Mark's (second) last night in town
It sounds like quite a few of you had a parent or grandparent say something like ‘there’s your friend!’ when I popped up on an old McIntyre Roadshow last night. I think this is rather touching. I’m going to consider starting each blog with ‘hey mate’.
I’m now two shows away from finishing Edinburgh- my fifth with a solo show and 11th in a row altogether. I have overcome, or moaned into submission, the usual problems, which this year included mild illness, more serious illness of KW, fluctuations of faith in show/talents/career, extreme sleep deprivation, having wine tipped on me, having a lot of awkward chats with drunk passers-by, up-and-down ticket sales, and trying to run really far in my spare time.
There’s a good chance I won’t do it next year, so over the next couple of days I will do a blog looking back at highlights of my strange times in this city, 2000-2010.
And still owe you a summary of my Challenges.
And quite a bit of other business. But hey. Still nine and a half years left.
Posted by Simon on August 30, 2010
Guess what? Fast forward 12 hours from your Sunday show and I find myself talking to some random whilst queuing in a service station coffee shop – never done that before – now look what you have started!!
Great show
Posted by Rachael on August 30, 2010
weekend festivals are enough of an endurance test for me, getting through an entire month of that craziness is quite an acheivement! Well done you (in a genuinely impressed way not a patronising way).
Posted by Kate B on August 30, 2010
I really hope you return to the fringe, seeing you this year was the highlight of my summer (no pressure). But of course I completley understand if you choose not to go next year, having a kid isn’t easy! Really looking forward to the Edinburgh highlights blog!
Posted by Lydia on August 30, 2010
I’m looking forward to the summary. Why do you think you won’t go next year?
Are you on Would I Lie To You next week?
Posted by Kate W on August 30, 2010
Will look forward to that Fringe highlights blog! I’m sure there have been some interesting Watson times in that 11 years….
Posted by Tibbs on August 30, 2010
Not only were your show and book launch some of the highlights of my first Fringe, but I also shared a flat with a group of people I met on the fan forum (who were all lovely), so I would be pretty sad if you didn’t come to Edinburgh next year. On the other hand I can see how 11 in a row could be a bit tiring!
And I would be so happy if you ever come back to the Just For Laughs festival (or anything else in Canada), since the first time you came was just as I left for Korea, which was very frustrating! It seems like a lot of comedians I like decided to come to Canada when I wasn’t there. =(
Posted by Laura on August 30, 2010
My other half refers to you, alternately, as ‘your boyfriend’ and ‘your other man’. Bless him.
Posted by Becca on August 30, 2010
(Comment which has no relevance to this particular blog entry but is instead about your book apologies for terrible lack of grammar but it’s 1.30) I got it last week, loved it and am currently forcing (in that I shoved it in their face going “YOU MUST READ THIS” and they agreed, not I’m holding them at gunpoint sort of forcing) my friends to read it. I have put your other books on my list of books to get (this is unfortunately a very long list) I did chuckle when I was showing my friends the book though:
Friend: Hey I recognise him *points to you picture on back cover*
Me: Yeah, he’s a comedian
Friend: Really? Hmm…
Me: Mock the Week?
Friend: Ahhh yeah that’s why!
Amateurs!
Posted by Katie on August 30, 2010
My mum calls you “The Nice Man”, and has become especially fond of you after you were on that program with Vernon Kay (I think it was him anyway). She often is heard to shout “Katie, the Nice Man’s on the telly!” when you’re on the box.
Posted by Rachel Winter on August 30, 2010
Nooooooooooooo! what? I thought there was already a gap as it was without spending 24 hours in your company, but no show AT ALL?? sob!
And as for faith in your career – If I’m not mistaken doesn’t the blurb by your book in Waterstones say that the book (despite only being out that day) is already being filmed for a movie in and around New Town? That’s amazing!
Cant promise I wont well up at your highlights of 2000-2009 (I might read it to the backing of Lovely Band’s Creep, just to tip me over the edge).
Posted by Ally on August 30, 2010
@Natalie-Helen I was going to say something else but then I saw your comment about your dream and giggled myself into forgetting what I was going to say.
