Roger O'Sullivan - Mad Hatter Q&A: "I'd love to make a Shōnen-style anime about making it as a stand-up comedian"

Who would be the last person you would invite to your birthday party?
Bono – don’t like the guy and you know he’d be harmonising over ‘Happy Birthday’ as the cake comes out. It’s my big day Mister Vox, not yours.

Who would be the first person you would invite to your birthday party?
The Grinch (pre or post heart growing three sizes). I think he’d be a good laugh in a non-Christmas context.

Favourite saying?
The whole world couldn’t make a racehorse out of a donkey. Why would you want to? Donkeys are class.

Favourite record?
...And Justice for All by Metallica.

Favourite book?
The Life And Opinions Of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman by Lawrence Sterne. Underappreciated Clonmel man.

Favourite film?
Zodiac. Every time I watch it, I think I’ll solve the real case.

Favourite author?
Jon Ronson. The thinking man’s Louis Theroux

Favourite actor / actress?
Kurt Russell. He’s got true grit.

Favourite musician?
Gigi D'agostino.

Most embarrassing moment of your life?
Posting about Huel every day of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival to try to get a brand deal, only to be ignored.

Favourite food/drink/stimulant?
Huel, I’d have it with every meal… if it wasn’t a full meal already.

TV programme?
I’m Alan Partridge seasons 1 & 2.

Favourite TV personality?
Graham Norton. The best ginger thing out of Cork after Tanora.

Favourite item of clothing?
My Claddagh ring if that counts?

Most desirable date?
29th of February. Very rare date.

Favourite method of relaxation?
Eating popcorn, drinking fizzy water and listening to a two-hour YouTube video essay about something I’ve never heard of before.

If you weren’t pursuing your present career, what other career might you have chosen?
I’d be making metal music I think. Guitar is my only other passion.

Biggest thrill?
Being banned from the Crúiscín Lán in Cork for stage-diving when I was 15. Never been topped.

Biggest disappointment?
Not getting to stage-dive anymore as it’s frowned upon in the comedy world.

Your concept of heaven?
On-draught milkshakes which somehow have no calories.

Your concept of hell?
Having a great podcast lined up but not quite being able to hear it.

What would be your dying words?
Oh before I forget…

Greatest ambition?
I’d love to make a Shōnen-style anime about making it as a stand-up comedian.

Period of history you’d most like to have lived in and why?
The good old days. Meant to be absolutely class. Failing that, Celtic Ireland.

If you weren’t a human being, which animal would you have chosen to be?
I feel a kinship with the badgers. Most of my work is done underground and I may carry TB.

If you were told that the world was ending tomorrow morning, how would you react/what would you do?
I’d thank everyone who ever helped me in comedy, and curse all who had ever wronged me.

Your nominee for the world’s best-dressed person?
I always felt Rupert the bear knew what he was doing.

Favourite term of abuse?
Clown.

Biggest fear?
Not trying hard enough.

Humanity’s most useful invention?
The vegetarian whopper. It’s good lads.

Humanity’s most useless invention?
The micro USB. You can never find that cable.

• Roger O’Sullivan brings his Fekken show to Dolan's Warehouse, Limerick (April 16); the Ambassador Theatre, Dublin (April 17); The Limelight 2, Belfast (April 18); and Cyprus Avenue, Cork (April 19).