Andy Parsons interview

You all know Andy Parsons, late of Mock The Week, so we won't bother penning an intro. We'll just let him introduce his big new thing, which next happens at the Soho Theatre on April 25th.

"It's called the Slacktivist Action Group and it's a monthly podcast for people who get so depressed about the state of the world that they tend only to sit in an armchair and eat biscuits," says Parsons. "Each episode has three guests comprising of MPs, journalists and 'read-a-couple-of-newspapers' comedians who will hopefully inspire us from lethargy - or at least tell us how to get more biscuits."

Crumbs. Here are his live recollections.

First gig?

I was doing a five minute open spot at the Chuckle Club before Sean Hughes, who had just won the Perrier Award. I had a piece of paper in my back pocket with a list of jokes on. After two minutes I forgot the next joke - so I took out the bit of paper but was so nervous I dropped it. A lady in the front row picked it up and gave it back to me saying "keep going - you're doing really well". That's a heckle you can deal with.

Favourite show, ever?

Recording my DVD 'Slacktivist' at the beautifully photogenic Harrogate Theatre. It was the first time I had been able to record a DVD over two nights and the Yorkshire audience were great on both of them.

Worst gig?

I once had [the intestinal medical issue] giardia - and I had a gig the night I was diagnosed. I'd been given some drugs but the promoter couldn't find anybody else - so he said 'go on and do as long as you can'. I went on and cried for twenty minutes. It went surprisingly well - but I wouldn't want to repeat it.

Who's the most disagreeable person you've come across in the business?

There aren't many tossers in the comedy business, because any onstage comedy tossers the audience can usually see through, and any offstage comedy tossers the comics can usually see through.

Weirdest gig experience?

I once genuinely performed in front of two blokes and a dog. The promoter said if I didn't go on, I wouldn't get my money. He doesn't promote anymore. I refer to the answer above.

Is there one routine/gag you loved, that audiences inexplicably didn't?

Tweak it and tweak it until it does work. And if it still doesn't work, come back to it in a year's time and tweak it again.

What's your best insider travel tip, for touring comics?

Check the kettle before you boil it. I once found an old sock in one.

The most memorable review, heckle or post-gig reaction?

I got a review in the Guardian that said 'pure, unadulterated, wicked talent'. I knew it was unlikely to get better.

How do you feel about where your career is at, right now?

When I started doing comedy anybody who referred to a comedy 'career' was regarded as a wanker. I defer to the past.

It's your last ever gig: give us the venue, the line-up, the pre-show rider...

The Venue: Any gorgeous old theatre.

Line-up: Just me - you don't want anybody else spoiling your last gig.

The Rider: the pre-show rider would be very simple - but the post-show rider.... that would be extremely impressive.

'Andy Parsons: Slacktivist Action Group' is at the Soho Theatre on the last Monday of every month. Download the podcasts here

The next Slacktivist Action Group is on Monday 25th April with recent Labour leadership candidate Mary Creagh MP; Tim Hancock, Amnesty International's "Number Two"; and comedian and broadcaster Marcus Brigstocke. Tickets