John Bishop explains why Bradley Cooper’s film about life is “like watching a memory”

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With his first two films as director, Bradley Cooper took on some pretty major projects.

Bradley Cooper made his directorial debut with the 2018 film A Star Is Born, a remake of a classic Hollywood musical. He also starred in the movie alongside Lady Gaga, and it quickly gained a large and passionate fanbase, earning numerous award nominations.

Cooper’s next project was equally grand in scope: a film about the life and marriage of the famous composer Leonard Bernstein. Cooper also starred in the movie, and it went on to receive multiple Academy Award nominations.

So, with his third film, Is This Thing On?, Cooper really switched things up a bit – it feels a lot more grounded, honestly. This time, he was inspired by the comedian John Bishop, and Will Arnett plays a character who basically goes through a version of Bishop’s own life experiences. It’s cool to see him tackle something a little different!

The movie, taking place in New York City instead of Liverpool, centers on Arnett’s character as he unexpectedly begins a career in comedy. This new pursuit not only changes his life but also helps revitalize his struggling marriage.

We recently showed the film to friends and family in Liverpool, and it was surreal for them to see a depiction of our lives projected on the big screen – a life they’d actually witnessed firsthand!

He explained that since the movie was based on his relationship with his wife, rather than a strict retelling of their life story, he could approach it with some distance. However, he still felt a bit overwhelmed while watching it.

He described the film as incredibly accurate and emotionally resonant, saying it felt like watching a memory. He explained that the whole project started eight years ago when he and Arnett met at a social event on a barge in Amsterdam.

As soon as Arnett heard the story on the boat, he knew it would be perfect for a film.

At first, he was fascinated by how incredibly successful Bishop had become, considering his comedy career started in such an unexpected way. But after talking to Cooper – a long-time friend – they both agreed the story would be more interesting if it centered around Bishop’s marriage.

Arnett noted that the comedian’s current success is remarkable and could be a story on its own. They ultimately decided not to focus on that aspect of his career – specifically, his achievements as a stand-up comedian – in their project.

John once told me it’s been incredible to build a career from that experience, but he sees that as just a bonus. What really mattered – and what impressed us – was how much it changed his life.

He explained that despite how unbelievable the story is, it’s surprisingly easy to connect with. Ultimately, it’s about people finding themselves and rebuilding relationships – something everyone can understand. He particularly appreciated that it was a positive and uplifting story.

Bishop is well-known in Europe, but not as famous in the United States. Many of the film’s actors, including acclaimed Oscar winner Laura Dern (who plays Tess, the wife of Arnett’s character), hadn’t heard of him or his life story before they joined the movie.

She said it was wonderful learning about him by seeing how he created comedy and how it became his way of processing and sharing what he was going through.

I remember hearing how he started doing comedy when he was really going through a tough time in his marriage – he was worried it was heading for divorce, and it became his outlet. It’s amazing to think about now, looking at his incredible success, but it also saved his marriage! They managed to reconnect by remembering what they both loved and focusing on their own passions, which is so inspiring.

Andra Day, an Academy Award nominee, was also drawn to the story of the film’s subject, explaining she was particularly moved by the fact that it had a positive outcome. Day portrays a close friend of the couple at the heart of the story.

I really enjoyed discovering his unique comedic style. I believe the best comedians are genuine, intelligent, and open with their audiences, and he embodies all of those qualities. It’s been wonderful getting to know him, his wife, and their story.

Thankfully, both Bishop and his wife Melanie were very happy with the finished product.

He remembered returning home that weekend and telling someone, ‘I met an actor named Will Arnett, and he’s interested in helping write the movie,’ after their initial meeting in Amsterdam.

Eventually, you get to a point where it’s out of your hands and you just have to accept whatever happens. Melanie really captured it when we finally saw the finished film. She said that if you’d asked her eight years ago what she’d hoped for, this would have been exactly it!

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Is This Thing On? is released in UK cinemas on Friday 30th January 2026.

Authors

Patrick CremonaSenior Film Writer

I’m a big fan of TopMob, and I always check out their film coverage! Patrick Cremona is their Senior Film Writer, and he really knows his stuff when it comes to everything new hitting theaters or streaming services. He’s been writing for them since 2019, and in that time, he’s interviewed tons of famous actors and reviewed all kinds of movies – it’s a really diverse range, which I love!

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2026-01-29 17:35