Stewart Lee in Conversation with Alan Moore

'I decided to write as if I was trying to get sacked.'
Acclaimed comedian Stewart Lee joins the legendary writer Alan Moore to talk politics, satire, their new books and what it means to be a Content Provider.

[@THEEGGMANwooooo]

Alan moore's beard has let itself grow

[@quansinus9941]

Seriously under-rated comment :D

[@MechaUsagi]

It's 28 years old!

[@sebclement6253]

V funny.

[@CraicDealer]

And it's a thing of beauty. If you look carefully you can see that robin pop his head out every now and then

[@marlondaniels7912]

Wonderful

[@jnelson0615]

I clicked on this vid to learn something about Alan Moore. Result: Alan Moore is a very good and genuine listener.

[@AllOneVoice]

Anyone that Alan Moore vouches for is worth my time. Going to have to get myself into Stewart Lee! Alan, I'm convinced, is a nearly unparalleled talent in writing and creative arts and one of our genuine geniuses.

[@Brownie-ms6sv]

Stewart Lee's stand up shows are works of absolute genius, hope you followed up on this and watched them all

[@pjs7501]

Did you end up watching any? Interested to hear your take.

[@helenlauer9545]

If the majority in control of our lives were even half as sharp and engaged in what matters as this chap the social world would be a hell of a lot better place. He seems like just a comic who couldn't care less really, but the truth of it is he employs satire, absurdity and reverie as a shield to protect the victims of his penetratingly scathing social commentary and criticism, to prevent us all from reducing to cinder ash on a first hearing. Thank you, even faberandfaber.

[@seftonjamie]

Oh Helen , he's sucked you right in. SL has had 20 years of perfecting his bullshit. Herse a tip so you don't make the same mistake again. that wears a lapel badge of an obscure band or political movement, is generally fake as fuck.

[@PaulIsaacT.PowerPoet-so1gh]

Is that you Stewart?😀

[@jameswilliams9104]

Two of my favourite creators in the whole wide world, together. What a treat!

[@seftonjamie]

'The whole wide world' ? You sound like a 9 year girl dude.

[@jameswilliams9104]

@@seftonjamie Says the fool who chooses to call himself Little Scamp.

[@seftonjamie]

@@jameswilliams9104 Touche , or should I say touchy . I did want Little Cunt , but your mum had already taken it , along with big smelly cunt.

[@walteredstates]

I just came back here from the new version/follow up of this conversation, on the Guardian channel. I found it very worthwhile and just as relevant as when I 1st listened, and maybe even slightly more-so, both, in conjunction with the recent talk (incl. the anecdotes they repeat!), as well as the time passed inbetween. Geeez, I benefit from listening to these two so immensely - listening to their observations fully evaporates any doubts I may have had about my "approach to", understanding of, and interactions with 'Reality'. Phew!! And it's very good fun!

[@oconnellp]

"Things don't really stand still long enough to satirise [now]" Well said Allan. He said sadly, struggling through this whole exchange.

[@Shadowfire204]

Its great seeing Moore laughing, cracking up and smiling so much

[@seftonjamie]

Get a room. ffs

[@thesapphireone]

I agree, usually, due to Alan Moore’s work being rather dark and grim, along with his hatred of modern pop culture, I used to think he was a stereotypical “grouchy old man/kids today” type of guy although I respect, appreciate and like him now, I used to be kinda afraid of him, because I thought that he projected a standoffish air about him. But interviews like this, showed and made me realise, that he’s actually a witty, intelligent, funny, kind, eccentric man, that I’d love to maybe one day interview him, and chat for endless hours with about comic books someday.

[@brandontylerburt]

This is epic. I would enjoy watching Alan Moore and Stewart Lee conversing all day long.

[@thanatos1387]

I'm a little confused on why this video got 71 dislikes. Any & every interview with Alan Moore is always an enlightening gift to the world!

[@Beechgoose1]

..in YOUR opinion.

[@onlythebiggesthitsoneleano8461]

Stewart Lee created 71 burner accounts and added the downvotes. He would do that.

[@kyletheo1]

If anyone deserves a Nobel Prize in Literature, it’s the great Alan Moore.

[@hplovehandle]

Jerusalem.

[@Ludifant]

@Dr Diablory Glycon.. Innit?

[@Ludifant]

Just learned about him... Amazing character.

[@vandolmatzis8146]

I am so happy to discover this guy,he is more a literary genius than just a stand up comedian,also I have let myself go.

[@seftonjamie]

Maybe you could discover commas and full stops next.

