Toast Of Tinseltown

Matt Berry and Arthur Mathews interview

Toast Of Tinseltown writers Matt Berry and Arthur Mathews talk about why their Toast Of London characters are returning...

Steven Toast is back and on the BBC. What can you tell us about the new series?

Matt: The new series sees Toast sent to LA due to another actor not being available. That 'wrong guy' vibe pretty much sums up his whole experience. The main inspiration was to take Toast out of his/our comfort zone and plonk him somewhere unfamiliar, with a new set of characters and situations with all the difficulties they create.

Why America?

Arthur: I don't know whose idea that was (not mine). But it's opened up a whole new world. It was fun writing some over-the-top Hollywood-types: angry directors and obsequious producers. I'd never done anything like that. And having 'real Americans' actually in it was quite thrilling.

Did you have any hesitation in bringing Steven Toast back?

Arthur: No. I like Steven Toast! It's been six years since we made the last series, so that's a whole primary or secondary education. It's quite a while. I thought I'd probably seen the last of Toast, but Ben Farrell at Objective wouldn't let him lie. Ben's hard work behind the scenes has resurrected him.

How did it feel to be back writing for Toast again?

Matt: I always feel honoured to write with Arthur as he's not only been someone whom I've always greatly admired, but has, over the years, become someone who's technique and problem-solving skills I've adopted, and are now very much part of my approach for all writing. It's important to borrow from the best.

Arthur, what was it like working with Matt again?

Arthur: Fabulous! Matt can just say things in a certain way which can make them funny. He's a great performer. Even his reactions - when he barely does anything, but just takes in the mayhem around him - are very effective. I've noticed how important these are in the show.

Can you tell us a bit about the writing process for the new series?

Arthur: Matt would have an idea like 'I'd love Toast to be brought to a film location in the desert, and be thrown about while he's travelling there in his trailer.' So I'd say, yes, that's a good idea, and then I'd think 'it might be good to have him stumble into an old-style Wild West town with a saloon and various sheriffs, old timers etc.' And Matt was keen on the idea of Toast being constantly captured by two kidnappers, so I thought that would fit well into the final episode where he's desperately trying to get to the set on time for his role in the latest Star Wars movie. One idea sets off other ideas, basically.

Can we expect to see series regulars like Clem Fandango and Ray Purchase again?

Matt: You can expect to see all the regular cast members.

Did you think that the phrase "Yes, I can hear you Clem Fandango" would become such a cult catchphrase?

Arthur: Yes, of course I did. Actually - no, not really. But people seem to love that name.

Toast Of London had a number of celebrity cameos over the three series, what cameos can we look forward to in the new series?

Matt: I shouldn't really give them away due to plot and effect, but we always try to not just bolt a celebrity into the show for the sake of it, so hopefully all the choices will make sense, as well as satisfy.

How would you best describe the show to those who might not have seen it before?

Arthur: Lots of things happen to Steven Toast. He's actually quite ambitious as an actor, and quite pompous about it. But by the end of the show, after some hair raising adventures, he's completely humiliated. Also, I feel quite dizzy watching a lot of modern comedies with all the zooming in and out and shaky camera work. So there's none of that.

And, finally, Matt, we have to ask: Have you ever worked with anyone like Steven Toast?

Matt: I've always worked with Steven Toasts in one form or other.