Prosiect: Elis James

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-Elis James - one of Britain's -most popular comedians.	0:00:06	0:00:10
-Tonight, join me, Daniel Glyn, -at Elis' gig in London's Bush Hall.	0:00:10	0:00:14
-There he is.	0:00:18	0:00:19
-This currently looks like -a Welsh-language stand-up night...	0:00:23	0:00:27
-..but within the hour, -this place'll be full.	0:00:27	0:00:30
-Elis will walk on stage -in front of a packed hall.	0:00:30	0:00:34
-Bush Hall befits a grand banquet...	0:00:34	0:00:36
-..but a feast of comedy -awaits us tonight.	0:00:37	0:00:40
-Stand-ups are the bare-knuckled -boxers of the entertainment world.	0:00:40	0:00:45
-Elis will compere -three heavyweights.	0:00:45	0:00:47
-Ardal O'Hanlon, -Andrew Maxwell and Nick Helm.	0:00:48	0:00:51
-The backstage catering was up there -with the best I've ever touched.	0:00:51	0:00:56
-It's so typical of London. Putting -on a spread wasn't good enough.	0:00:59	0:01:03
-It was a lucky dip instead.	0:01:03	0:01:05
-As is often the case -when you go to so much trouble...	0:01:10	0:01:13
-..the food always tastes nicer.	0:01:13	0:01:16
-Elis had to focus on getting ready.	0:01:18	0:01:20
-Time was running out -and tension was mounting.	0:01:20	0:01:24
-I asked him a few questions.	0:01:24	0:01:26
-Hello, Elis.	0:01:27	0:01:28
-Why are you a comedian? -What's the appeal?	0:01:29	0:01:32
-I can't do anything else.	0:01:33	0:01:35
-I tried to do lots of other things -but I got the sack all the time.	0:01:35	0:01:40
-We live in a world in which you -have to earn a living somehow...	0:01:40	0:01:44
-..and I was running out of options, -so I chose comedy.	0:01:44	0:01:48
-I was funny at school and obsessed -with comedy, so I gave it a shot.	0:01:48	0:01:53
-And look at me now, -I'm here, eating burger and chips.	0:01:53	0:01:56
-Were people telling you -to try stand-up?	0:01:56	0:01:59
-Yes, because -I think years ago at school...	0:01:59	0:02:03
-..if there was comedy on telly...	0:02:04	0:02:06
-..or if something comical -happened at school...	0:02:06	0:02:09
-..I took it far more seriously -than everyone else.	0:02:10	0:02:13
-Say if a teacher -said something stupid...	0:02:13	0:02:17
-..or if something funny -happened in class...	0:02:17	0:02:20
-..everyone'd laugh -and move on...	0:02:20	0:02:22
-..whereas I was like, -yes, but why was it so funny?	0:02:23	0:02:26
-I want to do it again! -I just like having a laugh.	0:02:26	0:02:30
-I'm interested -in what makes people laugh.	0:02:30	0:02:33
-You say you're not -a competitive person...	0:02:35	0:02:38
-..but stand-up is very competitive.	0:02:38	0:02:41
-Why do something -that's anathema to you?	0:02:41	0:02:44
-It's competitive...	0:02:44	0:02:47
-..inasmuch as lots of stand-ups...	0:02:47	0:02:50
-..watch comedians on 8 Out Of -10 Cats or Live At The Apollo...	0:02:50	0:02:55
-..and think, -why am I not doing that?	0:02:55	0:02:58
-But I'm just happy -I don't have a proper job...	0:02:58	0:03:01
-..yet I earn enough to pay my rent.	0:03:01	0:03:04
-My only ambition starting out...	0:03:04	0:03:09
-..because I was no naive, I didn't -understand how stand-up worked...	0:03:09	0:03:13
-..I'd seen a programme -about the Comedy Store...	0:03:13	0:03:17
-..and I knew -the Cardiff Glee Club existed...	0:03:17	0:03:20
-..because I'd been for a birthday...	0:03:20	0:03:23
-..so I just wanted to do -a week of gigs at the Cardiff Glee.	0:03:23	0:03:26
-That was my only ambition.	0:03:27	0:03:29
-Every time -I performed at the Cardiff Glee...	0:03:29	0:03:32
-..as long as I was invited back, -then I'd done my job.	0:03:32	0:03:35
-I'd done enough, I'd done my share.	0:03:36	0:03:39
-Perhaps I might be a better comedian -if I were more competitive.	0:03:41	0:03:45
-You mentioned -you were funny at school...	0:03:46	0:03:49
-..and that you focused -on why things were funny...	0:03:49	0:03:52
-..so why is being funny -so important to you?	0:03:52	0:03:55
-Laughing -is better than not laughing.	0:03:55	0:03:58
-Having a laugh with your friends -is the best feeling in the world.	0:03:58	0:04:03
-When I had a proper job...	0:04:04	0:04:06
-..and when -I'd have a night out at college...	0:04:06	0:04:09
-..I'd sit in a pub -with my friends and tell stories.	0:04:09	0:04:14
-If I went out for a pint -on a Saturday night...	0:04:14	0:04:17
-..at the end of a working week...	0:04:17	0:04:19
-..I'd love hearing -people's stories about their week.	0:04:20	0:04:23
-I love having a laugh about it.	0:04:24	0:04:27
-If someone's been on a first date -and that date goes wrong...	0:04:27	0:04:32
-..fantastic!	0:04:33	0:04:34
-I want to know why, what happened...	0:04:35	0:04:38
-..and why it went so wrong.	0:04:38	0:04:40
-I love that kind of stuff.	0:04:40	0:04:42
-So comedy -is an integral part of you?	0:04:45	0:04:48
-Yes, it's like music.	0:04:48	0:04:50
-Babies and little children -like melodies.	0:04:51	0:04:54
-Even if you sing to -a six-month-old baby, they react.	0:04:54	0:04:59
-Laughing is the same.	0:04:59	0:05:01
-If you laugh in front of a baby, -they respond.	0:05:01	0:05:04
-I don't believe people when -they say, "I don't like comedy."	0:05:04	0:05:09
-They just haven't seen -the right comedy.	0:05:09	0:05:12
-Did you formulate a plan -for your stand-up career?	0:05:13	0:05:16
-No, because I was so naive.	0:05:17	0:05:20
-I had no idea how it worked.	0:05:20	0:05:23
-My first gig -was an open mic night in Cardiff.	0:05:23	0:05:26
-I hadn't done it before, so I didn't -realize that anyone could turn up.	0:05:26	0:05:31
-I called the promoter -and she said...	0:05:31	0:05:35
-.."Of course you can do it."	0:05:35	0:05:37
-I thought, she said yes, -I'm going to do this open mic.	0:05:37	0:05:42
-The gig went well, -it was beginners' luck.	0:05:42	0:05:46
-I'd never performed before.	0:05:46	0:05:48
-There was -no drama department at school.	0:05:48	0:05:51
-I couldn't sleep at all that night.	0:05:51	0:05:54
-I went to work the following day, -having not slept for 24 hours.	0:05:54	0:05:58