[@vandolmatzis8146]

@@seftonjamie That was,Ahem,damn funny.

[@johngalantini6910]

@@seftonjamie The below the line comments section lives on...

[@shintafukuda2274]

It's a blessing to see two real artists talking shop so warmly. The spirit of Mikhail Zoshchenko looms large.

[@Stop_Elitists_Wars]

I met Stewart while attempting to lodge money into savings account in Tunbridge Wells Bank..unbeknown to me it was being robbed & Customers became momentary Hostages. The robbers plan was thwarted as Stewart was carrying two cell phones & descreetly liased with Police to coordinate our rescue. Stewart Lee saved our lives Absolute Gentleman.

[@МаксимПогосян-и3с]

Excuse me, what? Is this some kind of joke or this drama actually happened?

[@thebagelsproductions]

I reckon it is fictitious, for comic or dramatic purposes known only to its author

[@kxjx]

Hi Stewart thanks for writing all those columns I found them hilarious.

[@idio-syncrasy]

Alan Moore and Stewart Lee are looking good.

[@weatheranddarkness]

This is frankly one of the more important conversations I’ve listened to in a good while

[@CriticalDispatches]

You missed out the word 'self' before 'important' there, old bean.

[@stevebrindle1724]

Two men I admire, Stewart for his comedy and principles and Alan for his graphic novels and principles!

[@seftonjamie]

Except , 1 man is from the north and the other from the south . Which means 1 man likely has principles, the other is a London wanker

[@thebagelsproductions]

Stewart Lee's from the midlands, so is Alan Moore, judging on his accent.

[@ekurisona663]

im so glad i found comis and alan - i enjoy listening to his intereviews endlessly 💜

[@bydesign3169]

I cant write a comment on a Stewart Lee video without hearing his high pitched, sarcastic, imitation of someone writing a comment, Na Naa Naaaa

[@Dinckelburg]

7:46 can't believe it! Just seen By Design in the comments section of KZbin eating cornflakes. They looked depressed.

[@thehowlingterror]

2016 - A wonderful year in retrospect.

[@OKnotOK09]

Apart from the Brexit vote. Which was pretty shit.

[@leepeters9282]

It's great to see person centered counselling in action

[@MehdiHusain]

A dead cat. It's obviously a satire since there's an animal in it.

[@vermilliongecko]

Two of my very favourite people.

[@badfreddytube]

Am I watching Wind in the Willows

[@rachek7958]

This comment made my day!

[@Johnconno]

No, a new Beckett play.

[@M3au]

Yes. Third wave anarcho-punk "Wind in the Willows".

[@sebclement6253]

😂😂😂

[@mauricedear7275]

@@rachek7958 some day..

[@mods-qo4pr]

Two years on and very, very relevant!

[@newforestpixie5297]

When Pop Will Eat itself sung “ Alan Moore knows the score “ in 1989 , I’d no idea whom he was and spent the following 20 years believing they were actually referring to Alan Ball - cos he did a tv show with Greavsie or someone from football - and needed to know the score at all times when commenting on highlights of games.....

[@agentblackacid]

Found this by accident, bloody good viewing...

[@TheCrimsonLupus]

Two great people I admire - both are insightful chaps, meeting up. Love that neither cares for the BS in their fields; they just want to create their own stuff. Best head-to-head since the coffee-shop scene in the film Heat ;)

[@joeblows4694]

Could listen to more of this come on guys !

[@gedscouserable]

Brian Blessed and Ratko Mladic have let themselves go.

[@tomb020780]

This is really great. Heroes of culture, talking about stuff.

[@Johnconno]

Stuff? What's 'Stuff'?

[@astrideavolta]

One of the few times Stewart looks like he feels completely natural with his company. And we can understand why, but it's such a lovely thing to behold nevertheless.A lovely, rare insight.

[@robrob9250]

How do I put the Bulgarian subtitles on?

[@BrokenNoseBoxing]

Quality, thanks for setting this up

[@nickjanuary7177]

Watching this with subtitles when they start talking about misrepresentative headlines is fantastic

[@21stCen]

These two are good!

[@sfoster.23]

Is it just me or is Stew more enthusiastic in this interview than ever before?! 😂

[@joecraven2712]

It seems that way, but what I’ve come to realise is that this actually is his genuine personality when he’s not performing in character.

[@jaydarklighter1989]

Alan Moore is an aboslute gem of an interviewer, and he had the amazing response when talking about the longest written fiction "the bible" oh - my - god... I howled hahahaha

[@theragoooverlord5021]

Bible > than moores bestiality comics.

