James Lipton and the Actors Studio did it for fun with the actors…..Now, I’m doing it for fun with the writers.
What does Spitting Image, Have I Got News For You, Miranda, and Al Murray’s Happy Hour all have in common?
Answer: Comedy writer, Paul Powell.
With a Chelmsford education behind him, Paul began writing while studying Engligh at Oxford University. In 1991 he appeared in the Oxford Review and from then on in, was smitten with the written word. Radio Four’s ‘Weekending’ gave Paul his first writing job, where he rubbed shoulders with Ben Millar, Al Murray, and Harry Hill.
Since then, Paul has notched up quite a resume, working on some of the best and well-loved comedies on the box. Shows such as Minute to Win It, Miranda, 8 Out Of 10 Cats, Top Gear, Hell’s Kitchen, and Dead Ringers have all had the golden touch of Paul’s humorous imagination. And stars such as Ant and Dec, Granham Norton, Bradley Walsh, Paul Merton, and Girls Aloud have all worked with him.
In fact, Paul’s comedy skills are so good, he has even reached the dizzy heights of Hollywood, working alongside the likes of Whoopi Goldberg, Will Smith, Jada Pinkett, and very recently, Barry Manilow on ‘An Audience With…’. He even happily admits to cornering Buzz Aldrin at London Studios.
And it doesn’t stop there. Paul has won awards….. and lots of them. He picked up a Comedy Award for Al Murray’s Happy Hour, an RTS award for Miranda, starring the brilliant Miranda Hart, and the title of 39th Greatest Comedy Sketch for ‘Saying Goodbye’ from Smack The Pony.
As well as writing for television, Paul has also written numerous shows for Radio, and he is so passionate about his writing, he even starred in one of his own TV shows, Stuff the week.
Oh, and he’s also a non-executive director of Author’s Licensing and Collection Society, an excellent organisation which was formed to protect the rights of writers. And, there’s more…. he co-owns his own production company, Black Dog Television, with Dan Gastor and Will Ing.
So, when he’s not at the BBC, or out lunching with women who want a 30 Second Interview, what does Paul get up to? He hangs out at his local coffee shop and co-writes best-selling books: i.e. ‘Top Gear: Alternative Highway Code’, and ‘The Vicar of Dibley’.
Phew. The man’s a writing machine!
His new show ‘Alexander Armstrong’s Big Ask’ starts Monday 6th February at 9pm on Dave. Don’t miss it!
So what could this man, who’s engaged in a pepper growing race with me, have to say for himself?
1. What is your favorite word? Louche
2. What is your least favorite word? Chillax
3. What turns you on? Wife
4. What turns you off? Cynicism
5. What sound do you love? Glug
6. What sound do you hate? Sniffing
7. What is your favorite curse word? Arse
8. What profession other than yours would you like to attempt? Musician
9. What profession would you not like to do? Undertaker
10. If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates? ”High-Five.”
Contact Information
For more information regarding Paul Powell, please check out his Website, Production Company, twitter, Google+, LinkedIn, ALCS
If you want more of me, I can be found on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Linkedin
Donna Collins' Blog 
Okay my British friend, what does ‘louche’ mean?
Dang, this guy has done everything. I need to check my BBC channel to see if the Big Ask is on ~ that show looks funny!
The first video totally got me by surprise. Well done, Paul!
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Tameri, Paul said he’d show you 🙂
Dictionary definition of ‘Louche’ : Disreptuable, shifty.
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