Out Of Character with Alex Lynch: Conversations with Sketch and Character Comedians

Alex chats to writer and performer Simon Kane (Radio 4’s ‘John Finnemore’s Souvenir Programme’ and ‘Timespanner’, BBC’s ‘Ghosts’) about Flying ants, Finnemore and Gilbert’s Fridge. Simon also creates a character on the spot based solely on the made-up name given to him by Alex in our regular section ‘Chain(ge) of Character’. This episode was recorded 8th July 2022. You can find more of Simon’...

In the second in-person interview of this series, Alex chats to writer and performer Holly Hall (BBC New Comedy Award’s Digital Comedian of The Year) about creating her BBC pilot, reaching out to collaborators, and the Coventry ‘Covmandem’. Holly also creates a character on the spot based solely on the made-up name given to her by the show’s previous guest in ‘Chain(ge) of Character’. Th...

In the first in-person interview of this series, Alex chats to writer and performer Lee Griffiths (Late Night Gimp Fight, C5’s ‘Impractical Jokers’) about wrecking balls, writing a sketch a day, and the Rebel Alliance. Lee also creates a character on the spot based solely on the made-up name given to him by the show’s previous guest in ‘Chain(ge) of Character’. This episode was recorded 6th J...

Alex chats to writer Georgia Pritchett (HBO’s ‘Succession’ and ‘Veep’, BBC’s ‘The Thick of It’) about being a writing chameleon, working on ‘Smack the Pony’, and making gravy with Armando Iannucci. Georgia also creates a character on the spot based solely on the made-up name given to her by the show’s previous guest in ‘Chain(ge) of Character’. This episode was recorded 30th June 2022. Order...

Alex chats to actor, writer and performer Ruth Bratt (BBC’s ‘People Just Do Nothing’, Radio 4’s ‘Trodd En Bratt’ and the Olivier Award-winning ‘Showstopper! The Improvised Musical) about Kurupt FM, the 50-Hour Improvathon and moving house during a pandemic. Ruth also creates a character on the spot based solely on the made-up name given to her by the show’s previous guest in ‘Chain(ge) of Characte...

In the second of this two-parter, Alex chats to Andy about writing on ‘Malcom in the Middle’, being a big part of Greendale Community College, and the Old Negro Space Programme. Andy also creates a character on the spot based solely on the made-up name given to him by the show’s previous guest in ‘Chain(ge) of Character’. This episode was recorded 4th June 2022. Listen to ‘Tumbler’s Willy’ he...

In the first of this two-parter, Alex chats to American writer Andy Bobrow (‘Community’, ‘Brooklyn 99’, ‘The Last Man on Earth’) about The Groundlings, college zines and Tumbler’s Willy.  In second of this two-parter, Alex chats to Andy about writing on ‘Malcom in the Middle’, being a big part of Greendale Community College, and the Old Negro Space Programme. Andy also creates a character on...

Alex chats to writer and performer Alex Lowe (Channel 4’s ‘Peter Kay’s Phoenix Nights’, BBC’s ‘The Peter Serafinowicz Show’) about palmistry, partnerships and end-of-the-pier characters. Alex also creates a character on the spot based solely on the made-up name given to him by Alex in our regular section ‘Chain(ge) of Character’. This episode was recorded 28th May 2022. You can find more of A...

Alex chats to the ‘right honourable’ writer and performer Joanna Neary (BBC’s ‘Ideal’ and ‘Time Trumpet’) about her character work, her Fringe experiences, and why she is actually a wasp in a cardigan. Joanna also creates a character on the spot based solely on the made-up name given to her by Alex in our regular section ‘Chain(ge) of Character’. This episode was recorded 25th May 2022. You c...

Alex chats to writer and performer Tom Burgess (CBBC’s ‘Blue Peter’, Radio 4’s ‘Newsjack’, ‘The Beef and Dairy Network’) about Mach Fest, old men in blazers and ties, and performing sketch comedy with egg on your face. Tom also creates a character on the spot based solely on the made-up name given to him by Alex in our regular section ‘Chain(ge) of Character’. This episode was recorded 7th Ma...

Alex chats to writer and director Dipak Patel (BBC Comedy) about his foray into comedy, working with actors, and wrestling. Dipak also creates a character on the spot based solely on the made-up name given to him by Alex in our regular section ‘Chain(ge) of Character’. This episode was recorded 1st September 2021.  You can find more of Dipak’s work here…  dipakpatel.com   ...

Alex chats to writer and performer Ellie White (BBC’s  The Other One , C4’s  The Windsors  and  Stath Let’s Flats ) about Bristol, writing sketch for TV and quitting social media. Ellie also creates a character on the spot based solely on the made-up name given to her by Alex in our regular section ‘Chain(ge) of Character’. This episode was recorded 31st August 2021. ...

