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BowieLive Chat 11th February 1999 Eddie Izzard: Hello I'm late but I'm here now! Picadilly: How do you deal with the different timings? Americans have much slower timing. Eddie Izzard: what do you mean by timings, picadilly? Do you mean the audiences are slower? Picadilly: Brits deliver then line much quicker Eddie Izzard: Picadilly I stay at the same speed. I assume all human beings are as intelligent as each other. RaMOANa: Eddie, when will your site (www.izzard.com) have pics of you (and reviews) in Velvet Goldmine? Eddie Izzard: Jerry Divine is not based upon Tony DeFries. No way, I based him on my dad (legal reasons) BowiefromHolland: Eddie how has u studdied Tonny Defries for your role in velvet goldmine (well done!!) Host "Electric Warrior": Eddie - what would have the late, great Marc Bolan thought of Velvet Goldmine? BowiefromHolland: Eddie have you ever done a show in Holland. When can we expect you? Eddie Izzard: I will be doing more shows in Paris at the end of the year, but I am not sure when I will be back to Holland. Soon, I hope. I'll try and get my videos on sale there. Zardoz: Eddie, Do you speak any other languages than French? Eddie Izzard: I speak some German as well, but I intend to do shows in German, Spanish and Italian at some time (before I die) Stumpy: Eddie, when you get the chance...are you pleased with the sell out Wembley gig...for personal reasons, or because it's for the Prince's Trust? Eddie Izzard: Yes I am pleased that Wembley has sold out (purely for ego reasons) KelMarSupervixen: What do you think of the late Lenny Bruce? Eddie Izzard: I think he was a great standup and he did stuff using characters from history which I like to do. "Total Blam Blam": Wouldn't it be a coincidence if you settled down with a girl called Lizzie Lizzard? Eddie Izzard: No. Picadilly: What comic has most inspired you? Eddie Izzard: Richard Pryor, Steve Martin and Billy Connolly Bianca: How did you become involved to narrate the Bowie-special "Legends"? Eddie Izzard: David Bowie begged me and I reluctantly agreed. RaMOANa: Will you do any shows on the East coast or even better, Florida, if so where? Eddie Izzard: At the end of the year I should be doing gigs in New York (definitely) and Boston and Atlanta (maybe). FruJu: Eddie: how do you view English versus US versus rest-of-the-world humour? Is one more subtle, more black, more whatever than the other? Eddie Izzard: I think there are no national senses of humour. The best American comedy compares with the best British comedy and the best Italian comedy (See Life Eddie Izzard: (Life is Beautiful) Host "Electric Warrior": Eddie - are you doing any stand-up or just sit down chat on the Dennis Miller Show tomorrow night Eddie Izzard: Just sit-down on the Dennis Miller show. KelMarSupervixen: Do you believe, as so many do, that Pee Wee Herman is a comic God? Host "Electric Warrior": go Kel go!!!!!!!! Eddie Izzard: I haven't seen much of PeeWee's stuff, but Paul Reubens is very funny on the set of the film I'm doing---The Mystery Men. BowiefromHolland: Eddie what music do u like? and what do u think of Glam Rock and Bowie Eddie Izzard: My music tastes are ecclectic. From Fat Boy Slim to Mozart and from David Bowie to Prodigy. And yes, I like the best of Glam. LdyofDarkness: what's it like working with so many great people in Mystery Men? and only your second flick at that Eddie Izzard: It's fun hanging out with people whos egos are competing with mine. But it's my fourth film. And, I'm getting used to meeting all these people. It's very day-to-day. Bianca: What do you think of Monty Python? Eddie Izzard: I think they're comic Gods. Picadilly: What advice would you give to a young comic? Eddie Izzard: Gig as often as you can, wherever you can. It's not until you've done 100 gigs that you get a sense of your own talent. FruJu: Eddie: did you used to listen to the Goon show when you were growing up? Eddie Izzard: Yes I listened to the Goons. Spike Milligan (who wrote the Goons) is the godfather of British alternative comedy. KelMarSupervixen: How do you know that your gig isn't going to suck? Eddie Izzard: I think it probably will. That is the edge. I'll try and make it funny but 11,000 people is a pretty big gig. leighc: Eddie I have a bet with my boyfriend about which brand of makeup you wear... Eddie Izzard: I wear various brands of makeup, but MAC lipsticks are a favourite. Picadilly: Are you anxious scared or both before you go onstage? Eddie Izzard: Before Wembley I will be pissing myself. But, normally I'm kind of relaxed. The more gigs I do, the more relaxed I am. KelMarSupervixen: Did you think that Sam Kinison was good? (I miss him.) Eddie Izzard: From what I saw of Sam Kinison, I thought he was very talented. But he apparently used to do alot of anti-gay material which I cannot swing with. Rednik: Eddie: Tell us a joke! Eddie Izzard: No. Rednik: Fuck off then! LOL Eddie Izzard: Rednik, if you know anything about my stuff (have you not done research?) you'll know I don't "do" jokes. It's a stream of consciousness--man. So you Fuck Off! "Total Blam Blam": How do you feel about the fact that David Bowie was often seen to favour clothing traditionally worn by women? For example only last week I saw him in Paris trying on a rhinestone encrusted sport bra - Do you think it is acceptable behaviour from a man of that age? Eddie Izzard: Total It's almost the 21st Century and as I've said before, everyone should have total clothing rights. And age doesn't come into it as everyone should try and be funky until death. Picadilly: What is your opinion of ventriloquists? Some comics view it as not being a talent. Eddie Izzard: Some of them I quite like. And others I don't really quite like so much. Is that decisive enough? BowiefromHolland: Eddie do you think Bowie should make a Comical Movie? Do u think Bowie is funny at all? Eddie Izzard: Not unless he wants to. I think he has a good sense of humour but that might not be apparent in most of the characters he's played on film. "Total Blam Blam": Your name can be mis-heard as "Eddie Is 'ard" which got me to wondering if you are? Not in the biblical sense of course, but for example, if you and Mark Thomas were squabbling over a dressing room, could you handle