[@mabusestestament]

bestiality comics?

[@theragoooverlord5021]

@@mabusestestament also his they them men in a wig comic

[@mabusestestament]

I have no idea what you just said.

[@theragoooverlord5021]

@@mabusestestament sounds like you don't have much knowledge of what moore comics are out there

[@colinhoy1660]

What's Ratko Mladic doing with Alan Moore...?

[@5ynthesizerpatel]

He's let himself go a bit

[@euansmith3699]

"My son, who has recently learned the word, "Dystopian"." :D :D :D

[@Black2th]

43:00 on ....I heard a great quote years ago...."We're spreading darkness at the speed of light." lol :P

[@Ludifant]

So light is information? Nah.. Information is already there , like darkness. We ought to start teaching logic, logic fallacies and psychological biases and the scientific method in school and let people sort information by themselves and be skeptical enough of every opinions and fact. Up till now we have been relying on people to get it right for us and that went predictably wrong. Now people need to sort their own information and they haven´t got the tools.

[@victoranselmo7328]

I guess I was not the only one to ever posit that the absence of light, darkness, is somehow faster than light speed. Now not long ago I read somewhere on line that someone has found the Dark is faster than light.. Which beggers the whole thing in someway..

[@aerobertj]

Short term nostalgia! This was post Brexit but pre-Trump!

[@zetetick395]

Wow, if you create your structured memory sequences by using notable acts of Human idiocy I can only imagine your personal chronology will have an _extremely_ well ordered structure, over time. XD

[@Jamesp1972]

You can see Lee's suppressed post Brexit despair

[@palmereldritch8277]

Five stars. I never wanted it to end.

[@-xirx-]

The hand gestures and non-verbal communication between these two are like language that i can't decipher.

[@maybepumpkins]

Notes: He likes to write fictional opinions, in the knowledge that some people will take them seriously, so the inevitably ludicruous responses become the punchlines for his real audience. 2:14 Alan: The term "content provider" implies the relationship between the artist and the art is kind of like the relationship between pig lips and sausages. It's a hurtful term, but it's probably accurate. Alan: Any form is never more interesting than when you are breaking it in some was, or dismantling it [or exploring its limits]. 4:50 Stewart: There's a set of expectations about what a newspaper column is, that you either confirm or deny. [Ways you deny them...] Part of the fun was that this was a different audience to his stand-up. The uninitiated would stumble across the newspaper articles, and react. 29:24 Alan: People's grip upon reality seems a bit precarious. I sometimes wonder if we're doing them a kindness with all of this fiction, or is it just confusing them more? They agree that reality has now encroached on the territory of satire, leaving traditional satire nowhere to stand. 33:55 Alan: Your style of comedy is a bit like a kamikaze pilot who is relentlessly plowing into the deck of the aircraft carrier that he's been launched from. Self-aware literature (Voyage autour de ma chambre). Some discussion about TV, and how the satire of The Day Today perhaps cemented and propelled the burgeoning trends in television news. 44:00 Playing the part of a hack journalist, out of necessity. kzbin.info/www/bejne/n6rXeHupabOal5I

[@oliveraeternus3285]

The Gods bless these magicians

[@rossmorton7002]

You know you're on to something when Alan Moore reads your work and his first question is; "Why? Why have you done this?"

[@caroledrury1411]

Speaking of content providers there’s a very funny scene in the Detectorists, when a so-called reporter comes to the pub to interview his subject and spends 30 seconds saying well ill write this and I’ll write that and say that you did this and say that you did that and then leaves. because he’s got a story he doesn’t want the Content . he’s just providing the content that he’s made up himself,! It’s really brilliant. Sorry can’t understand Alan Moore s words

[@chuzzbot]

For those who missed the subtext. This whole discussion is a distraction from the real question being asked. What does it mean, when one doubles down with double denim in a post double denim world?

[@officerdibble7705]

I love it that Stewart Lee and Alan Moore are mates

[@dinglerange]

Stewart lee has been around forever since the Andy Peter days gordon the goffer and scopefield... but because I don't own a television, I had no idea that Stewart can walk again!

[@gerard_torbitt]

Could listen to Alan Moore talk all day, he sounds a bit like David Bellamy except 100x more interesting.

[@DrRichardScott]

a strange place to a beard-themed Bellamy sideswipe

[@darringodden7225]

Two men totally interested in what the other had to say. We were just peeping from another table. How wonderful.

[@tintomara6209]

Matthew Hopkins Witchfinder General,singing 'Those were the days my friend...'

