Front Row Comedian John Bishop on his life story inspiring a Hollywood movie
Jan 20, 2026
Stand-up comedian John Bishop shares how his tumultuous divorce inspired the Hollywood film Is This Thing On?, detailing his journey from open-mic nights to fame. He highlights the powerful role of stand-up in processing emotions, even reflecting on an awkward moment when his estranged wife showed up in the audience. Tom Saunders discusses their award-winning theatre training for GPs, emphasizing the importance of empathy in consultations. Meanwhile, author Jamila Gavin reads from her acclaimed novel on World War I, tackling tough themes for young readers.
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Movie Felt Like A Memory
- John Bishop describes seeing his life recreated in the film and identifying small, personal moments that felt like watching a memory.
- He recounts a washing-machine scene that moved him and confirmed filmmakers had captured intimate details of his divorce story.
Stand-Up As Emotional Outlet
- John Bishop explains stand-up allowed him to express emotions men then couldn't discuss with friends.
- He says comedy provided a socially acceptable mask to process divorce and difficult feelings.
Humble Open-Mic Beginnings
- John Bishop tells how he started at the Frog and Bucket open-mic with only seven people in the audience.
- He explains he put his name down to avoid paying four pounds and this tiny moment launched his comedy career.