yourself? Eddie Izzard: Total My name is not made up...it's my real name. But I think I can handle myself in a dressing room fight. Picadilly: If you are dying onstage, what do you say or do to win the audience back? Eddie Izzard: If you're dying on stage, the best thing is just to stick to your material and believe in it, You can talk to the audience but you've got to know what you're doing. If someone heckles you, though, say back to them the first thing that comes into your head. If you say it quick enough, it will probably be funny and they won't be expecting it. RaMOANa: IS THIS #TOTALBLAMBLAM&PICADILLYCHAT? Eddie Izzard: Well, what's your question, then? RaMOANa: Eddie, when will your site (www.izzard.com) have pics of you (and reviews) in Velvet Goldmine? - I've been waiting for weeks! Eddie Izzard: Ramoana getting copyright for pictures is a tricky thing. Unofficial sites can post-up photos because they don't care about the copyright. I have to, I'm afraid. So, it should happen when we get the go-ahead. Zardoz: Marathon or Snickers Eddie Izzard: I'm okay with Snickers--cause then you know what you're buying in different countries. TwinkleToe: Do you have any thoughts on President Clintons empeachment? Do you think a cigar is a terrible thing to waste? Eddie Izzard: I don't think he should be impeached. I think he should be censored and allowed to get on with it. RaMOANa: Which end of the cigar do you think Monica got? Eddie Izzard: Both! spaceface: you once said that you would like to be a lesbian, do you still feel that way? Eddie Izzard: I think that I AM a male lesbian. I don't need to want to be. Picadilly: Can I open for you? Eddie Izzard: No. leighc: Eddie, do you ever log on to chatrooms and flirt with people? Eddie Izzard: No, I haven't done that...do you? Zardoz: What do you think that YOU will be doing when your 50+ ? Eddie Izzard: More of the same---but different. RaMOANa: Eddie - BOXERS OR BRIEFS OR COMMANDO like Bowie? Eddie Izzard: Briefs. "Total Blam Blam": Hallo Eddie Izzard - David has admitted in interview that gravity is just beginning to get the better of his bum cheeks - With this in mind, do you envisage a time when you might resort to the comfort of an arse bra? Eddie Izzard: No, my bum seems to be going upwards. leighc: Is stand up comedy a cheap form of therapy? Eddie Izzard: Yes. Totally. It's one of the most truthful creative mediums. Normally rock and roll people and film stars have to keep up a certain front. But in stand-up, you can tell everyone how shit your life is and people pay you for it. Eileen: Is time long or is it wide, and do you think it is combustible? Eddie Izzard: Time is circular. leighc: SO now you're a film star are you putting on a front? Eddie Izzard: Absolutely. "Total Blam Blam": How do you feel about Bowie stretching the realms of acceptability, or pushing the envelope, whatever that means, when he apparently promotes bestiality in the song Ziggy Stardust, with the line "Making love to his seagull"? Eddie Izzard: I think if you live an alternative lifestyle and you create an alternative style, it is your duty to push things and try-out stuff that might make people say "Hey--freaky". And he's making love to his EGO, by the way. wildgirl: What's the best thing about being a transvestite? Eddie Izzard: Free booze! leighc: You clearly have a close relationship with your dad. Would you like to be a father yourself? Eddie Izzard: Yes, my dad is very cool. And, one day I would like to be a father/mother (I think I'm the ultimate one parent family) "Total Blam Blam": humour eddie humour - I know it's fucking Ego ya mad basatard! Eddie Izzard: I knew you knew, that was the joke. Stumpy: did you have a good birthday? What did you do' Eddie Izzard: I gambled in Vegas. "Total Blam Blam": I knew you knew I knew, that was my joke. Eddie Izzard: We're obviously both very funny. Picadilly: where was your first gig? Eddie Izzard: At the Banana Cabaret, Balham London in 1987. Eddie Izzard: I was crap! Rednik: Eddie: Are you a frustrated rock star? Eddie Izzard: No, I'm a frustrated film star. Eddie Izzard: Five more questions guys. I've got to go and eat melon. Spider: we will hold you down and tickle ya if ya dont lighten up ;-) Eddie Izzard: You try answering these questions at speed and being witty. It's a bit of a mind-fuck. Bianca: When have you first met Bowie? Eddie Izzard: He came to my gig in New York in May of last year. Rednik: If you had a paint spray can in your hand what statement would you write on the wall? Eddie Izzard: Bollocks! spaceface: did you like his music before that? Eddie Izzard: Yes. Bianca: Would you like to do a remake of "Some like it hot" together with Bowie? Eddie Izzard: Maybe. Stumpy: Best of luck for the Wembley Gig, it's the day afetr my birthday, and I'll be in hospital, getting new knees, any words of wisdom for me? Eddie Izzard: Yes. get extra knees while you're there. Eddie Izzard: Sorry I can't answer all your questions, see you at Wembley. Thanks for coming! Bye. Thanks to all, ta ta |
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DishDiva says: Please welcome brilliant performer, Eddie Izzard! Eddie, welcome! Congratulations on your new movie. It's going to be a huge hit this summer! DishDiva says: angeleyes says: Tell us about your role in the film "Mystery Men." did you have superpowers? Greeter says: Please whisper your questions to a "Q" host! To whisper, click on a Q host at the top of the member list, type in your question and press the WHISPER button (The middle button next to where you typed the question) DishDiva says: angeleyes says: Tell us about your role in the film "Mystery Men." did you have superpowers? DishDiva says: Tony Pompadour Eddie_Izzard says: My role is Tony-Pompadour I have no superpowers I am just a bad guy with big hair I do a big gun DishDiva says: So you're a big haired guy with a big gun! Eddie_Izzard says: My only power is being very good with hair spray DishDiva says: petah says: Eddie, did you have to audition? Eddie_Izzard says: No I didn't have to audition The director Kinker Usher, asked me to play the part ( which was quite a small part) I just added what ever I could to the role DishDiva says: toxic_bunnie says: What made you wanna be a stand up comedian and an actor? Eddie_Izzard