-I'd been up all night.	0:05:58	0:06:00
-So I thought to myself, -the gig was brilliant.	0:06:01	0:06:04
-There was the MC, this guy from -Birmingham and Frank from Swansea...	0:06:04	0:06:09
-..then there's Jack Dee, -Eddie Izzard, Frank Skinner...	0:06:09	0:06:13
-..and Bernard Manning, -different circuit, Ross Noble...	0:06:13	0:06:17
-..Mark Lamarr, -who doesn't do stand-up any more...	0:06:17	0:06:20
-..the four I saw at the Glee.	0:06:20	0:06:23
-There are 12 comedians, maybe 14...	0:06:23	0:06:25
-..and I'm the 15th comedian...	0:06:26	0:06:28
-In the world. Is that true?	0:06:28	0:06:32
-There are Americans, but I'm -not interested in breaking America.	0:06:32	0:06:37
-Mam and Dad live in Wales, -I'm happy here.	0:06:37	0:06:40
-Eddie Izzard did a few gigs in -France but I don't speak French...	0:06:40	0:06:44
-..so that's irrelevant.	0:06:44	0:06:46
-And then there's Jo Brand.	0:06:47	0:06:49
-I'm the 16th comedian.	0:06:49	0:06:51
-I couldn't think of another.	0:06:51	0:06:53
-Jim Davidson, but he's different.	0:06:53	0:06:56
-Graham Norton -just does chat shows...	0:06:56	0:06:58
-..and Jonathan Ross -never did stand-up.	0:06:58	0:07:01
-I went back to do -the open mic night a week later...	0:07:01	0:07:05
-..and other people there, so I -thought I was the 20th comedian.	0:07:05	0:07:09
-A week later I was the 24th -comedian. That's fine, that's fine.	0:07:09	0:07:14
-A guy said to me, -"Do you work for Mirth Control?"	0:07:14	0:07:17
-I said, "No, who are they?"	0:07:17	0:07:19
-He said, -"The guy runs 100 gigs in England."	0:07:19	0:07:22
-I thought, oh, my God!	0:07:22	0:07:24
-If there are 100 gigs, that means -there are at least 400 comedians.	0:07:24	0:07:29
-I went from being very hopeful...	0:07:29	0:07:31
-..to plummeting to the depths -of despair in one sentence.	0:07:32	0:07:36
-I'm the 401st comedian. Oh, my God!	0:07:36	0:07:40
-I went from being -very happy to very sad.	0:07:40	0:07:43
-How was your first gig?	0:07:44	0:07:45
-Great. Beginners' luck.	0:07:46	0:07:48
-I just talked.	0:07:48	0:07:50
-I had no idea...	0:07:52	0:07:53
-..that I had to make the comedic -material relevant to other people...	0:07:54	0:07:58
-..so I just talked my way -through it.	0:07:58	0:08:01
-Looking back, there's no tape of it -and I've lost the set list...	0:08:01	0:08:06
-..but if I saw the tape, -it'd probably be rubbish...	0:08:06	0:08:09
-..but people were laughing.	0:08:10	0:08:12
-I did one aside, it wasn't -even a punchline, it was a set-up...	0:08:12	0:08:16
-..but a girl at the back of the room -laughed at the set-up.	0:08:16	0:08:19
-I thought, if they're laughing -at the set-ups, I'm a Seinfeld.	0:08:19	0:08:24
-I'm Jerry Seinfeld. I've no interest -in going to America!	0:08:25	0:08:29
-I'm the 16th comedian!	0:08:29	0:08:32
-Do you hear me? I'm a meat refuser.	0:08:32	0:08:35
-"Glass of red wine?" -"No, thank you," from a fan denier.	0:08:36	0:08:40
-Microwave oven? Aah, interesting!	0:08:41	0:08:44
-You're going to go on the crazy lane -with Andrew. Here we go.	0:08:44	0:08:48
-One, two, three! -Stack up your cheering!	0:08:48	0:08:51
-Please welcome on to the stage -Nick Helm!	0:08:52	0:08:55
-After introducing Nick Helm, -Elis heads backstage...	0:08:56	0:09:00
-..for a break -from the night's intense pressure.	0:09:01	0:09:04
-What he needed now -was time to reflect in peace.	0:09:06	0:09:10
-He needed to be left alone.	0:09:10	0:09:12
-Elis had his own question. -"Will you leave me alone?"	0:09:12	0:09:16
-"Great," I said. -"See you after the show."	0:09:16	0:09:19
-Does your mind wander at all?	0:09:19	0:09:21
-Does your mind wander at all? - -Yes, it does.	0:09:21	0:09:23
-If I'm using material -I've used several times before...	0:09:23	0:09:27
-..I think to myself, if I finish -and do 18 instead of 20...	0:09:27	0:09:32
-..then I can catch -the last train home.	0:09:32	0:09:35
-I can catch the tube -and I won't need to get a taxi.	0:09:36	0:09:39
-If I don't do stand-up for a while, -if I have time off...	0:09:40	0:09:44
-..if I'm filming something -or if I don't have many gigs...	0:09:44	0:09:48
-..if I have a fortnight off, -that's what's first to go.	0:09:48	0:09:52
-I lose the skill...	0:09:52	0:09:56
-..of being able to talk and think -of something else at the same time.	0:09:56	0:10:00
-So you have to focus more?	0:10:00	0:10:01
-So you have to focus more? - -Yes.	0:10:01	0:10:02
-How different is your stage persona -from the real Elis?	0:10:03	0:10:07
-The Elis on stage is more like me -from a couple of years ago...	0:10:08	0:10:14
-..because having a mortgage...	0:10:14	0:10:17
-..and having a house -with plenty of kitchen roll...	0:10:17	0:10:21
-..isn't very funny.	0:10:21	0:10:23
-I did the Edinburgh Fringe -three years ago in 2012.	0:10:24	0:10:29
-John Gordillo, who'd directed -Eddie Izzard, directed the show.	0:10:29	0:10:33
-He came to see me in Edinburgh.	0:10:33	0:10:35
-I'd been doing the big circuit gigs, -the corporate gigs...	0:10:36	0:10:39
-..and I was dressing very smartly.	0:10:40	0:10:42
-John hadn't seen me -doing stand-up for years.	0:10:42	0:10:45
-He said to me, -"What are you doing? This isn't you.	0:10:45	0:10:49
-"You look like -you're going on a date.	0:10:49	0:10:52
-"You look like you're -doing quite well as an estate agent.	0:10:52	0:10:56
-"They don't want this. -Why have you shaved?	0:10:57	0:11:00
-"Why is your hair so short? -This isn't what people want."	0:11:00	0:11:04
-He made me realize -that your stage persona...	0:11:04	0:11:08
-..is just as important -as your jokes.	0:11:08	0:11:10
-If the audience doesn't believe -you as a person, they won't laugh.	0:11:11	0:11:16
-I actually like dressing -quite smartly...	0:11:16	0:11:20
-..but it's not funny.	0:11:20	0:11:22
-I'm not like Jack Dee -or Jimmy Carr, who wear suits.	0:11:22	0:11:25
-I choose old clothes -to wear on stage.	0:11:25	0:11:28
-You change out of your -smart clothes and wear your scruffs?	0:11:28	0:11:32
-Yes. My civvies are smart -but I have scruffs too.	0:11:32	0:11:36
