Intelligence Squared An Evening with Alan Davies (Part One)
24 snips
Jan 16, 2026 
Alan Davies, a beloved British comedian known for his roles in Jonathan Creek and QI, shares insights from his memoir, White Male Stand-Up. He reflects on his long pauses from stand-up due to personal struggles and the changing landscape of comedy for white male comics. Davies recounts a disastrous 1999 set that impacted his mental health and discusses the fears of cancellation in today’s climate. He also explores the upsides and downsides of fame, his experiences with trauma, and how his writing resonates with readers, helping them voice their own stories.
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Descent After A Bad Comedy Store Night
- Alan Davies stopped doing stand-up for long stretches after a disastrous Comedy Store set left him unable to perform.
- He later realised stand-up was a vital creative outlet he had been denying himself for years.
Stand-Up Meritocracy Persists
- Alan says modern cancel culture is a risk but not the main reason he avoided stand-up; the subject matter he now wants to address is harder.
- He still views stand-up as a meritocracy where the biggest laughs win bookings.
Ego And A New Route To Fame
- Alan identifies enormous ego as essential for stand-up and notes the circuit once lacked a clear route to mainstream fame.
- Today's comedians can more easily map a path from clubs to huge TV and touring success.
