Josh Widdicombe: ‘I’ve ruined my life if Channel 4 does get privatised’
As hit comedy series Hypothetical returns to Dave, Danielle de Wolfe discovers more from its popular presenters James Acaster and Josh Widdicombe
Dressed in a tawny brown corduroy jacket, an inflatable doughnut slung loosely around his waist, the sight of comedian James Acaster grappling with oversized props is one Hypothetical viewers will be all too familiar with. Striding purposefully across the set, Acaster joins fellow comedian Josh Widdicombe behind the show’s elongated presenting desk. Ridiculous in the extreme, it sees the pair sitting metres apart, a subtle reminder of the stringent Covid protocols and social distancing measures much of the television industry had to adhere to only a handful of months ago.
“We kept it because we don’t like each other, it’s just easier,” jokes Widdicombe, 39, nodding to the expanse of space separating the pair on-screen. “Bigger budget, bigger set,” smiles The Last Leg comedian.
Acaster and Widdicombe are a presenting double-act linked by more than simply comedic prowess. It’s a friendship that dates back some 14 years.
Two names now synonymous with both the television and live comedy circuits, the pair’s relationship was forged at a time when both comedians regularly endured awkward silences at open-mic nights, broken only by the shouts of rowdy hecklers.
“I feel very lucky to have made a friend in comedy so early on, who was on the same page as me – and still is,” reflects Acaster, 37, with a fond smile. “It’s such a crazy time being on the open-mic circuit. We had this fun, scary, bizarre experience together for two years.”
Going on to describe his “affection” for those he shared a bill with during the early days of his career, the comedian – best known for his appearances on Mock The Week and sellout live tour Cold Lasagne Hate Myself 1999 – begins to reminisce about his early days in stand-up.
“In order to get through it, we had to ignore the downsides of it a little bit,” says Acaster.
“In order to carry on trying to be a comedian, you have to not get negative about travelling for hours on the train on your own or not having much money or sleeping on people’s floors.”
It’s at this point the comedian cracks out his phone. Describing a WhatsApp conversation that took place earlier that morning between himself and fellow comedian Joel Dommett, Acaster brings up a picture of “two young lads” who he says look “vaguely like” him and Dommett.
“They’re giving the finger like they were really badass,” smiles Acaster. “And Joel said, ‘me and you after a gig at Party Piece’ – which was an open-mic gig when we started out. We would do it and then come out feeling like we were rock stars afterwards.”
Despite Acaster’s early open-mic endeavours now being something of a distant memory, he and Widdicombe’s returning Dave comedy series, Hypothetical, embraces many of the improvisational elements the live circuit is intrinsically built upon. A series of rounds which put the wit and creativity of four guest comedians to the test, Widdicombe confesses “there’s a lot more work that goes into getting the questions sorted than we’d like to admit”.
Series four of the show has attracted some of the nation’s best-loved comedians. Reeling off a host of renowned names including Richard Ayoade, Bill Bailey, Frank Skinner, Jo Brand, and Ross Noble to name but a few – and Widdicombe says series four is set to contain more laughs than ever before. Yet, despite both the furniture and presenting line-up remaining in situ, change is most definitely the order of the day when it comes to Hypothetical’s format. Returning with a brand new quickfire final round – described by Widdicombe as “the climax we didn’t know it needed” – both comedians agree the chaos that ensues under pressure results in unparalleled levels of entertainment.
“The things people say under pressure are like a real window into people’s souls,” says Widdicombe. “Guz Khan – he basically didn’t understand the question, but then would say the funniest thing you’ve ever heard in your life every single time.
“Victoria Coren Mitchell, who’s one of the most intelligent people I know, basically wants to dissect it every time and you’re like ‘No Victoria, we can’t just dissect everything in life’.”
It’s a line of conversation that leads us to discuss the finer points of what makes a comedy show a hit. According to Acaster, one look at history would suggest a link between many popular comedy shows and a little known cast of comedians – many of whom go on to become household names as a result.
“If you look at The Office, no-one really knew who any of them were,” says Acaster of the hit Ricky Gervais comedy. “Phoenix Nights was around the same time. Peep
Show was around the same time. The general public weren’t really aware of these people and they became the big defining shows of that era.”
As with any television-based project featuring little-known talent, a distinct element of risk is undoubtedly involved. It’s a balancing act that sees creativity placed at the fore, prioritising potential ahead of guaranteed commercial success. Given this, do the comedians believe the Government’s continued push to privatise Channel 4 to be a positive move?
“It’s a terrible idea put forward by a terrible person,” states Widdicombe. “There aren’t many TV channels. And so having channels like the BBC or Channel 4 that are under threat – what they would lose is that unique ability to do stuff that isn’t purely led by profit.
“I’ve ruined my life if Channel 4 does get privatised,” laughs the comedian awkwardly. “I should add, were [Channel 4] to get privatised, I’d come fully behind the new owners. And welcome their perfect leadership.”
Series four of Hypothetical returns to Dave on May 18, with all episodes available to stream on UKTV Play.