The Trip’s Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon: "We're not a double act" | British GQ

Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon talk their third series of The Trip, what it takes to be funny and their friendship, all served with a good dose of their customary bickering. Steve and Rob won the GQ’s Comedians of the Year at the 2017 Men of the Year awards.
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The Trip’s Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon on how to be funny | British GQ
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The Trip’s Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon: "We're not a double act" | British GQ

[@douglasmilton2805]

Love it when Steve talks about abusing drink and drugs and adds, deadpan, "...but I've cut right back..." - and Rob cracks up. These two love each other so much.

[@beachlife2968]

Steve is a complicated person. We are all slaves in a way to the body and mind we are given and where life takes and influences us. He uses the tools he has been given in a positive way.

[@rygar74nl]

I cant stand that the sound is mixed wrong: left and right are swapped. Other than that: they are both gems.

[@Ryan-zv3os]

watch through a mirror.

[@sb_dunk]

I was thinking the exact same thing; it sounds like we're behind them but it looks like we're in front.

[@harpersisland]

And the interviewer’s mic sounds as if it’s down his trousers. Bad sound all around!

[@AndyAsh1983]

It is tedious, just turn your headphones round for this video, I know its a hardship for higher class folk to turn their headphones round but hi-ho jolly hooo, needs must!! 😏

[@harpersisland]

@@AndyAsh1983 oh the luxury of watching video on a iPhone with earbuds, while some of us are reduced to viewing on a 43inch screen with a hardwired cinema sound system not so easy to flip.

[@jamesart9]

Imagine these two in an old folks home together, endlessly doing impressions, no longer aware they are doing impresions.

[@ninecatsmagee8384]

Coogan always does the arrogant subtext and Brydon plays his foil. Coogan's right, he's not that nice but he's right about how it actually works. You end up sympathising with Brydon and thinking Steve's a bit insufferable -- but you're NEVER actually sure. So that's genius on the part of both.

[@whyilee]

Well said

[@kwikbit]

They are probably one of the best not-a-double-acts

[@johnrogstad1278]

Their dynamic when they get into genuinely attempting to praise each others' impressions is just sublime. Reveals how many of the series' scenes were authentic, but also how easily these guys slip into character in real life. Great interview and certainly the first couple seasons were among the best TV comedy ever made.

[@zakelwe]

The only problem is the stereo on the clip is the wrong way around. Got Alan Partridge coming out at 3pm on the sundial of speaker positions and the other bloke, whoever he is, hitting my left ear hammer, anvil and styrrup whilst sitting on the right. Sort it out.

[@MagisterMalleus]

It's so hard to tell when they're being genuine and when they're in character XD

[@gaslighted561]

True, they’ve just got personalities that connect so well

[@andygalloway3282]

Don't know what aaronsdavis is on about, you can't be serious? This is 100% acting, they are playing exaggerated versions of themselves, to create a COMEDY show.

[@JohnHirstUK]

He's called 'Aaron'.

[@andygalloway3282]

Ok jobby jabber john

[@BeatPoet67]

That's the beauty.

[@mickeypearce244]

"Where do you stand on Michael Buble?" "On his wind pipe"

[@maryperez2979]

So perfect how Brydon can spin comedy out of a genuinely sincere compliment at the end there

[@richwells630]

Nice to see Rob using a sausage as a breakwater , he clearly wanted it to be his choice ( mixing the eggs and beans ) , lovely stuff .

[@mattc7191]

On a 12" plate no doubt

[@branstonpickle9055]

TEA OR COFFEE?! It’s a lovely chest, but full of wires

[@jamesmarriott9972]

Well done sir, classic partridge, must watch it once a week, always genius

[@shunka9]

On the whole a very good effort, seven on ten, let’s make love!

[@pushthetempo2]

Classic intercourse last night Sonia

[@BobGnarley.]

Two National treasures. Absolute comedy goliaths

[@sarahholland2600]

2 of my favourite comedians! What a gem. Steve is looking rather handsome lately too 😁

[@12345jammy]

I can just listen to these guys talk and talk. Lockdown lifesaver.

[@StalwartShinobi]

Rob brydon is the most complimentary comedian for Steve Coogan! Love em both

[@666Eva]

Brydon always seems really grounded.

[@Simon67316]

This shows what we're missing in chat shows of today, no gimmicks just two geniuses given the time to do what they do best!