says: In desperation to get the love of an audience I am a very sad person and a big show off DishDiva says: ashygirl1 says: Did you fun making "Mystery Men"? Eddie_Izzard says: Yes it was great fun I thought I wouldn't enjoy LA, but I did enjoy it The weather in Feb. was like summer in England and I wasn't a big star in the film, it wasn't down to me to carry the film I could just play an idiot with big hair and have a ball DishDiva says: lance says: Why did you choose this role? Eddie_Izzard says: I don't think I chose it, I think it chose me I was offered it I came to it with Geoffrey Rush and all the rest of the cast of Mystery Men Most of the other parts were already cast, so I just went with this role and tried to make it mine DishDiva says: Did you hang out with the cast when you weren't filming? Eddie_Izzard says: Yes some of them there were many people in the cast, and I hung out with some of them at different times I didn't do scenes with all of them, but I gradually met them over the course of the filming Most of them knew LA very well and had a lot of friends there so they were off with other people most of the time but they were all friendly to me and yeah, I had fun DishDiva says: charlie4 says: Would you ever consider moving here to the States? Eddie_Izzard says: I used to think that I would move to the states, but I like Europe a lot and I am very excited about what is happening in Europe So I may live in America, or spend time in America, but I don't think I will be there permanently even though I would be quite happy to DishDiva says: Eddie, would you ever consider running for political office in the UK? Eddie_Izzard says: I am interested in politics, mainly European politics, I like to see the bigger picture so if I ever did get involved it would be in Europe DishDiva says: regalbeagel says: Nice hair. What hair products did you use in "Mystery Men." Eddie_Izzard says: Hair spray, hair spray, hair spray, and hair spray DishDiva says: meander says: How would you describe your style? Eddie_Izzard says: my personal style or the style of my character? DishDiva says: meander says: your personal style Eddie_Izzard says: My personal style is wierd based on the male tomboy look DishDiva says: belladonna says: asks: So far in your career, what has been your most enjoyable film experience? Eddie_Izzard says: Mystery Men could well be the most fun film I have done I have enjoyed doing all of them so far but being in LA was a fun experience so it could be Mystery Men DishDiva says: iloveyoueddie says: Do you get offered a lot of scripts or do you have to go out looking for good roles? Eddie_Izzard says: At this stage I have to go looking for the good roles, or set the projects up myself DishDiva says: yellogirl says: Eddie, is Lenny the one role you've always wanted to pla?? If not, which would be the ultimate plum role for you? Eddie_Izzard says: I don't have an ultimate role, but would like to play Richard III because I did hate Shakespeare and now I am quite curious about him and Richard 3 is a very challenging role and he is a complete bastard DishDiva says: hollykoally says: Mr. Izzard, I took off work today just hoping to get to chat with you! Please forgive me for the "maternal tone" of this question, but after following your career for awhile, you seem like a workaholic! When do you ever get any sleep, young man? Eddie_Izzard says: After this interview I am a workaholic....yeah absolutely My career went nowhere in the 80s so in the 90s I am trying to do 2 decades worth of work DishDiva says: jimbo says: Eddie, you walk better in pumps than most women I know. Are they really preferable to Nike's? Eddie_Izzard says: uh.....well they are different to Nikes but I seem to be able to walk in them quite well after a lot of practice but some heels can really kill DishDiva says: Betty_Boop says: If someone were to play you in a film or a play based on your life, who would you like it to be? Eddie_Izzard says: Sharon Stone DishDiva says: danny says: Definite Article, 1990. Was this the first world tour? How did foreign audiences find you? Eddie_Izzard says: Definite Article was shot in 95 and toured in 96 That was the first time I did a world tour, if I remember correctly The audiences were good from NY to Iceland to Paris I always have had a theory that comedy is universal, just have to get the audience to the gate DishDiva says: John1 says: You've been called by Robin Williams as the funniest man in the world. (Robin and his wife are co-producers of "Lenny.") Whom do YOU think is the funniest man in the world? Eddie_Izzard says: I don't think I am the funniest person in the world Comedy is not like sports and I think there are several really funny people in the world It was very good of Robin to say that...I don't know why he said it...he must be nuts DishDiva says: BelleSoCal asks: Eddie, will you be returning to Los Angeles for any live shows? Eddie_Izzard says: Yes In the first half of next year I will be in America touring my new show I don't really know dates at this moment DishDiva says: You can check out Eddie's website at http://www.izzard.com DishDiva says: HollyKoally asks: Mr. Izzard, how did you feel about doing a nude scene in "Lenny." Eddie_Izzard says: great I planned to have it built into my contract for my feature production DishDiva says: ginger says: Dig the clothes. Who is your designer and what is your favorite item of clothing? Eddie_Izzard says: I don't have a designer but I use a lot of Jean Paul Goutier clothing I don't think I have a favourite item of clothing but I do have a couple of skirts I wear a lot and one pair of knee length boots DishDiva says: LoriL asks: If you could jump into a time-machine what period would you like to visit? Eddie_Izzard says: London in early 1700s because it was a time when London really started getting crazy DishDiva says: Stoka asks: I have been trying to catch Dress To Kill on HBO so I can expose a few friends to a little intelligent comedy..Could you possibly trick your merchandising people into releasing Definite Article or Glorious for video rental in the US? Eddie_Izzard says: My videos and CDs will be released in America at some point in the near future At the moment I am in negotiation to sort all this out Follow my web site for details, as