Ill communication
August 27, 2010 |
40 comments
I’m properly poorly this time. I said I was feeling under the weather on the second night of the festival, but this is a different league. I’ve been shivering/too hot all day. And nauseous. And aching in every limb. This kind of thing- as I have said- never happens to me away from Edinburgh. For a frail man I’m surprisingly stubborn about my health. But I’m ill this time. I can only just type this on my phone. I decided against cancelling my show because I really do hate doing that. I’ll just plough through. If the crowd are like last night- where someone shouted out ‘you’re not funny mate’ from the front row as the show began- it could be tricky.
Urrrrrgh.
Ok. Here we go.
Posted by Michelle on August 31, 2010
Hey Mark,
Just wanted to leave a wee message to say im so glad that you didnt cancel your show on friday night. It was my favourite show by far and was very VERY funny.
I especially liked your comments about Aberitswyth (sorry, my spelling is pants), having spent a VERY long 2 week holiday there, and Booing rude people. I have now started to do this and find it makes me smile instead of huffing for the next ten minutes.
So glad we got seats right at the front too. Was the best nite I had at the festival this year so thank you very much.
Much love n thank you for the laughs,
Michelle xx
Posted by Helen on August 28, 2010
Get Well Soon! x
Posted by Laura-B on August 28, 2010
Hope you feel better soon, Mark. I’m really ill too, but it’s entirely self-inflicted after drinking too much wine last night. Way too much. Ah dear.
As for the dickhead in the front row…. look at the odds. Over 800 people in the venue. 20+ nights of the festival. There was always going to be one. Don’t let it get to you.
What makes it even more annoying is that he did it at the start of the show. Very few people can make walking on to a stage hilarious – what was he expecting? I feel sorry for the people who were with him. Although not that sorry, as they clearly don’t have much taste in friends.
Posted by Amy from Northampton on August 28, 2010
Dear Mark,
Full marks on battling through and providing us with a fantastic show last night. It was very funny, and faultless. I don’t quite know how you managed it.
Absolute pleasure to meet you after the show, too. What a nice man you are. And thanks for waiting while i found a cash point, even in your poorly state.
I really hope you get well soon. And come back to northampton one day.
Love, Amy
Posted by Sue on August 28, 2010
Your loyalty and commitment to your fans and audience is truly astonishing. You’ve earned the same from us all, and we’re behind you all the way.
But although it might feel like you were letting your audience down by pulling out or cancelling a show, sometimes it’s for the best. Not quite the same thing, but last year I had a really bad bout of anaemia so I had no energy whatsoever, felt really cold and was wearing about five layers in the middle of summer. And I was supposed to be in two chemistry competitions and perform in a school concert. I really wanted to do all of them, I didn’t want to let anyone down by pulling out, but a) if I’d done the chemistry competitions and collapsed in the middle of a practical I could have done some serious damage, not only to myself but to the equipment, and spilt dangerous chemicals everywhere, and b) my performance wouldn’t have been my best, and it would have taken a lot of energy out of me and taken me even longer to recover.
Seriously think about taking a break. Your audience (and us) would understand, you take on a heck of a lot and sometimes you have to think about yourself and do what’s for the best.
As for that heckler… well, there could be young children reading this blog, so I’ll hold back. But you shouldn’t have to take that kind of stuff from idiots like that.
(Replace *stuff* and *idiots* with stronger language and you might get a glimpse of my anger.)
I’m waffling. Apologies. Just read what everyone else has put below and ignore idiots like that.
Get well soon, Mr Watson
Posted by amycool on August 28, 2010
Hope you get better very very quickly. Although working when ill probably isn’t the best cure, I can see why you wouldn’t want to let your fans down.
Sending lots of white blood cells,
Amy. xxx
Posted by Rachael on August 28, 2010
I think it that state you get points for just showing up so it’s impossible to have a bad show. Hope you feel loads better really really soon xx
Posted by Debra Coleman on August 28, 2010
loved this article -
A close call in the race to be named ‘Britain’s most disgusting woman’
Sat Aug 28 07:00AM
Posted by Daniel on August 28, 2010
Lucozade, flowers and chocolate cures all ills!
Posted by hornseygirl on August 28, 2010
Look after yourself; I second the healing powers of hot ribena. Take care.
