Robin Morgan

Written by: Si Hawkins
Published: Tuesday 8th December 2020

Eight random questions, one random comedian; it's the ultimate test of funny person and fate. Bobbing along this week is the festively forenamed Robin Morgan, a splendid Cardiffian stand-up, TV and radio writer, who's now co-created an unofficial judicial system. It's called Here To Judge.

"The podcast is a deep dive into the world of internet advice," Morgan explains. "Leila Navabi, Priya Hall and I look into the 'Am I the Asshole?', 'Am I Being Unreasonable?' type threads on Reddit and Mumsnet and try and work out who's in the wrong / who's in the right / which one was written by Graham Linehan under a pseudonym.

"It's been so much fun. It's made by Little Wander (of Machynlleth Comedy Festival fame) and everyone is a joy to work with."

Absolutely judgemental. And what else has Robin been up to, in these slightly random recent months, off the road?

"Lots of writing for shows, which has been incredibly fortunate. A few bits and pieces for Nish's show on Quibi (RIP), some Radio 4 bits, I'm writing a sitcom with my good friend Adeel which has kept us ticking over / drinking wine over Zoom. So all of that, as well as looking after my kids full time. How does he do it?! Can a man truly have it all?! Yes, but I'm very tired. So very tired."

Wake up, wake up, you sleepy-head (etc etc)... Robin Morgan, your Random 8 await.

What was your childhood career dream?

I wanted to be a doctor for a long time because I loved watching Scrubs, and thought it would be great to have a really stressful job which allowed me to have a voiceover and listen to sad emo music when a patient died.

Which place you've visited was the biggest anti-climax?

Leigh Delamere Services. Best services on the M4? Piss off.

Ever met a particularly great/awful famous person?

When I worked behind the bar at the Cardiff Glee Club, we were hired out for the wrap party of Lee Evans's latest tour. I'd started open mic that year, had done about six gigs, and when my manager mentioned this to Lee, he seemed genuinely interested, asked how it was going and told me to give him a gig when I was famous. What a nice chap.

Which book should we all read, to make life a bit better?

I really loved Robert Webb's How Not To Be A Boy. That, or, I dunno, The Bible? Bible audiobook? Is there a Bible audiobook? (Just Googled: there is! And a four hour reading of Genesis on YouTube. Something for the next lockdown.)

What's your favourite mode of transport, and why?

A gondolier, because it's fun to say, especially in a Welsh accent.

Which faux pas do you still have nightmares about?

When we moved house in April this year, the first time we met our neighbours was during the 'clap for carers' thing on a Thursday. First time I went out, neighbour opposite us pointed to me and clapped loudly, I did a gesture of "oh stop it" thinking she was welcoming us to the neighbourhood.

Turns out our next door neighbour had just opened her door and was quite clearly a nurse. No-one claps for an unemployed comedian. I know that now.

What's the weirdest thing in your wardrobe?

I own a denim jacket with a roaring tiger on the back with the words 'Dead of Night Sinner Club' written on it. My best friend Dave and I bought matching ones after a session of day drinking and I just can't throw it away.

Do you have a favourite device?

I enjoy using my Amazon Echo and Alexa, but it has made my son incredibly impolite, so we're trying to say please and thank you to her to teach him manners. But before that it was "Alexa, play wheels on the bus you fucking bitch". He's three.

Here To Judge is available to hear now.