TALK TALK
What people are saying about Eddie Izzard
[Madeleine Martin, Actress]
(When asked what what TV people are watching):
Madeleine Martin, 14, plays David Duchovny's daughter on new series Californication:
The Riches, simply because "I love Eddie Izzard." She worked with him on Broadway
in A Day In The Death of Joe Egg.
|
[Alex Dallas, Actress]
Dallas hung out with Robbie Coltrane and Eddie Izzard in the early '80s, when
she was a founding member of Sensible Footwear women's comedy troupe. "Eddie Izzard
wore oven gloves in the shape of animals on the street, busking..."
|
[Ben Cooper, Head of Programming BBC1]
And what's your most embarrassing moment?
Doing an impression of Eddie Izzard, who I think is brilliant, when I met him.
|
[Eric Idle: Actor, Comedian]
Eric Idle's 2003 Greedy Bastard Tour included a stop in Boston (he performed
at the Orpheum). In his new book, "The Greedy Bastard Diary: A Comic Tour of America,"
he writes about his day off in Beantown: It's brilliant to have a day off. I slip
into Macy's and buy some makeup. The assistant looks at me in horror as I slap
on a liquid base and ask knowledgeably about blush. Early shoppers watch askance
as a very mature British man leans into a mirror dabbing on concealer. It's kind
of fun. Appropriately, Eddie Izzard calls. He's in town. Neither of us are working
tonight so we decide to meet for a movie. I meet Eddie at the movies and we watch
"Mystic River." Afterward we cab for coffee and a Kaliber at the Parish Cafe,
on Boylston Street. I remind him that the last time I saw him (about three weeks
ago on the L.A. leg of his Sexie tour) he was sitting backstage with Sharon Stone
talking about La Perla underwear. He laughs and raises an eloquent and ambivalent
eyebrow. "Well, you have to," he says. The very nice people at the Parish Cafe
won't let us pay. The odds against two British comedians wandering in off the
streets have clearly impressed them.
|
[Cherielynn Westrich: Musician]
On your demo CD, is the title of the song "Have
You Got a Flag" a reference to the Eddie Izzard routine? And what is the dialog
in that song taken from?
" Cherie: Yes it's Eddie Izzard. I wasn't sure if people would get that.
The voiceover is [Charles] Manson at a parole hearing."
|
[Tori Amos: Musician]
"...And all of a sudden there is a flash of light. And where has it come from?
Watching Eddie Izzard do Ozzie as well as Ozzie does? Mixed with the love of a
good man. Mixed with watching a transvestite perform 'I've Never Been To Me' by
Charlene, Mixed with your mom barely surviving a cardiac arrest... and then voila.
There it is. Finally you stumble upon the second well."
(thanks Champagne)
|
[Brian Dennehy: Actor]
In response to the question of whether he was nervous about the upcoming
Tony awards for which he was nominated:
"No, not really. I expect Eddie Izzard to win, though. He was amazing in Joe Egg.
He's a real interesting guy (chuckle)."
(thanks Jennifer)
|
[David Mamet: Playwright]
He plans to send him Faust. To play Mephistopheles? "Or Faust himself," says
Mamet. "As they say in my country, he can put his shoes under my bed any time
he wants. He's a great artist. I revere him." (thanks Peggy)
|
[Mark and Lard: Radio Personalities]
Who's the funniest guest you've ever had on the show?
Mark: Funniest guest.... Ally McCoist, he's highly infectious.
Lard: McCartney was a laugh.
Mark: Also Eddie Izzard, Harry Hill.
Lard: I like Peter Kay.
Mark: Oh and Stephen Fry was good. He came in just at the time he'd admitted he'd
tried ecstasy.
Lard: Moby wasn't funny. When he was on our show. He is now known as Moby Dick.
Did you see what I did there? I used his uncle's novel to berate him.
|
[Rory Bremner: British Performer]
Who is the funniest person you know?