Posted by MusicalLottie on August 28, 2010
Oh dear, that sounds nasty. Well done you for still doing the show; I hope it went well?
If you’re not feeling any better then as has been mentioned, a) you have emergency bloggers, and b) review whether or not you can do the shows – everyone knows you push yourself as far as you can, and beyond, but there is a limit! Don’t make yourself even more ill, basically.
I had a dream about you last night. It was quite random: you were filling up your old red BMW (reg. NNW 44T – ?!) at Flitwick Tesco petrol station, and I was filling up some cartons ( – I have no idea) for work. I eventually decided to say hello to you, and of course got quite tongue-tied, but you said something quite profound which I thought was very insightful; I can’t remember what exactly it was but it was to do with self-esteem, and liking / not liking oneself. Then after you’d paid, I was sitting at the side of the forecourt, thinking, and you came round and asked if I was okay. Kit was in the back of the car, smiling and gurgling and being exceedingly cute, and I said hi to Emily. I asked if Kit was always so happy, and you said he was, when he’s not being ill. And then you left, and I went back to the car park with a big grin on my face! During the dream I was wondering how many Where’s Watson? points it was worth, and whether I’d earnt any extra for it being the whole family there … I’m presuming that as it was a dream, and a highly unlikely scenario at that, in reality it doesn’t count for any. But it was enjoyable nonetheless
Get well soooooooooooooooooooooooon *gentle hugs*
Posted by Josh on August 28, 2010
I hope you heckled his budgeting skills; paying money to see unfunny comedians in this fiscal climate is a recipe for disaster.
Also, you are really funny but it’s not really an option to just say “Yes I am”.
Thirdly, GO MARKS IMMUNE SYSTEM!!!
Posted by Simone on August 28, 2010
I hope you’re feeling better soon. x
Posted by Brian on August 28, 2010
I came to the show last night… and im glad you didn’t cancel!
I was very glad that you decided to just power through. Great show, had me laughing A LOT, got a 5 hour train journey today now…. wonder what i will do?
Posted by Catherine on August 28, 2010
I hope you are asleep by now. Rest is probably what you need. I recommend whiskey for the teething (for Mrs.WH to drink).
Posted by ChrisP on August 28, 2010
… is this named after my favourite Beastie Boys LP… I think it is!!! (or possibly coincidence).
There’s always some knob who thinks their funnier than the comedian. Shut ‘em down, shouldn’t be too hard. I meant to ask ages ago what you do when heckled, I would assume a witty put down down works well in these situations? Or just ignore?
And I hope you get well soon. And best of luck for something that has already happened.
Posted by Heather Jones on August 28, 2010
So sorry to hear that you’re poorly, Mark. Very, very difficult for you, attempting to do the old ‘show must go on’ thing, even bolstered by whatever adrenalin your poor body can muster while fighting such a nasty lurghy.
As someone has already said, do please review the situation tomorrow and consider cancelling if you’re still so ill or worse!
And what a rude horrible man in your front row the previous night. Makes me so cross to hear about someone acting that way towards you. Hrumph!
Posted by Maddie on August 28, 2010
Feel better soon Mark!
x
Posted by Kate W on August 28, 2010
It’s heroic to struggle through and do the show, but (as the lovely Anna Loman rightly says) remember you’ve got emergency bloggers. If you feel as poorly as you sound, save your energy for the vital stuff.
Take care and feel better soon.
Posted by Ally on August 28, 2010
Aww Mark, I hope you start feeling better soon and the show went well/is going well/ will go well. You get points for determination and funniness!!
Posted by Rick Procter on August 28, 2010
You are funny. Fuckin’ funny, man ;o) And an awesome wordsmith, in any format. Still (slowly) reading Eleven – bloody wonderful. Loving it. Just make sure you feel better, fella – and listen to Hannah Mae too, she’s cool, I like her. Like Pandora says, almost there.
Posted by Rachel Winter on August 28, 2010
ps. I think it is definitely an edinburgh thing (maybe communal living/tiredness makes you more susceptible) – dyou remember when i missed a large chunk of what was (luckily) your 36 hour show coming in about 12 hours in?
and one of your gang who should have been on stage was also ill and had had to bail from the show? Anyway, look after yourself.
Posted by Rachel Winter on August 28, 2010
Awww.
You trooper though. You flimmin well cancel tmrw if you’re any worse. tut.
