We Need Answers with Ian McMillan

January 2010

More Mark Watson videos

A former Cambridge Footlighter, Mark Watson first made an impact on the comedy circuit in 2002 when he won the Daily Telegraph Open Mic competition andwas a runner-up in So You Think You're Funny?

He has become known for his Edinburgh shows (2005's 50 Years Before Death And The Awful Prospect Of Enternity was nominated for the Perrier) and his gruelling shows that last more than 24 hours. Perrier's successor, the if.comeddies, awarded the panel award for best capturing the spirit of the fringe, in 2007.

Watson won the Chortle award winner for innovation in 2005, when he was also nominated for best breakthrough act, and was nominated for best compere in 2007.

He is also a novelist, with his debut Bullet Points, published in 2003; has written for TV and in 2007 landed his first radio series, Mark Watson Makes The World Substantially Better.

Mark Watson at the 100 Club
Live Review
100 Club

Mark Watson’s appeal is that he’s just such a natural. He comes on, blethering away enthusiastically nineteen to the dozen and sweeping you up in the pace of the conversation. That he’s just an ordinary bloke chatting away is reinforced by his habit of commentating on what’s going on: telling the audience he knows they haven’t the measure of him yet, but reassuring them that he does this comedy thing quite often, and it normally goes all right.

That’s pretty much his angle: that the world is basically fine – lying somewhere between the marketing hyperbole that raises expectations unnecessarily and his instinctive propensity to frets about everything, especially his impending fatherhood at the age of 29. Day-to-day encounters flesh out the bones, whether it be awkward conversations with cab drivers or fleeting eye contact with a stranger on a train.

It’s all very relatable, slightly exaggerated by Watson’s self-proclaimed status as something of a loose cannon – even though his appeal is that he’s just like the rest of us, with reactions just slightly amplified and a more fluid and eloquent way of expressing them than most of us can muster. He effuses passionately about the smallest of things, but you can always identify exactly where he is coming from, which is what makes his patter so universally appealing.

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Mark Watson has broken my mind. I think it'd be easier (post 24 hour show) if the country would all move to New Scottish Time and save us the bother of returning to GMT or BST or whatever the hell time it is

Misha, August 2009

Of course his real voice is good enough for comedic purposes and Welsh or not, he's one of the best comics in the country. I think Noel James is jealous and rightly so, Mark Watson is a star.

Anon, July 2008

Mark puts more energy in to his performance than any other comedian I've seen. His sense of fun is infectious. Highly recommended.

Cream Egg, January 2008

To his credit he doesn't talk in stereotypical ways about Wales. Nevertheless I still can't get over the fact that he never admits that he's not from Wales and does not have a Cymric accent in real life. It wouldn't bother me if it was a character act, but I don't think he is one...it's as if he's using the Welsh voice as he doesn't think his real one would be good enough for comedic purposes. Fine, but just come clean about it. For God's sake I've seen reviewers describe him as the 'best Welsh comedian'!?

noel james, January 2008

Pro's: I saw Marky boy a while ago.. and I though he was absolutely brilliant. Very very funny, made funnier by his accent and expression. 10/10 Cons: I have to wait three months to see him again in London. You must see him!

Matthew Armstrong, August 2007

Saw him for the second time last night. Hilarious. Laughed so hard and loud. again he did the "i don't believe in encores..." but a guy next to me whistled incredibly loud and yelled "encore" for 5 minutes straight and rendered me deaf – but it worked and he was back. Brilliant, I'll definitely be at the next gig and i wouldn't say "no" to attending a 24/34 hour show. my fave comedian at the mo.

moomin, July 2007

Wonderful radio - unmissable and very clever.

Rod Nelson, March 2007

Saw him at the Comedy Store this weekend. He was the best act that night by a margin. The only downer was I'd heard most of the act on Radio 4 a week before but it was still funny, which says something about his abilities. He's kind of a mix of Kevin Turvey and Shadwell but with a very manic performing style.Would definately recommend seeing him

Neil, February 2007

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