Becky Ware, by e-mail Iain Duncan Smith. I don't know him exactly, but what I
see makes me laugh. He reminds me of Caspar the Friendly Ghost. My favourite comedians
are Billy Connolly, Eddie Izzard, Peter Kay, Ricky Gervais and Ross Noble, and
I thought that Dame Edna's appearance on Parkinson was one of the best turns I've
seen for a long time – sharp and full of mischief. And, over the next few weeks,
I know the Johns will make me laugh a lot.
|
[Sean Hughes: British comedian]
"Eddie's brilliant but his act doesn't go anywhere". (thanks Andy)
|
[Moby: Musician, from his online diary]
"...in other news, isn't eddie izzard terriffic? i was watching an eddie
izzard concert last night (recorded at town hall in nyc, 2000) and i was reminded
of just how remarkable he is." (thanks LeeAnne)
|
[Kevin Smith: Filmmaker, on seeing the movie Spiderman]
"Now, being an American, we get all the good stuff first (with the exception
of tea, Monty Python, civilisation in general, international respect of our peers,
Eddie Izzard, and a good look at Baby Rocco), so I've already seen the flick."
(thanks Heather)
|
[Alan Davies: Comedian]
What have been your most memorable London meals?
When I first started on the comedy circuit in 1989-90, I used to hang out
at the Red Rose Club on Seven Sisters Road with people like Jo Brand, Eddie Izzard
and Mark Lamarr. We'd congregate at 2am at a late-licence Cypriot restaurant called
Kostakis or something. There was always lots of laughter. Memorable meals depend
more on who's there than where you are. (thanks Mimi)
|
[Robin Williams: Comedian, Actor on not watching tv or sitcoms]
"You know what I grew up watching when I was a kid? Walter Cronkite on 'The
20th Century,' " he said. "I watch news, Discovery Channel like a bandit, History
Channel. And other than that I don't watch a lot of TV. If a friend has a special,
comics I know, like Eddie Izzard, I'll watch those. But I mean, I guested on 'Friends'
and I had no idea. I knew some of them, but that's it."
|
[MAUVE by Simon Garfield. Published
by Faber and Faber How One Man Invented a Colour that Changed the World In AUTHOR'S
NOTES pg 197]
"After all these years, everyone has their own mauve. In the duty- free catalogue
on Virgin Atlantic there is a picture of Eddie Izzard with his usual painted fingernails,
and the option to buy the item called Virgin Vie Spring Nail Polish. 'Make your
friends green with envy, and your nails glossy green or blue or mauve.'........................."
(thanks Francesca)
|
[Diana Krall: Jazz
singer/pianist extraordinaire]
"[On the road, I carry] an Eddie Izzard video called 'Glorious.' When I'm exhausted,
I put it in and start laughing right away."
|
[Brian Molko: Member of music group 'Placebo']
"I was having a conversation with [comedian] Eddie Izzard the other day,"
says Molko. "He's a good friend-and a self-confessed transvestite. and I'd
never really considered myself to be a transvestite until this conversation with
Eddie. But it just became glaringly obvious that if he was, then I definitely
was. I don't go out without make-up on, just like girls don't usually go out without
make-up on. Dresses, I find, are impractical in social situations, but I enjoy
wearing them a great deal on stage."
[FULL INTERVIEW]
|
[Robin Williams: Comedian, Actor]
Who makes you laugh?
Bobcat Goldthwait, Eddie Izzard, George Carlin, Jonathan Winters, Cedric the
Entertainer. Billy Crystal really makes me laugh, because he teaches me about
sports. I feel like some heterosexual queen asking: ''Now, what does that man
do? A point guard? Oh, my, he is so big.''
[FULL
INTERVIEW]
|
[Debra Messing: Actress]
Rosie: Who makes you laugh?
Debra: My husband, my dog, Larry David, Chris Rock, Ellen DeGeneres, Eddie Izzard. |
[Tom Waits: Actor, Musician]
Tom Waits squats down on the fender of his blue Coupe de Ville and decides
to tell a joke. Two men, he says, are sitting on a bench in Central Park, talking
about their retirement. I got this new hobby, says one, I took
up beekeeping. Thats nice, says the other. Yeah,
I got 2,000 bees in my apartment. Two thousand, huh? Where you keep
em? Keep em in a shoebox. A shoebox? Isnt
that a little uncomfortable? Ah, fuck em According to
Waits, Eddie Izzard didnt get it either. Waits concedes that you probably
have to have lived in New York City for a few years to fully appreciate the joke.
[FULL INTERVIEW]
|
[Lady Galore: Member of music group 'Thrill Kill
Kult']
Photographer: I'm wearing my Scooby Doo boxers.
Lady Galore: SCOOBY DOO!
Who's the Eddie Izzard fan (referring to the comedian on TV)?
Lady Galore: well me,
Buzz McCoy: What?