[@jaycuthbert245]

I agree mate but technically these two are playing a gimmick the are playing an exadurated version of themselves

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

@@jaycuthbert245 Exadurated? I don't think they went on THAT long.

[@sirreginaldgaming]

teehee@@RideAcrossTheRiver

[@ag48d]

Love the end where Rob showers Steve with praise to which Coogan replies "right back at ya.........I mean most of it". Sums up their relationship perfectly.

[@lelapatrick4768]

Love these two men-so funny and handsome

[@FBPICTURESR]

I believe these two together have a chemistry never seen in a comedy pairing before, cannot wait for the new series of the trip. Will go down as one of the greats one day

[@WhiteSleevedStu]

Loved near the end where they are asked about their favourite ever comedy moments. They really come to life and have fun recalling them. They were acting so cool and laid back until then, and then both of them just completely unleash their comedy nerdiness.

[@Lefty__18]

Steve aged like fine wine

[@annala2956]

They are both such intelligent, hilarious, and beautiful men.

[@TheRockerdunny]

The Trip to GQ is what this should be called. Thank you for this, almost as funny as an actual episode.

[@nefwaenre]

Rob's facial expressions are excellent!!

[@doylehurt2014]

I can’t get enough of these two!! I just stumbled upon these series, love these guys they are hilarious

[@FiveSigma72]

Coogan is ageing really well, bless him. He looks quite regal here.

[@kianucollis3929]

caked in make-up and eye liner....

[@veganvocalist4782]

ha ha I was thinking the same ;D

[@lemonsweets8282]

Are you vegan.

[@theinternetkilledmusic2054]

"bless him"

[@seerpou]

he looks like ian fleming here

[@egrono1]

You would think GQ magazine could afford a competent sound engineer.

[@goawaytubetwat3179]

Brilliant. I could watch them for hours. I wish they were my friends.

[@RobWright1981]

That little wince from Rob right at the very end is brilliant.

[@ReegusReever]

Very refreshing interview from the two. Particularly satisfying hearing them address the shite people infer from their faux reality.

[@Koooosh]

Thoroughly distracted by the amount of wasted breakfast on that table

[@hedgehog1965uk]

Yup, I shouldn't be watching this at 7am with only a coffee and hardly any food in the place. Now I am dying for a Full English Breakfast.

[@nunatak123]

@@hedgehog1965uk Be sure to keep a distance between the eggs and the beans. Use a sausage as a breakwater.

[@toutl]

me too

[@MrPressPhotographer4]

Koooosh the crew will eat it.

[@Fredders88]

microwave needed for that lot

[@Thingfishy]

Legends individually and together. Interesting, though, how they almost never look at one another in the eye, even while talking to each other, although each can look at the other when the other is looking away.

[@Bazravish69]

I think this is because Coogan assumes himself to be the real talent at the table, and because Brydon is aware enough of Coogan’s massive ego that he must limit eye contact to hold his own and take his place as a peer and not a mentee.

[@6663000]

Steve is a handsome fella

[@chris75sutton]

Fire your sound guy.

[@chrisknightmp]

Chris Sutton my right ear is great

[@ryansreel]

na surely editor is somewhat at fault as well.

[@lemonsweets8282]

hahaah

[@StanleyKubick1]

no, stereo channels are reversed

[@ifwecouldvote]

It's GQ ffs

[@curmudgeone]

Lovely that Rob Brydon recalled Garry Shandling and The Larry Sanders Show (which along with its creator seems to have largely been forgotten except by those within the comedy fraternity); and lovingly recreated via impersonation the characters, especially as Garry Schandling sadly passed away in 2016. I’m not saying that shows such as Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Trip and other shows wouldn’t have happened without Shandling and The Larry Sanders Show being a precursor - but it seems to me it certainly prepared the ground for them. 🙂❤️

[@betabenja]

I like the way the first 2-3 minutes is essentially a small competition to try to make the funniest situation in the conversation until they start talking genuinely about their relationship

[@simonlawrencesings]

I could listen to these two talk all day long... which is probably quite sad. But there it is.

[@dontbefatuousjeffrey2494]

You're not alone, +Simon...

[@Hebrideanphotography]

The way rob drinks hos tea is freaking me out.

[@marcuslamb-bentley4492]

Thanks guys, You've both provided me with much entertainment. Genuine talents.

[@stephenthrower1403]

"Right back atcha. Well, most of it." Perfect capper!