Least it is nearly monday.
Posted by Daniel on August 28, 2010
Good luck! (several hours ago)
Posted by Kathryn on August 28, 2010
Aww, I hope you’re feeling better post-show. Or after a good night’s sleep.
(I think my friend may have asked you for a happy birthday for me on twitter. If you happen to be on in the next few days and could oblige I’d be rather grateful. And my copy of Eleven is arriving on Sunday!)
Posted by laurs on August 27, 2010
hoping you get well soon mark. I admire your dedication to continuing your show. Try to get as much rest as you can. Look after yourself, take care x x x
Posted by Hannah Mae on August 27, 2010
P.S. I’m ill too – same shivery, achey, sicky symptoms. I have to work tomorrow, Sunday and Monday, carrying gas canisters and cleaning toilets and things (I wish I were as chirpy as Pippa about it) in a petrol station, because I’m a poor student and need money before term starts again in October. It sucks but it’s not for long. Anyway, that sounded a bit “we all have problems, yeah?” but was entirely meant as a peppy, High School Musicalesque “We’re all in this together, yeah!” Hurrah for solidarity in our optimism as we do things we don’t really want to whilst ill. That cheered me up far more to write than it probably will you to read. Sorry! Just know we’re behind you though, basically.
Posted by Hannah Mae on August 27, 2010
Hope you feel better soon – you’re such a hero for carrying on and fighting through the ill health and inevitable exhaustion. Hecklers are weird. And misinformed, because you’re brilliantly funny, even when poorly. But I reckon majority of your audiences will be comprised of proud fans who are full of support and enthusiasm, so remember in moments of pessimism that you’re awesome, and all the cool people know it. xxxxx
Posted by Anji on August 27, 2010
I felt proud I might have been able to be part of the midnight watch. Only to find you posted earlier and should probably be in bed yourself!
I almost feel that someone who give so much to others shouldn’t then have to get poorly. In face I DO feel that, I take the almost and sometimes back.
Get well soon Sir, orange juice and lemon and honey or something else healing – chicken soup!
Get well!
Posted by Gabi on August 27, 2010
Get better! You’ll be ok Mark. Hot Ribena and optimism can get you through some of the way. p.s you ARE funny. Very in fact. x
Posted by Becca on August 27, 2010
Oh no!! Get well sooooon, and hope you have an awesome and supportive crowd tonight
Posted by Aislinn on August 27, 2010
You’re brilliant. You just are. x
Posted by Tibbs on August 27, 2010
I’m sorry to hear you’ve been feeling ill! My first reaction is to boil a cut up ginger root and breath in the steam, as that’s what my Grandma always told me to do when I was sick, but I don’t know how effective it actually is, and it was always espoused as a cure for nausea only, so no idea if it would work for fever/chills or not. Still, that is my half-baked recommendation.
And I’d like to add good on you for still going out despite ill health and jerks in the audience. Jerks are very annoying, but I’m sure everyone else appreciates your efforts!
Posted by Anna Lowman on August 27, 2010
Take care Mark, and remember you have emergency bloggers for a reason. X
Posted by Someone on August 27, 2010
Ah dude! Hope you feel better soon! And can get some proper rest, away from public arseholes.
Have some positive and healthy vibes, too. No charge or nothing.
And perhaps a banana.
Posted by Misha on August 27, 2010
There’s a disabled loo if you run out of the set of lower doors stage right.
Not too far to run to be sick. I should know.
Hope you get well soon good sir, don’t break yourself x
Posted by Sarah on August 27, 2010
Hope you are feeling better soon. The end is in sight!!!
Posted by Corey on August 27, 2010
Arghh, having to do something when you’re ill is horrible, but the fact you’re doing a show is great. Saw the show earlier in the month and it is great……..only the 3rd time I’ve seen you’re show but it was the best one and look forward to seeing how it progresses through the tour.
P.s. Not only do I think the book is great, but the copy you signed as a wedding present went down a treat with someone who saw you in Adelaide a couple of years ago and didn’t stop laughing all night………get well soon
Posted by Dani on August 27, 2010
Its wonderful that you are striving on so that you disappoint people.Wishing you a speedy recovery. x
Posted by Rachel/Pandora on August 27, 2010
Hope you feel better soon love, and the show goes alright. You’re nearly finished, so keep going! x