4
THINGS
PAU L HA S
TAU G H T M E ...
1
EMBRACE THE
COUNTRYSIDE
‘It’s 45 years since I’d bothered
to get out into the countryside.
It’s so easy to neglect it – I’ve gone
though my adult life not realising
that beauty was so accessible. I’d
got very lazy – I’d just sit at home.
I have to give Paul a big thank
you for changing that. Now, if I’m
sitting at home or on the train,
I’ll wish we were out fishing!’2
GOOD MANNERS
‘Paul has great manners. He
ensures he thanks everyone and
acknowledges what they’ve
done on the show. When Jim
[Moir, AKA Bob’s comedy partner
Vic Reeves] and I did our first
show, we didn’t do that. We felt
rotten when it was pointed out.
Maybe it came from the fact
that, when we were working in
a foundry or as a binman, no one
said, “You did great welding!” or,
“Thanks for removing my rubbish!”’3
TRUE FRIENDSHIP
‘Friendship, when I was
young, was a brilliant, unthinking
thing. You’d just say, “Are you
coming round tonight?” or go out
on your bikes. When you’re about
30 with kids, friendship becomes
something different, almost
functional. I rediscovered that
old kind of friendship with Paul.’4
SEE BOTH SIDES
‘Paul is not engrained in his
beliefs, whereas I am. He’s open-
minded. We’re in media circles, so
you might say, “I’m boycotting
this company!” because that’s
what our type of people do! Paul
will be more like a conscience that
says, “Well, have you thought of
this, or what about that?”’FACTUAL
e lessons
TV TIMES 13
4
THINGS BOB HAS
TAU G H T M E ...
1
DON’T STRESS
ABOUT TELLY
‘I remember filming sketches with
Bob when The Fast Show first went
out on TV, and I was worried it might
be trashed. I remember Bob saying,
“Paul, it’s only a TV show!”’2
FISHING IS A THRILL
‘He reminded
me of the frankly
amazing feeling
of anticipation
I used to get asa kid when going down to a river.
As I do it regularly, I didn’t have that
thrill. But for Bob, it’s still like that.’3
IT’S NOT ABOUT
THE WINNING
‘I think Bob sees my
reaction to catching
a fish as a bit cynical.
I do get a lot of joy
out of it, but
I don’t punch
the air! He
once made agreat observation about what
makes the best angler – it’s not
the person who catches the biggest
fish, it’s the one who enjoys the day
the most. I’ve caught loads of fish
over the years, so if Bob catches
one, I’m just as happy!’4
PERFORMING
SHOULD BE FUN
‘When [The Fast Show’s] Charlie
Higson and I started doing bits on
Vic & Bob’s Big Night Out, I watched
their enthusiasm for what they did,
and it was inspirational. That sheer
enjoyment really rubbed off on me.
As a performer, it made me worry
less about, “Is this going to work?”
and allowed me to just go and do it.’Big catch:
Bob and Paul
with a carpI’ve caught loads
of fish over the years,
so if Bob catches one,
I’m just as happy
PAUL WHITEHOUSE
In the net: The
comedians bond
on the riverbank