Jack and Michael Whitehall - Where Everybody Knows Your Name with Ted Danson and Woody Harrelson (sometimes)

Summary of "Where Everybody Knows Your Name with Ted Danson and Woody Harrelson (sometimes)"

Episode: Jack and Michael Whitehall
Release Date: December 25, 2024

1. Introduction to Guests

In this festive episode, hosts Ted Danson and Woody Harrelson reconnect with British comedian Jack Whitehall and his father, Michael Whitehall. The duo delves into their long-standing relationship, career trajectories since their time on the iconic sitcom "Cheers," and the unique father-son dynamic that has defined their collaborations.

2. The Father-Son Comedy Duo

Jack Whitehall reminisces about their initial foray into joint performances:

[02:05] Jack Whitehall: "I don't think so. I mean, there've been a couple of comedians over here in the UK that have done shows mainly with their mothers, actually. But yeah, me and Dad, I think, were one of the first to do anything together."

They discuss the origins of their collaborative show at the Edinburgh Festival, where Michael was intended to be a mere prop but ended up stealing the spotlight:

[02:52] Michael Whitehall: "Madge just sits in a chair just in front of the... And that's the joke."

The unintended success led to the creation of "Back Chat," a BBC chat show where Michael often overshadowed Jack:

[03:48] Jack Whitehall: "That was called Back Chat, which we actually recorded at the Riverside Studios where you're doing your play at the moment."

3. Transition to "Travels with My Father"

Due to the overpowering presence in "Back Chat," the Whitehalls pivot to a travel-based show, which better showcased their relationship and dynamic. Michael candidly admits to getting bored with the interview format:

[04:30] Michael Whitehall: "But you got bored, to be honest, with that other show because you got bored with interviewing people..."

Jack highlights the challenges of the interview format, reflecting on their experience with Joan Collins:

[05:18] Jack Whitehall: "No, no, not because she was upset, but she was just bored."

4. Michael's Educational Background and Early Life

Michael shares his experiences attending Ampleforth, a boarding school run by Benedictine monks in Yorkshire:

[09:32] Michael Whitehall: "I was sent away to a boarding school when I was nine and a half in Yorkshire called Ampleforth, run by Benedictine monks."

He recounts humorous anecdotes, including pranks on Father Basil Hume, who later became the Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster:

[14:00] Michael Whitehall: "...he has become the Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster. So he is the top, top dog in the Catholic Church in England..."

5. Comedy and Stand-Up Experiences

Jack delves into his passion for stand-up comedy, discussing early performances and the excitement of testing new material:

[25:14] Jack Whitehall: "I love doing that process of it. I actually think that's sometimes the most exciting bit is when you're building the hour for the first time..."

He shares challenging moments with hecklers, including an incident where an audience member introduced a sex doll onto the stage:

[54:15] Jack Whitehall: "I had someone ring, bring and inflate a sex doll and chuck it onto the stage... I was like, what do you want me to do with this?"

Michael offers insights into handling such disruptions, emphasizing the importance of maintaining composure:

[56:25] Woody Harrelson: "But I bet you got jokes based on the fact that... if his dog weren't presently dead."

6. Michael’s Career as an Agent

Michael discusses his illustrious career as an agent, representing notable clients like Kenneth Moore and Daniel Day Lewis:

[30:37] Michael Whitehall: "I think Daniel Day Lewis was probably my favorite. I just had a Colin Firth."

He shares memorable interactions, including managing Daniel Day Lewis's method acting approach:

[31:54] Michael Whitehall: "...he was talking like that, cause I'm doing the film... he turned around and he was watching this whole thing, like, rock bottoming Mary in front of Dwayne."

Michael also recounts his strategic maneuvers in the industry, notably his role in securing Richard E. Grant’s breakthrough:

[62:36] Michael Whitehall: "...he was going to do with Oi... I thought he was raving mad. But then Richard E. Grant auditioned and landed the part."

7. Podcasting Adventures

Michael and his wife, Hillary, share their experiences diving into podcasting, despite Michael’s initial skepticism:

[66:28] Michael Whitehall: "I didn't know what a podcast was... I said, what do they listen on? They're not on the radio? No. On their phones."

Jack humorously comments on the personal stories aired on the Whitehall's podcast:

[69:09] Jack Whitehall: "...our dirty laundry in public... I was talking about how I got busted watching pornography on the Sky Television device..."

They discuss the challenges of maintaining privacy and the humorous side of sharing personal anecdotes:

[69:37] Ted Danson: "Are you enjoying doing a podcast?"

8. Reflecting on Fame and Recognition

Jack expresses mixed feelings about his recognition in America, feeling pigeonholed by his association with "Travels with My Father":

[38:15] Jack Whitehall: "...the worst one was when we went to America... I'm just the doofus son, the hanger on."

He navigates the nuances of fame, highlighting the differences in audience reception between the UK and the US:

[39:50] Ted Danson: "I hope you took it out on your father, Covert."

9. Theatrical Experiences

Both Woody and Ted share their theatrical ventures, with Woody recounting his recent play "Ulster American" and its challenges:

[50:11] Michael Whitehall: "That's harsh."

Jack discusses the intricacies of live performances versus stand-up comedy:

[60:05] Ted Danson: "Not anymore you don't, pal."

10. Closing Interactions

The episode concludes with warm exchanges, highlighting the camaraderie among the hosts and guests. They discuss future collaborations and express mutual appreciation:

[70:40] Jack Whitehall: "Yeah."

[71:11] Michael Whitehall: "Yes, it was very nice."

Notable Quotes

Jack Whitehall:

"I love doing that process of it. I actually think that's sometimes the most exciting bit is when you're building the hour for the first time and you're going up and you're trying out like half-baked bits in a comedy club..."
[25:14]
Michael Whitehall:

"I cannot laugh. I don't do laugh. I do smiling."
[22:20]
Kevin Moore:

"He was just very sweet, very nice sense of humor. Very interesting looking..."
[31:31]

Conclusion

This episode offers an insightful and humorous exploration of the Whitehall family's journey in the entertainment industry. From overcoming challenges in joint performances to navigating the complexities of comedy and agenting, Jack and Michael provide a candid look into their professional and personal lives. Their interactions with Ted Danson and Woody Harrelson add depth and warmth, making this an engaging listen for fans and newcomers alike.

Recommended Listen: For those interested in the dynamic father-son relationship and their adventures in the entertainment world, be sure to check out all five seasons of Travels with My Father on Netflix.