Life

TV Quickfire: Alan Carr on hosting new panel show There's Something About Movies

Alan Carr is providing plenty of laughs as the host of star-studded new film-themed panel show There's Something About Movies. We quizzed him about what goes on behind the scenes of the six-part series

Alan Carr is the host of There's Something About Movies
Alan Carr is the host of There's Something About Movies Alan Carr is the host of There's Something About Movies

HOW MUCH FUN WAS THE SHOW TO MAKE?

IT WAS so much fun. It's got that real Friday Night Project thing about it because it's like anything goes – and the team are so good. They're the team behind A League Of Their Own, so when we started thinking about the show, I knew I would be doing some crazy stuff, full frontal nudity and making a tit of myself in a public place. But you know what? I like the energy of that because you watch some panel shows and they're just stuck behind this panel and you're like, "Bore off!". At least we get the chance to go out and about now - and with the added texture of having people who've actually been in Hollywood films.

WHAT'S IT LIKE WORKING WITH YOUR TEAM CAPTAINS MICHAEL SHEEN AND MICKY FLANAGAN?

Yeah, it's really good. It's lovely having Michael Sheen there because he's been in the Twilight films, Frost/Nixon and all those, and he generally knows everyone. And then you'll get Micky on the other side who hasn't been in an Odeon since 1974 and whose only reference is Carry On Camping! So whenever we get a bit arty-farty, he's like, "Yeah I thought it was a load of b*****s". We never get too highbrow with Micky, but do you know what? It works.

WHICH GUEST STARS DID YOU ENJOY HAVING ON?

My favourite guest, who was so lovely and really interesting, was Lily Collins. She was so sweet. And she got it and she was taking the mickey and stuff. And we've got Matthew Broderick, which I'm really excited about. For a first series, you know what people are like, a little bit tentative, but we can really hold our head up high with the calibre of people we've got on there. So rather than comedians just going through jokes, you're getting Hollywood gossip [too], which is what I love!

HOW DID YOU FARE IN THE PARTS WHERE YOU RE-ENACT ICONIC MOVIE SCENES?

It's an HD panel show with 3D goggles. I'll give you an example: Two weeks ago, me and Tom Davey met – I mean, this is bucket list stuff – the woman who taught Rami Malek how to be Freddie Mercury [and] for a whole afternoon, she taught us how to be Freddie Mercury. The walk, the singing, the movement. I mean that's a dream. And then the film Shape Of Water, we did a pastiche of that. For a whole day I was at Pinewood Studios, in the tank where Daniel Craig learned how to swim, dressed up as that mutant man! I love a bit of acting; I wanted to be an actor, but I didn't have range, so this is exciting for me.

ARE YOU A BIG FILM FAN?

Yeah, I am. I shouldn't be saying this, but these superhero movies don't really tickle my pickle, if you see what I'm saying. It depends what mood I'm in; if I'm hungover, it's a black and white film, on a Sunday, when it's raining outside. If it's a bank holiday, day time, a Carry On film... But I can't do subtitles because you can't read the subtitles, play Candy Crush and follow the plot at the same time.

YOU JOKED THE MOVIE OF YOUR LIFE WOULD BE CALLED 'BEHIND THE TEETH'. WHO WOULD PLAY YOU?

I love that. Tom Hardy. He throws himself into any part and that would be a challenge. He can play anyone though, Tom Hardy. He's good, isn't he?

:: There's Something About Movies continues on Sky One and NOW TV on Thursdays.