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Richard Blackwood is not only a Stand-up comic, but also a Broadcaster, Actor, Presenter, and an Inspirational Leader. Richard Blackwood first set his sights on entertaining at the tender age of eight after watching comic, Richard Pryor live in concert on BBC 2. At the age of 20, Richard graduated from university with a BA honours in Business Studies, but instead of donning a suit and commencing the 9-5 routine, he decided to pursue his dream in the world of entertainment. In 1993 Richard performed his first stand up show at ‘The Spot’ in Covent Garden and for the first time he realised what all his friends had been telling him for years – he was a natural. Richard was an instant hit at the intimate venue, but his popularity took a sudden rise when he began touring across Britain with fellow comedian, Geoff Schumann. A break in television was inevitable for this rising star, and brief appearances on the 90s hit shows, ‘The Real McCoy’ and ‘Blouse and Skirt’ not only added yet another dimension to his growing list of talents, but also cemented his presence on the screen. For it was here that he was spotted on by music channel, MTV. In 1996 Richard joined forces with presenter, June Sarpong to front MTV’s prime-time music request show, MTV Select. Every Saturday afternoon the duo entertained young London from the Leicester Square studio, but after a four-year run the show reached a natural end. However, Richard’s television career was far from over. In 1999, Richard secured his own weekly show on Channel 4. ‘The Richard Blackwood Show’ was a culmination of comedic improvisation, celebrity interviews and music – Richard often showcasing his emerging lyrical talent to close the show. In 2000, Richard embarked on a musical career and released his debut album, ‘You’ll Love To Hate This’. ‘Mama (Who Da man)’, a cover of his uncle Junior’s 80s hit ‘Mama Used To Say’, was the first single to be released from the album and reached an astonishing number 3 in the UK charts. In 2004, Richard joined Choice FM – the UK’s number one radio station for hip-hop and R&B – to become one of the station’s biggest brand names. Together with fellow broadcaster, Kat B, the duo culminated a huge following resulting in the most-listened to show on the station’s weekend schedule. In 2007 Richard became the sole voice of ‘RB’s Sunday School’, a brand-new show on Choice FM, which continues to broadcast every Sunday between 12pm-3pm. The show currently holds the number one position on Sunday’s schedule with Richard’s comedic nature and his no-nonsense approach to community issues proving to be ever popular amongst his audience. ‘RB Real Talk’ was launched in May 2008 at the Porchester Halls, Bayswater, in a bid to highlight community issues and give a platform for solutions. Richard hosts each of the seminars with a panel of invited guest speakers.
Check Richard Blackwood out on http://www.myspace.com/theofficialrichard
F2G. How many children do you have Richard?
Richard Blackwood. I Have One Child. His names Keaun and he's boy.
F2G. Would you like more children and if so how many?
Richard Blackwood. Yes i would like more children, probably two but no more then that.
F2G. Whats your definition of a good dad?
Richard Blackwood. A good dad is a dad who stays in his childs life throughout both physically and definantly mentaly.
F2G. Do you remember when you first started on the comedy circuit? Why did you get into comedy?
Richard Blackwood. Yeah, I started in The Spot in Convent garden back in 1993. I started because i truly believed in the gift god gave me to help people by making them happy through laughter. My first gig was brilliant but i vowed never to step on a stage again cos i thought i made them laugh through luck! I'm yet to be on the big screen!
F2G. Whose ya favourite comedian of all time and why?
Richard Blackwood. Richard Pryor cos hes the best that ever did it!
F2G. Whats your preference in comedy, stand up, sketches or sitcoms?
Richard Blackwood. Stand up cos its what i learnt first and its all on you, i like that pressure!
F2G. Whats been your worst experience of fatherhood and whats been your best?
Richard Blackwood. Worst experience was seeing my son have an operation on his 2nd Birthday! The best experience was him being Born!
F2G. Was you present at the birth of your son? What was it like?
Richard Blackwood. Of course i was present and the feeling can not be described, Euphoria is close!
F2G. Whats one of the funniest memories you have of your own childhood with your father?
Richard Blackwood. The funniest was me grabbing weed out of his mouth when i was 3 and putting it to my mouth. Fell asleep for the whole day. Taught me a lesson though. lol.
F2G. Research shows that not having a father present in a child's life during there formative years in many cases leads to the child becoming involved in some form of criminal activity, drug and alcohol abuse and teenage pregnancies. Do you agree with this and why/why not?
Richard Blackwood. It can result in that but there are some fathers whom are around that are also a negative influences to the kids, so i think it more depends on the infrastructure around the child.
F2G. If you could work with any Comedian dead or alive, who would it be and why?
Richard Blackwood. Richard Pryor because he was the best that did it!
F2G. Did you go and watch 'The Pursuit of Happiness' starring Will Smith and his son? What did you think of the film and its depiction of a fathers love for his child?
Richard Blackwood. Yes great film and the father son relationship should be standard to be honest!
F2G. What advice would you give to a young person wanting to pursue a career in acting?
Richard Blackwood. Be in it for the long term and the right reason, not money!
F2G. What are you working on at the moment?
Richard Blackwood. Doing a play called Cat On A Hot Tin Roof in the westend in November!
F2G. If you could change anything about the way in which you have raised your child/children, what would it be and why?
Richard Blackwood. Nothing!
F2G. If you wasnt in comedy what do you think you would be doing now? What proffession?
