‘It’s a show asking if you can be a woman in her forties and have it all’: 10 questions for comedian Cally Beaton

INTERNATIONAL TV boss Cally is responsible for shows like South Park, SpongeBob Squarepants and other MTV, Nickelodeon and Comedy Central favourites. She’s also a comedian, as seen on BBC’s QI, and she brings her new show to the Edinburgh Festival from August 5. It’s called Super Cally Fragile Lipstick.

Great title for a show. What’s it about?

It’s me being honest about the price I’ve paid, asking if you can really be a woman in her forties and have it all. I’m a single parent which might give you a clue. (laughs)

Where did you learn your stage craft?

For years I’ve had to present at top-level management meetings. The boardroom is a kind of stage where you perform every day.

How did you make the leap to the comedy stage?

In my job I have to introduce well-known comedians at TV markets and sell their shows. I try to make it fun, and someone said: “you should do comedy.”

How do you and your kids see Cally the performer?

I’d say: “Doing my best.” They’d say: “She’s an embarrassment.” It used to be cool that mum went to the MTV Awards and met Beyonce, but not now. Today it’s: “How come you’re funny on stage but not at home?”

Which is more difficult – the boardroom or stage?

The stage is simpler because no one is judging me by saying: “You’re a TV boss, you earn loads of money.” It has less baggage attached. I’m in an honest relationship with the audience.

Do you ever feel like not going on with the show?

I worked with Sarah Pascoe. Before we started she said: “Ever wonder why we do it?” I know what she means. We could be cosy at home but instead we’re in a bear-pit making ourselves vulnerable.

What do you do when a gig goes wrong?

Adapt. Recently teenagers were writing on paper planes and firing them at me on stage. So I got the audience to read them out. One said: “Don’t give up.” The next one said: “Your day job.” Great heckle.

Who makes you laugh?

Larry David makes me wet myself. When Victoria Wood died I also realised how much she’d influenced me. And I love French and Saunders.

How do you feel about reviews?

I read them but I’m like a snail without a shell under the critic’s welly boot. I don’t know whether to keep reading them or not.

You have 24 hours left to live. How do you spend it?

Taking my kids for a meal. I’d want a helicopter to the Riviera but they’d choose Nando’s instead. Then I’d do a massive stadium version of my stand-up show, and end the day with close family.