Lady Galore: The man on the TV
Buzz McCoy: what? I never know his name but I've seen this a million times.
Lady Galore: yeah I've met Elliot (ed: I think she meant 'Eddie') quite a few
times, he used to drink in my local when I lived in London. We used to get together
and talk about frizzy things, and he was gorgeous and he never used to wear makeup
out, but he always had he's fingernails painted.
[FULL INTERVIEW]
|
[Judy Dench: Actress]
Who on TV do you find sexy?
Eddie Izzard. I'm a huge fan and have seen his stage show twice. Everyone seems
to be in love with him...men, women, dogs....I wish there was more of Eddie Izzard
on TV.
[FULL INTERVIEW]
|
[Courtney Scarborough: Actress]
BEN: What's your favorite cross-dressing story?
COURTNEY: I don't really have a favorite story but I do have a favorite cross-dresser
- Eddie Izzard. I can't believe that I don't know any good cross-dressing stories.
I feel so uneducated. Oh wait, I do love that part in Monty Python's Life of Brian
when all the women dress up like men in order to stone the blasphemer. Actually,
since Brian's mother Mandy was played by Terry Jones who is a MAN... is THAT really
an example of cross-dressing?
[FULL INTERVIEW]
|
[Neil Hannon: Member of music
group 'Divine Comedy']
Mr Divine Comedy, which comedian would you like to hang around in purgatory
with, and why?
Eddie Izzard, of course. He'd make purgatory seem quite beautifully silly and
keep amusing me with his oufits and make-up. I would sing him epic songs about
how nice life waswhich he would love.
[FULL INTERVIEW]
|
[Stuart Fisher: Comedian]
What is the most interesting thing you've ever experienced?
Gee.. Ummmm... I guess Meeting big names like Adam Hills, and Sue Ann Post
(Beautiful People), and more recently Eddie Izzard. I met him at MICF 2000, and
was lucky enough to get an invite to hook up with Eddie and his crew after his
Brisbane Show. Another amazing guy... It seems that the people I admire most are
open, honest, no bull shit people. I like that.
[FULL INTERVIEW]
|
[Cynthia Plaster Caster: Makes
plaster molds of celebrity penises]
John: Have you ever been turned down by anybody?
Cynthia: Actually, Eddie Izzard, the English comedian turned
me down. I came on quite strong and he just recoiled.
[FULL
INTERVIEW]
|
[Tim Booth: Member of music group 'James']
S.M: Very, very sick?
T.B: I went to see Eddie Izzard in New York, live, and it
was like a 102 degrees outside, and I went in and it was like minus 20 with the
air conditioning, and I caught something from the air conditioning about 12 weeks
ago. So I advise people never to go and see Eddie Izzard in New York. (Laughter)
I told him off actually, I said I was going to sue him, but he, he declined.
[FULL INTERVIEW]
|
[Cherilynn Westrich: Member of
music group 'Rentals']
On your demo CD, is the title of the song "Have You Got a Flag" a
reference to the Eddie Izzard routine? And what is the dialog in that song taken
from?
Cherie: Yes it's Eddie Izzard . I wasn't sure if people would
get that. The voiceover is [Charles] Manson at a parole hearing.
[FULL
INTERVIEW]
|
[Terry Gilliam: Python member, filmmaker]
Q: Is surreal humour a particularly British form of comedy?
A: I dont think so, apart from Spike Milligan and hes Irish! Comedy
wasnt really Surreal until the Goons came along, then I suppose there was
Max Wall and then Python. Now Id really only call Eddie Izzard surreal.
[FULL INTERVIEW]
|
[Tom Lehrer: Humorist]
Barnes & Noble.com: Do you think there are any daring
comedians today?
Tom Lehrer: I can't think of anyone, because now you can say
anything. So I can't imagine anyone saying anything shocking that would be funny
also. It's only surprising when someone actually deals with issues, like Eddie
Izzard. He did a special, and he talks about things. He talks about the French
Revolution, and in the middle of it he turns to the audience and says, "You
don't know what I'm talking about, do you?" Now that's brave.
[FULL
INTERVIEW]
|
[Neil Finn: Former member of music group 'Crowded
House']
Surreally, we are joined by cult live comedian Eddie Izzard (also gigging in
town tonight), and Neil and he fall into a long discussion on the prospect of
touring the newly PC South Of Africa. Beds are finally made for with the promoter's
promises of a trip to Loch Fyne and a lunch of stout and oysters ringing in the
communal ears.