soon as I get one DishDiva says: Meg asks: Any upcoming film projects? Eddie_Izzard says: Apart from Mystery Men, I have been involved in 3 other films this year 2 in England and they are The Criminal and Circus and 1 filmed in Luxembourg with Malkevich and DeFoe called Shadow of the Vampire or Burned to Light DishDiva says: Slone70 asks: Mr. Izzard how do you stay so centered in a business like acting? Eddie_Izzard says: You have gotta remember it is all bull shit DishDiva says: Leanie asks: How long did it take you to learn french well enough to do an entire comedy routine, and to ad lib as well? Eddie_Izzard says: I learnt french at school up to when I was 16 and since then I have tried to speak French as much as possible. That is all I have really done but I had a strong desire to prove that you could do comedy in a 2nd language I think all Europeans will have to be bilingual in order for Europe to work It is the hardest thing I have done so far I'll be playing Paris again in December DishDiva says: Eddie, thank you so much for joining us tonight! You are a true comedy genius! Eddie_Izzard says: Thank you so very much |
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TV Guide: The incredibly funny Eddie Izzard is starring in the upcoming Mystery Men. Eddie also appeared in Velvet Goldmine and The Avengers. He has performed his one man shows Dress to Kill and Glorious the world over. His next role is as Lenny Bruce in the play Lenny opening July 28 in the West End, in London. For more info check out www.izzard.com. Thanks for coming. Izzard: Hello to everyone who's written crazy questions! tmlions: We are Eddie-deprived here in the states. PLEASE get 'your people' to work on videos in NTSC format! Izzard: I'm working on deals at the moment. And the videos and CD's will come out at some time in the future. But I don't want to do a bad deal, and I don't think you people would want me to do a bad deal either. So have patience, they'll all get there in the end. Elwood_Blues_UK: I've heard a rumour about a remake of The Italian Job with you appearing in it. Is this true? Izzard: No. I am a nut on the film The Italian Job, and I know a new print of the film is being released in Britain very soon. But if there is a remake being made, I haven't been approached. anniehiggy: It's fascinating how one director's approach to the crux of a play will differ significantly from another director's approach to the same written piece. What is the directorial style of Sir Peter Hall in the rehearsal process of Lenny? Izzard: Well Peter Hall (we don't use the Sir because it sounds a bit poncy) is known for being a very text-driven director. In the play Lenny, I'm doing a lot of Lenny Bruce's standup. And Lenny liked to improvise as much as he could. I like to improvise as well — as much as I can — and so it's been quite a weird experience for Peter. He has had to deal with me ad-libbing away from the script and going all over the place. But he's been very good. He's let me ad-lib — which must have freaked him out — and I have tried to keep to the text as much as possible on the scenes about Lenny Bruce's life. So I have enjoyed the experience. And I hope it works for the public. kathryn_dc: How's the Allure magazine 55-lipstick trial going? Izzard: I have already completed the Allure magazine 55-lipstick trial. The results were printed up in Allure magazine some time at the end of last year. I road-tested the lipstick in my standup show and I recommended about ten of them. I can't for the life of me remember which were the best. But I've got a lot of lipstick now. I'll never need to buy lipstick ever again. Elwood_Blues_UK: Did you dare do your infamous Sean Connery impersonation to his face when you worked together on The Avengers? Izzard: I did do an impression of Sean Connery to his face in New York, at the opening of Art, the hit play that he is a producer of. I was with Julia Ormond and she did an impression and I did an impression and he just looked at us and said "So when are you going to do these impressions?" So either he rated our impressions as very bad or he hadn't noticed that we had done them. I wasn't sure if he was joking or not. pinksugarlee: You have a great wardrobe. Who is your favorite designer? Izzard: Jean-Paul Gaultier. He has a great sense of humor and I've worn his clothes in my last three shows. I've been trying to meet him for the last four years but he is a bit elusive. I will meet him one day and I think we'll get on. Cause I speak French (a bit). zellinde31: Are you nervous about the Friday reviews in London? Izzard: Yes. But we had two weeks of previews, so hopefully we'll be cooking before they come and review it. So far, we have done two performances and the reaction seems to be positive. I'm enjoying it, even though it's exhausting and I never seem to stop talking. bandit11798: You have quite a following on your official web site's message board. Are you kept abreast of anything that goes on there? Izzard: Yes. I drop in and read the messages on the message board at different times. I try to keep abreast of people's comments and it is an interesting source of feedback. After the gig I played at Wembley Arena people came online 10 minutes after the gig finished and just left loads of comments, which was very interesting reading. I don't necessarily do what everyone advises or says, but it is interesting to read it. angelicgoddes4: What is Mystery Men all about? Izzard: Mystery Man is about a bunch of losers who believe they have superhuman powers — but they don't. There is a Mr. Furious who just gets angry. There is The Shoveler who is very good with a shovel. And there is The Spleen who just has a very hyperactive spleen. And Invisible Boy who believes he is invisible, but only when people don't look at him. So they are the good guys, and I play Tony Pompadour who is a bad guy with big hair. I die in the end (like you would expect). I hope it's fun. godsmacks_baby: Have you ever fallen on the stage when wearing those pretty open-toed shoes? Izzard: No. I don't think I've ever fallen on stage in heels. I think I would remember that. I have fairly good balance in high heels now, because I have practiced a lot (being an executive transvestite). lori_kc: Are there any plans to eventually bring