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AI love, nude In this, at any point?” Jim Howick asks nervously. The actor is referring to the festive special delightful family sitcom here it isWhich he will not be able to see until it is broadcast in the country on BBC One in the primetime slot on New Year’s Eve. I can confirm that there is a glimpse of torso in the blink of an eye in her swimming trunks.
,Oh yes, I have a boil on my face and I’m in the sauna. Great., He lets out a pained laugh. ,here it is One of those scripts that really makes you laugh out loud, but you read it with a sense of dread. I’m always wondering, what’s going to happen? Usually I’m the butt of the joke. To be thrown into a lake or something. I am a walking unfortunate.”
here it is, created by Ballad of Wallis IslandTom Basden isSince launching in 2020, it has quietly become one of the funniest shows on British television. Three seasons in now, the Jessops, the suburban Bedford family at its center, have more or less become quirky distant relatives of those who know comedy and love it. Howick plays Paul, a father who takes everything very seriously, from his almost-Olympic glory in archery to this New Year’s Eve “firework fantasaganza.” The Jessop clan also includes Alison Steadman’s Sue – Paul’s mother, a scouser and a chronic feeder. and Katherine Parkinson’s Rachel, Paul’s wife, who loves her husband dearly but suffers from ick almost constantly whenever she is in his presence.
Howick says, “It really feels like the Jessops are now, after series three, a welcome part of the comedy landscape.” “We know them as a family, we know how they’ll react to certain things, and I think that’s when the shows become a comfort.”
Howick is speaking to me from the kitchen of his home in north London on a cold day in mid-December. His beard looks as hot as a snood. Behind him is a fridge covered with magnets from his travels over the years. In front of him is a load of parcels that have been delivered just in time for Christmas. That’s enthusiastic company – but, I must add, no. Very Enthusiastic. He requests that I not punctuate his quotes with excessive exclamation marks, admitting that this is his mischief. “There are always a lot of exclamation marks in my interviews,” he says, pleased and a little disappointed. “And I read it and I felt like I hadn’t He Excited.”
Although you would forgive Howick, 46, for being a little agitated. He has been part of some of the most successful British comedies of recent years peep Show (as David Mitchell’s romantic rival Gerard). terrible history (Playing everyone from “Naughty Napoleon” to Richard III)sex education (a strange science teacher) and Evil spirit (Both star and co-producer). now he can add Here it is, Which is moving towards its fourth season in the list.
Howick puts here it isIts success depends partly on the fact that it has been given time to grow and breathe, and partly on how it brings families together in front of the TV. “Parents used to say to me, ‘Evil spirit It’s the only thing that gets my teenage son out of his bedroom,’ and I’m getting a similar reaction here it is,” he says. “I’m very fortunate to be involved in these comedies that have cross-generational appeal.”
The format of the show is also a winner. While the golden rule of screen acting for many actors is to never look directly into the camera, Howick – via peep Show Or terrible history – Have made my career by doing the opposite. here it is A similar technique is required. All of the sitcom’s events are seen through the video camera of Jessop’s son, Sam, meaning Howick and company will take a look at the fourth wall when they want to emphasize a punchline, or turn a subtle joke into something, well, not so subtle. “A lot of successful comedies do this – This country, office. God bless Rob Reiner, the first time I saw it spinal Tap And it’s such a useful comedy tool that audiences love it. This makes them feel like they’re in the room with you, part of the fun, and you’re talking directly to them.
So many of the pinnacles of Hawick’s career have been at the BBC that it is no surprise that, on the day we speak, as Trump announces his $10 billion lawsuit against the broadcaster, Hawick is floundering. “I’m extremely proud to work for them,” he says, as he recalls the times when he used to watch sitcoms and dramas with his family, it was almost always on the BBC. “And if I ever had the choice of watching any channel for a global event like a wedding or the World Cup final, I would always choose the BBC, and I think most people would. The quality of coverage, journalism and production is second to none, and we are lucky for that, and I have been very fortunate to work for them for the last 20 years. As far as I’m concerned, the BBC’s comedy output in my lifetime has been the best in the world.”
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Of all the TV shows Howick has starred in over the years, this is terrible history These days he is recognized by most (except occasionally). peep Show The fan yelling “Oi, Gerard, you prick!”). When the show – partly horror history guide, partly musical sketch comedy – ran from 2009 to 2014, it was targeted at 10-year-olds who are now in their mid-twenties and frequent the same pubs and events as Howick.
I read that, further terrible historyShe and her co-stars would try to hide sex noises in the sketches. When I ask for more details here, he scowls and explains that it was a “morale exercise” he devised to keep himself healthy. “We were in our mid-twenties at the time, so I think it’s fair to say that we hadn’t reached peak maturity. And plus there was a level of hysteria generated on the set terrible history Because of the amount of work we had to do. I don’t think I can do the show anymore – it’s a young person’s game, that’s work. It drove you crazy – the looks, the time spent in the makeup chair, the crunch of time filming each sketch. It all added to the tone of the show – a kind of punk, throwback, dressing-up-box – I think that’s what really made it such a hit.
He said, “If you listen carefully enough, maybe the sex noise can be detected. You have to watch it all, every episode.”
We’re coming to the end of our time here and talk turns to New Year’s plans – is any “firework fantasy” on the cards?
“Some people are happy to just stick with it and let it become another number on the calendar,” Howick says. “I don’t know if I’m there yet, but it’s definitely gotten quieter for me. New Year’s Eve for me is board games and a kitchen disco with some friends. And not really going anywhere.” He takes one look at me and, dare I say it, is very enthusiastic. “Except oblivion of course!”
The New Year special ‘Here We Go’ will air on BBC One on 31 December at 8pm