Tim Minchin on his writing, rejection, and mental health - The Newsnight interview

Composer, writer, actor, lyricist and comedian Tim Minchin was back in London for his musical Groundhog Day, which has opened at the Old Vic Theatre.
It's based on the 1993 film which starred Bill Murray. Newsnight’s Victoria Derbyshire met Tim Minchin and discussed his writing, rejection, and mental health.
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[@SeasonsChange14]

Tim may be the least well-known person to have millions of dedicated, passionate followers. You either adore Tim or you've never heard of him. if you fall into the second group, you are missing out on a remarkable experience. Tim is a "polymath," meaning that he is good at many things. He is a playwright, a writer of television shows, a comedian, a singer, a brilliant pianist, a thoughtful and articulate atheist, an excellent actor, and a highly intelligent individual. He is a compassionate human being who believes in community service. He loves and is faithful to his wife. He adores his children, including one child on the autism spectrum. He doesn't smoke or do drugs but he does curse and he loves wine. He is one of a kind

[@Alulim-Eridu]

A jack of all trades is a master of none But still often better than a master of one

[@irisseer2773]

'You either adore Tim or you haven't heard of him ' Exactly! When I "discovered" Tim's work, I remember thinking how did I not known about this man?! And now I adore him. ❤ You said what I was thinking, only you said it better than I ever could.

[@daniellamcgee4251]

​@@Alulim-EriduIt is possible for people to be masters of several trades.

[@Alulim-Eridu]

@@daniellamcgee4251 Sure, but “Jack of all trades, but master of none, is still often better than a master of one …& some people can occasionally master a few trades, which may or may not be better than a Jack of all trades” . . .just doesn’t roll off the tongue as rhythmically😉😉

[@Scapestoat]

@@daniellamcgee4251 You're missing the point. :)

[@matthewmcinnes7253]

What an incredible man. He finds a way to verbalise things that most of us can never find the words for and talented to boot

[@alexdavis5766]

I use his lyrics often to describe how I feel and get it across to people for this very reason

[@laurarobertson3126]

I love how he seems just the same in this interview as he comes off in his songs. Smart and full of empathy and compassion. Love his songs and performances. Amazing, talented man.

[@corruptbytes]

This man defined my teenage experience, constantly living to his music...about 10+ years ago now

[@PianoDiary85]

Wow... there are not enough people on here who have witnessed the brilliance of Tim Minchin.

[@WeatherGirlWares]

I met him after a comedy show that he did in 2008/09 in Canterbury. Wonderful guy. Signed all the merchandise that I bought without me asking. xx

[@thekingofinsane]

I didn't realise that he has completely given up comedy. That's really sad. But I could listen to him just talk forever. He truly is a word-smith.

[@idaosbornfrandsen7162]

I was sad too, when I initially heard this. But then the show BACK was after this decision. Watch some of the clips and see how these is still heaps of comedy left 🙂

[@Char_siu_Lo_mai_fan]

i went to his 'unfunny' show the other day and though it wasnt supposed to be comedic, I think he is unintentionally funny as practically everything he said was like a well curated joke that the whole audience laughed at. he is truly an amazing artist

[@tigertiger1699]

Very intelligent guy… great comedian

[@alexdavis5766]

The song Hope in Ground Hog Day struck such a chord with me (as do so many Tim Minchin songs) in when I was severely depressed and suicidal (years later I am in a much happier and brighter place) with Phil standing there singing about hope whilst trying to end his life and how all the - kind of failed in that he was back to life the next day- suicides were the opposite to what he’s singing about on never giving up hope. To me it made me remember when I would have well meaning people telling me to not give up hope, when I had no hope left to keep and not give up. That telling someone who is suicidal not to give up is probably one of the worst and annoying things you can tell them. Another song of Tim’s that the lyrics resonated with me was Quiet from Matilda. Both as a woman with autism but also one who suddenly went deaf as an adult the lyrics work for me both ways. Both in people being hard to understand sometimes and my brain working differently but also the people who shout at me thinking it will help me ‘hear them’ when to me they’re just quiet and making it harder to lip read. Finally a none musical song of his that really hit home was Perfect, specifically the body verse. I hated my body for years and blamed it for failing me in both me being unable to stand or walk and be chronically ill but also becoming deaf too. Those lyrics made me see and remind me often that my body is still there keeping me alive and doing a good job. I love the song so much I’m about to get a tattoo of some of the lyrics. Tim’s ways with words are just amazing, even in BSL they are beautiful and so poetic. Plus the has songs for every feeling and emotion. I wish I had even half his brains in the way with words he has. He also gives amazing hugs!

