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MNHQ

Webchat with David Baddiel, Wednesday 16 Dec 4:30pm

66 replies

TinaMumsnet · 14/12/2015 14:37

David Baddiel will be joining us for the final Mumsnet author webchat of 2015. Celebrated comedian, TV presenter and author of not one but TWO bestselling children's books (The Person Controller and The Parent Agency) will be answering your questions on Wednesday 16 December at 4:30pm.

Baddiel has written and performed, in a series of highly successful TV comedy shows, including The Mary
Whitehouse Experience and Baddiel and Skinner Unplanned. His debut children's novel, The Parent Agency, was hailed by the Guardian as 'funny, sometimes moving and always engaging.' The Person Controller his second novel – confirms David as a brilliant and original new voice in children's fiction.

Join us with (or without) your DC on Wednesday 16 Dec at 4:30pm, or if you can’t make it on the day, post your questions now.

Webchat with David Baddiel, Wednesday 16 Dec 4:30pm
Webchat with David Baddiel, Wednesday 16 Dec 4:30pm
Webchat with David Baddiel, Wednesday 16 Dec 4:30pm
OP posts:
wannabestressfree · 14/12/2015 18:26

Hi David :)
Do you find children a tougher audience than adults?
My son loved your first book.....

TurduckenForDinner · 14/12/2015 20:21

I don't have a question, I just wanted to say that my DS was home from school with a cold and temperature and was whinging about being bored so I downloaded The Parent Agency from Audible and it kept him quiet and in bed for the whole four hours. He said it was "really, REALLY good". Grin

M48294Y · 14/12/2015 20:36

Hi David, I am roughly the same age as you and Morwenna and I have a girl born in 2001 and a boy born in 2003.

If you were to say "David Baddiel" to me in a word association quiz, I would say "pornography". Above all of your achievements, I just associate you with your interest in porn. A bit like Cheryl and her racist abuse of the toilet attendant.

Are you still a big fan?

Sunnymeg · 14/12/2015 20:45

Going back in time, what was your favourite 'Phoenix from the flames'?

AlistairSim · 14/12/2015 21:00

Do you ever compare yourself to your comedy genius partner and find it hard to go on?

OneMoreCasualty · 14/12/2015 23:04

Love the slow chase scene in Time For Bed. Cry with laughter every time.

Not a question, just a note of appreciation.

HBSY7 · 15/12/2015 11:13

UK School Librarian here with some questions from our enthusiastic Y7s:

  1. If you could have any parents for a day, who would they be?

  2. Is it harder to be a comedian or an author?

  3. Do you have a favourite place to write (like a shed, garage or shop?)

  4. Did you have any difficulties in school?

  1. What is your favourite book (apart from your own!)
WestleyAndButtockUp · 15/12/2015 12:01

Another appreciation here for your first novel, Time For Bed.

Particularly the descriptions of what insomnia's like, the attractions of anal, and the tearjerking qualities of 'Beaches' movie.

In case you're only answering questions about your children's books, I'll ask, "Do you write with your own kids in mind as readers?"

TurduckenForDinner · 15/12/2015 12:56

I have a question about the link between being a comedian and writing for children. There are three of you writing brilliant books for kids (four if you include Makenzie Crook, although he's a comic actor rather than a comedian) and that constitutes a trend IMO. Do you think it's just coincidence that you, David Walliams and Julian Clary have written books that engage children so well or is there something about the type of comedy that you do that enabled your children's books to be so original and absorbing.

Also, not a question, but didn't you get lucky with Morwenna? So, so funny and sexy in a not-even-trying way, I have a bit of a girl crush.

Thecatisatwat · 15/12/2015 12:58

Yes M48294Y I agree, have never wanted to read a David Baddiel book because of his stated love of pornography. Equally I always think Frank Skinner = obsession with anal sex.

Consequently I struggle with the idea of buying books for my dd written by a man who is/was a big fan of pornography, just can't get my head round it.

KimmySchmidtsSmile · 15/12/2015 13:23

Hello David
What, aside from your children's fiction, are you most and least proud of writing/making?
I have a signed copy of Whatever love means but never got to meet you in person. But you did end up sitting next to me once in a Richard Herring play (you had no choice, it was the last seat) sadly I was too shy/respectful of privacy to say hi.
So 18 years later...hi. What impressed me was the teenager sat the other side of you had no such qualms and asked you for an autograph. You were very gracious and did so happily.
That, along with an email from which you were quoted as saying the difficulty of taking the piss out of famous people is, one day you get to know them and find out they're nice as people, puts you in a non-lizardy good guy list as far as I am concerned. Oh, and the Infidel. My second question: with the latter quote in my mind, have you ever/would you ever veto a decent joke if you felt you were punching down/choosing an easy target/hurting someone's feelings? Aren't most people decent when you get to know them in person?
Finally, and she might hate me for saying it given her other achievements, but please tell your wife my family think Madame Gazelle is awesome (mummy pig we reckon though is a bit passive aggressive ;-) )
Cheers and best wishes x

TheBananaFaceOfEvil · 15/12/2015 13:36

Hi David. I've been a fan of yours since I was 11 and used to listen to the Mary Whitehouse Experience, which my older brother recorded onto cassette from Radio 1. I love your novels and I'm looking forward to when my kids are a bit older so they can read your books (the kids' ones obvs - maybe leave the anal scene in Time for Bed until they're older).

