Comedian and Writer, Viv Groskop

 Viv Groskop's new book, I Laughed, I Cried: How one Woman Took on Stand-Up and (Almost) Ruined Her Life, is one of the funniest reads I've had in a long time. Viv always wanted to be a stand-up comic, but instead became a journalist, and the book is all about her going for her dream job. Really going for it - taking on a seemingly mental, and frankly terrifying, 100 gigs in 100 days challenge. Of course it's hilarious, because Viv is, and as you would expect, she writes extremely well. The book also struck a chord with me because it's about it never being too late to be what you've always wanted to be, and as you may remember, that sentiment and that feeling of not achieving my full potential has been close to my heart for a while now... But anyway, I urge you to see Viv live, and also to read her hilarious blog that she writes for the Guardian on Downton Abbey, which includes sections such as Random Subplot Alert, and Sorry, Could you Just Repeat that Awkward Line of Dialogue? In a recent post Viv has been saying how much she prefers rival period soap The Paradise. Lets hope a Paradise blog emerges too. Ideally, I'd like Viv to write a witty blog post on every single TV programme I watch.  It sounds like you've fallen out of love with Downton, you are even cheating on it with The Paradise. How could Downton win back your heart? Viv Groskop: Wow. You make me sound like a total bitch. Which, of course, I am. I watched literally ten minutes of The Paradise. It was fabulous! Downton could win me back in a heartbeat by bringing back Melty-Faced Patrick, preferably in a gay zombie clinch with Mr. Pamuk. The way things are going, it could easily happen.How did you become a journalist? What has been your favourite article you've written? VG: First I wanted to be a stand-up or an actress, but I thought this was utterly ridiculous. Which it was. So I decided to be a writer instead. I did work experience on local papers and was an intern at Cosmopolitan. My favourite article is the first thing I had published in Esquire in 1995: a series of imaginary interviews with prize-winning animals. The animals were real, the interviews were fake. It included a bull with the most expensive sperm in the world. It was all downhill from there.  What prompted your move into stand-up comedy? It has got to be the scariest job in the world! VG: It's only really scary the first time, and then you either love it or never do it again. I got to a stage in my mid-thirties where I felt like a fraud because I wasn't really doing what I wanted to do with my life. I had always wanted to try stand-up and never had the guts. I just suddenly thought "You are going to die soon. Get on with it." Insert a gag about dying on stage shortly afterwards here.Why did you set the 100 gigs in a 100 days challenge? Was the journalist part of you thinking, this would make a great book? VG: I became obsessed with the idea of doing 100 gigs because everyone says you need to do 100 gigs to know whether you're any good or not, and whether you should continue. I really needed to know whether to continue, or just knock the whole thing on the head. I knew that I would probably write about it in some form at some point. After I finished the 100 gigs I was asked to write a feature about it, and I thought "No, this is not a three-page feature. This is a book."How would you describe your comedy style? Who are your influences? VG: I avoid such descriptions. A review of last Saturday night's gig said: "Edging more to the surreal than out and out punchlines." Is this code for 'not funny"? I am not good enough to sully the names of other comics by citing them as influences. My ideas for material come from everywhere, and sometimes nowhere.  What kind of feedback have you had about your book from other comedians? VG: He's not a comedian, but Shane Allen, the BBC's head of comedy commisioning, said it's the definitive book on stand-up, alongside Steve Martin's Born Standing Up. That's good enough for me.What's the worst heckle you've had? How did you deal with it? VG: I saw another female comic get this in Edinburgh: "Twenty pounds to see your titties." I was MC-ing and did nothing to help. I was too busy having hysterics because this man was sandwiched between his sister and his mother, they were hitting him and trying to restrain him from his own idiocy.Your book is about overcoming fear, and about it not being too late to be what you've always wanted to be. How has your life and your outlook changed now that you've conquered your fears and are doing what you love? VG: My life is now wonderful and I never experience a moment's doubt. JOKE! But I don't care as much about the things that don't matter. And I am more easily able to work out what does matter... most of the time.Has it been hard to fit in doing gigs with being a mum, and still being a journalist? VG: Yes, it has. But no more difficult than it is for anyone else trying to work around a family and/or start a new job where you don't really know what you're doing.

Does it frustrate you that most female comedians don't get the same TV platform on which to display their humour that a lot of male comedians get? 

VG: Frustration is a waste of energy. Go and do a gig instead.The London comedy scene is chock full of talented people, what is your advice for someone just starting out? How easy is it to make a name for yourself? VG: Do loads of gigs and keep aiming to get better. Don't try to make a name for yourself, if you're good, what you're doing will do that for you. If not, it is probably better that we do not know your name.If money were no object, what project would you do next?VG: I would buy Tina Fey and make her into my pet.  Quick Fire Q'sDream gig: King Gong, Comedy Store (52 seconds! Yes!)Favourite venue you've performed in: The Harold Pinter TheatreComedian you recommend we see: Sara PascoeWho would be top of your thank you list in an awards speech: My hairdresser, PremBest play you've seen recently: Raving at Hampstead TheatreBest London place for food: Burger King at WaterlooFavourite free thing to do in London: Use the toilets in FenwicksFavourite gallery or museum: I like the V&A shopFavourite London shop: Daunt Books, MaryleboneBest way to get around town: There's this thing called "publc transport"Best night out: Getting paid for a gig that is cancelled. This cannot be beaten. Keep up to date with Viv's upcoming comedy gigs and her published writings here. I laughed, I cried is out now, trust me - it's a brilliant read. (Photographs by Funny Women unless otherwise credited)