Stephen Merchant taking Christopher Walken to Stonehenge: The Outlaws

Stephen Merchant talks about his new comedy ‘The Outlaws’ and how he managed to cast Christopher Walken. He also reminisces about taking him on a trip to Stonehenge.
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[@SarahSmith-nr2wj]

I don't get excited about celebrity stuff, but going to stonehenge with Christopher Walken is fucking epic.

[@StimParavane]

Isn't it! And that is not an understatement.

[@PamSambrook]

Stonehenge is pretty epic lucky enough to get a place on an early morning trip but yep mr walken is an icon

[@lindiwright1373]

Couldn’t have put that better myself! Good call Sarah 😉

[@MrDiddyDee]

This is such a good series, a fantastic blend of comedy and urban thriller. Great characters, great cast, well plotted and directed, I thoroughly recommend it. It seems the competition on other channels at the same time has side-lined it's success a bit, which is a real shame, but I think this will be a word of mouth and a slow grower. This series ended a little inconclusively, you'll want to know where the characters go from here, so it's great to know a second series was already planned and is now completed.

[@EthanEthanEthanEthanEthan]

Just watched both seasons for the first time, I'm really hoping a third season is coming

[@jasonday7378]

Couldn’t agree more

[@SarahSmith-nr2wj]

Steven Merchant is so Bristol he could be a character in an Ardman film with no changes to his appearance or voice.

[@parkviewmo]

Five Star Comment: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@ginaiosef]

😁 Good thing he is from Bristol!

[@SarahSmith-nr2wj]

@@parkviewmo cheers 🤗

[@Geffo555]

I really enjoyed Outlaws. An engaging story with twists and fun characters. Darren Boyd's John was spot on for a righty businessman just trying to keep his business alive. Hope to see series 2.

[@Kjskateboarding1]

gotta love steve. Given us some of the best sitcoms alongside ricky, as well as radio shows and podcasts. He is still having the piss taken out of him on social media from comments on xfm 20 years ago. Hes a legend.

[@abzzy1010]

yeah but that’s cos he’s a lanky goggle-eyed freak

[@jamespasifull3424]

I remember when I was an extra in the Al Pacino feature film, Revolution, Donald Sutherland took himself round the King's Lynn town centre shopping area, during a break in filming........in full 'Redcoat' uniform!! Ok, it ain't Christopher Walken at Stonehenge, but it's still remarkable! 😲

[@KovietUnionDefector]

Kings Lynn, as a Heacham girl I totally understand your comment ,) LOL

[@KovietUnionDefector]

Kings Lynn, as a Heacham girl I totally understand your comment ,) LOL

[@nathgangma]

I like Stephen Merchant. He always seemed like the cool moderator between Ricky and Karl..

[@JAVRTH]

Seriously , he looks like church father!

[@kb9072]

I've watched the first 2 episodes of Outlaws and I love it. Really enjoying it. Update: I'm on series 2 now and I can't tell you how much I'm enjoying this series.

[@angrynorway]

I grew up in Sea Mills - it is truly mind boggling to see it on TV. And seeing Christopher Walken around that area is unreal.

[@Designer_Opine]

Credit to Stephen-anyone else telling a Christopher Walken story would’ve slid into a cliche impression of the man. Refreshing that he didn’t or his Christopher Walken impression is the worst on record.

[@martinshepherd8041]

As a Bristolian it's good to hear Steve in his full Bristol dialect, and that he has never lost it. He is also from the same area as me, a suburb called Hanham. I still think the Bristolian humour and eye for a good yarn is shown brilliantly here.... Hey Steve' fancy a pint at the Blue Bowl? Lol

[@onskyk]

Nah, he drinks at the Maypole...

[@martinshepherd8041]

@@onskyk great little boozer is the Maypole 👍

[@jamesj6068]

I was surprised when I saw he was from Hanham, I grew up on Greenbank rd, just around the corner of the newsagents! Fond memories of getting oversized cola bottle sweets from the newsagents as a kiddo.

[@martinshepherd8041]

@@jamesj6068 I grew up in Eastville (new estate back then behind Robertson Rd. Moved to Hanham in 1991

[@Episode_13]

Bath too, I'm tall and wear glasses and sound like him :)

[@EscapeFromDaSystem]

Steve is such an amazing writer!

