...when you collaborate with someone else on something creative, you get to places that you would never get to on your own. The way an idea builds as it careens back and forth between good writers is so unpredictable. Sometimes it depends on people misunderstanding each other, and that's why I don't think there's any such thing as a mistake in the creative process. You never know where it might lead.

I think it's because in America you always get the sense that if you fail, you can just pack up your things and go somewhere else and try again. But in England, it's so geographically small that if somebody succeeds here, it reduces your chances of succeeding.

When we hold a World Championship for a particular sport, we invite teams from other countries to play as well.

I'm always meeting new people, and my list of friends seems to change quite a bit.

The thrill I got discovering Buster Keaton when I was growing up was so exciting. He was one of the greats.

I want to write a book which is the history of comedy.

My mum died about three years ago at the age of 101, and just towards the end, as she began to run out of energy, she did actually stop trying to tell me what to do most of the time.