Richard Blackwood. I would hopefully have been an Architect as that was my dream at school.
F2G. What football team do you support? Does your son support the same team as you?
Richard Blackwood. Manchester United and luckily my son supports them too.
F2G. Whats the last thing you done with your son? How important do you think is it for fathers and there children to spend quality time together?
Richard Blackwood. We play basket ball sometimes or just hang out to be honest. Its imperative to do social things with your children.
F2G. Would you ever foster a child? If so why, if not, why not?
Richard Blackwood. Yeah i would definantly foster children to help the less fortunate. Thats our duty right!
F2G: Changing nappies or clearing up vomit?
Richard Blackwood. Nappies
F2G: If you have another child. BOY OR GIRL?
Richard Blackwood. Girl
F2G: Teletubbies or Tweenies?
Richard Blackwood. Teletubbies.
F2G: Name a bad role model?
Richard Blackwood. Not sure on that one.
F2G: Name a good role model?
Richard Blackwood. Me.
F2G: Books or Films?
Richard Blackwood. Films but I love to read.
F2G: Mums or Dads?
Richard Blackwood. Both!
F2G: Favourite meal?
Richard Blackwood. Oxtail and Rice.
F2G. Rugby or football?
Richard Blackwood. Rugby
F2G. Migraine skank or Soldier Boy?
Richard Blackwood. Migraine Skank.
F2G. Shower or Bath
Richard Blackwood. Shower
 F2G took time out of their schedule to catch up with one of Londons most loved faces on the box. Danny John-Jules is best known for playing the CAT and that character's alter ego Dwuane Dibbley in the long standing British comedy series Red Dwarf. Funnily enough he was originally picked for the role of the Cat by turning up almost half an hour late for his casting, dressed in one of his father's old zoot suits. Unaware that he was late Jules just carried on as if nothing was amiss and as a result did not appear at all concerned with his lateness. The producers immediately decided without doubt that he was cool enough to be "The Cat".
He has played many other roles such as Barrington in Maid Marian and Her Merry Men and of Milton Wordsworth, the original presenter of The Story Makers.
Since 1999, he had several guest appearances as "himself" in shows such as Comedy Connections, Casualty, RI:SE and Night Fever.
He also appeared in at least one episode of CBBC's sitcom, Kerching! playing Trevor, Michael's father and appears as Lenny Bicknall in M.I.High also on CBBC.
He has also appeared in The Crouches
Adding to his list of talents Danny John-Jules has supplied the voice for two characters in Labyrinth, then appeared in the 1986 version of Little Shop of Horrors, Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, and Blade II. He has also appeared uncredited in the 1979 British film Scum, playing a look-out during a fight scene.
F2G: How many children do you have and of what sex?
Danny John-Jules: One boy and one on the way (sex unknown)
F2G: What is your idea of a good father?
Danny John-Jules: Someone who lives for their kids.
F2G: How did you get into acting and why?
Danny John-Jules: I followed my mate to a drama group one night and kept going, he never returned.
F2G: What was your first movie and how did it feel to see yourself on the big screen?
Danny John-Jules: My first BIG movie was Blade 2. It was an awsome feeling sitting in the middle of a cinema in NY watching it whilst absolutely noboby recognised me.
F2G: Was you present at the birth of your child (children) and how was the experience for you?
Danny John-Jules: I filmed the birth of my son and my words to my partner were "I told you it was a boy" Great time.
F2G: Whats your favourite childhood memory that you can remember sharing with your own father?
Danny John-Jules: My old man was and is not very loving. I guess that's why my mum left him when I was young.
F2G: Research shows that not having a father present in a child's life during there formative years in many cases leads to the child becoming involved in some form of criminal activity, drug and alcohol abuse and teenage pregnancies. Do you agree with this and why/why not?
Danny John-Jules: No. I'm an example of that.
F2G: If you could work with any actor/tress dead or alive, who would it be and why?
Danny John-Jules: Dorothy Dandrige
F2G: Did you go and watch 'The Pursuit of Happiness' starring Will Smith and his son? What did you think of the film and its depiction of a fathers love for his child?
Danny John- Jules: I have it on DVD but haven't watched it yet.
F2G: What advice would you give to a young person wanting to pursue a career in acting?
Danny John-Jules: Be prepared for rejection.
F2G: What are you working on currently?
Danny John-Jules: A childrens drama called MI High for the BBC.
F2G: How important do you feel it is for a father to be present in their child/children's life and why?
Danny John-Jules: A childs father is the protector and role model and should be there for him/her always.
F2G: Changing nappies or clearing up vomit?
Danny John-Jules: Changing nappies!
F2G: If you have another child. BOY OR GIRL?
Danny John-Jules: Girl
F2G: Teletubbies or Tweenies?
Danny John-Jules: Teletubbies
F2G: Name a bad role model?
Danny John-Jules: Politician
F2G: Name a good role model?
Danny John-Jules: Freedom Fighter
F2G: Choose a name for you daughter?
Danny John-Jules: Mildred
F2G: Disposable nappies or reusable?
Danny John-Jules: Disposable
F2G: Maths or English?
Danny John-Jules: English
F2G: Weekly shop or monthly shop?
Danny John-Jules: Monthly
F2G: Magazine or Newspaper?
Danny John-Jules: Newspaper
You can currently catch Danny John-Jules playing Lavinia J (singer) in the action packed movie 'Sukerpunch'. |