THAT EDDIE IZZARD, HE WAS A REALLY NICE guy but he told me that he never does
TV. He said that it was something he was very clear about, not doing TV. So I
get to my room and I switch on the TV and first thing I see is him. There he is!"
|
[Isabelle's Gift: Music Group]
Back round to touring, you're doing one of your legendary Halloween gigs which
promises to be a riot as you make more of an effort with Halloween in america
than the English, what's the chances of us seeing you play the UK in the near
future, and as an American what do you think is good about the UK? "We would
like the opportunity to do some dates in England but we need to find the right
sort of band to tour with, specifically they must be cool, drink as much as us
and be prepared to share their women! If they can meet these three criteria's
then everything will be fine. Good things about England are: You've got no guns,
great school systems, and Eddie Izzard. I won't have to drive for an hour to get
a copy of Kerrang as I do here, it just sucks that I'll have to leave my videos
behind."
[FULL INTERVIEW]
|
[Kim Hope: Australian Comedienne]
Is Kim Hope looking forward to stalking Eddie Izzard?
The comedian purses her lips. "Stalk - it has such a harsh
ring to it. Follow too closely, perhaps."
[FULL INTERVIEW]
|
[Jools Denby: Author]
And a rather ambivalent view of the audience as well? This presumably comes
from your experience. Reading some of your previous work, I can see it being confrontational,
at least to some of the audience, in the same way that Jamie's comedy is confrontational.
Jamie does what I do on stage. That's the part of her character that is mine.
One is how tall she is; the other is what she does on stage. The rest of it: I'm
actually more like Lily as a person. Jamie's height and this thing that people
have expectations of women who are tall, that they are big, tough Valkyries you
know, and if they catch you crying they don't know what to do. They might comfort
someone smaller. So she has my physical attributes and what she does on stage
is what I do on stage. I couldn't do somebody who just did gags, because I've
never done gags. I don't relate to gags at all. I mention Eddie Izzard, my favourite
comedian, that's what makes me laugh.
You also mention Lennie Bruce. Does he make you laugh?
Yes, he does, the films I've seen. I love another American, Flip Wilson, and that
guy with a band, Spike Jones. I loved those American comedians that we used to
listen to on tape. But with Lenny Bruce there was this idea that you could have
reality involved in it.
One of the most interesting experiences I had recently was seeing Eddie Izzard
playing Lenny Bruce.
Was he good? To be honest with you I didn't think he could do it.
He did an Izzard version of Bruce, if you can imagine it. It was fascinating.
Particularly because Izzard's comedy is not about making political points...
It comes in because I think he's a thinking person. A lot of the points he makes
are social politics, like that thing about how the English think they are so great
they don't have to learn another language. What I wanted to say about Jamie as
a comedian was that she was concerned in an everyday way with politics and the
expression of politics, and it wasn't weird to her. But as times changed, she
had not changed, she couldn't, because her whole personality was so heavily invested
in what she did, she couldn't take the politics out of what she was doing.
[FULL INTERVIEW]
|
[Advantages of a Classical Education]
Perform Stand-up at the Vatican?
- British comedian and transvestite Eddie Izzard, who has been flaunting his
bilingualism in France recently with extended versions of his famous "mon
singe est dans l'arbre" routine, has revealed that he also studied Latin
and school, and that we must not rule out a "Quintus est in atrio" sketch
for the Pope. (October 1997)
[FULL INTERVIEW]
|
[Bruce Vilanch: Comedy Writer]
Is there a celebrity you haven't written for that you'd like to?
Vilanch: (English comedian and actor) Eddie Izzard is absolutely brilliant.
I would love to write something for him. I'm sure there are others out there,
but of the top of my head...I'm tempted to say Matt Damon, just for the meeting
(tosses off a quick, naughty smile). But I actually know him so that doesn't
count.
[FULL INTERVIEW]
|
[Kathryn Williams: Singer]
Do you think that men look sexy in skirts?
Yes
Is it in an Eddie Izzard thing?
Erm, I'm not really into the makeup or nail varnish thing really, I just like
seeing the straight of the skirt with a bit of package.
[FULL INTERVIEW]
|
[Laeticia Ray: Dancer]
Who would be your ideal party date?
Laeticia: Eddie Izzard, because he's so funny.
|
|