5 Questions For... Danielle Ward

18/08/2009

Comedian's Red Dwarf geek confessions...

Tell me about your show? 
It’s about lying… the stupid lies I’ve told and the stupid lies I’ve heard and the stupid lies other people tell. More than that, it’s about the way we put up a front for people. Everyone says the internet’s made us communicate more but I don’t think that’s true. If anything, we’re less honest.

Your subject matter’s been described as morbidly fascinating. Where do you get your ideas?
I have this childish fascination with these elements of the world. Someone leaving the toilet seat up doesn’t interest me.  You know when you’re a child and you see something grotesque and it’s not that you’re scared or making fun of it, you’re just absolutely fascinated? 
I don’t think I’ve ever properly grown up in my exploration.   

You recently won the BBC New Writers Bursary. What is your favourite BBC show?  
The first comedy I ever really, really loved was Red Dwarf, which I know makes me a geek. 
I know there were some really awful jokes but from the middle of it to the end of series six the character development was wonderful. I love Porridge for the same reason and Blackadder.

What was the first story you ever wrote?  
When I was 18 my friend Mel and I wrote a script for BBC New Talent about a boy band created by the government to make everyone think the government was great, but they end up performing in a mental hospital. You can see why it wasn’t picked up… 

Your ideal post-show snack?
I really love tuna melts.