Peter Griffiths is one of the biggest names in comedy.
He has been in the business for more than 30 years, and he has starred in shows including The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Mary Shelley Project, The Steve Martin Show, and, most recently, Saturday Night Live.
His new sitcom, Pete Griffith, will be available to stream on Netflix in the UK and Ireland on June 29.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Griffiths talked about his career in comedy, why he believes it is important to take on difficult roles, and what he has learned from the people who have helped shape his career.
How did you first become a comedian?
Peter Griffith: I went to school and I was in a comedy class, so I got a sense of how the world worked.
I also got the sense of what kind of material you could make a living off.
So I wanted to go and learn.
I was just in love with the idea of the comedian.
What I’ve learnt about that is that there are some people who will do a show that is terrible and people who are just wonderful, that is really wonderful.
They’ll do it in front of a room full of strangers and you’ll find out they’re a genius.
So it’s the same thing.
And I think that’s why I’m so fascinated by what people do.
You just have to ask people to do something and you’re going to get a brilliant result.
I’ve always been interested in the art of comedy.
What did you love about your early days on Saturday Night?
I loved the spontaneity and the absurdity.
It was great.
And what’s been a bit more interesting is, I have an amazing sense of humour.
The things I do and say are funny, and the people I get to hang out with are great.
It’s funny to see how people react to me, because they don’t realise I’m not going to do it.
What’s your take on the current political climate?
I think politics is very polarised.
I think it’s very divisive.
There’s a lot of noise.
People are very politically divided, and they have a lot to work with.
There are so many different views.
That’s one of my biggest strengths, is I’m able to find common ground.
I’m also a bit of a social critic, because I want to bring the world together.
I like to think I’m a social person.
What is your favourite TV show or show on TV right now?
I’m very much looking forward to The Mindy Project coming back to Netflix.
It is one that I really look forward to.
Is there a show you haven’t done that you would love to do again?
There are a lot, I haven’t even considered the possibility of doing another show on Netflix.
I do like working with other people.
And then when I get the chance to do that, I’m going to be really stoked.
What would you say to anyone who’s not familiar with the business of comedy?
It’s very much a part of our lives.
If you’ve never been a part or just seen the show, you should go and see it.
I would encourage people to go out and meet people and just have a chat.
I’d love to know what it’s like to be in a show like that, to work in a way that people are excited about.
I’ll be so glad if they give it a go.
That would be amazing.
Peter Griffith and his wife, Lisa, celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary at the Soho Hotel, London.
He is pictured at the end of his run on Saturday, July 25, 2017.
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