[@pandoraeeris7860]

Tim Minchin is an international treasure.

[@seanashmore8785]

A very difficult interview to listen to because you can almost feel his pain. A wonderful man.

[@chrislive1586]

Yes, but his pain is our pain. Why do we let things go-on the way we have?

[@fitzofpassion]

I wish Tim knew how well loved he is amongst his fans, and let the others rot.

[@Earthsuitlife]

I honestly couldnt love him more. He is so authentic.

[@jillclarke7264]

He is so eloquent. His work is delightful.

[@CPegRun]

Mr. Tim Minchin is way beyond comedy, although I'm not putting down comedy as an art form!!! It's very much needed!!! Tim Minchin, to me, personally, is a human who's able to make me cry in happiness, sorrow and anger!! He is a treasure for the whole world!! I absolutely love his brilliant role in this life!!!

[@jessicarowley9631]

At the end of this interview, when you discuss cancel culture i could have cried. Tim Minchin's deconstruction of it was btilliant, but also kind

[@inglestherightway]

He's always so genuine as a person. On top of being oh so talented! I just love him, all the way from Brazil!

[@Chishannicon]

I wish I could let Tim know that I went into Groundhog Day convinced that I would hate it (only went because I got a free ticket from a crew member), and came out of it with an appreciation that quickly turned into love upon subsequent viewings. Saw it four times on Broadway, and I wish I could have gone back at least one more time before it closed...

[@andrecoxa]

Tim used to say he was not a lefty or a rightist. It felt to me he took pride in that, which IMHO is indeed something to be quite proud of, specially in this day and age. That, to me, was highlighted in his work of art The Fence. But alas, here we are and he felt like he had to the take the Eggshells Road. Such a huge loss for all of us.

[@sailflyboy]

An amazingly and refreshingly articulate fellow. Grasps slippery concepts by their pointy ends and wrestles them into comprehension.

[@maryfitzpatrick3252]

More Tom is heart warming. Thank you.

[@MrFancyFingers]

Prejudice is my favorite song of his. He’s such a great guy.

[@rennyfield3217]

No idea how I stumbled across this what a wonderful interview

[@kasondaleigh]

So humble. I love this man. ❤️

[@kathyjaneburke2798]

Love Tim! His new stuff, his old stuff, his future stuff!

[@davidhay9699]

This man is very highly talented…As a comedian he’s hilariously clever…Also as a musician & piano player…he is like jaw dropping & epically talented. Discovered him on channel 4 about 15 years ago…I was blown away & quite stunned by his variety of talents. Would luv to see him in concert… He seems like a grounded,content & calm fellow…best of luck to him x

[@highbaritone]

I wish this was longer. 👍

[@strafgod]

Saw Groundhog Day a couple of weeks ago at the Princess Theater in Melbourne and it was brilliant.

[@pierrex3226]

I found out about him because of his character in Californication. That season was a bit of a dumpster fire, but he was amazing.

[@rp338]

Tim is someone i would love to meet over coffee and talk and talk

[@PianoDiary85]

make it wine and cheese. Tim's great loves. Lol.

[@ddc7668]

So proud of Tim - listen, learn, carry his words 🕊️

[@NipGrizzlySays]

I loved his work for years. Isn't he great?