[@alexrobert13]

It’s been a long time since I have watched anything with my mother and can’t wait for not only the next episode but the next series!! Stephen Merchant come up with an epic!

[@XoXo475]

Can’t wait for season 3!!! What a superbly crafted show ❤

[@g.anthonybenjamin281]

No one is allowed to touch the stones, not even Christopher Walken

[@DeltronZed]

I fully understand why. However, whenever I go to a place like this, any wonder I feel about being in a historical place like this, a place that belongs to all of humanity, it is immediately squashed by the lady or gentleman standing there telling you not to touch or linger too long or to keep up with the group. It divorces me from the experience and I end up feeling like everything is cheap and commercial and gaudy. I hate it. And so I have lost a lot of interest in ever going to these places. Everything goes away and falls apart eventually. The stones will not be there one day and those people will be out of a job and that's the one thing in all of that that makes me feel good.

[@user-fy9fr3bc7v]

@@DeltronZed I agree, mostly. There are some places, though, where the staff make it. I was in Mitla in Mexico and there was no one else there, bar a groundskeeper. He told us all the stories the surviving aztec descendants had passed on over the generations. Stuff about the architecture of the temples and why the stairs and doors were designed as they were. Time will pass, sure, and the rocks will go, but those stories will endure as they always have, and now and again the staff will be part of that heritage, instead of just flourescent pricks with walkie talkies

[@DeltronZed]

@@user-fy9fr3bc7v Yeah, I accept that as a reality too. I just wish it was much more of the one and not so much of the other.

[@paddym6778]

@@DeltronZed I'm sure it doesn't help that interfering with the stones is prohibited by law

[@kb9072]

What does happen at night? I know there isn't a fence around it because it would spoil the view. Is it guarded? Or is that the way you can have a cheeky touch?

[@hanklancaster3532]

Just started watching this show. Absolutely fantastic stuff!

[@jamesee5053]

Love the way Stephen scratches his eye behind his glasses instead of lifting them up, I do that but inevitably you smear the lens on the inside...

[@GUITARTIME2024]

He's done ya again !

[@Markknott29]

Interesting ‘True Fact’ about Christopher Walken…. His Wife has a fashion obsession and owns so many clothes he had to build her a walken wardrobe… I’m here all week… 😂

[@Paulafan5]

Was that clever? I think Knott...

[@LucyLane07]

LOL!!

[@MrMarko4]

His interview here is a complete copy word for word to his one with Philip Scofield and Holly Willoughby on This Morning, even every joke and analogy

[@fathuman]

I'm six episodes in on The Outlaws and my brain still hasn't stopped saying "What the fuck is Christopher Walken doing here?" each time he pops up

[@ChristianJull]

Because the public aren't usually allowed in the stone circle at Stonehenge, the stones are undisturbed and there are several species of lichen that only grow on them. That is why they don't let folk touch them. Saying that, I did some all-night filming in the stones circle a number of years ago (before the new visitor centre, etc) and DID touch a stone. It had been a hot summer day before and the stone was still warm at 4:00 in the morning. Magical inside the circle.

[@paulkielty3800]

Are you now possessed by the spirt of Merlin

[@ChristianJull]

@@paulkielty3800 🤣 If I am, he was overrated...

[@privateperson8289]

Steves accent is champion that is! Lovin it :)

[@tylersweet5994]

I thought 'The Outlaws' was wonderful. Just the right amount of gentle comedy, characters, drama and heart. For me way better than Ricky Gervais 'AfterLife' where the bitter, nasty comedy and mawkish sadness seemed forced.

[@monaebreak561]

I can't believe his glasses touched his eyeballs. 😂

[@darthmong7196]

Errrr. Yeah.

[@antronk]

Loving to see more of Steve Merchant. Not that he was absent but more in the media promoting. Always delivering solid material. Cant wait for episode 3 and hope to see more of him

[@wetkneehouston6293]

Hes surprisingly natural on radio, would be cool if he had his own show, seems like hes done it before

[@DoctorMeatDic]

Must be painful for him doing the same gags over and over again for this promotional tour. Mind you, Gervais has been doing it for 20 years now.

[@Isleofskye]

Yes because Afterlife and Derek are so much like their XFM shows which was so much like The Office which was identical to Extras and his Production of Life's Too Short. It's uncanny how they are all exactly the same......:)

[@MartinHiggins1972]

Oooh, bitchy!

[@deadpanbarry5442]

🤔 Who hurt you.... and why are you so bitter.

[@Renzsu]

Everybody does it mate, you prepare anecdotes, otherwise these things become way too stressful.

[@garrybye4415]

Great interview - ‘do you take them in at night?’!! Great series. Always enjoy Steve’s work.

[@reshmapatel325]

Steve looks sooooo fittt. I love this look

[@pizzapunk8816]

really?

[@beckylangridge6746]

Agreed - looking really handsome here 😍

[@---df5sr]

Loving Steve’s new hair

[@aiai-j7i]

Well Antwerp is the cocaine capital of Europe now, so take that Stephen Merchant! 😉 I love Outlaws...perfectly cast and the right mix of comedy and heartfelt.

[@stewiegiligan]

Looking at Stephen I imagine what he was thinking was "This is the worst chair, I’ve ever sat on, And I’ve sat on some fucking chairs in my time."

[@Renzsu]

Love how they kept that bit in the show intro, cracks me up every time I hear it :) (and he's right.. I'm thinking of that chair his dad got from the retirement home).

[@beebopvroop5218]

How come we never had any anecdotes like the TV thief in the old XFM/podcast days? His Mam's job sounds like a goldmine of tales.

[@MartinHiggins1972]

Didn't want to waste them on a tinpot radio show.

[@beebopvroop5218]

@@MartinHiggins1972 😂😂😂

[@MartinHiggins1972]

@@beebopvroop5218 Nice use of "Mam" btw. Missed that on first reading :)

[@darthmong7196]

Bet she never put tippex on a spider though.

[@dreads9536]

Comedy thriller about a group of misfits doing community service. Why has nobody ever thought of this idea for a TV show before? The Outlaws is a good name.... I wonder if they thought of calling it Misfits.

[@RealDaveHelm]

Sure. All those super powers they have too 🤨have you actually watched it you spanner?

[@paulkielty3800]

Steven is a legend Christopher Walken was lucky to have worked with him.

[@boomerhgt]

You got that back to front bubba

[@MartinHiggins1972]

Uh oh, boomerhgt's onto you, bubba

[@ANDRSNJHNSTN]

Eyes bulging with imagined riches

[@DIDDLOTIC]

we've arranged to meet back at you

[@mattford9044]

New hair looking good

[@michaelpbuttigieg]

Have you seen it, Steve? There’s this…there’s this thing in it…

[@mrSeandobson007]

Steve is so funny and the new show is hilarious

[@steveneltringham1478]

I've always thought that if I were to take Christopher Walken anywhere it would be Stonehenge. I'd also like to take Dennis Quaid to see Blackpool Tower.

[@MartinHiggins1972]

For me, the dream was always James Woods to Cheddar Gorge.

[@KumaBean]

For years I've been wanting to go to Vegas with Woody Harrelson, lol 🕺 🍻 🥃 ♠️

[@davidroman1342]

Imagine taking Christopher walken to Stonehenge. How fricking awsome and crazy

[@dcwideeye4045]

Eyes bulging with imagined riches

[@quadrant2012]

It's nice to hear the tinge of American accent seems to have gone

[@timthatshim8037]

It's so sad, he told all these same stories and jokes exactly verbatim on The Graham Norton Show, he needs new material

[@truthwillout1980]

Indeed. It's a script. And more than likely not true.

[@chompyb]

One of the saddest things imaginable

[@rebeccagibbs4128]

as a non brit but raised watching and hearing about how awesome england is when i finally got there myself i was so bitterly disappointed by Stonehenge. i thought it was this towering thing and its just some rocks in a field next to a dirty old highway lol

[@Morgue12free]

🤣

[@kevinbailey8827]

They’re more impressive up close, and inside the circle.

[@RonRicho]

"Outlaws" would still be very good with Christopher Walken but WITH him it fantastic! Can't wait for season 2.

[@jamiehartley4218]

considering how many people started watching it just for walken lol.

[@10beanz]

He's had a hair transplant. Got more hair than when the guest appeared in The Office.

[@nathgangma]

Also awesome in Jojo rabbit. Bad ass movie!

[@electrolinks]

Merchant, stop being so funny,, articulate and intelligent, you make the rest of us look stupid.

[@tracykennedy4589]

Really looking forward to watching this series….Not sure if drink driving should be considered a minor crime these days tho…😬

[@xanasantos1]

👍🙂 I absolutely loooved this series. Bloody adverts on KZbin make watching this interview a nightmare though 🤨

[@xanasantos1]

👍🙂 I absolutely loooved this series. Bloody adverts on KZbin make watching this interview a nightmare though 🤨

[@mikes5637]

Christopher Walken is 78?!

[@jonnysupreme]

He's done ya there Steve, play a record

[@AP-gb3eh]

Stephan Merchant will one day be an elderly man telling this story of watching a sunset at Stonehenge with Christopher Walken . I love that image 😎

[@thecreativescot6180]

I had never heard of this comedian but I watched the outlaws and loved it, brilliant script and top class comedy

[@timkpunkt8171]

This video has 1234 likes and I dare not to rise the number

[@DonnaBarrHerself]

My list of what belongs together: The Detectorists, Outlaws, The Other One, Darby and Joan, Get Duked. More, please.

[@JoeRivermanSongwriter]

I bet when he was offered the part Walken's eyes were bulging with imagined riches.

[@gadaffi1000]

DUI "minor crime"...hmmm

[@MetalThrashingMikey]

Love Steve

[@andydondy6444]

Been to stone henge.. 🙄🙄🙄 Boring big azz stones😒😒😒

[@jebus571]

He's done you again Steve! He's done you again!

[@lisahumphries3898]

So, if any health issues arise for Christopher Walken, go back to that Stonehenge lady and say, “See! You should’ve let him touch the healing, blue stone!”

[@AI_admin]

Christopher Walken .... enough said, other than to say I tried to explain this momentous occasion to my mum, big mistake! 🤣

[@duncanwallace7760]

Sounds awesome, love all of Stephens stuff!

[@wildthinair]

Deer Hunter. Masterpiece

[@fossehigh]

So I had to google the name Christopher Walken🤔 of course I recognised his face straight away, amazing actor☺️

[@electrolinks]

My only problem with the show is that he stole episode ones plot from Dynasty,. Shameless. Crystal and Blake are spinning in their graves.

[@thefixitlator8754]

So many things never got ended or answered

[@badmindsandgangsigns746]

Season 3?

[@Wagoo]

Erp! There 'e is!

[@LordClarkson]

Of course he was quiet, his name isn't Christopher Talking

[@PublicDetective]

I've touched the Stones many times...

[@JustT_Dave]

Has he got his 50p back yet?

[@colinnuttall9579]

Is it just me, or is Steven Merchant a bit funereal ? Sorry not a fan really.

[@johnallright6847]

Didn't see Stonehenge or Christopher Walken, crap

[@stevegardiner8473]

I'm enjoying the show but, I wouldn't rate drink driving as a minor crime.

[@buggyboogle9]

Same here. When he said that…I thought that a not considered a minor crime. The other example of stealing cabbages was more apt.

[@catmadwoman6317]

Nope you're right but the courts do and that's why they only get community service.

[@NickBarling]

Depends on what you compare it to?

[@stevegardiner8473]

@@NickBarling I disagree. Drink driving has the potential for devastating consequences. Just because some hasn't killed someone while drink driving, doesn't mean they couldn't have. I don't think a bit of community service fits the crime.

[@johnc6919]

Drink driving, a minor crime??

[@garethlorman1136]

Yeah I thought the same. Might as well say "minor crimes like murder suicide" .

[@mrade5321]

Think that might come back and bite him on the ass. Stupid thing to say.

[@JoeRivermanSongwriter]

The seriousness of the crime depends on how many times over the limit you are really.

[@johnc6919]

@@JoeRivermanSongwriter What?

[@JoeRivermanSongwriter]

@@johnc6919 Well one drink over the limit is bad obviously but not as bad as three or four times over the limit and so on.

