Holly Walsh is an award-winning stand up comedian and writer. She co-wrote the new comedy series Dead Boss with Sharon Horgan – it stars Jennifer Saunders and is currently airing on BBC Three. She tells IdeasMag why she can't work without an audience, a notebook and her laptop...
Full name/age/job title:
Holly Walsh, 31, comedian/writer.
What does your job involve?
I have a double life. By day I write stuff and by night I do stand up.
Five things you couldn’t work without:
1. My MacBook Pro
I’m a massive Apple fan. It’s like a cult. Anyone who doesn’t own a Mac is like “What’s so special? It’s so expensive.” And anyone who does own a Mac is like “Ahhh…. I used to be like you. But now my life is just so much better.” Mac fans are very smug. And often broke.
2. An audience
I love doing stand up. My favourite thing is trying out new jokes. There are amazing clubs in London like Old Rope, where you can go down and just see what works. It’s always interesting to see what people respond to. I like the immediacy of it. It either gets a laugh, or it doesn’t.
3. Other people
I’ve been writing with my friend Sharon Horgan on and off for the last couple of years or so – our new series Dead Boss is about to start on BBC 3. I find writing on my own really enjoyable, but there’s something brilliant about bantering with someone else. Stand up can be a bit lonely at times, but with Dead Boss, there were two of us coming up with jokes and characters, and we laughed a lot throughout the process. I also write with my good friend Jon Hunter, who I’ve known since my first day doing comedy. He is a brilliant joke writer.
4. The hour before, and the hour after a gig
I’m not sure whether it’s adrenalin, or what – but I find this the best time to come up with stuff for stand up – refine jokes, etc. Things seem to fall into place. It must be the brain going into minor panic mode. I should try writing on a rollercoaster.
5. A notebook
I always carry one around with me. I write always try and write things down. Some of the stuff in my notebooks is just awful. I’ve got a pact with my brother, that if anything should happen to me, he will burn them. The majority of my jottings are incredibly unfunny when you read them back.
Dead Boss is on BBC Three on Thursdays at 10.30pm. Holly Walsh’s show Hollycopter is at Soho Theatre, London, on 22 & 23 June. Find out more.
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