THE CHRIS RAMSEY SHOW IS BACK BUT THE FORMAT HAS CHANGED – IT'S NOW A WEEKLY TOPICAL CHAT SHOW.
Yeah, we're not tackling massive news stories, but we're talking about things that interest me, like viral stories and daft news stories. I also do a bit of stand-up [comedy], but you can't write a guaranteed laugh. It's impossible. So I was slightly worried about that, just because I hadn't done stand-up on the last series.
SO THE CONTENT IS HIGHLY TOPICAL. WHERE DO YOU DO YOUR RESEARCH?
Twitter, Instagram, Reddit – it's just the stuff that everyone is talking about. Obviously Trump, we're not bothered. Sometimes I find all those stories so depressing I can't even try and be funny. It's like 'Give teachers guns'. Well you know what? I'm not going to make a joke about that because it's terrifying.
DO YOU THINK VIEWERS ARE IN NEED OF A GOOD LAUGH IN THE CURRENT CLIMATE?
People like a bit of escapism, because let's be honest, we've got Brexit looming and we've got [Trump] in the White House who basically does all the jokes for you. I'd hate to be a satirist because he's done and dusted. He does his own punch lines.
YOU'VE ALSO GOT CELEBRITY GUESTS, STUDIO CHALLENGES AND FILM JUNKETS IN THE MIX. WHAT ELSE CAN YOU TELL US?
A celebrity and comedian are going to do head-to-head challenges each week, like little pub games. And yeah, I'm going to be doing some junkets. I'm terrified.
YOU'RE ALSO SET TO EMBARK ON YOUR NEXT UK TOUR, JUST HAPPY TO GET OUT OF THE HOUSE. IS STAND-UP STILL WHERE YOUR HEART IS?
Being on stage live, with a live crowd, is the best. Weirdly, when you're doing telly you want to be on tour and when you're on tour you want to be doing telly – but after recording the show, I just want to be on telly. The shine might come off, but I enjoyed it so much I just want to do that.
IT MUST BE NICE TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO BOTH?
It's ridiculous. I'm in a situation I never thought I would be in when I started doing stand-up at pubs. It's weird, you don't want to constantly be going, 'Isn't this brilliant?' because you want to look like you deserve to be there. I've done gigs in pubs where no-one knew comedy was on. I did a gig in a pub where the only flyer for the night was in the urinal. I've done nights when no-one listened and no-one laughed.
DO BUDDING COMEDIANS HAVE IT EASIER TODAY, WHAT WITH SOCIAL MEDIA?
I've got no frame of reference. All I will say is I'm a little bit annoyed that I missed the YouTube train, because I would have loved to have gotten to where I am now without having to leave my bedroom. I was schlepping up and down motorways, but it's a totally different world.
DO YOU HAVE ANY PLANS POST-TOUR?
Nothing planned. I think planning all the way up to Christmas is enough. Hopefully another series of this, but we'll see what happens. And then always another tour. I'll be touring as long as I'm upright.
:: The Chris Ramsey Show is on Wednesday nights on Comedy Central.