Lenny to the U.S.? Izzard: Yes. If we get a good reaction here in London we will bring Lenny to Broadway some time next year. lea_elaine: Are you enjoying your experiences portraying Lenny Bruce? Do you find his a difficult style to mimic? Izzard: I am enjoying playing Lenny Bruce. I'm not doing an impersonation of Lenny Bruce, I am trying to capture his spirit. I don't look like Lenny Bruce, but hopefully he would be pleased with what I am doing. What I am aiming towards is something like what Anthony Hopkins did when he played Nixon in Oliver Stone's film. He didn't look like Nixon, but it didn't matter. After a while, watching the film, he just seemed to be Nixon. After the critics have seen the show, I'll be able to tell how good I've done. MalkovichsGirl: Can you tell me about Burned to Light? Izzard: Yes, it's a film about the making of Nosferatu, the German silent movie from the twenties. And John Malkovich plays Nurmau, the director, and Willem Defoe plays Schreck, the vampire. I play an idiot. I actually play the actor who goes to find the vampire in the film Nosferatu. So the film Burned To Light is a mixture of images from the film Nosferatu and the story of the making of Nosferatu. I look very weird in the film. madcatem: Any plans for a book, as so many other comedians are putting out now? Izzard: I have already done a book, which was supposed to be about the tour in America. It's called Dress To Kill (same name as the HBO special), and the book is on sale in England. It will probably also be released in America at some point — looking to strike a good deal (as opposed to just giving it to someone for £5). jsby97: I know you are a film buff. What are the films you most often recommend to others? Izzard: OK. The Great Escape. The Italian Job. Kelly's Heroes. Blade Runner. Those are four of the films that I really like, and there are lots more, but I can't remember them all. As my brain doesn't work in that way! SweetyTweetyBird_22: What powers did you have in the movie? Izzard: I have the power to make my hair be quite high. (I just have big hair). But I am protected by the God of hair care. He's a very 1970's God. orcadiana: How well are the decorations going on your nearly-new house in Notting Hill? Izzard: I don't actually live in Notting Hill. Someone just printed that up wrong. I live in Rio de Janeiro. Just by the sweet shop. But the decorations are coming on fine thanks. jsby97: If you could meet any figure from history who would it be? Izzard: Ooo. That's a good question. Noah. I'd just like to chat to him about his weird experience with all those animals. Or whether it was just a PR story for the Bible. CriminyPete: Who do you like better — Shaggy or Scooby? Izzard: Oh, Scooby. Scooby is Othello and Shaggy is his Iago. That analogy doesn't actually work but it sounds quite clever (even though it isn't). lori_kc: Your character in The Velvet Goldmine reminded me somewhat of Oliver Reed's role in Tommy. Was he an inspiration to you in any way? Izzard: Well, yes. I came to the conclusion that I wanted to do acting roles like the parts that Oliver Reed had played. I don't know whether I specifically thought of Oliver Reed when I played The Avengers because I didn't have much of a character to work off. I just chewed bubble gum and hit people. But I do like some of the better known roles that Oliver Reed played. franco1983: Eddie, seeing as it was where you were discovered, will you paying a visit to the Edinburgh fringe festival this year? Izzard: No. I'm afraid I'll be playing Lenny in the West End in London. So I won't be able to go to Edinburgh this year. tmlions: Will your official site make things like posters, T-shirts, videos, etc. available for sale? Izzard: I aim to do that at some point in the future, but we have to get set up with credit card payments and I haven't done that yet. But it will happen in the future. zellinde31: You finish Lenny and then start your UK tour the very next day. Do you ever need a break? Izzard: Yes. This is really a crazy thing to do — finishing Lenny and then going straight into the tour. But the only way I could do Lenny was if I squeezed it in before the tour. So that's why I'm getting no holiday. I will get a rest at some point (I hope). Goodglymm: When performing a comedy routine in the US, do you find any major differences in the audience vs UK audiences? Izzard: No. Exactly the same. Most people think there will be a huge difference between audiences in different countries — I don't think there is. But I think every country has several different types of audience. All I have to do when playing America is to try and encourage the right audience to come to my show. But New York, LA and San Francisco audiences seem very similar to London audiences. They get the same things. the_laughing_gnomes: Cake or death? Izzard: Cake (I think). Goodglymm: What was the most difficult part about writing Dress To Kill? Izzard: I didn't write it. I just sort of ad-libbed it over five months of performing in America and gradually built up the material that turned into the show Dress To Kill. roxxib: What's your idea of the perfect holiday? Izzard: I'm not sure. I'm not very good at holidays. I don't like to just lie on the beach. I think the ingredients I need are sun, but not too much, and interesting places to visit and discover — and a moped with no helmet. _Nuith_: I really like a man who is not afraid to dress, you have the right idea. What was it that gave you the confidence to go for your look, and your politically edgy material? Izzard: It just seemed like a good idea at the time. I came out when I was 23 and I found that human beings seem to respond to performers who are open. So I just tried to be open with them and just tell the truth as far as I can — also to talk a lot of bollocks at the same time. So truth and bollocks. TV Guide: Thanks for chatting with us tonight Eddie. Any words before you go? Izzard: Goodnight to all the crazy people who have written in. Sorry I couldn't answer all the questions, but I would have died in the attempt! Bye! |
