Ms Samantha Mann

Updated: Nov 17, 2020

Ms Samantha Mann is not a comedian but an agony aunt in training. She was also free for an interview.

What comedy most inspires you?

I am particularly inspired by comedy that allows one to laugh without feeling as though one is being dismissive of another person's humanity.

Which comedian most inspires you?

Joyce Grenfell.

But, if I am allowed to mention more than one person, I should say that Flanders & Swann are also favourites of mine, and I particularly enjoy Michael Flanders’ description of the experience of taking an aeroplane from London airport. Very funny. Oh, and the Armadillo! Really wonderful.

Which comedian scares the shit out of you because you know you'll never be that good?

The thought of a comedian, whoever they might be, being good at what they do does not particularly frighten me.

Why and how did you get into comedy?

I am not sure that I ever did ‘get into’ comedy.

What drives you to do what you do?

A desire to be helpful.

Describe your perfect Tuesday.

I tend to take Tuesdays as they come. However, a particularly good Tuesday might involve a brisk walk to clear my head after a morning spent addressing people’s dilemmas, followed by soup and a sandwich, and then a well-brewed pot of China tea and a good book to carry me through the afternoon.

Describe your worst experience on a coach.

I once erroneously believed that the man in the seat next to mine was attempting to make a pass at me. As it turned out, he had simply fallen asleep. He was most ungracious about the whole affair.

Best sofa you've ever slept on?

My own sofa (sofa!) is perfectly comfortable should I need forty winks.

Best piece of advice a comedian ever gave you?

Very difficult to think of anything.

Worst piece of advice a critic ever gave you?

A Canadian reviewer recently hinted that I might do better to stay on my own (ie the Eastern) side of the Atlantic. I suppose one could characterise that as advice.

Tell us a joke.

Q:What has a bottom at the top of it? A: A leg! (This is quite a risqué joke so I will understand if you decide to take it out of the final piece)

What's the furthest you've travelled for the least amount of money/open spot?

Not terribly far.

Best chicken you've ever tasted?

Without wanting to show off, I should probably confess here that I happen to have a 1970s-era chicken brick from Habitat - pressed on me by an aunt - in which, with minimal fuss, I am able to make the most perfect roast chicken.

On a scale of 1-10 , how hungry are you right now?

How Has lockdown been for you?

Lockdown has been fine.

Have you been more or less productive?

I have been less productive.

There is nothing else that I would like to say, except that I am healthy and also that I am frustrated with the government and the state of the world and also that I am frequently very annoyed about more inconsequential things too. I suspect it is all connected.