You have to laugh

As a supporter, I wholeheartedly endorse Matt Chorley for his new role at 5 Live’s afternoon politics show. With his background as a comedian, journalist, and political commentator, he brings an unique perspective to the table that is both entertaining and informative.

Matt Chorley’s weekday show on 5 Live begins on Monday. Add it your collection.

As a film enthusiast, I find politics to be quite an amusing spectacle, which is why I believe a comedian like myself would make an excellent host for BBC Radio 5 Live’s new afternoon political talk show. Matt Chorley, a columnist, author, frequent panelist on “Have I Got News for You”, and former presenter on Times Radio for four years, is the chosen one for this role. His three sold-out political comedy tours in recent times serve as testament to his comedic prowess at the age of 42. He draws a parallel with John Sergeant, who was once part of a sketch show with Alan Bennett before embarking on a journalism career and had a somewhat similar trajectory, albeit more successful in comedy.

A somewhat analogous journey: Sergeant attended a private school followed by Oxford University, whereas Chorley, as he narrates, “Grew up on the Somerset Levels, went to a state-funded high school, completed my A-levels in Taunton, and was ready for university. However, I received a paid internship at the local newspaper during summer. I reasoned that if I attended university, in three years’ time, I would be right back here yearning for this very opportunity, so I chose not to go. This decision is uncommon in the realm of national journalism.”

Following his stint with the “Taunton Times,” he shifted base to London in 2004. In the subsequent year, he landed a position in the House of Commons press gallery with the Press Association (PA). Since then, he has been associated with Westminster, working for various media outlets such as the “Independent on Sunday” and “The Times.” In essence, he’s had a diverse career, but at heart, he remains a journalist. His passion lies in storytelling and enlightening people about an intriguing world; humor is one tool he employs to achieve this goal.

I don’t reveal my politics – largely because I don’t really have any

“It would seem unusual not to mention Rishi Sunak’s campaign speech in the rain, even though he might have preferred an umbrella. By finding humor in unexpected situations like this, we can make politics feel more relatable and less detached from our daily lives. This approach can make people think, ‘That show is entertaining. And if I’m learning something along the way, that’s a bonus.'”

Interestingly, there was one individual who observed Sunak being soaked outside Downing Street yet failed to return the favor with a smile – it was Chorley himself. Earlier, a statement announcing his transition from Times Radio to 5 Live, hinting at an upcoming general election, had been disseminated. “I endured a rather grumbly afternoon,” he acknowledges. “However, I’m fine now. I’m in this for the long run. There will be more elections, and for now, we have a new Labour government, a Conservative leadership race, and the U.S. election, which is quite unpredictable.”

He’s absolutely thrilled about beginning his work with the BBC, the globally recognized broadcasting giant. It’s not so much, “I never thought I’d end up at the BBC,” but there is a sense of that in him. What truly excites him isn’t merely being part of the corporation, but having the opportunity to debut a substantial political talk show, which hasn’t been attempted for some time.

Instead of facing the scrutiny he did at Times Radio, he can expect a much more intense examination concerning potential political biases in his new role. However, he is unfazed by this, as he’s confident that his past professional training and lifelong commitment to impartiality will serve him well. Essentially, he feels his job has never been about telling others what to think, and his political leanings are not readily apparent due to the lack of them.

Who is your political hero, I ask abruptly. It’s an unkind question of the sort he will be expected to ask politicians. He equivocates before offering, “He’s not quite a political hero, but someone who I knew very little about [before writing his latest book, Planes, Trains and Toilet Doors: 50 Places That Changed British Politics] and think is quite extraordinary is Ramsay MacDonald, the first Labour prime minister. He came from a poor part of Scotland, was brought up by his mother on her own, and ended up becoming prime minister for a party that had never been in government before.”

A clever answer with both a plug and a caveat that avoids nailing his colours to any contemporary political mast. Almost a politician’s answer, in fact. Funny that.

2024-08-30 17:34

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