James Acaster: ‘I had a meltdown on Bake Off – I’d never handle Strictly’

As a seasoned movie enthusiast with a penchant for all things quirky and charming, I find myself utterly captivated by the enigmatic James Acaster. His home, adorned with the remnants of a cat-shredded armchair, serves as a testament to his love for his feline family. Four felines, you ask? Yes, four: Terry, Roo, Alex, and the one who goes by the superhero name, Spider-Man.

What’s the view from your sofa?

As a dedicated film enthusiast lounging in my cozy den, I’ve made peace with the battlefield-like state of my living room – a battleground between my beloved feline companions and the armchair that once stood proudly by the television. In a quirky twist of fate, we’ve willingly surrendered this piece of furniture to their playful claws, embracing the chaos as part of our shared domestic life. If they wish to unleash their destructive prowess upon our furnishings, so be it – it’s all in a day’s entertainment for us and our feline kings!

How many cats do you have?

Initially, we took in Terry, a stray cat from the vet, as he was unwanted. Nine months after that, Roo joined our family, followed by another nine months when we decided to adopt a third cat. Since we couldn’t decide between two cats we liked, we ended up getting both of them. We’ve been living with these three (and Spider-Man) for about two years now, and they have formed quite the group.

Who controls the remote control?

Our partnership is incredibly balanced when it comes to choosing what we watch on TV – usually, the one who sits down first is the one whose show gets watched, with the other following suit without question or discussion about changing it.

What’s the last thing you watched?

After recently traveling to the United States, I spent my flight time revisiting “The Wire.” Upon my return, I’ll be able to catch the Strictly Come Dancing semi-finals, but there’s quite a bit for me to catch up on first.

Would you do Strictly if asked?

In simpler terms, let me remind you of an incident where I had a major breakdown during one episode of Bake Off. It appears to me that Strictly might be a bit more demanding than baking for charity. When a competitor is eliminated in the first week, their sense of relief is evident because they didn’t fully grasp the amount of work involved. Frankly, I wouldn’t even make it past the starting line. I would have dropped out before it was shown on TV.

What’s your fondest childhood TV memory?

As a devoted cinephile, Saved by the Bell was the very first television series that captivated my heart and left an indelible impression. To this day, it remains a standard of excellence, arguably the most influential TV show the world has ever seen.

When did you realise you were good at making people laugh?

When I was young, I attended a church where I had the opportunity to perform a humorous skit. This was my initial experience receiving laughter from an audience. I must have been about six years old at the time. It wasn’t so much that I felt happy they were laughing because it meant I was amusing; instead, I realized that I could elicit a response from people by being on stage.

In your recent stand-up performance titled “Hecklers Welcome,” you seem to not only tolerate but actively invite audience interruptions. I must admit, it seems like an invitation for potential conflicts or disruptions.

Expressing that everyone has the freedom to act as they wish, without fear of reprimand, created a more open and carefree environment. Relinquishing the need for everything to be flawless also makes one feel safer to experience imperfections.

How are you feeling about the countdown to Christmas?

A few of us visited a bar adorned with Christmas decorations not long ago. The scene was quite wild, yet the drinks were exceptionally tasty – sometimes it’s worth embracing the chaos.

Are you good at buying presents?

I enjoy creating small assortments, similar to music mix tapes, but filled with food instead. These include treats such as Norwegian Smash! (a type of salty, bugle-shaped crisp dipped in chocolate), Trader Joe’s Scandinavian Swimmers sweets, and Tunnock’s Caramel Wafers. Although often overlooked among other biscuits, they are my favorite British chocolates!

What do you want for Christmas, apart from Justice for Tunnock’s?

More time with my cats.

Starting from Tuesday, 10th December 2024, you can catch James Acaster’s “Hecklers Welcome” comedy special on Sky Comedy and the streaming platform NOW.

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2024-12-05 04:13