Metro UK
Jason Manford: I asked Bette Midler for a picture and she went proper mental
Comedian Jason Manford, 28, was nominated for the Perrier Award in 2005 and later joined panel show 8 Out Of 10 Cats.
by Andrew Williams – 25th March, 2010
He presents new comedy/music show Comedy Rocks tomorrow on ITV1. His new tour, I’m Turning Into My Dad, starts in June (www.jasonmanford.com)
Who are your favourite musicians at the moment?
I used to do an XFM show and was one of the first to play Kings Of Leon. I liked the Corteenas ”“ I was hoping to get them on the pilot show.
Any favourite statistics from 8 Out Of 10 Cats?
Fourteen per cent of married men would swap their wives for a robot.
Does saying the same thing on tour every night get boring?
No, because I interact with the audience and some of the best stuff comes from their own stories. I do a bit about getting told off by Bette Midler and the audiences share their own stories about bad experiences with celebrities.
What happened with Bette Midler?
We were at the Royal Variety Performance and everyone had been asking Michael Bublé and Whoopi Goldberg to get their pictures taken with them all day. I asked Bette Midler for a picture and she went proper mental. Her people came over and said: ”˜Leave Miss Midler alone.’ She was shouting: ”˜Are you f***ing serious?’ I thought she was joking but she was actually going bonkers.
What’s the worst gig you’ve done?
I started when I was 17 so there were a few years of audiences thinking: ”˜What’s a teenager got to tell me about life?’ which was something I had to struggle against. There were some tough ones on the last tour. I did one in Andover and everyone sat at the back, so there wasn’t actually a front to the gig.
What advice would you give aspiring comedians?
Get ten minutes of material together and that’ll get you through your first year. Just practise being on stage and get experience. When I started I gigged every day and for nothing, I was often making a loss. I gigged five nights a week for five years. I played wherever would have me, did a normal job and spent a few hours each night writing material or booking myself gigs.
Did you ever think of giving up?
Yes, I thought: ”˜Why am I doing this?’ but, then again, I was scared of becoming that bloke in the corner of the office who thinks he’s funny and wears a wacky tie. My parents were very supportive. My dad had jobs he didn’t like and told me to pursue a job I enjoyed doing.
What changed your career?
Doing Edinburgh and being nominated for the Perrier Award. That award makes you ”˜officially funny’ in the eyes of TV producers. I then got the 8 Out Of 10 Cats job when Dave Spikey left.
A lot of comedians slag Michael McIntyre off. Why is that?
I’m mates with him, we bonded over a terrible gig in Newcastle. I enjoy his stuff. Mainstream has been a dirty word for years in comedy but you need light and shade. You can’t have an edge without having a centre, which is what Michael and I are. I don’t let it worry me.
What’s the worst job you’ve ever had?
A weekend at Burger King. I was in the kitchen for an hour. They were microwaving the burgers then flame grilling them and I thought: ”˜Hang on a minute, that’s not what happens in the adverts.’ You were allowed a Junior Whopper meal without any cheese on it for your break. I was 17 and weighed 16 stone, so put some cheese on it. The manager was a proper jobsworth. She picked the top off my burger, picked the cheese off and threw it in the bin. I walked out.
If you were a kangaroo what would you keep in your pouch?
My Nintendo DS, with Mario Kart, and my iPod. I’ve got Tom Jones, Tracy Chapman, Van Morrison and Take That on there at the moment. I like a good shuffle.
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I hope this isn’t true. I’ve heard rumours Bette has quite a reputation for being a little rude at times. I read an article with French & Saunders (double act comedy duo from the UK) who said very much the same.
It’s a shame really as she comes across very warm in interviews. I suppose she is a Diva though… 🙂
Maybe before performances she doesn’t like to be bothered….she’s in the zone….
What’s a knob?
I’m sorry for saying this but he is a knob!!!!
Oy! Is it really all that serious? So, she snapped, big deal.
Look at her situation at the time, Royal Variety Show, The Queen, I mean come on.
She’s already nervous most likely (we all know how she gets her nerves worked up before a show) and this was a huge show, and a darn important one at that. She’s most likely tired and somewhat jet lag as it is. And she had a slip! I mean, is she not the only one who has a bad day when they have a lot on their mind, plate, and life balances? I think not. I have never/ rarely ever heard of her doing such a thing, a bad day does not consume for a life time of trying to make things right and go in a good way. She has been nothing but generous to everyone she has met, ask anyone who met her backstage in Vegas or even at the Spring picnic or Hulaween or even on the street. I have heard many stories where she overly nice to wait staff or even sales people who know who she is. And we have all read the stories about stars that are rude just for the hell of Celebrity sake, she is not. A bad day, a nervous attitude and a pushy person just wanting to step on her “don’t piss me off at the moment†button does not make her a rude or un-sociable person. Give the women a break, count the number of times when you have had a bad day, were rude to someone, and then they ask you what happened; I’m sure we have all had our moments. I, see no issue with what she did, ok, yes, she was rude for a second, we all have been at one point in time. And if you think you have not, you’re in some serous denial and need to work that out.
I think you’re absolutely right Wendy…
She was nothing but LOVELY and generous with her time when I met her at the Today show in Oct. of 2003. She was being whisked away by her people, when I reminded her that she said she would sign “View from a Broad” for me (which she had commented about in between songs-“Where the heck did you get that-EBAY??”). She turned right around, chatted with a few of us, took pictures, took the letter I had written her, and yes, signed my book. It was even raining! I’m sure she was on a schedule and could have very easily ignored me…but she didn’t. A week later a package arrived for me at my house-an autographed picture and a signed promo copy of The Rosie Clooney Songbook. I have heard both sides-she is demanding to work with but to HER fans-nothing but wonderful. Perhaps she knew he wasn’t a Bettehead???!!! And Wendy, I agree as well…everyone has a bad day-especially before singing for the queen. I still adore her!
I’m sorry I love Bette but there is no reason to be rude and mean. I’m sure she just slipped up becuase she was nervious or something but she was definitely in the wrong. She could have just nicely told him no and I’m sure he would have not asked again. And if he did them she could have gone off on him. Just cause you have money and are a star doesn’t not mean you can treat people how you want. I know Bette knows this and probably just had a slip up but many celebs don’t.
I can’t see her doing that at all. He is probably exaggerating because he got mad that she turned him down or something.
We don’t know what really happened. But I do agree with Danielle. Unless a person is intentionally annoying or hurting you, there’s no reason to cause a scene. I don’t care who or what your status is.
I guess we all have a bad day.
I’ve just got the hump that Bette still hasn’t returned to the UK for a tour since the 70’s!
C’mon Bette – it’s been too too long. I’m guessing she won’t come back now. Shame really… 🙁
Well everyone knows that you leave preformers alone before they go on stage, on Kathy griffen life on the d list there are quiet signs and no one is allowed in her dressing room that doesnt belong there and even Kathy said that it’s unheard of to meet Bette before a show, Bette was probably cool about that because she had 2,500 of her closest friends out there who would love her regardless, but at the rvp she was in a foreign counrty about to do one of the biggest shoews of her life, which was a dream come true for her and she has this guy asking her for a picture while shes trying to hold herself together, if you ask me, he was in the wrong!
If Bette yelled at me asking if I was “fucking serious” it would make my day!!! No need to have any pictures taken. LOL!!!! I can`t wait to be old and rich and tell people to fuck off…well, I`m not either of them and I already do it…LOL!
“Are you fucking serious??? Are you fucking serious???”LOL!
Haha I think I’m with Chris on that one!!