**Interview with Daniel Foxx: Insights on His New Book and the Comedy Scene**
**Liam Pape:** Daniel, what inspired you to get into comedy?
**Daniel Foxx:** I’ve always had a hidden passion for comedy, but everything changed when my university put on a talent show and needed a host. I stepped up and decided to try my luck at an open mic night called Comedy Virgins to get some practice. Unfortunately, it didn’t go as planned; instead of delivering jokes, I ended up sharing a long, somewhat amusing story. I was so intrigued by the failure that I spent a week studying stand-up specials, dissecting how comedians constructed their material. When I returned to that open mic, I actually won a little plastic trophy!
**Liam Pape:** Which comedians inspired you when you were starting out?
**Daniel Foxx:** Alan Carr was a huge influence on me during my teenage years—I must have watched his DVDs a hundred times. After moving to London, I really fell in love with the quirky indie comedy scene at a venue called The Invisible Dot. I was blown away by amazing talents like Mae Martin and Tim Key, as well as the sketch group Daphne, which included Phil Wang. I thought it was the epitome of cool and glamorous.
**Liam Pape:** Where do you usually find your material?
**Daniel Foxx:** A lot of my material comes from conversations with friends. If something makes them laugh, I think, “That might work,” and I discreetly jot it down in my phone. Every comedian has overflowing notes apps filled with joke ideas, and honestly, if mine were ever deleted, I might just pack it in and become a dog walker. Ironically, some of my best ideas actually come to me while I’m out walking my dog.
**Liam Pape:** What’s the best heckle you’ve ever received?
**Daniel Foxx:** I remember a gig that was going terribly when a woman in the front row said, in the kindest tone, “Keep going, honey!” It was so genuine that it made me want to resent her a little.
**Liam Pape:** Can you share a performance that turned into a funny memory despite going poorly?
**Daniel Foxx:** Absolutely! There was one gig where a future A-list celebrity was being incredibly disruptive—running around, shouting, and attempting to grab the mic from the comics. Security had to escort him out. Later that night, another well-known comedian had a meltdown on stage, cursing at the audience and other performers. As someone who thrives on drama, I found it absolutely hilarious.
**Liam Pape:** Do you have any pre-show rituals?
**Daniel Foxx:** Just brushing my teeth! I like to feel fresh and minty before stepping on stage. If I could, I’d also get a haircut and a full colonic before every gig.
**Liam Pape:** What’s one of your all-time favorite performances?
**Daniel Foxx:** Last Halloween was unforgettable—I did a show with friends that was the most fun I’ve ever had. I dressed up as Jennifer Coolidge from *The White Lotus*, and one of the other performers came dressed as me. The audience really got into the spirit with their costumes, and we decked out the venue with spider webs, pumpkins, and bowls of candy. I love when comedy becomes more than just a performance; it turns into a celebration.
**Liam Pape:** You recently released a book titled *Bedtime Stories for Privileged Children*. How did that come about?
**Daniel Foxx:** It started as a series of sketches I shared online. Living in northeast London, near some very affluent schools, I would overhear the most outrageous conversations from local “yummy mummies” and “delicious daddies” while I was at cafes. I would jot down quotes like, “The nanny forgot to pick up Quenelle from her sound bath!” The material was practically begging to be written.
It’s a bit surreal to think those initial sketches have now turned into a book. I’m thrilled with how it turned out. The series gained a fantastic following, and by chance, I found a great publisher and an amazing illustrator, Axana Zasorina.
**Liam Pape:** Have you encountered any pushback from fellow comedians over the opportunities that arise from your significant online following?
**Daniel Foxx:** Not really! There’s a growing movement among comedians exploring various ways to create content online, letting them produce what they want without needing a big production company’s approval. It’s exciting to witness the diversity of creative work out there.
I do feel a slight cringe when I’m labeled as a “TikTok comedian.” I’ve been doing stand-up long before I started portraying a middle-class mother online, but it doesn’t bother me too much. Engaging with audiences on social media who share my sense of humor has been one of the best experiences of my life.
*Bedtime Stories for Privileged Children by Daniel Foxx is published by Monoray (£14.99). To support the Guardian and Observer, order your copy from guardianbookshop.com.*
