The Interview Sketch - Harold the Owl

From Series Seven of John Finnemore's Souvenir Programme, on BBC Radio 4.

[@catoninetales]

This sketch has stayed with me. I still see owls as wise and dignified, but then I hear John's voice in my head saying "I'M AN OWL."

[@marvelforever5802]

Honestly, know every sketch and they're constantly playing in my head, it never gets old 😂😊 (I was surprised when I saw this video, I didn't know the owls name was Harold 😅)

[@rahulgoelxyz]

In the Indian subcontinent, it is quite the opposite. Owls are associated with stupidity and it is quite offensive if you call someone an owl. I always found that fascinating. Lovely sketch and lovely sketching!

[@dromankass8655]

I suppose it all started with the Ancient Greeks, they always had the Goddess of Wisdom, Athena, with an owl. Painted, drawn and carved into stone statues for centuries, re-told in story, drama and film, (see Epic the Musical) the owl is very closely connected with Athena, and so may people assume that it's wise by association.

[@tumbleweedanimations]

"Animals were something of a specialty of ours. Animals and Kings, for some reason!"

[@richardclegg8027]

I went to a display of birds of prey. When the owls came out the handlers warned us not to expect too much compared to the other birds we saw because "owls are a bit thick". The owl did not seem to be insulted by the observation.

[@dromankass8655]

Owls would seem to be as clever as they need to be. No one would claim a common Pidgeon would win Thinker of the Year Award, and yet our cities are full of the birds.

[@richardclegg8027]

@@dromankass8655 I think they are as clever as they need to be for stealthily eating mice but not as clever as they need to be for a display of their aerobatic training prowess when pitched against hawks and falcons. However I can understand why nature has designed them more erring on the side of the former.

[@Electroceratops]

I grew up only a couple of miles away from a Birds of Prey Centre, so about once a year my parents would decide it was time for a family day out there (probably when I was hyper enough that they needed an excuse to make me go on a very long walk; they had several such destinations). I distinctly recall one of the staff describing the tawny owl she was holding as, "A very stupid owl." The owl looked content (he was getting scritches at the time); he actually rather reminded me of the tabby cat we had at the time, who was also large, tawny, a skilled predator of small scurrying things (please don't @ me - I was a child and had no say in whether he went outdoors), and very stupid.

[@richardclegg8027]

@@Electroceratops haha.. That owl is living his best life. Maybe he is exactly smart enough?

[@sacmaps]

Love that you're making more of these; they're so fantastic. Thanks

[@jmal1824]

mr Finnemore is a comedy god,,

[@JBurdoo]

One of my favorites. Well done!

[@MajikkanCat]

Owls are wonderful. Not too bright, sure, but very emotionally aware - they love their families so much 💖 I love this sketch and I love this show!

[@girishkamath642]

How I wish we could see what Patsy Straightwoman looked like, sketched by John 😄

[@tankmicr00man]

Carrie Quinlan

[@girishkamath642]

@@tankmicr00man Yes But what does John imagine the character of Patsy Straightwoman to look like? 😅

[@jasonharding9490]

I went onto KZbin to learn some Finnish but this inevitably grabbed my attention. Love this sketch.

[@matthewdon9565]

Great to see more content, love your work. 😂

[@sarar4901]

From what I have heard about owls, this is pretty accurate. Not a lot of brain in there.

[@HJJSL-bl8kk]

I needed this. It was a turning out to be a bit of a glum morning before owly intervention.

[@Mattkemp87]

cabin pressure is fire

[@jeniferallan6693]

Fantastic comedy...and so true...us humans eh?

[@magnusmcgee993]

Great content. I work in hospitality. Is there or will there be a stand alone version of the reception sketch?!

[@davidf2281]

I wonder if big eyes help with postcards?

[@dangregory2217]

Please bring back Souvenir Program properly. The experimental ones where good but should have been a separate thing

[@girishkamath642]

The team released 1 hour versions of the souvenir program in 2023 and 2024 They are just as hilarious 😁

[@markawbolton]

@@girishkamath642 I didnt know that - I must have a look.

[@vxmlives]

JOHN i was JUST looking for this sketch. i have a friend who is an expert on animals and he loves owls and I will have to let you know how he responds to this

[@DavidOfWhitehills]

Hes called Christopher Robin, isnt he.

[@vxmlives]

@@DavidOfWhitehills if only. he is a deeply southern american with a beard who is mad at me because i forgot to respond to him when he checked in on me after Hurricane Helene passed through my state

[@bobbyfeet2240]

@DavidOWhitehills He’s an expert in Wols, though.