Adam talks to Jesse Armstrong, writer of Peep Show and Succession, about his comedy influences, leaving the 4th wall unbroken, the challenges of writing Succession, separating the art from the artist, audiences laughing in the wrong way, and whether satire does more harm than good.
The writer prioritizes creating comedy that is believable and relatable to the audience.
The writer acknowledges the fine line between pushing comedic boundaries and maintaining relatability in storytelling.
The writer discusses the complex issue of separating an artist's work from their personal life, emphasizing individual freedom in interpreting and enjoying their work.
Deep dives
Focus on Realness and Truthfulness in Comedy
The writer prioritizes creating comedy that is rooted in realness and truthfulness, believing that humor is most effective when it feels believable and relatable to the audience. While some shows may lean towards excessive and unrealistic scenarios, the writer aims to strike a balance by creating situations that are absurd but still grounded in a sense of reality.
The Challenges of Balancing Form and Believability
The writer acknowledges the challenge of maintaining a believable premise while also exploring formal techniques in storytelling. The example of a character urinating in a church during a wedding episode is discussed, highlighting the fine line between pushing the boundaries of believability for comedic effect and ensuring that the story remains relatable to the audience.
Separating the Art from the Artist
The writer acknowledges the complex issue of separating an artist's work from their personal life or actions. While acknowledging that certain actions or beliefs of an artist may taint the way some people perceive their work, the writer emphasizes the individual's freedom to choose whether or not they can still find enjoyment or value in that work.
Maintaining a Positive Atmosphere on Set
As the showrunner, the writer takes on a leadership role to ensure a positive and collaborative atmosphere on set. This may involve facilitating conversations between cast and crew members to address any misunderstandings or conflicts and working towards resolutions that maintain a harmonious working environment.
The Importance of Space and Time for Actors
In the podcast episode, the speaker discusses the significance of giving actors space and time when they are struggling to find their performance. It is mentioned that when actors are unable to connect with their role, it can feel unreal and dead to them. While words can sometimes help, often the actor needs time to articulate their concerns or for some time to pass. The example of actors on the show 'Succession' is mentioned, highlighting the importance of providing actors with the necessary support and freedom to find their performance.
Exploring the Sexy Cruelty Dynamic in 'Succession'
The podcast episode delves into the dynamics between characters Tom and Shiv in the show 'Succession'. The speaker likens their interactions to a certain type of 90s movie, with dialogue that is both ridiculous and mean-spirited but intended to be perceived as sexy. The example of movies like 'Basic Instinct' is given, where characters engage in cruel and provocative conversations. The speaker acknowledges that this dynamic is present in 'Succession', particularly in scenes between Tom and Shiv, highlighting the interesting portrayal of power dynamics in the show.
Adam talk to English writer Jesse Armstrong about his comedy influences, why he's happy to leave the 4th wall unbroken, whether Peep Show was realistic, the challenges involved with writing Succession, separating the art from artist, audiences laughing in the wrong way, whether satire does more harm than good and other hot waffle.
This conversation was recorded face to face in London on March 29th, 2023
Thanks to Séamus Murphy-Mitchell for production support and conversation editing.
