10 Questions for Josie Long
Comedian Josie Long performed stand-up for the first time when she was just 14. She won the BBC Comedy Award at 17, was nominated for best comic at the Edinburgh Festival three times and has produced two films in Glasgow. Josie brings her new show to The Stand in Edinburgh on March 8 and Glasgow on the 9th and 11th. Her series, Short Cuts, is on BBC Radio 4, Tuesdays at 3pm.
WHAT WAS THE 14-YEAR-OLD JOSIE’S ROUTINE LIKE?
It was terrible. I’m afraid there weren’t any jokes in it. Or laughs. It was awful, bad, sad and embarrassing. Not sure how I got away with it.
DO YOU EVER READ REVIEWS OF YOUR SHOWS?
Absolutely never. Let’s face it, I didn’t ask the critics for advice, did I? I just ignore them. What they write is for other people, not for me.
HOW ARE THE POLITICS IN YOUR SHOW GOING DOWN?
It varies from town to town depending on whether they’re for Brexit or not. I voted Remain so in some places the audience and I have to come to a bit of an understanding. At the end of the day, I’m trying to make them laugh. It’s fine.
WHAT WOULD YOU ASK KATIE HOPKINS IF YOU MET HER?
Why don’t you just give up? Quit!
YOU’VE HAD SOME FLAK ON TWITTER, HAVEN’T YOU?
Sometimes I vent on there and people seem to want to shut me down. I get disproportionate abuse but I think it’s OK to be opinionated and strident. I don’t target individuals.
DO YOU HANDLE THE ABUSE WELL?
It did hurt a lot and then I thought I can’t let this affect me. I’m just a comedian trying to make people’s days better, but all of us are hypocrites. Me too.
HOW DO YOU KEEP SANE ON TOUR?
Sometimes I’m lying on the dressing room floor after 10 shows in a row shouting “No More!” I get over it quickly as I love being on stage. The temptation is to eat chips all day and think you’re on holiday, so I’ve learned to go for a run, or do something physical instead.
EVER BEEN IN AWE OF ANYONE?
Yes. When I met the singer Joanna Newsom I couldn’t talk. I just held her hand and cried and she was very gracious. I wanted her to know she’s the best human being
ever, but I couldn’t talk.
WHAT’S SO GREAT ABOUT GLASGOW?
You’re kidding. Where do I start? How about the people, culture, art, architecture, nightlife...? It’s the best city in the world.
YOU HAVE 24 HOURS LEFT TO LIVE. HOW DO YOU SPEND IT?
I met a special person recently so I’d spend it cuddling him, filling the hours with love, talking, that sort of stuff. But I’d also insist someone made me three cracking meals too.