-If I walked on in a suit...	0:11:37	0:11:40
-..and did low-status comedy...	0:11:40	0:11:43
-..there's a disconnect, -which doesn't work.	0:11:43	0:11:46
-If I walked on in a nice suit -and I was very high status...	0:11:47	0:11:51
-..that makes sense, that works.	0:11:51	0:11:54
-But I was confusing both.	0:11:54	0:11:57
-That was -an important lesson to learn.	0:11:57	0:12:02
-I couldn't understand -how my life had moved away from...	0:12:02	0:12:06
-It's five past 12!	0:12:06	0:12:09
-I think they really want us -to stop filming now.	0:12:09	0:12:12
-I went outside to wait for Elis.	0:12:13	0:12:15
-I was looking forward to a night out -with all of London's comedians.	0:12:15	0:12:20
-.	0:12:30	0:12:31
-*	0:12:35	0:12:35
-I was in London to interview -Elis James at his home.	0:12:36	0:12:39
-I had trouble finding it because -Elis refused to give me the address.	0:12:39	0:12:43
-I was surprised -by London house prices.	0:12:43	0:12:46
-This bungalow cost millions. I'd -never pay it - I don't like yellow.	0:12:46	0:12:50
-I thought these bins'd be cheaper -because they're semi-detached...	0:12:51	0:12:55
-..but no, -I'd forgotten about the view.	0:12:56	0:12:58
-On a clear day you can see Paris.	0:12:58	0:13:01
-Elis' house doesn't look like much -but it costs more than Cross Hands.	0:13:01	0:13:06
-But you can't live in Cross Hands.	0:13:06	0:13:08
-I knocked the door -but didn't run away.	0:13:08	0:13:11
-You have the personality -to be a stand-up.	0:13:11	0:13:14
-Does that mean you don't have -the personality for real life?	0:13:14	0:13:18
-I hated every minute of real life.	0:13:18	0:13:20
-I had a clear-out -about a fortnight ago...	0:13:21	0:13:24
-..and found the payslips of -the proper job I had in an office.	0:13:24	0:13:29
-I found a lot of doodles.	0:13:29	0:13:31
-I worked in an office -just before the time...	0:13:32	0:13:35
-..you could receive emails -and had access the internet.	0:13:35	0:13:40
-All I did...	0:13:40	0:13:44
-..to waste time was doodling.	0:13:44	0:13:47
-Doodles about time.	0:13:47	0:13:49
-I was so bored I couldn't think -of a better subject than the time.	0:13:49	0:13:54
-2.56pm.	0:13:55	0:13:57
-I'd take ages to draw it, -so by the time I'd finished it...	0:13:57	0:14:01
-..it'd be four o'clock.	0:14:01	0:14:03
-I'm afraid of having to do a proper -job because I'm not suited to it.	0:14:03	0:14:07
-I suit stand-up because I suit -late nights and getting up late.	0:14:08	0:14:12
-I suit eating alone -in Pizza Express, Nottingham.	0:14:13	0:14:17
-It doesn't bother me. -I like being by myself.	0:14:17	0:14:20
-I never feel lonely...	0:14:21	0:14:23
-..whereas office work...	0:14:23	0:14:26
-I remember having to do mail merge.	0:14:26	0:14:29
-It was 10 at night -and everyone else had left.	0:14:29	0:14:32
-I'd eaten a kebab in the office -because I didn't know how to do it.	0:14:32	0:14:37
-I was almost in tears.	0:14:37	0:14:39
-I couldn't ask anyone -because I'd lied in the interview...	0:14:39	0:14:44
-..and said -I knew how to do mail merge.	0:14:44	0:14:46
-I'd be blowing the gaff.	0:14:47	0:14:49
-In the end, I wrote them out -individually in my own handwriting.	0:14:49	0:14:54
-A hundred or more letters.	0:14:54	0:14:56
-I was there till midnight.	0:14:57	0:14:59
-"Why did you write these by hand?" -"It's a nice personal touch."	0:14:59	0:15:03
-"Why didn't you do mail merge?" -"It's too easy, isn't it?"	0:15:03	0:15:07
-"That's the way -a normal person would do it."	0:15:09	0:15:12
-Reflecting on a decade of stand-up, -have there been any failures?	0:15:15	0:15:19
-If so, what did you learn from them?	0:15:19	0:15:21
-If so, what did you learn from them? - -I did a warm-up...	0:15:21	0:15:23
-..on Mastermind Cymru -and got the sack in the car park.	0:15:23	0:15:26
-Why?	0:15:26	0:15:28
-Why? - -Because I was so rubbish.	0:15:28	0:15:30
-It came too early, really. -I'd never done stand-up before.	0:15:30	0:15:34
-The average age of the audience -was 85 or 90, perhaps.	0:15:34	0:15:40
-A minibus had come from Trelech.	0:15:40	0:15:43
-I thought it was hilarious -that they came by bus.	0:15:43	0:15:46
-They didn't think it was, though.	0:15:47	0:15:49
-I kept coming back to this minibus -and it was completely silent.	0:15:49	0:15:54
-No-one was interested -in the minibus bar me.	0:15:54	0:15:58
-I got no laughs.	0:15:58	0:16:00
-Betsan Powys had to go on and do -a couple of gags to warm them up.	0:16:00	0:16:04
-On my way back to the car, -I remember thinking, this is bad!	0:16:04	0:16:08
-The producer phoned me and said, -"Don't come back in tomorrow.	0:16:08	0:16:12
-"We've seen enough."	0:16:13	0:16:15
-Yes, I've seen enough too!	0:16:15	0:16:17
-I love the fact that Betsan Powys -had to clean up your mess!	0:16:19	0:16:22
-Yes, Betsan Powys!	0:16:22	0:16:24
-I did a warm-up on Deal or No Deal -too and a camera broke.	0:16:25	0:16:28
-The audience is either full of old -people who've come on minibus...	0:16:28	0:16:32
-..but don't dwell on that, -no-one cares, or students.	0:16:33	0:16:37
-None of them are taxpayers, -there's no middle ground.	0:16:37	0:16:41
-The camera broke, -so I had to do a half-an-hour set...	0:16:41	0:16:45
-..while Noel Edmonds -was beautifying himself!	0:16:45	0:16:49
-I'd run out of relevant material.	0:16:49	0:16:52
-The floor manager said, -"Tell a few more jokes."	0:16:52	0:16:56
-I said, "I've run out of jokes.	0:16:56	0:16:58
-"I'm going to talk to that Scouser -about his minibus in a minute.	0:16:59	0:17:03
-"I did this -on Mastermind Cymru, it's great."	0:17:03	0:17:06
-Your life is very different -from when you first started out.	0:17:07	0:17:11
-It's a cliche that stand-ups -do jokes about family and aging.	0:17:11	0:17:15
-Is that something you try to avoid?	0:17:15	0:17:17
-No, it's not something I avoid but -you have to find the right angle...	0:17:18	0:17:22
-..otherwise it's boring and I'm just -another man who goes to Homebase.	0:17:22	0:17:27
-The funniest things that've -come from me being a parent...	0:17:28	0:17:31
