Paul Merton
Paul Merton
Paul James Martin, known professionally as Paul Mertonis an English writer, actor, comedian, radio and television presenter...
NationalityBritish
ProfessionComedian
Date of Birth9 July 1957
bringing ellis european immigrants onto people saw steps thousands took trip
Beginning with a trip out to Ellis Island, I saw for myself where thousands of European immigrants took their first steps onto American soil, bringing with them nothing but their ambition: people such as Erich von Stroheim and Adolph Zukor.
attacked helped kicked midnight neil players store street time
In 1986, I was attacked in the street as I helped Neil Mullarkey from the Comedy Store Players to put up posters. We were in the wrong place at the wrong time - midnight - and we were English. I got kicked in the head.
believe directly friday guy morning nearly people talking tv
In a psychiatric hospital, a lot of people believe that people on TV are talking to them directly through the screen. I'm with about 500 of these people, and I'm on TV every Friday night. As I was queuing up for breakfast one morning, one guy nearly jumped out of his skin. My first thought was to go 'Woooo!'
absurd gets laugh life maybe mean noose puts
When things are difficult, awful, stressful, the thing that always gets you through is a sense of humour. I don't mean - well, maybe I do - laugh at the hangman as he puts the noose around your neck. But an eye, an ear, for the ridiculous, the absurd in life, can get you through a lot.
maybe morning next perception suffers total
Maybe there's a perception of me as grumpy old bugger who suffers from depression. It's a total misconception. I don't think of myself as any grumpier than the next person. I'm not even grumpy first thing in the morning.
came fine flight four goes job learnt plane turbulence
I was flying to the Maldives in 2000 when the plane went through turbulence - after that, I didn't fly for four years. Then a job came up in India, so I did a simulator flight and learnt about what goes on in the cockpit. I'm fine now.
buster chaplin gag keaton pursuit tunnel worked
I read every book about Buster Keaton and Chaplin to see how they worked - it's all about dedication, tunnel vision, pursuit of perfection, getting the gag right.
business economics favour microphone people pleased wonderful
The economics favour one-man comedy shows: all you need is one person, a microphone and a PA system. But I'm pleased so many people are making a living out of comedy - it's a wonderful business to be in.
people world way
Well, sanity, I suppose, is getting people to see the world your way.
creating remember realised
When I turned about 12 or 13, I realised that being funny wasn't about remembering jokes. It was about creating them.
comedy interest contemporary
I really don't take any interest at all in contemporary comedy.
firsts politician disappointed
I've never been disappointed by politicians. I've never invested that much in them in the first place.