[@anastasiachurina7641]

oh, Tim. ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@lukasgayer5393]

What a wonderful man. But.... you can see, hear and feel his pain.

[@2025SPACEDUDE]

His name is very similar to time machine

[@littletwinflower2940]

Tim is an absolute treasure

[@natasho329]

I feel like he is so lovely.

[@natasho329]

Only a ginger 😅

[@PianoDiary85]

He is very intelligent and super thoughtful.

[@morgan1271]

why does this interview has only 6 minutes? I could watch it for hours

[@johnnieandmillie]

I admire him! 🤟

[@Hayri2011]

Tim made me laugh so hard with his comedy albums, and sob with his serious album.

[@thENDweDIE]

Any day fortune should shine upon me via, a bit of Minchin... It's bloody impossible for Tim not to cheer me up...if only a bit..!! xDDDDXDD

[@LiquidSpiral]

This man is a genius

[@estherscherpenisse4806]

Is the full interview available somewhere? I'd love to hear the whole thing, without the cuts.

[@tomlangmusic9623]

Not sure if it's this particular edit but the interviewer was cutting Tim off when he was making points. I'm more interested in what he has to say as a brilliant deep thinker who can pound the heck out of a piano than an interviewer who has to "guide" his responses. Love this guy!

[@aclumsynerd]

I'd love an uncut version of this interview!

[@donnahicks3142]

It did seem very badly edited. Either that or he was constantly being interrupted. Id have loved to have heard him finish the questions asked.

[@simonegamberoni3022]

I felt that every time he was developing his point of view the video was cut or the interviewer brought up another question. I would have liked a more extensive interview, nonetheless this was great too

[@adamd8442]

Genius.

[@contemplativepursuits]

I like Tim very much.

[@theemarydee1610]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@mailill]

🖤🌹

[@soundhealingbygene]

dude is smart and funny such a great philosophy too

[@MiniOne82]

The guys a bloody genius

[@nivelsteme7334]

Top bloke

[@RixsEmporium]

Where's the full version? This is chopped up to heck.

[@sarcasm-83]

Love the man in all I've seen him do but yet it's such a shame to hear the words "gave up comedy" and gave up satire, as I .. well, I couldn't help but always feel like he was absolutely speaking my language while doing it. Exactly the way I always turn bad things into comedical through sarcasm or satire (which inspired my long time username), as it just so effectively gives criticism towards bad things, but also takes the edge off where you can find humor in it and that always leaves you elated about what otherwise can cause anxiety. So with the world just getting crazier, it would have been such a nice thing to have Tim write more new material of satire in a world that is.. almost deprived of satire because in parts it's impossible to even distinguish real absurdity of the world from satire...? Though maybe that's what'd make it so difficult now. Still, I'll definitely miss his stage comedy tours and all that... Also had planned on travelling to the UK last year for my birthday, but my social anxiety won and I didn't dare do it, so I hope he will at least keep on with some tours of the old material if not writing anything new, so some day I could witness his show when I'm.... HOPEFULLY... better. Still, thank you to Tim. He has given me a lot and I've tried to give him my measly dollars ordering his blurays in return lol.

[@thebuccaneersden]

I think this is a very clear example of how confusing this media environment is for anyone to talk about your own successful projects.

[@Nevergiveup-motivation]

Road to 1k ❤

[@sziyad8965]

This was probably a 30 minute interview. BBC's editing is phenomenal.

[@hendrx]

I thought the same

[@joshuataylor3550]

@@hendrx It's a clip for YT

[@pawelzabicki7785]

Is there a full clip?

[@pennicooke2277]

Is this why it appeared as though he was cut off before he had finished answering the question? I found it really annoying and frustrating.

[@user-uj3kn3yy8g]

I wish @BBC had not edited so much from this interview. It seems so choppy.

[@thENDweDIE]

5:36 To whom does Tim throw that brilliant smile at..?? Anyone in particular, or not at all...Amy perhaps..??

