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  • Sad People Talking / Kyle Mizono (Flickr)

With winking, boorish 140-characters-or-less quips like, "If wanting to suck your male husband's penis until he shudders & cums [sic] all over your sequined blouse makes you 'gay,' then friends: I'm gay," and "Pooped without my phone this morning, just like Gandhi," Rob Delaney amassed over one-million followers and the moniker of "Funniest Person on Twitter." And while such attention has buoyed his comedy career, Delaney's been performing since before the social media channel was a mere twinkle in Biz Stone's eye. A stand-up and author, Delaney recently moved to London to co-write and star in Channel 4's Catastrophe, a depraved but heartfelt send-up of romance, aging, and modernity. Returning the States for a stand-up tour—he performs Sunday at the Crystal—he wrote us from the road.

MERCURY: Comic James Adomian tweeted last month, "Please keep requesting that I make this or that unpaid podcast appearance. It is unthinkable that I could do comedy for money on TV." Have similar ideas ever crossed your mind in regards to Twitter?

ROB DELANEY: Sure. I try to police myself and not tweet snarky stuff like that but I've had those thoughts. Like if somebody hassles me for promoting stuff on Twitter rather than tweet jokes, I sincerely think "If you follow me on Twitter, you literally OWE me money." See how terrible that sounds?


You recently moved to London. What would make someone move away from LA to make a TV show? Perhaps you're allowed to be a little more filthy in the UK?

I just moved there because they wanted to make my show. It's hard to get a show made so if the network that wants to make your show is in the UK, you move to the UK.

Besides a stand-up special, I believe it's essentially your first time really shepherding something—not only writing but starring? What's that taught you, and what've been the biggest challenges?

I trust my comic sensibilities more now. And I've learned that the higher up the ladder you get, the harder you have to work. Biggest challenges are working at a sustained pitch but "staying cool" and having a light touch so you don't freak out or have a heart attack.

It's a common tale for the British up and coming entertainer to come to America and try to make it. Rarely do we hear that story in the reverse.

That's not a question. What the hell is wrong with you?


With working on and promoting Catastrophe, how has stand-up fit in?

It hasn't. Took a little stand-up breather which sucked but honestly I was too busy with Catastrophe and my family.

Are there ever times when you feel like you're asked to answer for your more ridiculous tweets? Like parents or in-laws shaking their heads, or your kids asking you, "Daddy, what does this mean: 'I might send dick pics if my dick didn't look like the aftermath of Dresden?'"

No. My comedy pays the rent for my family so I don't care what anyone thinks. Except them. And my wife is hilarious and my oldest kid is three so he can't read.

After this latest run of stand up dates, what's next?

Season two of Catastrophe.

Rob Delaney performs at Crystal Ballroom, 1332 E Burnside, Sun March 1, 8 pm, $25, tickets and more info here.