And the man himself has spared us some time for a natter about it…
I guess my first question has to be Who is Virgilio Anderson?
I wish I knew the answer.
He is a man or a made up person, who knows?
When Facebook allowed your name as the page address he took richardherring.
Stephen Fry tweeted about seeing Virgilio Anderson on a ferry.
Its kind of nice when it gets to that level.
I was a bit worried it might spiral out of control and then ruin his life.
and take a stab at reassure him that it wasnt mean because he looks like quite a nice guy.
Its just been a bit of procrastination, really.
Your new show is calledHitler Moustache.How do you begin writing something like that?
An hour now seems impossibly short.
Even in the previews Im getting about half-way through the story and then I have to wrap up.
The Headmasters Songot some really great reviews, including a 5 star review from Chortle.
Do you feel under any pressure thatHitler Moustachehas to live up to that?
My favourite show isChrist on a Bike.
Someone Likes Yoghurtwas quite unique in that it had a lot of improvised material.
Yes, it sort of is in a way.
We improvise it so theyre going to be quite different shows.
We dont say, Oh we better not do anything about bumming this week.
Ill be interested to see whether that works in Edinburgh at lunchtime when Im going to be quite tired.
Maybe well see that its just me being grumpy for five days but who knows?
People seem to like those podcasts as well.
Youve been doing a new show a year for a few years now.
Is that something youd like to continue with?
The show is a big part of my year and it is financially viable.
Ive kind of got a slight backup in that I could doChrist on a BikeandTalking Cockagain.
Its really great to be pushing myself and to just be working for yourself.
Im not working to any agenda and the audience tends to come with me.
As I get older its more difficult, more tiring to do these things.
Youve been doing comedy in one form or another for about twenty years.
Do you still struggle to find your own voice in your work?
Coming out of Lee and Herring it was hard to find a new voice.
Youll see someone and theyll point you in a direction or influence so thats kind of inevitable.
Im pretty good at writing for other people and Im pretty good at taking someone elses voice.
How do you see the Internet affecting comedy?
I think it already has, really.
Suddenly you get this kind of freedom.
The podcast and the blog and everything, its a way of getting people interested in your work.
This stuff on the internet for free… its like a calling card or advert.
I dont understand why Matt Lucas and David Walliams do anything for the BBC.
You want to think if it is too offensive to say, the producer will edit it out.
I want to talk about the reunions youve done with Stewart Lee, Tedstock and the 10thAnniversary TMWRNJ Show.
Do you have any plans to revive the double act?
I think it would be a backward step unless we can think of something amazing to do.
The media never acknowledge it its only comedians and comedy nerds.
Its never inI Love the 90s, none of our sketches are in the top 100 sketches.
Because its a rare thing just every now and again people want to see it.
The BBC arent going to releaseTMWRNJso put it up on YouTube as far as Im concerned.
Some of Stews commercially available DVDs are being pirated.
Its nice if more people can see it.
Your DVDs tend to be packed full of additional content.
Are you a big fan of DVD extras?
Its just nice to give value to something, and thats all we really wanted to do with that.
Most people arent going to be interested in watching a poor performance of an early version of the show!
Hence theFist Of Funbook?
Yeah, thats why we did the book, with that we really wanted to make it worthwhile.
Its just about giving value and why not?
So thats just the fanboy in both me and Stew.
Youve got a few strings to your bow: writer, actor, author, game show panellist.
Is there anything you havent donethatd youd want to do?
Its just trying to get a balance between all those things, really.
Id like to be able to get my scripts on TV more.
Im incredibly lucky to have been working for 20 years.
It felt like it was getting to a level where it might break through a little bit more.
You mentioned your book coming out, is that going to be in the same vein asBye Bye Balham?
How Not To Grow Upis much more honest and open about various disgraceful ridiculous things I got up to.
I see that book and, if we do any more of those, again as a DVD extra.
Do you believe thats necessarily true?
Stews just… every year youre thinking, Wow, this is getting more and more interesting.
You wouldnt want him to give up because hes pushing things in a new direction.
Its circumstance and luck thats left me in this position.
Ten years ago I wouldve said I wanted to be on TV and thats all Im really interested in.
If Stew hadnt done90s Comedianhe wouldnt be seen as one of the greatest stand-ups of all time.
Richard Herring, thank you very much!
Richard Herrings blog is atwww.richardherring.com.
His weekly podcast with Andrew Collins,The Collings And Herrin Podcast, can be found on iTunes orhere.
Tickets are available forHitler MoustacheandCollings And Herrin Liveat the Edinburgh Fringe.
