Peter Kay

Review: Peter Kay - In Conversation

This programme was really great to watch. It was funny. Revealing. Insightful. Congenial. And had a nice way of showing us who Peter is as a person, without it seeming too promotional by default.

On paper, Channel 4's Friday-night offering Peter Kay: In Conversation with Danny Baker looked to be one of the week's more random pieces of TV. But what a treat for viewers to enjoy one of the funniest men in Britain chatting away in such a relaxed and open manner. With Peter Kay.

Peter Kay is a notoriously difficult comedian to interview; not that he doesn't have anything to say, quite the opposite, he's voluble and very funny. But it's hard to pin him down when you want a serious answer. I know, because I have tried. He's great company, though.

Judging by some online audience reviews - In Conversation was filmed at the Blackpool Opera House last month - disgruntled fans didn't think interviewer Danny Baker got near the real Kay. But maybe it's best to judge for ourselves. During their chat Kay talks about how he does what he does, both on stage with his record-breaking gigs, and in TV shows Phoenix Nights and Max and Paddy's Road to Nowhere.

For all his gifts as a broadcaster (many of them apparently ignored by the BBC), perhaps Danny Baker is most unappreciated as an interviewer. But Peter Kay is a tough assignment, his tendency to deflect serious enquiry with easy gaggery having defeated many inquisitioners. This hour-long special, filmed at the Blackpool Opera House in November, will reveal who wins this particular tussle. Channel 4 promises that it will shed light on Kay's creative process both for his TV work and live shows, both seemingly raking in ever more money from audiences being fed ever-multiplying coils of old rope. More likely is that it'll showcase the erstwhile Brian Potter's chummy persona. Just as long as there's no Amarillo...

Peter Kay has made a successful career out of such observational comedy series as as Phoenix Nights and Max & Paddy's Road to Nowhere. Tonight he talks to Danny Baker about the creative process behind his work, which has led him to win multiple awards. His Tour That Didn't Tour sold over 1.2 million tickets, and entered the Guinness Book of Records as the biggest stand-up comedy tour in the world. He'll also be chatting about his plans for the future.

Whatever you think of Peter Kay's catchphrase-y schtick, the man has a particular genius for getting the most out of a relatively slim portfolio of material. Here then is a timely bit of self-promotion for Kay's new standup DVD - itself cobbled together from the same run of shows as last year's Tour That Didn't Tour Tour release - as the Boltonian comedian chats about a career that only the churlish would deny has been hugely successful. Danny Baker, making a welcome return to our screens, asks the questions.

Katy Brand: can you teach a degree in 'funny'?

As Peter Kay launches the University of Salford's first ever BA in comedy practices, Katy Brand asks if the whole thing is a joke.

Peter Kay launches Salford Uni comedy course

One of Salford's most famous graduates, Peter Kay, returned to the University last week (Thursday, 25 October) to launch its new dedicated comedy course for budding writers and performers.