Tony Slattery

[jacksonmaine]

To hope that Tony Slattery will be back on the TV again soon.

For those who loved him in whose line, the UK version is on All 4.

It still makes me laugh,

If you are really into it, Amazon Prime have some of the newest version of Whose line with Aisha Tyler as host

I don't think it was cruel at all. He was pretty honest about his illness to a sympathetic interviewer. What's horrible is the effect that abuse and mental illness have had on a person who was clever, funny and talented.
It's sad he is unrecognisable and broke but at least he appreciates he has someone who really loves him.

The part I did find telling was how he was cast as the outsider in Peter's Friends. TS explained that Brannagh and (Staunton?) pointed out that it was about group with similar backgrounds. WTF! It was acted not a mockumentary!! Why did his council estate upbringing matter? Also telling how his lovey ex-friends are not in touch anymore...

Damn, he always strick me as a little manic but I had no idea how much of an underestimate my perception was. Such a clever, funny bloke, too.

I always fancied him too, although he wasn't overtly sexy.

He has been working on and off over the years - and he did an Edinburgh show last year (possibly the year before as well). It was some kind of improv thing, and the reviews were not that great. I don’t think he’s likely to regain the level of game he has in the mid 90’s (if that’s what he’s after), but I also wonder whether performing is the best thing for him if he’s not in a good place mentally or physically. The article suggested to me that the real issues may be more physical at this stage, in particular if he’s not managed to get a handle on the drinking. It’s very sad.

It's very sad. I hope he feels loved by those around him and that his medical issues are being addressed as well as his mental health ones.

Sheldon as a working class actor, I can tell you now that very few working class actors get cast as gentry types. There are a few exceptions of course but it's very difficult to do well.

I do wonder if Twitter adoration is what he needs as someone with mental health issues ; Twitter can be fickle and he’s not going to be pulling in that number of likes and responses every day.

I also find it curious how the article didn’t quite specify what he has been doing recently - the 90s were a long time ago.

I think mentioning that the reason he came to see her as he’s after an agent was a little ... condescending/off? I dunno, just a little cringey as if he’s a charity case (which in some respects perhaps he is). Maybe he asked her to say that.

I agree with others that Edinburgh not the best idea either. I know a few people who perform there most years and even when they do well it still fucks with their mental health.

I'd heard what happened to him a few years ago but still was extremely shocked to see the picture. I would not have recognised him.

I also fancied him back in the day but I agree with the poster who said he was quite manic and often reverted to easy poo and fart jokes that started to put me off him. It felt sometimes that he didn't have sufficient originality and wit to fuel his comedy. You could detect the mania and twitchiness that were the symptoms of his bipolar.

I thoroughly agree that returning to the stage and comedy is not the best idea for someone with bipolar and an alcohol problem - it has caused the early death and mental illness of many people. I say that as a former comic myself (many, many moons ago). It's not always good for you to live on that adrenalin and to put your self esteem on the line everyday dependent on how much you can make people laugh. As comedians say 'you're only ever as good as your last gig.' It's not the best way to live and you can see the desperation, fragility, and potential burnout it fuels in quite a lot of comics who aren't Teflon coated (I have a few in mind when I say that).

I'm not a huge fan of the smug Peter's Friends Cambridge gang but I do remember reading years ago that one person did try and rescue him from his self imposed isolation when he was throwing all his furniture into the river and locking himself away. I can't quite remember who it was - maybe Clive Anderson?! So though it galls me to sound like I'm defending them, you never really know what it's like to try and be friends with someone who is that unwell.

The thing about Edinburgh from a mental health perspective though is it isn’t just problematic from the sense of trying to make people laugh every night. It’s physically gruelling. And a false temporary environment. Everyone out for a laugh and a joke, staying up late, not eating the healthiest food, going to other shows to support people, constantly having to be ‘on’ socialising-wise... it’s a slog.

If he’s well and able enough to be back on TV, yes I’d love to see him

With Edinburgh (and any other live performance), I think there could also be an element of people going along thinking it will be a bit of a car crash, rather than expecting it to be good IYSWIM. I think that came into play a bit last year.

God, it breaks me to read yet another person so incredibly wounded by some fucking bastard child abusing priest. I know what he means about coming off the bipolar meds, but I hope his other means of solace doesn't become unmanageable.

I was heartened to read about his long term relationship. I might have a big old fucking argument with some fellow Catholics tomorrow about priests being immoral shits and gay men proving deeply faithful in love.

At one point the only people presenting anything were him and Davina McCall. She's still very much around but I wondered how he went from being everywhere then why he just disappeared off the radar.

I found him really annoying in the 90s he would always laugh too loudly at his own jokes - really irritating but having read that Guardian piece, he has really been through it. I wish him luck.

To defend his other friends, it is bloody difficult staying friends with someone who is that ill. my husband took his own life last year and staying married nearly broke me numerous times even though he was a most fantastic man. Also alcoholism and bipolar disorder are a terrible mix. I think the fact that he's chasing performing and an agent shortly after coming off all his meds is telling and a pretty terrible idea. I doubt he is really able to work but the something incredibly unexciting would suit better.

@temporarypermanent I’m so sorry about your dh.

I dont think it was cruel. It was sad.
I hope he gets some work out of it.

When I heard he was doing a fringe show my first reaction was to want to buy tickets. But I don't think I will go. It seems a bit exploitative somehow, knowing how hard he has found life, but sitting there wanting him to make me laugh. Doesn't seem right.

I was in that set in the 90s. Stephen Fry stuck by him and cast him in Kingdom for a few series as well as including him in the BiPolar programme. Tony, however, was off the scale and was spending £££££££££ per week on cocaine. He did push people away, many people tried to help but eventually gave up and drifted away. Tony, sadly, has the most enormous self-destruct button and has cancelled many projects at the last minute due to panic attacks and crushing self-doubt.

Tony, if you’re reading this - you can see that people still love you. But take it gently, mate. Don’t try too hard.

Terribly sad. I’m thinking of Sean Hughes here as well. Two of my favourite 90s comics (and crushes).

I hope Tony finds a peaceful way forward.

TBF If he was really doing ten grams of coke a day he is lucky to have survived at all.
I don't think it was an unsympathetic piece, and I wish him all the best. Whose Line...was legend.

Yes I agree that maybe the spotlight is too much pressure for him. If he could perhaps script write or work on the radio.

So sad I had no idea he had so many problems. WLIIA was really dull when he wasn't on it.

TBF to his “ex friends” long term addicts a massive bores and most do lose the majority of their friends (speaking from experience of being the massive bore!).