[@LucyVallance777]

I think it was me... I produced this and can confirm Tim is a delight xo

[@thENDweDIE]

@@LucyVallance777 Brilliant...xD Made my day..!! Despite me being extremely jelly...HaHa..!!

[@auro1986]

bbc was missing in life of tim minchin

[@thENDweDIE]

The interviewer is quite unique...I've never heard such worded questions in an interview before..!! They're a number of loaded questions, yet it's like they were blanks almost..!! Still loud and potentially dangerous..!!

[@Shonufff88]

I thought this guy was Lars Ulrich from Metallica.

[@leokimvideo]

Tim Minchin is the inspiration to just keep trying. Just keep being a nuisance and one day the masses will notice

[@derekelliott3971]

genius

[@valeriafontoura8850]

Sir, don't feel bad about privilege. No one should. The important thing is what you do in your life, what you give to others, if you're empathetic and kind. This is important because you can't gaslight your own feelings. If you feel like you're struggling, if you feel down and isolated, you should pay attention and take care of yourself. In the big picture your struggles might not be as hard or harder than the struggles from someone born in a very poor condition in a miserable country, for example, one of the hundreds of thousands of examples I could give. But I should argue that your life matter to you. And also you cannot feel responsibility for all the problems in the world

[@bernarddouglas1924]

...absolutely correct about the violence of 'cancel' culture and its toxicity. I always say to my clients that the truth requires no apology... but it shouldn't be weaponized, for when it is weaponized its import and wisdom is lost.

[@AndrewDeFaria]

Tim! Don't abandong comedy! Please!!!!

[@russbuttypennyblackblade]

please share with your friends and family thx,

[@Persnikity-yv3nh]

Off topic, but I'm definitely adding "stale pale male" to my vocabulary.

[@russbuttypennyblackblade]

Makers of a cartoon aimed at pre school children have drawn criticism after issuing social media campaigns wishing followers a “Happy Pride Month,” declaring “Here’s to celebrating love.” The UK’s Peppa Pig is the biggest kids cartoon in the country, but when the creators issued the following messages, it drew the ire of parents who point out that it is a parent’s choice whether or not to introduce their children to the concept of homosexuality and other sexual or gender identity lifestyles.

[@bswalem]

I have to be honest, I have no sympathy for parents who think like that. If you think a kids show displaying a message as positive and benign as the message happy pride month (& here's to celebrating love) is an issue, then maybe your parenting is the problem, not the show.

[@GingerJesusSaves]

​@@bswalem pride has never been a good thing. Now the grooming community has taken it over, it has even worse meanings now. Leave the kids alone and stop promoting the groomer nonsense. 👍

[@bswalem]

@@GingerJesusSaves oof, that's a dogshit take fairplay to you. Please explain how pride has allowed groomers to thrive, and also please link to the statistics that say that grooming has increased since lgbtq people have been allowed by society to exist...

[@jackwhitbread4583]

​@@GingerJesusSavesgrooming community 😂😂😂😂. Are you fkn serious right now? You can't possibly be that thick

[@beckstyles3467]

Irony is ironic@@GingerJesusSaves

[@RadGnarRad]

Wow, not only is his work good, but he seems like his head is screwed on right

[@absmith6237]

Never heard of him bbc ! 🤷‍♂️

[@PianoDiary85]

You're missing out. He is very intelligent and very talented.

[@absmith6237]

@@PianoDiary85 Nah ! not for me I’m afraid, if the degenerates at the bbc are interested, that’s my cue to go !! Think Rolf Sir Jim, and Phil Scoie !!

[@jackwhitbread4583]

Yeah okay 😂😂😂 he's only one of the greatest and most influential composer's of the 21st century 😂😂. You must be dumb.

[@BottleOfCoke]

Listen BBC, from now on you can only interview people @absmith6237 has heard about. No exceptions.

[@jamesmaybrick2001]

Now you have, job well done BBC, wouldnt you say?

