Intelligence Squared An Evening with Alan Davies (Part Two)
13 snips
Jan 18, 2026 
Alan Davies, a beloved UK comedian known for his role in Jonathan Creek and appearances on QI, shares insights from his life in comedy and TV. He discusses the impact of childhood trauma, including his family's reaction to his memoir, White Male Stand-Up. Davies emphasizes the importance of using personal experiences, even cancer scares, in comedy. He advocates for tackling difficult subjects with humor and notes how audiences have changed post-COVID. Finally, he reflects on the joy of live performances and the evolving landscape of stand-up comedy.
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Family Fallout From Speaking Out
- Alan describes family fracture after he had his father arrested for historical sexual abuse and his brother stopped contact.
- He explains his sister urged privacy and struggled with their manipulative father’s legacy.
Comedy Crews As Chosen Family
- Writing his memoir revealed to Alan that he had been searching for surrogate families throughout his career.
- He links comedy crews and TV crews as repeating patterns of finding chosen families.
Books Outlast Live Gigs
- Alan argues books endure longer than stand-up and can be passed down through generations.
- He says stand-up gives immediate joy but a book can stay with you for life.
