Hi Michael. Who are you and what do you do in comedy?
My name is Michael John Byrne and I have been writing comedy for over a decade. I love to write sketches and sitcoms and I am drawn to bizarre and mysterious worlds. I am happiest with a pen in my hand (when a laptop isn't available).
Tell us about how you first became involved in the comedy world.
I am a fan of comedy for as long as I can remember. I remember, as children, my brother and I would record humourous football quizzes onto a tape recorder. I played numerous characters whose buzzers stated their name, in their voice when pressed. Sometimes the buzzers got cross-wired and would project another contestants voice - cue confusion and arguments. I was a teenager in the 90's and became obsessed with Jim Carrey and Mike Myers. I would record their films onto a tape recorder and learn off all the lines. When I was about ninteen I watched Monty Python's Flying Circus for the first time and I couldn't believe that a show this funny existed. I immediately fell in love with Python but it drove my passion for comedy further and now I felt drawn to the world of writing comedy. I wanted to be a Python or form a group just like theirs. I began to write pretty terrible oneliners but soon I began to develop my writing and started seeking out comedy writing competitions. I came across Channel 4's 4Laughs website where I won many competitions including pitching a sketch idea for a new reality show. My idea was picked by Henry Normal and possible Jim Poyser or Ric Michael as the winner and BabyCow sketch. I have since had material on Newsjack, had a sitcom pilot made by a production company, won the London Sketchfest Sketch Scribe and was invited to be part of a sketch writing workshop at the BBC.
Tell us about your comedy favourites.
I am drawn to the surreal and bizarre moreso than traditional comedies. I love Monty Python, Peter Cook & Dudley Moore, Spike Milligan, Fry & Laurie, Vic & Bob, The Mighty Boosh, Fr. Ted, D'unbelievables and Flight of the Conchords.
The comedy industry is competitive. Why should people pick you to work with?
I honestly feel that I have a unique voice and an original style to my writing. My comedy influences certainly played a part in developing this style and now I believe I have honed this style into something both original and marketable.
What's the best advice you've ever been given, read or heard?
Err on the side of logic.
Where would you like to be in 10 years' time?
I would like to have a series of pulp fiction style comedy books published involving my surreal detective pairing. The dream would be to have this then made into a tv comedy series. My first love is and was sketches so I would love to have my own sketch show, either on an individual level or as part of a team.
If you ever get free time, how do you spend it?
I like to spend time with my kids, making up games, stories and adventures. They are a fantastic source of inspiration. I would advise any writer to get a couple!
If a genie offered you one wish, what would you ask for?
Health and happiness for me and my family.
Published: Friday 23rd October 2020