My Comedy Career: Rupert Majendie

Producer Rupert Majendie has a CV that includes hit live comedy shows, the film Brian And Charles and TV shows include Pls Like, This Time With Alan Partridge and King Gary. We caught up with him as he prepares to launch his next series, Live At The Moth Club.

Tell us what you do in your job.

I'm the Head of Development at Baby Cow Productions and run the slate of programmes. We work with all levels of talent developing their shows, scripts, and ideas to pitch to TV and streamers and ultimately produce their shows. For Baby Cow as a company, we are dedicated to supporting breakthrough comedy talent and giving a platform to the next wave of British comedy stars.

How did you first get involved in the comedy industry?

I got in through the live comedy scene. I wanted to work in comedy for a while and was sending emails to various production companies with no joy. So, I set up a live gig in an old jazz bar in Shepherds Bush. It became popular with comics and a lot of BBC staff used to come down. I was eventually approached by BBC Comedy to help run their BBC Comedy Presents gig in Edinburgh, and the rest is history!

What key skills do you need to be able to do your job well?

Trust in people. Be nice. Communicate well and laugh. It's comedy!

What has been your biggest career achievement to date?

Developing and making Baby Cow's new series for Dave, Live At The Moth Club, is right up there. As a comedy fan first and foremost, I've wanted to watch a great UK ensemble show in the vein of SNL for years and years. There has been countless attempts, so to be able to have a crack at it and house some of the best UK talent out there is the dream.

It began as a real club night I was involved in running at the Moth Club in Hackney which has a real party energy. What we wanted for that night was to have an ensemble, so comedy talent including Jamie Demetriou, Natasia Demetriou, Ellie White and Cardinal Burns all became residents, plus we had like-minded people come and go every month.

Bringing that to TV screens to showcase alternative comedy while capturing the fizz of a live club night is something I've always wanted to do and I'm proud of the team that helped to achieve it.

My career has largely been about discovering the next wave of comedy performers, and to have a home where you can champion the work of breakthrough talent is amazing.

And what has been the biggest challenge/disappointment?

One of the biggest challenges is learning to be patient - especially when starting out. You are full of ideas and new talent relationships but haven't yet earned your stripes. It's not a sprint. Take your time.

Talk us through a typical day.

Each day is so different. It ranges from signing off edits to meeting talent, reading a load of scripts, to lots and lots of meetings.

Tell us a trick/secret/resource that you use to make your job quicker/easier.

Reply to people.

How are you paid?

Paid Monthly and not enough. LOL.

If you could change one thing about the comedy industry, what would it be?

I'd love it if people replied quicker.

What tips would you give for anyone looking to work in your area of the industry?

Just go for it. We are all learning on the job. There are no hard and fast rules. Go out make stuff, talk to people and put in the time. It's going to be ok.

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