[@AnderLouis]

Sort your microphones out guys.

[@RinzePrins]

I flipped my headphones. Works a charm.

[@mrplod1616]

A channel to avoid then.... Thanks *Ejuice Vaper* for the warning.

[@NickHarman]

It is very annoying, a rookie error.

[@timonmyside6591]

Ander Louis - Thanks for the clarification. I originally thought they were both throwing their voice like ventriloquists. I just couldn’t work out if it was Steve or Rob that was doing the voice of the interviewer.

[@JoeBlac]

Timon Myside - surely it was Rob doing Small Man in a Box

[@itsmyhairiboughtit7704]

I Was front row once at a live Coogan show with Simon pegg doing a warm up. He is such a talent ... but Rob Brydon I love you the mostest! 😍

[@Sparkey4646]

Love Rob Brydon. Steve was fantastic as Stan Laurel

[@IanEdwards]

I just swaped my earphoes. Sounds great.

[@demoncard1180]

I read that as earlobes. Oof, that was a particularly gory mental image.

[@Charismaniac]

Made me do it. But it works!

[@clevertrevorsdad]

Right back atcha... well most of it y’know.... brilliant finish. These two guys have given me so much enjoyment over the years

[@SE-tc3cr]

Steve looks knackered and without being mean to him he seems to need to feel like he's better, probably some childhood psychological thing.

[@kayakwestnow4788]

Thanks for that Sigmund.

[@JFRULESOK]

I think he just does think he is a better comedian, and doesn't want to be modest or appear false

[@RighteousBrother]

Love that Spinal Tap moment they discuss.

[@Kkidzz]

The eternal Blueprint for how to let a film 'breathe'.

[@FanVarious]

Coogan: "I think we're friends!"

[@elfboy29]

This is brilliant. Like I get to chat with them after a massive night out when we're all a bit too honest

[@beverlyfletcher4458]

Such a shame we can't hear the questions, GQ!!!

[@ryebrez81]

I will never get tired of Trip movies

[@DrakeBurroughs]

Engrossing. I could listen to those two until the cows come home and then leave again in the morning. The section where they're talking about their favourite comedy moments was like gold dust - magnetic and insightful.

[@rva]

King Coogan

[@dmajumdar2059]

Marvellous, absolutely marvellous!

[@FanVarious]

1:51 Brydon's face when Coogan says "I think we're friends" with no hint of irony.

[@SAK1855]

Coogan always has hints of irony.

[@marquise9b]

Stunning. A remarkable document of embodied persona GQ.

[@ericminch]

This is a wonderful way to fill in the cracks, showing them as they are. Wish we could hear what the questions were. Maybe subtitles?

[@SarahSmith-nr2wj]

Rob Brydon 😘 he's lucky 2 have u as a friend

[@jaydarklighter9441]

Rob Brydon & Steve Coogan for 'The Kingsmen 3'

[@lewistaylor1965]

This is gold...I got a total feeling of being sat at a breakfast table in a café with two mates...

[@darkerthanblue9]

Nice conversation, two blokes who very comfortable with each other and very funny. Nice one guys hope there will be more trips.

[@Jake-vh6jp]

Never had to turn my headphones around for a video before. 10/10

[@michaelmattice4986]

Love these guys!

[@drew9312]

Rob & Steve (alphabetical order, Steve), regular KZbin "conversations" would be so great if you get some spare time. Naturally funny as always.

[@shanustheanus]

Anyone watching this with headphones knows what real stress is.

[@JPL243]

Coogan chanellling serious David Brent vibes here

[@stevehunt914]

LOVED THIS!

[@colleenbrennan432]

If you listen to Steve explain the comic relationship between himself and rob,it's so similar to that of laurel and hardy. It's worked for years, with a dynamic of the fool and the straight man. Laurel and hardy, morecombe and wise, reeves and Mortimer, Dudley and Cooke. Even joey and jokey from friends lol!

[@Bazravish69]

The meta comedy of denying being a double act while, in person, being an even more engaging double act than their quasi-fictional The Trip counterparts, is lovely. Coogan is lucky to have a friend as comfortable in his admiration of him as Brydon clearly is. And Brydon is refreshingly aware of Coogan’s shamelessly insufferable haughtiness. He is the far less insecure of the two, and in certain fleeting moments you can see the hidden love Coogan has for him, and how aware Coogan probably can be, privately and rarely, of his own flaws. He always chooses truth over flattery, but for him the truth is always that he is artistically superior to everyone else. Which, though often aggravating, is usually true.