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Panel Discussion Bill: All right. Critically acclaimed actor/comedian, his one-man show is "Dressed to Kill," his movie is "The Avengers." Eddie Izzard. Eddie. [ Cheers and applause ] How are you, sir? Nice to meet you. She is a founding member of the Savior's Alliance for Lifting the Truth, the girl from S.A.L.T., Christine O'Donnell. Our friend. [ Cheers and applause ] Christine: Hi. Bill: Hey. Thanks for the underwear. Thank you. She just finished a year and a half run of the smash hit revival of "Chicago," Jasmine Guy. [ Cheers and applause ] Hi, gorgeous. How are you? Thank you for coming. And one of the stars of "Sabrina, the Teenage Witch" right here on this very network, Mr. Martin Mull. [ Cheers and applause ] Martin, how are you? Good to see you. Okay. All righty. Well, listen, I want to read a couple of things that crossed my mind over the weekend. Now as you know, Monica Lewinsky has finally rolled over on the president. [ Laughter ] Which broke my heart because I thought she wouldn't. I thought she was made of sterner stuff. And I read in the paper -- here, listen to this, it said she went to Los Angeles right before this to confer with I don't know who, I guess her friends. And she said she asked her friends, "Am I doing the right thing?" They encouraged her to do whatever she believed it would take to put an end to her six-month ordeal. The fate of the country is sort of at stake. Her six-month ordeal. I compare that to the end of "Casablanca" where Humphrey Bogart says, "It doesn't take much to see that the lives of three little people don't amount to a hill of beans in this crazy world." Is that a fair comparison, that one generation sort of thought of others and this generation only thinks of themselves? Jasmine: Is that a fair assessment? Bill: Yeah. Eddie: I think it's kind of extreme, even though I'm kind of with you when I thought she wouldn't go, and who gives a monkeys anyway. And, you know, I think even if it goes to impeachment over this, I think the lying thing is -- there should be -- lies should be graded, I think. A little lie -- there's sort of, if he did have a relationship, which everyone seems to be going, "Well, it wasn't a relationship having --" everyone goes, "Who gives a monkeys?" No one gives a damn. And, you know, I'm from Europe. Jasmine: If they started lying, they should stay lying. I don't think she should -- [ Laughter ] Christine: But there's -- Jasmine: I just think it's whacked. I think, you know, you either -- you have somebody's back or you don't. Christine: Also, but you -- Bill: That's what I mean. Jasmine: And I think that's tackier than me -- or as tacky as having the affair in the first place. Bill: But if she was going to stay with the program, if she -- Jasmine: Right. Stay with the program. Christine: But just on that, I mean, telling the truth is always the right thing to do, I believe, and it's always what gets you out of the situation. Jasmine: I don't agree with that. Bill: I don't agree with it either. Christine: But -- but -- but, Bill, you brought up another point about the whole generation. I was so, kind of -- you put two questions out there saying about this generation looks out for themselves only. Bill: Right. Christine: And that's exactly what this generation has been taught to do. I mean, this is going to maybe get onto a whole other subject, but -- Bill: That's okay. Christine: Thank you, Bill. You said that so compassionately. But when you look at the things that this generation is being taught, one by legalized abortion, you know, that -- Bill: Oh, does everything have to always come to abortion? Christine: No, but -- Bill: No matter what the subject -- outer space, cloning, abortion. [ Laughter ] Prison rights, you know. Christine: No! Abortion, I mean -- [ Talking at once ] Martin: If you keep looking out for your own needs, you'll never need an abortion. You know what I mean? Christine: Yes, you will. If your -- this generation is told to just do what they feel like doing on impulses, not consider the consequences. Jasmine: Told by who? My parents didn't teach me that. Doesn't anybody have parents anymore? [ Applause ] Christine: By the people who -- Jasmine: My parents gave me morals. My parents taught me what was right or wrong. My parents didn't send me to public school and say "Let the teachers tell Jasmine how to figure things out in the world." I learned it at home -- Christine: And that is great. Jasmine: -- I learned it from my parents. And I think that this whole "The society is responsible for raising kids" is a little overboard. I really think -- [ Applause ] Christine: I'm not saying -- I don't think -- I don't -- I agree with you. I agree with you. Eddie: It doesn't take a village. Jasmine: No, it does take a village, but not the village without the parent. Christine: Right, right. Eddie: Get back to your initial question then. Your initial question is about this lying thing. Bill: One person with lipstick speaking at a time. [ Laughter ] [ Applause ] Martin. Martin: How'd you know? [ Laughter ] Eddie: What I want to know about as far as coming -- Bill: After six months. Eddie: I'm going to still make this point. I have the lipstick, I make the point. Okay, my lipstick's stronger than both of these. I just want to say, this lying thing, 'cause we do have a blanket lying thing. And this lying about a relationship, we had the '60s, almost the 21st century, and I appreciate respect for different people having different morality codes because different people do have different morality codes. And this light is a double-parking lie, whether you have this relationship or whatever, even the semen on the dress, it's going on about that, getting semen right out there in the open there, it doesn't seem to matter so much. It's not like a Holocaust-lying Hitler. There wasn't a Holocaust, there was a Holocaust. It's a double-parking relationship. Bill: Right. And it is on the dress, it didn't get in anybody's womb. So there's no abortion issue here. [ Laughter ] I have to take a commercial. Thank you. ----------------------- Bill: All right. We were talking about, well, the only thing anyone's ever talking about. And you were saying, and we cut you off. Go ahead. Martin: Well, I was wondering, why didn't she have this dress dry-cleaned immediately? Christine: Yes. Martin: What makes you keep it for six months? If she had this dress that may well have the presidential seal, whatever you want it