In our main interview with Adam Riches he talked to us about the “good long journey” that ended up in the weekend’s well-publicised success. (Also watch our interviews with Best Newcomer Humphrey Ker and Panel Prize winners Max and Ivan.)
In his more informal, fun-filled chat with STV show Show Me The Funny judge and reowned critic Coptick, he agreed with her accusation that a lot of his audience participation routines in the show are done for ‘sexual kicks’: “Absolutely, not even masquerading as comedy sometimes, just full on sexual thrills – and why the hell not Kate, you can understand that, can’t you?”
Of the two other performers who take part in the award-winning show, Adam explained: “Lee said that when he has people laying on top of him in that lizard costume he can really feel people laying on top of him – but he keeps coming back for more, so he should be thanking me.”
Are the other characters that appeared in previous shows dead? Apparently not: “It’s just what suits the show. I had characters that were in this draft, and were in the previews, and for some reason the chemistry didn’t mix with them.
“When I brought them onstage at the end of the show it caused an awkward atmosphere in the room. It’s awkward anyway with the Mastermind stuff; another one on top of that just took it too far away. You just find the ones that work best with each other for that particular hour, and then chop away.”
Will the fame of the prize – and the money that comes with it – change him then? Adam joked: “Absolutely. I’ve been waiting to turn into an utter prick for years, I really have, and this is the first day of that, I can’t wait.”
He added that he doesn’t anticipate playing large venues despite this new success: “I’m very much of the opinion of that wherever you play, it’s got to suit the material. I wouldn’t chase a bigger room – I think the room I’m in right now is small and compact, perfect for me.
“There’s that threat of the involvement that you need to have, and in a bigger venue if you’re up in the rafters you’re not going to get got, and that kills the energy in the room.”
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