I think I was going to say something witty about the Edinburgh Festival and then a comment on how I feel as though I’m closer to achieving my TYSIC of writing a novel after I went to a talk by Joss Whedon at the Sydney Opera House yesterday and was inspired. Unfortunately the witty comment was lost
Posted by Someone on August 29, 2010
I knew I should have gone to Edinburgh this year! I am so unbelievably gutted I didn’t, and now next year you might not even do a show. This is sad, but understandable… but sad. Oh well, I shall just have to make a habit of the Fringe until you go back. Rubbish, rubbish, rubbish me.
Posted by Natalie-Helen on August 29, 2010
Ah mans and next year was the year I actually have a chance to go. T_T
But fair enough. I’d rather you weren’t at Edinburgh than not here at all.
Had a dream that about five years in to it TYSIC had turned into a sort of cult and Mark was our esteemed leader. Watsonian fever going a little too far I think!
Can’t wait to read the highlights and thought I’d let you know that as soon as my new debit card arrives and I can update paypal I’ll be donating for the half marathon. Hope that is going well. ^_^
Posted by Tara on August 29, 2010
I love the idea of Edinburgh highlights! I also love the idea of starting the blog with “hey mate.” I have a lecturer who starts all his emails with “Scholars,” and he is loved by all. It couldn’t hurt.
Posted by h2osarah on August 29, 2010
No Edinburgh next year? *pouts* Or will this be like when you took a ‘year off’ last year, actually doing way more stuff. Ah well, do what’s best for you (even if we miss you). I hope your last show goes well. x
Posted by Aislinn on August 29, 2010
I mean, this was only my first year in Edinburgh, but what with the people I met up there all being Watsonians and the brilliant time I had, I’d like to imagine it’d be a pretty different experience with you not doing a show. My brain is fighting between the options of saying ‘Bloody do a show next year, damn it!’ and ‘I can’t imagine how stressful it must be, especially with a little baby and all. Have a well-deserved break.’
It makes me happy that this year was your eleventh Edinburgh in a row. Coincidence? (Yes. Entirely. I still like it, though.)
Posted by Ben on August 29, 2010
Please do Edinburgh again next year! You were my favourite show this year – and I was lucky enough to see two of the Perrier nominees and the winner!
Posted by Tim on August 29, 2010
I know it has been hard work for you both physically and emotionally performing at the Fringe but I want to say your show was the highlight of my visit to the Fringe. I had never been to the festival before and after initially not being able to get tickets to see you I managed to. I even squealed with excitement when the box office said they had some. I even braved the front row (sorry I didn’t have a watch on when you needed to know the time). But as the girl said behind me it doesn’t matter just keep going. By the way Eleven is really good.
Posted by Rachel on August 29, 2010
My dad knows/refers to you as ‘Pigeon Man’, which sounds a bit dodgy to anyone except me and my dad when he randomly says it. On another note, well done to everybody for the TYSICs so far, always lovely to read about how people are making positive changes to their lives
Posted by Megan on August 29, 2010
I can’t wait to hear more about the Fringes from a participant. I have never done the marathons that Misha, Zoe, Aislinn, and h2oSarah have done and I still find the experience exhausting (mostly in a good way), so I’m really intrigued by how tiring (and terrific?) it can be for a performer, especially one as busy as you.
Also, totally understandable that you might not do it next year. I selfishly hope that you will revisit Canada one of these days, though.
Posted by Kathryn on August 29, 2010
My mum doesn’t recognise you. I had to explain. She was impressed though. Doubtless she’ll be equally impressed when Eleven finally arrives and she asks me what I’m reading and I have to explain all over again.
Posted by Misha on August 29, 2010
I think my grandparents have more idea of who you are than my Dad. He’s a bit useless really.
No fringe next year? *gasp* etc. Sorry, i’m feeling too tired and sicky to elucidate. Is elucidate the right word? I don’t know.
Yay fringe. Yay fringe highlights. I want to go back already, it’s lovely having (almost) all my favourite twitter people in the same city.
Posted by Rachel/Pandora on August 29, 2010
Yeah, my mum recognises you on telly because of your nice t-shirts. Haven’t broken the news of the wine/bear shirt to her yet, it might upset her. x