call it -- [ Laughter ] Is it just sitting there in the plastic bag thinking, "You know, I may need this in case we ever go to the grand jury"? Jasmine: Maybe that's her thing, like men save panties. Maybe she saves her dresses. Eddie: What do you mean? She gave it up. Martin: Like a pressed flower in the book? [ Laughter ] Bill: She gave it to her mother. Eddie: I think she did because, I mean, how often are you going to get off with the president? I mean, how often is she going to get off with a president? And then therefore the semen is there. And that is the proof when it comes down to it. I don't think -- I don't feel she saved it so that she could use it in a grand jury thing. I just felt, you know -- presidential semen, exactly. Christine: As a twisted souvenir. Eddie: It is bizarro. I join you even though my ideas are not quite in your area. But I join you. It's in kind of a bizarro area. But I think that, you know, how often do you go out with a president? Martin: The other question is, what is one-hour martinizing? I've never known that -- Can that get it out? The one-hour martinizing at the dry cleaners. You've never seen dry cleaners with one-hour martinizing? Bill: Yes, martinize, yes. What is martinizing and why does it take an hour? Eddie: But they probably say down in the shop, "This is semen. You can't get that out for love nor money, you know." [ Laughter ] Bill: But, now, Arthur Slesinger has this article in the paper today to address the question you raised about truth, and that you started to go into. Let me see if you agree with this. He says many people in America seem to feel that questions no one has a right to ask do not call for truthful answers. You would not agree with that? Christine: Oh, absolutely not. You always have to talk about the truth. That's why we're called the Savior's Alliance for Lifting the Truth. Jasmine: And do you in your personal relationships always tell the truth? Christine: Absolutely. Absolutely. I do my -- Bill: Well, she's a virgin, so it's not hard. Christine: No -- Jasmine: She has nothing to lie about. Bill: It's only hard if you were like ever having sex with somebody. Right? Christine: No. But, yeah, I tell the truth. Bill: I'm saying, for you, not hard. For others, harder. [ Talking at once ] Eddie: If you saw someone who was actually ugly or something where you felt was -- would you be honest, "God, you're an ugly person"? [ Laughter ] Christine: You know what? That's actually a pretty good point, because I make it a practice to find a compliment in everybody. You know, I love your lipstick. But, I mean, because I know for me -- [ Laughter ] For me -- Eddie: That's my only compliment I'm going to get? [ Laughter ] The top is very good. Christine: If someone says something to me -- Eddie: You can go for the top as well. Christine: You know, I could be having a horrible day and someone will say something. So, what you're saying, like you meet an ugly person, do you have to lie? Eddie: I'm not -- so ugly is a bad example. But there is the thing with the truth. I do feel truth needs to be graded, because you grade murder. I talk about this in my stand-up -- murder one down to murder two, murder nine, whatever you go to. Grade the lies because Hitler saying "We are not killing the Jews" and there's 6 million to dead is a -- let me finish on it -- is a different thing than saying "Did you park there and is that your car?" "No, it isn't my car." You know. They're sort of lying about double parking. There are different levels of lying. Christine: Whether it be a lie or an exaggeration is disrespect to whoever you are exaggerating or lying to. Because it's not -- Bill: Quite the opposite. It can be respect. Christine: It's not respecting reality. Eddie: What if Hitler comes to you in the middle of the second World War and says, "Do you have any Jewish people in your house?" and you do have. Would you lie to him? That would be a lie. That would be disrespectful to Hitler. Bill: Right, good question, Eddie. Jasmine: Can you say that again? Christine: I don't think -- [ Cheers and applause ] But, you know what? I believe that if I were in that situation -- Bill: Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. Answer the question. Christine: I am. If I were in that situation, God would provide a way to do the right thing. Bill: Oh, shut up. [ Laughter ] Christine: I believe that. Bill: God is not there. Hitler's there and you're there. Christine: You never have to practice deception. Eddie: The only way out of it -- Christine: I believe that. Eddie: The only way out of it apart from lying would be to get a gun and shoot Hitler and then you wouldn't have to lie. Christine: No! We cannot limit God. Jasmine: I think Bill Clinton owes Hillary the truth. He doesn't owe me the truth on that particular point. Christine: Yes, he does, Jasmine, because you're an American citizen. Jasmine: I didn't vote for him because he doesn't screw around though. I knew when I voted for him that he did. [ Cheers and applause ] Christine: Yeah, but you know what, Jasmine? I respect that. I respect that. I respect that. Jasmine: I voted for him for other things that he does. Christine: You know what then, Jasmine? We should all have that same right to vote for him knowing whether or not he's screwing around. Jasmine: But then you got a lot of people to clean out on Capitol Hill. You're being very naive. Christine: I agree with you. Jasmine: And there are a lot of alcoholics up there too, and a lot of drug addicts. Christine: I know exactly what's going on. Jasmine: I hate this moral stand with one man and not with everybody else. Christine: I think they all should be held -- [ Cheers and applause ] Bill: I have to take a commercial. -------------- Bill: All right. I guess we were talking about truth and its relativity. And you raised that interesting question about Hitler, which Christine couldn't really answer. Christine: Yes, I did answer that. Bill: Your answer was "God will come to the door too and save you." Which is silly. Eddie: That does seem to be dodging the question. How do you feel about transvestism? I mean, in your religion, thing. Because I do want to respect other people's point of view. I just don't necessarily agree with yours. But is it okay in your -- is it a