'This level of dysfunction is extremely hard to satirise' | Ben Elton

[@ListenToTimesRadio]

Catch Matt Chorley weekdays on Times.Radio bringing you politics without the boring bits.

[@DiarmuidOhibicin]

I f**king love, Ben Elton! I've missed him for so long and I'm so glad he's back.

[@bjorsam6979]

Ben Elton, never knew you existed (I'm Swedish so don't feel bad) but this interview you pulled off made my day. When did I last think "yeah that's precisely right" after each and every sentence? Turns out, seconds ago.

[@sempressfi]

American here and same! Excited to go find his work and have a good laugh over the weekend :) Sidenote, welcome to NATO, Sweden! 🇸🇪💙🇺🇲

[@davidb6576]

@@sempressfi Another "Murican, and exactly! Makes me hope Mr. Elton will do a tour of the US and take some good shots at trump.

[@wallyvos6167]

WOW The knives oare out in earnest at the old Times Radio...

[@ThermoMan]

He’s an excellent and intelligent comedian and comic writer.

[@nodtripRS]

Ben back doing what he does best, hits the politicians exactly the places they deserve. More required.

[@Ozymandi_as]

What a solid bloke. A diamond in the rough.

[@stevenfennell7020]

Looking forward to this. Ben Elton is a good bloke.

[@JaneCharilaou]

Aw great to see Ben back on the telly and Friday night live was an absolute joy, give that man a series, Channel4!

[@curlykipper]

I had the same thoughts today and thought that Trump (as well as Boris Johnson, Liz Truss et al) had ushered in a period where politicians are no longer funny simply because they have become dangerous to our well=being.

[@TheTeamDavey]

It’s amazing that we rely on our best comedians to speak truth to power (Ben Elton, Stephen Colbert to mention just 2). And for our sanity, they makes us laugh while doing it!

[@philipthomas8893]

Great interview. Ben Elton is an interesting comedian.

[@anthonymorris2276]

You have to be VERY smart to be a great political humorist. There should be a Nobel Prize for political satirists and cartoonists.

[@888Longball]

She is so strange. She seemed to seek conflict for it's own sake. At the height of the controversy, she had a wry smile when defending her failures.

[@germansnowman]

I’ve heard it suggested that she might be on the autistic spectrum. That would explain a lot (rigidity of thought, mismatched social cues etc.).

[@jezalb2710]

@@germansnowman and she is a cheater

[@RobBCactive]

wry, it's an adjective not a cereal 😁

[@methanedirigible]

@@RobBCactive ‘them good old boys were drinking whiskey and wry’ 🥧

[@tvd9015]

What is rye?

[@Travis_22]

I used to love Friday Night live back in the day

[@ChubbyChecker182]

Ben was great, and Loadsa, would love to see the show get a full series.

[@milobell5525]

It's rather a pity Mr Elton has chosen not to get involved with politics. He was talking complete sense in the early 80's and he's talking complete sense now. Come to think of it he's far better off doing what he's doing. Making us laugh. Ruefully perhaps but we need people of his ilk more than ever.

[@nickyfield137]

That was great, Ben was on good form !

[@anthonymorris2276]

Boris Johnson “the ultimate likeable bloke”? I thought that was Nigel Farage.

[@Pidxr]

If the kids are united we will never be divided

[@steveh4791]

Will be great to see Ben Elton back on telly. I remember these great shows from back in the 80's. I'll be tuned in tonight, in retro style, tv watching.

[@maejohl]

His Thatcher point is spot on. This current Tory party is unrecognisable from hers. I am not saying she was good for the UK, but she believed what she was doing was what the country needed. And many agreed at the time (and some still do now). But Johnson is the opposite of her. He has no personal beliefs other than anything that gets him a leg-up. He is awful - Ben has it right.

[@maejohl]

PS SO great to see Ben Elton back again - a true legend

[@mysystem8961]

First there was U-Trun Lizzy, now there is U-Turn party. They sacked Bojo, now want him back - U-TURN!!! What does this party stand for? What can you trust them to stand for?

[@theghostoftom]

Money in their pockets and nothing else.

[@mysystem8961]

@@theghostoftom That is their track record!

[@martinheron7971]

Your right she was beyond a joke a chocolate fireguard comes to mind

[@tonupharry]

Well said

[@blackdogbarking]

We need people like Ben in parliament. However the institution would have to be reformed and made a more adult and sensible setting.

[@PoshLifeforME]

When you haven't got something your foot is forward, when you have it you take a step back, political parties reflect that. Except when you've had a fine meal and there's a person huddling in a shop front.

[@widsof7862]

he’s become a national treasure just as the nation is going broke, be great to see you back Ben.

[@joeking4206]

Excellent interview. In the 80s I thought Ben was a bit of a dik. But he did write the young ones and black adder after series 1, so respect. I will be watching tonight.

[@mutantdolphin5283]

The Tories are the real joke. Truss is just another punchline.

[@alexandruraresdatcu]

What do you mean "This week"? It all started with Brexit many years ago.

[@mauricerose3082]

...Britons can see for themselves what needs to be done...they don't have to be told...

[@davidlatimer539]

Bring him back. The Young ones, Blackadder... some great reads and shows.. what an intelluctual stimulation missed...

[@dannymurphy1779]

It's beyond a joke (Bit political there).

[@edoris9021]

Its funny but a bit disquieting. Politicians should be mature people. I wouldn't want my heart surgery team to be "characters" I just them to do heart surgery and i go home and watch a comedy show for laughs

[@blindstagehand]

Panta Rei Ben Elton, you're a poet and i LOVE [opps] you x

[@DeadlySpecies]

Do you realise Elton is a surname, like Ben Elton....

[@williamkinkade2538]

Trump would be Proud!!

[@xamn4351]

ah yes, cancel culture does not exist until experience it, I hope it comes for him...

[@stup4501]

Jonanthan Pie has a new corker out today on KZbin

[@michaelathanasiou2030]

I’ve been on benefits for five years ( of-course I support Labour) Keir is the ONLY man that encourages me to stay on benefits ( I may even get a rise if he governs. ).

[@darrenhoskins8382]

Good luck finding any kind of worthwhile job that pays you a decent wage where you don’t have to rely on benefits anyway

[@BHJBHJ424]

That must have been funny in your head

[@shakthidhasan4544]

Ben Elton is an incredible British talent.

[@garyproffitt5941]

You mean untrustworthy cruel women and men Torie louts the seven sins of greed and thank you Ben Elton.

[@KAHANE.CLIPS.613]

And u British talk trash about trump but you guys ended up with truss at least trump actually did something right

[@jamesdawson2510]

yeeeah, but a) we got rid of truss very quickly b) she doesn't have a huge following of very aggressive followers and c) she's not trying to come back.

[@tonupharry]

We dont tolerate idiots USA doesnt recognise when they have clown in charge . Id take Lizz Truss over a traitor .wanna be dictator

[@methanedirigible]

@@jamesdawson2510 d) also no insurrection as of yet

[@karmpuscookie]

F*ck iff - Trump is a Traitor.

[@jeremyfisher3508]

Not all of us talk trash about Trump it's just the sheep who follow the herd.

[@blackdogbarking]

We need people like Ben in parliament. However the institution would have to be reformed and made a more adult and sensible setting.