[@GodlessScummer]

The let himself go joke has really let itself go.

[@jimskea224]

Well before going there we have to explain the difference between comedy and metacomedy.

[@as7825]

Well just let it go then

[@bunkerbill]

The comments about him letting himself go, letting themselves go have really let themselves go.

[@M3au]

Criticism of the "let himself go" joke has let itself go.

[@bluetv6386]

Bosom. Underpants. Women driver. Funny ethnic sounding voice.

[@lexikamenturner228]

that Les Rallizes Dénudés t-shirt

[@ulalaFrugilega]

I could not make out the name of the German Comedian they mention in the beginning (~ 3:20). Can anyone help me out there, please?

[@christinewaring3513]

Henning Wehn. Very funny, personable guy.

[@charlesfoster3618]

Perhaps the best way to be creative with the present is to encourage silent attention on the chaos and insanity of our affairs.

[@BB139RQ]

I came across this video by chance while wasting time on holiday.

[@Aesthios]

Love the lyrics to the Weakerthans song "This is a Fire Door Never Leave Open" just behind the mic there.

[@keithklassen5320]

Wtf, how did that get there?!? As a Winnipegger, I always expect that nobody else knows about them...

[@JEKAZOL]

Should be titled 'Stuart Lee talks and talks and talks - Alan Moore was polite about it'.

[@rowanmorrison7022]

It's to publicise Stewart Lee's book obviously. It's made clear at the start, Faber & Faber asked him to do something for publicity so he's asked his mate Alan Moore in to make it an interesting discussion/ interview rather than him talking alone. It's not difficult to understand.

[@AlecChalmers]

Such an interesting talk. Stewart Lee must be the king of Whoosh

[@zemxxi2765]

Alan Moore seems very relaxed and easygoing here. It's good to see that there's more to Alan Moore than the "cantankerous old fart" image that everyone seems to popularize.

[@matt_cummins28]

The “Post Truth Politics” argument is supported by Adam Curtis, isn’t it? “Bitter Lake” looks at this in some detail. This is an excellent video; I’d like to offer my thanks to all involved. So, yeah, “thank you”. Namaste.

[@PhilDrury]

Life's weird - and that's both an understatement and an overstatement. And that may be a quote.

[@ianmcneely2446]

I wish I had a beard and voice like Alan Moore.

[@ispearedbritney]

Step 1. Smoke as much as you can. Step 2. Wait 66 years.

[@yehru]

The voice comes with the beard.

[@ianmcneely2446]

endividend Well, I haven’t cut my hair in months, the next step is to never shave.

[@joedent3323]

@@ianmcneely2446 You sound like quite a catch - go for "the triple" and stop brushing your teeth as well.

[@simonharding3109]

A brummie accent??

[@signifidelica2819]

Herman Mellville planning a sequel to Moby Dick but in space is the funniest thing Ive heard in awhile

[@BalvinderSingh-uh3my]

Agree very smart, you are all very smart well done. The let himself go joke has really let itself go.

[@theviker]

Because of this interview- I discussed Wolf people . Thanks

[@WalterLiddy]

I have to wonder how many of the hostile comments were secretly sent in by Lee himself, or at least by clever fans. It's kind of hilarious how he's elevated simple trolling into some kind of intellectual pursuit.

[@tintomara6209]

This is what I love about Lee, despite the intellectual, smartarse veneer, his humour is at heart, deeply puerile

[@lemonsweets8282]

2 of my fave people to have a pint with I reckon

[@rodmantis2550]

It would be great to see Mr. Moore collaborate with Simon Bisley, an artist who stands strong, and prefers or chooses to continue creating his stunning artwork by hand, without digitally aided techniques. It just seems meant to be. Excuse me if it has already been a reality.

[@charleskingReal]

The original plan was for Simon Bisley to do the artwork on League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, but unfortunately that fell through when Awesome Comics folded and the series came out under the ABC imprint with Kev O'Neill instead.

[@classicartfoundation639]

Judge Mantis I remember him, didn't he do Dungeons and Dragons stuff?

[@agentblackacid]

Judge Mantis You just gave me nostalgiagasms from the early 90's.... Si Bisley. What a fucking artist.

[@rigsby1454]

Too much brilliance in one video

[@rallisman.]

Rigsby 1

[@robertcreighton4635]

I haven't read any Alan Moore since his time on swamp thing in the '80s. I think I might have read from hell what's a good graphic novel to pick up

[@kylerowe666]

Robert Creighton captain Britain, a small killing, league of extraordinary gemtlemen

[@deanlewis6109]

MiracleMan

[@zlodrim9284]

Promethea.

