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

[TinaMumsnet]

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.

@Seeyounearertime

Hi david

Do you ever text Rob with a "That's you that is" type text? If not, you should

I don't text Rob at all. Sadly, I don't have his phone number. Then again, he doesn't have a TV - he's a bit off the grid - so may not have a mobile phone. You may have to call up an old-style operator and ask for Kentish Town 123 to get Rob...

@addingtothenoise

Oooh so much to ask...

Do you go to watch much comedy? If so, any recommendations?

What films will you be watching this Christmas?

What are you up to in 2016?

I don't get to watch that much live comedy, which is a pity. I watch a fair amount on YouTube. Louis CK is brilliant as is a less well-known Canadian comic called Norm MacDonald.

I've just finished recording my Radio 4 panel show Don't Make Me Laugh, in which comedians have to try and be not funny about funny subjects. Lots of them were great on that - Lee Mack, Ross Noble, Sara Pascoe, Katherine Ryan, Frank Skinner, etc etc. There's a Xmas show on Dec 22 and then a new series next year.

Plus I've done a travel show for Discovery called David Baddiel On The Silk Road which starts in Feb.

Xmas films - hmm. I'm a member of BAFTA and so have to watch all the nominated films. So far I've only watched 45 years which I liked. I'd like to watch Star Wars on Christmas Day but sadly BAFTA haven't sent that one out to members...

@MyCatIsBatman

Do you have a real or fake Christmas tree? And is the tree colour coordinated or are you a tinsel n all the trimmings kinda man?

We have both a fake one and a real one. Yes. 2 Christmas trees. How un-Jewish is that? And they both are covered in tinsel and lights and trimmings and stars. I like Christmas in general - partly because we didn't celebrate it when I was a kid, so I always felt like I was missing out - now making up for lost time.

I confess that the only book of yours that I've read is The Secret Purposes. Does this seem even more relevant today given the current refugee crisis?

@brknmann

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

Thanks Alex, glad you enjoyed. We didn't go to Brazil because, well, we both have kids now. I had kids when we were in South Africa and though I enjoyed it, I really missed them, it felt very far away. And by the time Brazil rolled round, Frank - quite, ahem, late in life - had a baby, so he understood that that can be tough. Never say never though, and they are really fun, so we might do some more at some point (depending of course on whether England continue to qualify for these tournaments).

@Hygellig

I confess that the only book of yours that I've read is The Secret Purposes. Does this seem even more relevant today given the current refugee crisis?

It felt quite relevant when I was writing it but yes I guess. For those who don't know it's about the internment of Jewish German refugees on the Isle of Man during WW2, something that happened to my grandfather. Like today, the internment was fuelled by tabloid hysteria and misinformation.

There's a few more from Twitter if we've got time...

@KarenHutchy73

if they made one of your books into a film who would you most like to star in it and as which character ?

Is there a children's book you'd wish you'd written, if so why?

@LairdMeredith

What inspired you to write? Do you love to read?

The Secret Purposes is one of the best books I have ever read. And I've read many many books. No questions I just wanted to say. Top work.

Good answer

Do you or your wife watch Strictly.and who do you want to win? Is it something either of you would ever consider signing up for? My eldest saw you on Bake Off spin off show and says you were funny, with very poor icing skills (what can I say, she's 13). Would you go on a celebrity GBBO? and do you like pundit shows/panel shows?

@TinaMumsnet

There's a few more from Twitter if we've got time...

@KarenHutchy73

if they made one of your books into a film who would you most like to star in it and as which character ?

Is there a children's book you'd wish you'd written, if so why?

@LairdMeredith

What inspired you to write? Do you love to read?

Um...I'd like all my books to be made into films. None of them have been. My last adult novel, The Death of Eli Gold - I had a long conversation with Colin Firth about playing Harvey Gold in that, the central character - he would (and still would) be great. As far as the kids books goes - I'd quite like to play Eric Stone in The Person Controller as he eats a lot of bacon sandwiches, of which I'm very fond.

I wish I'd written Harry Potter. For a host of reasons...

My mum inspired me to write - she read me a lot of books as a child, and was very into storytelling. And yes I read all the time.

@DoreenLethal

The Secret Purposes is one of the best books I have ever read. And I've read many many books. No questions I just wanted to say. Top work.

Thanks very much Doreen. Always appreciated.

Just 5 minutes left with DavidBaddiel, thanks to everyone who posted questions.
David, it was great to have you with us today, we hope to have you back soon!

@KimmySchmidtsSmile

Do you or your wife watch Strictly.and who do you want to win? Is it something either of you would ever consider signing up for? My eldest saw you on Bake Off spin off show and says you were funny, with very poor icing skills (what can I say, she's 13). Would you go on a celebrity GBBO? and do you like pundit shows/panel shows?

We don't watch Strictly that much. I have been asked to do it, a couple of series ago. I said no. I wouldn't inflict that on the British public. To misquote The Full Monty:

"Who wants to see this dance...?"
"Er...no-one."

I've also been asked to do Celebrity GBBO. I like GBBO very much but a. I can't bake (on that show I did my first ever cake) and b. I don't in general do shows with the words "Celebrity" in front of them. Feels presumptuous. I did do Celebrity What Not To Wear, but I needed some new clothes...

@TinaMumsnet

Just 5 minutes left with DavidBaddiel, thanks to everyone who posted questions. David, it was great to have you with us today, we hope to have you back soon!

Thanks Tina, and thanks everybody who asked questions. I really enjoyed it. All best David x

To also misquote (Lesley Sharp, I think) : Me! I want to see that ;-)
But fair enough. It is always better with beginners than ringers though!
Happy Christmas to you and yours. Good webchat.