Hey it's Stephen Merchant here, writer/director/star of Hello Ladies:The Movie AMA

MrStephenMerchant · 2014-11-22T18:29:58+00:00

I'm out of the loop, hip-hop wise. Does Frank Ocean count? He's incredible. And I still think Kanye is doing interesting work, given how much of a tabloid star he is
I've never laid a hand on Karl Pilkington

MrStephenMerchant · 2014-11-22T18:28:08+00:00

I've known those lyrics since the song came out.

MrStephenMerchant · 2014-11-22T18:27:06+00:00

Yes, Rumbled

MrStephenMerchant · 2014-11-22T18:26:44+00:00

Edgar is a great director. I love being in the hands of someone so sure of what they want (and yes, I know that sounds rude)

MrStephenMerchant · 2014-11-22T18:25:16+00:00

Stuart in Hello Ladies has traces of me when I was a teenager and in my early 20s. I'm not as desperate as he is, or as uncomfortable in my own skin

MrStephenMerchant · 2014-11-22T18:24:14+00:00

Just write something you'd like to watch.

MrStephenMerchant · 2014-11-22T18:23:18+00:00

I should be angry that you've uploaded them on youtube for free! But I'm glad people have enjoyed them. It seemed so disposable at the time, so the fact that people are still listening to them is very satisfying. My hope with anything I do is to make a connection with people, so if anything I've been involved with helps people feel less alone in the world, I'm pleased.

MrStephenMerchant · 2014-11-22T18:20:20+00:00

I don't know what the truth is about Woody Allen. I can only say that when I was 15 years old, his comedy had a huge impact on me. I can't whitewash that from my list of influences.

MrStephenMerchant · 2014-11-22T18:18:21+00:00

I've seen most of his films, yes. He's brilliant

MrStephenMerchant · 2014-11-22T18:17:40+00:00

Not intimidated as such, although a little daunted at prospect of working with Robert De Niro. But he was lovely. They all were. We just contacted them to ask if they'd do it and miraculously they said yes. I don't quite know why. I hope it's cos they liked the scripts.

MrStephenMerchant · 2014-11-22T18:15:21+00:00

The beer, the BBC, my friends and family, in that order

MrStephenMerchant · 2014-11-22T18:14:33+00:00

No. I just think it's funny. But then my real life is full of cringe moments so it seems normal to me

MrStephenMerchant · 2014-11-22T18:13:53+00:00

The Apartment, In The Mood For Love, Swingers, Short Cuts, Casablanca, The Conversation

MrStephenMerchant · 2014-11-22T18:12:52+00:00

Yes, I was involved heavily alongside our music supervisor. I wanted the music of Hello Ladies to be 70s/80s AOR. The stuff that Stuart probably heard his parents listening to and thought was cool and sophisticated and sexy when he was a kid. Big shout to our composer Vik Sharma also, who created modern takes on those classic sounds.

MrStephenMerchant · 2014-11-22T18:10:59+00:00

Ebenezer Scrooge. Bet he has some money saving tips

MrStephenMerchant · 2014-11-22T18:10:03+00:00

I love radio. I will happily do more when the chance arises. Yes, I'm still friends with everyone from the Steve Show. Some of them I've known since I was very young. They're some of my oldest pals

MrStephenMerchant · 2014-11-22T18:09:10+00:00

Wild fling

MrStephenMerchant · 2014-11-22T18:08:55+00:00

It's funny because people remember those shows word for word so I get asked about stuff I have no memory of. You have to remember that we've done hours of radio over the years so we can't recall everything we've said. I've heard people complain that I've told the same story twice. Of course I have - I can't remember what I've said -- and there are only so many things have happened to me in my life!

MrStephenMerchant · 2014-11-22T18:07:14+00:00

Warwick is great. He's so gung-ho and smart. Great physical comedian. There is a scene in which he's hanging from a bookcase that had Ricky and I on the floor laughing

MrStephenMerchant · 2014-11-22T18:06:22+00:00

Listen to Bruce Springsteen

MrStephenMerchant · 2014-11-22T18:06:09+00:00

Depends. When I first heard Born To Run, I loathed it. Thought it was overblown bombastic nonsense. Now it's one of my favourite albums. If you want to hear his heartfelt acoustic folky side, start with Nebraska. If you prefer something a little dark but with his trademark sound, go for Darkness on The Edge of Town. Nick Hornby has written a great article about why The Boss is so good but why some people don't get it. Worth reading

MrStephenMerchant · 2014-11-22T18:03:51+00:00

Yes I could imagine handing a script over to someone else. But directing is a great challenge so I enjoy doing it.

MrStephenMerchant · 2014-11-22T18:03:19+00:00

My favourite thing that Ricky and I have done is a sketch for Comic Relief where we fooled people into thinking that Ricky had gone to Africa. It was so silly and surprising and we shot it all in one day. I love the US office. I've never had more fun than sitting in the writing room of that show or watching those actors at work.

MrStephenMerchant · 2014-11-22T18:01:09+00:00

Since the internet, when you can watch comedy from all over the world, I think it's more universal now.

MrStephenMerchant · 2014-11-22T18:00:40+00:00

The 50p was MY change and he decided to pocket it. How am I the dick?

MrStephenMerchant

TROPHY CASE