonna, & why she quit doing TV interviews

Ruby Wax talks to Geoff Lloyd on Absolute Radio about her career as a TV interviewer, including her encounters with Bill Cosby and Madonna, and explains why she eventually took the decision to move on from that career.
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[@remingtongraves]

Aw, so sad she feels that way about her Madonna interview. I think it's one of Madonna's best interviews yet. It was raw and revealing, just an incredibly open and real moment for Madonna. I think Ruby's perhaps disappointed with the interview's lack of professionalism on her part. But professionalism doesn't always get the best answers. I loved it.

[@cecilymacnamara1228]

+_tealtears I agree. Madonna seems to be having a laugh and enjoying herself no end. Ruby is a bit OTT and self-involved at times but so what? Madonna surely sensed she wasnt' going to be asked the same old boring questions and if Ruby did broach an off-limits topic anyone could see that with her butterfly mind she'd be off at a tangent within seconds. I love it too.

[@leafyutube]

There isn't an interviewer alive who said they enjoyed interviewing Madonna.

[@DebbieLeighDriver]

The interview was great, I have no idea why she took it so badly, she should have carried on Interview, much better than boring old interview stuff- Madonna new she had met her match, but went along with it, great, hope Ruby reads some of these comments!!

[@morganolfursson2560]

When most of your interviews are crap and you are the common point between all interviews then maybe you are crap . I met Madonna, well actually i worked with her and she gave me a completely different point of view on that interview and how Wax acted so aggressively to everyone and treated the crew and staff, including Madonna's crew and staff like crap while trying to kiss Madonna's ass, and this is what made Madonna decide to have fun and to make Ruby's interview as awkward as possible, She hated the fact that she acted so superior to the staff there and bossed them around. Madonna has a lot of shitty side to her but she treats people with respect regardless of their position and as someone who very momentarily was staff for her, i can attest that she never came like a boss and treated us like crap. But i would never work for Ruby regardless on how many digits on the paycheck. Plus to be quite honest, nobody wants to work with or for someone with mental issues and Ruby is just a big bubbling mass and mess of personality disorders.

[@FindingMadonna]

@@leafyutube What an absurd, baseless claim. Kurt Loder interviewed Madonna countless times and has had nothing but great things to say about her. Norman Mailer interviewed her in the mid 90s and clearly enjoyed every second of it. You have to be quick and smart to interview Madonna. Not everyone can get past their intimidation. I thought Ruby was clearly nervous and star-struck. The interview was raw and showed both of them in an unflattering light at times, but I thought it was great for that reason.

[@jamiesbigscreenjameskeefe6791]

Her interview with Madonna is my favorite I thought she really got Madonna to open up

[@TOPOTWO]

She did the most amazing interviews ever. She needs to come back.

[@rohanjames5750]

she dead af

[@shannonb082905]

I am American and love love love watching old shows with Ruby Wax in them. Also her shows in the 90's. I think she is so smart and so funny! Also I really thought the Madonna interview was great! Ruby was so relaxed and not intimidated at all. If she was nervous it did not show!

[@nano411]

I didn't gather that from the Madonna interview. That interview was very unique and something Madonna rarely would've done in that setting and it was just like two close friends talking. I think Ruby took Madonna too personally and over analyzed the whole thing.

[@morganolfursson2560]

When most of your interviews are crap and you are the common point between all interviews then maybe you are crap . I met Madonna, well actually i worked with her and she gave me a completely different point of view on that interview and how Wax acted so aggressively to everyone and treated the crew and staff, including Madonna's crew and staff like crap while trying to kiss Madonna's ass, and this is what made Madonna decide to have fun and to make Ruby's interview as awkward as possible, She hated the fact that she acted so superior to the staff there and bossed them around. Madonna has a lot of shitty side to her but she treats people with respect regardless of their position and as someone who very momentarily was staff for her, i can attest that she never came like a boss and treated us like crap. But i would never work for Ruby regardless on how many digits on the paycheck. Plus to be quite honest, nobody wants to work with or for someone with mental issues and Ruby is just a big bubbling mass and mess of personality disorders.

[@SunShine8308]

@@morganolfursson2560 I have a British friend who happened to be staying at a resort hotel at Salt Spring Island in Canada and Ruby Wax was seated at her table. None of the North Americans knew who she was but my friend and her family did. Apparently Wax behaves exactly the same/in character and was acting very superior and was being annoying to everyone. She is highly entertaining but probably not someone most people would want to deal with. tarotworldtour.wordpress.com

[@Skiptondesigns]

You weren't there so you don't know. How you 'think' Ruby took Madonna is irrelevant.

[@staycurious644]

@@morganolfursson2560 That is a disgusting thing to say about people with mental disorders. People with mental illness didn’t choose to have that mental illness. Attacking them for it is the same as attacking someone because they have cancer.

[@wandakozlowski3434]

I love Ruby. Her interviews are funny and she is down to earth. Her interview with OJ was hilarious. She is a strong vibrant woman. All the best to Ruby

[@noemistephanie93]

it wasnt an ugly interview, it looked like they were getting along like old bffs

[@POObumpoopo]

Ironically, it's Ruby's interview with Madonna's old friend Sandra Bernhard that seems really off and hostile. They both thing dissolves after 4 minutes of them subliminally aggressing towards each other. You can check it out on KZbin.