-..are the things I've done wrong.	0:17:31	0:17:33
-You can't just list -the things you've done wrong...	0:17:34	0:17:37
-..or the audience -starts to pity the child.	0:17:37	0:17:40
-So you have to find -some middle ground...	0:17:40	0:17:46
-..where people laugh -and nobody calls social services.	0:17:46	0:17:50
-I haven't found that ground yet!	0:17:50	0:17:52
-Touring is an integral part -of a comedian's life.	0:17:53	0:17:56
-You appeared on Rhod Gilbert -And The Award-Winning Mince Pie.	0:17:56	0:18:00
-How was that experience?	0:18:00	0:18:02
-That's the best show, in terms of -the reviews it received...	0:18:03	0:18:07
-..that I've ever seen in Edinburgh.	0:18:07	0:18:10
-Everyone gave it five stars.	0:18:10	0:18:12
-Every newspaper, -every critic worth his salt...	0:18:12	0:18:17
-..gave it five stars.	0:18:18	0:18:20
-Usually you do -a 55-minute set in Edinburgh.	0:18:20	0:18:23
-Rhod was doing -two and a half hours on tour.	0:18:23	0:18:26
-He was fantastic -and every gig was incredible.	0:18:28	0:18:32
-You were there too, -so were you the support?	0:18:33	0:18:35
-Yes, I did 20 minutes -at the beginning.	0:18:35	0:18:38
-You had a duty to perform, you -weren't just there to tell jokes.	0:18:38	0:18:42
-I'd report back to Rhod -on what kind of audience to expect.	0:18:42	0:18:47
-If there were any problems, I'd tell -him who and what to look out for.	0:18:47	0:18:51
-You've also toured with your -own set. How was that experience?	0:18:52	0:18:56
-It's nice performing -in front of your own audience.	0:18:59	0:19:03
-You don't have to introduce yourself -at the start...	0:19:04	0:19:08
-..because people know you.	0:19:08	0:19:10
-You don't have to work out what kind -of audience it is at the start.	0:19:10	0:19:15
-You know they're there to see you -and that they share your humour.	0:19:15	0:19:20
-You perform much better as a result.	0:19:20	0:19:23
-That's the future, I think.	0:19:23	0:19:26
-I'd like to come off the circuit, -but not completely...	0:19:26	0:19:30
-..because once you're off it, -it's difficult to get back on.	0:19:30	0:19:35
-I have this recurring nightmare -about twice a week...	0:19:35	0:19:40
-..in which every television -and radio producer...	0:19:40	0:19:45
-..meet in a large room...	0:19:45	0:19:47
-..like the trade unions -used to do in the 1970s.	0:19:47	0:19:51
-They're smoking fags and eating -cheese and tomato sandwiches...	0:19:52	0:19:56
-..and they decide, en masse, that -I don't have a career any more.	0:19:56	0:20:01
-All the casting agents, directors...	0:20:01	0:20:04
-..and then I have to -go back on the circuit.	0:20:04	0:20:07
-That's why I do the circuits.	0:20:07	0:20:09
-Every time I get a call or an email -offering me radio or TV work...	0:20:09	0:20:14
-..I think, this is the last one.	0:20:14	0:20:17
-Going out on a high. -This is the last one.	0:20:17	0:20:20
-And then, the following day, -something else will turn up.	0:20:20	0:20:24
-I can't believe -that it will always be like this.	0:20:24	0:20:28
-If I look at someone -like Paul McCartney...	0:20:28	0:20:32
-..everything he did between -1963 to 1970 was almost perfect.	0:20:32	0:20:36
-But the stuff -he's recorded recently...	0:20:37	0:20:41
-..he's in his 70s, -and that's fine, fair enough.	0:20:42	0:20:45
-He'll still be a genius...	0:20:45	0:20:47
-..but I think -when I become irrelevant...	0:20:47	0:20:50
-..after I've paid off the mortgage -and saved enough money to retire...	0:20:50	0:20:56
-..I can't turn down -any work that comes my way...	0:20:56	0:21:00
-..because I'm petrified -that it'll all end...	0:21:00	0:21:03
-..and I have to get an office job.	0:21:03	0:21:06
-Oh, my God!	0:21:06	0:21:08
-Many will be very happy that you've -decided to do stand-up in Welsh.	0:21:09	0:21:14
-What were -your expectations about that?	0:21:14	0:21:17
-I'd never done it before...	0:21:17	0:21:20
-..so I was worried -that I wouldn't be as good.	0:21:22	0:21:25
-I've been doing this for 10 years -and done 3,000 gigs in English...	0:21:25	0:21:31
-..all over the world...	0:21:32	0:21:34
-..though Welsh -is my first language...	0:21:34	0:21:37
-..I thought, -what if this doesn't work?	0:21:37	0:21:40
-I tried to think logically.	0:21:40	0:21:43
-I used to tell jokes to my parents -and they thought I was funny...	0:21:43	0:21:47
-..as did my school friends.	0:21:47	0:21:49
-It's just language -at the end of the day.	0:21:49	0:21:52
-It's the same as discussing -mathematics or physics in Welsh.	0:21:52	0:21:57
-There's no reason -why Welsh isn't very funny.	0:21:57	0:22:03
-To begin with, the process -behind every show is the same.	0:22:03	0:22:09
-The first preview is always rubbish.	0:22:09	0:22:12
-The first gig in Machynlleth -went badly.	0:22:12	0:22:15
-There was no dressing room, -so I stood behind the curtain...	0:22:15	0:22:20
-..and I could hear -what everyone was saying.	0:22:20	0:22:23
-One said, "It's the first time -he's done it in Welsh, fair play."	0:22:23	0:22:28
-"Yes, it's his first time, -so fair play to him."	0:22:28	0:22:31
-They were all so nice. That -was worse than them being unkind.	0:22:31	0:22:35
-They were like schoolteachers. "Fair -play to him, it's his first time."	0:22:36	0:22:41
-At Felinfach, the sound man -knew the sound man in Machynlleth.	0:22:41	0:22:45
-He said, "Are you ready for this?"	0:22:45	0:22:48
-I said, "Yes. The show wasn't great -but it's getting there."	0:22:48	0:22:52
-He said, -"Yes, I heard about Machynlleth.	0:22:52	0:22:55
-"I know Twm, the sound man. -He said you were hopeless,	0:22:56	0:23:00
-I said, "Oh. Thank you."	0:23:00	0:23:03
-"Did he say that?" "Yes, -he phoned me the following day."	0:23:03	0:23:07
-He said, "He's hopeless." -I said, "He's coming to Felinfach."	0:23:07	0:23:11
-He said, "He's got a few months to -write some decent material, then."	0:23:11	0:23:15
-I had to write a full hour -of brand new material...	0:23:16	0:23:20
-..in less than half the time -it would take...	0:23:20	0:23:23
