Garrett Millerick is world reknowned and critically acclaimed stand-up comedian who’s stand-up appearances include the likes of Conan. His sitcom Do Goodersstarring Jack Dee and Meera Syal is returning to the BBC for a second season and his stand-up show Needs More Space was a highlight of 2024’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe. We caught up with him to find out more about his show Just Trying To Help, which has been specially filmed by 800 Pound Gorilla , and can be watched for free here. We caught upm with Garrett to find out more.
How would you pitch “Just Trying to Help” to someone who thinks the ZX Spectrum was the pinnacle of technology?
I guess I’d have to start by extolling the possibilities offered by online video streaming, as I think you’re probably going to struggle to watch it on a ZX Spectrum. Then we could have a lively debate about there being more to life than ‘Jet Set Willy’. But if we could get that out of the way, I think there is a lot on the show for you to enjoy.
Everyone is always convinced that technology peaked when they were young. The Spectrum wasn’t the pinnacle of technology, it was just what was around the last time that the world didn’t feel like such a strange and confusing place. You’re just grabbing onto your youth and making unhealthy projections. But that’s ok; everyone does that to some extent or another, but it’s not going to cure what’s wrong with you; you’re depressed and living in the past. Laughter is one of the best ways of starting to address depression.
So, I think it’s not just a good idea for you to watch my show, it’s a medical necessity. You’ll have fun; there are a lot of jokes in there about how technology has ruined the world. And you can take those jokes at face value if it makes you feel better.
Why should I see this show? Where can I see this show?
For ages, the only way you could see this show was by leaving the house. But I’m painfully aware of all the nightmarish obstacles that must be overcome to engage in that sort of activity. So we filmed it, so now you can have all the benefits of an evening out, without the inconvenience. It’s an incredibly cost-effective proxy, too, because it won’t cost you anything. It’s available to watch on YouTube and numerous other video streaming platforms. A list of which can be obtained by heading to the link at the end of this article. It’s also available as an audio album, so if you’re sick of podcasts and can’t find an audiobook that grabs you, you can have some stand-up to accompany your morning dog walk.
What other shows on 800lb Gorilla would you recommend?
Pierre Novellie, Fern Brady, Chris MacArthur-Boyd, Helen Bauer, Dan Muggleton, Alfie Brown. The list is almost endless. They have an incredible catalogue of artists from all over the world.
What do you mean by “Remember You Are Mortal?”
The Auriga was a slave in ancient Rome. They were tasked with a really important job: to stand behind the emperor, whispering this phrase in his ear during triumphant parades. I have a bit of fun picking apart the god-like status that tech billionaires play in our society at the end of the show. It occurred to me that it might be an idea to bring back the lost art of having a quiet word in someone’s ear. It just might help matters.
What’s your favourite gag from the show?
There’s a joke about Artex in the middle of the show. It doesn’t really thematically relate to the rest of the show, but it was the only joke I wrote during the first lockdown. So, it’s basically in there for tax purposes. I’m rather fond of it.
Is the current news cycle a boon or a nightmare for satirists?
Satirists might be responsible for the current news cycle. The prevalence of comics acting like self-appointed politicians over the last few decades seems to have muddied the line between politics and comedy. Politicians have taken that muddied line and run with it to a point that has proved to be unhelpful.
Has Social Media ruined comedy?
No. It’s changed distribution and consumption patterns. That makes it easier for some things to break through and more challenging for others. That’s quite exciting. More people watched this special in one night on the internet than saw it over a month at the Edinburgh Festival. That’s great. It wouldn’t exist as a show if I hadn’t been able to work on it in a live space because that’s the art form. But I can move on now and make a new show, and this one can live on through the distribution networks that exist now. And people who see clips of this show on social media can go and watch the show or come and see me live. Or they can swipe onto something that’s more their cup of tea and not end up buying a ticket for something they won’t like. It’s an exciting time to be working.
Has AI ruined science fiction?
No, not at all. AI is like a science fiction tribute act. The people who built it are clearly huge fans of dystopian nightmares but maybe not the most attentive consumers of parables.
What’s the toughest part of the writing process for you?
Starting. Once you’re off and running, everything slots into place. Getting off and running is like that movie Castaway. Where Tom Hanks can’t leave the island because there is this massive wave that keeps slamming him back on the shore. After a few years, he works out how to build a sail out of an old, battered piece of discarded rubbish, and it finally gets him over the wave and onto the high seas. Being a writer is like that; you’re constantly looking around for old pieces of battered rubbish to see if they’ll help you fly.
What other projects would you like to work on?
I’m currently writing the second series of my sitcom Do Gooders. That’s been a dream project of mine for quite some time, so it was lovely to get to do it last year. So, getting to go back and do a second series of it is perfect. That’ll keep me busy till the winter. Then I’ve got an idea for another stand-up show brewing that I’ll probably start road testing before Christmas.
Simpsons or Futurama?
An impossible question. The first nine series of The Simpsons is the greatest sitcom ever written. Utterly flawless. It’s not really the same thing anymore. I may be falling into your ZX Spectrum trap here, but that era of the Simpsons was an important influence during my formative years. When it changed into something that was less my cup of tea Futurama came along and blew me away. Then it went away, and they brought it back, and it wasn’t the same. I think what I’m trying to say is that the world is big enough for both The Simpsons and Futurama but probably would have benefited from just slightly less of each.
Vampires or Werewolves?
I have no opinion on this. I just wish they’d settle their differences and learn to live in peace.
Truth or Beauty?
When we abandon truth, the world becomes ugly. So again, you can’t have one without the other. But then again, if a friend presents you with an ugly baby and says ‘isn’t he beautiful’ it doesn’t always pay to tell the truth. It’s complicated.
You can watch ‘Just Trying To Help’, Garrett’s new stand-up special on 800lb Gorilla’s YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBL2WPmoklY , and learn more about Garret on his website, https://www.garrettmillerick.com