My question is are you doing a tour of your My Family show? I missed the work-in-progress shows because DS2 was too little to leave him in the evenings.

KimmySchmidtsSmile · 15/12/2015 13:37

at a Richard Herring play, we weren't in it. I also remember seeing you and Frank doing a really cheap back to the essence of the fringe chat for a couple of quid (which was nice as Pleasance shows never usually cheap). Do you think you and Newman's Wembley gig led to comedy gigs becoming more expensive/lucrative for bigger names and do you think that trend will change again? (given netflix, podcasts etc)

Paperm0ver · 16/12/2015 11:34

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

KimmySchmidtsSmile · 16/12/2015 12:02

Ooh, last one I promise....

In the foreword of the written transcript of No Cure for Cancer, Denis Leary credits you with introducing him to Jon Thoday and consequently his fringe show happening. Two things...

  1. What is your opinion on the subsequent plagiarism claims that have hounded Leary since?
  2. Do you regret, as your erstwhile partner seems to, not having had Bill Hicks tour with you and was that a joint decision?
Thanks again x Will try to pop in later but am an hour ahead and juggling three kids so live in hope. Have a good webchat.
SeekEveryEveryKnownHidingPlace · 16/12/2015 13:39

I loved a lot about 'Whatever Love Means' when it came out - but at the time and ever since, I've always thought it was ironic that the whole AIDS part of the narrative was clearly meticulously researched, and yet no-one had thought to say 'erm, David, one-year-old babies aren't really like that, you might want to have a look at one' - did you read back once you had children and cringe?

In particular, I don't think parents like Emma and Joe would have let it go when Tess cites 'fear of having a mong' as a reason not to have children when you're over 30, or that Joe would have found Vic's quip about babies being gay because they can die 'from being in a cot' amusing!

Although I felt a lot of sympathy with Tess's character, specifically with reference to the idea that she's more sarcastic and 'hard' than women are generally supposed to be (and she prefers red wine to white!), I was never really sure about the way this was framed as her being a male brain in a female body. I know you didn't mean this as anything to do with transsexuality, and that's explicit in the text - but there is a sense, bolstered by the fact that most of the other women in the narrative are humourless idiots who cry about Diana, that the issue is that Tess is an anomaly, rather than that this a world in which sharp, sarcastic, cynical humour is a male preserve and not appreciated in women.

(I do probably know this novel far too well - I could just say 'that's you that is' a lot, but the inconsistencies in WLM have always irked me a bit, and I've always thought it would be good to hear your thoughts on them now!)

DrDreReturns · 16/12/2015 14:52

Do you still suffer from insomnia? I remember some of your gags being based on your difficulty sleeping.

DontTellTheBride · 16/12/2015 14:57

Hello,

I thought you made some really interesting points about social media at Blogfest.

As you're here to talk about your children's books, I was wondering what your take was on your own kids and social media - especially having well known parents?

Thanks

TheSandmansSon · 16/12/2015 15:40

David

What is your favourite biscuit?

taratiger22 · 16/12/2015 15:50

Hello David
What's it like being married to Mummy Pig?

Youarenotthebossofme · 16/12/2015 15:51

( am sure I posted earlier but will have to repeat it as it has disappeared)My son really enjoyed Bad Parents Agency, he says that you are a very imaginative writer. I was dubious of another childrens book written by a comedian but I relented as the subject matter is so irresistible to children. I didn't realise you had written another childrens book so this is an easy choice Christmas present. How do come up with your subject matter? Do you have a child's imagination or do you try and think of childrens wildest dreams and work from there?

brknmann · 16/12/2015 16:01

Hi Dave:

I really enjoyed listening to the Baddiel & Skinner World Cup 2010 podcasts you did for Absolute Radio. I still listen to them every now and then as they're quality! Why was it you did not get together again for the World Cup in Brazil and do you think you will get an opportunity to work with each other again on the podcasts for the next World Cup or Euro tournament?

Best,
Alex

DavidBaddiel · 16/12/2015 16:27

Hi Mumsnetters - I'm here and reading questions - thanks to all who sent ones in so far - I'll be answering them in about 3 minutes! thanks David.

MNHQ
TinaMumsnet · 16/12/2015 16:29

Hi DavidBaddiel, welcome to Mumsnet! There are plenty of questions already posted on the thread but I'd like to kick off with the questions we ask all the authors that join us:

What childhood book most inspired you?

What would be the first piece of advice you would give to anyone attempting to write fiction?

What would be the first piece of advice you would give to anyone attempting to write fiction?

And the best you've received?

Over to you...

OP posts:
DavidBaddiel · 16/12/2015 16:31

@wannabestressfree

Hi David :) Do you find children a tougher audience than adults? My son loved your first book.....

In some ways. But what I like about kids is that their response is very pure. Meaning: no kid is saying they like my books because they read a posh review in The Guardian, or because it looks good on the shelves at dinner parties. They like it because they like it. And so it's nice, you don't have get past any cultural gatekeepers.
Having said that, they'll be very clear about what they don't like too!