Comedy

So, why are you calling it quits?
Dawn ‘Because Jennifer’s too lazy. No, I think it was a mutual decision, really.’
Jennifer ‘It’s time to knock it on the head while it’s still going strong, rather than letting it peter out. The landscape of television has changed completely – when we started there were three channels. But we just felt that it was time.’
Dawn ‘I know – we’ve been working together for 30 years! We’re both 50. And we’ve been on telly for 25 of those years.’

Comedy has changed a lot in the seven years since your last tour. It seems a lot more male-dominated.
Dawn ‘Well, yes. Although there are a few: Katie Brand, Lucy Porter, Josie Long.’
Jennifer ‘But comedy has become very full-on, very competitive. It’s all “I can say something ruder than you” or “I can say something funnier than you”. And, as a woman, it would scare me to go on a show like that.’
Dawn ‘It’s almost gladiatorial.’
Jennifer ‘It is. Really macho and schoolboyish. The only show that’s remotely woman-friendly is ‘QI’. And that’s still rather boyish.’
Dawn ‘Jo Brand and Liza Tarbuck are the only women you ever see on those shows. They’re the only ones with the balls to take
on the boys.’ Feature continues

So you think comedy is meaner now?
Jennifer ‘There always were a few cruel people, but yes, it’s definitely nastier. I watch “Never Mind The Buzzcocks” and think: Oh, don’t be so horrible! Simon Amstell, who’s actually very nice when you meet him, is so cruel to people when he’s on TV. Why does he do that? Because he’s bright enough not to. That’s what “Buzzcocks” is all about – having the courage to stay there while the piss is taken out of you.’
Dawn ‘And of course Simon’s had time to write his lines and you’re there without a script.’

How does it feel to be the grandes dames of British comedy?
Dawn ‘I’m afraid that if I start to think like that, the funniness will slip away. The moment you get pompous or too sure of yourself you’re dead meat. It’s like that whole “national treasure” thing. That’s how I think about someone like Michael Palin. Still, with some distance we might grow rather fond of ourselves. I can walk in to The Ivy and say loudly, “Yes, it’s me!” with an entourage behind me.’

What advice would you give to someone starting out in the business?
Jennifer ‘Don’t let anybody try to make you into the finished product before you’re ready. Nowadays, people want something so quickly, especially in TV. They’re voracious for product. It’s very easy to think that you’re ready when you aren’t and you’ll just be eaten up and spat out very quickly.’
Dawn ‘Would you encourage somebody to do it, Jen?’
Jennifer ‘Well, my daughter’s going into it, so I don’t have any choice. She had a show at Edinburgh this year, which is quite weird but also rather lovely. You know how doctors have doctor children? Well, I’m a comedian with a comedian child. And my advice to her would be to stay in control and just write; you’ll always be employed if you write your own material.’

It’s Time Out’s 40th anniversary: do you have any memories you’d like to share?
Jennifer ‘The greatest moment for us in Time Out was when our names first appeared in the Comedy listings in 1981. I’ve got it somewhere. You’d have to get a microscope to see it.’

‘French and Saunders: Still Alive’ is at Theatre Royal Drury Lane Oct 15-Nov 8.