Michael McIntyre: Americans Don't Understand English | The Jonathan Ross Show

Summary

In this humorous interview, Michael McIntyre shares insights into his life as a comedian and father. He discusses his incredible success, including holding the keys to the O2 Arena, while juggling family life with his two sons. McIntyre offers candid reflections on his personal struggles with weight and body image, as well as the challenges of staying connected with his kids during his tours. With his signature wit, he also pokes fun at cultural differences between British and American English, leaving audiences laughing at his playful take on language and life.

Takeaways

• 😀 Michael McIntyre has been so successful that the O2 Arena gave him keys to the venue, allowing him to perform there anytime he wishes.
• 😀 McIntyre humorously talks about his physical appearance, comparing his posture to a sack of potatoes when sitting, and joking about his hair not being on par with pop stars like Zayn Malik.
• 😀 McIntyre’s two sons, aged 10 and 7, are starting to show signs of teenage behavior, with his eldest son Lucas becoming obsessed with rap music, especially Eminem, despite the explicit content.
• 😀 When dropping his kids off at school, McIntyre embarrasses them intentionally by waving and kissing them in front of their classmates to prevent them from distancing themselves from him.
• 😀 McIntyre reveals that despite his weight loss earlier in the year, he’s now in a cycle of yo-yo dieting, admitting he lies to himself about his weight by weighing himself right after waking up and before eating.
• 😀 McIntyre discusses how some of his fans perform his jokes in the audience during his live shows, and how he encourages them to do so for fun, even if it feels strange to hear others perform his material.
• 😀 He shares a funny experience from a show in Wembley, where he waited too long after the encore, only to return to an empty arena as audience members had already left to catch the train.
• 😀 McIntyre explains the physical demands of his performances, describing how he warms up with smaller gigs before moving on to larger arenas, and how his stage routine requires stamina, as it can last over an hour.
• 😀 He talks about the importance of having material ready for an encore and the challenges of keeping the audience engaged, especially when trying to leave the stage and come back for a second round.
• 😀 McIntyre humorously critiques the differences between British and American English, offering funny explanations for terms like 'sidewalk' (pavement), 'eyeglasses' (glasses), and 'horseback riding' (horse riding), mocking the over-explanation of simple concepts.

Q & A

What is the significance of Michael McIntyre receiving keys to the O2 venue?

The keys to the O2 venue symbolize Michael McIntyre's immense popularity and success. It's a gesture of recognition from the venue, acknowledging that he can fill the arena at any time, showcasing his status as a top comedian.

How does Michael McIntyre feel about his own appearance during the interview?

McIntyre humorously critiques his own appearance, particularly his posture and hair. He jokingly describes his posture as resembling a 'sack of potatoes' when sitting down, and he playfully complains about the state of his hair, comparing it to others, including the band members of One Direction.

What does Michael McIntyre say about his relationship with his children?

Michael discusses the challenges of being away from his family due to his touring schedule. While his kids, especially his 10-year-old son Lucas, are growing more independent and showing signs of teenage behavior, McIntyre emphasizes that they still love and miss him. He also humorously mentions how his kids sometimes find him embarrassing.

How does Michael McIntyre handle dropping off his kids at school?

McIntyre humorously describes his approach to dropping his kids off at school. He enjoys embarrassing them by holding their hands and kissing them in front of their peers, despite their desire for more independence. He finds joy in keeping them close for as long as possible.

What is Michael McIntyre's take on his son's music taste?

McIntyre is both amused and confused by his son's obsession with rap music, particularly Eminem, given the explicit content of the lyrics. He tries to spin it positively by highlighting Eminem's love for his mother, suggesting that his son should be inspired to treat his own mother with similar affection.

What did Michael McIntyre reveal about his weight loss and current struggle?

McIntyre shares that he lost a significant amount of weight earlier in the year but has since started putting it back on. He humorously admits to lying to himself about the situation and describes his morning routine of weighing himself, trying to convince himself that his weight is still under control despite the reality.

How does Michael McIntyre incorporate his audience into his live shows?

McIntyre has a unique approach to engaging with his audience by having fans perform his material. He encourages them to share their own versions of his jokes, and he plays these recordings at the beginning of his shows, highlighting how his material has impacted his fans' lives.

What happened during McIntyre’s encore performance at Wembley?

McIntyre recounts a funny but awkward experience during his encore at Wembley, where he milked the moment by staying offstage too long. As a result, many audience members left early to catch the train, leaving him to return to an almost empty arena, which he humorously describes as embarrassing.

What is McIntyre’s opinion on the differences between British and American English?

McIntyre humorously critiques American English, suggesting that Americans often modify English words for clarity. He gives examples like 'sidewalk' for 'pavement' and 'eyeglasses' for 'glasses,' and jokingly implies that the Americans needed more explanation to understand everyday concepts.

How does McIntyre feel about his lack of recognition in America?

McIntyre acknowledges that he has no profile in America, despite the global fame of his fellow Brits in One Direction. He jokes about how people in the U.S. assume he's there for business meetings, only for him to reveal that he’s actually there to visit theme parks with his kids.