-..to write a full hour -of brand new material in English...	0:23:24	0:23:28
-..because the way -I write new material...	0:23:28	0:23:32
-..is to come up with ideas and -try it out in front of an audience.	0:23:32	0:23:36
-But there aren't enough gigs -in Welsh, so I did 13 previews.	0:23:37	0:23:41
-If I did -an hour in English on BBC1...	0:23:41	0:23:45
-..I'd have done -40 previews beforehand...	0:23:46	0:23:49
-..a full run in Edinburgh, -which is 30 nights, then a tour...	0:23:49	0:23:53
-..before finishing off doing -two nights at a London theatre.	0:23:53	0:23:58
-You can edit both -to make one film and show that.	0:23:58	0:24:02
-But I only had one shot in Cardiff.	0:24:02	0:24:05
-I'd done 13 previews.	0:24:07	0:24:09
-I couldn't speak after coming off.	0:24:09	0:24:11
-It worked in the end -but it took a lot of adrenaline.	0:24:12	0:24:15
-Has that given you confidence -with the English stuff?	0:24:16	0:24:19
-No, because I'm convinced I'm more -funny in Welsh than I am in English.	0:24:19	0:24:25
-I'm convinced I've been wasting time -over the past decade...	0:24:25	0:24:29
-..because my future is in Wales.	0:24:29	0:24:32
-I wrote a set of about an hour -and 20 minutes in six weeks, really.	0:24:34	0:24:39
-That was seven months ago.	0:24:40	0:24:42
-Since then, I've written -five minutes in English.	0:24:42	0:24:45
-.	0:24:50	0:24:50
-Subtitles	0:24:53	0:24:53
-Subtitles - -Subtitles	0:24:53	0:24:55
-They say that people end up -with someone they work with...	0:25:00	0:25:04
-..so it was inevitable that -you'd end up with a fellow comedian.	0:25:04	0:25:09
-I've worked it out.	0:25:09	0:25:11
-For some people -it sounds like a nightmare.	0:25:11	0:25:15
-It might be hard for people to -comprehend but I'm not competitive.	0:25:15	0:25:20
-I'm not competitive -in the slightest.	0:25:20	0:25:23
-My PE teacher at school -would say the same.	0:25:23	0:25:26
-I don't care, really, -and she's the same.	0:25:26	0:25:29
-Because we're in -slightly different fields...	0:25:29	0:25:32
-..we don't discuss the same things.	0:25:33	0:25:35
-It's not as if something happens -with the baby and we both go...	0:25:35	0:25:39
-.."Can I use that?"	0:25:40	0:25:42
-Isy used one of my jokes -on Buzzcocks.	0:25:42	0:25:45
-I watched it...	0:25:45	0:25:48
-..and she hadn't said anything -for five minutes.	0:25:48	0:25:52
-That's completely normal -on television...	0:25:52	0:25:55
-..but for someone who's sitting -there in front of an audience...	0:25:55	0:26:00
-..you start to panic.	0:26:00	0:26:02
-I could tell she was panicking.	0:26:02	0:26:04
-She did one of my jokes about Noel -Edmonds and I thought it was fine.	0:26:05	0:26:09
-If you do gigs and you go out with -someone who doesn't do comedy...	0:26:10	0:26:15
-..you turn up and you have to -introduce them to the comedians.	0:26:15	0:26:19
-Perhaps the comedians aren't nice -if they're thinking about the set.	0:26:20	0:26:24
-I don't have that problem with Isy -because they all know her.	0:26:24	0:26:28
-It suits us perfectly.	0:26:28	0:26:30
-Has having a child -changed your attitude to the work?	0:26:31	0:26:34
-I did an advert for the first time.	0:26:35	0:26:38
-I'd always been very Bill Hicksian -about doing adverts...	0:26:39	0:26:43
-..and I've been offered many -over the years...	0:26:43	0:26:47
-..but I always turned them down.	0:26:47	0:26:50
-But then I was offered one -for a clothes shop and thought...	0:26:50	0:26:54
-..it's not the arms trade, is it?	0:26:54	0:26:56
-I'm not selling scud missiles -to despotic regimes.	0:26:58	0:27:02
-I thought -I was going to be in a sitcom.	0:27:02	0:27:07
-I was down to the last two -but just missed out.	0:27:07	0:27:10
-That meant -that I had no gigs booked...	0:27:10	0:27:14
-..because I was convinced -I'd done enough in the audition.	0:27:14	0:27:18
-I had a gap in my schedule and I was -offered this thing, so I did it.	0:27:18	0:27:23
-I'd never have done that -two years ago.	0:27:23	0:27:27
-Do you think -you'll do stand-up forever?	0:27:27	0:27:30
-Will you still perform in your 70s?	0:27:30	0:27:32
-I like the idea that I'd still be -relevant enough to some people...	0:27:36	0:27:41
-..so that I could continue -doing stand-up at 70.	0:27:41	0:27:45
-Then again, I feel less and less -relevant to the modern world...	0:27:45	0:27:49
-..with every passing day.	0:27:50	0:27:52
-I really suited 1995 as a person.	0:27:52	0:27:55
-The further back in time -1995 becomes...	0:27:55	0:28:00
-..the more I worry about myself -as a stand-up.	0:28:00	0:28:05
-Ardal O'Hanlon -has acted in a lot of things.	0:28:05	0:28:08
-He still does -maybe three gigs a month.	0:28:09	0:28:12
-He doesn't forget -what it's like to be on stage.	0:28:14	0:28:17
-I get offered so many new things...	0:28:17	0:28:21
-..I can't say no to TV and radio.	0:28:21	0:28:24
-I still do the circuit...	0:28:24	0:28:26
-..because from that -and from stand-up...	0:28:27	0:28:30
-..is where -everything originated.	0:28:30	0:28:33
-I can't forget the fact -that I'm a stand-up at heart.	0:28:33	0:28:37
-The oddest thing...	0:28:38	0:28:40
-..is thinking what I would've done -years ago in the 1970s, for example.	0:28:40	0:28:46
-I won't be able to sleep, -thinking about this.	0:28:46	0:28:49
-Tad-cu worked in a coalmine. -Imagine that.	0:28:49	0:28:53
-But there were no stand-up circuits -in Cross Hands in 1948.	0:28:53	0:28:58
-There was no circuit, -so what would I have done instead?	0:29:00	0:29:04
-A collier? No way. A teacher? As if!	0:29:04	0:29:06
-What were the chances? -I'd have been a draper.	0:29:06	0:29:09
-A welder.	0:29:10	0:29:12
-I've found something that suits me, -thank goodness. Oh, my God!	0:29:15	0:29:19
-Elis James' acting career -is going from strength to strength.	0:29:21	0:29:25
-He acts alongside Josh Widdicombe as -his best friend in the sitcom Josh.	0:29:26	0:29:30
-Elis now acts with comedians -of Jack Dee's status.	0:29:30	0:29:34
-This was -a very different show for him.	0:29:34	0:29:37