[@Hartley_Hare]

That's a really perceptive comment and made me see this differently.

[@Gwenalltapowain]

Both are class acts😂😂😂

[@varolussalsanclar1163]

This is bliss.

[@binkyboobosh1]

two naturally funny and highly intelligent professionals...'nuff said....

[@Glenuig]

Top class banter

[@paulmacdonald4844]

steve does the best michael caine impression.

[@taffy9966]

Watched 24hour party people last night great film made in 2002 didn't realise these two go way back together brilliant comedians and i like to consider them a reluctant double act

[@r5gtturbo197]

When coogan said live and breathe comedy , it reminded me of Alan saying ‘ sir dansworth of moodyshire as I live and breathe ‘ !

[@frankjamesbonarrigo7162]

on his windpipe is a beautiful joke. well crafted

[@cogtroper]

I really enjoyed this episode of blind corner, even though Trevor Eve is not around.

[@yesmissfrancon]

Steve Coogan is playing Stan Laurel, but I imagine that Rob Brydon would be perfect for that role.

[@veganvocalist4782]

Awwww sweet sweet brothers , I love the frankness between Rob and Steve , ;D although there is not much eye contact between them , I enjoy the company of others that are this frank with out any cruelty or under lining meaness of course .

[@philpheburbs]

Masterclass.

[@drew9312]

Hilarious pair of... well deserved both

[@komoleeray687]

At 29:40 Coogan talking fondly about the greatest comedy film of all time “This is Spinal Tap” is a joy to behold. The fact people like Coogan,Ricky Gervais always refer back to that film, reconfirms it’s greatness and influence.

[@TheRightLadder]

Greatest comedy movie of all time

[@Senyoln1]

Steve Coogan rocking the Bond vibe.

[@SimbuilderJess]

ill never stop loving you.

[@freednb]

great to hear Steve is a big Tap fan! love that movie

[@DuderinoDeux]

The third trip while not the most enjoyable trip and formulated at times did provide a few laughs, and familiar impressions. Like a good meal microwaved.

[@kaijuk]

At the start when Steve breathed out I thought he was going to say "sorry it's the scotch egg,still trying to break it down"

[@oKMz]

what's going on with the stereo mix on this video? I had to check if I had my left/right speakers messed up

[@RTHarman]

Rob Brydon could've played Stan Laural - he has the right face for it.

[@stinkygreencat]

Nope. Can't do it. Really want to watch this but can't deal with the audio

[@nomoreheroes93]

Odd to think Alan Partridge was peaking when Brydon was presenting on the Home Shopping Network, it explains Rob's slight lesser-man relationship with Coogan given their relative successes

[@Koooosh]

Although Marion and Geoff is an award-winning masterclass in acting, by all accounts. Neither are too shabby as performers.

[@moore370]

nomoreheroes93 Rob helped write and produce Alan partridge

[@zootsoot2006]

The most brilliant thing about the Trip is 'behind the scenes' they're so quick to say that they're playing exaggerated versions of themselves, whereas in all probability their 'characters' in the show are truer to who they really than we see in these interviews.

[@unchattytwit]

Couple of poncey old lovlies now but still very funny! finish your bloody breakfast Rob - in yer DJ! Heartfelt analysis of the act - like it.

[@dontbefatuousjeffrey2494]

There was something so Alan Partridge about Steve's final "right back atcha"!

[@StalwartShinobi]

Steve is much nicer now hes not abusing his body with toblerone

[@garyd6421]

He was always out on his own when he was on Toblerone

[@davidallsopp4030]

He was repellent to women for 2 years

[@StalwartShinobi]

@@davidallsopp4030 i heard he once had a whole toblerone wedging his jaw open! Lynn had to break it with a toothbrush

[@shunka9]

Little known fact. Brydon insisted on having the same sound guy who worked on his favourite "Acorn Antiques" episode during this shoot.

[@citizen1163]

Glad Larry Sanders Show was mentioned. Garry Shandling was a comic genius. I didn't get Chaplin til I got older. He mirrors the human condition & makes us laugh at it. If you didn't laugh you'd cry.

[@AlanTaylormusic]

Can't see Steve's plate, but I bet it's a 12 incher.

[@fergalhughes165]

Don't be daft, he's vegetarian

[@genghis26]

"before you know it, you're in business"