I was greatly influenced by 'The Goons' and 'Monty Python' reconstituting what comedy was - it could come from a funny word, not just a set up and a pay-off. I liked the zaniness; they were satirical, slightly saucy and very literary in their references.

Romanes eunt domus

First you must find... another shrubbery! (dramatic chord) Then, when you have found the shrubbery, you must place it here, beside this shrubbery, only slightly higher so you get a two layer effect with a little path running down the middle. ("A path! A path!") Then, you must cut down the mightiest tree in the forrest... with... a herring!

My mother is British; she's from Shrewsbury. She turned me onto 'Monty Python' very early.

I'd grown up loving English films. I was a huge Monty Python fanatic as a kid.

'Monty Python' and 'The Simpsons' have ruined comedy for writers for the rest of our lives.