Alex chats to writer and performer Will Hartley (writer of ITV2’s ‘Zomboat’, star of CBBC’s ‘Fit’ and Radio 4’s ‘Strap In… It’s Clever Peter’) about agile pivots, dream factories and one-man Westerns. Will also creates a character on the spot based solely on the made-up name given to him by Alex in our regular section ‘Chain(ge) of Character’. This episode was recorded 28th July 2021. You can...

Alex chats to writer and performer Eleanor Morton (All Rather Mysterious, Weirdos Comedy) about lockdown videos, performing comedy on ice and the paranormal. Eleanor also creates a character on the spot based solely on the made-up name given to her by Alex in our regular section ‘Chain(ge) of Character’. This episode was recorded 17th July 2021. You can find more of Eleanor’s work at…  h...

Alex chats to writer and performer Will Sebag-Montefiore (BBC’s ‘Poldark’, ITV’s ‘Endeavour) about his sketch ventures with Just These Please, making online content, and fisting pies. Will also creates a character on the spot based solely on the made-up name given to him by the show’s previous guest in ‘Chain(ge) of Character’. This episode was recorded 10th July 2020. You can find out more a...

Alex chats to writer, performer and improviser Briony Redman (The Free Association, BFI short Smear , Questing Time ) about switching from law to comedy, improv marathons and Bjork. Briony also creates a character on the spot based solely on the made-up name given to her by the show’s previous guest in ‘Chain(ge) of Character’. This episode was recorded 9th July 2021. You can find out more ab...

In the first in-person interview on the show, Alex chats to writer, performer and Victorian rapper/explorer Professor Elemental (Disney’s Phineas and Ferb and creator of YouTube viral sensation Cup of Brown Joy) about comedy and hip hop, rap workshops, strange gigs and making a career out of one character. The man behind the Prof Paul Alborough also creates a character on the spot based solely on...

Alex chats to actor, writer and performer Kathryn Bond (CBBC’s ‘Class Dismissed’, Amazon’s ‘Whitstable Pearl’ and Funny Women Comedy Writing Award Winner 2021) about clowns, characters and kid’s shows. Kat also creates a character on the spot based solely on the made-up name given to her by the show’s previous guest in ‘Chain(ge) of Character’. This episode was recorded 21st June 2021. You ca...

In the second of this two-parter, Alex chats to Joel about live audience, finding character voices and working with Charlie Brooker. Joel also creates a character on the spot based solely on the made-up name given to him by the show’s previous guest in ‘Chain(ge) of Character’. This episode was recorded 18th June 2021. Watch Cunk on Shakespeare here…  https://youtu.be/9YeCpHoy9EQ  &...

In the first of this two-parter, Alex chats to writer Joel Morris (BBC’s T hat Mitchell & Webb Look , SKY’s A Touch of Cloth and Radio 4’s Agendum ) about writers’ rooms, Framley Examiner and bringing back the Ladybird Books. Joel also creates a character on the spot based solely on the made-up name given to him by the show’s previous guest in ‘Chain(ge) of Character’. This episode was recorde...

Alex chats to writer and author Fran Bushe (author of My Broken Vagina ) about comedy courses, giant sketch props, and coming up with her smash-hit solo show, ‘Ad-Libido’. Vaj badge! Fran also creates a character on the spot based solely on the made-up name given to her by the show’s previous guest in ‘Chain(ge) of Character’. This episode was recorded 13th June 2021. You can find out more ab...

Alex chats to writer and performer Tom Neenan (BBC’s T he Mash Report , Radio 4’s The Hauntening and BBC Sounds’ Tom Neenan is Not All Men ) about his sketch double-act with Nish Kumar, playing with structure, and building a Dalek in lockdown. Tom also creates a character on the spot based solely on the made-up name given to him by Alex in our regular section ‘Chain(ge) of Character’. This episode...

Alex chats to writer performer Kieran Hodgson (C4’s ‘How Europe Stole My Mum’, BBC’s ‘Jonathan Creek’ and ‘Siblings’) about being a jack of all trades, locking down in New Zealand and the many differing journeys of doing a one-man show. Kieran also creates a character on the spot based solely on the made-up name given to him by Alex in our regular section ‘Chain(ge) of Character’. This episode was...

In the second of this two-parter, Alex chats to writer, actor and script editor Gemma Arrowsmith (BBC’s ‘Tracey Ullman Show’, BBC Radio 4’s ‘Gemma Arrowsmith: Emergency Broadcast’) about satire and sketch, panels and planets, rejections and radio silence. Gemma also creates a character on the spot based solely on the made-up name given to her by the show’s previous guest in ‘Chain(ge) of Character...

In the first of this two-parter, Alex chats to writer, actor and script editor Gemma Arrowsmith (BBC’s ‘Tracey Ullman Show’, BBC Radio 4’s ‘Gemma Arrowsmith: Emergency Broadcast’) about online writers rooms, love of Sci-fi, and discovering comedy via Birmingham video shops. In second of this two-parter, Alex chats to Gemma about satire and sketch, panels and planets, rejections and radio silence....