entertainment
‘I remember going: oh hello!’ Dara Ó Briain on comedy, coolness, cruelty and finding his birth parents
The standup has been the host of the panel show Mock the Week for more than two decades. As it returns to UK screens, he discusses its years as a macho bear pit, the dearth of jokes about Brexit – and why it’s important to punch up
TL;DR
- Mock the Week, hosted by Dara Ó Briain for 17 years, has been revived on the free-to-air channel TLC.
- Ó Briain describes the show's past as a 'macho bear pit' but notes its evolution towards a more conversational style, with increased female representation.
- He discusses the show's political leaning, attributing it partly to the Conservative governments during its BBC run and a lack of pro-Brexit jokes.
- Ó Briain's stand-up shows explore personal stories, including his adoption and his search for his biological parents and father.
- He has a background in mathematics and theoretical physics, and his interest in science influences his comedy and TV presenting.