[@GingerJesusSaves]

Grow up and man up Ginger! 👍🧡

[@aaronjaggard8287]

Wheres the tate interview?

[@daniellamcgee4251]

Frustratingly interrupted by the interviewer's questions, and editing. No thought seemed to be able to be followed far before being cut short prematurely. In an absurdly limited time to answer these deep, broad, and personal questions, it would have been a more productive use of time to ask fewer questions, for a more complete, contextualised, and subjectively accurate answer. With this severely curtailed format, we don't know what was cut so short it was a misrepresentation of what Minchin wanted to say.

[@tmarsden1878]

The living embodiment of A Cunning Linguist!?!

[@Nevergiveup-motivation]

To those who are reading this comment I pray to God for your well-being,I wish you all to be healthy and safe 🙏❤

[@jackwhitbread4583]

Why would you post this drivel when Tim is such a famous and outspoken atheist? Are you purposefully trying to anger those who don't agree with your beliefs? Do you actually think this behaviour is acceptable or even Christian?

[@Nevergiveup-motivation]

@@jackwhitbread4583 I am not a Christian . And I believe in God, if you don't then ignore it, no need to read.

[@pennicooke2277]

What the heck are you talking about? Nothing relevant that’s for sure.

[@andrewvirtue5048]

He's austraillian??? Wow, the less you know, am I right?

[@jfluffydog2110]

British Australian

[@tonysherwood9619]

He is terrified of being cancelled?

[@mystis]

werid montage

[@davidhoward8961]

Mel Gibson: Google "Polygraph test of Ella Gareeva"

[@naveen1373]

Where is your 40 carore tax fraud news in India 😂🤣😎😂😂

[@russbuttypennyblackblade]

An illegal migrant from Africa who was ‘already known to police’ and under deportation orders was arrested for stabbing a bus driver in France this week, according to reports. The disturbing incident unfolded at around 7 p.m. on Monday evening in Athis-Mons, a commune in the Paris suburbs.

[@andrewvirtue5048]

Um...okay...?

[@lastChang]

People's mental health has gone awry *since the start of the Wuhan outbreak.* - Thanks China 🇨🇳!

[@PianoDiary85]

What he is commenting on here has nothing to do with covid. On top of his musical not surviving on broadway (despite it being well received), he did 4 years of hard work on an animated movie which got canned at the last hurdle simply because the studio got bought out and the project wasn't part of the new owner's plans. That's enough to make someone rather bitter, but like he says in the grand scheme of things he can't complain about that when there are people struggling to feed themselves.

[@jimcourt9164]

Apologist

[@russbuttypennyblackblade]

World News France: Bus Driver Stabbed by African Illegal ‘Known to Police’ by Dan Lyman June 7th 2023, 1:24 pm Libyan suspect was already under orders to leave France

[@russbuttypennyblackblade]

World News Cartoon Pig Aimed at Toddlers Wishes Them “Happy Pride” by Steve Watson June 7th 2023, 6:03 am "They are trying to brainwash your children"

[@koenhughes9267]

Tim's teeth have changed his face and he's joined the botox crew, and his cheeks have certainly seen better days.

[@wendycohen9038]

Tim got the shiny veneers in his late 20's. The cheeks tend to inflate a bit when he's gained a bit of weight. His weight goes up and down depending on whether he's performing in a TV show or movie. Check out his concert tour with Heritage Orchestra versus his performance as Lucky in the TV show Upright. He's never had a very wrinkly forehead, though. Just some thoughts.

[@koenhughes9267]

@@wendycohen9038 Say what you want love but he's hasn't written a decent song in over a decade.