-This was a second series.	0:29:37	0:29:39
-The Josh sitcom -is filmed at the Twickenham Studios.	0:29:44	0:29:47
-I'm not sure -which part of London it's in...	0:29:48	0:29:50
-..but I went -to search for Elis regardless.	0:29:51	0:29:54
-ALARM WAILS	0:29:55	0:29:57
-For some reason, the crew -had to clear the set urgently.	0:29:58	0:30:02
-I don't know why.	0:30:02	0:30:04
-Elis sneaked me on to an empty set -for a quick interview.	0:30:04	0:30:08
-The set of Josh's flat -reminded me of my old flat.	0:30:08	0:30:11
-I used to steal cameras too!	0:30:11	0:30:13
-Many of the stains on the wall -were the same too.	0:30:15	0:30:18
-At least they were by the end of the -day. I was only happy to contribute.	0:30:19	0:30:23
-Elis suggested we go -to Josh's bedroom for the interview.	0:30:24	0:30:28
-You obviously have to go through -the 'clyweliad' (audition) process.	0:30:35	0:30:39
-It's very different from stand-up...	0:30:39	0:30:42
-..where the audience -judges you instantly.	0:30:42	0:30:45
-You only get to hear afterwards. -What's that like?	0:30:46	0:30:49
-What's a clyweliad?	0:30:49	0:30:51
-What's a clyweliad? - -An audition.	0:30:51	0:30:53
-I thought you meant an interview.	0:30:53	0:30:55
-You thought I'd said it wrong!	0:30:56	0:30:57
-You thought I'd said it wrong! - -Yes. I just thought I'd let it go!	0:30:57	0:31:00
-The thing is with an audition...	0:31:02	0:31:05
-..I've found that -you get two shots at it in Britain.	0:31:05	0:31:09
-You only get one shot in America.	0:31:09	0:31:11
-I sat in on the audition process -for the first series of Josh.	0:31:12	0:31:16
-The good thing about that was...	0:31:21	0:31:24
-..I found that it wasn't just -your acting skills that were judged.	0:31:24	0:31:28
-If I didn't get a job, I'd think, -I'm rubbish, I'm such an idiot...	0:31:28	0:31:33
-..I'm the worst actor.	0:31:33	0:31:35
-Maybe a girl who was playing -my girlfriend was too pretty.	0:31:35	0:31:39
-It just wasn't convincing. -That actually happened.	0:31:39	0:31:43
-"You'd never -get a girl like that, Elis."	0:31:43	0:31:46
-We had to find a different actor.	0:31:46	0:31:49
-I watched the show and I -couldn't argue with that point.	0:31:49	0:31:55
-I can't change the way I look...	0:31:55	0:31:58
-..but I can change the way I act.	0:31:58	0:32:01
-I did a chemistry read...	0:32:02	0:32:04
-..where you act with the person -who's already had the job...	0:32:04	0:32:08
-..to see if there's chemistry.	0:32:08	0:32:10
-She was so pretty.	0:32:10	0:32:12
-I just sat there going, huh!	0:32:13	0:32:15
-It looked really unrealistic.	0:32:15	0:32:17
-I felt much better -after that process...	0:32:18	0:32:21
-..because I knew -it wasn't all my fault.	0:32:22	0:32:24
-Blame it on genetics!	0:32:25	0:32:27
-Are you interested in playing -more serious acting roles...	0:32:27	0:32:31
-..or do you want to focus on comedy?	0:32:31	0:32:34
-Focus on comedy, but maybe.	0:32:34	0:32:38
-I've done a little bit...	0:32:38	0:32:40
-..but I don't know how I'd fare -playing serious roles.	0:32:40	0:32:44
-I can't take anything seriously.	0:32:44	0:32:47
-What was the serious role? -I'd like to see that.	0:32:47	0:32:50
-What was it?	0:32:50	0:32:52
-I've done -a couple of plays for Radio 4...	0:32:52	0:32:56
-..but I always try -to add a few jokes.	0:32:56	0:32:58
-Sometimes they say, "Come on, El, -this is an abortion scene.	0:32:59	0:33:03
-"There's no humour in it."	0:33:03	0:33:05
-Oh, yes. Sorry. Yes. Yes. Sorry.	0:33:06	0:33:08
-A little joke? "No, Elis!"	0:33:08	0:33:11
-"It's an abortion scene!"	0:33:11	0:33:14
-You're working -on more and more projects...	0:33:14	0:33:17
-..in front of two audiences now.	0:33:17	0:33:19
-The viewers and the critics.	0:33:19	0:33:21
-Is one more important -than the other for you?	0:33:22	0:33:25
-I grew up reading the NME...	0:33:25	0:33:27
-..so I do actually worry -what the critics think.	0:33:27	0:33:30
-As a teenager....	0:33:31	0:33:35
-..poring through -the NME and Melody Maker...	0:33:35	0:33:38
-..I loved reading -the best critics' columns.	0:33:38	0:33:42
-In the back of my mind, -I always think they're right.	0:33:42	0:33:45
-Is there something someone's written -about you which sticks in the mind?	0:33:46	0:33:50
-Daily Mirror, 2010. "Elis is -relatively high profile in Wales.	0:33:50	0:33:55
-"It beggars belief -on this performance."	0:33:55	0:33:58
-You say perhaps these reviews -don't make a difference...	0:34:00	0:34:04
-Can you go out through the hallway? -Thank you.	0:34:04	0:34:08
-As the crew returned, -I thought it best I disappear...	0:34:08	0:34:11
-..rather than finish the question.	0:34:11	0:34:14
-The crew agreed. Elis agreed too.	0:34:14	0:34:17
-.	0:34:24	0:34:24
-*	0:34:25	0:34:25
-On the set of the Josh sitcom -I caught up with Elis James...	0:34:27	0:34:31
-..at the Twickenham Studios, -where the show's filmed.	0:34:31	0:34:35
-I was sitting -with my back to the door.	0:34:35	0:34:38
-The secret to a successful interview -is blocking the exits.	0:34:38	0:34:43
-With a sitcom like this...	0:34:43	0:34:45
-..you're becoming -more and more well known.	0:34:45	0:34:49
-Do you remember the first time -a stranger recognized you?	0:34:49	0:34:53
-I did a show for new acts -in Edinburgh...	0:34:54	0:34:58
-..called the Comedy Zone in 2008...	0:34:58	0:35:01
-..and about a week after -she saw me doing the gig...	0:35:01	0:35:04
-..a young girl came up to me on the -street and asked for an autograph.	0:35:04	0:35:09
-That didn't happen again -for another five years!	0:35:09	0:35:12
-I remember thinking, this is it! -Here we go!	0:35:12	0:35:16
-She was quite young...	0:35:16	0:35:19
-..so I think she thought I was -a lot more successful than I was.	0:35:20	0:35:24
-It was a bit misleading.	0:35:24	0:35:26
-It was a bit misleading. - -What about now?	0:35:26	0:35:28
-Being in London, I suppose there are -lots of famous people around.	0:35:28	0:35:32
-When Josh aired last year...	0:35:33	0:35:36
-..for the six weeks it was on TV, -I was recognized on the tube.	0:35:36	0:35:41
