John Kearns interview
John Kearns talks about playing Mitch Rust...
What attracted you to Top Coppers?
The script. I don't think I've laughed at anything written down since April 1993, so I was taken by surprise that there were actual jokes in it. It unnerved me. It didn't seem fashionable. Its whole purpose was to just be as funny as possible. You can't ask for more in a comedy.
What is the relationship like between Mahogany and Rust?
Mahogany and Rust are like brothers, with both thinking they're the oldest. The badge has brought them together and yet they have this bond which goes beyond that. If they both met up outside of work they probably wouldn't say much to each other but they'd be comfortable with that. Mahogany would be buying the drinks.
Which actors from cop shows and films of the Seventies and Eighties inspired you?
The great thing about Seventies and Eighties cops shows is that the theme and show titles were usually the best bit. Starsky & Hutch and Simon & Simon were particular favourites, the latter showing within seconds Simon (I presume) getting a kiss from a killer whale, to both Simons visiting their mum like the good sons they were. As for actors, David Rasche in Sledge Hammer! and Leslie Nielsen in Police Squad! are heroes.
What was it like working with the amazing cameos?
What was great about working with actors like James Fleet, Paul Ritter and John Chancer was that you knew you were on to a good thing as they were having fun. With the experience that they brought it was then great to see how funny they thought the script was.
In my stand-up career I've looked up to people like Adam Riches and Rich Fulcher as well, so to try and make each other laugh made me realise how lucky I was to call the experience a job. As for Lydia Rose Bewley and Jess Gunning, they arguably steal the show!
Do you have any funny anecdotes from filming?
As this was my first filming job, I expected pranks a la George Clooney in every film he's ever made. I quickly realised the reason you hear about Brad Pitt and George Clooney pulling pranks on each other is that no one is going to tell them to behave. Any funny anecdotes either resulted in me embarrassing myself (throwing a stuffed hamster at a brick wall rather than through a window) or for my own amusement, such as constantly implying Steen was having an affair with the prop lady/anyone...
But he has to be knocked down a peg or two. You buy sweets for the crew, this guy comes in the next day with bags of the stuff. From Marks & Spencers. Really threw his money around. Literally. He threw a penny into a mug from five feet and looked at me like he was Michael Jordan. I did it seconds later and looked at him like 'We're not Michael Jordan, we're two boys throwing pennies into a cup.' His dad was a footballer: he's got winning in his blood. I had to keep that boy on his toes. I watched him like a hawk.
If you could sum up Top Coppers in three words what would they be?
Seriously dumb fun.