British comedian Bill Bailey pits New Zealand against Australia in a new home-grown quiz.

Bill Bailey talks about his new New Zealand quiz show Patriot Brains, his work ethic and the art of happiness. Melenie Parkes reports.

With his wild hair and perpetually bewildered expression, comedian Bill Bailey should have been a shoo-in for a role in The Lord Of The Rings.

Despite auditioning for a part in the film series, it never came to pass for the Tolkien fan but now Bailey is playing the overlord in a very different local production.

Currently touring New Zealand with his show En Route To Normal, Bailey will also be seen on screen adjudicating a trans-Tasman battle in the comedy quiz show Patriot Brains.

“The opportunity to come to New Zealand and perform was something I really wanted to make the most of and it just so happened by real serendipity that I was able to come and make the TV show as well,” says Bailey.

“I think one of the key things about happiness is that you have to be honest with yourself and you really have to identify what you want out of life, what it is that makes you happy.”

– Bill Bailey

In Patriot Brains, two panels comprising New Zealand and Australian comedians answer a range of questions about their nation’s history to try to find out which team knows their country best, while long-running disputes are dredged up in the process.

A frequent visitor to Antipodean shores, Bailey has observed the rivalry between our nations for 25 years now.

“That’s been a kind of constant background soundtrack to my time in both countries,” he says.

“You’re always aware of it, this kind of constant sledging between the two countries. A lot of it is down to ownership of things, like actors or bands.

“The general sort of stereotype is that Australia is a bit louder, a bit brasher and New Zealand is a little bit more sort of self-deprecating. And that sort of played out in the show, which I thought was great.”

Bailey himself has appeared as a panellist on many UK comedy quiz shows such as QI and 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown but enjoyed the chance to wield the power for once as the Patriot Brains host. “It was really good fun to be a host,” he says.

“It was really a great new experience for me to be able to do that.” It is a real coup for the makers of Patriot Brains, who also created 7 Days, to attract a big name like Bailey. The entertainer says the concept appealed because it was funny and well written.

“I thought this is something that I could bring something to. In a way, I’m well placed to fulfil the role because this is a panel show where teams of New Zealand and Australian comedians are quizzed about their own countries, but it needs a neutral host.”

Bailey, 56, who has a teenage son, Dax, with wife Kristin, is known for his deadpan, mind-bending, observational humour.

He has become a staple on screen but is probably still best known to many New Zealand viewers for his character Manny Bianco in the comedy Black Books.

He has also acted in Skins, Doctor Who and In The Long Run and has presented several wildlife documentaries.

Last year, he won Strictly Come Dancing UK with the help of professional dancer Oti Mabuse. Bailey’s fleet footwork captivated the nation and inspired a dance renaissance, particularly among older men.

“All these dance schools around the country are reporting a sort of take-up of men, perhaps a little bit older, perhaps hadn’t really considered doing a class before and now thinking, ‘Well, perhaps I can’. And I think that’s just wonderful.”

As with his dancing, Bailey approaches everything he does with maximum enthusiasm. When he’s not touring or appearing on TV he is drawing, writing or making music – he plays several instruments.

He attributes his passion for his projects to his family values.

“My grandfather left a very distinct impression on me and his worldview on life was very much you just have to work, you have to keep going. He instilled in me

this Protestant work ethic, which was that you gain something from work. You have to put in to get out of life – throw yourself into some things 100 per cent. You really just have to commit to something to get something out of it.

“I think that’s such a sort of simple philosophy, but I think it’s very true. And it does hold up and that’s really what I’ve done my whole life.”

Last year, he released his latest book, Bill Bailey’s Remarkable Guide To Happiness, in which he humorously ponders joy and how to find it.

The subject proved to be a timely one given the events of the past 12 months and the global pandemic.

“I think one of the key things about happiness is that you have to be honest with yourself and you really have to identify what you want out of life, what it is that makes you happy.

“And be honest about that as well. Because sometimes it’s not the things that you think it is. Sometimes it’s just simple stuff – being at home, making a coffee, being with family, listening to birdsong, that’ll do it.

“And you don’t have to chase some unattainable dream that other people are living some better life. Probably they aren’t.”