-Sometimes people take a photo of you -and pretend they haven't.	0:35:41	0:35:45
-But as soon as the programme ends, -it goes then.	0:35:45	0:35:49
-I'm not so famous -that I can't catch a bus.	0:35:49	0:35:52
-I'm not famous at all, really.	0:35:52	0:35:55
-If I go to Edinburgh -and places like Machynlleth...	0:35:57	0:36:03
-..most are comedy fans and I might -get recognized there, but not often.	0:36:03	0:36:09
-It doesn't ruin my life or anything. -I wouldn't want to be really famous.	0:36:09	0:36:14
-I supported Steve Merchant -on his tour...	0:36:15	0:36:19
-..and Stephen's life...	0:36:19	0:36:22
-..is very different -from other people's lives...	0:36:22	0:36:26
-..and he's also very tall, so -he gets recognized all the time.	0:36:27	0:36:31
-I wouldn't want to be recognized -buying milk!	0:36:31	0:36:35
-Is yours a stand-up career -or a comedy career nowadays?	0:36:36	0:36:41
-I'm a comedian. -I do a little stand-up.	0:36:41	0:36:44
-I'm on the radio, Radio X, -as a comedian...	0:36:44	0:36:48
-..I do a little comedy acting -and I write comedy.	0:36:48	0:36:51
-I love comedy. I don't understand -people who don't like comedy.	0:36:52	0:36:56
-Some people -only like serious things.	0:36:56	0:36:58
-Some people would prefer to watch -a programme about Anne Frank...	0:36:59	0:37:03
-..instead of The Simpsons.	0:37:03	0:37:05
-I don't understand people who -finish work, go home and relax...	0:37:05	0:37:10
-..and watch a programme -about the Holocaust.	0:37:10	0:37:14
-Some people say, -"I don't find comedy very funny."	0:37:14	0:37:19
-I did stand-up -at a corporate event once.	0:37:19	0:37:24
-It was a Christmas party...	0:37:24	0:37:26
-..for the Chartered Institute -of Waste Management.	0:37:26	0:37:30
-The president's wife -came up to me and said...	0:37:30	0:37:34
-.."What do you do at the Institute?"	0:37:34	0:37:36
-I said, "I'm doing stand-up."	0:37:37	0:37:39
-She said, "That's a shame -because I hate humour of all kinds."	0:37:39	0:37:44
-I said, "Oh, sorry."	0:37:46	0:37:48
-She said, "There is one humour -I like." "What is that humour?"	0:37:49	0:37:53
-Her husband said, -"It'll Be Alright On The Night...	0:37:53	0:37:57
-"..when the presenter -got pecked by turkeys."	0:37:57	0:38:00
-She said, "Do you do that?" I said, -"No." She said, "Best of luck."	0:38:00	0:38:04
-I bet a part of you -wanted to do a bit of that.	0:38:05	0:38:09
-I don't do many corporates...	0:38:09	0:38:11
-..because my act -doesn't suit corporates.	0:38:11	0:38:15
-You have to wear a suit...	0:38:16	0:38:18
-..and I don't look comfortable -doing stand-up in a suit.	0:38:18	0:38:22
-It's not a comedy club...	0:38:22	0:38:25
-..and it's not about you -or comedy...	0:38:25	0:38:28
-..it's about work colleagues -having a party.	0:38:28	0:38:31
-You have to be -a very special comedian...	0:38:32	0:38:36
-..to break in to that atmosphere...	0:38:36	0:38:39
-..because all they want to do -is talk about work.	0:38:39	0:38:42
-I remember being booked -for one corporate.	0:38:43	0:38:46
-I get 10 times more money -doing corporate...	0:38:47	0:38:50
-..than I would doing a normal gig.	0:38:50	0:38:53
-That's hanging over your head.	0:38:53	0:38:55
-You think, I want to do a good gig, -otherwise they might not pay me.	0:38:56	0:39:01
-They might not have wanted to pay -this much but my agent's cut a deal.	0:39:01	0:39:06
-You're far more nervous.	0:39:06	0:39:08
-With the first one, I thought, -who's good at corporates?	0:39:08	0:39:12
-Who's good at corporates? Lee Evans -must be good at corporates.	0:39:12	0:39:17
-What does Lee Evans do? Slapstick.	0:39:17	0:39:20
-I've never done slapstick in my life -but it just started snowing...	0:39:20	0:39:25
-..and they introduced me -and I walked on and said...	0:39:26	0:39:29
-.."Imagine if I was -slipping and sliding on the ice."	0:39:29	0:39:33
-It got absolutely nothing -because I'm not a slapstick act.	0:39:33	0:39:37
-People were eating their food, -going, "Who's this guy?"	0:39:37	0:39:40
-It was horrific. -It was such an odd choice.	0:39:41	0:39:45
-I thought, I'm going to change -what I've been doing for 10 years...	0:39:45	0:39:50
-..and try something new in the most -high-pressure gig in my life.	0:39:50	0:39:54
-It was horrific. I was paid -but it was a bit of a struggle.	0:39:54	0:39:58
-You've talked a lot -about the financial side.	0:39:59	0:40:02
-As a stand-up, you're a sole trader.	0:40:02	0:40:05
-You're running your own business.	0:40:05	0:40:08
-Were you shocked to discover that?	0:40:08	0:40:11
-Yes, and I'd always worked -in offices with a PAYE system...	0:40:11	0:40:15
-..so nobody'd ever told me -how to do tax returns...	0:40:15	0:40:19
-..what an accountant did -or that I had to keep receipts.	0:40:19	0:40:24
-It was chaos -for the first two years.	0:40:24	0:40:27
-They were in late -because nobody'd told me.	0:40:27	0:40:31
-Nobody could tell me because -I didn't know other comedians.	0:40:32	0:40:36
-Because you create your own work...	0:40:41	0:40:44
-This is going to look like -I'm showing off now...	0:40:44	0:40:49
-..but I'm doing this sitcom -and I'm also doing a documentary...	0:40:50	0:40:54
-..about football in Wales for Radio -4 as well as lots of other things.	0:40:54	0:40:59
-I'm flat out at the moment...	0:40:59	0:41:01
-..but a fortnight ago -I had circuit gigs in Brighton.	0:41:01	0:41:06
-I'd agreed to those gigs -because before Christmas...	0:41:07	0:41:10
-..this month was empty -and I got scared.	0:41:11	0:41:13
-I called this guy -and asked if there were any gaps...	0:41:14	0:41:17
-..and he said, "Four days in April," -so I said, "Brilliant."	0:41:17	0:41:20
-As soon as April arrived...	0:41:21	0:41:23
-..the last thing I wanted to do -was go to Brighton to do gigs...	0:41:23	0:41:27
-..but it was too late -to let those people down.	0:41:27	0:41:31
-It would've been unprofessional.	0:41:31	0:41:34
-And also, -I did those gigs years ago.	0:41:34	0:41:36
-After television and radio dries up, -which it will do...	0:41:37	0:41:41
