Over the last 30 years, writer, producer and stand-up comedian Phil Differ has been involved in many of Scotland’s most iconic TV and radio programmes, perhaps most notably as the creator of ‘Only An Excuse?’. These days, as well as all of these media jobs, he’s also been able to add ‘playwright’ to his ever growing CV. We caught up with him to find out more about his route into comedy, as well as the positives or negatives of experience vs qualifications, and freelancing vs permanent contracts.
You’re probably best known as the creator of BBC Scotland’s iconic ‘Only An Excuse?’. What was the inspiration for the show?
I had been writing the occasional football gag for Naked Radio and felt there was a huge seam that just wasn’t being tapped into. When the documentary series Only a Game came along I knew this was perfect for parody.
What had your path into comedy been?
I started as a freelance writer then after a few years doing that was promoted to script editor before finally being made a Producer.
Media degrees abound these days, but do you feel that experience is more important than conventional qualifications for people looking to make their way into the industry?
I don’t think qualifications matter, it’s all about your ideas and the more you write the better you become in expressing those ideas.
You’ve experienced life as a full-time employee and as a contractor in the media world, what have you found the pros and cons of each to be?
When I was full time I got a bit lazy, a wee bit too comfortable. Becoming freelance changed all that, I had to prove myself with every contract.
As well as Only An Excuse?, you also worked on Naked Radio and City Lights (starring the legendary Gerard Kelly). From such a rich CV, what has been your most rewarding working experience?
I really enjoyed Naked Video, it was such a great learning experience but Only an Excuse? tops them all because I came up with that, it was my idea.
The internet has brought an explosion of content. Have you ever considered utilising your writing and producing skills via platforms other than TV or Radio?
I haven’t but I should. Maybe I’m just too old-fashioned.
You have diversified by going into stand-up, how do you find the difference between that and the longer production time that goes into putting a show together for the TV?
I enjoy the freedom and immediacy of stand up and the lack of executives making suggestions on how to improve things. There’s something almost pure about a comic, a joke and an expectant audience. It’s comedy’s ultimate challenge.
For many people, you’ve probably already got their dream job…but what would your own one be?
An executive who tells comedy producers how to improve things. No, seriously, to be honest I’m doing what I always wanted to do and even though freelancing can be tough at times I wouldn’t change it… unless Deep Purple offered me the job of lead guitarist.
What advice would you give to people trying to make their way in the TV industry today?
Comedy is a market like everything else so provide what people are looking for and persevere. There will be a lot of disappointments along the way but ultimately the rewards outweigh them.
Phil is the writer and director of the play, MacBraveheart, which is being performed at the Assembly Rooms during this year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival.