Steve Coogan On Being Typecast As An Impressionist And Creating Alan Partridge

After countless requests, Rob is finally joined by “King of Comedy” Steve Coogan! He tells Rob about his Oscar nomination for best screenplay, despite failing his English language O level twice…and how he had to break the mould from being seen purely as an impressionist by experimenting with different characters and taking them on the road. He also tells Rob all about Alan Partridge’s new live stage show ‘Stratagem’ which runs until early June around the UK & Ireland.
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Rob Brydon is best known for his work on The Trip, Gavin & Stacey and presenting the BBC One comedy panel show Would I Lie To You?
Also check out Rob’s other Social Media pages:
👉 / robbrydon​​​
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🎥 Edited by Greg Bernstein
This channel is a co-production with The Talent Bank thetalentbank.uk/
#RobBrydon #SteveCoogan #TheTrip

[@RobBrydon]

Listen to the full episode free and exclusively on Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/6qtpKR2PFwDqM5UZjG38iz

[@tonycarpenter651]

L

[@Colgan1]

I have met Steve. I met him at a time was tough for me. He brought his mother to my Grandma's funeral, he came to the service i notice while I was carrying my Grandma back out the small church, he was sat down kinda hiding next to his lovely mum, trying not to take any attention off the service. After the service he took his mother back home and bout 45 mins/an hour later he showed up on his own to the wake, wearing a flat cap. Bought himself a half pint then proceeded to come and talk to my mum, my aunts and spend about 30/45 mins talking to my Grandad. No one bothered him (there is a time and place to ask for photos and a funeral isn't one) but he spent time talking to my Grandad talking, not sure what about, he talked to my mum about childhood memories and growing up in Middleton. I just thought. Wow. What a lovely man. He was genuinely such a top bloke. I absolutely appreciate him taking time out to spend time with my family amd just seeing if everyone was OK. I wish I could thank him. Some people probably wouldn't believe this story and why should they? I am a random guy on YT called Meh ffs. But I don't care. He was so kind.

[@brendandarkside1207]

All I aspire to be is a top bloke that is a better accolade than any industry award and he's an inspiration (I believe you btw)

[@Catonius]

No Castrol GTX jacket?

[@FBFJDKOEUEURJFJDJ]

Beautiful story. Thanks for posting.

[@TheAlmightyAss]

He grew up in Middleton?? A shitload of my nan's side of the family are from there. It's a grim place.

[@Karlito77751]

Talk my brother!

[@mytinplaterailway]

He really is Partridge! The weird seriousness and pomposity. Funny.

[@travisbickle2004]

Steve Coogan has been making me laugh for almost 30 years now, since i first seen him in Paul Calf’s Video Diary when i was very young, that’s a bloody long time now. He’s an absolute comedy genius, i love the guy.

[@CS-mo7xp]

still think those 2 paul calf camcorder things are some of his best ever stuff!

[@gwynevans6440]

His Kinnock is mind blowing, he nails a very specific Welsh accent (Northern Gwent Valleys) which I'm sure he has absolutely no idea he is doing. But it's there, underneath all of Kinnock's personal idiosyncrasies and affectations.

[@Elwaves2925]

I was reading the comments and genuinely thought Kinnock had come on. Then I wondered if he was even alive now.

[@55rimshot]

Like Blaina?

[@korganrocks3995]

I've never heard the original, but that was hugely entertaining anyway; never before have I heard an accent that sounded like a mixture of welsh, scottish and nigerian! 😄

[@britturk123]

Yep he brought him back in my minds eye.

[@timothygraham4304]

I'm pretty sure he has an idea. The man is thorough!

[@julieprior3126]

Lovely! So good to see and hear Steve talking to someone he knows so well. The mutual respect and warmth between you underpins this chat. Very interesting, funny and uplifting. Loved it

[@MegaHooper25]

Glad Mr Coogan made an effort for this interview 😂

[@CranfordPark]

Good lord, that Kinnock impression. Absolutely incredible.

[@bobfish7699]

I swear that Steve Coogan's hair turned ginger as he was doing his Neil Kinnock impression, it was that good.

[@kevinlance1813]

This is the one we've been waiting for folks, and it didn't disappoint. Always interesting to see these two gents together. Thanks very much for the bit at the end, we just couldn't let it go without an impression. Thanks again for all of these great interviews.

[@Marcus_Ramour]

very inspiring what Steve says around 12mins 30secs. Making sure we keep moving and doing something fresh that we want to do keeps the motivation there and stops life from being a chore - regardless of your career/industry/walk of life.

[@iamfantastic.iamgreat3649]

You got aids. You can best this! Come on Mark!

[@charliekane135]

When the first Alan Partridge series came on tv, I could hardly believe how original and brilliant it was. It's still hilarious to watch. Comedy genius is right.

[@jj9749]

It has definitely stood the test of time much better than other comedies of that era (early 90s), like Men Behaving Badly, or even the Day Today

[@charliekane135]

@@jj9749 I agree, the whole concept of a loser like Partridge living in a Travel Lodge is timeless

[@mattsmith5421]

It's the best comedy series ever made imo

[@davedennison7386]

When kmkywap(lol) was first on tv, i knew a few people who thought it was real

[@0xyg3n]

"I am interested in telling stories of substance that have some love in them." I do agree. Well put!

[@numpty2723]

Thanks Steve, for putting the effort into your visual presentation in this interview. Stunning!

[@charliekane135]

Yeah, he should've worn a tux and a top hat 🤪

[@Elaine-tk7nx]

Amazing to see Rob and Steve chatting. The affection and admiration they feel for each other is deep and genuine. Steve is an amazing comedian and actor. Alan Partridge is a study of pathos in many ways. Love all Steve's work. Thanks, gents. X

[@mikevaughanmusic]

Really loved that 😃💕 I honestly adore seeing you two talk together, you can just feel the mutual admiration and love 😃💕

[@marielindley3]

LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE. Thank you for that one Rob 🙌🏼 ❤️

[@LukesEnglishPodcast]

Steve doing a James O’Brien impression with the headphones.

[@mattbatmattcat]

One of the few episodes of this where I was so engrossed I actually went over to spotify to hear the whole episode. Good stuff.

[@adrianchilds401]

Could listen to these two legends for hours

[@tastewithjase]

His Kinnock is spectacular

[@britturk123]

Wonderful warm interview, obviously pretty good mates who respect each other.

[@hohaia01]

Those guys have such great chemistry.

[@glyph2011]

Wonderful chat that. And by golly that Kinnock is astounding. It IS his voice.

[@ENigma-um8zw]

Brydon AND Coogan, instant click! You all rock

[@lordbrennanofsealand5772]

Brilliant interview

[@TheShmoo123]

Steve turned me into a mind reading act on my last ski holiday. My partner, my son and myself were sitting in the bar and the guy behind us was regaling his escapades of the day to his friend, his voice and accent were so like Steve’s I had to turn round and look to make sure it wasn’t him! I quickly looked up Steve’s particulars online and A little while later we got talking to the guys and I did the misty eyed look and said, you are from Lancashire, just say a few more words…….ah, Iv got it…..Iv honed it in to …Middleton! His mouth dropped open and I said it was just one of my many talents, I did own up eventually and told him that he was the voice double of Steve Cougan, he was aghast and said he didn’t think he sounded anything like him! But he indeed was from the same town and had gone to the same school but at different times!

[@TheShmoo123]

@@MT-kx2uc 😂😂😂👍🏽🙋🏽‍♀️

[@David_in_Thailand]

Cool story bro. No idea what you're on about here.

[@TheShmoo123]

@@David_in_Thailand …….🤷🏽‍♀️ oh well.

[@thejimmymeister]

Not sure why others are so confused by the story... I enjoyed it!

[@samhuxtable]

This a nice story bro, thanks for sharing. Not sure why other people aren't getting it

[@Myhandle59]

Just seen stratagem at Sheffield and it was amazing. After being a life long Coogan fan and watched all the alan partridge stuff hundreds of times it was the best comedy live show ever I was buzzing.

[@grahamdrummond2412]

That's good to hear, I'm going to Manchester next week, & was a teeny bit concerned how it would be live.

[@Google_Does_Evil_Now]

Kinnock!!!! Omg I'm taken back instantly! That was eerily the same. Wow. Now I want to see what else you can do.

[@WPK92]

That Neil Kinnock impression really is spot on.

[@njparkin5894]

Brilliant! Loved the 'Neil' impersonation.

[@Pwecko]

What a lovely pair of lovies.

[@jameslewthwaite2709]

That closing line... R.I.P Steve!

[@TheAnnaCowley]

Best one yet.

[@matthewheaton9700]

That's so difficult to believe that Steve Coogan failed O Level English Language at all, let alone, twice! Seeing how he presents himself now with how intelligent and well spoken he is, it's amazing that he started off so badly academically and has come this far. I know he said that he basically became intelligent later on in life but surely, that's really hard work. Well done sir! Well done!

[@jamesbutler6253]

It's not difficult at all really when you think back to how the English language O level was set up in the late 70s. It really wasn't a test of your skills rather of what you remembered from the lessons. I failed it too. But I passed English literature, as Steve presumably did too. Later I became an English teacher, Swedish teacher, translator and publishing editor for a govt agency.

[@sroycze9284]

Hey Rob!I know you read the comments, so I was hoping you would see this! A big fan of yours, from India! Would love to hear some of your songs!Loved your version of "Suspicious minds", would love some David Bowie and Queen,an others!

[@raminybhatti5740]

I could've watched 4 hours of these two shooting the breeze. Lovely stuff.

[@laurenloader6102]

I agree, no amount of time will ever be enough watching these two together.

[@LeeDon76]

If only Steve had a decent camera and microphone.

[@zootsoot2006]

Shakin' Stevens couldn't have been prouder.

[@highnoon7097]

Alan would never discharge a firearm at the breeze or otherwise

[@layalabi1667]

Really interesting....different!! Thanks!

[@edwardsp1916]

Made my day, thank you.

[@hesch-tag]

I want more episodes of The Trip.

[@RG_77]

Beautiful!

[@simonsays4993]

OMG that Kinnock impression is unreal!

[@followtheboat]

It's absolutely spot on. Not just Coogan sounding like Kinnock, but actually Kinnock.

[@pretzelhunt]

it's almost lithographic in its exactitude.

[@markpx]

It seems that the bigger the guest, the worse is their computer transmission.

[@MrDominic152]

Just love these two. ...'The Actor, comedian and writer Steve Coogan who died earlier today' :)

[@bazza5699]

absolutely phenomenal Neil Kinnock..

[@bluetoad2668]

I'm sorry, I have to be honest. I could watch you and Steve all day, you're both brilliant.

[@ianchandler9993]

Are you usually dishonest?

[@darinsingleton3553]

I would suggest that you don't apologize for your admirations - celebrate them.

[@bluetoad2668]

@@ianchandler9993 yes, it has been necessary on many occasions

[@ianchandler9993]

@@bluetoad2668 sounds like you're putting yourself in bad situations.

[@MartinHiggins1972]

It's for this kind of unfettered frankness that online comments were invented.

[@adrianheywood]

two very talented chaps. hilarious and insightful. :)

[@stephengilmore2741]

Saw the live Belfast show a couple of weeks back - absolutely brilliant! Even the mishap with the defiantly obtuse parka :-D

[@KarlHamilton]

Yeah I reckon that was all part of the act. Was pretty disappointed to be honest. Think I was maybe expecting too much.

[@mdtys]

this is great banter!

[@tamdunk]

It really is

[@ryanheyes6727]

I went to see stratagem in Belfast a few weeks ago, In the bit that Steve was talking about the dancer who came on stage dressed as a young partridge, she came on with a parka on, the zip wouldn’t work when she tried to take it off so they spent about 5 minutes trying to get it off

[@anglaismoyen]

Was that part of the act?

[@herseem]

@RobBrydon, One of the things I enjoyed about his interview was the way I could see you really concentrating on what he was saying as he was talking at a meta-level about what he did, instead of your check-list of questions.

[@tomclowes5874]

I think it's actually Alan Partridge playing the role of Steve Coogan.

[@pauloshea5483]

Enjoyed that

[@hansoloization]

Nice one 😂😂😂😂…..brilliant….😂😂😂😂😀👍❤️👏👏👏👏👏

[@shaolinpunkFTW]

I hope there will be one more series of the Trip. Would love to see your characters switch places, perhaps Rob has a mid-late life crisis and leaves his wife and kids to wander the earth, starting with a final trip around the Middle East, while Steve who has patched things up with his family goes along to convince him to come back. They both end up getting roles in Superhero movies.

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

Nice to see Rob taking a break from BBC One voiceover work.

[@highnoon7097]

Prefer the stuff he does on adverts. He'll be back for some Christmas adverts I'm sure

[@joethomas4935]

This is great. Watched loads of interviews with Coogan before but never really seen him go into depth on the early days and the journey to succeeding.

[@livinaskipp8354]

superb

[@superman00001]

Utterly brilliant and lovely. Two marvellous guys. And all before Steve's shower and breakfast too.

[@marcusp905]

That Neil Kinnock was bang on 🤯

[@Diggers1974]

At last! There's nowhere to go now Rob!

[@me0375]

I hope Steve continues working with Sarah Solemani, I’ve enjoyed their projects so far. I’m interested to see what they continue to produce as two talented and intelligent people, who are from different generations and with different perspectives

[@mjaada]

YES!

[@ElliotG89]

Gentlemen, to bed! For we leave at 9:30

[@ClarkyGuitar]

On the dot!

[@samueljweston]

For 10:00

[@vicandvin]

Love it

[@Michael-ih2hl]

You two are the funniest people

[@smush5653]

Steve is bloody brilliant. Got tickets to see Stratagem, can't wait!

[@brianhennessy1786]

saw it in dublin, its great

[@lukedonaghy8292]

Seen it in Belfast. It's really good

[@KarlHamilton]

@@lukedonaghy8292 Also saw it in Belfast. Was shite. Gutted.

[@Jamesp1972]

oh fuck it's so good when he does Kinnock, yet kind of sad as I loved the Welsh windbag, he should have been PM

[@mrg1911]

I love Rob and Steve so much, I hope Steve is OK…..he looks ill, or maybe in process of (hopefully) getting better.

[@joshuajames1720]

I think cus hes playing alan on stage and needs to wear a wig

[@TesterAnimal1]

Little flash of The Trip’s Brydon right at the end there!

[@ashbaggie4066]

Saw Coogan do a show years ago. Amazing snow with all the usual characters. The one person who stood out, apart from SC, was Simon Pegg. So pleased for him, as you could clearly see he had a talent.

[@jmanson3310]

Great impression! Brilliant.

[@mumfnah]

Lovely stuff

[@nixpuk75]

😄

[@mikedonovan4768]

Fair play to Rob Brydon. I'm not a fan per se, but he's a very good interviewer.

[@peterh1353]

He also fails to mention he failed to get in to RADA as well! Would love to know what his audition was. Probably Ronnie Corbett!

[@joshuajames1720]

amazing to hesr that Steve Cogan had to work so hard to get where he was, no easy breaks in that industry it seems. like life i guess.

[@GerryScullion]

The fact that he failed English, TWICE, says more about how antiquated the educational system is than anything else. Unreal. LOVE YA STEVE!

[@starrage7926]

Or he ballsed it up and then got his act together later on?

[@ConnbineHarvester]

Steves early 90's Roger Moore in Kes still makes me laugh when I remember it now.