[@jukodebu]

This is a great example of how every person sees the world through their own perspective.

[@TheAndrewRitchie]

Her 1995 interview with Madonna seemed very congenial, actually! Madonna was a little cruel to one of the cameramen but otherwise there were lots of laughs. Maybe behind the scenes it was a different story.

[@jrbon4619]

Ruby is brilliant.

[@gordy5121]

Come back Ruby and DO IT YOUR WAY HONEY ! .... X

[@susanford2388]

I love Ruby Wax. She is such fun.

[@pippipster6767]

Ruby wax used to annoy the hell out of me... I actually quite like her now.

[@fw5995]

Her OJ Simpson interview = sheer fucking brilliance.

[@jonsick445]

I remember that Bill Cosby interview. He treated her like absolute shit! I was young at the time and in the UK so I didn't really know who he was. But even so, I thought he was the most odious man I'd ever seen.

[@daisyhoward5472]

And you were right as it turned out.

[@smilelikeUmeanit90]

looooooooooooooooooooooooooove Ruby

[@karlperriment7763]

I loved her fly on the wall style! We saw the real person .. Ruby don't put yrself down. ❤️

[@Jamie-Dodger]

Hard to believe she has those feelings towards the Madonna interview. It looked like they were having a great time. You never know, do you...

[@tinysmalls6064]

Madonna admits to being a control freak. It was horrible to Ruby because she was supposed to take control and not the other way around.

[@RikAlessi]

❤️ Ruby

[@williambilly3269]

I like ruby wax

[@sebastian5903]

I liked te madonna interview....it was creapy in te beginning but then it went deep and madonna said also personal things it was interesting to hear.

[@mariae321]

Love Ruby wax.

[@justme-hh4vp]

She's the last person to talk about respect with her interviewing technique. Happy to dish it out but can't take it when people suss her game or refuse to go along with her shtick. That said, it's an amazing interview technique to reveal her subject.

[@crazycraig73]

BBC bring back Ruby Wax ....would love her to interview the Spice Girls ...and CPB

[@rhymeandreasoning]

Ruby should do CELEBRITY BIG BROTHER

[@multitrackers9599]

Ruby's interview with Felicity Kendal is my fave.

[@dxmxo9427]

Shes so Smart

[@rachelbell201]

Telling what she had to say about Bill Cosby...

[@edwardmulholland7912]

Rachel Bell Very telling.

[@forgive7449]

who you telling ?

[@villaparis2]

Ruby Wax thinks being a celebrity is a joke and she's right but I still wish she was still interviewing celebrities and people

[@dulcemariasolis]

Nice

[@margomalik181]

SHE IS WONDERFUL

[@TOPOTWO]

She did the most amazing interviews. No B.S. honest. It was a trip.

[@soniaveness7648]

Brilliant woman

[@christineshaw5045]

LISTEN TO THE BEGINNING OF THE INTERVIEW PEOPLE!!

[@neilthompson7430]

I remember seeing her Bill Cosby interview. The impression I came away with was that Cosby didn't let Ruby get away with any of her bull. Anybody out there have it on tape? If so, please upload. It was fascinating to watch.

[@RosePetal17]

Isn't it the other way around? Ruby doesn't let any celebrity away with THEIR bull!!

[@neilthompson7430]

Unfortunately, for Ruby, not this time.

[@kb9072]

Well she was 100% right about Bill Cosby.

[@ymd2516]

The interview with Madonna started a bit rocky but you see Madge loosen up and it was a really good interview but i only saw the final cut and not what was edited out

[@morganolfursson2560]

In spite of what people think, Madonna is a great actress . When most of your interviews are crap and you are the common point between all interviews then maybe you are crap . I met Madonna, well actually i worked with her and she gave me a completely different point of view on that interview and how Wax acted so aggressively to everyone and treated the crew and staff, including Madonna's crew and staff like crap while trying to kiss Madonna's ass, and this is what made Madonna decide to have fun and to make Ruby's interview as awkward as possible, She hated the fact that she acted so superior to the staff there and bossed them around. Madonna has a lot of shitty side to her but she treats people with respect regardless of their position and as someone who very momentarily was staff for her, i can attest that she never came like a boss and treated us like crap. But i would never work for Ruby regardless on how many digits on the paycheck. Plus to be quite honest, nobody wants to work with or for someone with mental issues and Ruby is just a big bubbling mass and mess of personality disorders.

[@DeLucaSou]

@@morganolfursson2560 damn.... this was mean af

[@morganolfursson2560]

@@DeLucaSou I was just being honest. Then i guess i am mean af.

[@thebadgamer1967]

That was surprising, I always thought she didn't give a shit that's what made here comedy, shows and interviews so awesome

[@MrMakeDo]

Ruby was right after all.

[@victorpassa]

she looks nice

[@Akenaten1]

Ruby wax and Imelda Marcos omg helirious ! Lol

[@lucianaalves1932]

RUBY BEAUTIFUL l LOVE YOU DIVA MADONNA YES YES

[@samfilmkid]

Was this before everything about Cosby came out even?

