Is This Thing On? is part-based on the life of British comedian John Bishop and was directed by Hollywood star and Oscar nominee Bradley Cooper
Hollywood star Bradley Cooper has revealed that his latest film, which explores the life of a man finding purpose in the New York comedy scene, was “directly” influenced by British humour.
The film, titled Is This Thing On? is partially based on the life of British comedian John Bishop. The 50-year-old American actor, known for directing and starring in Oscar-nominated films Maestro (2023) and A Star Is Born (2018), directed the movie.
The idea for the film was born when Will Arnett, the voice behind BoJack Horseman, met Liverpool-born comic Bishop. Bishop shared his story of discovering stand-up comedy during a difficult period in his life, choosing to perform at an open-mic night to avoid paying the cover charge.
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Arrested Development actor Arnett’s character in the film, Alex, embarks on a similar journey, beginning his comedy career at New York’s renowned Comedy Cellar.
Speaking at the BFI London Film Festival, Cooper told PA news agency: “It’s inspired by John Bishop’s story, so that was the nugget of it and then he (Will) was working on that with John, and he was just telling me about it because we were friends.
“And I just sort of saw this image of him and I got excited about ‘What if we set it in New York, and what if it’s a movie about a relationship?'”
When asked how British humour had influenced the film, he said: “I think directly, I think all of us have grown up on British humour and love it so yes, it’s indelible.”
In response to whether it differs from US humour, he added: “It’s hard to put an umbrella over everybody, the great comics are so unique.”
Arnett, 55, shared with the PA news agency: “For me there’s a lot more nuance to British humour. And so we tried to inject some of that.”
Bishop reunited with his wife Melanie following a brief separation, and she joined him at the London screening along with their children.
Bishop, 58, revealed to PA: “I couldn’t write it because it was too personal, so (a producer) said, ‘Tell Will’. So that was eight years ago, and then Will said, ‘Look, I’d love to write it with my friend Mark (Chappell)’.
“And then we spent a bit of time developing it, and then it just became their baby, and it’s an act of faith. You’re handing over a part of your life to someone else, and you hope that they’re going to treat it properly, like you would with your child. And he’s done more than that. He’s treated it, he’s nurtured it, and he sent it off to college.”
The film is set to hit cinemas this December, as per Searchlight Pictures.
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