[@GreenMorningDragonProductions]

2:17 I was convinced at various points that Coogan was following me. I also spent my formative years on an overspill estate in the borough of Rochdale, but even after moving to South Manchester, he kept turning up in the petrol station I was working in, on Wilmslow Road, although tbf, so did Rich n' Jude and Tony Wilson. Around that time, I'd be off me bonce in the nightclubs of late 80s/early 90s Manchester, and he would be there too - often in character, e.g. Paul Calf. Moving down to Sussex, in '92, I thought "this should do the trick!". No such luck. If he ever turns up in Yokohama, I'm getting a restraining order out.

[@zegfeldmobata4160]

These two go way back together. Never forgot their competition to be the proper Michael Caine mimic.

[@haydenduvall162]

Prime Kinnock. What a great chat.

[@kristianTV1974]

Nonsense - he could have at least fallen over in the surf! 2/10.

[@ralphzimmermann]

I must say Brydon is bang on about the quality of Alan Partridge. It has only gotten better over the years, to the point where the original TV series (though still absolutely amazing) almost feel a bit shallow with some cheap laughs compared to the more recent stuff. The books are just in a class of their own as far as comedy goes too. Oh and how everyone has forgotten about Saxondale is shocking!

[@highnoon7097]

I didn't think he could get any better than MMM but From The Oasthouse runs it close, although it kind of treads closely to ripping off Marion & Geoff

[@ralphzimmermann]

@@highnoon7097 you should check out his 2 audio books, honestly they are absolutely amazing.

[@highnoon7097]

@@ralphzimmermann got them both. Just finished re listening to I,Partridge last night. It's ruddy good

[@graemeadamson7272]

Crap sound quality on this one , whereas all other previous broadcasts are good . Gave up on it after 4 mins , couldn't be arsed trying to decifer what SC was saying . Never mind 😏

[@trenttrevorrow5648]

I saw Steve at a petrol station once. He had jeans on.

[@richardbennett7146]

🤣

[@dellwright1407]

Please be ready to speak with ITN and Reuters at short notice. BBC are also asking if they could do a 3 part documentary on this?

[@claresherman2278]

@@dellwright1407 It’s a Partridge reference.

[@AndrewWilsonStooshie]

Wow. He completely changed doing Kinnock. Amazing

[@zenbear4149]

So courageous of coogan to tackle this in between his radiation and chemo treatments.

[@darrendprahm]

His Neil Kinnock is brilliant

[@oldboymclane72]

Stratagem is so good.

[@yukiomishima33]

Can you bring Alan to Australia please. Or tape the show and release it

[@TesterAnimal1]

It’s like he’s miming to a Kinnock sound track 😂😂😂

[@NxDoyle]

"Smelly Alan Fartridge! Smelly Alan Fartridge!"

[@stevecox7075]

Rob, please interview the wonderful Julia Davis!

[@classicerynn8452]

Steve Coogan rocking that salt & pepper beard 👍❤

[@highnoon7097]

It is a fake beard, you can see him at the start sticking it on and then fluffing the willows betwixt the cheeks

[@leegibbs5317]

GENTLEMAN TO BED!!!!

[@Spooky_32]

DRINK IT

[@leegibbs5317]

@@Spooky_32 😂😂😂

[@TesterAnimal1]

Hooray! Where and when are you going on your next “Trip”?

[@leonie563]

Will always want Steve to do a biopic on Sir Nigel Hawthorne. Not only was Nigel an awesome actor, but seemed a lovely guy. His backstory is intetesting too. Standout roles:- The Winslow Boy The Madness of King George and of course we love his Humphrey... in Yes Minister/Yes Prime Minister. I was a teen during latter and I found the books...read like scripts. Try not to laugh out loud, I dare you! I have seen Tristram Shandy and also The History of Tom Jones. Both of those kinds of directing types would suit I think. But I'm not a director!

[@patsyporter5082]

That made my heart happy. 😊♥️🇨🇦

[@RobWitchdoctor]

That Neil Kinnock is excellent!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@catonehere]

Can watch on yt but not on spotify?

[@WelshBathBoy]

Fucking hell what a way to end that! That Kinnock was spot on!