[@carlbode666]

Owwww drink driving a minor crime ??? 😬😬😬

[@steveball3778]

Love it

[@electrolinks]

The thing I hate most about Stephen is nothing.

[@jonathanchannon3431]

Just me, but where did Stephen get that jacket?!

[@electrolinks]

When I was in old chokey with Steve, he shared his marmalade sandwiches with me, because of all the crying I did.

[@newstreetbridge834]

How did you repay him?

[@estebancomulet]

Really enjoying The Outlaws. Unquestionably the best thing he's done for years. Him and Gervais never seemed to quite find their solo groove after the office, extras and my favourite, their work with Karl on the radio shows and podcasts (I can still listen today and howl with laughter, and ironically it's what they put the least effort into). But life's too short, derek, invention of lying, hello ladies...none of these matched the greatness of their first three ventures. However, with Afterlife, Gervais rightly received the most acclaim since the office, and similarly Merchant for the outlaws. He does straddle the line between comedy and crime thriller really well here. It's got laughs and nail-biting tension. Jolly good fun.

[@ots1634]

UGH, he repeats the exact same gags in every single interview, it is sooo tedious. CHANGE

[@Trebor74]

The Stonehenge seen today has been "restored" and "cleaned up" several times.

[@ashyclaret]

Rebuilt from scratch.

[@jimspencer363]

Why didn't they drive him to Stonehenge?

[@Isleofskye]

Steve is very conscious about his millions and did not want to waste £30 on Petrol..

[@ShubhamBhushanCC]

I love the show. It's amazing

[@robertolecki7492]

I like the show and good for Stephen, but he didn't write all that scenes himself. I feel he should credit Elgin James a little bit at least in these press releases.

[@arcticsound7341]

Like Ricky Gervais did with Steve & the Office you mean 😂

[@robertolecki7492]

@@arcticsound7341 yeah, maybe he learned from Ricky;)

[@ridwaanali6518]

rff

[@electrolinks]

It's a well know fact that viking descendants who are abnormally tall were often 5-10% smarter than the other vikings. And we lauded as the leaders.

[@lessevdoolbretsim]

Steve is a class act.

[@CraigNiel]

3:14 If you do minor crimes, drink driving or something like that. Erm, drink driving a minor crime? Really? ffs....

[@totallybored5526]

Compared to murder, rape, genocide, having sex with kids, beastiality and Morris dancing. It is a minor crime ffs.

[@CraigNiel]

@@totallybored5526 Well stabbing someone (and them not dying) is minor compared to genocide or pedophilia but that doesn't mean stabbing someone is a minor crime now does it. Comparing one thing to something else atrocious does not lessen it the thing being compared.

[@totallybored5526]

@@CraigNiel going back to your first “comment” drink driving (when no one is harmed) is a minor crime, that wouldn’t warrant jail time just some community service. Whereas a serious crime you would go to jail. So please get some perspective

[@CraigNiel]

@@totallybored5526 I didn't say it did warrant jail time, although I do believe personally that anyone drink driving should be jailed because the repercussions can be devastating, which is why it isn't a "minor" crime. A minor crime is stealing a packet of biscuits or taking a piss in a shop doorway after a few beers. To claim drink driving is a minor crime if no one is harmed is like saying it's safe to drive at 160mph because you didn't crash. Minor motoring offences are dealt with by FPN and the fact that drink driving is dealt with at magistrates' court means it's considered a serious offence. I think it's you that needs to get some perspective and this is the last I'll say on the matter. The facts are there for you to take in and at some point you will understand.

[@totallybored5526]

@@CraigNiel I do understand. You’re the one not understanding. That is why you’ve decided to go on a nonsensical rant over nothing. I’m going to go and enjoy life, I suggest you don the same. And look in the dictionary for the difference between minor and major. And get some help for your nonsense hypotheticals

[@jeremygovender]

Steve is a legend

[@rangerwhite5165]

Steve took him because it was free. :)

[@TanakaMatsumoto]

I find it funny that you can't even touch the stones now, yet many many years ago they gave chisels and hammers to take a small piece with you home.

[@dmontes133]

🤣🤣🤣

[@lynnehamilton9257]

Misfits. Just saying...