Arts critic and journalist Mark Lawson does another in his series of occasional interviews, this time focusing on the classically trained actor Nicholas Craig.
I only occasionally watch the Mark Lawson interview series because it doesn't seem to be on at a regular time and also my interest is dictated very much by who he is interviewing. I have never seen him doing a "spoof" interview so I decided to give his interview with fictional actor Nicholas Craig, creation of comedian Nigel Planer. His creation has never been hilarious but for those that like it, Craig is a wonderfully droll little character who sends up the luvvie actor personae really well. Here the effect is more or less the same as Lawson plays it mostly straight and lets Craig meander his way through waxing lyrical about his chums (with their typically public school nicknames), discuss his relationship with his mother and rail against the critics (including Lawson himself).
It is not hilarious and the interview structure itself does rather prevent the humour moving too much into broad humour and away from "reality" as it is in Craig. Those not accustom to the character could easily mistake it for a straight interview because he is actually convincing in the caricature he creates and the type of character he is spoofing. Those that like him (as I do) will find themselves easily tickled by it all and of course they will know not to expect belly laughs.
Overall then a solid interview even if it is not as funny as some of Craig's other outings. The interview structure does hem it in at times but when it is funny, it is funny! The casual viewer might not care for it but certainly it is worth a look for anyone who has enjoyed Planer's Craig before.
I only occasionally watch the Mark Lawson interview series because it doesn't seem to be on at a regular time and also my interest is dictated very much by who he is interviewing. I have never seen him doing a "spoof" interview so I decided to give his interview with fictional actor Nicholas Craig, creation of comedian Nigel Planer. His creation has never been hilarious but for those that like it, Craig is a wonderfully droll little character who sends up the luvvie actor personae really well. Here the effect is more or less the same as Lawson plays it mostly straight and lets Craig meander his way through waxing lyrical about his chums (with their typically public school nicknames), discuss his relationship with his mother and rail against the critics (including Lawson himself).
It is not hilarious and the interview structure itself does rather prevent the humour moving too much into broad humour and away from "reality" as it is in Craig. Those not accustom to the character could easily mistake it for a straight interview because he is actually convincing in the caricature he creates and the type of character he is spoofing. Those that like him (as I do) will find themselves easily tickled by it all and of course they will know not to expect belly laughs.
Overall then a solid interview even if it is not as funny as some of Craig's other outings. The interview structure does hem it in at times but when it is funny, it is funny! The casual viewer might not care for it but certainly it is worth a look for anyone who has enjoyed Planer's Craig before.