Mes droleries
Almost time for me to go and record this show for BBC America, then. I did a warmup last night which went well enough. I alienated the crowd briefly with a couple of anglo-specific references but won them back with local gags and a small amount of French repartee. Montreal is remarkably French – it takes me by surprise every time. The bill is a pretty strong one with the likes of Russell Kane and Greg Davies and my good friend Danny Bhoy. Actually, not even the likes of them: actually them. Fingers crossed this will go well and I will then graduate with the minimum of a fuss to an American sitcom (‘That Guy Watson’), movie, Hollywood Bowl appearance etc. That’s pretty much how Montreal pans out for most people. So, yeah, see you later, you guys. I’m a Big Willy now. Oh, I like that expression even less written down than I do verbally. Hmm.
Also, I’m actually flying home tomorrow.
Congratulations to Phill Sacre who unknowingly left the 16,000th Comment on this blog yesterday. Supermarkets used to mark moments like this by giving the numerically lucky visitors a free ‘shopping spree’. Not sure what the prize should be for this. Maybe you’re allowed to not read the blog for a bit?
Posted by Rachael on July 27, 2011
I’m glad to see I’m not the only one who doesn’t know about “big willy”.
Posted by Suzanne aka Senior Watsonian on July 26, 2011
Hey, Jen … what a team … think this could be the start of something great!!!
Posted by Jen on July 26, 2011
Suzanne – I do that too – I always put Eleven in a clear place on shop book shelves – I’ve also distributed my vast signed collection of Eleven and other books by Mark to friends and colleagues – we should be in promotion or advertising – hehe!Jx
Posted by Tibbs on July 26, 2011
So glad I made it to one of the shows you did last night, and looking forward to seeing the BBC America one when it comes out!
Hope your flight home is better than the one here.
Posted by Julianna Romanyk on July 26, 2011
WAIT… so you not going to be at One Stop World Tour on the 27th??? I’m very confused. Why’d they put you on the site then????
Posted by Steven on July 26, 2011
I think he should win a mention, either in your next book as maybe a random shop keeper or the like or as part of your routine for the Festival, preferably on the last night as that is when I have tickets and I will really enjoy waiting for the mention of Phill with two L’s.
Posted by Andrew on July 26, 2011
Is there some significance about the number 16,000 that I’m missing? I don’t remember this hullabaloo about the 15,000th comment. Or the 15,151st. 15,151 is a much nicer number than 16,000. Hopefully the leaver of the 16,161st comment will get concomitant kudos.
That sounds almost angry, doesn’t it? I am not angry. Insert smiley face, or whatever is appropriate in this situation to denote bemused whimsy.
Posted by Suzanne aka Senior Watsonian on July 26, 2011
So, ChrisP … good plan but what would happen to the other half??? You volunteering perhaps???
Please unite and join me in my Eleven promotion strategy … Anywhere it’s on sale, pick one up, browse through and replace in another section of the display … making sure it’s on a different row, preferably at the opposite end, average eye level being ideal!!!
Watson is a lovely surname but not the best for an author … even though ‘ours’ is the best!!! Suggest change to Anon or Awatson??? What do you reckon, Mark and fellow Watsonians???
Posted by Phill on July 26, 2011
16,000th comment? Wow. If I’d have known I’d have tried to make it a bit more memorable!
Hope the show goes well anyway, retrospectively as I guess it’s done by now!
Posted by ChrisP on July 26, 2011
I think he should win half a toblorone…
Posted by Jen on July 25, 2011
Big willy – is that as in Will Smith’s Big Willy Style or am I totally off target – in fact this whole comment sounds all types of wrong – I apologise!Jx
Posted by alot of rachels on July 25, 2011
big willy? I’ve not heard that phrase before, what does it mean.
16,000? wow, that’s great. Now to time it perfectly so I get the 20,000
Posted by Lina on July 25, 2011
As local gags, did you talk about the too many orange cones? You blink your eyes and “pouff”, the cones keep appearing! It’s so annoying! Also, feel free to bring some of them with you as souvenirs! Please!
Seriously, I can’t believe I’m missing that show. It was a matter of hours! And L’Usine C is “almost” in my backyard…
Have fun et bonne fin de séjour!
Posted by Alex on July 25, 2011
I didn’t know big willy was an expression. Have you made it up? Also, why have all of my comments from the last week (i.e. since the picnic) gone for moderation? Have you black-listed me Watson? Is because I said Meg was an alcoholic? She isn’t really.
Posted by Misha on July 25, 2011
Sweeties? Sweeties are an excellent prize always.