[@pobbinista]

She's very beautiful. Those cheekbones are to die for and yet she still doesn't know how gorgeous she is.

[@Amberszone]

I wish she’d have a tv show again because DAMN would she REALLY shine now!!! Xo

[@zachthezombie]

I remember seeing that Cosby interview i was a wee lad back than and i remember it being really uncomfortable to watch

[@therespectedlex9794]

Who came here from Louis Theroux on the radio last night?

[@carlosdyer5868]

What some don't seem to understand was that there was a lot of stuff in that "Madonna " interview that was edited out. I don't understand this thing about Madonna fans; if she was driving, passed a stopped school bus and ran over a child, they still make excuses for her.

[@centigradz2centigradz289]

She missed the mark with Joan coz she kept talking over her. Joan had amazing stories but ruby cut her short. Joan was talking about her first husband and she was talking about a serious topic ruby went on a rant and went off topic. Joan is an interesting character and she's lived a difficult but interesting life. But ruby couldn't catch onto Joan's cues.

[@NocturneSoul]

That interview with Madonna was a mess. It was all over the place, chaotic, uncomfortable. I agree with her. It wasn't the best.

[@neil1261]

I miss her funny warthog face on the tele 📺

[@andyd6338]

This dj seems a bit anxious or excited, cutting her off too much

[@Redlioness-gp9ci]

Think Madonna was first put off by the rude cameraman and secondly, Ruby probably put forward certain inappropriate and personal comments which put Madonna in an awkward situation. We all know Madonna likes to be portrayed in good light. To be honest the interview was cringy.

[@bonnie3447]

The interviewer needs to shut up and let her talk.

[@nancyblake1000]

Ruby/Cosby interview kzbin.info/www/bejne/eHa8YpdmpqeCj68 Someone recently uploaded the wax/cosby interview. Very uncomfortable viewing! From the outset he chips and picks at Wax in a very passive aggressive way.. The only point he seems to display anything approaching graciousness or decency was after making a very unpleasant veiled anti 5emitic comment implying Ruby attained her job through her parents "owning the station".. He quickly goes into damage control by employing theatrical routine. Feigning a mock phone conversation using a prop with an imaginary caller.. advising him to apologise. Deeply unpleasant and manipulative individual.. it's certainly an insight into how he operated. Chipping at other people until they were so deflated and frayed.. they took anything. A deeply Nasty Nasty person.

[@tye81]

the Madonna interview wasn't too bad. Madonna isnt an easy person to interview at the best of times shes snappy and bitchy towards most. I mean i thought the Oprah interview for Evita was terrible and much more frosty than Rubys,

[@johanericsson2403]

To be fair most Madonna interviews with women are insanely cringey and prickly and cold and forbidding, and meanwhile stick her in front of literally any guy, Bryant Gumble ffs, Regis Philben, and she's all giggly and flirty...I just watched like 50 Madonna interviews on here including this Ruby Wax one lol. Madonna seemed VERY nervous and defensive and halfway through seemed to resent having agreed to it

[@kristophert932]

damn she looks like that guy from Rocky Horror Picture Show

[@TelecasterLPGTop]

Yeah Cosby was funny when I was a kid but now I find him self righteous and boring. He hates cursing ? Why is he afraid of some words and not others. He won't take a stand on anything whereas "the cursers" e.g. George Carlin are brilliant they shine the light on hypocrisy and dishonesty.

[@phily8093]

Such an insensitive interviewer, mocking without fully understanding

[@phily8093]

Defending Bill Cosby ... good move. 🙄

[@morganolfursson2560]

When most of your interviews are crap and you are the common point between all interviews then maybe you are crap . I met Madonna, well actually i worked with her and she gave me a completely different point of view on that interview and how Wax acted so aggressively to everyone and treated the crew and staff, including Madonna's crew and staff like crap while trying to kiss Madonna's ass, and this is what made Madonna decide to have fun and to make Ruby's interview as awkward as possible, She hated the fact that she acted so superior to the staff there and bossed them around. Madonna has a lot of shitty side to her but she treats people with respect regardless of their position and as someone who very momentarily was staff for her, i can attest that she never came like a boss and treated us like crap. But i would never work for Ruby regardless on how many digits on the paycheck. Plus to be quite honest, nobody wants to work with or for someone with mental issues and Ruby is just a big bubbling mass and mess of personality disorders.

[@MrAJR76]

What a load of crap. You haven’t “talked to Madonna” about that interview. I doubt you’ve even met her. You clearly have a ‘thing’ about Ruby Wax, as per you other comment about her in this thread. Try actually watching the interview. Madonna isn’t aggressive towards Wax at all. As for Madonna treating people with respect - what a joke! She’s notorious for treating people horrendously. Now, stop making up stories. Knock that chip off your shoulder about Ruby Wax. And move along.

[@morganolfursson2560]

@@MrAJR76 Did your gynecologist pull the wrong tooth ?

[@addersdewinter7495]

Yuck Ruby (let me humiliate and talk over one) Wax.... trash tv from a damaged loudmouth.🙄