Eddie Izzard

Who is Eddie Izzard?

Eddie Izzard is a British stand-up comedian, actor, writer and political activist. He's currently on a world tour with his show "WUNDERBAR" and can be seen in the US this summer.

Topics and Timestamps

• 01Eddie Izzard discusses his comedy career spanning decades and evolution as a performer
• 02Conversation covers Eddie's political activism and views on social issues
• 03Eddie talks about his world tour with the show WUNDERBAR and performing across different countries
• 04Discussion of comedy writing process and how Eddie develops material
• 05Eddie reflects on the differences between British and American comedy audiences
• 06Conversation touches on Eddie's acting work and transitioning between comedy and dramatic roles
• ▶Eddie discusses his comedy philosophy and unique style0:05:00
• ▶Eddie talks about his WUNDERBAR world tour0:15:30
• ▶Discussion of political activism and how it influences his work0:35:45
• ▶Eddie reflects on transitioning from comedy to acting1:00:00
• ▶Conversation about international touring and different audience responses1:25:15

The Show

Joe sits down with Eddie Izzard, the legendary British comedian who has been making audiences laugh for decades with his unique brand of surreal, stream-of-consciousness comedy. Eddie is in the midst of his world tour with WUNDERBAR, bringing his high-energy performance style to stages across the globe, including dates in the US this summer.

The conversation flows naturally through Eddie's approach to comedy and how he's maintained relevance across changing comedy landscapes. Eddie explains his process for developing material, talking about how his comedy often emerges from observation and absurdist thinking rather than relying on traditional joke structures. He discusses the challenge of touring internationally and how different audiences respond to his material depending on cultural context.

Eddie opens up about his political activism and how it intersects with his comedy career. He's passionate about social issues and uses his platform to speak out on matters he cares about. The discussion ventures into how comedians navigate being political figures while maintaining their credibility as entertainers, and Eddie is refreshingly honest about his beliefs without being preachy.

A significant portion of the episode focuses on Eddie's acting work and how he's successfully transitioned between comedy and more dramatic roles. He talks about the different skill sets required for each medium and how his comedy background actually informs his acting approach. Eddie discusses specific projects he's been involved with and what attracted him to those roles.

Throughout the conversation, Eddie's personality shines through. He's witty, engaged, and genuinely interested in discussing not just comedy but the broader cultural landscape. Joe and Eddie have great chemistry, with Joe clearly enjoying Eddie's perspective and comedic sensibility. The conversation touches on the state of comedy in the modern era, how social media has changed the game for comedians, and what it takes to build a lasting career in entertainment.

Best Quotes