Stephen Merchant is probably best known for his relationship with Ricky Gervais – after all, the two of them have created some of the most popular comedy in the world ever.
Not only have they been responsible for hit shows, but they can also be thanked for bringing Karl Pilkington into the public eye, packing him off on international adventures.
Sky 1's Cal King caught up with Stephen to see how things are going – he’s recently embarked on a new stand-up tour – and to talk a little about the future of An Idiot Abroad.
How's the tour going?
It seems to be going well, though the only way you can really judge is if people laugh and clap. It’s been exhausting - I thought it'd be a lot more glamorous, I thought there'd be a lot more hot tubs and sex and drugs and rock and roll, but it seems to be mainly room service sandwiches and late night Nandos. Aside from that, it's going well.
How does it feel to work on projects away from Ricky and Karl?
In a way it doesn't feel like it's moving away from them, it's almost like a return to what I did originally before I met them, which was stand up. I did it on and off after university for five years, and then once the TV stuff took off I basically quit, so it's a return to that more than thinking of it as a departure from anything else.
How long have you been working on material for the show?
Quite a long time; when I decided to go back to stand up I was dabbling in little clubs here and there, doing five or ten minutes, just really sort of getting back to match fitness. You have to get into a whole different state of mind with stand up - part of it is managing the nerves and working on your own performance aside from the material. I can't really work it out unless I'm on stage - I have to be on stage to work out the ideas, so it's a very slow, laborious process; it probably took a couple of years before I got to the point where I thought it was good enough to take on the road.
Do you find that your physical appearance helps your comedy?
Absolutely, I've always thought that. One of my heroes is John Cleese, and the fact that he was a smart guy but he also used his great height to do those funny walks; I've always made a feature out of that in my stand up and I've always been quite physical. One thing people seem to be surprised by is how physical the show is - lots of moving around and lots of acting out of scenarios, but that's something that I've always done and people just aren't necessarily aware of it.
Do you ever get sick of people mentioning your height?
Well they always have, even from a young age… I was probably this height by the time I was about 14 or 15, so it's always been something people have observed and mentioned. I'd rather be recognised as the guy in funny comedy shows than just a bloke who is tall, so while people have always pointed and laughed, they may as well be laughing because I'm in control of it rather than just because I'm freakishly tall.
You've sent Karl on lots of adventures in An Idiot Abroad 2, do you ever feel a bit guilty when he's clearly not having a good time?
I don't feel guilty in the slightest. As he points out, the show's called An Idiot Abroad - he wasn't getting a lot of job offers when he came back so he may as well go back out again. I still say it beats working; he whinges and moans and complains and puts up a fight and refuses to do stuff like the bungee jump, but there are people working down mines and digging ditches - he's got it easy. I respect the fact he goes out and does it, but I won't tolerate his whinging.
Are you envious of places that he's been and the people he's met?
Very envious - the swimming with sharks, I'd love to have done that. I'd have gone with the intention of doing it, but obviously he thought he was swimming with dolphins so I understand why he was a bit freaked out. I'd love to do the Trans Siberian Express - I was quite well travelled, but I'm now so busy managing his career that I've got no time to go travelling myself.
You say "managing", does that mean you're a bit like Darren Lamb? (Andy Millman’s agent in ‘Extras’)
Well, when I say managing his career, I mean sitting at home with Ricky cooking up stuff for him to do. I'm as disorganised as Darren Lamb but I don't wear as many polo necks.
What's been your favourite moment of An Idiot Abroad 2?
I think it's probably when Karl is joining a Glee club and having to perform Van Halen's ‘Jump’. Of all the things that he's uncomfortable with, live performance and being on a stage is one of them. He hates it, he absolutely hates it, and so you can see the fear and the hate and the anger in his eyes. I know that one really shook him up, he was really freaked out by that experience. Quivering for hours afterwards.
I liked the land-dive.
The land-dive was pathetic.
Any thoughts about a third season?
Well, it was a big push to get him to do Season 2… I think Ricky did a very long, slow persuasion trick on him, so I wouldn’t anticipate the next one any time soon. It's whether he gets back home and doing his grouting and he thinks, ‘actually, it would be better if I was off sunning myself somewhere’.
I wouldn't hold out for it, but never say never.
Do you think you could ever get him to do any proper acting?
He's not a bad actor, on the times he's had to do it, but I don't think that's what he's really into. I don't think he's actually got any ambitions… He always says he'd be happy working down B&Q, but I can’t imagine how he's going to fill the rest of his days if he doesn't stick with me and Ricky.
Stephen Merchant – Hello Ladies is out on DVD 14th November. Pre-order your copy now.