[@honglongwuxia]

I really hope he didn't quit doing satire becaue of his 'lefty' friends. If so, he allowed those whose ideas he skewered to win. There is nothing remotely left-wing about the conception of white privilege, it is a thoroughly reactionary term, bandied about by reactionaries whose philosophy rests on a rejection of Marxism, of the revolutionary role of the working class, while making common cause philosophically with those on the extreme right. The notion comes from post-modernism, a completely subjective and irrational world outlook, that states that ALL narratives have validity. These were the same forces that were calling for Julian Assange to be extradited to Sweden, support the Ukrainian war and the deaths of over 500,000, (and however many more it takes), supported right-wing, imperialist revolution led by Moslem fundamentalists on the CIA payroll. The same people who were tearing down statues of Jefferson and Lincoln, while claiming that the American Revolutionaries were on the wrong side of history, that the British were the side of righteousness. Seriously, to think that the most talented satirist of the last 50 years went quietly into that good night because he was frightened of the reaction of the right-wing milieu in which socialized is very sad.

[@satansbunny3383]

Choose another career if it causes mental instability and if it re occurs every time your rejected your either not been hardened to life sufficiently at an early age or you need the help of a shrink to re train your brain to not be a wimp.

[@PianoDiary85]

You don't get to writing music for broadway musicals by bailing out easily.

[@MrFancyFingers]

Sounds like your self diagnosis…

[@pawelzabicki7785]

Did your feelings got hurt?

[@beckstyles3467]

Did you cut?

[@beckstyles3467]

You're*

[@DodderingOldMan]

Disappointing. Thought he was smarter than this. Would be interesting to know who he thinks has been 'cancelled' that didn't 'deserve' it.

[@robertsaunders30]

Minchin was a fantastic creator when insecure and trying desperately to make it. Then his rise, reducing his insecurities, stole his deeper talents. So, a lot like David Grey, Don McLean and countless other creators who did their only superb work as unknown, borderline depressed wannabes with abitta the Devil-may-care attitude. Tim always wanted to be a rock star but clearly would never cut it. He was awful as Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar - he single handedly ruined that production due to not having an appropriate voice. Matilda is a simply awful musical. But I love Tim, he's forever redeemed by his two early beat poems, Storm and Mitsubishi Colt.

[@jojoh8067]

So wrong. I love JCSS, from the original version which I grew up on, to its current incarnation. I adore his performance as Judas, my second favourite Judas.

[@cloverchips-ym3cu]

Have you tried watching Upright? It's quite good, in my opinion. His favorite work of mine has got to be Groundhog Day, though

[@jackwhitbread4583]

Just FYI Tim has never been insecure!! You know he is exceptionally extroverted right and the self deprecating Tim was a pure act? He changed his personality on stage to achieve his success, he also chemically straightened his curly hair, wore heavy eye make up, contacts and got rid of his shoes. Nothing about his comedy stage persona was ever real. It was all carefully staged , every last bit of it. Oh and I strongly disagree about his Judas too and he is maybe the only Judas I have ever seen who truly understood the character.

[@jamesmaybrick2001]

LOL. I hate musicals, but he was amazing as Judas.

[@filonin2]

Who??? Some rando can't handle his job. Not newsworthy.

[@davidmcnaughty4889]

Exactly what I was thinking after reading your comment, ya muppet.

[@shreekantkumarsahu9570]

​@@davidmcnaughty4889 YEAH ,WE NEED LIBERAL DOGS CERTIFICATE FOR OUR ENJOYMENT

[@PianoDiary85]

Ha. I think you might need to research Tim Minchin. He is super intelligent, and one of the most talented people there is. He is hardly a "rando" and hardly struggles in his job.

[@pawelzabicki7785]

Stop using the „who” expression. It’s such a display of arrogance, and disdain. It’s very immature to make a comments like yours on a person you obviously know nothing about. Tim is a brilliant entertainer, musician, an kind and very intelligent man.

[@beckstyles3467]

He's rich.

[@henryprzepiorka]

Sick of listening to whining about mental health

[@russbuttypennyblackblade]

Stop. This is completely inappropriate for a children's programme. - Tawnyن 🇨🇦 (@the_coral_lea) June 6, 2023 “We’re not pushing an agenda on your children!!!” - SM (@smaynar3) June 2, 2023