religion or --? Christine: Transvestites? Eddie: Yeah. Christine: Well, I think you have to look on someone's heart. You know? I mean -- Bill: He's got lipstick on that too. Eddie: At least I'm telling the truth, you know. It is being open and honest, this is my -- Christine: Are you living with integrity? You know -- Eddie: I'm living with fantastic integrity... Bill: ... and a guy named Raoul. [ Laughter ] Is that a problem? Christine: Is my name RuPaul? No. It's a matter of what we do behind closed doors will be seen by God. Eddie: It's not closed doors. Christine: No, wait. I'm not talking about the way you dress. Our life needs to be consistent. And you've brought up the point about, you know, people on Capitol Hill and all that stuff. Well, I agree. I think that as a leader, you are making a statement that "I agree to live beyond reproach or above reproach." Martin: Let me ask you this. Isn't one of the things a president is known for is that he should be a diplomat? And diplomacy, implicit in the word diplomacy, is shadings of the truth. When he meets the head of Communist China or some enemy of ours, is he going to say "It's very nice to meet you, sir" and that is parenthetically bs or is he going to say, "You really piss me off"? [ Laughter ] Christine: You don't have to be -- there's an appropriate -- Martin: It's called diplomacy. And in his case it may be a lie. Christine: There's a time to speak and a time not to speak. But there is never a time to lie. Bill: Well, not speaking can be the biggest lie. That is a lie of omission as opposed to commission, so -- Christine: But that's not -- Bill: That itself is a lie, what you just said. Christine: That again is -- Bill: You're a liar. Uh-oh. Christine: -- with the intention to -- that's with the intention to deceive. [ Laughter ] Is the intention to deceive? Bill: Yes, of course. When you leave something out, you can deceive, yes. Christine: And that's my point. Is there -- there is a time to just politely refrain. Eddie: Well, I think that the thing here in the government that we've got to update, the '60s did happen, it's the 21st century, and I think he probably did inhale and he does have relationships, and let's not say that they are the hellish things that they are. Let's all move up and say that a lot of people do it and lie about it. Christine: And you know what? Eddie: And I think we should bring that out into the open and say, "Actually it's cool because in France they don't give a monkeys about that." Christine: And you know what's going to happen? Eddie: Everyone's just chilling out about it. I don't think the society will fall apart and everyone -- Christine: If we as a nation accept that kind of moral standards of our leaders -- Jasmine: Sure. Christine: Then our country is going to fall apart. Eddie: It will save a lot of lying. And you hate lying. Yes it will, because I think a lot of people -- Christine: Look what's happening in our country now. [ Talking at once ] Eddie: Now I'm going to finish on this. People are trying to be honest about doing it. Christine: I think we're going to have to take a break here. Eddie: -- 'cause otherwise I wouldn't get a word in edgewise. See, I'm trying to be honest about it. And I think we should update the 21st century -- and let it be consistent with how people are actually behaving. Christine: If we build a foundation on lies -- Eddie: Let me finish. Martin: Isn't it time to be quiet as well? Eddie: I just think -- be open and honest about it and then we wouldn't have to have the lying about the relationships. Christine: Okay, but -- Eddie: They could have an open relationship. Christine: My point is -- Eddie: I think they probably do have, between Hillary and Bill. Christine: My point is if we as a nation accept that kind of morality, we're going to fall. If we accept it and the point -- Bill: What do you mean? Other nations have accepted that morality and they have not fallen. [ Talking at once ] Eddie: Well no. France is doing very well without falling... Christine: (shrilly) May I speak now? Eddie: I just wanted to say that one last point. Bill: (to Eddie, pretending to be annoyed) Can she lift the truth? Christine: --thank you. That's what I'm trying to do. The point that you brought up -- Bill: We have to go -- (said with a smile) Christine: Do we? Bill: Do we? Do we have a second? Christine: You're wasting my time. Eddie: We all are? Christine: I didn't mean it like that. Eddie: I'm very sorry. Let's all go and just leave you here -- Christine: We're about to take a break, let me make my point. My point is, there are consequences to our actions. And if we as a nation tolerate sin, generations to come will -- Eddie: Whose sin? Christine: Generations to come will reap the effects of that. For example, we took the Bible and prayer out of public schools. Now we're having weekly shootings practically, where -- Eddie: Oh! Bill: Oh! Christine: No, wait a minute, wait a minute. Bill: That's the connection. I think we're having weekly shootings 'cause we sold pet rocks in department stores. That's the connection. [ Applause ] Christine: We have the '60s sexual revolution. Bill: Okay, now I really have to take a commercial. But we'll come back. Announcer: Join us tomorrow when our guests will be -- Florence Henderson, Larry Flynt, Andrea Abbate and Dan McVicar. [ Cheers and applause ] ------------------------------ Bill: All right. So, the report in the paper today was that they did the DNA testing on the infamous dress, we don't know what it is. But I'm sure the story will leak. But what if it comes back that -- [ Laughter ] Martin: Yeah. Bill: It's -- this story is so ripe for double entendre. I didn't even mean it. But what if it comes back and there's a DNA from like eight people on it? [ Laughter ] [ Applause ] What do they do then? Christine: I don't think they should send the DNA results back until after Clinton testifies. Bill: What if O.J. is on it? Eddie: If it's got eight people's DNA on it then it's some sort of scoreboard, some board, you know, dart board that she's saying, "Just urinate over here." Christine: If it's eight people's DNA on it, it really needs to be dry-cleaned. [ Laughter ] Bill: Without the class. Oh, gosh. We're done. |
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