-..because everything is cyclical, -I'll still be able to do those gigs.	0:41:41	0:41:46
-They paid my rent five years ago.	0:41:46	0:41:48
-I hope they'll pay my mortgage -in five years' time.	0:41:49	0:41:53
-I was flat out...	0:41:53	0:41:56
-..but it felt wrong and -unprofessional to let them down.	0:41:56	0:42:01
-I was tired.	0:42:01	0:42:03
-For the next 40 years, -what would be your perfect career?	0:42:03	0:42:09
-I'd love to write my own sitcom...	0:42:09	0:42:12
-..to be shown -on one of the big channels...	0:42:12	0:42:16
-..like Channel 4 or BBC1.	0:42:16	0:42:18
-A sitcom I'd written...	0:42:18	0:42:20
-..and I'd cast myself -in the lead role.	0:42:21	0:42:24
-What's been -the lowest point of your career?	0:42:25	0:42:28
-There must be something you've done -where you've thought, "Oh!"	0:42:28	0:42:32
-I've had loads of bad gigs.	0:42:32	0:42:35
-I've had hundreds of gigs -where no-one's laughing.	0:42:36	0:42:40
-Someone shouted at me once -in Bristol.	0:42:40	0:42:42
-"You've lost control. You've lost -control and this needs to stop!"	0:42:42	0:42:48
-But you have to make time for it, -don't you, so you can't stop.	0:42:48	0:42:53
-I was the compere, -so I had to go back on.	0:42:53	0:42:58
-It was an open spot night, -so there were eight acts.	0:42:58	0:43:02
-I had to go back on 10 times.	0:43:02	0:43:04
-As soon as I got back on stage and -picked up the mic from the stand...	0:43:04	0:43:08
-..people would turn away -and start chatting.	0:43:09	0:43:12
-The time to have a chat -was when I walked on stage.	0:43:12	0:43:15
-Not everyone had bad gigs.	0:43:15	0:43:18
-The other lads -would have great gigs.	0:43:18	0:43:21
-"I'll hand you back to your compere, -Elis James."	0:43:21	0:43:24
-People'd say, -"It's the rubbish Welsh guy."	0:43:25	0:43:28
-Hello!	0:43:29	0:43:31
-IMITATES MIC FEEDBACK	0:43:31	0:43:33
-Is this thing on? "You're rubbish!"	0:43:33	0:43:37
-"Yep, well, I think it's time -for more comedy."	0:43:37	0:43:42
-"Is that comedy?"	0:43:43	0:43:45
-"Strictly speaking, yes, but it -isn't because you're not laughing.	0:43:45	0:43:50
-"I'm contractually obliged to do..."	0:43:50	0:43:53
-"Get on with it!" "OK."	0:43:53	0:43:56
-I did a professional gig in Bristol.	0:43:56	0:43:59
-Quite a big gig that pays well -about a year ago...	0:43:59	0:44:04
-..and the same thing happened.	0:44:04	0:44:06
-Bristol Jongleurs, August.	0:44:06	0:44:10
-You're meant to do 20 minutes...	0:44:10	0:44:12
-..and I raced through half an hour -in about 10 minutes.	0:44:13	0:44:17
-I looked at my watch -and I'd done just about everything.	0:44:18	0:44:22
-I heard a woman -in the front row saying...	0:44:22	0:44:25
-.."No, he's got PlayStation. -Is Xbox the same as a PlayStation?"	0:44:25	0:44:29
-I thought, -you're not even listening.	0:44:29	0:44:32
-I was perspiring so much...	0:44:32	0:44:34
-..my shirt was soaking wet -and sticking to my back.	0:44:35	0:44:39
-My mouth was so dry...	0:44:39	0:44:41
-..I couldn't lick my lips.	0:44:42	0:44:44
-I couldn't go all the way around -because my lips were so dry.	0:44:44	0:44:49
-I was trying to lick my lips.	0:44:49	0:44:52
-Every time I opened my mouth, it -made a disgusting noise in the mic.	0:44:52	0:44:57
-Anyway, um...	0:44:57	0:44:59
-"Is an Xbox the same as -a PlayStation? He might have both.	0:44:59	0:45:03
-"You'd know better than me."	0:45:04	0:45:06
-"Anyway, er... um..."	0:45:06	0:45:08
-"Get on with it!" "Yep, OK."	0:45:10	0:45:13
-I did 12 minutes and then I said...	0:45:13	0:45:17
-.."I think we've all seen enough."	0:45:17	0:45:20
-I put the mic back in the stand -and the compere was in the loo...	0:45:20	0:45:24
-..so the stage was empty.	0:45:24	0:45:27
-The compere ran out and went...	0:45:27	0:45:30
-.."Elis, er, Elis James!"	0:45:31	0:45:34
-You're a Welsh comedian in London.	0:45:34	0:45:37
-Have you encountered -any anti-Welsh feeling...	0:45:38	0:45:41
-..or any contempt?	0:45:41	0:45:43
-No. I think comedians in the 1990s -might've had it.	0:45:44	0:45:47
-I think Noel James had it -at the start of his career.	0:45:47	0:45:50
-Rhod Gilbert had it -and Rob Brydon too.	0:45:51	0:45:54
-But by the time I started...	0:45:54	0:45:56
-..Rob, especially, -was quite a big star on television.	0:45:57	0:46:01
-And Rhod too. -Rhod's from Carmarthen.	0:46:02	0:46:05
-Those three -pioneered the way forward.	0:46:05	0:46:10
-They changed a lot of those cliches.	0:46:10	0:46:14
-I've never had anyone make bleating -noises at me on stage for 10 years.	0:46:14	0:46:19
-So, Elis, are you happy?	0:46:20	0:46:21
-So, Elis, are you happy? - -Yes, very happy.	0:46:21	0:46:23
-If I wasn't a comedian...	0:46:24	0:46:27
-..and was back -working in an office...	0:46:27	0:46:30
-..I think I'd be unwell, actually.	0:46:30	0:46:34
-I think I'd be ill with stress.	0:46:34	0:46:37
-I couldn't really deal...	0:46:37	0:46:39
-..with any aspect of office life.	0:46:39	0:46:44
-I'd probably work in a pub -or something.	0:46:44	0:46:47
-I'd run a pub.	0:46:48	0:46:50
-I was so ill-suited to office work.	0:46:50	0:46:54
-I was going to bed unhappy...	0:46:56	0:47:02
-..and waking up even more unhappy.	0:47:02	0:47:04
-I couldn't wait -for Friday afternoon.	0:47:05	0:47:08
-Oh, my God!	0:47:08	0:47:10
-I'm living the dream, really.	0:47:11	0:47:13
-I'm not very ambitious, you see.	0:47:14	0:47:16
-If you make a living from comedy, -then I think you've made it.	0:47:16	0:47:21
-A day's filming at the Josh set -was almost over for Elis James.	0:47:27	0:47:31
-I had one interview left.	0:47:31	0:47:33
-I'd saved -the best questions till last.	0:47:33	0:47:37
-The ones you really want to hear.	0:47:37	0:47:40
-The stuff that'd make -the programme unforgettable.	0:47:40	0:47:44
-This interview would be -the climax of the programme...	0:47:44	0:47:48
-..and possibly my career.	0:47:48	0:47:50
-S4C Subtitles by Adnod Cyf.	0:47:58	0:48:00
-.	0:48:00	0:48:00

Prosiect: Elis James Prosiect

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