Land of the three
Online trolls target comedy sketch toddler for her views on US leader
Comedian Mark Nelson has claimed his daughter has been targeted by online trolls from all over the world for her views on Donald Trump – even though she’s only three.
Mark and toddler Isla are internet sensations after starring in a series of BBC Scotland clips.
The sketches see them discussing the news – with Isla seemingly more clued up on world affairs than the average infant.
One Donald Trump video went viral, with more than seven million hits. But telly stand- up Mark, 36, revealed not everyone gets the joke.
He said: “Isla loves doing it. It’s a cool thing that we do together.
“She’s not got an agent yet but I’m expecting some pretty tough pocket money negotiations. Isla’s been getting recognised. She’s quite the hit at her nursery as well.”
But Dumfries-born Mark added: “There’s been ones you get a lot of flak for because it’s the internet. Any time we do anything about Trump, every third comment is having a go.
“The one we get most is people not grasping that it’s scripted. Some folk think this three-year-old has fully formed opinions on international politics.
“And you can’t really argue back with them because they’re so stupid.”
Mark – due to perform at the Byre Theatre in St Andrews for the That’s Fife Festival on April 15– films himself talking with Isla, who gives possible solutions to global problems. In one sketch, she builds a wall with toy bricks, telling him: “I’m playing Donald Trump.”
Mark tells her: “What? Listen, I don’t think it’s OK for someone your age to pretend to be Donald Trump.”
But Isla responds: “I know. I really have to dumb down.”
Isla’s verdict on Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson is: “He couldn’t do one of my jigsaws, never mind foreign policy.”
Mark – the 2006 Scott ish comedian of the year – has just finished a sellout run at Glasgow Comedy Festival with his show Smiley Face.
But he knows Isla could be about to call time on their sketches.
He said: “She’s starting to get an attitude about it so I don’t know how long it will last. There’s a lot more demands before she’ll perform.”
Mark says he has a ready-made replacement – his one-year-old son Seamus. He said: “I think he’s itching to take over.”