[@OKnotOK09]

I wish I could have a pint with these two.

[@danholliday5564]

A collection of atoms, experiencing consciousness, at a moment in space and time, has let itself go.

[@napalmslayer]

Stew is in his Content Provider gear!

[@politure]

Faber and fucking Faber!

[@shinjinobrave]

Not Tesco's own books, like all the Mock the Week Twats!

[@RonnieJamesable]

*I AM* culture!

[@zarrow50]

Let's pretend it is not scripted

[@walsingham-xxiii]

July 2019. Fear not, Stewart, Boris just fades into obscurity.

[@br2485]

This is hilarious in hindsight

[@neilbiggin]

I heard "Lee Mack" every time they referenced some esteemed author, which made for a very different viewing I can tell you, give it a whirl. Can anyone tell me who they're actually referring to, please?

[@Oliver-ne6yq]

arthur machen?

[@octagonseventynine1253]

Grant Morrison and Billy Connolly are looking great.

[@phily8093]

Stewart Lee's hairline is miraculous. He's been horseshoe bald for decades now.

[@mauricedear7275]

Yfzlvkgkv

[@famebrightstudio451]

fdsahgoahgoihgo

[@merp4945]

Gdrcyvubhio

[@vollsticks]

I don't think I've ever liked as many comments as I have in this comment thread

[@throwback19841]

You know someone has integrity to the point of punishing themselves when Alan Moore is willing to help them sell their book on youtube cos he hates that kind of shit

[@onlythebiggesthitsoneleano8461]

Slartibartfast from The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy has let himself go.

[@wordtouremother]

They wound that up beautifully.

[@odw_99]

These days, if you let yourself go, you get arrested and thrown in jail

[@thebagelsproductions]

These days, when they arrest you and throw you in jail, you let yourself go.

[@gloverelaxis]

ugh the audio is awful! that condenser is missing Moore's voice completely; all you hear is the audio bouncing around the room

[@xrotarebil]

Brexit is 3 years old at the the point of me typing this.

[@shakieron8719]

XrotarebiL and still in its infancy probably

[@KittenBasher69]

Sounds like a type of cereal.

[@shapes2000]

Stewart Lee monologue.

[@resena7234]

Yo. What's up with Moore's left thumb at 14:22?

[@EdiDrums]

He we have a hundred-percent pair.

[@chilrad]

Oh, Robinson Crusoe has let himself go...!

[@End-Result]

Fyi for anyone wondering, when Stewart Lee mentions “borgerhs” he’s referring to the Argentinian writer Jose Luis Borges (pronounced “Borrckez”)

[@aquietone2895]

8:15 This speaks to a greater problem that I don't think either of them are capable of addressing. The average person isn't interested in some work like the Principia Discordia, written by Playboy columnists on a lark in the 60s. The average person, without knowing any of the backstory behind the creation of the work is going to think it's cult material. How does the average person interpret the articles written in The Guardian? "We need to know what is acceptable context," Mr. Lee responds. Really classy. I thought after having posted this that I was being way too hasty in my assessment, having not listened to the rest of the video. After doing so, I know that these two men are operating on different levels of reality from me. I don’t think Mr. Moore’s questions/observations are unfair/mischaracterizing towards/of the common man. However, holy shit, the answers given by Stewart Lee. He needs to reacquaint himself with the world and learn to interact with it again. He has operated outside of it for a little too long. This was recorded 7 years ago so here’s hoping things have changed. I would have expected a comedian to have a handle on that sort of thing. Maybe he was a journalist all along and just missed his calling. Abusing the audience is a staple in that realm as well as comedy. Maybe a clown by any other name is still a clown. Maybe I just don’t get English comedy. It’s such an alien world on that island. Yes, the crisis pertaining to the perception of information is coming and I love his oblivious act, asking, “Oh, how could this have happened?” He had a hand in it. 21:35 says it all. Very, very funny but for the wrong reasons. That wasn’t an unfair assessment in the slightest.

[@T.M.Warren-qp2gq]

*Tremendous!*

[@ProjectFlashlight612]

David Bellamy and Robert Mugabe are looking well

[@thebagelsproductions]

😂😂😂

[@kidkunjer]

so... in the book, does it include some of the comments made? as without them it almost seems like we're missing the punchline...?

[@chriszanf]

Surely you watched the video where they discuss some of the responses that he includes?

[@seanmontgomery836]

Who's chair is that, mr. Lee? Looks so comfortable n safely cagey.